Representation of Obesity in the Media Research Paper

Representation of Obesity in the Media - Research Paper Example It is necessary to say that the media focuses especially much attention on the issue of obesity in those countries where it is an acute social problem, too. First of all, this is a matter of discussion in the media of the US. According to statistics of 2014, approximately two-thirds of adults in the US are overweight or obese, which makes obesity rates of this country among the highest in the world. The situation in Australia and New Zealand is quite similar. It is often compared to the health crisis in the US. As a result, obesity became one of the most frequent health issues discussed in the media, at least in these countries. Even despite so high obesity rates in the US, people in this country are extremely prejudiced against those who are overweight or obese. This is obvious that the media is due in no small part to this fact. Very often, the image of people who are obese is quite negative in the media. Popular television shows, for instance, portray them either as comedic, lonely characters, or freaks (Whyte, 2010). The Drew Carey Show, a popular American sitcom, may illustrate this. Its main character, Drew Carey, often expresses disappointment about his own weight. One of his co-workers, Mimi, is portrayed as a large unattractive woman. Obese people are also shown as awkward, slovenly, obnoxious, and even stupid. In media, it is hardly ever possible to come across a successful lawyer, doctor, or businessman who is overweight or obese. At the same time, however, the situation is drastically different in real life. In fact, people whose weight is normal are a minority today.  Ã‚  

Career Management System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Career Management System - Essay Example The various common elements of the career management system are examined for planning and shaping the career path of employees. The organizational growth chart is important incentive for the employees to work hard to achieve higher professional status within an organization (Gutteridge & Leibowitz, 1993). The possible career options and avenues of personal and professional growth within the firm help employees to plan their future growth. Thus, organizations need to develop clear career ladders for the workers that they might seek to advance their career. The organizational policies and procedures are critical paradigms that help create an environment of constant motivation for the employees to work with high commitment. The internal job search and facilities provided within organizational to the employees need to be constantly communicated across the workforce. Compensation, career moves, eligibility for new job or promotion etc. are important issues for workers who strive for growth to achieve their ambitions and career related objectives. Thus, strategies and policies must include the changing nature of the society that is increasingly becoming multicultural and focus more training and development of human resource to meet the challenges of the global competition. Organizations need to create facilitating environment of constant learning. It not only helps to nurture high standard of ethics and quality work but it also helps employees to acquire new skills that would add value to their core competencies leading to higher performance. Most importantly, improving skills and gaining knowledge provide workers with cutting edge competition that helps them to meet the challenges with new vigor and motivation. The networking across the community helps to create new job opportunities for not only new job aspirants but also for the

Internet Health Information Pros Cons Health And Social Care Essay

Internet Health Information Pros Cons Health And Social Care Essay After becoming an essential part of life in less than two decades, the internet has fundamentally changed the way of information seeking and providing, and the nature of communication in many fields, including healthcare system. Nowadays we can see patients and carers search for health information through web-surfing, receive advice or education from on-line based health information providers, and communicate opinions on specific symptoms or newly developed treatments by exchanging e-mails, posting on the on-line message board, participating in the chat rooms (Servellen and Marram 2009). Though there are a myriad of merits on using the internet in health area, some have raised concerns about its negative effects on the vulnerable users and the relationship dynamics of face-to-face health consultation, especially with advent of the most informed patients ever. This report presents four internet sites on health information, describe positive and negative aspects of using the internet a s health information source, and discuss how so-to-speak impersonal nature of the internet has affected the relationship between patients and health professionals. Examples of health internet sites and their primary goals Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government The Department of Health and Ageing(DHA) is a Department of State of Australia, operating under the Public Service Act 1999 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997(2009). Its homepage provides information for both health consumers and professionals. For example, the major part of the DHA web pages consists of extensive subjects such as ageing, chronic diseases, quarantine and travel health, communicable diseases, organ donation, patient education, maternal and infant health, Medicare benefits, health product and medicines, health and ageing thesaurus, etc., which aim to support the sick, teenagers, seniors, their families and health care workers. In addition, the DHA also render information on other related web sites and useful links. MoodGYM The MoodGYM is a web-based interactive tool for general public, assisting identification and management of anxiety and depression. Developed by the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University, it is known as one of the most widely investigated psychic therapy application(Bell 2007). After registering ones basic profiles, users can try its programs for free and approach to step by step questionnaires and exercises on emotions. According to the web site of MoodGYM, its therapeutical foundation derived from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, which claims that the way a person recognise the exterior environment eventually influences his behaviour, and Interpersonal Therapy, which was designed to provide solutions on conflicting roles, to improve relationship with other people, to give consolation over deep sorrow. Sibs: For Brothers and Sisters of Disabled Children and Adults The Sibs is a UK rooted, not-for-profit organisation helping siblings of disabled people. While many other internet sites pertaining to the disabled conditions are focusing on the information directly relevant to the handicapped people, this charity particularly acknowledges and addresses the special needs for brothers, sisters and parents of them. Through its internet homepage, young people and adult can assess to the practical tips as to being a family member of the physically challenged. It also contains information on workshop and training run across the UK for health care professionals and supporting siblings. Royal College of Nursing, Australia The Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) is a national nursing membership organisation, established in Melbourne in 1949, now moved to Canberra to concentrate on the professional development and policy analysis. Its official web site provides a variety of information for nurses and nursing students, including notices on upcoming conferences, expos, and workshops. Besides, 3LP, the RCNAs life-long education scheme, supports practice nurses with free e-training handling chronic disease, cultural variation, care plan management, self-management, and support strategies. Pros and cons for internet health information Through the internet we can be in contact with large volume of health information for 24/7 basis, even across national borders, by paying relatively low expense. Virtually every kinds of health information for every level and format is flowing over the internet, which means it is quite possible for you to select the very information you have searched for with little effort(Lee, Park et al. 2009). This kind of electronic accessibility is especially meaningful for some underserved groups such as the physically challenged and the scattered population in rural areas (Abrahamson, Fisher et al. 2008). In most cases the traditional mode of intervention or education hardly delivers such subdivided information conveniently with the constraints of cost-effectiveness, time and place. The anonymous nature of the internet also plays a positive role in providing health information for the vulnerable groups such as the mentally-ill or the disabled. For example, some patients from these groups might prefer not to reveal their personal details to others while craving for the necessary knowledge about their condition. In that case, the internet makes the most desirable solution they can approach the health information or exchange experience about illness conditions, remaining unidentified people. To sum up, the internet is seen to have great capacity for supplying versatile health information to both the general public and minor groups rapidly, widely and easily, which presumably lead to reduction of effort and time for health professionals while educating their clients. However, the promising feature of the internet could lead to the unexpected results. Due to the extreme variety of the web-based health information, it is often pointed out that the ability to correctly understand the medical terms and context, referred to as health literacy, sometimes impedes the right use of the health websites (Abrahamson, Fisher et al. 2008). And for the underserved, the problem could be much bigger. The vulnerable including the disabled, the elderly, etc , may be less health literate and less educated about judging the quality of information (Eng, Maxfield et al. 1998), and might be at a riskier status of becoming suffered by erroneous use of the on-line health information. Besides, the anonymity of the internet that enables rather free communication between the unidentified could result in destructive or unethical outcomes particularly for mentally weak patients. For instance, it is suggested that anonymity in a peer support website for the mentally ill might make it hard to identify whether the contents of posting of suicides and suicide attempts are real ones, therefore the members could be influenced by hoaxes to a greater extent(Hsiung 2007). In conclusion, the more information presented via the internet, the more sensitive approach and evaluation process are required, especially for the vulnerable groups lacking sound judgement capacity. How impersonal nature of the Internet affects the relationships between patients and health professionals Contrary to the traditional mode of providing health information, which involves direct communication and interactions between patients and doctors, the contemporary cyberspace generally offers one-way, impersonal communication. And this feature sometime motivates patients to search for the internet health information, because the internet seems more collectively objective source than the human being. For instance, the indirect interaction involving many unknown people lacking personal relationship, like the internet communication, may be seen to help find the impartial information(Robinson and Turner 2003). However, after surrounded by a large volume of one-way information and feeling the need to interpret or confirm them from the perspective of personally believable sources, patients are found to seek discussion with doctors about the internet health information found. Many patients are visiting GPs with print out of internet information. Some have argued that the internet might be a threat to the role of physician as a source of health information, as the internet would narrow the disparity of medical knowledge between patient and doctors(Hein 2001). But recently it is figured out that the health consultants remain the fundamental and essential authorities in selecting process of the information from the internet (Kivits 2006). Patients indeed have needs for integrated emotional support and personalised direction to get through the complex labyrinth of medical world. In summary, as the internet has become a convenient source of health information and substituted health professionals role in a degree, doctors and nurses are now required to be prepared to guide patients to choose more desirable health websites, answer their questions about the information found, and personally encourage patients willingness to learn and overcome their diseases, which would eventually make a substantial shift from traditional health care professional-patient relationship. Conclusion The internet educates patients and their carers in versatile levels, enhances accessibility to the health information for the underserved effectively, and assists health professionals to save effort and time to teach basic health information to the public. But there are also possibilities for some vulnerable subgroups to misuse the internet health information, due to lack of proper understanding of medical terms or appropriate capacity to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Even the patient with sound common sense and good educational backgrounds often find the information from the internet is confusing or untrustworthy. On top of that, the internet cannot provide the interactive personal communication by which patients can understand their specific conditions in the whole context. Therefore the roles for the health professionals now in demand are to actively accept the fact that they are not the only source of health information, help patient filter the internet health informat ion and support patients to take responsibility in understanding and conquering ones own disease. (2009). Annual Report 2008-2009. Canberra, Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government. Abrahamson, J. A., K. E. Fisher, et al. (2008). Lay information mediary behavior uncovered: exploring how nonprofessionals seek health information for themselves and others online. Journal of the Medical Library Association 96(4): 310-323. OBJECTIVES: This research studied motivations for, barriers to, and effects of online health information seeking and explored lay information mediary behavior (LIMB) characteristics in the consumer health information domain. Lay information mediaries (LIMs) seek information on behalf or because of others, without necessarily being asked to do so or engaging in follow up, and have represented more than 50% of health information seekers in prior studies. METHODS: A web-based survey was posted on NC Health Info (NCHI) with 211 respondents, self-identified per the information need that brought them to NCHI as 20% LIMs (n = 43), 58% direct users (n = 122), and 22% health or information providers (n = 46). Follow-up telephone interviews were performed with 10% (n = 21). Interview analysis focused on lay participants (n = 15 LIMs and direct users combined). Interviewees were reclassified post-survey as 12 LIMs and 3 direct users when studied information behavior extended beyond NCHI search. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Surveyed LIMs were 77% female (n = 33) and searched on behalf or because of family members (81%, n = 35) and people they felt extremely close to (77%, n = 33). LIMs reported various information seeking barriers sometimes to often. LIMs searched mostly without prompting (51%, n = 22). Interview results triangulated survey findings regarding gender, tie strength, and prompting. CONCLUSIONS: LIMB may be related to gender and relationship tie strength and appears more internally than externally motivated. Further LIMB research is warranted. Bell, V. (2007). Online information, extreme communities and internet therapy: Is the internet good for our mental health? Journal of Mental Health 16(4): 445-457. Background: Questions have been raised about the internets effect on mental health, although no principled review has yet tackled the issue. Aims: To examine the effect of the internet on mental health. Method: Literature review. Results: The internet is typically discussed as if it were a set of activities when it is actually a medium upon which various activities can occur. It is, therefore, neither good nor bad for mental health, although specific activities may have an influence. The standard of mental health information on the internet is probably equivalent to the mainstream media, although overall it still remains poor. The concept of internet addiction looks increasingly invalid, although it is likely that depressed or isolated individuals are more likely to focus on certain activities to excess. A number of extreme communities have formed online, such as pro-anorexia, pro-suicide, pro-amputation and likely-psychotic groups. These serve to provide support, outside a medical a nd social mainstream that finds their beliefs and behaviours unacceptable. A review of preliminary randomized controlled trials shows online therapy to be effective for many disorders. Conclusions: Mental health professionals are advised to lead the creation of online treatments and information. Clinical recommendations for the use of the internet are offered. Declaration of interest: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Mental Health is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holders express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) Eng, T. R., A. Maxfield, et al. (1998). Access to health information and support: a public highway or a private road? JAMA: The Journal Of The American Medical Association 280(15): 1371-1375. Information and communication technologies may help reduce health disparities through their potential for promoting health, preventing disease, and supporting clinical care for all. Unfortunately, those who have preventable health problems and lack health insurance coverage are the least likely to have access to such technologies. Barriers to access include cost, geographic location, illiteracy, disability, and factors related to the capacity of people to use these technologies appropriately and effectively. A goal of universal access to health information and support is proposed to augment existing initiatives to improve the health of individuals and the public. Both public- and private-sector stakeholders, particularly government agencies and private corporations, will need to collaboratively reduce the gap between the health information haves and have-nots. This will include supporting health information technology access in homes and public places, developing applications for the growing diversity of users, funding research on access-related issues, ensuring the quality of health information and support, enhancing literacy in health and technology, training health information intermediaries, and integrating the concept of universal access to health information and support into health planning processes. Hein, E. C., Ed. (2001). Nursing issues in the 21st century : perspectives from the literature Philadelphia, Pa., Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Hsiung, R. C. (2007). A suicide in an online mental health support group: reactions of the group members, administrative responses, and recommendations. Cyberpsychology Behavior: The Impact Of The Internet, Multimedia And Virtual Reality On Behavior And Society 10(4): 495-500. Suicides in online mental health support groups are inevitable. This case report of such a suicide describes the responses of the group members and the moderator and makes recommendations. Members of a large, public, mental health message board supported each other, and the moderator, a mental health professional, managed the milieu. A member joined in February 2001 and killed herself in April 2002. The initial response of the members was grief. The moderator attempted to minimize suicide contagion by not making any special announcements and to facilitate mourning by starting a memorial thread. There were no reports of self-injury in response to the suicide, and the online ventilation of grief may in fact have had some preventative effect. One member went to the funeral, and gradually, the group moved on. The moderator later implemented a memorial page. The responses of online groups to suicide may, like those of real-life groups, have resuscitation, rehabilitation, and renewal phase s. Diffusion of dependency, a searchable archive, and threaded, asynchronous discussion may facilitate mourning, but anonymity may increase vulnerability to false reports. A thread started in memory of a deceased member may function like a virtual memorial service. A memorial page may function like a virtual cemetery. Preliminary recommendations can be made regarding suicide prevention and responding to suicide in moderated online mental health support groups. Kivits, J. (2006). Informed patients and the internet: a mediated context for consultations with health professionals. Journal Of Health Psychology 11(2): 269-282. This article investigates how individuals use of the Internet for finding health information may affect the relationship between health professionals and patients. It explores peoples rationales for searching for information online, the information selection process and the implications for doctor-patient interactions. Qualitative interviews were conducted by email with 31 health information seekers. Study findings show the importance of the everyday in orientating health information searches and of personal experience in navigating a multiplicity of online sources. Interviewees emphasize the primary role of the doctor-patient relationship for delivering health and medical information, their Internet searches complementing rather than opposing professional expertise. Lee, Y. J., J. Park, et al. (2009). Exploring antecedents of consumer satisfaction and repeated search behavior on e-health information. Journal Of Health Communication 14(2): 160-173. E-health information has become an important resource for people seeking health information. Even though many studies have been conducted to examine the quality of e-health information, only a few studies have explored the effects of the information seekers motivations on the perceived quality of e-health information. There is even less information about repeated searches for e-health information after the users initial experience of e-health information use. Using an online survey of information seekers, 252 e-health information users responses were collected. The research examines the relationship among motivation, perceived quality, satisfaction, and intention to repeat-search e-health information. The results identify motivations to search e-health information and confirm the relationship among motivation, perceived quality dimensions, and satisfaction and intention to repeat searches for e-health information. Robinson, J. D. and J. Turner (2003). Impersonal, interpersonal, and hyperpersonal social support: cancer and older adults. Health Communication 15(2): 227-234. Although cancer occurs throughout the life span, many of the most frequently occurring types of cancer increase as we grow older. In fact, only cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths in adults 65 years of age and older. One of the ways that cancer patients cope or adapt to their illness is through socially supportive communicative interactions and relationships. Cutrona and Russell (1990) argued that social support is multidimensional and suggested that social support is most effective when the support needs of the individual are consistent with the type of social support being offered by the support provider. From the communicative perspective, the notion of optimal matching between the types of social support desired and the type of social support offered is extended to include the type of relationship between the communicants. In addition, it is argued that computer-mediated social support can be superior to face-to-face social support. This article attempts to identify s ome of the conditions under which this is true. Servellen, V. and G. Marram (2009). Communication skills for the health care professional : concepts, practice, and evidence. Sudbury, Mass, Jones and Bartlett. Hasman, L., Zafron, M. L. (2010). An Analysis of Online Resources for Parents, Siblings, and Other Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Consumer Health On the Internet , 33-41.

Constantinoples Fall Essay -- Ancient History

Diocletian’s reforms established the rule of four, called the Tetrarchy, where in four emperors controlled the newly redistricted Roman Empire. Unbeknownst to Diocletian this particular reform would be a recipe for civil war. In the year 306, one year after Diocletian abdicated, Constantine I elevated to imperial rule over the western Empire after the passing of his father and then Augustus; Constantius. During Constantine’s reign he quickly gained popularity and consolidated his power while the rest of the emperors competed and quarreled amongst each other. Eventually the empire was overtaken strategically by two emperors Licinius and Constantine. This peace did not last long however, and in the year of 324 Licinius surrendered to Constantine after the battle of Chrysopolis. Eighteen years after his rise to Augustus Constantine had sole power of the Empire and earned the respect and admiration of his soldiers and people. By the time Constantine came to rule the Empire in its entirety, was in shambles. The Capital city of Rome was a shadow of its former self, â€Å"Constantine abandoned the attempt to hold the world empire together. There was no longer an eternal Rome served by subject peoples. There could be only salvage† (Lamb 18). Constantine looked east toward Byzantium. The Byzantines were an isolated bunch that never really had a role in The Roman Empires growth, yet there was no overlooking Constantine’s certainty. Haste fully, structures were erected and a fortified wall was constructed around the city and in the year 330, during the 276 Olympiad, it was dedicated as â€Å"The almost forgotten name of Anthusa† (Lamb 20). The locals knew it as Constantine’s City or Constantinopolis. Constantine now had a home for his emp... ... With advances in technology today one can only wonder what kind of â€Å"Basilica cannon† our generation will see in use, although the nuclear bomb is incontrovertibly at the forefront of this analogy. Constantinople, a city that was comparable to no other, and unfortunately a poster child to the ravages of technological advancement in warfare. Works Cited Harris, Jonathan. Constantinople: Capital of Byzantium. New York: Hambledon Continuum, 2007. 40,52,108,112. Print. Lamb, Harold. Constantinople: The Birth of an Empire. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1957. 18,20. Print. Panorthodox, Neobyzantine. About the Great Church. Neobyzantine Movement, 2005. Web. . Runciman, Steven. The Fall of Constantinople. New York: The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, 1965. 128,133. Print.

Performance and Director

A director is in charge of all aspects of the production, a director’s job is to tie up all performance element together. The director must have vision of how should the character moves, the lighting that help enhance the mood of the play, the sets and props. As an Actor we often find problem such as, don’t know how to pose our hand, where to stand and which way to walk. We are â€Å"floating† in the stage, because we are not sure what our role is. Then it is the director’s role to direct and told the actor what to do so they will not be â€Å"floating† anymore. First the director have to read and understand the script, know what is the meaning of the play, understand each character in the play so that he or she can make choice or decision during rehearsal. The next step is to start rehearsal. Director have to position actors on stage. Usually the director will decide where is the 5 acting area, but it can be more. For example for realistic play, the 5 acting area can be sofa, kitchen, dining table, bed, beside window, and etc. A director will start to draw the set in a groundplan. When a play is directed by a good director, the audience won’t get distracted by something or someone else on the play. A good director can provide focus of the play, where the audience should see and focus on. If the audience get distracted or confuse during the play, it’s the director’s fault. A play is symbolic, it’s artificial. All the elements of the play on the stage is symbolic. The actor represent another person on the stage. The set and probs is symbolic too, because it represent the chair in the play storyline. Then why people go to see a play? Because we can relate the play to us in the real world. View pointing is using different form from traditional As an actor physically awkward,dunno wat to do with hand. View pointing help or not? at is d intention, wat d director want us to do. Ans: viewpointing tu diff approach. View pointing tu, dr awal acara gk ad plot,cuma ad movement. Director Don’t make movement that is not important how to solve problem tgn yg gk tau taru dimn. Kenapa tgn kita tak tau mau ngap. karna kt gk yakin apa yg harus kt lakukan, gk yakin ttg role mrk. Role,space, body. Viewpointing is using different from from traditional Collaborative-haresh sharma messy†¦ Base of my knowledge from blabla 5acting areas. Provide the focus, if audience distracted with someone else, don’t put that on purpose. Director’s fault. A PLAY IS artificial.

Banana Sap As Natural Ink Essay

Banana (Musa Ãâ€" Paradisiaca) is a very common plant in Malaysia and in the Philippines. Often the banana trunk is thrown away after harvesting the fruit. The waste material is biodegradable. Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the Genus Musa, and is also the name given to the fruit of these plants. It is a native plant found in the tropical region of Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Australia. Today, it is cultivated throughout the Tropics. The banana was mentioned for the first time in written history in Buddhist texts in 600 BC. The stalk is the stem of the banana plant. The banana stalk produces one huge flower cluster and then dies. The stalk is usually cut off the plant when the bananas are plump and ready to ripen. Before it dies, there are a number of things the banana stalk can be used for. The use of banana sap, as a medium for artwork has never been explored in Malaysia. Banana sap is used in other countries such as Indonesia as textile dying and Latin America as Medicinal uses. Banana sap from some parts of the tree contains pigment and dyes, thus not aware of this potential medium is a waste. This material is biodegradable and this research is conducted to test the potential of banana sap as a pigment and dye to be used as an alternative natural ink. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The researchers wish to extend their most sincere appreciation to the following people who helped make this research. They are the people who helped and contributed for the success of this endeavor. To God, for his gift of wisdom and understanding, and for answering our prayers in their times of need. To their Science teacher, Ms. Avrylle Corpuz for teaching the researchers the fundamental of research and investigatory writing and for showing a great deal of patience though at times the researchers tends to be naughty and wild. To their parents and family members, for the unending love and support that they gave. To the observer/respondents, for their integrity and cooperation. And lastly, to all those who were a part of this work, they thanked themselves for being cooperative and hardworking throughout the investigatory project. INTRODUCTION Background of the Study A banana is an edible fruit produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants of the genus Musa. (In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called plantains.) The fruit is variable in size, color and firmness, but is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind which may be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. The fruits grow in clusters hanging from the top of the plant. Along with this edible fruit is saps: extremely sticky and can be used as a practical adhesive. Sap can be obtained from either the pseudostem, the fruit peelings, or from the flesh. Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink nowadays, are used by many people around the world. Nowadays, ink is getting much more expensive. An average of 22$ (880pesos) per quarter ounce. Ink is mostly made out of comprising solvents, pigments, dyes, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, surfactants,  particulate matter, and fluorescers. Thus the experiment is all about recycling banana saps and making ink more affordable. There have been many experiments ahead of this. Others have tried using berries beet juice, orange, and many other more. But, these fruits that are used, needs the juice, skin, and the likes. The researchers chose banana because they are using not the fruit itself but the saps. Also, most fruits that are used for the making of the ink. The researchers think that this will help them attain a better quality of life because it will cut down the prices of ink. All these set aside the question on everyone’s mind is: Will this natural ink be as effective as the ink people are using today? Statement of the Problem This study determines the effect and practicality of banana sap in making a natural ink. The banana stalk, where the researchers got the banana sap, was biodegradable. It specifically seeks to answer the following question: 1. Will the product really work as an alternative natural ink? 2. Is the natural ink from the banana sap better than the commercial inks? 3. Does the natural ink from the banana sap require a preservative? Significance of the Study Nature can provide for everyday needs such as writing ink. Traditional ink sources include flower petals and tree bark, and though fruit sources are less traditional, they also make for useful ink. Berries and cherries, with their high juice content, are ideal for ink making. Unlike other juicy fruits such as watermelons, citrus fruits or peaches, berry and cherry juice are dark enough to show on writing paper. On this study, the researchers chose a banana sap as an alternative natural ink so that they will be able to know and discover other natural alternative inks aside from berries, which is commonly used. Scope and Limitation The study of comparing banana sap as a natural ink to a commercial ink is limited only on the use of banana sap, dye and commercial ink. For the  study, the researchers just emptied the unused pens or pens that won’t function well. The researchers were also careful in doing this because ink might be harmful if swallowed and it may irritate the eyes. The group will only use banana sap with powdered dye (diluted with water) and an empty invisible pen to perform the study. The researchers will not use any other substance or chemicals as enhancer to the natural ink. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE Musa Ãâ€" Paradisiaca and Its Pseudostems Bananas (Musa Ãâ€" Paradisiaca) are native to tropical Southeast Asia, but have long been cultivated in many countries from Asia to Europe for its fruit and to a lesser extent for its fiber. Banana is commonly mistaken as a tree but it is actually a large perennial flowering herb with leaf sheaths that form trunk-like pseudostems that grows from a corm. Banana can grow up to 7 meters in height that has about 8 – 12 spirally arranged leaves that are up to 2.7 meters long and 0.6 meter wide. Banana sap is among the most sticky and stubborn substances on earth. You will never get it off your clothes, some people say. Banana sap is extremely sticky and can be used as a practical adhesive. Sap can be obtained from the pseudostem, from the fruit peelings, or from the fruit flesh. Banana Sap as Dye for Fabrics Banana sap is used as a medium to dye fabrics in Indonesia and Philippines. The color of banana sap is brownish and it’s substance on the fabrics well. Dried banana peel contains 30 to 40% tannin content; it’s used to blacken leather. The ash from the dried peel of bananas and plantains is rich in potash and used for making soap. While that of the burned peel of unripe fruits of certain varieties is used for dyeing. In the Philippines, the Pinatubo Negritos cut off a banana plant close to the ground, make a hollow in the top of the stump, which then fills with watery sap is drank as an emergency thirst quencher. Central Americans obtain the sap of the red banana in the same manner and take it as an aphrodisiac. Making Berry Inks (Huckleberry, Raspberry, Blackberry and Pokeberry) Ink  making is a wonderful way to use up some of the berries that you can forage for outdoors or grow in your garden. With a berry ink, you can do wonderful water washes, use a dip pen and write great letters, or use it for various drawings and sketches. You can also use your ink for spiritual journaling or magical work. Having an ink you’ve made yourself allows you to be creative while making use of sustainable materials that are locally harvestable. Berries should be ripe (never under-ripe) or slightly over-ripe. Berries that have a nice dark stain when you cut it open are effective. Berry inks are going to be a little more watery and lighter than a traditional synthetic or processed ink. Banana Sap in Medicine All parts of the banana plant have medicinal applications because banana sap has the properties of antifungal and antibiotic. Found in the peel and pulp of fully ripe bananas, the antibiotic acts against Mycobacteria .The inside of the peel has anti-septic properties as it can be wrapped directly around wounds or cuts in an emergency. The flowers of banana can be used for treatment in bronchitis and dysentery and on ulcers; cooked flowers are given to diabetics; the astringent plant sap in cases of hysteria, epilepsy, leprosy, fevers, hemorrhages and acute dysentery, however it is also applied on hemorrhoids insect and other stings and bites; young leaves are placed as poultices on burns and other skin afflictions; the astringent ashes of the unripe peel and leaves are taken in dysentery and diarrhea and used for treating malignant ulcers. The roots are administered in digestive dysentery and other ailments; banana seed mucilage is given in cases of catarrh and diarrhea in India. Banana sap is also used to reduce high blood pressure; serotonin inhibits gastric secretion and stimulates the smooth muscle of the intestines. Alleged hallucinogenic effects of the smoke of burning banana peel have been investigated scientifically and have not been confirmed. Charcoal Briquettes from Banana Peels These days there is increased pressure on forests as people cut trees for firewood and other purposes in the last 30 years, for example, Uganda has lost half of her forest cover. Local people are being encouraged to adopt energy saving technologies that put less pressure on natural resources. One  example is the use of banana peelings, commonly referred to as banachakol (banana charcoal), to A woman from a group of community workers known as Bakyala Tweyune (â€Å"Women in self-help†), responsible to make the banachakol, and the production process for the briquettes. The technology that will save many trees is started in Lungujja near Kampala, where a woman named Namusoke Immaculate, the founder of Bakyala Tweyune women’s group, has innovated a new method of alternative fuel by turning banana peelings into charcoal briquettes. They just used one-half basin full of fresh banana peelings, a quarter basin of charcoal dust, and a quarter basin of fine sand. They chop the fresh banana peelings into small pieces. Once the banana peelings are chopped, and then mix the three ingredients together – the banana peelings, the charcoal dust and the sand. The demand of the banana briquettes will make people sort banana peelings from garbage in areas where they are thrown. Conceptual Framework This study primarily focused on the banana sap as an effective natural ink and to be able to compare the natural ink from commercial ink. The dependent variable is the banana sap while the independent variable is the powdered dye (diluted with water). In this study, the dependent variable is the banana sap (extract) because the researchers extracted it with their materials. The independent variable is the powdered dye because it is pre-manufactured. Hypothesis Banana sap is extremely sticky and it stains your clothes hideously and immediately. The natural ink from the banana sap will be effective but it will be a little more watery than a processed (commercial) ink and it won’t last long. The product is also natural so it will be removed easily. Definition of Terms Musa Ãâ€" paradisiaca – Banana; It is the common name for a fruit and also the herbaceous plants of the genus Musa which produce the commonly eaten fruit Pseudostem- It is a false stem made of the rolled bases of leaves. Mycobacteria- It is a bacterium of a group which includes the causative agents of leprosy and tuberculosis. Banachakol- It is a banana charcoal. Banana Sap- It is among the most sticky and stubborn substances on earth. You will never get it off your clothes. Tannin- It is a yellowish or brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls, barks, and other plant tissues, consisting of derivatives of gallic acid. Commercial Ink- Ink that has been used by people these days. Cloth Thread- It is a kind of thin yarn, thin fibers spun together, for textiles and sewing. Musa- It is one of three genera in the family Musaceae; it includes bananas and plantains. Ink- It is a colored fluid or paste used for writing, drawing, printing, or duplicating. Invisible pen- It features invisible ink that can only be revealed using the UV black light in the cap. Rinsable- Capable of being rinsed. METHODOLOGY Materials The materials that were used in this study were the banana sap from the banana stalk, container, cloth thread, a casserole, wooden stick that will be used for pounding, powdered dye, water and an empty invisible pen. Collection A medium sized banana stalk was collected from one of the researcher’s backyard. The empty invisible pen was collected from one of the researchers’ house. The container, cloth thread, casserole and the wooden stick were collected from one of the researchers’ kitchen. Procedure A. Measurement of the Materials Needed Four (4) table spoons of powdered dye (diluted with water), one (1) invisible pen, and the extract of a medium sized banana stalk. B. Preparation of the set-up Four (4) set ups were prepared; set-up one (1) was made up of the preparation and production for the banana sap, set-up (2) was made up for the preparation of the powdered dye, set-up three (3) was made up of the preparation of the empty invisible pen and set-up four (4) was made up of the mixture of the banana sap and the diluted powdered dye. C. Preparation of the Mixture The banana sap and the diluted powdered dye were mixed in container, boiled and put inside the invisible pen. D. Disposal The non- biodegradable and biodegradable materials that were used were segregated. Methodology Flow Chart Preparation of the Materials Needed Getting the Banana Sap (extract) from the Banana Stalk Preparation of the Dye (Diluted with Water) Mixture of the Banana Sap and Dye Observation of the Finished Product Disposal of Used Materials Evaluation and Comparison from a Commercial Ink The table shows the inks’ effect when used to write on paper. For the natural ink, the researchers chose a black dye (diluted with water) then, mixed with the banana sap extract. From the researchers’ observations and comparisons, the natural ink is more pale in color compared to the commercial ink. From the data above, it clearly states the effectiveness of the natural ink. The researchers chose the banana sap as a mixture with the dye because the its extract is sticky and it stains clothing. Lastly, there are no significant effect to the skin of the researchers who mixed and the banana sap and dye which may be interpreted as allergy or irritation. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusions Based from the results gathered in the experiments, the researchers conclude that using Banana sap (Musa Ãâ€" Paradisiaca), in the form of a decoction, is an effective alternative natural ink. Banana saps are free and the other materials needed in making the decoction can be easily found in any household. Furthermore, the researchers conclude that the banana sap is environment friendly because it is organic and safe to use for humans because there are no side effects in using it aside from the stickiness of it and it might stain their clothing. Compared to the commercial ink, the natural ink is a little watery and it’s easier to wash off your hands. Recommendations Based from the drawn conclusions, the researchers further recommend the following: a. Conduct more experiment using varied conditions and method of preparation. b. Use different sub-specie of banana tree. c. Use applications on different types of paper as ink. d. Use or add other sticky substances. e. Conduct an experiment on a longer span of time. Bibliography Mimosa Pudica and Its Pseudostems Landmeier, P., Plants of Eastern Guatemala, December 16, 2012 www.medicalhealthguide.com, What Is Banana, 2011 Banana Sap as Dye for Fabric Ahmad, H., ALTERNATIVE MEDIUM FOR ARTWORKS, October 2007 Making Berry Inks Willowcrow, Making Berry Inks (Huckleberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Pokeberry, Etc.), August 29, 2012