Cathay Pacific Airlines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Cathay Pacific Airlines - Essay Example It is with regards to this fact that the research has endeavored to conduct a thorough analysis of the STP strategies that have been adopted by Cathay Pacific Airlines till date. This allowed the researcher to analyze the effectiveness of these strategies as far as adding customer value is concerned. This analysis has been grounded on the basis of situation evaluation that enabled the researcher to explain the environment (both macro and micro) in which Cathay Pacific has been operating. By doing so, the researcher was able to justify the strategies adopted by the airline in accordance with the macro as well as microenvironment within which the company operates. The nature of this research is purely qualitative in nature where the researcher has attempted to analyze secondary information that is available over different scholarly journals, online databases and other websites relevant to the company of choice. The conclusions and recommendations pertaining to the research have been st ated accordingly. It is a widely known fact that the world of business is an ever-changing environment. In such an intensely competitive environment, a leading business sometimes fails to maintain its position as the market leader as a result of inappropriateness in terms of adapting to the dynamic world (G. T. Haley, U. C. Haley, and Tan, 2012; Markus and Loebbecke, 2013). There are certain exceptions where companies adopt prudent strategies that provide them with the necessary ammunition to stay ahead in the race. One such company is the Hong Kong-based airline and cargo carrier, Cathay Pacific. The company has long been known to adopt and implement proper strategies which have helped the organizational managers to compete with the likes of airline giants such as Air China, Singapore Airlines, Dragon Air, Emirates and Lufthansa (CAPA Centre for Aviation, 2014). World leaders and academic scholars have been noted praising the market strategies in particular adopted by the company that has enhanced it s competency in this fiercely competitive industry.

The increase in demand of complementary therapies health essay

The increase in demand of complementary therapies health essay The purposed purpose of this study is to explore nursing students perception on the use of non-pharmacological treatment for pain in the hospital setting. The study will also explore the types of complementary therapies used to alleviate pain at the main local government run, general hospital, assessing nursing students knowledge and perception on complementary and their use and to identify possible benefits and contraindications in the use of complementary therapies. The proposed quantitative research will be used as data collection through a self administered questionnaire. Table of Contents Page Title Page i Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 List of tables 5 1. Introduction 6 2. Background to the study 2.1 Definition of Complementary and Alternative therapies 7 2.2 Defining Acupuncture 9 2.3 Types of Acupuncture Techniques 9 2.4 Mechanisms of Action of Acupuncture 10 2.5 Clinical Applications and Efficacy 10 2.5 Research Issues 12 3. The Research Method 3.1 Aim and Objectives 13 3.2 The Research Design 13 3.3 The Population 13 3.4 Sampling Technique 14 3.5 Method of Data Collection 15 3.6 Research Tool 15 3.7 Data Analysis 15 4. Ethical Consideration 16 Reference List 17 Time Scale and Budget 18 List of tables Page Table 1: List of Complementary Therapies 8 Table 2: Contraindications to the use of acupuncture 11 Table 3: Adverse effects of acupuncture 12 Introduction Complementary Therapies have established a place in health care and have developed rapidly over the past ten years in terms of recognition, acceptance and use (Peters et al, 2002). Integrating complementary therapies with conventional medicine presents a challenge to all sectors of health care, but specifically to nurses who are at the forefront of providing patient care, health education and information (Chu and Wallis, 2007).The review of the proposed study identifies a number of these therapies but it explores only one in particular; analyzing its prevalence and use, and exploring its perceived efficacy and safety and nursing students attitudes towards it. Pertinent research and reviewing of articles for this review were sought from within the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medical School Library, using Cumulative Index of nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EBSCO host and Medline and the University of Dublin website. Dissertation abstracts, and books that were relevant to the subject were also examined. Keywords utilized for searches included complementary, therapies, alternative, attitudes, nursing students, acupuncture, pain management. Due to the increase in demand of complementary therapies, numerous articles have been written on the subject throughout the years, especially in the last decade. The amount of research available varies depending on the therapy in question. Very few local studies were encountered regarding complementary therapies, as a matter of fact, at the main local government run, general hospital, only one type of complementary therapy is acknowledged. Background to the study 2.1 Definition of Complementary and Alternative therapies Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a wide range of therapeutic procedures and philosophies that are not traditionally viewed to be part of conventional medicine (Smith, G.D, 2009) The Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field within the Cochrane Library defines complementary therapies as a broad domain of healing resources that comprises all the healthcare systems and practices their accompanying theories and beliefs. The World Health Organization defined Complementary Alternative Modalities (CAM) as a comprehensive term used to refer to both traditional medical systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian ayurveda and Arabic unami medicine and to various forms of native medicine (WHO, 2004) Thus, the words complementary and alternative can, and often do, refer to the same therapy, product, or practitioner. It is the context of use that changes an alternative therapy into a complementary one. The term describes health care practices such as those shown in Table 1. Table 1: List of Complementary Therapies (Alphabetical order) Acupressure (Shiatsu) Colonic hydrotherapy Iridology PIP Scans Acupuncture Colour therapy Juice Therapy Raw Vegetable Juice Therapy Alexander technique Counselling Kinesiology Reflexology Allergy testing Craniosacral Therapy Light therapy Reiki Aromatherapy Dream Therapy Light Touch therapy Rolfing Art therapy Eye Movement Desensitization    ReprocessingEMDR Magnotherapy Shiatsu (Acupressure) Auricular Acupuncture Exercise Marma therapy Spiritual counselling Australian Flower Essences therapy Guided Imagery Massage therapy Stress management Autogenics Healing Medical Herbalism Swimming therapy Ayurvedic medicine Health Clubs Meta-Aromatherapy Tai Chi Bach Flower remedies Health Screening Microwave Resonance therapy TENS therapy Bee Venom therapy Herbal medicine Music therapy T.C.M. Traditional Chinese Medicine Bowen Technique Homoeopathy Naturopathy Transcendental Meditation Biofeedback Humour Nutritional therapy Tragerwork Chelation Therapy Hydrotherapy Osteopathy Vegetable Juice Therapy Chiropractic Hypnotherapy Oxygen therapy Yoga Chinese Herbal Medicine (T.C.M.) Indian Head Massage Panchakarma therapy 2.2 Defining Acupuncture Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that is being increasingly used in the day-to-day management of pain. It originated in China, over 3000 years ago and is practiced worldwide (Wilkinson, J. Faleiro, R., 2007). Locally, in the main local government run, general hospital, Acupuncture is the only complementary therapy to be officially used in alleviating physical pain. Other therapies such as Exercise, Counseling, Music Therapy and others are used for various other reasons in combination with conventional medicine. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine sterilized needles through the skin at specific point (called acupoints) and is one of the key components in traditional Chinese medicine (Chen, L., 2005). A major assumption is Traditional Chinese Medicine is that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a balanced state and that disease is as a result of an internal imbalance of yin and yang (Wilkinson, J. Faleiro, R., 2007). There are five main techniques practiced. Dry needling is probably the most common but electro acupuncture (EA) possesses the most promising research endorsement. 2.3 Types of Acupuncture Techniques Moxibustion Moxibustion involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. It is applied onto the needle over the acupoints. Laser acupuncture A fine low-energy laser beam is directed onto the acupoint. Acupressure In Acupressure, pressure is used to stimulate the acupoints. This can be in the form of a bracelet or strap. Such method is commonly used to alleviate motion sickness. 2.4 Mechanisms of Action of Acupuncture Alan K. Halperin, M.D in his article Acupuncture in Pain Management writes that according to Chinese acupuncture theory, there are over 300 acupunture points on the body that connect to 12 principal and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. These pathways conduct energy force, Qi throughout the entire body. Health is maintained by the unobstructed flow of Qi that regulates the physical, mental and spiritual balance. In addition, the opposing forces of yin and yang regulate all organs. When the entire system is in balance, optimal health occurs. Disease occurs when there are obstructions to the flow of Qi, deficient or axcessive Qi, or when there is an imbalance of yin and yang. 2.5 Clinical Applications and Efficacy Research shows that Acupuncture can be used in virtually any medical condition, but most Americans use it for pain control (Halperin, 2005). Such pain controls are for osteoarthritis, headache, chronic neck and lower back pain. Studies conducted on the subject also revealed that the mentioned complementary therapy is often seen as a last resort for pain relief. This creates adverse selection bias, leaving acupuncture as an option only for those patients who fail to respond to all other methods and can create unrealistic expectations from patients (Wilkinson, J. Faleiro, R., 2007). There are also many pain conditions which have demonstrated improvement with acupuncture. These include: lateral epicondylitis, peripheral neuropathy, temporomandibular disorders, phantom limb pain, chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohns Disease. Literature shows that although acupuncture has gained much professional recognition, its applications and over all efficacies remains a subject of debate (Chen, 2005). Even so, the risk of serious events associated with acupuncture treatments is quite low (Halperin, 2005). The National Institute of Health (NIH) consensus panel on acupuncture in the United States states that the documented occurrence of adverse events in the practice of acupuncture is extremely low. Nevertheless, Acupuncture is technically an invasive procedure with the most common reported complication being bruising or bleeding at the needle insertion site, followed by the transient vasovagal response. Other complications might include; infection, dermatitis, and broken needle fragments. In some cases contraindications and adverse effects listed in Table 2 and Table 3 might occur: Table 2: Contraindications to the use of acupuncture Absolute Contraindications Relative Contraindications Needle Phobia Pregnancy avoid any points known to stimulate uterine contractility Severe bleeding diathesis Points over nipples, umbilicus, and major vessels are forbidden by conventional texts Inability to remain still for treatment Point over infant fontanel Systemic Sepsis Application during menses (less effective) Unco-operative hallucinating, delusions, etc. If patient is on corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, or narcosis (less effective) Cellulitis Anticoagulant drugs Burns Ulceration EA do not apply over heart or brain. Do not apply in region of pacemaker or implanted medical pump. Table 3: Adverse effects of acupuncture Pneumothorax Local pain Cardiac tamponade Bruising Neurovascular damage Bleeding Infection Hematoma formation Metal allergy 2.6 Research Issues Little research was found with regards to nursing students perception on Complementary Therapies. Moreover on Acupuncture and its use in pain management. It is proposed that the this aspect should be explored more in detail by conducting a small-scale research study on the subject. Two separate studies were conducted addressing nursing students knowledge and attitudes on Complementary Therapies. One of which was a quantitative study conducted in Britain and it investigated the use of CAM in cancer and palliative care and another study was conducted in southern Taiwan exploring student nurses knowledge, attitude and behavior toward Chinese Medicine. More medical research than nursing research exists in complementary therapies, mainly in randomized-controlled trials. However, this field is still poorly researched compares with conventional medicine (Nahin Straus, 2001). The Research Method 3.1 Aim of the study The proposed aim of this study is to explore nursing students perception on the use of non-pharmacological treatment for pain in the hospital setting. 3.2 The Objectives of the study The proposed objectives of this study are to: Identify the types of complementary and alternative therapies used to alleviate pain at the local government run, general hospital (Mater Dei Hospital). Identify nursing students knowledge and perception on complementary and alternative therapies and their use. Identify possible benefits and contraindications in the use of complementary therapies. 3.3 The Research Design It is proposed that a quantitative research approach is used for the purpose of this study. This means in quantitative research your aim is to determine the relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or outcome variable) in a population. Quantitative research designs are either descriptive (subjects usually measured once) or experimental (subjects measured before and after a treatment). A descriptive study establishes only associations between variables (Hopkins, 2000). It is also proposed to use a descriptive approach; Descriptive research design is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a subject without influencing it in any way. This is so as to explore nursing students own perceptions, views and knowledge on the subject. The research setting is the physical location and conditions in which data collection takes place in a study (Polit and Beck, 2006). It is proposed that for the purpose of this study, the leading government run hospital in Malta which hosts the Faculty of Health Sciences lecture rooms will be chosen as the research location for the completion of this study. 3.4 The Population and Sampling Technique According to Cormack (2000), Target Population refers to all of the people that the researcher wishes to include in his / her study. The proposed population of this study will be student nurses following an undergraduate course in Nursing Studies. The target population will be second year Diploma and Degree in Nursing Studies students within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Sampling is the portion of the defined population who are selected by the researcher to participate in the study in order to collect data. The researcher strives to get data from the sample which will reflect all the characteristics of that population (Cormack, 2000). The participants have to fulfill all of the inclusion criteria, where candidates are proposed to be: Full time student nurses following an undergraduate course at the Faculty of Health Sciences 20 years of age and older Second year student Be willing to participate in the study The exclusion criteria will be candidates who: Students who refuse to participate in the study Younger than 20 years of age 3.5 Method of Data Collection Data collection in quantitative studies may be achieved by various methods such as questionnaires, interviews and observations (Polit and Beck, 2006). A questionnaire may be considered as the most appropriate tool for data collection, since it offers the possibility of complete anonymity. A questionnaire helps to avoid bias which can happen in the presence of the interviewer, by reflecting the participants reaction to the interviewer (Polit and Beck, 2006). As the method of choice for data collection is not yet ready, it is proposed that a self-administered with close and open ended questions questionnaire be utilized; requiring a yes or no answer or completion of a question. 3.6 Research Tool The research tool for this study is yet to be provided. It will be developed by the novice researcher and based on the aim and objectives of the study. 3.7 Data Analysis Results of the findings will be presented either in the form of graphs or pie charts. Ethical Considerations Consent to carry out the research will be sought and obtained from the University of Malta Research Ethics Committee and the Faculty of Health Sciences Dissertation Panel. In order to ensure that participants of the study would not be subject to any harm, anonymity will be held throughout the study. In order to maintain privacy, for those participant who dont wish to complete the questionnaire in the presence of piers; a self addressed enveloped will be give incurring any expenses from the participant. Participants may also abstain from taking part in the study. A participation letter will be handed, explaining the nature of the study to the participants. Since the researcher might know any participant, a blank envelope will be handed.

How Does Shakespeare Show a Change in Lady Macbeth :: William Shakespeare

Lady Macbeth is an extremely ambitious woman and wants more than anything for her husband, Macbeth, to be the next King of Scotland. When King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, is to be the next King, Duncan’s murder is planned. Lady Macbeth’s crucial role in the play is to persuade Macbeth to carry out the murder of Duncan. In the beginning she is ambitious, controlling and strong. However as the plot concludes there is an extreme change in her character and personality which surprises the audience. Lady Macbeth’s guilt eventually becomes too much for her to handle which leads to her death. We are first introduced to Lady Macbeth at the beginning of Act 1, scene 5, through the letter that Macbeth sends her. This shows her to be his, ‘dearest partner of greatness’ and that he has no secrets from her. The witches’ prophecies intensify her ambitions for her husband, to be the King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is the one who encourages him to kill the king and she not only encourages him, she makes all the plans herself. We see how clever she is and how she understands her husband well, she knows he has great ambitions, but she also knows that he is honourable and mentally weak: â€Å"yet I do fear thy nature, it is too full o’th milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great. Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it.† She also knows that she will have to use all her powers of persuasion to control and manipulate Macbeth into the murder. The audience is left in no doubt about Lady Macbeth’s determination when she asks the spirits to make her masculine ‘unsex me here’ and make her completely evil: â€Å"And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull of the direst cruelty, make thick my blood, Stop up th’access and passage remorse† She also asks them to give her the strength to kill Duncan, she just wants to get on and do it without feeling guilty. At the end of the scene she takes full control of the situation, and Macbeth seems glad to let her have the responsibility. In Act 1, scene7 she really excel’s herself in how far she will go to manipulate Macbeth, to get her way. He not prepared for her rage when he announces his change of heart. How Does Shakespeare Show a Change in Lady Macbeth :: William Shakespeare Lady Macbeth is an extremely ambitious woman and wants more than anything for her husband, Macbeth, to be the next King of Scotland. When King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, is to be the next King, Duncan’s murder is planned. Lady Macbeth’s crucial role in the play is to persuade Macbeth to carry out the murder of Duncan. In the beginning she is ambitious, controlling and strong. However as the plot concludes there is an extreme change in her character and personality which surprises the audience. Lady Macbeth’s guilt eventually becomes too much for her to handle which leads to her death. We are first introduced to Lady Macbeth at the beginning of Act 1, scene 5, through the letter that Macbeth sends her. This shows her to be his, ‘dearest partner of greatness’ and that he has no secrets from her. The witches’ prophecies intensify her ambitions for her husband, to be the King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is the one who encourages him to kill the king and she not only encourages him, she makes all the plans herself. We see how clever she is and how she understands her husband well, she knows he has great ambitions, but she also knows that he is honourable and mentally weak: â€Å"yet I do fear thy nature, it is too full o’th milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great. Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it.† She also knows that she will have to use all her powers of persuasion to control and manipulate Macbeth into the murder. The audience is left in no doubt about Lady Macbeth’s determination when she asks the spirits to make her masculine ‘unsex me here’ and make her completely evil: â€Å"And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull of the direst cruelty, make thick my blood, Stop up th’access and passage remorse† She also asks them to give her the strength to kill Duncan, she just wants to get on and do it without feeling guilty. At the end of the scene she takes full control of the situation, and Macbeth seems glad to let her have the responsibility. In Act 1, scene7 she really excel’s herself in how far she will go to manipulate Macbeth, to get her way. He not prepared for her rage when he announces his change of heart.

Ethical Healthcare Issues Essay

Ethical dilemmas in health care are often the most difficult to navigate. Quite often the life of a person depends on the decision made when a challenge arises. This is certainly the case regarding patients in a permanent vegetative state. These cases have provoked very strong, opposing opinions throughout the medical community. Generating a definitive answer to how a facility handles these situations is extremely important to ensure appropriate ethical policy is followed throughout the care or termination of medical services for a person in a permanent vegetative state. Four ethical principles assist in guiding the ethical conversation: autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Autonomy Preserving a patient’s autonomy is a standard ethical policy for health care providers. Examples of how doctors and facilities protect a patient’s right to independence include Advance Directives, the Patient Self-Determination Act, and HIPAA. â€Å"The problem is that vegetative patients are not competent to refuse continued treatment, and there is concern about how best to protect them from treatment that they would probably refuse if they could† (Jennett, 2002, p. 356). A patient who has the unforeseen misfortune of entering into the permanent vegetative state may not have the chance to express their stance through an Advance Directive on how he or she wish to proceed medically, therefore stripping him or her of the right to autonomy. Some patients may have expressed their wishes informally to their family members and loved ones, such as the desire to donate organs when the time comes. If the decision were made to end medical care in a more direct and rapid way, organs would have a better chance of becoming used to help others, which would restore some of the patient’s autonomy (Wade, 2001). Most people would rather donate their organs for the benefit of others, rather than remain in an unconscious state, when given the choice. Unfortunately, these patients are not given a chance to voice that opinion. Nonmaleficence Nonmeleficence is the ethical principle to do no harm. It could be argued that a person in a permanent vegetative state feels nothing, and that poses the question regarding whether or not one can do harm to someone who does not feel anything emotionally or physically (Wade, 2001). In addition, continued treatment actually may be doing harm to the patient. â€Å"There have been many declarations that survival in a permanent vegetative state is not a benefit to the patient, some regarding it as a fate worse than death† (Jennett, 2002, p. 356). There are opposing viewpoints that believe patients in a vegetative state actually may be aware of their surroundings. According to Hope (2011) a study confirmed, â€Å"patients thought to be in a permanently ‘vegetative’ state may still be able to think and communicate† (para. 1). Although this may sound hopeful for loved ones, for some patients being aware of surroundings but not able to move or communicate is doing more harm to them. Would it be more nonmaleficent to end their suffering if they have poor quality of life? Beneficence The philosophical question beneficence raises is will an unknowing patient benefit from an act of good (Wade, 2001)? The patient is not aware of any kind or unkind act done to him or her in an unconscious state. Ongoing treatment could bring about a recovery, but a patient may not view this as beneficent. The state that their body and mind would be in and the quality of life they would have is questionable for whether or not keeping the patient alive was actually doing him or her any good. Beneficence can also relate to the survivors of the patient. In many cases, it is the willingness of the family to keep the patient alive in the hopes of a miracle even if it is against what the doctor’s recommend (Brody, 1988). Is it beneficent to the patient’s family to remain in a state of ongoing grief when there is no improvement in sight? Justice Justice is the most applied ethical principle for arguing for or against termination of treatment for patients in a permanent vegetative state. One argument that can be raised is whether or not it is fair to continue to allocate resources for a person in this state when it limits the care and resources other patients could be receiving (Wade, 2001). If a person is in a permanent unconscious state and doctors have determined that he or she will not regain consciousness or live a normal life, should the care and services he or she are using be given to a patient who has a greater chance of recovery. In addition, consider the cost to society for paying for the ongoing resources and care these patients will need (Brody, 1988). Is it fair to impose that cost on others? Instead, the funds could be used to save the lives of others. However, if the policy became to end patient’s care once they have reached a permanent vegetative state it could be said that attitudes may change toward other severely disabled people and the ongoing care they receive (Wade, 2001). Provider’s compassion may begin to be diminished over time through seeing the termination of care on these permanent vegetative patients, and it may desensitize them in a way that would make it difficult for them to provide any ongoing care to disabled people. Terminating an individual’s life whether it is physician-assisted or merely stopping food sources will always pose huge ethical concerns, even if the patient is in a permanent vegetative state and cannot express emotion or feel pain. Forming an opinion on the issue is not easy, and there are many parties who have interest in the outcome such as the patient, their family, the staff providing care, the facility providing care, and society. By applying the four ethical principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice healthcare administrators can begin to form an ethical opinion to shape the way their facility approaches the many challenges permanent vegetative patients cause. References Brody, B. A. (1988). Ethical questions raised by the persistent vegitative patient. The Hastings Center Report, 18(1), 33-37. Hope, J. (2001, November 10). Vegitative patients ‘can still think and respond’. Daily Mail, 0(0), 28. Jennett, B. (2002). The vegitative state. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 73(4), 355-357. Wade, D. T. (2001). Ethical issue in diagnosis and management of patients in the permanent vegetative state. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 322(7282), 352-354.

Neanderthals/Modern Human Interbreeding

In the advent of modern technology, it was found out that the now-extinct species of the Neanderthals do share a common ancestry with the modern human beings. This was through the analysis of the Neanderthal bone DNA from discovered Neanderthal fossil specimens. These Neanderthals were proven to be similar in the genetic makeup as compared to the modern human beings. This is despite the fact that Neanderthals and the modern human lineage have separated ways for some 370,000 years (Mozes; Gianaro). But then, the query lies whether or not the Neanderthals and the early human beings have interbred, which could have led to what the humans are now in the present. The Neanderthals, discovered way back in the 1850’s, are seen to be greatly related to the early human beings. This is because they were able to practice certain behaviors that are seen to be similar with that of the human beings, like burying their dead, skinning animals, building fires and being able to utilize tools made out of wood and stone. The difference they exhibit lie on their physical structure, wherein these Neanderthals are stockier than human beings, have comparably larger noses, muscle definitions, brows, and relatively larger brains. In relation to the coexistence of the Neanderthals and the early human beings, there are fossil evidences that these Neanderthals have existed in around 230,000 years ago in the European and western Asian regions. Dating back around 40,000 years ago, the early human beings, Homo sapiens, started moving northward, their migration patterns away from Africa, towards the European and Asian lands. And in a span of 10,000 years, the existence of Neanderthals have started to cease, vanishing from the old places they were situated, then had been isolated into smaller populations. After a few thousand years, they have totally disappeared from the face of the earth. The Neanderthal man was considered as the subspecies of the Homo sapiens, the species where the human beings are classified with. They got their name from the place where the remnants of the first Neanderthal were discovered, in Neanderthal, Germany. It was a valley where the fossils of the Neanderthal were unearthed. It was either classified as Homo sapiens neandertalensis or Homo neandertalensis depending on how scientists view them. Some scientists classify the Neanderthal as its own species, apart from Homo sapiens because of the large number of differences in the anatomy between Neanderthals and human beings (Gianaro). The anatomical structure of the Neanderthal has somewhat explained that they were the primary hominids to have survived and thrived in the harsh conditions of an extremely cold environment. They existed at the time of the glaciations in Europe, wherein they were forced to live and survive in the icy areas of the continent. Their bodies were built for adapting in these cold conditions, like their squat, stocky build which is efficient for maintaining the body temperature under the extremes of the cold environment. They have also developed large powerful muscles in their bodies which have proven to be useful in hunting animals in the cold. This is because there was no abundance of plants that could bear fruits that they can eat, leaving them with meat as their only choice. There bodies showed a lot of difference from that of the Homo sapiens. The H. sapiens contemporary of these Neanderthals which are from Africa and Asia have a relatively smaller skull and brow ridge thickness. With their differences laid, it is clear to see that humans and Neanderthals have a clear distinction, which may or may not have lead in what was speculated by other researchers as the result of interbreeding of the species. Some of these scientists say that even though they were different, they have interbred, which leads us to what the human beings are today. The present human beings have probably been the products or the cross between Neanderthals and the early Homo sapiens. Some say that these answer why the Neanderthals have disappeared, because they have blended in with the early human ancestors (Hsu). One of the studies that lead to the opening of doors for the idea of the Neanderthal interbreeding with early humans was when Neanderthal bones have been analyzed and underwent DNA sequencing. This study was done under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Berkeley National Laboratory and the Joint Genome Institute has yielded astonishing results regarding the similarities of the human and Neanderthal genes. The study arrived at a 99.5% similarity or identity between the two. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that there are evidences of crossbreeding between early human beings and the Neanderthals. The study has opened the door to the understanding that the early Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis shared a common ancestor around 700,000 years back time (Yarris and Rubin). This group of researchers, led by Edward Rubin, the director of the Joint Genome Institute and the Genomics Division of the Berkeley Lab, has achieved to establish the development of the Neanderthal metagenomic library, which was used for analyzing and characterizing more than 65,000 DNA groups which is rooted to Neanderthal ancestry. This is gives a new look at studying the Neanderthals, not only providing new information to the science world, but of further understanding these early hominids. This is essential in finding more about the roots of man, shedding new light to human origin. Erik Trinkaus, a resident anthropologist of the Washington University in St. Louis has published a set of new data analysis regarding the early modern human fossils. This was done along with his Romanian colleagues in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, wherein they have speculated a proof of the transition between Neanderthals and humans. The 30,000 year old bones that were unearthed in Pestera Muierii, a Romanian cave, was said to have resemblances in both Neanderthals and humans (Billings). What these similarities suggest was the possibility that early human beings and Neanderthals may have mated with each other and have successfully produced an offspring. According to Trinkaus, these Muierii fossils were the remnants of the early modern human beings plus some three or four characteristics which resembles that of the Neanderthals. This includes the bulge which is located at the back of the cranium. He said that these could either be a sign of re-evolving from the African ancestors or has acquired them as descendants of those who mated with the Neanderthals. This finding by Trinkaus has been disputed by two other top anthropologists, which are Jeff Scwartz from University of Pittsburgh and Ian Tattersall of the American Museum of Natural History (Billings). According to these anthropologists, the diiference that Trinkaus see as the product of the crossbreeding of the Neanderthals and early modern human beings, were actually the result of normal variation of species. Variations like being chunky or slender, tall or short are most probably the results of species variation rather than interbreeding. These are the things that make them distinct from other species, since no two species are exactly similar with each other. The bulge on the head that Trinkaus claims were actually is the wedge-shaped snouts of the Neanderthal fossils and a depression in the back of their heads, instead of a bulge. These differences in their findings were actually the result of their different attacks on the topic. Trinkaus point of view was more on the aspect of the physical differences that species has undergone. He attributed the size and built of the unearthed specimen as a character of the Neanderthals, while having features the same of that of the early modern human beings. He didn’t consider the possibility of a species variation, like when there are tall and short human beings. Schwartz and Tatersall considered the aspect of this species variation, and have dismissed the findings of Trinkaus. But they have agreed with the similarity which was brought about by the genetic makeup of the Neanderthals and the human beings. Furthermore, their idea dismisses the possibility of interbreeding happening on early modern human beings and the Neanderthals. Though they have almost the same genetic makeup, it doesn’t mean that they are able to interbreed with each other, though they are different species. What the genetic similarity would establish is that they are both coming from the same lineage, the same ancestry, that have branched out hundred of thousand years ago. In the advent of technology, researchers are able to find that Neanderthals are similar to that of the early modern human beings. Because of these they were able to establish that we came from the same ancestry as that of the Neanderthals. There were researches that points out that the present day human beings might have been the result of the interbreeding between the early modern humans and the Neanderthals, but there are also researches that dismisses this findings. We share the same lineage as that of the early hominid Homo neanderthalensis but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are the result of them interbreeding with early modern human beings. The idea is nonetheless probable, but is close to being implausible. References: Billings, Lee. â€Å"Genetic and Fossil Evidence Comes Together to Reveal a Hidden Chapter of Human History.†Ã‚   2006. Neanderthals in Our Midst.   Seed Magazine. May 7 2007. . Gianaro, Catherine. â€Å"Humans, Neanderthals Share Common Ancestry, yet Have Nothing in Common after Evolutionary Split of Two Species†.   2006.   University of Chicago Chronicle. May 7 2007. . Hsu, Steve. â€Å"Neanderthal-Human Interbreeding â€Å".   2006.   Information Processing. May 7 2007. . Mozes, Alan. â€Å"Neanderthal DNA Shows No Interbreeding with Humans, the Two Groups Do Share 99.5 Percent of Their Genes, However†.   2006.   Health On the Net Foundation. May 7 2007. . Yarris, Lynn, and Edward Rubin. â€Å"Neanderthal Genome Sequencing Yields Surprising Results and Opens a New Door to Future Studies†.   2006.   Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. May 7 2007. .