Drinking Age Should Be At Age 21 Essay

Many American adults assume that drinking age must be age 21, because starting to drink alcohol early would have a lot of negative consequences such as having more car accidents, risks of lungs cancers, and so on. On the other hand, some American teenagers also believe if the law allowed the underage drinking, we would have several car accidents, which happens every day. In the article â€Å"Heavy Drinking on College Campuses: No Reason to Change Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21,† Drew K. Saylor shows what bad if you drink alcohol underage is, and Saylor says, â€Å"There was also evidence of a â€Å"trickle-down† effect on alcohol-related crashes among drivers, with the ratio of the alcohol-related crash rate before and after the policy change 14% larger for 15- to 17-year-old males and 24% larger for females in the same age range† (332). But I do not deny drinking alcohol helps some people to cope with stress, and helps people to become more open in contrast to when they are sober and proper; alcohol can bring people together to share stories as well. At the same time I believe that the drinking age should not lower than 21, because I believe most of car accidents often occur by drunk drivers. I agree with Drew K. Saylor that the law must not change about the drinking age, and those teenagers should stop using alcohol underage rather than arguing and debating about lowering the drinking age. Drinking alcohol immature is the common the importance issue in the United States, and it is often said that drinking alcohol affects the moral behaviors, especially when you are drunk. At the underage, it will be terrible because at that age, these teenagers have more influences from the outside environment such as learning those terrible things from friends. In one hand, I agree with Marisa M. Silveri that those teenagers drink alcohol because they might be influenced by the history of the alcohol dipsomania family, who always use alcohol like use water, because either they want to relax or they have mental disturbance. On the other hand, I still insist that drinking alcohol is not healthy, especially when more damages happen  for those underage people. In addition, you always see most of the alcohol drinkers who are often violent to other people because those drinkers cannot control their behaviors and their actions when they are drunk. Therefore, in the article â€Å"Alcohol-Related Brain Damage In Humans,† Amaia M. Erdozain and other authors believe that using alcohol damages the cells, the tissues, the organs, and other systems in the brains, and they explain, â€Å"H & E staining and light microscopy of prefrontal cortex tissue revealed a reduction in the levels of cytoskeleton surrounding the nuclei of cortical and subcortical neurons, and a disruption of subcortical neuron patterning in alcoholic subjects.† In short, I will briefly note, drinking alcohol will not be great like those American teenagers think, because alcohol will damage their brains’ tissues and will influence to their moral behaviors. To today, people still forget that drinking alcohol would have several benefits and several harms. Some American people believe that drinking alcohol decreases the risk of the cardiovascular disease, prevents us to get sick from the cold, increases our memories, and prevents us from the galls tones and the diabetes. However, people should know how to drink alcohol moderately instead of unlimitedly consuming it. What I am trying to say here is that drinking alcohol not only brings some disadvantages but also brings some advantages, and people may not blame any awful things to alcohol because the evidence shows that drinking booze moderately will help you prevent from several diseases, which you may not know before. Although not all Americans think alike, some of them will probably dispute my claims that some American people cannot moderate their behaviors when they are drunk or not drunk. In fact, all of those evidences I say do not mean that the law should allow the underage to drink alcohol. In the article â€Å"Will Increasing Alcohol Availability By Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Decrease Drinking and Related Consequences Among Youths?†, Henry Wechsler and Nelson F. Toben compare and describe to prove that the law has no reasons to change the drinking age to 21 like they says, â€Å"Evidence supporting the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years is strong and growing. A wide range of empirically supported interventions is available to reduce underage drinking.† At first glance, teenagers might say that alcohol is still a natural medicine to help them prevents from several diseases. But on closer inspection, drinking alcohol can destroy the lungs and the livers, can damage the brain which  lead us to not have any control of our behaviors when we are drunk. According to these evidences, I would like to repeat again that teenagers have to moderate when they use alcohol. You would think that the advertisements cannot affect the underage drinking alcohol to American teenagers, but you are completely wrong because those advertisements are very interested in. I believe that teenagers are still young, and they also want to explore about their lives. In the article â€Å"Do Time Restrictions On Alcohol Advertising Reduce Youth Exposure?,† Craig S. Ross, Avalon Bruijn, and David Jernigan show people know how to buy and drink alcohol because of the influencing advertisements from the television and the radio. In the other words, Ross, Bruijn, and David believe that people are too easy to be fooled, so those advertisement can abuse the weakness to convince people to buy their products, alcohol as the authors say, â€Å"This study uses simulation analysis and comprehensive database of television alcohol advertising to demonstrate that time restrictions are likely to reduce advertising exposure to the youngest viewers while increasing exposure for the high-risk teenage population.† Yet, is it necessarily true that American teenagers will not use alcohol if those advertisements did not appear? Is making those advertisements disappear would be possible? Ultimately, what is at stake here is that teenagers must be aware of alcohol advertisements from the radio and the television. However, I’ve always believed that American teenagers can buy every kind of alcohol at every where easily; some of them might go to ask for help from friends and parents. In the article â€Å"Assessing the Predictive Ability of The Transtheoretical Model’s Heavy Episodic Drinking Constructs Among a Population of Underage Students,† Rose Marie Ward and Hugo Josef Schielke says that some teenagers can buy alcohol at any stores because some sellers are not careful enough about asking to show the teenagers’ ID cards. For instance, Paul Willner and Gavin Rowe emphasize, â€Å"However, a comparison of the present data with earlier data on actual alcohol sales . . . photographs were used in the present study, suggests that only around half of underage alcohol sales can be accounted for by misperceptions of age.† I encourage that th e law should be more restricted for buying alcohol underage .Of course, many American teenagers will disagree on the grounds of drinking underage. After all, I recommend that the law must be more restricted in selling alcohol for teenagers. Although I  grant that drinking alcohol is horrible, I still maintain that drinking alcohol below than age 21 has many negatives effects, and it is the only way to lead those teenagers to the social issues such as using drugs, and risky sexual practices. Michael T. McKay, C. Cole Jon, and Harry Sumnall believes that most of American teenagers would like to negotiate about drinking alcohol with their parents, but in fact the percentage of those most teenagers, who negotiate with their parents, is really small. Michael T. McKay, C. Cole Jon, and Harry Sumnall say that those teenagers would have taught by their parents instead of forcing or saying bad things about drinking alcohol even though the benefits of drinking alcohol are still having in today’s world. In the article â€Å"Teenage thinking on teenage drinking: 15- to 16-year olds’ experiences of alcohol in Northern Ireland,† Michael T. McKay, C. Cole Jon, and Harry Sumnall says, â€Å"First, they believed that asking questions or being open about their behavior would result in negative consequences† (328). At the same time, I believe that those teenagers will receive several negative consequences from their parents if those teenagers ask for drinking alcohol underage. My view, however, contrary to what Michael T. McKay, C. Cole Jon, and Harry Sumnall have argued, is that the minimum of alcohol drinking age must be at age 21. These findings have important implications for the broader domain of the next generation’s future because those next generations might learn what they see from the old generation do. But is my proposal evidence enough to prove? Christopher A. Swann, Sheran Michelle, and Phelps Diana apparently observe the students from Harvard College, New York, and they prove that the proportion of underage drinking of having parents is less than not having parents. The evidence show how important the parents will affect to their children in their lifetime. In the article â€Å"Underage alcohol policies across 50 California cities: an assessment of best practices,† Sue Thomas talks about the underage drinking at every state in the United State. Therefore, Thomas did a study about drinking age. In this study, Thomas sees that the improvement of controlling limitation for the underage is better, but it still is not great enough. In the other hand, Thomas and I believe that the law has to be more restricted in the underage drinking. In the article â€Å"Factors associated with reductions in alcohol use between high school and college: an analysis of data from the College Alcohol Study,† Christopher A.  Swann, Sheran Michelle, and Phelps Diana say, â€Å"A number of characteristics were related to reductions in drinking. Students whose fathers did not attend college were more likely to reduce alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR] =1.28; 95% . . . .† To sum up, what is at stake here is the history of the family and the social outside environment are the most common which caused in increasing the underage drinking. So far we have been talking about the disadvantages and advantages of the underage drinking. But isn’t it the real issue here for the solution of the underage drinking? At the same time I believe families play a big role in preventing the underage drinking, simply because they’re the closest and the most influential factor, I also believe that parents can talk with their children about drinking alcohol regarding their expectations, limits and its dangerous effect. In the article â€Å"Talking with Kids Deters Underage Drinking,† USA Today Magazine states, â€Å"There are also many things that parents can do in their communities to help reduce underage drinking. . . . Parents can also help eliminate alcohol advertising in their neighborhoods, and make sure that adult siblings don’t provide alcohol for their younger brothers and sisters.† In addition, Jessica Malanjum and Robert Di Nicolantonio explain that parents can have a better understanding in c onversations with their children to know more about whom their children spend time with during their free time; the pressure the peers are putting on their children are very important. Hence, what you talk does not have as many impacts as what you do. The families themselves have to be the role model for their children. They have to pledge not to give alcohol to the underage teenagers. As a result, the drinking age should not be lower than age 18 because underage drinking has several negative consequences such as having more car accidents and risks of lungs cancers. Drew K. Saylor says that these teenagers should stop using alcohol underage instead of arguing and debating to lower the drinking age. At first glance, teenagers might say that alcohol is still a natural medicine to help them prevents from several diseases. But on closer inspection that drinking alcohol can destroy the lungs and liver, damage the brain, and has no control the behavior when you are drunk. Moreover, Amaia M. Erdozain and other authors believe that drinking alcohol will damages the brain tissues and influences to the moral behaviors. At the  same time I believe families play a big role in preventing the underage drinking, simply because they’re the closest and the most influential factor, I also believe that parents can talk with their children about drinking alcohol regarding you r expectation, limits and its dangerous effect. Works cited Erdozain, Amaia M., et al. â€Å"Alcohol-Related Brain Damage In Humans.† Plos ONE 9.4 (2014): 1-12. Web. 8 May 2014. Jones, Sandra C., Lance Barrie, and Nina Berry. â€Å"Why (Not) Alcohol Energy Drinks? A Qualitative Study with Australian University Students.† Drug & Alcohol Review 31.3 (2012): 281-287. Web. 8 May 2014. Malanjum, Jessica, and Robert Di Nicolantonio. â€Å"Absence Of Correlation Between The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat’s Exaggerated Preference For Sweet And Alcohol Drinking Solutions.† Clinical & Experimental Hypertension 31.4 (2009): 287-297. Web. 9 May 2014. McKay, Michael T., Jon C. Cole, and Harry Sumnall. â€Å"Teenage Thinking On Teenage Drinking: 15- To 16-Year Olds’ Experiences Of Alcohol In Northern Ireland.† Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy 18.5 (2011): 323-332.Web. 8 May 2014. Ross, Craig S., Avalon Bruijn, and David Jernigan. â€Å"Do Time Restrictions On Alcohol Advertising Reduce Youth Exposure?†. Journal of Public Affairs (14723891) 13.1 (2013): 123-129. Web. 8 May 2014. Saylor, Drew K. â€Å"Heavy Drinking On College Campuses: No Reason to Change Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21.† Journal of American College Health 59.4 (2011): 330-333. Web. 8 May 2014. Siciliano, Valeria, et al. â€Å"Evaluation of Drinking Patterns and Their Impact on Alcohol-Related Aggression: A National Survey of Adolescent Behaviours.† BMC Public Health 13.1 (2013): 13-30. Web. 8 May 2014. Silveri, Marisa M. â€Å"Adolescent Brain Development and Underage Drinking In the United States: Identifying Risks of Alcohol Use in College Populations.† Harvard Review Of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd) 20.4 (2012): 189-200. Web. 8 May 2014. Swann, Christopher A., Michelle Sheran, and Diana Phelps. â€Å"Factors Associated With Reductions In Alcohol Use Between High School And College: An Analysis Of Data From The College Alcohol Study.† Substance Abuse & Rehabilitation 5. (2014): 13-23. Web. 8 May 2014. â€Å"Talking with Kids Deters Underage Drinking.† USA Today Magazine 129, no. 2667 (December 2000): 5, EBSCOhost (accessed May 9, 2014). Thomas, Sue, et al. â€Å"Underage Alcohol Policies across 50 California Cities: An Assessment Of Best Practices.† Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention & Policy 7.(2012): 26-39. Web. 8 May 2014. Ward, Rose Marie, and Hugo Josef Schielke. â€Å"Assessing the Predictive Ability Of The Transtheoretical Model’s Heavy Episodic Drinking Constructs Among a Population Of Underage Students.† Substance Use & Misuse 46.9 (2011): 1179-1189. Web. 8 May 2014. Wechsler, Henry, and Toben F. Nelson. â€Å"Will Increasing Alcohol Availability by Lowering The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Decrease Drinking and Related Consequences amongWillner, Paul, and Gavin Rowe. â€Å"Alcohol Servers’ Estimates of Young People’s Ages.† Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy 8.4 (2001): 375-383. Web. 8 May 2014.

Euthanasia & Mercy Killing and the World Today

Euthanasia can be described as one of society's more widely and hotly debated moral issues of our time. Active euthanasia, by definition, is â€Å"Doing something, such as administering a lethal drug, or using other means that cause a person's death. † Passive euthanasia, which seems to not be debated as heavily, is defined as â€Å"Stopping (or not starting) some treatment, which allows a person to die, the person's condition causes his or her death. † I have chosen to look more closely at the issue of active euthanasia, while applying Kant†s standards to the issue. Those who support the practice of active euthanasia might argue that helping the terminally ill to bring about their own deaths, allowing them to determine the how and when, is not only humane, but also allows the person who is simply living to die to maintain dignity by orchestrating their own end, thus letting them die at peace, rather than suffer to the end, perceiving themselves to be a burden and/or disgrace, to those they love. According to recent polls, many people would agree, but the question is, have they taken a close look at the ethical debate? Those who are against active euthanasia would say not, and would argue that by participating in the practice of active euthanasia, one is â€Å"playing God,† or perhaps, even worse, that they are not acting out of mercy, but rather out of selfishness, attempting to lessen their own burden. If this were the case, the act is nothing less than cold-blooded murder. Murder is defined as; â€Å"The unlawful, premeditated killing of one human being by another. † Euthanasia remains unlawful as of today, and the act of euthanasia is premeditated, thus whether for the purpose of mercy or not, euthanasia is by definition, murder. According to Kantian perspective and the Holy Bible, murder is both a sin and a crime, therefore we should not participate in the practice of euthanasia, because it is murder, and it is the wrong thing to do. The euthanasia debate raises many questions. Questions such as; For whose benefit is the murder actually taking place? Should we allow family members to make a life-or-death decision on behalf of a loved one who may never have expressed a desire to die, simply because they could not vocalize a will to live? If a person should be suffering with an illness of which there seems no hope of recovery, yet they are unable to make a choice for themselves how do we know what that person would voluntarily choose? Is it our right to decide whether or not they have a desire to live? If we ourselves are not in the position of the individual whose life and/or death is being decided, we cant possibly know or understand what their will is, what they would opt for personally, or even whether or not they can comprehend what is happening. Thus, the decisions we are making find us â€Å"playing God,† and assuming that our decisions are always in the best interests of another. Without knowing for sure what the individual would have chosen, we may well have gone against their will, and thus have committed murder. Some would argue that the practice of euthanasia is used as a last resort, when the individual can no longer manage the pain of their illness. However, that argument can be rebutted by an observation made by a proponent of a movement similar to Right to Die. Dr Pieter Admiraal, a leader of a movement to legalize assisted suicide in the Netherlands, stated publicly that pain is never justification for euthanasia considering the advanced medical techniques currently available to manage pain in almost every circumstance. Thus the pain does not justify death, but rather it justifies the need for more money to educate health care professionals on better pain management techniques. Shouldn†t we look into a suicidal persons emotional and psychological background before we conclude that his or her suicide is acceptable because they are going to die anyway? We ought to take into consideration, the statistics which tell us that fewer than one in four people with terminal illness have a desire to die, and that all of those who did wish to die had previously suffered with clinically diagnosable depression. 6 If we choose to overlook these statistics, and others that tell us that psychotherapeutic treatments are not only available, but equally successful among people with terminal illness, as among people without7 then we are indeed cutting that person's life short, and thus one again, committing murder. If a physically healthy person who suffered with depression were to approach us with thoughts of suicide, we would comfort them, seek treatment for them, and provide as much as we were able, to see that they got the reassurance and the psychological or emotional help that they needed. Certainly we would not tell them that the choice was theirs and hand them a gun. Why then do we not do the same for those suffering with a physical illness? Further statistics tell us that the chances for living a happy life are often greater for a person who has attempted suicide, but are stopped, and provided with the help they need, than for individuals suffering with similar problems, who have never attempted suicide. It would serve us well to take notice of these statistics. We ought to be making every effort to find alternatives to euthanasia, and help people with their problems, instead of helping them to end what very well could be a happy life. One must also ask why some doctors would fight so vigorously to legalize the practice of killing the terminally ill, while others maintain that there are many alternatives available that may offer a satisfactory and comfortable quality of life for those suffering from severe illness. Is it possible that some doctors are â€Å"selling death† for reasons other than compassion? If the possibility exists for this to be the case, than we ought to expect some doctors to abuse the system, as well as the rights and best interests of the patient, in order to better themselves financially, or otherwise. I personally believe that it would be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to legislate a point of illness or disability where euthanasia would be considered legally or ethically acceptable. To do so would be saying that all disabled or terminally ill patients have no chance for a happy and fulfilling life. I believe that we are taking quite a risk when we bring about another person's death willfully, thus assuming that we have the ability to look into the future and deem their life unlivable.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art - Essay Example The building rises to a height of about 70 feet, and the whole structure is made of iron, stones, brick, with no wood being used anywhere in its construction. (Fairman Rogers, published in ‘The Philadelphia Inquirer’, on April 24, 1876) In keeping with the high Victorian Gothic style, the building is made of richly colored materials, the faà §ade being made of green and red sandstone along with purplish Bluestone. The architectural style is an eclectic mix of Gothic and Classical architecture, and it is revolutionary in the context that, until then, there was no other building that could boast of a â€Å"13th century Gothic arch on a 17th-century mansarded pavilion.† The building opens onto Broad Street, with the faà §ade 65 inches high. The North is flanked by Cherry Street, Burnt Street on to the east and Apple tree Street towards the South. The building is planned with a central corridor which is about 15 feet wide, with rooms on either side. The first floor of the building, houses the library, art studios and offices, while a mezzanine floor has a conservation laboratory, the boardroom and the plumbing. The museum’s collection or the artworks are housed on the second floor, called the Gallery, where the corridor is intersected by a Rotunda which is about 52'6" x 38'2". Pennsylvania, being an industrial city, Frank Furness could freely use â€Å"riveted iron truss that held aloft the great weight of the blind wall of the north faà §ade.† (Lewis)Above the Gallery is the attic made up of iron trusses.

Montage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Montage - Essay Example In Chantal Akerman’s film, two outstanding instances of assemblages are evident; the interview with Akerman’s mother, Natalia, and the inclusion of a hierarchy of images where a car accident or kiss is positioned high than washing up. Inclusion of Natalia’s interview revealed how much people were speaking about women, and this presented a perfect ground for the production of the film. The long static shots were meant to ensure that the audience is always conscious of the character’s position, and the position of women in the society (Akerman N.pg). Moreover, the "hierarchy of images" places a kiss high than the chores that were stereotypically believed to be women’s not accidentally but intentionally to show the position of women in the society. The director wanted to illustrate that women’s works originates from oppression and what comes out of oppression is motivating (Akerman N.pg). The oppression that women were subjected to create a sens e of bitterness and togetherness in them, a factor that eventually empowers them to start fighting for their own liberation as depicted by Jeanne’s mother, a prostitute, when she fatally stubs a client on the 3rd day with a pair of scissors. A seditious element of Daisies is evident in its treasonous duplication, profane citation of intertexts from both low and high cultures and dissolute textual association in the realm of performing feminity. Through ridicule and parody, the director defiles the symbols of male supremacies and reputation while rendering the outrageous extravagances of its protagonists as heroic by montaging images from low and high cultures (Katarina 43). While one might argue that Daisies condemns the capitalist ideology through inclusion of excess food and eating that depicts conspicuous consumption, it also pampers women’s avaricious nature. For instance,

Economic History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Economic History - Essay Example With respect to the role of Hayek in the socialist calculation debate, he reveals his position with respect to the possibilities of planning. While arguing against the possibility that is associated with planning in the case of the socialist calculation debate, Friedrich Hayek worked on two major theoretical papers. These include; â€Å"The Meaning of Competition† and â€Å"The use of Knowledge is Society†. Both of Hayek’s works were aimed at serving as a disproof to a fellow economist named Oscar Lange as well as the endorsements that he had made regarding a planned economy. This paper will evaluate Hayek’s works; â€Å"Meaning of Rivalry† and â€Å"The Adoption of Knowledge in Society†, to help determine his position with respect to the possibilities of planning for the economy. Based on his work, â€Å"Meaning of Competition†, Hayek reveals the benefits that are associated with a free market, which has not been subjected to the regulations that the government imposes to regulate the market. Instead, he reveals that the suppression of competition is among the major evils that prevail in a society, which experience has revealed to be a regular consequence. Also, these evils are also different from those imperfections that are affiliated with rivalry. Hayek stipulates that competition is an essential process that facilitates in the formation of different points of view. This is because it is efficient in terms of facilitating for the spread of information to diverse parties. It also facilitates in the creation of coherence and unity in the economic system, which most people presuppose whenever they treat it as one market. With a coherent and united economic system, it becomes possible for people to identify the goals that they have in common, and hence adopt approaches that can help them to boost the productivity and competitiveness of their society (Vaughn 537). Competition helps people to understand the best product for them and where

Treatment of Unipolar Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Treatment of Unipolar Depression - Essay Example Overall, 5-HTP appeared to be slightly better tolerated than fluvoxamine, although the results did not reach the level of statistical significance. What personal interests and/or short or long term goals lie behind this - not strictly required for a proposal but it is usually helpful to think this through as it can help you focus [one paragraph] What aspect(s) of theory / knowledge is/are behind this What are the gaps in the research or what parallels are there in adjacent fields (ie a short literature review to set up the purpose and question) - 5-HTP has also been compared in a few studies with conventional tricyclic antidepressants (chloripramine and imipramine) - the most effective drugs for treating depression until the development of the SSRIs. The studies found 5-HTP to be at least as effective as these drugs in treating severe depression, while displaying fewer side effects. In severe cases, 5-HTP dosages as high as 1200 mg daily were used What objectives, steps, sub-questions, angles of inquiry or sections of your paper would you break your question or inquiry aim into - CCDANCTR-Studies was searched (carried out on 12/1/2005) using the following search stategy (Diagnosis = Depress* or Dysthymi* and Intervention = tryptophan or 5-htp or 5-hydroxtryptophan or Hydroxytryptophan and Intervention = Placebo). Reference lists, book chapters and conference proceedings were checked. Experts and triallists were contacted for unpublished studies Section B -Study design and method / methodology What type of study would help with your question and focus Please bold underline to identify It is OK to use "other" and briefly explain - but otherwise no explanation required here. You should read up on these if you don't know what they are, but we assume you know what the one you pick is) survey1 experiment evaluation trial case study reflective self-study academic paper2 other - please identify take advice Why / how will this design work with your question and focus - Trials were included if they were randomized, included patients with unipolar depression or dysthymia, compared preparations of 5-HTP or tryptophan with placebo, and included clinical outcomes assessed by scales assessing depressive symptoms take advice If you intend to use a particular methodology, briefly explain how it works and why you want to use it. - Eg - reflective self study, controlled trial, grounded theory, ethnography. This must be appropriate for the way you have worded your research question / inquiry. Please note that it is not essential that you have this for an undergraduate project. For an academic

International economics - Balance of Payments Coursework

International economics - Balance of Payments - Coursework Example The transactions of imports and exports done by United Kingdom can be in terms goods, services, financial transfers and financial capital. According to park if the sovereign payments are greater than autonomous receipts, the balance of payment will at disequilibrium. A country like United Kingdom which is experiencing balance of payment deficits in its current will be required to make up an increasing financial debt so that it posses more foreign assets (Park 2004, p. 122). Basically there are three types of balance of payments deficits. They include visible trade deficit, basic deficit and current account deficit. There are four in which United Kingdom measures its current account deficit. They include the net current income for example income from overseas investment, the balance of trade in goods, transfer of payments for example payments made to European Union and lastly the balance of trade in goods. The other factors that causes imbalance in balance if payment apart from the fall of value in pound include, A decrease in the current account is caused by a period of consumption led economic increase or growth. If consumption and consumer spending is increased within the United Kingdom, it will lead automatically to an increased expenditure on imports (Park 2004, p. 31). Given in 2011 and 2010, the domestic economy was experiencing massive growth with an increased consumer spending and inflation. This caused to a large gap of deficit on the current account. Recently recession has led to a temporary improvement in the deficit after most consumer cut back on their spending. A nation with individuals and firms saving lowly with a high percentage of consumption will automatically also have a higher current account deficit hence causing disequilibrium of balance of payment. The relative competitiveness of industrial production of

Altria's Commitment to the Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Altria's Commitment to the Environment - Essay Example It wants to switch consumers' attention from the company for being solely a tobacco and alcohol company and show that it has serious environmental concerns so it pursues actions friendly to human beings. It would have been useless if these concerns were only part of a public relations plan and were not implemented in reality. People, nowadays, have become more environmentally conscious so it is in the best interest of a company to show that it respects the environment and it does not challenge the various environmental groups. Altria has to show that it wants to protect people's health and the best way to show it is by respecting the environment. No, the commitment will not offset the environmental issues with the tobacco company, at least not in the short - run. Each decision of the company made public will have an impact on its various stakeholders. So, a public relations campaign as this one will not bring the desired results if the rest of company decisions and strategy show the opposite. Even if the company decisions are in accordance with the environmental issues, still a negative perception of the image requires a lot of time in order to be changed into a positive one. Altria needs to be sincere with its customers and although it implements its environmental actions it needs to adapt its strategy as a company and become really concerned for consumer's health so this requires a strategic change from the tobacco business and diversify its product portfolio accordingly. Reference List Harrison, J.S., Hitt, M.A. & Ireland, D. (2001). Mergers and acquisitions: A guide to creating value for Stakeholders, Oxford University Press. Kimmel, A.J.(2004). Rumours and Rumour Control: A Manager's Guide to Understanding and Combating Rumours. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. McCall, J.B. & Stone, M.A.(2004). International Strategic Marketing: A European Perspective.

Do Revolutions and Armed Conflicts Come or are They Made Essay

Do Revolutions and Armed Conflicts Come or are They Made - Essay Example Consequently, one group arises against the other with a common aim of redeeming itself. Conflicts are caused by different factors such as the struggle to control and access of natural resources such as water source, control of oil fields or a mining site. Harsh economic conditions lead to intra-state revolutions while oppressive political systems are prone to initiate a revolution. Moreover, ethnic diversity is also seen as a cause of armed conflicts since parties to conflicts may be described by their ethnic identities. Goodwin (2001, p. 8) argues revolution occur due to social and economic inequalities with the majority claiming that equality has been denied against them or the minority claiming superiority. Revolutions occur as a group seeks to profit itself, achieve honor or in an attempt to prevent dishonor. In the 1960s there were revolutions in New York by civil rights activists demanding for equal rights for the African -Americans who were opposed to social and economic exclu sion. This paper presents a discussion of various causes of conflicts to support the argument that armed conflicts and revolution are actually made and do not just come. ... 8), the political organization of any state can be categorized into three dimensions. These dimensions include the type of state organization that is, whether the nation is bureaucratic or patrimonial. Political organization also includes the type of political regime adopted in the state; that is whether the system is inclusive/liberal or exclusive/repressive. Moreover, the third political structure dimension is based on the infrastructural power in the country; is it strong or weak. Goodwin (2001, p. 30) argues that a political system which is repressive and infrastructurally weak works to incubate revolution in both a bureaucratic and patrimonial regime. In addition, he observes that revolutions are more likely to succeed against patrimonial regimes than in bureaucratic systems. Goodwin (2001, p. 30) notes that patrimonial states do not facilitate the implementation of initiatives that can successfully oppose a popular revolution. Goodwin (2001, p. 11-12) describes that in bureaucr atic structure appointments to positions are made based on achievement in a particular specialized training while in a patrimonial system; appointments are based on political loyalty, kinship or ethnicity. He observes that in contrast to bureaucratic regimes, patrimonial systems are inefficient. Furthermore, Goodwin (2001, p.50) asserts that patrimonial regimes strengthen revolutionary movement by weakening other counterrevolutionary elites who are viewed as their chief opponents. This supports the argument that revolutions are actually made by the political system. Goodwin lists various patrimonial regimes including; Diaz in Mexico, Ceausescu in Romania and the Shah in Iran. Goodwin (2001, p.123) supports the argument that political system incubate conflicts by presenting

Zara A Business Overview With IT Recommendations Research Paper

Zara A Business Overview With IT Recommendations - Research Paper Example The way in which the company is designed supports a great deal of IT support, however, the IT that is currently being used is now out of date and the company is in danger of losing access to the necessary hardware it needs to operate. The operating system is out of date and may no longer be made by the manufacturer. Therefore, Zara is in need of an update that will provide the company with a more solid foundation from which to find continued success. Zara: A Business Overview With IT Recommendations Case study Zara is a clothing manufacturer and retailer that has taken a unique and highly successful approach to their creation, delivery and sales. Zara is a subsidiary of Inditex and is based out of Spain, having been founded by Amancio Ortega with over 800 stores worldwide. The success of the store has led to some amazing achievements, including the launch of a 20,000 square feet outlet in Dublin, Ireland (Hines & Bruce, 2007, p. 247). The business model has embraced the idea of the d isposability in combination with the speed at which trends shift, creating a system that delivers clothing to the stores in the quickest possible ways with volume created through a large number of styles with few of each style created. From the design room to the floor will average five weeks of production with a two week turnaround when a style is redesigned. The target markets for the retailer is women, men, and children - basically covering everyone who needs to wear clothing (Dickens, 2007, p. 267). Zara approaches their business model by equating clothing to food and giving it an expiration date. Through the way in which they designs are created, Zara has appeal to a broad variety of demographics with the designs crossing age boundaries and style boundaries, servicing the greatest number of people possible. The clothing was â€Å"not designed and manufactured to be highly durable; they were described as ‘clothes to be worn ten times’† (Through having a large number of styles and limiting the production runs on those styles, the theory is that one of the styles available will appeal to the consumer. In addition, through the limited number of each style and the high turnover, consumers feel encouraged to visit the store frequently. The profit margin is low on each garment, but because of the volume, the overall profit is high. In continuing the idea that the clothing is like food, the style can become stale, thus creating a short shelf life for each design. According to Dutta (2002), Zara changes its stock twice per week so that what is in the store is always new and fresh. Speed is the key to the model that Zara has been designed around. The first way in which the company creates quick turnover of its fashions is by having their manufacturing plants in Europe as opposed to Asia or Africa where the wages for workers would be lower. However, Zara considers the advantage of speed more important than the savings that would be seen from plan ts that were in lower wage countries. The salaries in Spain average around 2000 Euro per month, where in Asia the same worker would be paid around 300 Euro. Money is saved in shipping and in time, so the offset is considered worth the differences (Capell, 2008). An example of the problems that are solved by having plants near the outlets can be seen by the unusually warm autumn of 2003 when warmer clothing was not selling very well. While other companies were having problems with high levels of stock that was sitting on the shelves, Zara was able to quickly reposition its inventory and create new designs that were more appropriate to the weather (Tiplady, 2006). Goals and strategy If one

Special Education Classroom Essay Example for Free

Special Education Classroom Essay The purpose of this study is to know whether or not the Discrete Trials Training, one of the main strategies under the Applied Behavior Analysis of Lovaas, is an effective and applicable strategy for special children students especially those who are severely mentally handicapped. Knowing whether or not this strategy is effective for special children, this could be considered as the immediate instruction that will be used by teachers for special children who are mentally handicapped. This study will look into whether there would be progress on the development of a mentally handicapped child when applying the Discrete Trials Training; if results will show that there are improvements on the performance of the student, then this study could be considered as a reference to support the strategy’s effectiveness. Information in this literature review was gathered through the accessibility of various online resources. The online libraries for different researches such as Questia and ERIC libraries were used as search engines to provide various abstracts and overviews of researches about discrete trial training. This literature review also made use of online libraries that specifically contain researches in line with special education. These online sources are Research Autism, Holding Thresholds, Down Syndrome Online, Central Valley Autism Project and Comprehensive information on Autism, Autism Spectrum, and Consulting Services. Different researches that are found to be helpful for this literature review were accessed through these websites. Aside from online research libraries, there are also information used in these literature reviews that were accessed through the website of a university, the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The main motive in conducting such a review is to prove whether the discrete trial training strategy of teaching is an effective way for special children particularly those who have difficulty in generalization of ideas and concepts. Historical Overview It has always been a challenge for special education teachers or instructors to develop new and innovative ways to help special children learn considering their mental capabilities. Special children are called special because they have special and different needs. The demand of educators of special children to posses the most effective strategy in promoting development in the mental thinking of a child is the primary reason why this literature review is done. At this point, there are many strategies that have been discovered by different people, but the question remains: Which one would be the most effective strategy to use? One of the many strategies that could be used in special education classes is Discrete Training Trials which is the main strategy of the Applied Behavior Analysis approach created by Lovaas (Discrete trial training, 2010). If a number of researches have already been done to prove that this strategy would be most effective for the mental development of a special child then more and more schools could adopt this strategy into their own so that the development of a special child can be assured. Relevant Theoretical Literature Since there are a number of strategies that have been developed, the search for the best and most effective strategy to implement inside the classroom is what this review is all about. The strategies that have been formulated have their basis on different learning theories. The Discrete Trial Training strategy is one of the many Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approaches. In one literature review, the different behavioral approaches were examined to have their basis on the behavioral theory of Skinner (Benedict, 2007). Considering the behavioral theory of Skinner, Lovaas developed the Discrete Trial Training as a strategy that upholds the view of behaviorists that learning could be acquired through the use of positive and negative reinforcement (Benedict, 2007). This literature reviewed that the learning theory basis of the Discrete Trial Training under the Applied Behavior Analysis is grounded on the behaviorist learning principle which make use of imitation and reinforcement. This literature also reviewed that the children with special needs who experienced such mode of learning had noticeable development (Benedict, 2007). Applied Behavior Analysis in one study is mentioned to be the study of behavior and the manipulation to achieve a desired behavior and reduce and eventually remove an undesired behavior (Choutka et al. , 2004). With the Discrete Trial Training as one of its subsets, this particular strategy is said to monitor skill acquisition by undergoing a one-on-one instruction (Choutka et al. , 2004). The study also talked about how this particular strategy lacks research to support the reliability and effectiveness of such strategy. Relevant Research There has been an occurring question as to whether which strategy to implement is most effective for special children. In one study of the proponent of the discrete trial training strategy, Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas conducted behavior modification treatments for children with autism and after post treatment, results showed progress in the children’s comprehension and mental development were undoubtedly apparent (Lovaas, 1987). Results also manifested that this type of procedure could be used for other disorders that children may have, one of which could be schizophrenia (Lovaas, 1987). It is also found in one literature that studied the effectiveness of the discrete trial training for the treatment of children with autism. It is said in this study that the discrete trial training method could be used to advance children’s skills and at the same time manage their corresponding negative behavior (Smith, 2001). This research gathered all the necessary information regarding the basic steps of the discrete trial training, the time frame that each child must undergo the said strategy and what other strategies that could be combined with the use of the discrete trial training to further strengthen the development of the child (Smith, 2001). It is also discussed in this study that to effectively implement the discrete trial training strategy inside the classroom, teachers should undergo intensive and specialized training (Smith, 2001). Results showed that though the discrete trial training is a necessary strategy to help children with autism in their mental development, this strategy alone would not be sufficient (Smith, 2001). Though this may be the result of such studies, the researcher believed that there should be more studies and evaluation of the said strategy to further enhance and improve this particular strategy. This study of Smith showed the demand for a thorough evaluation and study of the effectiveness of the discrete trial training as a strategy in the mental development of a child. Another study examined and reviewed other studies, researches on the effectiveness of the discrete trial training as one of the treatment programs for the development of children with autism. This study reviewed how the applied behavior analysis method, most specifically the discrete trial training, is used to treat children with autism (Tews, 2007). After reviewing various studies and results, the review concluded that the method under the applied behavior analysis which is the discrete trial training is one possible strategy to help children with autism (Tews, 2007). Another study discussed the use of the discrete trial training to activate the spontaneity of special children’s response (Feeley and Jones, 2008). The study discussed how the discrete trial training provides much possibility to teach children in such a short span of time by using reinforcements to strengthen positive responses (Feeley and Jones, 2008). Results showed that the effectiveness of a strategy should not solely rely on which skill to attend to, rather consider which skill a child must acquire immediately (Feeley and Jones, 2008). Implications for Practice These researches showed that there is a need to continuously study and evaluate strategies and programs that would be implemented inside the special education classrooms. The researches showed inconsistent results, which give it more reason to further give emphasis on the study whether the discrete trial training is indeed an effective strategy to improve the mental development of a special child. Though there have been numerous studies and researches about the effectiveness of such strategy, these studies also pose questions that seem to be unanswered until now. This only implies that though this strategy has already been implemented to other special education classrooms, the inconsistency of the results should be considered as a sign that this strategy is not applicable for every child. Implications for Inquiry Though there are a number of studies about the effectiveness of the discrete trial training strategy to improve the mental development of a child with special needs, there is a noticeable inconsistency with the results of these studies conducted. This means that there is still a great deal of further research to be done and consistent results should be seen to prove that discrete trial training is indeed an effective strategy to use for the mental development of a special child. Summary The studies that are cited in this review of literature examined whether the discrete trial training is an effective strategy to use for the mental development of a child with special needs. In this study, there will also be adaptations as to how this strategy is implemented to special children in other researches. There will be interventions using the discrete trial training for the development of special children. Before and after the discrete trial training is implemented, the performances of each child will be compared and the result of this comparison will serve as the findings and conclusion of this study. This study would most likely be the same as that of previous studies as regards to the effectiveness of the discrete trial training; however most of these studies require further studies as well. References Benedict, C. S. (2007) Communication intervention for children with autism: a literature review, Retrieved from http://www. uwstout. edu/static/lib/thesis/2007/2007benedictc. pdf Choutka, C. , Doloughty, P. T. and Zirkel, P. A. (2004) The discrete trials of applied behavior analysis for children with autism: outcome-related factors in the case law. Questia, 38. Retrieved from http://www. questia. com/googleScholar. qst;jsessionid=MDDf7QMp2FwKnvN1r83h HlgdnDzL36BblJL6C3hLKd1TLTLcFgs! 1115883797! 2083947951? docId=5006551916 Discrete Trial Training (2010, May 20). Retrieved from http://www. researchautism. net/interventionitem. ikmlprintra=92infolevel=4 Feeley, K. and Jones, E. (2008) Teaching Spontaneous Responses to a Young Child with Down Syndrome, 12. Retrieved from http://www. downsyndrome. org/case- studies/2007/case-studies-2007. pdf Lovaas, O. I. (1987) Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children, 55 (1), pp. 3-9. Retrieved from http://www. cvapinc. org/files/1987_Lovaas_Study. pdf Smith, T. (2001) Discrete trial training in the treatment of autism, Retrieved from http://petemolino. com/uploads/Smith_-_DTT_in_Tx_of_Autism. pdf Tews, L. (2007) Early intervention for children with autism: methodologies critique. Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Retrieved from http://www. eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini. jsp _nfpb=true_ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ812650ERICExtSearch_Searc Type_0=noaccno=EJ812650 Tews, L. (2007) Research: early intervention for children with autism: methodologies critique. Healing Thresholds, 35 (1), Retrieved from http://autism. healingthresholds. com/research/early-intervention-children-autism methodologies-critique

Application Of Mechatronics In Automobiles Engineering Essay

Application Of Mechatronics In Automobiles Engineering Essay Most of them spend lot of time with their Automobiles. Every ones expectations is for better performance, safe to drive, user friendly and security in the ongoing development of Automobiles. Modern mechatronics can be applied to make their expectations come true with smarter mechanisms, via improved efficiencies, speed controls and system interaction. Disclaimer I declare the following to be my own work, unless otherwise referenced, as defined by the Universitys policy on plagiarism. Introduction Before the evolution of Information technology and microprocessor embedded mechanical systems, Mechatronics was simple and mainly focused on servo-technology, such as automotive door openers, servo valves and AC/DC servo motors etc. Nowadays the mechanical systems are reliable, accurate and have a very high efficiency especially in automobiles with electronic engine controls technology that enabled the on-impact triggering of airbags, evolution of sophisticated sensors, active and passive safety devices has predicted a record in car navigation system. 4.0 Applications 4.1 Car engine management Fig: 1 Car engine management Car engine management system consists of many electronic control systems involving microcontrollers, the engine control system being one, its aim is to control the amount of fuel to be injected into each cylinder, ignition, Engine revolution limit, turbochargers wastage control, variable cam timing and gear controls. The system consists of sensors supplying, after suitable signal conditioning, the input signals to the microcontroller and its providing output signals via drivers to actuate actuators. Figure: 1 shows some of these elements in relation to an engine. The engine speed sensor is an inductive sensor, basically a toothed metal disk mounted on the crank shaft and stationary detector that functions to cover a magnetic coil through which the current passes through, as these metal teeth begins moving past the coil, the magnetic field is distracted and thus a wave of pulses in the current is created. The temperature sensor is usually a thermistor whose resistance varies according to the temperature. The mass air flow sensor may be a hot wire sensor, as air passes over a heated wire it will be cooled, the amount of cooling depending on the mass rate of flow. When temperature reaches more than 300 centigrade the sensor becomes permeable to oxygen ions and a voltage is induced between the electrodes. [Ref 5] 4.2 Electronic stability control These control system uses sophisticated sensors, the cars central computer and mechanical actions for a safe drive. The electronic stability control system doesnt work by itself, it also uses the cars other safety and regulatory devices, to correct problems before they get into accidents. 4.2.1 Yaw control sensor This sensor is located as close as possible to the centre of the car. If the experiences a movement in vertical or side by side axis the Electronic stability system detects that car is swinging, as soon as it detects it activates the brake system and reduce the throttle to lower the speed. The sensor differentiate between the direction of the steering wheel and the direction the car is headed, the cars computer then makes necessary corrections to bring the vehicles direction of travel in line. [Ref 1] Fig: 2 Sensor fusion of a car ESC (Electronic stability control) information fed into the cars central computer through 3 types of sensor 4.2.2 Wheel speed sensors Wheel speed sensor is used to measure the speed of the wheel with which the computer can then compare to the speed of the engine. This sensor is located at each wheel. [Ref 1] 4.2.3 Steering angle sensors It measures the direction the driver aims to drive the car, if it is deviated from the cars actual direction, the ESC system will come in line. This sensor is located at the steering column of a car. [Ref 1] 4.2.4 Rotational speed sensors The sensor consists of a magnetoresistive sensor element. The frequency of the digital current output signal is proportional to the rotational speed of the gear wheel. 4. Cruise control acceleration and deceleration The cruise control system controls the speed of a car by adjusting the throttle position. Instead of pressing a pedal, cruise control actuates the throttle valve by a cable connected to an actuator. The throttle valve controls the power and speed of the engine by limiting how much air the engine takes in. In Figure 3, you can see two cables connected to a pivot that moves the throttle valve. One cable comes from the accelerator panel, and another from the actuator. When the actuator is engaged, it adjusts the throttle by moving the cable connected to the pivot, when the cruise control system is engaged the pedal moves up and down since the actuator also pulls on the cable that is connected to the gas pedal. [Ref 2] Fig: 3 One cable is connected to the gas pedal, the other to the vacuum actuator. In most of the cars the throttle unit is controlled by the actuators powered by engine vacuum. These systems use a small, electronically-controlled valve to regulate the vacuum in a diaphragm. This works in a similar way to the brake booster, which provides power to the brake system. [Ref 2] Fig: 4 The electronically-controlled vacuum actuator that controls the throttle 4.3.1 4.4 Airbag Inflation The goal of an airbag is to inflate rapidly during automobile collision and prevent the passengers from striking interior objects. Majority cases of death are due to air bags and seat belt is not worn. There are three parts to an airbag that help to achieve its function Fig: 6 the airbag and inflation system stored in the steering wheel Fig: 7 the airbag and inflation system stored in the steering wheel The bag itself is made up of a thin nylon fabric, which is folded into the steering wheel or dashboard or, more recently, the seat or door. Advance systems have solid state crash sensors that contain a piezoelectric crystal or a micro machined accelerometer, a device used to measure acceleration or vibration shock built into a microchip that produces an electrical signal when jolted. The airbags inflation system is by the reaction of sodium azide with potassium nitrate to produce nitrogen. Hot blasts of the nitrogen inflate the airbag. [Ref 3] 4.5 Power door locks In this system the door lock/unlock switch actually sends power to the actuators that unlock the door. In more complicated systems, the body controller decides when to do the unlocking. The body controller is similar to a computer which monitors all of the possible sources of locking and unlocking signal in a car. The system monitors the radio frequency and unlocks the doors when the correct digital code is received from the radio transmitter. When the actuator moves the latch up, it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism. When the latch is down, the outside door handle is disconnected from the mechanism so that it cannot be opened. Fig: 8 Inside a car door In a specific interval of time, the body controller supply power to the door lock actuator to unlock the door. The construction of actuator system is very simple. A small electric motor turns a series of spur gears that serve as a gear reduction. The last gear drives a rack-and-pinion gear set that is connected to the actuator rod. The rotational motion of the motor is converted to linear motion by the rack in order to move the lock. [Ref 5] 4.6 Conclusion Mechatronics can be defined as the intersection of mechanics, electronics, computers and controls. The synergistic use of aspects of each of these fields in designing products and processes is driving advances in automobiles the actual cars and components, as well as the equipment needed to build, diagnose and service them.

Blood-brain Barrier and the Sodium-potassium Pump

Blood-brain Barrier and the Sodium-potassium Pump Jocelyn Brown-Eaton The blood-brain barrier and the sodium-potassium pump have many similarities and differences. Similarities include the fact that they both function to maintain a balance and that they both are selectively permeable. Differences includes the way the mechanisms carry out those functions and what kind of balance they maintain. The blood-brain barrier is a mechanism that isolates the central nervous system neurons from chemicals coming from the rest of the body. It is made up of the walls of brain capillaries that are tightly joined together, other capillaries in the rest of the body do not align themselves so close together and they do allow chemicals to pass from the blood into the areas of the body they are flowing through. In contrast, the sodium-potassium pump is a protein in the membrane of cells that helps maintains the difference of electrical charges inside and out of the cell, keeping the cell polarized along with the difference in permeability of sodium and potassium within th e rest of the membrane (Khan Academy 2010). The resting potential is maintained before an action potential arrives and then is restored when the action potential is over. Comparatively they are both maintaining balances. The blood-brain barrier is balancing chemicals and protecting the brain neurons from harmful substances since these neurons do not regenerate, but the sodium-potassium pump is keeping an ionic balance. Selective permeability is also a similarity of the two mechanisms. The blood-brain barrier is only a barrier for water soluble molecules and selectively allows lipid soluble molecules to pass, while the sodium-potassium pump only deals with sodium and potassium. The sodium-potassium pump takes in two potassium ions for every three sodium ions it pushes out. Transporter proteins control the movement of these substances. The difference is that with the blood-brain barrier there is a separate protein that actively transport the selected chemicals, while the sodium-potass ium pump is a protein in itself. There are areas of the blood-brain barrier that are more permeable than the rest in order to allow the function of those specific parts of the brain. One such area is the area postrema. The area postrema detects toxins in the body and initiates vomiting. Khan Academy. (2010). Correction to Sodium and Potassium Pump Video. [Online Video]. 11 July 2010. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye3rTjLCvAU. [Accessed: 25 February 2017] Before an action potential arrives, there is a balance between the extracellular fluid (on the outside of the cell) and the intracellular fluid (on the inside of the cell). This difference in the electrical charge is called the membrane potential.ÂÂ   The membrane potential is created by diffusion of ions and electrostatic pressure. Diffusion refers to the process of molecules evenly distributing themselves. Molecules push away from areas that they are more concentrated in. Electrostatic pressure is the force that comes from the attraction or repulsion of ions. Positive charges repel other positive charges, negative charges repel other negative charges, and positive charges attract negative charges. The ions involved in these forces are organic anions, potassium ions, chloride ions, and sodium ions. Organic anions (A-) are negatively charged and found in intracellular fluid. These ions remain in the intracellular fluid because the membrane is impermeable to them. Potassium ions (K+) are positively charged. They try to get out of the membrane because of diffusion, there is a higher concentration of them inside than out. Electrostatic pressure, however, pushes back against them because extracellular fluid is more positively charged inevitably keeping the ions where they were. Chloride ions (Cl-) are negatively charged. They try to get into the membrane due to diffusion but electrostatic pressure keeps them where they are as well. Sodium ions (Na+) are positively charged and get pushed into the membrane due to diffusion. Unlike the other ions sodium is not pushed back by electrostatic pressure. Instead, they are attracted in because the intracellular charge is more negative. The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain the resting potential, which is on average -70 mV. The sodium-potassium pump trades three sodium ions to the outside of the cell for two potassium ions to bring into the cell. During an action potential, a signal is sent to the membrane the membran e to become more permeable to sodium ions increasing the intracellular charge. The membrane potential reaches its threshold and a depolarization spike occurs. Depolarization is when the internal polarization of the cell increases; when it gets closer to zero. Voltage dependent sodium channels, triggered by the depolarization, open allowing sodium to enter at a faster rate. At a higher level of depolarization voltage dependent potassium channels open and potassium flows away from the more positively charged interior. Voltage dependent potassium channels are less sensitive than the sodium channels are. Next sodium channels close and go into a refractory state, preventing them from opening again until the resting potential is restored. The cell goes through hyperpolarization, where the intracellular charge drops in order to get back to normal. When hyperpolarization goes lower than the resting potential it is called the undershoot. When the undershoot is reached it signals the potassiu m channels to close and resting potential is closer to normal. After that all passes the sodium potassium pumps slowly help the resting potential return and everything is back to its original state. Neurotransmitters open ion channels in two ways, directly and indirectly. Directly opening the ion channels occur when there are ionotropic receptors. When a neurotransmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor the ion channel immediately opens and let ions flow freely through. With metabotropic receptors, when a neurotransmitter binds to its binding site it starts a chain of chemical events (Carlson and Birkett, 2017). These chemical events involve the G protein being activated, which in turn activates the second messenger system. The second messenger travels to the nearby ion channel and signals it to open. Metabotropic receptors got their name because they require extra steps that uses up some of the cells metabolic energy. The important differences between ionotropic receptors and metabotropic receptors are the speed of effect and the duration of effect after their activation. Ionotropic receptors are faster because when a neurotransmitter binds to it the ion channel is opened immedi ately and triggers a postsynaptic potential. The whole process happens very quickly. Metabotropic receptors are slower because the signal to the ion channel is transferred between a sequence of different molecules to get to the ion channel and activate it. This process causes a delay in effect, they take longer to begin but they also last longer. Serotonin has both ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. All but one receptor, the 5-HT3 receptor, are metabotropic. The 5-HT3 receptor is ionotropic and it controls a chloride ion channel, therefore producing inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. This receptor plays a role in nausea and vomiting. Because ionotropic receptors act quickly, if the receptor is bound to by an agonist, which would open the ion channel, it would induce vomiting or nausea right away. An example of this would be when a person smells something rotten and immediately feels nausea. Antagonists of this receptor are used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy and radi ation treatments. Serotonin is used for mood regulation, and that happens in the metabotropic receptors. This means that the effects take longer but will last longer. If this happened rapidly then there would be no transitions between our moods. It allows the drugs for mood regulation (like SSRIs) to have compound effects and build up in our system by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. Carlson, N. R., Birkett, M. A., (2017). Physiology of Behavior, 12th Edition. [BryteWave]. Retrieved from https://shelf.brytewave.com/#/books/9780134517858/

Investigating Skill Acquisition :: Papers

Investigating Skill Acquisition The majority of sports require constant decision making. Once the brain as received information, made sense of it and organised the information a decision can be made. This decision will start a plan of action, and it is then vital that we make this decision as quickly as possible. the space between a stimulus being presented and the performers response to it is called reaction time. Reaction time is often overlooked and usually underestimated in the preparation process for athletes. What we usually refer to as ‘explosiveness’ is often actually great reaction time. In just about all sports you will find a constant series of reactions to auditory and visual cues. A players ability to respond quickly, properly and precisely to the information being sent is very important in determining their success in the sport. â€Å"Reaction time - the time between the first presentation of a stimulus and the performers reaction† Movement time - the time between the first reaction to the stimulus and the completion of movement Response time - the time from the presentation of the stimulus to the completion of the movement† (J Stafford-Brown, et al, 2003) Therefore Response Time = reaction time + movement time In order to be a skilled performer the ability to combine quick reactions with quick movements is vital in order to be able to respond to stimuli effectively. For example in 100m sprinting the most successful sprinter is going to be the one who exerts pressure onto the blocks by his feet after hearing the stimuli (starting gun) first and then moving his feet off the blocks first. this is because his quick combination of reaction and movement time has given him the quickest response time, from the moment he heard the starting gun to the moment both feet left the blocks. he is then going to have an advantage over his components because he will already be getting into his running stride while the rest of them are still responding.

The Increased Racial Tension in the USA in the Years 1964-1970 :: Papers

The Increased Racial Tension in the USA in the Years 1964-1970 Slavery had been abolished in the USA in the 1860; blacks had continued to be treated as second-class citizens and to be denied their civil rights. Kennedy set up the civil rights act in 1964 that banned discrimination in public accommodations, in federally assisted programs and in employment. Also it gave federal government new power to enforce desegregation and prosecute voting right violations. In 1965 the voting rights act came along, this ended literacy tests for voting. It also allowed federal agents to monitor registration. These acts improved civil rights but many black Americans were still dissatisfied, they were still a class B citizen. Tension continued between the two races. After the Second World War, it was still clear that black Americans were still second class citizens. Truman tried to introduce some changes but he faced opposition from his own party and many of his ideas were dropped. In the early 50’s schools, only 16 states required their schools to be integrated. There were still problems with black Americans. The average income for a black family was half the amount of a white family’s. This was because blacks couldn’t get very good jobs e.g. fruit picking and car washing. Third of the black Americans were living below the poverty line. Black Americans still had unemployment, poor housing and poor schools. In 1963, Martin Luther King organised a campaign of marches and demonstrations that would ensure maximum media coverage. These demonstrations were broadcast across the USA and the world and many Americans were horrified at the brutality. During the campaign Martin Luther King was jailed, but the most important thing was that television viewers were able to see the outrageous treatment meted out to young demonstrations. Martin Luther King had a dream speech. For many blacks Americans the new laws were not being introduced fast enough. All the blacks wanted are to take what they thought was theirs by right and by force if worst comes to worst.

The Great Gatsby Essay -- English Literature Essays

Texts can be valued and appreciated for numerous reasons, and this is particularly apparent in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. The novel is a great part of 20th century literature and is valued for the themes and ideas which Fitzgerald presents, such as the importance of dreams in peoples’ lives, the myth that is the ‘American Dream’, Fitzgerald’s perspective of 1920’s life, and the style in which he portrays his ideas. It is also valued simply as a love story – as an entertaining narrative. In The Great Gatsby, dreams and their importance play a major part in the plot and underlying themes. It is seen that Gatsby himself presents this idea the most; this is because Gatsby is different to all the other characters in the novel as he actually has a dream – to â€Å"improve himself† which he hopes will eventually win back Daisy’s love. â€Å"†¦ An extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The reader learns that Gatsby has had dreams and ambitions his entire life, while his parents had none; Gatsby was not fond of this characteristic found in his parents. His goals and aspirations made him who he was and he realised that he was different to his parents in this way. He left his home, his mother and father at a young age and was described as a â€Å"son of God.† Gatsby disconnected himself from his parents and created his own identity as God created people. Gatsby’s dream is symbolised by the green light on the end of Daisy’s dock, across the river from his house, and represents his desire for Daisy. Nick (narrator the story) admires this quality in Gatsby and excuses all his faults because of his hopes and dreams. In the end, Gatsby dies in pursuit of his dreams and Nick says, â€Å"No – Gatsby turned out alright at the end; it was what prayed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams.† Nick, unlike the other characters, doesn’t have any goals or aspirations. He doesn’t have high expectations, and is comfortable with the way he lives his life. However, the other characters, Jordan, Daisy, Tom and Myrtle, are not happy with what they already have, and only have goals that are short-term, and are often self-centered and concerned with money. The people attending Gatsby’s parties also appear to be materialistic and without ambitions. They go through life without directions or dre... ...urning to him. The light at the end of her dock reassures him that she is till close to him, and his house lights represent his attempt to attract her. His lights are only turned off after their first kiss, when he is comfortable that he has her back, and when he is dead. Wolfsheim’s human molar cufflinks represent an increasingly materialistic and unfeeling society. Yet this text should be simply enjoyed as a love story – as an entertaining narrative. The story of Gatsby’s attempts to win the love of Daisy is representative of the writing styles during the 1920’s, and is valued for this insight. The tale of a man loving a woman and dieing in the quest for her love appeals to readers on an emotional level. The numerous themes and ideas that F. Scott Fitzgerald presents in The Great Gatsby are valued in many ways. He shows that dreams should be important in peoples’ lives, and that everyone should have a goal in life. He also displays the corrupt nature of the American Dream in the 1920’s, and how society’s social classes and racist views will never result to equality in America. This perspective of 20th century life and Fitzgerald’s style are also appreciated and valued.

Peace Cultures in Action Today Essay

In â€Å"Peace Cultures in Action Today†, the author argues that some small isolated societies manage to create a culture of peace that often ends or is severely modified when they begin interacting with outside cultures. The argument then is that the greater society of the world is less peaceful than these small isolated societies. This theory warrants further study, especially in the area of how these societies react when confronted with societies that do not have the same values. For example, when the Zuni and Inuit are confronted by the larger populace of the United States, do they become more competitive? The interesting question here then is, â€Å"Is competititiveness and aggression a learned behavior? † In the piece, â€Å"To Construct Peace† , Elise and Kenneth Boulding too argue that peaceable existence is a learned behavior and that it can be taught. Elise was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for this theory, but it does not seem particularly sound. Even their own pacifist leanings led to conflict. Though the conflict was in the court systems over the right to become a citizen without an oath to bear arms for the country and a battle over their refusal to sign anti-Communist statements during the McCarthy era, it was still a conflict based on their moral standing. Therefore, it is safe to believe that even in people who believe in and are taught to live in peace, conflict may be inevitable when dealing with the real world. Later the same peace cites Thomas Merton and his poetry and meditations against war and his disappointment that the church could support a â€Å"just war† theory. This again is an interesting position that requires more exploration. Should society allow tragic events to continue because of a belief in peace or should war become a tool of peace? The moral and social ambiguities are clear. If a person is being oppressed and his pacificits nature is being used to subjugate or eradicate him, isn’t there some point at which man must fight for his own survival? This is the point that all of the essayists seem to miss. Peace for peace’s sake is a good thing and being taught to attempt peaceful coexistence before immediately turning to aggressive behaviors may be appropriate. However, if the species is to survive, at some point base instincts overcome learning and the fight for survival becomes more powerful that the desire for peace.

Should the Engineers Apply ‘Rhetoric Strategy’ to Popularized Technology?

Should the engineers apply ‘rhetoric strategy’ to popularized technology? Abstract Nowadays, it is common for engineers to overpromise or exaggerate the technology’s advantages while neglecting its potential disadvantages in order to get more attention and investment, which is actually a form of ‘rhetoric strategy’. In this paper, the notion of ‘rhetoric’ in term of technical field will be briefly defined, including the definition, the applying stages and connection with ethic issues. To develop the arguments, a case study of the development of solar co.uk/network-engineer/">energy technology will be drawn upon.Afterwards, the ethical cycle will be used to analyze its potential ethical problem. Last but not least, the conclusion will be given. 1. Definition of Rhetoric The best known definition of ‘rhetoric’ comes from Aristotle, who considers it a counterpart of both logic and politics, and calls it â€Å"the faculty of obs erving in any given cases the available means of persuasion† [5]. Generally, rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations [4].Two decades ago in UK, the notion of strategic science and technology emerged [1]. It is a different kind of research located in different way from traditional science and technology. Expectations and promises are investigated in strategic science instead of actually achieved understanding or immediate application. In this way, the rise of strategic science has created a ‘space’ in which promises can be floated, which is generally for whoever is willing to listen and specifically directed toward sponsors of R&D who have an interest in the promising areas of science.Such space is call ‘rhetorical space’, which voices promises about new technology, gets a hearing and mobilizes audiences . The rhetoric could increase the technology’s popularity and help R&D to attract not only capital investment, but also policy support, because sometimes government agencies are even eager to fill their portfolios with attractive-sounding R&D programs. 2. Stages of applying rhetoric To develop a new technology with rhetoric strategy, a spokesman (lobbyist), argumentation (statements in texts), and audience (creating presentations /brochures) are needed. 1.Firstly, to come clear the technology, definition of the umbrella term is introduced by engineers to the public. Now a technology in the rhetorical space can be defined in a single definition, it is possible to make an index of the technology development over time. 2. Secondly, to attract public attention, relevant articles with the topics (argumentation) of this technology is published to make the technology popular. Behind these articles are authors who try to convince readership. they are spokesman or promise cham pions, who speak for a technology rather than for an organization or own interest. . Thirdly, audience is another important pillar needed in the rhetorical space. To raise an audience, presentations are created. 4. Last but not least, to Interest the industry, public lecture is conducted by government or association of engineers. Because of such promotion, more industries will show interest in this technology. 3. Nexus connects Rhetoric to Ethics Issues As rhetoric is treated as the art in discourse, rhetoric is treated as the strategic science, in terms of technology.It is increasingly prevalent for engineers to apply rhetoric to introduce, describe and popularize the technology. At first glance, engineers just serve their technological enthusiasm, the ideal of wanting to develop new technological possibilities and taking up technological challenges, rather than their personal or others’ interests. It is reasonable and nature to exaggerate the bright side or use the euphuism to describe their technologies for engineers. Since technologies consist of engineers’ beliefs, values and desire to change the world.Based on Kant’s theory, the universal law would be read as follows: â€Å"Engineers can use the rhetoric to introduce, describe or popularize what they believe. † It is quite acceptable that people can picture the promising future of what they believe. Therefore this behavior is morally correct. However, the consequences of applying rhetoric seem quite unpredictable. We will introduce the case study of solar technology at next chapter as an example to demonstrate that, although the rise of solar technology is based on the good will of and technological enthusiasm of engineers and it riggers thousands of breakthrough in sustainable energy technology, there are some certain influence and relevant consequences neglected by society. 4. Case Study—Solar Energy Because of the energy crisis and environmental issue, the early deve lopment of solar technology started in 1860s [2]. Simultaneously, the rhetoric was used to increase its popularity. In the following century, solar energy technology was promoted by being positioned as renewable, sustainable, and eco-friendly technology to mankind, relatively well spread over the global.Besides, it was argued that the operating and financial attributes of solar energy technology including modularity, flexibility and low operating costs would be considerably superior to those for traditional fossil based technologies, which included large capital investments, long implementation lead times, operating cost uncertainties and regarding future fuel costs [2]. It was described as the ideal substitutes for existing technologies. Figure 1 solar panels Due to the successful rhetorical strategy, large quantities of companies got involved in this field.Some business realized that renewable energy would be profitable to invest in. Other business realized that getting involved i n solar energy technology would not only make money, but also benefit from the ethical way their business may be judged. They could win good reputation to create a loyal customer base by appearing to be ethic. Besides, governments provide state subsidies to support the development of solar energy in order to solve the environmental issue and energy crisis in the future. All of these actions push forward the development of this green technology to the climax.Thus, the rhetoric provide has provided solar energy plenty of capital investment as well as policy support. However, the disadvantages of solar energy were neglected in the early phase of development. It isn’t always as reliable as other forms of power and tends to be expensive to install and maintain, because the devices rely on a steady supply of sunlight to generate power. The equipment is not that efficient, typically converting just 10% to 18% of the sun’s energy into electricity [3]. On top of the price of pa nels themselves, the cost of installing them varies greatly by location and climate.By most estimates, it takes at least six years for the initial costs to be repaid in saving from power generation under the best circumstances, and double that time under less ideal conditions [3]. Besides, the batteries and safety serve as potential problems. Since it is impossible to generate solar power 24 hours a day, batteries are needed for most systems to store excess power for use at night and rainy days. Unfortunately, these batteries can be expensive and have a shorter lifespan than solar panels. The solar energy technology cannot perform as well as promised.In early 20th century, the solar markets tended to be saturated on account that the market was not as big as expected. Many companies getting involved in went bankruptcy. The development of the green technology slowed down, and even stagnated. Many countries (including Germany, Spain, UK, China, etc. ) successively declared that the sub sidies for solar energy will be cut down in order to control the overinvestment in this field. Many graduates majoring in solar energy lose their job because of the recession.Besides, the resources and funds of the whole society are limited, other substitutes like nuclear energy lose opportunities to be invested and developed when people’s attentions were all attracted by solar energy. Such unbalanced resource allocation caused by ‘rhetorical strategy’ restrained the fair competition among alternative technologies. The real promising technology can hardly stand out or even be crowded out if the rhetorical strategy has been utilized by other competitors. 5. Methodology Moral problem-solving is a messy and complex process.A systematic approach might even be required to avoid the reduction of moral judgment to mere gut-feeling without any attempt to understand the moral problems or to justify one’s actions. The ethical cycle is a helpful tool in structuring a nd improving moral decisions, trying to avoid certain shortcuts such as neglecting certain relevant features of problem [6]. Figure 2 The ethical cycle Phase1. Moral problem statement The problem is that engineers popularize their technology, using rhetorical methods is morally acceptable or not.It is obviously that engineers are the decision-makers and the moral nature of the problem is engineers might be misled by their emotions: their enthusiasm about a technology can lead them to overlook certain risks. All involved parties might be biased, and their emotions might reinforce those biases. Sunstein calls this ‘probability neglect’ and argues that emotions are especially prone to let laypeople neglect probabilities [7]. Phase2. Problem analysis Shareholders and their interests: Shareholders| Description| Interests|Engineers| Use rhetorical methods to introduce or propagate their own technology to audiences| popularize technology, attract investment andvalue by society | Audiences| Listen to the speech of promising champions and convince by engineers| transform the promising technology into social reality and take first move| Promising champions| Serve technology interest rather than every one’s interest and highly believe in the future of the technology| attract audiences’ attentions and promise the future of technology| Counterparts| Work in the same field of the rhetorical engineers and popularize their technologies based on empirical facts| Popularize technology without applying extra strategic science| Relevant, uncertain and possible missing facts: Engineers use rhetoric to popularize technology should take the active responsibility before something has happened. They should act in such a way that undesired consequences are avoided as much as possible. However the consequences are always neglected by engineers based on their personal emotion. The consequences are not always harmless.The indirect harm to counterparts, audiences and followers should take into account. Besides the uncertainty or disadvantages should be mentioned rather than neglected. Phase3. Options for actions Black-and-white strategy: Using rhetoric to popularize technology or popularizing technology based on empirical facts. Cooperation strategy: Applying rhetoric on some extents to popularize technology. Using rhetoric to describe or introduce technology, after considering the possible uncertainty and take every relevant shareholders into account. Furthermore, engineers should strike a balance between exaggerating the advantages and covering the disadvantages. Phase4. Ethical evaluation Formal moral frameworks: UtilitarianismCost| Benefit| The other promising technologies have been ignored and marginalization. | The particular technology attracts a lot of investment and attention. | The idea of creativity is restricted in this field. | Scientists and engineers operate a lot of research in this technology. | The technology has been prove d fail and lost a lot of time, capital and resource| The technology has been proved successful and promotes the welfare of society| Overinvestment can lead to a disaster| Investing in promising technology can lead to amazing profit| Promising technology has influenced youngsters career choices| Creating new direction for teenagers. |Informal moral frameworks: Intuitive framework In our opinions, the most acceptable and formulate argument should be that engineers should describe their technologies based on empirical facts and compete with the other engineers based on facts rather than rhetorical methods. Phase5. Reflection Criticism of utilitarianism: The consequences cannot be foreseen objectively and often are unpredictable, unknown or uncertain. Next to this there is the problem of distribution justice. Distribution justice refers to the value of having a just distribution of certain important goods, like income, happiness and career. Answer the questions for reflection:The ethica l theory did not quantitative give answers to the result. However the cost applies for all potential technology and the benefit comes from on particular kind of technology, which means egoistic. So on this aspect, the ethical framework provide reasons that support our intuitive opinion- engineers should describe their technologies based on empirical facts and compete with the other engineers based on facts rather than rhetorical methods. Phase6. Moral acceptable action engineers should describe their technologies based on empirical facts and compete with the other engineers based on facts rather than rhetorical methods. 6. Conclusion This paper discussed the ‘rhetoric’ used in scientific field.The seeming advantages of rhetoric strategy will undoubtedly attract large quantity of investment and public attention, leading to further development of the technology. However, the potential ethical problems can be serious and cannot be neglected. Due to the case study and ethic al cycle analysis, our view is that the engineers should popularize their technologies based on facts rather than rhetorical strategy, so that the real promising technology can stand out. Reference [1]. H. Van Lente& A. Rip (1998). The rise of membrane technology: From rhetorical space to social reality. Social Studies of science 28(2) 221-254 [2]. Cedric Philibert. THE PRESENT AND FUTURE USE OF SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY AS A PRIMARY SOURCE OF ENERGY. The InterAcademy Council. [3].What Are the Disadvantages of Solar Power? http://www. wisegeek. com/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-solar-power. htm [4]. Corbett, E. P. J. (1990). Classical rhetoric for the modern student. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 1. Young, R. E. , Becker, A. L. , & Pike, K. L. (1970). [5]. Aristotle. Rhetoric. (trans. W. Rhys Roberts). I:4:1359 http://rhetoric. eserver. org/aristotle/rhet1-4. html [6]. Ibo van de Poel and Lamber Royakkers. Ethics, Technology and Engineering. WILEY-BLACKWELL [7]. Sabine Ro eser. The role of emotions in judging the moral acceptability of risks. Philosophy Department, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology

Nursing School Essay

Nursing is one of the most respected and rewarding occupations in the healthcare industry. An exemplary nurse exhibits qualities such as empathy, selflessness, and the ability to work well under pressure as a team and also independently. Although the nurses job description focuses on patient care, nurses are also the patient’s number one advocate; the doctor may diagnose and order treatments for the patient, but the nurse is the one whom the patient sees and establishes a connection most. Nurses are skilled, intelligent, and fearless. They are a part of an occupation that I aspire to join. Prior to my parents’ retirement as physicians, I spent a lot of time in hospitals when I was a child. As a result to their profession, I was significantly more exposed to healthcare than the average individual; my toys were sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes, my bed time stories were medical journals, my play area a hospital waiting room. Coming from a healthcare family, I always knew I was going to work in healthcare but never knew to what extent; do I become a doctor or a PA? Perhaps a pharmacist or possibly a nurse? When I began working as an EMT in 2011, it solidified the idea that I wanted to be a nurse. One day at my EMT job, we responded to a woman with substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm with breathing difficulty. The woman appeared pale, cool, and diaphoretic indicating textbook symptoms of a possible myocardial infarction. Naturally, we called a Code heart and went straight up to the cardiac catheter lab. The next thing I knew, I was looking at a literal heart of a literal person on a monitor with all the blockages that caused the infarction. After the stents were placed it looked like a completely different healthy heart with no blockages to be seen. Obviously I have seen such x-rays of vessel blockages and I’ve learned about angioplasties, but it was completely different experiencing it right before my very eyes. I was in awe of the doctor and nurses’ keen attention to detail and swift actions that saved a woman’s life. The cardiac doctor performing the angioplasty along with the nurses and techs acted like it was just an ordinary day, but it i s considered a monumental moment in my life. It was the very first time I was made fully aware of the potential that medicine truly has. After watching the coronary angioplasty I realized that I, too, wanted to be a lifesaver. Thus began the journey of fulfilling my ultimate goal of becoming an ER nurse and part of a trauma team. As an individual, I enjoy helping and interacting with others. My EMT and ER tech experience has given me confidence to work well under pressure as well as understand the balance of empathy and patient care. One of my greatest strengths is my determination to better myself as a person and as a healthcare provider. I believe that motivation is crucial in achieving your goal and I refuse to stop until I achieve that goal. Along with my motivation to be great and do great, I also believe that we should always learn something new every single day. Be it positive, negative, informational, recreational it doesn’t matter—as long as we learn something new about our environment and the people that we provide care for. One way I try to further my knowledge is that I always ask questions and continue to always be curious in regards to learning how things work and indications of illnesses that may follow. Alternatively, I feel that one of my greatest weaknesses is my lack of knowledge from a medical nature of illness standpoint. Working as an EMT in an urban city has given me the ability to understand and execute treatments and follow protocols in basic life support for a mechanism of traumatic injury. However, although I learned about the nature of medical illnesses and its indications, I have never had to treat or understand the illnesses in its entirety for pre-hospital emergent settings. As EMTs, we are taught to â€Å"treat what we see† but we are not trained to understand the underlying reasons and problems that medical illnesses may have. Another aspect I consider as a weakness is that my ability exceeds my level of education at this point in my career. I can only ask and learn so much information on my own that there are still so many areas of medicine that are unknown to me. One way I plan on  working on my weakness is pursuing a nursing education to help me enhance my understanding and increase my level of patient care. I believe that being a registered nurse is more than just an occupation. Nurses are guardians of life. The field of nursing is not for everyone. Furthermore, I believe that you have to have a certain skill or characteristic trait that nursing school cannot teach. Nursing school can teach you pharmacology and protocols, but it cannot teach you the value of a human life. As a nursing school applicant, I believe that the Carepoint School of Nursing will teach me the knowledge and guidance that I desire to become an exemplary registered nurse. I am confident that my experience in  patient care and field of work, along with this nursing program will push me to the fullest capabilities necessary to become an extraordinary nurse and unlock my full potential as an individual and as a healthcare provider.