Letter from Birmingham Jail Essay

Since ancient times, promoters of justice have brought into play rhetorical strategies to persuade their opponents. On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter regarding the criticism several clergymen made, stating that the movements of nonviolent resistance to racism from Dr. King were â€Å"unwise and untimely†. In this letter King uses several rhetorical strategies but mainly he makes use of 3. In the first one, King uses an outside authority (Religion), given the fact that he is trying to persuade Christians. Second, Dr.  King appeals to emotion (Ethos), he tries to appeal to their human and goodness side. Third, King employs analogies to emphasize his argument against racism. With these three rhetorical strategies he tries to persuade the clergymen to take action on the injustice that is upon Birmingham against the Negroes. As stated previously, outside authority was used by Dr. King to appeal the clergymen of the racism taking action. Religion has the power to move such an enormous amount of people and this has been proven since the dawn of time. He know that this man obey the laws of God, knowing this he mentions he came to Birmingham for a good reason by saying Just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. (King, 819) With this quote he is making a religious analogy to make the clergymen understand that he is there for a good cause, a cause that is as good as Apostle Paul’s. Later on the letter, King compared his actions with Jesus Christ’s when he was called an extremist. But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love? (826) This is also a religious analogy, and here he wants to deliver the message of peace by comparing his actions with the ones Jesus did. He wants to make the clergymen understand that the one they follow would have done the same. Subsequently, Dr. King employs the rhetorical strategy called Ethos, which means emotion. He uses this tactics to make the clergymen see that the ones they’re segregating are not less than any other human being; he tries to appeal to their good side. King says â€Å"Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation say waitâ€Å"(821) And he then proceeds to quote his son who says â€Å"Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean? To make a point; make him see what an innocent mind thinks and how it affects him. He then proceeds to say When you take a cross country drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are humiliated day in day out by nagging signs reading â€Å"white† and â€Å"colored†; when your first name becomes â€Å"nigger† and your middle name becomes â€Å"boy† and your last name becomes â€Å"John†, and your wife and mother are never given the respected title â€Å"Mrs. Then you’ll understand why we find difficult to longer willing to wait. (King, 821-822) These are one of the most powerful words this letter has to offer, he emphasizes what a negroe has to suffer day by day. King mentions this to make the clergymen see what it feels like to be segregated, to make them see how unjust it is. Throughout the entire essay Dr. King uses analogies to make his argument sound stronger and emphasize it. Not only does he uses religious analogies he uses historical analogies and geographical. He compares the USA with Africa and Asia â€Å"The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining †¦ independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter. † (King, 821) he makes this analogy so they understand that other continents are already far beyond them, that this should have been dealt long ago. Later on he defends himself of the accusations of breaking the law for a good cause. He says â€Å"We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was legal and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was illegal. With this analogy he tries to let them know laws are not always correct and thus they have to be changes, and therefore the prohibition of segregation. In conclusion, King uses several rhetorical strategies to convince the clergymen that his actions are not â€Å"unwise and untimely† but the opposite. He gives them reasons to listen to him and convince them. The most important rhetorical strategies where religious appeal, emotion appeal and analogies. With this mix of rhetorical strategies he makes this letter one of the most important piece for the civil right movement.

Conflict Can Be Character Building Essay

â€Å"Conflict Can Be Character Building† â€Å"Character building† is such a common phrase and has become a cliche designed to put a positive spin on painful experiences. While it is true to say that conflict is an inevitable aspect of life, it is not true to say that it always results in â€Å"building† people. In fact in some cases it tragically destroys them. While novelists and filmmakers, in particular, build a plotline which neatly introduces conflict, complications and crisis points which always lead to a positive resolution, real life doesn’t work that way. Stand by Me neatly follows this pattern, while real life conflicts such as friendship rifts, religious rivalries and political unrest may never be resolved and destroy many lives. Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me portrays conflict through its narrator and protagonist’s reflections of an important journey he took when he was twelve. It was a journey that helped him confront some of his own internal conflicts regarding the loss of his brother, grief and his relationship with his grieving parents. It also explored the personal conflicts of his peer group and their own internal struggles as well as the conflict they had with family and a rival â€Å"gang†. While Gordy’s â€Å"victory† in finding the body and standing up to Ace is a crisis point in which he emerges as a hero, we are aware that there are still conflicts that have been overlooked in the focus on the one experience. The other characters are glossed over as they return to their unhappy and dysfunctional homes and so too is the fact that the threat of retribution from their rivals. The film is tied up with a content Gordy who conveniently became the writer his older brother always told him he was, had a nice home and happy relationship with his own son and has memories of â€Å"friendship† to cherish. But we need to focus on the most tragic conflict from which his friend Chris does not survive. â€Å"He was stabbed in the throat; he died almost instantly. Although I hadn’t seen him for more than 10 years, I know I’ll miss him forever.† Group conflict is a reality most of us experience on a regular basis.It comes in many forms.It can be about friendship groups, family feuds, school or institutional authority, gang supremacy, sporting, political, religious or racial rivalries in the extreme state of outright war. Individuals and  groups do clash. Sometimes the conflicts are accepted as differences that will never change while other times they ignite violent reactions. Even bullying is seen as a conflict and for those who are truly affected by bullying and inturn suffer a life long struggle with mental health and self esteem-these people do not ‘build character’ whatever person they were has been destroyed. Instead of the polite, outgoing person-a new, changed character has come about and with it is drugs, self harm and eating disorders. Australia has seen many refugees and asylum seekers risking life and limb to reach our shores in an effort to escape conflict. We know that may of them don’t make it – many losing lives at sea and others scarred by the trauma of loss and their journeys. Our community has opened itself to many of the â€Å"lucky† ones who do make it here and yet they will tell you that the conflict in their lives haven’t â€Å"built† them but harmed them. Some have confessed that they will never recover, haunted by their experiences every day is a struggle. They don’t look back and say they are glad for the conflict as it gave them an opportunity to â€Å"build character†. Many people fear conflict with others but fail to consider the harm internal conflict has on them. There is an acceptance in dealing with or being concerned about conflict with others and internal conflicts still seem to be an issue most people are ashamed to acknowledge, much less discuss. True to its name they keep it all internal and wage a struggle on the inside.Internal conflict leads many to suffer silently on a daily basis and rather than build their character it can absolutely warp them and even break them. Depression, substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) as well as self harm, risky behaviours and suicide are all results of internal struggles that have not ended in â€Å"building† but instead ruining character. â€Å"Dealing with one young person’s sexual orientation was such an internal conflict that he turned to drugs and ended up a completely different personality who sadly overdosed. Friends and family just couldn’t understand why it ended so tragically.†- It is not an uncommon story. Character building happens in many ways. Ultimately, It happens through experience, growth, education, love, relationships, travel and support – to name a few. It is wrong to assume that true character growth can only happen  with painful experiences and conflicts. It may be the case that sometimes a conflict teaches us a great deal and can contribute another layer to our character, but it is also more often the case that conflict can start a chain of events that ends in tragedy and has a destructive effect on an individual or groups of people which can even reverberate for generations.

Bottlenecks in a Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Bottlenecks in a Process - Essay Example The main bottleneck in the case of operation of the vehicle speed sensor is the limitations which crop up due to a shift in the methods of manufacturing from service oriented manufacturing to luxury and leisure manufacturing. Vehicles built on different technological designs with very complicated parts are difficult to operate. The problem cannot be easily solved automatically and a lot of time is required to manually understand the actual problems and solve them appropriately. Another bottleneck is failure of a vehicle to restart for extreme cases. The technique would not appropriate due to lack of low or high levels of fuel to the engine. The theory of constraints can be applies to overcome these bottlenecks. Goldratt’s theory of constraints is a significant instrument for improving process flows. The consequences of this theory are extensive in terms of comprehending bottlenecks to a process and efficiently taking care of these bottlenecks to develop a competent process flow. The theory of constraints in a critical technique that operations managers employ to deal with bottlenecks and make process flows more efficient. The theory states that, â€Å"the throughput of a system depends on one constrain (bottleneck).† (Heizer & Render ,2001) Therefore to increase the throughput, the bottleneck or constraint must be identified and improved. This theory comprises five steps. The initial step is the identification of the constraint to be improved. Applying Goldratt’s theory to the vehicle speed sensor flow chart, one major constraint is the shifting trend in the methods of manufacturing vehicles and failure of a vehicle to ignite. The constraint has been identified therefo re we need to make an improvement. The subsequent step is to align every part of the system to support the constraint regardless of whether it lowers the efficiency of the other free resources or not. This is done by ensuring vehicle

Controversial Family Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Controversial Family Issues - Essay Example However, polygamy is a common practice among the Mormons or the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Dena McLain, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a strong supporter of polygamy, argues that polygamy is influenced by factors such as falling in and out of love, which cannot be prevented. He further argues that polygamy is crucial since it can enable one attain health insurance (Strong , DeVault, & Cohen, 2010). Another reason given in support of polygamy particularly in the United States is that the ratio of women to men is not equal since women are more as compared to men. Supporters of polygamy thus argues that the practice is inevitable if all women are to get marriage partners since the only other possible option to provide partners to such women is divorce (Adams , 2008). As opposed to the view that polygamy is a noble practice, polygamy is actually a bad practice, which should never be legalized for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is the conflict associated with polygamy. Having multiple partners at a go will result in more disagreements between them as compared to monogamy where one marries or gets married to one person. This is particularly common in cases where one man marries several women, which results in emergence of jealousy amongst them. Another reason why polygamy is a total disgrace is the fact that it is used as a tool to justify unfaithfulness in marriage, which is considered to be an immoral practice (Adams , 2008). Practicing polygyny where one woman marries several men or polyandry where one man marries many women reduces the chances of some people getting marriage partner. This is a great deprivation and the persons affected may end up living a miserable life (Adams , 2008). Additionally, supporters of polygamy argue that it can help reduce malpractices such as child abuse and rape. This is because it would enable partners who cannot be sexually satisfied by one

Case Study Analysis Child Care Centre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Study Analysis Child Care Centre - Essay Example With such complexities, the preparation of an appropriate and profit leveraging staff shift schedule ultimately became a critical concern for the new supervisor, M. In this regard, effective management roles require to be performed by the supervisor in order to mitigate the above stated issue or problem (Whetten, & Cameron, 201, pp. 113). It can thus be affirmed that the above stated issue of concern and the subsequent challenge or problem it imposes, might result in unfavorable impacts on the overall performance of the care centre in terms of delivering appropriate and quality services to every particular child. Question: 2 The employees in the child care centre can be observed to decipher strong reluctance in following the instructed working schedule, showing almost no concern towards organizational requirements. This particular aspect indicates towards the problem of limited cooperation between the employees and the management, wherein, even though the management, represented by t he supervisor in this case, is providing adequate concern to satisfy the employees’ requirements at the highest possible extent. ... 115). Question: 3 There are several options available to the supervisor in the referred case, which can be used to resolve the immediate issue as identified in the previous sections. Contextually, the major three strategies that M can take to mitigate the issue have been suggested hereunder. Firstly, a probable reason for the reluctance deciphered by the employees can be identified to be the increasing situational work stress in the centre. It has been mentioned in the case that employees need to work for long hours on a continuous basis to meet the requirement of the centre on a 24x7 basis. Therefore, in order to minimize the work stress on the existing team members, M can emphasize recruiting a few more personnel, who will be able to work professionally and divide the work stress faced by the current staff members (Firth, Mellor, Moore & Loquet, 2004, pp. 178-179). Moreover, the supervisor can employ proactive strategy in this regard in terms of raising personal resiliency of the e mployees (Whetten, & Cameron, 2011, pp. 116). Secondly, as it can be apparently observed that the staff members lack motivation to work in cohesion and coordinate towards the satisfaction of the organizational goals, effective motivational techniques will be required to mitigate the issue. With this aim, M can implement measures allowing incentives to the employees who willingly abide by the defined working schedule along with putting stress upon their performance based appraisal. Also, M must notify the employees regarding their non-monetary losses, such as poor performance appraisal, owing to their non-abidance to the scheduled work plan. This shall prove fruitful in aligning the personal goals of the employees with that of the child care centre

Solar Power Generation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Solar Power Generation - Essay Example This is by far the primary consideration in the operation of power electronic devices. In Solar power generation, light from sunshine is converted by photovoltaic (PV) Solar panels into direct current (DC) electricity. For power electronics (in today's world and in the future) to enhance Solar power generation, this aspect (efficiency) is a vital consideration. Solar panels generally have a conversion ratio or Solar panel efficiency, which is an indication of their energy-conversion capability. PV enhancement strategies must include design considerations that improve their current efficiency level, which is presently estimated at a maximum of about 17.5% (Greenpeace, "Solar Generation"), and a minimum of 6% (IEA, "Renewables for Power Generation"). The thickness of crystalline silicon used in PV production however needs to be carefully balanced against the desired increment in efficiency. This is due to the fact that efficiency tends to decrease with the thickness of the Silicon mate rial. Perhaps some attention could be paid to optimising the spacing and inclination of PV panels (Geuder, Norbert et al). It might also help to look closely at enhancing PV efficiency through more focused use as ground receiver to capture maximum irradiation, with permanently varying solar angle (Geuder et al).It is also a vital aspect of power electronic-for-solar power strategy to consider the enhancement of the absorption efficiency of the PV solar panels. Energy conversion wastage is not acceptable in solar power generation, as there is relatively little power to waste- the largest PV plants have a capacity of just under 60MW. Power transfer losses may also be minimised by specifying the voltage capacity(Guidelines for Solar Power Generation) as a means of reducing availability of wastable voltage . Grid strategies Solar generated power can be harmoniously used with grid (conventional) electricity, through proper incorporation of power electronics. In the increasingly environment-conscious world, as less of conventional energy consumption is desired, less grid electricity will feature in mainstream power supply. Hence hybrid systems can be enhanced, supported by power electronics- the grid system can act as a storage system receiving excess power generated by the photoelectric systems during the day and exporting needed energy back into the PV system during a shortfall period, such as night time. Through Inverters converting DC to AC for the grid, for instance, there can be significant augmentation and increase of solar power generation; likewise stand-alone systems can benefit from Inverters and batteries applied for AC usage systems. The grid-connected PV systems need a wide range (Greenpeace, "Solar Generation") of power classes to be properly adaptable to the flexibilities of grid power app lication. Power capacity The power capacity of PV solar panels can be enhanced for greater output in solar power generation. By paying close attention the weather, suitable operating conditions can be exploited for PV arrays. Further, by choosing an appropriate time of day, PV

Positioning and Differentiation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Positioning and Differentiation Paper - Essay Example In order to provide those customers with a branding strategy, they tailored it to the actual market. Throughout the country, where they needed to build a strong brand, such as in the United States, the goal was to provide that of a campaign dedicated to customer service. Customers like community activity, partly because comments from other users are more relevant and credible to them than comments from you. They expect you to speak highly of your own products and services, but it will really impress them if others also do. Communities also serve the valuable function of bringing users back to the site over and over, making it possible to alert them to new promotions and offers. With rapid developments in the technology available to people, customers will become accustomed to the idea of: production and marketing systems that can tailor products, communications and services to meet their expectations, increased choices for delivery and payment and contacting the marketer easily and under their own initiative. To stay and hold the position in the present competitive market companies like Fmc Naperville Dialysis Center and DaVita has planned to expand its business throughout the US. DaVita is encouraging other companies to advertise their product on their website. A study has shown that DaVita would make more profit in diversifying than expanding. Both companies used TOWS (Threats-Opportunities-Weaknesses-Strengths) matrix to develop feasible alternative strategies. The matrix consists of four quadrants. They are (1) using strengths to overcome weaknesses, (2) Using strengths to overcome threats, (3) overcoming weaknesses to take advantage of opportunities and (4) overcoming weaknesses to address threats. First quadrant concentrates on possible strength-opportunity strategies. Important factors are to hire highly skilled workers, wide brand recognition, customer satisfaction, effectively and efficiently raising capital resources, etc. Second quadrant concentrates on possible strength-threat strategies. Important threats that have to overcome are changing government regulations, seasonal shopping, and competition from each other and other possible competitors, protect business and customer information, currency exchange, etc. Third and Fourth quadrants concentrates on Possible Weakness-Opportunity Strategies and Possible Weakness-Threat Strategy. Third quadrant looks at reviewing product, develop standards up to the customer satisfaction, etc. Fourth quadrant looks at implementing backup systems, implementing policies to protect and avoid security risks. A qualitative and quantitative research is must in developing an Information system. Qualitative research is more of collecting data, conducting interviews, using documents and to understand and explain social phenomenon. DaVita relies more on this approach, they give importance more on the practical out put of the research. Quantitative research involves is of development of natural sciences to study natural phenomenon. Survey methods, formal methods, econometrics, etc., are some of the examples of quantitative research. Fmc Naperville Dialysis Center follows this approach and takes things as they come. Qualitative research methods are more often used as it involves observation of data that helps in finding

Significance Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Significance Testing - Essay Example A research project always has the goal to investigate the causes and the reasons and thereby to be able to draw the conclusion in the basis of the changes that take place. Responses that have been counted in this vase are the independent or the dependent variables or the predictors (Park, 2005). In statistics sampling is referred to as the selection of a portion of the population whereas this is the sample that represents the major part of the population. Sampling types in this case include the convenience, accidental, quota sample, random sampling as well as the cluster sampling. In this case it has to be seen as to what the margin of error is in the specific sampling technique. Main problems that are faced in this case is the sample bias where the sample is not the representative of the whole population thereby the sample has to be chosen rather carefully. Importance that has been used in the statistical testing is that in the research projects it can be used to test the data in the experimental basis, so as to draw the conclusion that are based on the facts representing the major part of the population. ... Statistical hypothesis testing has been considered to be one of the main techniques in the frequentist statistical inference, and still it has been seen that this is the technique that has been under criticism. An important role is played by the statistical hypotheses testing in statistical inferences. It has been said by statisticians that the hypothesis testing although has many shortcomings and still there are many changes that are needed but it is the technique that plays central role in theory as well as the practice of statistics (Levin, 1998). When the null hypothesis are being tested than the main point that has to be taken into account is the effect size. As it has been known that here are four main parts of the statistical answers and they are inclusive of the effect size, the sample size, the alpha level that indicates the significance level of the newer or the odds that have been observed by the answer by the significance testing and the last one being the power that indicates the odds that have been observed by the reader of the research results. It has been estimated that tout of these for components there are some components that can be manipulated and this all depends upon the situation and the circumstances in which the research of the project has been carried out. The main point that needs pt be argued here in this case that the null hypothesis is known as the null hypotheses as it has the no difference or no effect case. The main statistical technique that has been facing the discussion hitherto by the professors, the researchers is the significance test. It has changed its face into a controversy from being just the topic of discussion these days. Since many years

Post-Implementation Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Post-Implementation Issues - Essay Example CAVIES would streamline and integrate the veterinary practice details of all the ten branches so clients’ needs could be addressed by any of the branch, in the case of emergencies. VOLES on the other hand, would facilitate check on the inventory of the veterinary products in the various branches and would ensure maintenance of adequate supply by ordering products which are in short supply. It would also keep track of the controlled drugs with details like their usage by the people and for the people etc. Implementation plan would not comprise of details and integration of modules like financial statement or any other management information, though efforts to link the CAVIES and VOLES to MICE system would be facilitated. Phase III parallel running of two system where client’s appointment for their pets and record maintenance of CAVIES and Sale order module of VOLE system would be taken up. Tentative timeframe would be 2 months. Direct changeover to new system is not advisable mainly because of following reasons: new system needs to be tested for inconsistencies and reconciliation of converted data; the end users i.e the staff and veterinary surgeons and nurses need time to become proficient in the use of new system 2.3. Data migration This step would primarily involve steps as: identification of data from the existing paper records and existing information system; codification of data which would be carried out by the people of HCL in the presence of CVGL staff; and data entry and conversion of data from the existing information system in the main server at the headquarters. Entry of data can either be carried out by the ISS staff or given to outside agency on contract. 2.4. Training Initially 1 week training of trainers, taken from existing staff of ISS and other departments, would be carried out in the following areas

International Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

International Business - Assignment Example The failure of Virgin Express was due to a lack of environmental study of the country and the competition. Richard Branson subsequently desired to repeat the success of Virgin Blue in the United States by the new venture Virgin USA. This will be possible by taking a corrective strategic management and marketing analysis. The objective of the study is to evaluate the factors on which the success of the aviation industry depends upon when starting a new venture in a different location. The study reveals the importance of research, strategic management and environmental analysis for the success of Virgin Airlines. Introduction Virgin Blue airline under the guidance of Sir Richard Branson was launched in the year 2000. The motive of the airline was to provide a low fare carrier to the people of Australia. The Virgin Blue airline demonstrated the success story in the airline industry in the short run. Virgin Blue occupied nearly 30% of the market share of Australia through its low price s trategy. In this case study, the success and the failure of the Virgin brand is depicted. The case reflects that Branson did not get success in the low cost airlines in the initial years. The airlines before Virgin Blue and Virgin Express did not succeed in the European market and was unable to compete with its rival Ryanair and Easyjet. The company was in the exploratory process to merge with the SN Brussels to recover its status, but failed after the 9/11 attack. Furthermore, the venture by Branson to provide air liner facility to the tour operator in the name of Virgin Sun failed to succeed. The Virgin Sun airline was sold to the Firstchoice because of its failure in the market (Daas, 2004). Cynics one of the observant analysed that the success of Virgin Blue was because of the lack of competition in the Australian market. The downfall of the other airline created a scope for the Virgin Blue and gave it an easy entry. According to Branson, the success of Virgin Blue was because o f the strong management, strategy and the financial planning by the management. The objective of the case is to analyse the failure of the Virgin Express in the European market. It is important to analyse the local market before the implementation of the airline expansion strategy in a new country or region. The reason for the mergers by Virgin Express and the success of Virgin Blue are evaluated in the case. Question 1 The Virgin Express started its operations in the year 1996. The airline was formed by Virgin Group when it bought the Euro Belgian Airlines and renamed it as Virgin Express. The aim of the airline was to produce a low cost carrier for the people of Europe. The company had to face severe competition from the rival airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet. These two airlines were well established in the European market because of their strategic and marketing implementations. The airlines offered a very cheap rate foe the tickets. The tickets were sold at lower prices to t he people on the basis of first come first serve. This strategy encouraged people to buy the tickets much earlier. This created the demand for the airline of Ryanair and Easyjet. Moreover, the flexibility provided in the pricing strategy was attracting more customers. These strategies made the airlines to flourish and on the other hand the new airline Virgin Express was unable to meet these requirements in the European market and hence failed. The airline was then sold to SN Brussels Airlines in the year 2006

Environment Influences Essay Example for Free

Environment Influences Essay There is a belief among experts that everyone is born as a blank slate. We do not know anything about the world and those around us and we spend our childhood years learning, emulating, adjusting, and finally creating our individual personas based on these experiences. Now the main question being asked by the other experts these days is â€Å"Does the environment influence people?† The environment has an effect on a person in more ways than one can fare imagine. My argument is that the environment does influence people, children most specifically, by building character and freethinking. We can also view the influence of the environment on people in terms of scientific and sociological aspects. In more scientific terms, one can say that an environment is based on the physical, geographic, biological, social, cultural, and political conditions that a person has to deal with on a daily basis and learns to equip himself regarding how best to handle those situations. In terms of society links, the environment has a direct bearing on how lives and societies evolve. People, progress, development, and the environment are like an inter-linking chain where all of these varied aspects converge to form a new form of thinking or character in a person. In terms of childhood development, we can safely say that the environment has the heaviest influence over a child. A child’s environment is not the same as in his home environment where everything is controlled by his parents. Even though parents may raise and rear a child in the best way they know how, that is not the environment that influences him the most because he spends most of his time outside the house. The environment outside the house is where the child begins to develop his character and sense of ones self. Outside the home, a child tries to become part of and to identify himself with a peer group. A child does this by allowing himself to be influenced by the people around him and following their examples and making it suit their own individual needs. . His environment also influences the culture of a child. Culture, is something that a person must experience first hand in order to learn from it. Therefore, since you have to live in order to experience culture, one can consider culture to be a transmission from the environment of the child or adult. Just like influence, culture is passed on from person to person. Even though parents try to provide the â€Å"right† environment for their children, the simple truth is that there is no â€Å"right† anything. The environment will influence the child no matter how you try to control it because a parent can only do so much to influence the child who spends most of his time outside the home. Of course, aside from children, the environment that they interact in can also influence adults. The social environment of a person dictates the way he shall conduct himself in public. There are a large majority of studies that support the argument that the environment does greatly influence the personality of people because the way his environ ment views his physical appearance will determine how he will act out in public. It is this belief that has most experts, such as doctors and mental health professionals debating various theories regarding the mental development of people. Certain theorists are of the opinion that the environment a person grows up in has a direct effect on his mental health and mental development. So there must be a concentration on the environmental development of a person’s mind. So what do these developments and studies about how the environment influences people tell us? It tells us a number of major things. First of all, the environment is not just located in one localized place. It also cannot be in a controlled space for long. The environment of children proves to be a very delicate and intricate part of growing up. The environment of a person directly influences the mental development, and personality of the child or adult. Secondly, the social environment of an individual influences his behavior as these so called â€Å"norms† show us how to act and how to have other people treat us. It is this social influence that trains a person to conform, comply, and follow the dictated norms of the environment he exists in. Yes, the environment does have a direct influence on a person. The direct influence of the environment on people cannot be measured in terms of quantity. This topic is so vast and highly debatable that it will take more than a three page essay with which to defend my stand. Therefore, I would like to conclude my essay on the following note. Each man is placed in an environment where he will best grow as a person. Be it in youth of maturity, that person will have an equal amount of exposure to good and bad environments. The choice of which environment he will allow to influence him solely depends on greatly influenced he is by the environment and his peers. The influence of the environment ends when the person makes the conscious decision to follow a certain path for himself be it in along the path of his environment or in an opposite direction. At the end of all this, the environment gave the individual a unique personality and coping ability that is designed to best help him navigate the perils of his environment. An environment will only influence a person as far as he is willing to be influenced. Everything else pertaining to influencing the individual mentally, socially, and emotionally are all conscious decisions made by the person him or herself based upon the influences of his immediate and past environments Games and Violence Computer games have seriously caught the attention of Mass Media and nowadays every channel considers its duty to remind people how much damage these games cause to children and adults. The increasing amount of games with violent scenes sock the society and makes it very aware of them.It is already common knowledge that violent games cause violence in people. This fact is not even doubted by the majority of people. Every other person says that the reason lies in games being too close to reality. The opinion that games make violent actions normal for the player and therefore make the player pitiless can be often heard. In this case the game is the cause of violence and the act of violence by itself is a consequence. And can real-life violence exist in the reality of a game? Is the transfer of the definition of â€Å"violence† with all its peculiarities from one world to another justified only according to the external similarity of these two worlds? Games originally are entertainment. Contemporary games are very realistic and for this reason they are a source of great experience for the player and develop the imagination. Games are entertainment and even more then that. In addition, the statistics of the New York University lead by Green and Bavelier claim that the player preferring active games get an improvement of some types of brain activity, related to processing of visual information. In particular, game players cope with problems of simultaneously tracking several moving objects at the average level of 30% better then people who do not play active computer video games. The â€Å"gaming† violent experience may not be the cause of violent behavior in reality. None of the playi ng experience will become the priority in making important decisions concerning problems in real life. A game is an abstraction. A player gets abstract tasks and acts according to abstract rules.Games are also the possibility to be however a person wants to be and to rest from the outside world for some time. But what if a person gets so much excited with the game scenes that he becomes violent in reality? Then, it proves that the games cause people to become violent. Let us stop for a moment right at this point. Those who do not participate in this type of activity usually make the conclusion of presence of violence in the game-world. Nobody will ever hear this kind of statement from those who play, from those who know the rules of the game and understand that it is just a virtual world. A psychologically healthy person will never confuse or connect these two different worlds. A game is a virtual world with visual images very similar to human. These images represent by themselves nothing but simple playing obstacles. A game may potentially give the opportunity to â€Å"destroy the obstacles† that may not be destroyed according to the rules but it is more about personal choice whether to do it or not. This leads us to the conclusion that violence is not a consequence but the cause. People who are originally prone to violence may get irritated by games and perform violence in the â€Å"real world†. But in this case violence in games is a simple justification of the violent nature of the player. Is a College Degree Necessary to Become Successful The value of higher education cannot be underestimated considering the contemporary realities of the competitive marketplace. A higher education degree literally serves as the first impression of a jobseeker applying for employment. Namely a college degree is a person’s pass to the business world and so work-related opportunities are enormous. Truth is, college degrees are never the same if we take into account the reputation of higher establishment as well as the prestige of a particular field of studies. The today’s holders of college degrees have unprecedented opportunities of job search since the employment market has largely expanded throughout on-line domain offering freelance and part-time vacancies. Though, in both real and virtual employment, it is always a person’s CV (resume) that is initially considered by employer and in 95% of cases the inclusion of college degree is a must to get a well-paid job. The abovementioned proves that college degree always pays off, and therefore this essay aims to discuss the present-day realities in due respect. Overall, college education provides students with appropriate knowledge and skills to be used later in real life circumstances and working environment. At that career choices do not matter since the contemporary market is vast and enormous. In particular, college education enables students to gain preliminary information about many essential aspects required to cope with real-life challenges. At that students expand their knowledge and acquire practical skills by grasping abstract theories and concepts. A college curriculum teaches students how to clearly express personal standpoints and opinions both in conversation and writing. In most cases students acquire global thinking as well as that relevant to the solution of specific problems. Furthermore, students learn how to work in teams and solve tasks in cooperation; this enables to establish team spirit and ability to make personal contribution to overall mutual achievement. Various case studies based on real-life experiences teach students to better presume and therefore adapt to further complexities. To this end, it goes without saying that a college degree always means more employment opportunities since it is the identification of one’s academic qualification. In comparison, high school education is not enough to meet the ongoing challenges of today’s market place, and therefore the overwhelming majority of jobs require a college degree. In addition to the expanded job opportunities, a bachelor’s degree means higher earning prospects compare to a person with a high school diploma. Therefore, our earnings initially depend on the quality of diploma we receive, and to a great extent college marks (grades) may be compared to the monthly salary rate in the future In actual fact, there is a problem concerning studying at a college. College education does not depend only on student’s talent, successfulness or willingness to study. The cost of education is therefore high issue on the agenda which indicates the affordability of college education. Many students cannot afford college education due to various reasons and/or particular life conditions. Hence, most students rely on loans and/or other means of financial aid to afford their college courses. Apart from financial reasons, of course, the initial factor is high self-motivation to study at college. Whenever there is no family tradition or lack of overall interest, or nobody to recommend college education, a young person may easily opt for other (alternative) choices. In addition to this, college education a ssumes preliminary determination meaning that a person should choose a single subject area (law; medicine; architecture) to master in college and therefore build his/her career. However, the initial indecisiveness does not mean a student should know everything in advance. A college education is therefore designated to provide a student with proper and substantial knowledge and skills; nevertheless, the major direction should be chosen well in advance. One other initial problem is that young people mistakenly assume that a college education is rather difficult. To this end, it is worthy to note that studying at college involves student support and tutoring. Most western colleges are equipped with the necessary technological devices and easily accessible academic database to assist students while performing their assignments. Certainly, there are alternatives (e.g. community colleges) to four-year colleges that provide sufficient level of education, though only bachelor’s and master’s degrees are genuinely valued on the competitive marketplace, and therefore most students try to complete their education at four-year colleges (College Board, 2008) . Considering the aforementioned, the most important issue on the contemporary agenda would be not the importance of a college degree as such, but its real quality. This is actually the root answer to the problem of why some people are becoming more successful, while others not. Specifically, the quality of a college degree indicates that college graduates obtained certain amount of knowledge and managed to process and, most importantly, absorb it. A core subject, such as law or medicine whatever, requires proper understanding, a contribution of solid amount of time and additional resources to make it a future profession that would bring profits. This is to ay a college degree as such is not the panacea in a working world. A proper college diploma therefore assumes that a college graduate is able to prove it with a certain extent of academic knowledge. Regarding practical skills, they are further acquired within internship, practice and actually working environment. Many people, howeve r, fail to prove their knowledge acquired during college years with practical skills and therefore are made to change profession/occupation. Historically education has been regarded as a key to prosperity, and college system of education starting from the 17th century has proved this approach to be right. Also, throughout historical evolution, conventionally males have gained better education compared to females. However, times have changed and starting from the second half of the 20th century the situation has been equalizing. The today’s working environment is highly diverse providing vast opportunities to the qualified specialists and therefore knowledge has been regarded as a decisive factor. Religious, sex, colour, socio-cultural diversities are more and more eliminated since companies need qualified college graduates that can prove their knowledge in practical conditions. This is the way most companies win a competitive advantage for qualified employees are regarded as an invaluable asset by most corporations. Such fair treatment based on professional qualities rather than individual features is reasonable an d justified. Based on qualifications, there is hardly any difference between pay rates; nonetheless, in most industries men still earn more than women. This indicates that discriminatory issues are more and more tolerated and the quality of education approved by a college degree is a real value at the contemporary marketplace (Leonhardt, 2008). One more aspect to consider is the vast employment opportunities accessible to college graduates. The point is that the modern world has become flexible and changing as never before. Internet and cutting-edge technologies indicate the permanent progress and thus success is now associated with s permanent change. Successful people permanently adjust to changing circumstances and diverse environments to reap most benefits. Thereafter, the work-related relationships between employees and employers have also altered dramatically. There are millions of freelance job opportunities enabling people to work form the comfort of their home and rationally maintain work-life balance. To keep workforce loyal most companies need to establish flexible working practices, including part-time jobs, paternity leaves, childcare leaves, swapping shits etc. Therefore, HR departments lessen work stress and enable their employees to lead reasonable (normal) lives. In addition to this, employees are granted with numerous bonuses and incentives that often serve as sound motivators to keep loyal to the corporate policies (Walton, 1985). Due discussion might be continued and further expanded – though the core theme remains the same – only proper extent of knowledge and skills approved by a college degree enable a person to change jobs and seek better option for career-building and professional advancement. A college degree is a precious asset we use during lifetime to properly build up our professional growth and development. Therefore, whenever there is a chance, a person should use four college years to acquire this asset and ensure his/her further career prospects. As a rule, college graduates make social strata regarded as elite and many of them are becoming very successful to donate money to charities and therefore reduce poverty. Hence, knowledge brings profit and profit is used for prosperity. In the 21st century this particular formula should be applied in all walks of life to make the world a better place. 1. Argumentative Topic (Alcohol danger for under age drinking) Alcohol addiction is largely featured by general tolerance for alcohol with periodically increasing amounts to achieve the same degree of satisfaction, having a persistent desire or the inability to lower the amount of consumed dozes, and continuing consuming great amounts of alcohol despite realizing that the habit causes physical, psychological and socio-economic problems. Such dependence is much intensified during the teenage period (13-19 years) when young organism acquires negative effects that eventually destroys the rest of a person’s life. Alcohol addiction is mostly featured by psychological and physical dependence on daily basis. Hence, physiological, behavioral and cognitive perceptions are mainly centered on alcohol rather other life values. Alcohol desire is deemed a central descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome (Mental Health Matters, 2005). In addition, alcohol dependence is featured by irresistible desire or compulsion to frequent alcohol takings, and consequently difficulty to control alcohol-taking behavior including post-consumption consequences; disregard of outer difficulties caused by enormous alcohol consumption. As is proved by numerous under-age examples of alcohol consumption and addiction, the dependence syndrome is mostly revealed in either alcohol taking or a desire to take alcohol (Mental Health Matters, 2005). The need for alcohol is present when a person craves alcohol and cannot limit actual amounts or whenever a drinker enlarges alcohol consumption to feel high. Then, this state is called alcoholism which is particular to the majority of drinkers who practiced alcohol consumption during the underage stage. Differences between men and women at their workplace Introduction: A very important issue concerning diversity is the difference between men and women at workplace. As the matter of international experience of hiring people it is very important to point out that there have been a great number of cases connected with discrimination. We consider this to be a vital problem even nowadays, in spite of the change of the reasons for discrimination. If in the past it was a major problem for women to find a job and to prove that they can provide results equal to men, in the present time the situation has quiet changed. In addition to that women start getting benefits and are sometimes the only possible employees for a given workplace. Women establish a very strong emotional contact with the client; at the same time they are treated as being less professional than their male colleagues. Male workers according to the opinion of the employers are more rational. They complement and substitute the women’s emotional â€Å"contamination† by the rational aspect of the matter they are working with. Due to this employers sometimes prefer to eliminate either the â€Å"emotional†, or the â€Å"rational† factor and put â€Å"labels† on the employees taking their gender as an evaluating criterion. But nowadays everything has changed and men and women perform each other’s work excellently. We have observed in practice this difference, when a job, considered to be a â€Å"male job† was done perfectly by a woman but did not get the well-earned recognition in the company. One of the psychological reasons for that, as we assume, is the incapability of the authorities of the company to deal with a stereotype and change their ways according to the changing world around them. So therefore, it is the lack of flexibility. Women nevertheless are treated with a higher loyalty in any decent company. And sometimes their work results may be viewed as just needing some correction in comparison to the same work presented by men that would be considered wrong. But all these are exaggerated examples. The cultural component of this issue should be taken in count, too. For example is we take a black male and a white woman we may meet with a â€Å"special† treatment to the first one, due to the company’s respect and desire to show that they do not have any racial prejudices. We, believe, that the difference between men and women still exists and women and the quality of their work nowadays displace men. Nevertheless, we have examined another opinion that concerns women. Rose Mary Wentling suggested another point of view on the differences between men and women at workplace. The author asserts that women are still experiencing difficulties in their workplaces. The main arguments that are brought are the next: women are not given the standard of work performance when they apply for a â€Å"male† job, therefore do not get the detailed and clear picture of their involvement; women are not included in all the kinds of communication throughout a company; women lack the opportunity to †grow, develop, and contribute to company profitability†. According to this point of view women are not given the opportunity to introduce their ideas and innovations to the company’s functioning. But the main issue to work on is that the expectations of the employers concerning women are different than the ones concerning men. Conclusion: Women are ready to travel and move and relocate, and to make â€Å"the same commitment to the company as men aspiring to leadership positions† due to the reassessment of the woman’s role in the society. Analyzing this different point of view we came to a conclusion that both men and women face gender difficulties at any kind of job. So therefore we consider providing them with equal conditional vital for the benefit of the company itself in the first place. A modern company should not pay attention to the gender attribute. Both men and women need to have career advancement opportunities and counseling. Men and women are potential employees of any company, no matter what position we are talking about. From with combination of two points of view we get an understanding that both men and women have examples of being not treated properly at their workplace in spite of having the required skills for the place. And it is not possible to say that either men or women are facing greater difficulties in their professional lives. So it can be said that the difference did not disappear, but it is not a single-sided issue. Dorm life vs. Home life Almost every young person entering the period of college education faces the necessity to leave home and to live in the on-campus dormitory. The on-campus dormitories have been â€Å"survived† by many people and some of them have absolutely opposing opinions. The change from home to dorm life can be called one of the most important event in the life of any young person first of all because it is the first extreme life change and also because the consequences are still unknown. Home life and dorm life represent two different ways of living in different conditions. Nevertheless they have their similarities and differences that can be seen only after a deep analysis of the issue. The choice between home life and domestic life can lead to complete transformation of the life of a young man. On-campus life inevitably affects the life of the person and along with home life have their pros and cons. On-campus dormitories may be a pleasant experience for one person and a terrible test for another one. For some people dorm living is a necessity. There are several objective facts concerning dorm living. First of all any individual living at the dorm will have to face the necessity sometimes to live together with up to three students. Only those individuals who have an exclusive position within the university may count on having a room without roommates. The quality of the beds sometimes requires repair and the closet very often cannot fit in all the belonging of the roommates. The dorm does not provide the individuals with an actual kitchen and has small space for refrigerating food. The dorm offers public baths which are not comfortable under any condition. The next fact is about one of the most important ones – the dorm cuts individual space to its possible minimum as the person can hardly ever be alone. Another aspect of the dorm living is that the individual can make a lot of friends and find a lot of people who have the same interests. At the same time dorm living sometimes leads to early sexual intercourses and a false â€Å"feeling of complete independence†. Home living is another option sometimes chosen by young people. First of all home living proved the student with the possibility to get healthy food, freshly cooked on a normal kitchen. The fact that the meal can be actually cooked is a plus for the saving in the individual’s budget. Home living requires having personal chores and complete responsibility for the place the person lives in. As for personal hygiene at home, it is private and the individual can spend as much time on it as he desires. Home living guarantees the fact that people come to visit the person most often under the condition of a beforehand notice. The individual may do whatever he feels like doing and not get involved in activities he has no actually desire for. In other words, home living requires a lot of responsibilities but at the same time offers personal space and the opportunity to relax, study or work any time of the day. Home and dorm living have a lot of contrasts such as: food, privacy, hygiene, leisure, etc. and similarities such as certain expenses required for living. If to compare home living to dorm living a few fact are worth of mentioning. In home living the individual has at least one full room which is completely under his â€Å"jurisdiction†. Home living offers all the required personal space and the individual’s movement within the house are not limited as they are in the dormitory. The dormitory does not have a comfortable bed and also the individual cannot equip everything in the most suitable manner for him. A home living individual has all the required space for his belonging and an equipped kitchen to cook food. Nevertheless, in the dorm the food expenses can be spited among the roommates. The dorm’s public bath has obvious disadvantages as compared to a private home bath. Also home, as compared to dorm living provides more individual space as the person at home still has time to be alone and in the dorm it is practically impossible. If the person does not want to party all the time, home living is the best option. In order to conclude it is important to say that the basic differences between the dorm living and home living are the individual interests of the person and his aims in life. If dorm living is a necessity for one individual but he has a high motivated for education – dorm living will not change anything. And at the same time if a individual without motivation is a subject of home living there is no guarantee that all these personal space and freedom will lead to a better future. Therefore the main factor here is the personality of the dweller.

Cushings Disease: Symptoms, Treatment and Causes

Cushings Disease: Symptoms, Treatment and Causes Julie Seel   Introduction Cushings disease is relatively rare and is commonly in adults. Cushings is a hormonal disorder that the bodys tissues care exposed to increased levels of the hormone cortisol. (NIH) The cortisol hormone is released when there is stress and with exercise in some people. The main things that the cortisol does are: throttling or suppressing the immune system, metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, and increases blood sugar. (healthline) The Cushings disease is more commonly observed in women, and about 90% of those cases are due to pituitary microadenoma or corticotroph hyperlplasia. (virtual library) Signs and Symptoms Signs and symptoms vary, but most cases have upper body obesity, round face (moon face), increased fat around the neck and shoulder area (buffalo hump), osteoporosis, high blood pressure, increased blood sugars. Also women can have increased hair on face and chest, abdomen and thighs. Men may get a decrease in fertility and absence of sexual desire and possibly erectile dysfunction. (Nih)(Lab) the ICD-10 code for the Cushings disease is E24.9. In some rare cases people have had inherited the gene for Cushings disease, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 or Men-1. This can increase risk for tumors developing throughout the endocrine system and sometimes include the pituitary and adrenal glands. People who are obese and have diabetes are at a high risk for this disease (Lab). Diagnostic Testing There are a number of tests the doctor can give for the Cushings disease diagnosis. A 24-hour urine cortisol, dexamethasone suppression test (low dose), salivary cortisol levels are taken in early morning and late at night. These three tests will confirm too much cortisol in the body. Also, the tests can determine the cause of the disease are: blood ACTH level, brain MRI, corticotropin-releasing hormone test, dexamethasone suppression test (high dose), and inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS). Other tests that can be done but isnt necessary are: fast blood glucose and A1c for diabetes, lipid and cholesterol testing, bone mineral density can too check for osteoporosis. (Medline Plus) Treatment Options At the follow-up appointment the doctor will go over all the test results, and the next plan of action will be. The treatment would be surgery to remove the pituitary tumor and the pituitary gland may return to normal and start to work slowly again. During the recovery process, cortisol replacement therapy, so the pituitary needs to be able to have time to make ACTH again. Also, if the doctor could not remove the whole tumor completely radiation might be done to the pituitary gland. If surgery and radiation doesnt work on the tumor, medication may be needed to stop making the coritsol in the body. The last resort if none of these treatments work, the adrenal glands will be removed, and it will stop the increased levels of the cortisol. Also, if the adrenal glands are removed the tumor on the pituitary gland will get much, much bigger. (medline) Prognosis/ Summary If Cushings disease is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications. People can have excessive fatigue, obesity, nausea and vomiting, diabetes, hypertension and can lead to premature death. (Skull) Removal of the tumor can be a full recovery, but lifelong replacement medication to keep your hormones in balance. Two medications that have been approved by the FDA are: mifepristone and pasireotide, for the treatment of Cushings disease. (Medline Plus) Very rare the tumor can grow back, and the patients will need to go back to the doctor and see what can be done the treatment options are. REFERENCES Cuevas-Ramos, D. (n.d.). Update on medical treatment for Cushings Disease. [online] Available at: http://clindiabetesendo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40842-016-0033-9. Ilias I, N. (2012). National institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases. [online] Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndrome [Accessed 5 Mar. 2017]. Krause, L. (2005). Pituitary-dependent Cushings disease. [online] Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/cushings-disease [Accessed 28 Jan. 2016]. Labtestonline.org. (2016). Labtestonline.org. [online] Available at: http://www.labtestonline.org/conditions/cushing [Accessed 10 Mar. 2017]. Mayoclinic.org. (2016). Overview Cushing syndrome Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/home/ovc-20197169 47k [Accessed 10 Mar. 2017]. Medlineplus.gov. (2016). Cushing Syndrome | Hypercortisolism | MedlinePlus. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/cushingssyndrome.html [Accessed 10 Mar. 2017]. Skullbaseinstitute.com. (n.d.). Cushings Disease: Surgery, Treatment Symptoms | Skull Base Institute. [online] Available at: http://www.skullbaseinstitute.com/pituitary-gland-tumor-surgery/cushings-disease-endoscopic-surgery.htm [Accessed 10 Mar. 2017].

Uncertainty in Illness Theory Analysis

Uncertainty in Illness Theory Analysis UNCERTAINTY IN ILLNESS THEORY MIDDLE RANGE THEORY ASSIGNMENT BYÂ  STEPHANIE MORRIS Background and credentials Merle Mishel strives to enhance patient outcome and care during uncertainty by identifying uncertainties and addressing them. Mishel has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Boston University and Master of Science in nursing from the University of California. She also has a Master of Arts degree in psychology and a postgraduate degree in psychology (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Mishel had an experience with uncertainty via her father. Mishel’s father had colon cancer and his experience influenced her to develop the theory of uncertainty in illness. Mishel’s father was not able to understand what was happening to him and was unable to cope with the disease. Mishel’s father tried to control some aspects of his life while dealing with uncertainty of his disease. Mishel started focusing on uncertainty after she began her doctoral study in psychology. Her dissertation focused on the development of uncertainty measures and testing of the measures (Polit Beck, 2008) . She developed the theory of uncertainty in illness to understand how patients can deal with uncertainty caused by their illness. Mishel described the patients experience as ambiguity over uncertainty. She developed a scale to test perceived ambiguity in illness and later renamed the scale to Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS) (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Middle range nursing theories provide clear guidance for nursing practice and they are less conceptual and abstract as compared to other theories (Alligood, 2014). The uncertainty in illness theory is considered a middle range theory as it fits into the definition above. Mishel used scientific and empirical evidence to develop the theory and the MUIS tool (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Theoretical source and empirical evidence Mishel used empirical and scientific evidence to develop the theory. Study findings on uncertainty were used to develop the antecedents of the uncertainty in illness theory. Research in cognitive psychology and uncertainty in diseases was useful in developing the antecedent concept. The appraisal concept was developed utilizing clinical data and discussion with friends. Clinical data showed uncertainty was a preferred state in some situations. She also used empirical evidence on stress and coping to develop the theory (Liehr Smith, 2014). Primary sources Mishel used different sources to develop the theory of uncertainty in illness. She combined research in different areas including managing dangerous events, cognitive processing and uncertainty. She used studies published before on stress and coping that examined uncertainty as a stressful event. She reevaluated her previous concept and used existing models from Warburton (1979). She used various different other studies and research such as Budner’s (1962) study which analyzed a certain event as the cause of uncertainty. Mishel significantly considered the stress-coping-adaptation method of Lazarus and Folkman (1984) in her theory. (Bailey Stewart, 2014). These theorist’s views influenced how she viewed uncertainty as a cognitive state instead of an emotional response, and helped her to examine uncertainty as a complex cognitive stressor. Basic considerations The main concept in the theory of uncertainty of illness is uncertainty. Uncertainity is the lack of ability to determine the meaning of events related to a disease. For instance, patients are unable to determine the outcomes correctly and assign value. Another concept is cognitive schema. Cognitive schema is an individual’s subjective interpretation of events related to the disease. There are three major themes related to the concepts identified above (Polit Beck, 2008). They include antecedents of uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty and coping with uncertainty. Antecedents of uncertainty refers to things that happen before the disease experience that impact the patient’s thinking. They include pain, perception and earlier experiences. Appraisal of uncertainty entails placing value on the uncertain circumstance. Coping with uncertainty refers to activities the patient uses to deal with the uncertainty (Liehr Smith, 2014). Mishel has discussed the metaparadigm concepts in her theory including the environment, health, nursing and person. A person is an individual who experiences uncertainty in diseases. The uncertainty affects interpersonal relationships as the body changes. The environment refers to the healthcare environment where the theory is applicable. Uncertainity caused by diseases affects a patient’s health and patients should develop coping mechanisms to cope with the uncertainty. Healthcare professionals use MUIS tool to identify areas of the disease that are causing uncertainty. Then they address the areas to help the patient develop coping mechanisms that will enhance his health. Nursing is aimed at helping patients and families comprehend uncertainty in diseases and learn new ways of life. Nurses play a critical role in helping patients understand uncertainty in diseases and cope (Liehr Smith, 2014). Mishel made various assumptions when developing the theory. She assumed uncertainty is a cognitive state that represents insufficiency of a current cognitive schema to support the interpretation of events related to a disease (Polit Beck, 2008). Besides, she assumed that uncertainty was a neutral experience not harmful until it is appraised as harmful. She also assumed that individuals can cope with uncertainty in diseases and hence improve their outcome and quality of life. She also claimed that people do not function in an equilibrium state and they need time to concentrate on self. Thus, they are unable to incorporate the uncertainty into their view of life if there is not enough time (Liehr Smith, 2014). The uncertainty in illness schema consists of different themes related to the main concepts. The themes are antecedents of uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty and coping with uncertainty. The antecedent theme comprises of stimuli frame, structure providers and cognitive capacity. Stimuli frame refers to the form and structure of the stimuli an individual perceives. The stimuli frame consists of symptom pattern, event knowledge and event congruence (Polit Beck, 2008). Symptom patterns imply the extent to which symptoms have a pattern. Event familiarity is the extent to which a situation has recognized cues. Event congruence implies the consistency between the expected disease related events and the events experienced. Cognitive capacity and structure providers impact the stimuli frame. Cognitive capacity refers to a person’s ability to process information (Liehr Smith, 2014). Logical Form The development of nursing theories should follow a logical process and must be in line with the underlying objectives (Polit Beck, 2008). Concepts and sub concepts should be clearly stated and described consistently without ambiguity. The uncertainty in illness theory is well developed as the concepts are clearly presented and easily understood. After Michel reexamined her concept in 1990 the uncertainty of illness theory became deductive due to her using qualitative studies and chaos theory. These research studies lead her to change the direction of the theory. The theory now states that people’s uncertainty is always changing due to major life events and illnesses (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Relationship to Research, Education and Advanced Practice in Nursing The theory of uncertainty in illness can be applied in different areas including education, nursing research and advanced nursing practice. The theory is used in advanced nursing practice to address uncertainty in different diseases and hence patient concerns regarding their diseases. This improves their outcome and quality of life. Patients learn how to cope with uncertain events by understanding the disease process. The theory can be applied in nursing research as it helps researchers understand experience of patients with chronic and terminal diseases (Polit Beck, 2008). The uncertainty in illness theory has been used in studies that focus on uncertainty related to cancer to understand sources of uncertainty in the population how to resolve them. It also used in education to equip nursing students with knowledge and skills required to understand disease uncertainty and coping mechanisms. Implications The uncertainty in illness theory has implications on advanced nursing practice. The theory influences caring of patients as it permits nurses to offer information to patients and families with uncertainty about the disease. Nurses are supposed to provide support to patients and families with uncertainty about their diseases. As a result, patients become emotionally and physically healthier and have strength to cope with the disease. The empowerment offered to patients and families enables them view life differently and increases quality of life (Liehr Smith, 2014). The uncertainty in illness theory can be used to care for a cancer patient the theory is useful in helping a cancer patient cope with the disease and eliminating uncertainty. Cancer can lead to stress because of the uncertainty around the disease, treatment and side effects. Cancer patients are unable to understand events related to the disease and these results to uncertainty and negatively impact their health. The theory can be used to help the patient understand the disease situation and make meaning and thus participate in the plan of care. Therefore, the theory is useful in educating the patient about cancer and addressing their concerns (Liehr Smith, 2014). Summary Merle H. Mishel’s theory of Uncertainty in Illness was initially focused on the person’s ability to resolve uncertainty. Although, she reevaluated and added the notion that uncertainty may never resolve, but will become part of the person’s identity and affect their perceptions and quality of life. The uncertainty in illness theory is essential in transforming patient care and experience. The theory helps patients understand uncertainty related with their illness and address the causes of uncertainty. They developing coping skills and hence are able to cope with the disease. The concepts are clear and well described. The theory can be used in nursing practice, nursing research and education as it is easy to understand and apply. References Alligood, M.R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work. (8th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby Inc. Bailey, Jr., D. E., Stewart, J. L. (2014). Uncertainty in Illness Theory. In M. R. Alligood, Nursing Theorists and Their Work (8th ed., pp. 555-573). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Liehr, P.R.., Smith, M. J. (2014).Middle range theory for nursing. New York, NY: Springer Polit, D.F. Beck, C. T. (2008).Nursing research. Philadephia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Appendix A: Schematic

From My Cold, Dead Hands! :: essays research papers

"From My Cold, Dead Hands!" When anyone mentions â€Å"gun control,† it makes me cringe with disbelief. It is impossible for me to understand why people want to (and might some day) take away my right to gun ownership. They defend their cases by using examples of school shootings and gang violence; this is unremarkably insane to me. The idea that today’s politicians could change the laws of our great land by using the examples of a few misguided youngsters brings back into view other leaders who have done the same. Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Mao Tse-tung, and Pol Pot were powerful tyrants. After taking power, these men took all guns from the civilian population. Our own government has been taking the necessary steps to abolish the second amendment. Owning a gun is a right not a privilege. We, as citizens, have to protect our rights to gun ownership so we can protect ourselves if necessary. James Madison, stated, "I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." (http://www.kc3.com/editorial/freedom_or_gun_control.htm) Changes are made slowly so that the general population doesn’t notice what is happening until the changes are made. For instance, Lenin started out his carrier with everyone looking at him as a great respectable leader. But, over the 6 years of Lenin’s dictatorship more and more evidence of his cruelty emerged. Most people of his time still believed the notion of the â€Å"good Lenin† and the â€Å"bad Stalin.† When in reality few of Stalin’s policies were without roots in Leninism: Lenin built the first concentration camps; Lenin, who disbanded the last vestige of democratic government, the Constituent Assembly, devised the Communist Party as the apex of a totalitarian structure; Lenin, who first waged war on the intelligentsia and on religious believers, wiped out any traces of civil liberty and a free press. In his short reign, from 1917 until his death in 1924, Lenin created a model not merely for his successor, Stalin, but for Mao tse-tung, Hit ler, and Pol Pot; three of the worst tyrants the world has ever seen. (Remnick, http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/lenin.html) Thomas Jefferson once stated, "When the people fear the government you have tyranny... when the government fears the people you have liberty." (http://www.chvanilla.net/frogquotes.html) Tyranny, it has happened before and will happen again. It is up to us to take a stand, to hold the government back.

World Flight Essay -- Theology

Throughout life, culture implicitly and explicitly communicates ideas to people. Explicit statements are found in songs and art that clearly exhibit a perspective about life. Implicit messages from culture are discovered when compared to the key tenets of worldviews. An example of this implicit communication is found in the song â€Å"Clocks† by the band Coldplay. Based on analysis of the lyrics, the song â€Å"Clocks† expresses the World Flight worldview. To begin with, the lyrics of â€Å"Clocks† illustrate the World Flight perspective of God. A primary example of this idea is found in the chorus of the song. Specifically, the ancient worldview argues that God can be defined as Forms of ultimate perfection from which the earth was made. Additionally, the perspective’s main philosopher, Plato, argued that all of life must be focused on the world of the Forms. These beliefs are found in the song â€Å"Clocks† when singer Chris Martin announces, â€Å"You are and nothing else compares† (2002). Initially, this lyric seems to be a simple statement of perfection; however, the lyric reflects the worldview’s beliefs about God when compared to the World Flight perspective. The lyric becomes a cry to the world of the Forms and to the seeking of that world. The singer’s words are transformed from a mere emotional rant to a spiritual affirmation that nothing in this world compares to the Forms of the next world, expressing the World Flight perspective. Another expression of the World Flight perspective of God is found in the ending measures of the song. As the instruments cease playing, the singer states, â€Å"You are home, home, where I wanted to go† (2002). Based the ancient perspective of God, this lyric reflects the lifelong search for the world of ... ...ion of the World Flight solution to the song reveals the expression of the worldview through a musical format. Overall, the presentation of humanity’s problem and solution in â€Å"Clocks† allows one to conclude that the work embodies the World Flight perspective. In conclusion, the World Flight worldview is expounded in the Coldplay song â€Å"Clocks.† An analysis of the song illustrates the definition of God and humanity that is characteristic of the World Flight perspective. In addition, the worldview’s problem and solution for humanity are presented through the lyrics of the song. While songs often have simplistic meanings of love or loss, a deep examination of music reveals profound philosophical perspectives that have the power to shape thought and action. Works Cited Coldplay (2002). Clocks. On A Rush of Blood to the Head [CD]. Nashville: Capitol Records.

Eugenics: An Excuse To Be A Racist Or A Means To A Better Tomorrow? :: essays research papers

Eugenics: An Excuse to be a Racist or a Means to a Better Tomorrow? The term eugenics was coined in the late 19th century. Its goal was to apply the breeding practices and techniques used in plants and animals to human reproduction. Francis Galton stated in his Essays in Eugenics that he wished to influence "the useful classes" in society to put more of their DNA in the gene pool. The goal was to collect records of families who were successful by virtue of having three or more adult male children who have gain superior positions to their peers. His view on eugenics can best be summarized by the following passage: What nature does blindly, slowly, and ruthlessly, man may do providently, quickly, and kindly. As it lies within his power, so it becomes his duty to work in that direction. They sought to establish this by discouraging marriages that were unfavorable in terms of eugenics by attaching to them the stigmas associated with marriage between cousins. Margaret Sanger, the pioneer of the movement for birth control, came from a family that would have been viewed by Galton to be unsuitable for reproduction according to eugenics. She was the sixth of eleven children born into her poor Irish family. She felt that women's reproductive freedom was essential. She coined the term voluntary motherhood and opened the first birth control clinic in the country in Brooklyn in 1916. Like many others who supported the birth control movement, she also supported the idea of eugenics trusting that the "human race could be improved through 'controlled breeding'." Sanger felt that all the problems of society were centered around uncontrolled breeding. She decided that women had the right to know about methods of contraception and about the workings of their own bodies. Her views are best summarized by her statement regarding women's reproductive freedom: The basic freedom of the world is woman's freedom . . .. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother." Angela Davis felt that birth control was not only advantageous to minority and lower-class women, but to women of "all classes and races." She did not however think that fewer children would help the plight of the human race and "could create more jobs, higher wages, better schools, etc., etc." She felt that if women were not troubled by several childbirths and miscarriages that they could pursue other avenues of life outside of the constraints of marriage and motherhood.

Hersey’s Purpose in Writing Hiroshima

John Hersey was born in China on June 17th, 1914. John Hersey wrote the book Hiroshima on August 31, 1946. The book is about six survivors from the bombing of Hiroshima. The survivors was: Mrs. Hatsuy Nakamura, Dr. Terufumi Sasaki, Father Wilhelm Kleinsorge, Toshiko Sasaki, Dr. Masakazu Fujii, and Reverend Kiyoshi Tanimoto. These survivors were very strong people. They had to live off any resources that were left. Hersey wrote the book to tell the effects of the nuclear weapon. So he chose those 6 people. He described the pain that was visible. He also told about how much destruction the bomb had caused. Hersey also told the readers about how many people had died and te conditions they were in. The bomb caused exscrutiating burns all over their body. Many of the people that didn't die from the bomb was sickened with nausea, headaches, diarrhea, malaise, fever and other symptoms. It killed ninety-five per cent of the people within a half-mile of the center, and many thousands who were farther away. Hersey explained in the book the moment that the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.Hiroshima was also written to tell about the rumors that were going around about what had just happened in their town. The book also explained how the bomb surviors was able to put their lives back together with all their injuries and the scarceless resources. It also tells about how all the survivors had to work together to survive. Hersey also tells the readers about how the survivors are today. He found out that two were dead. Another was a nun. One of them had started touring the U.S.A for money so he could rebuild his church. Another had become a surgeon in his own clinic. No description about the last survivor. So as you can see the book Hiroshima was very helpful. It helped see the effects of the bomb. Also, it helped described the pain that it caused outside of the body and inside. It also gives assistance to the scientist to see how much destruction in the a town that the bomb had caused.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Preschool Children Essay

Pervasive Developmental Disorders is the umbrella term for   neuro-developmental disorder exhibited in children which is characterized by language deficits, impaired social skills and abnormal behavior. PDDs include PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger Syndrome, Autism-, Chidhood Disintegrative-, and Rett Disorder. Increase patterns of autism disorders for the past 15 yrs at England may indicate changes in PDD and the study attempted PPD estimation in a defined geographic region.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Population under case study were obtained from child center developments Stafford, Cannock, and Wightwick in the Midlands, England from July 1998 to June 1999 with a target population of 15, 500 children born on and between January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1995, that were identified as residents for the specified area on June 6, 1998. Case identification for the disease proceeded by four consecutive stages. Stage 1 was primarily concerned with screening by health practitioners and/or pediatricians at 0 wk, 6 wk, 6-9 mo, 18-24 mo, and 3.25-3.50 yr and then their subsequent referrals for the possible children displaying the symptoms for the disease. five hundred seventy-six underwent this stage. The referred children undergo secondary screening, â€Å"Stage 2†, under the trained eye of a child development physician or a child development teamand when they have failed the test, they will undergo subsequent 2 wk assessment conducted by a multidisciplinary team —speech and language therapist, pediatric physical therapist, occupational therapist, dental nurse, nutritionist, and a nurse specialist in PDDs and associated intervention— using 2-hr activity and play to make PDD diagnosis. For stage 3, one hundred three children were diagnosed with PDD and 95 % of them underwent Stage 4. Parents naturally accompany their children during the activities. Strong suspects for the disease were further assessed (stage 4), with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised algorithm by developmental physicians and those positive for the disease undergo further psychometric assessment— Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Merrill-Palmer—conducted by a senior educational psychologist. Final diagnosis were carried out using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to classify the PDD type of disorder. To test reliability of the study, blinding of 3 trained raters for the 38 AD-R tapes were carried out and then assessed for intraclass correlation coefficiency ( Ï social interaction=0.82; Ï verbal c. = 0.85, Ï non-verbal=0.87; Ï repetitive behavior =0.59, ÃŽ £=0.86) and personal assements. Results matched perfectly for the original diagnosis. PDD patients were undergo full laboratory chemistry tests as well as gene map, X test, electroencephalogram, and possibly CT and/or MRI scans (for neurologic damage suspects). Comparison analyses were assessed at ÃŽ ¡0.05 using Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Scheffà © pairwise comparisons.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Analysis for the 97 PDD referrals health visitors as having the highest number of referrals (81%) with the children averaging 35.7 mo at the referral time and 41 mo at the time of clinical diagnosis. Pairwise comparison indicates the order of mean age at the time of the referral for the different groups: Asperger Syndrome (47.5 mo )> PDD-NOS (37.2 mo)> AD (30 mo). ANOVA indicates significances at 11.3 mo and Post-Hoc Schaeffer test indicates similarity of order of mean age to that of non-parametric pairwise comparison.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There were no found differences for syndrome proportionality in the 77 males of the sample population. Thirty percent of the sample population was found to exhibit language impairment characterized by repetitive three-word phrases which was directly correlated to AD subtype. Psychrometric test reveals almost 26 % mental retardation. Two childen with CDD and Rett scored under moderate mental retardation. Chi-square test, P

Energy Conservation in Transport

1.3 Transportation system Transportation is another sector that has increased its comparative portion of primary energy. This sector has serious concerns as it is a important beginning of CO2 emanations and other airborne pollutants, and it is about wholly based on oil as its energy beginning ( Figure 1.5 ; Kreith, West, and Isler 2002 ) . In 2002, the transit sector accounted for 21 % of all CO2 emanations worldwide. An of import facet of future alterations in transit depends on what happens to the available oil resources, production and monetary values. At present, 95 % of all energy for transit comes from oil. As explained subsequently in this chapter, irrespective of the existent sum of oil staying in the land, oil production will top out shortly. Therefore, the demand for careful planning for an orderly passage off from oil as the primary transit fuel is pressing. An obvious replacing for oil would be biofuels such as ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, biodiesel, and biogases. Some believe that H is another option, because if it could be produced economically from RE beginnings or atomic energy, it could supply a clean transit option for the hereafter. Some have claimed H to be a â€Å"wonder fuel† and hold proposed a â€Å"hydrogen-based economy† to replace the present carbon-based economic system ( Veziroglu and Barbir 1992 ) . However, others ( Shinnar 2003 ; Kreith and West 2004 ; Mazza and Hammerschlag 2005 ) difference this claim based on the deficiency of substructure, jobs with storage and safety, and the lower efficiency of H vehicles as compared to plug-in intercrossed or to the full electric vehicles ( West and Kreith 2006 ) . Already hybrid-electric cars are going popular around the universe as crude oil becomes more expensive. The environmental benefits of renewable biofuels could be increased by utilizing plug-in intercrossed electric vehicles ( PHEVs ) . These autos and trucks combine internal burning engines with electric motors to 0 20 40 60 80 100 1971 1980 1990 2002 Percentage Share of conveyance in planetary oil demand Share of oil in conveyance energy demand FIGURE 1.5 Share of conveyance in planetary oil demand and portion of oil in conveyance energy demand. ( Data and prognosis from IEA, World Energy Outlook, IEA, Paris, 2004. With permission. ) Global Energy System 1-5 maximise fuel efficiency. PHEVs have more battery capacity that can be recharged by stop uping it into a regular electric mercantile establishment. Then these vehicles can run on electricity entirely for comparatively short trips. The electric-only trip length is denoted by a figure, for example, PHEV 20 can run on battery charge for 20 stat mis. When the battery charge is used up, the engine begins to power the vehicle. The intercrossed combination reduces gasolene ingestion appreciably. Whereas the conventional vehicle fleet has a fuel economic system of about 22 mpg, loanblends such as the Toyota Prius can achieve about 50 mpg. PHEV 20s have been shown to attain every bit much as 100 mpg. Gasoline usage can be decreased even further if the burning engine runs on biofuel blends, such as E85, a mixture of 15 % gasolene and 85 % ethyl alcohol ( Kreith 2006 ; West and Kreith 2006 ) . Plug-in intercrossed electric engineering is already available and could be realized instantly without farther R & A ; D. Furthermore, a big part of the electric coevals substructure, peculiarly in developed states, is needed merely at the clip of peak demand ( 60 % in the United States ) , and the remainder is available at other times. Hence, if batteries of PHEVs were charged during off-peak hours, no new coevals capacity would be required. Furthermore, this attack would levelize the electric burden and cut down the mean cost of electricity, harmonizing to a survey by the Electric Power Research Institute ( EPRI ) ( Sanna 2005 ) . Given the potency of PHEVs, EPRI ( EPRI 2004 ) conducted a large-scale analysis of the cost, battery demands, economic fight of plug-in vehicles today and in the hereafter. As shown by West and Kreith, the net present value of lifecycle costs over 10 old ages for PHEVs with a 20-mile electric-only scope ( PHEV20 ) is less than that of a similar conventional vehicle ( West and Kreith 2006 ) . Furthermore, presently available Ni metal hydride ( NiMH ) batteries are already able to run into needed cost and public presentation specifications. More advanced batteries, such as lithium-ion ( Li-ion ) batteries, may better the economic sciences of PHEVs even further in the hereafter. 7.5.4 Transportation Energy Consumption Energy ingestion in the transit sector is projected to turn at an mean one-year rate of 1.7 % between 2003 and 2025 in the projection, making 39.4 quadrillion Btu in 2025. The growing in transit energy demand is mostly driven by the increasing personal disposable income, projected to turn yearly at approximately 3 % , consumer penchants for driving larger autos with more HP, and an addition in the portion of visible radiation trucks and athleticss public-service corporation vehicles that make up lightduty vehicles. Entire vehicle stat mis traveled by light-duty vehicles is projected to increase at an one-year rate of 2 % between 2003 and 2025 because of the addition in personal disposable income and other demographic factors. 8.1 Introduction This chapter presents tendencies in land usage, cargo, ground-transportation manners for people and cargo, transit fuel supply, and the chances for preservation that exist within each country. The chapter starts with a treatment of the transportation–land usage relationship for a better apprehension of the model within which the transit system maps and the design theories that purpose to influence manner pick and trip coevals. Next is a description of mass theodolite, with peculiar accent on how its energy usage compares to the energy usage of the car. The motion of cargo, its manners, and energy ingestion relation to the remainder of the transit system follows. Then, emerging hereafter engineerings are described ; the focal point of this subdivision is on vehicle efficiencies to conserve energy resources. Finally, the well-to-wheel energy analysis uniting fuel production and vehicle public presentation is presented, concentrating on what feedstocks are available and how they can be refined expeditiously into a fuel. 8.2 Land Use 8.2.1 Land Use and Its Relationship to Transportation There is a cardinal relationship between transit and land usage, because the distance between one’s beginning and finish will find the feasibleness, path, manner, cost, and clip necessary to go from one topographic point to another. Likewise, transit influences land usage as it impacts people’s determinations approximately where to populate and work, sing factors such as commute clip and cost, the distance to a quality school for a family’s kids, the safety and convenience of the paths to school, work, activities, and entree to goods and services. The best chance for preservation in transit Begins with the transportation–land usage relationship. An energy-efficient transit system feats and integrates all manners instead than merely the main road. However, current land usage ordinances, codifications, and development tendencies are designed entirely for the single-occupant vehicle ( SOV ) and do non expeditiously back up other travel options. A more balanced system that incorporates mass theodolite, walking, bicycling, and other options would be more energy-efficient. These manners are less energy intensive and would cut down traffic congestion, vehicle idleness, and inefficient stop-and-go traffic. However, land usage must be designed for multimodal motion for such a balanced system to be realized. Land usage and the population in the U.S. have become more decentralised over clip ( see Figure 8.1 ) . The distribution of land utilizations into residential, commercial, and concern countries increases the distances between the many day-to-day necessities of life so that walking and bicycling are either impracticable or insecure ; it besides makes mass theodolite inefficient because Michigans would be required to function each individual’s needs. Therefore, personal vehicles are the most convenient and most widely chosen manner of transit for day-to-day travel demands given the type of development most normally used in the U.S. A more systemsoriented attack, incorporating prosaic, bike, car, and mass-transit webs within a higher-density developmental construction would be more energy-efficient, but this state of affairs is non the norm in the U.S. today. 8.3 Alternate Transportation system: Mass Transit The efficiency of mass-transit service typically decreases with the denseness of land utilizations. However, denseness is non the individual factor finding the success or failure of a theodolite system. Vuchic ( 1999 ) notes the success of the theodolite webs in fanned countries of San Francisco, Washington, Montreal, Calgary, and peculiarly the suburbs of Philadelphia ( with a lower population denseness than that of Los Angeles: 3500 people per square stat mi ) . Many contrivers and designers suggest a â€Å"hierarchy† of manners instead than the individual manner system that dominates most countries: at the base is a web of bicycle- and pedestrianfriendly streets that support the local coach system, which in bend feeds a regional theodolite web. As each constituent relies on the others, their integrating is indispensable for transit’s success ( Calthorpe and Fulton 2001 ) . Furthermore, â€Å"the balance between auto and theodolite usage in cardinal metropoliss is strongly influenced by the character of the country ( its physical design, organisation of infinite, and types of development ) and by the comparative convenience and attraction of the two systems† ( Vuchic 1999 ) . 10. Narrow streets 9. Traffic volumes 8. Sidewalks 7. Street trees 6. Interconnected streets 5. On-street parking 4. Lower traffic velocities 3. Mixed land usage 2. Buildings looking the street 1. Small block size FIGURE 8.3 Top 10 walkability factors. ( From Hall, R. , Walkable thoroughfares through balanced design. Presentation at The Nuts & A ; Bolts of Traditional Neighborhood Development Conference, Richmond, VA, 2005. ) Several different types of theodolite exist to function the demands of the populace. â€Å"Demand response† describes the paratransit manner, by which a rider calls a starter who sends the theodolite vehicle ( a bird coach or cab ) to the passenger’s door and delivers her to her finish. Commuter rail denotes regional rail operating between a metropolis and its suburban countries ; light rail implies one or two autos utilizing overhead electricity as a power beginning and operating within a metropolis, frequently sharing the streets with cars ; heavy rail operates at high velocities within a separate right-of-way. Bus rapid theodolite ( BRT ) is deriving popularity as a system that grants buses their ain right-of-way so that they do non acquire caught in traffic congestion. BRT operates parallel to the street, such as in the median between travel lanes or in an sole bus-only lane ( see Figure 8.4 ) , and depending on the system, may besides acquire prioritization at traffic signals so that upon attack, the light bends green and the coach will non hold to wait at a ruddy visible radiation. Table 8.3 summarizes the features of each manner. Table 8.4 illustrates what percentages of the theodolite fleets use alternate fuels ( i.e. , fuels other than the conventionally used gasolene ) . The factors that determine what manner and what engineering are best for a given theodolite system include: †  The handiness of a separate right-of-way †  The distance between/frequency of Michigans ( i.e. , will it be regional, express or local service? ) †  The denseness of the environing country ( to find at what speeds the vehicle can safely go ) †  Expected rider volumes †  Size of the metropolis being served A separate right-of-way is non dependent on the bing conditions of the street web and provides great dependability ( since there are no traffice congestion holds ) , high velocity, short trip times, and overall convenience for riders. The potency of mass theodolite to conserve energy is a big, untapped resource. Table 8.5 illustrates how much fuel could be saved by one individual exchanging to mass theodolite for their day-to-day commute to work. The ground for mass transit’s high efficiency is its energy strength, which is a consequence of the burden factor of each vehicle. Table 8.6 provides passenger travel and energy usage informations for 2002, while Figure 8.5 provides the theodolite manner split on a passenger-mile footing ( i.e. , the distribution of travel on each manner per rider per stat mi ) . Mass transit’s efficiency could surely be much higher compared to cars if more riders used it and increased its burden factor ( Greene and Schafer 2003 ) . FIGURE 8.4 BRT exposure. ( From U.S. General Accounting Office ( GAO ) , Mass Transit: Bus Rapid Transit Shows Promise, GAO-01-984, Washington, DC, 2001. )