HCI Reading Journal - Journal #3 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HCI Reading Journal - Journal #3 - Research Paper Example According to Heim (2008), this can be done by putting oneself in the user’s shoes to be able to understand their needs and requirements. Secondly, know the users for which the interface is intended. By studying them, you will be able to develop a seamless interface that adequately meets the user needs. Since my project involves creating a user interface for a sales system, I saw it prudent to visit some of the sites. As a user of this interface I found it so easy to choose a product after some suggestions such as; most viewed, most purchased, don’t miss, most popular among other suggestive tags. From this I learnt that items with suggestive tags will have a high chance of being viewed and even purchased. Therefore, as a user interface designer, one must consider the possibility of aggregating related content in one interface to ease navigation of the user (Dillon, 2003). Most users will seldom dwell on the layout and the structure of the interface but will go straight to the content. According to Dillon (2003), in order to effectively engage users of an interface, the designer must get the content of the interface right. One could have a perfect design for an interface with shallow content that will not effectively the client. Design is a magnet but the content is what keeps the user coming back again and again. I tried to compare between the design interface for two social sites; Face book and Twitter. Face book has a more interactive interface that has options for posts, messages, image and video communication. On the other hand twitter is simple with fewer graphic but more messaging. However, despite the differences the two sites have almost equal users due to the content in each interface. Most designers will think users have no idea or will not realize several aspects of the user interface. This is not the case in the current society. Users visit several sites and interact with man interfaces on a daily basis. In this

Our Babies, Ourselves Essay Example for Free

Our Babies, Ourselves Essay Dependence during infancy is unique amongst hominids compared to other beings. However, different cultures in the world differ on how they cater to this dependency. For example, the American culture is influenced by individualism, therefore they tend to rear their children in such a way that they will grow up as an independent individual. On the other hand, Japanese are likely to be more affectionate in their child upbringing culture. And on both instances, infants who were reared up the American or Japanese way, their anticipated adult traits remain to be visible. As the article â€Å"Our Babies, Ourselves† suggests, the care given to an infant during his most dependent stage is reflected when the infant grows up and he develops his own sense of independence and survival skills. The rearing up process, whether an individual is being given over adequate attention or being least assisted during infancy is reflected by his developed reflexes and skills in his grown up stage. For the Gusii child-rearing practices, infants were held closer to their parents compared to other cultures. Here, infants develop a closer bond to their mothers, and later on towards other children to develop their interpersonal skills better. Moreover, apart from the physical and emotional aspects of development, neurological and genetic developments of infants are also being attributed to their rearing up practices. Thus, the uniqueness developed by an individual regarding his skills, competencies and survival instincts is defined by infant care that was rendered to him by his parents. However, the rearing up process is highly shaped and influenced by traditions within a culture, thus creating cross-cultural differences when it comes to child development across different nations and races.

The Important Features of a Mosque :: Papers

The Important Features of a Mosque Possibly one of the most important aspects of the Islam religion is the Mosque, which means "place of prayer". This is seen as the centre of the Islamic community and is where Muslims join together to worship Allah, pray, and learn about the religion. Also, weddings, festival celebrations, and meetings of the Muslim community are held there. On the outside, many Mosques are plain and not elaborate at all although, it is not wrong for them to be grand. They are usually rectangular in shape and two features of them would be the dome and minarets. The dome is situated on the top of the roof and symbolises the universe. A minaret is a tall tower and every Mosque must have at least one. From here the adhan, call to prayer, is called by the mu'adhin. Most modern minarets have loudspeakers to drown out the noise of traffic, etc. The adhan is translated as: "Allah is most great, Allah is most great. Allah is most great, Allah is most great. I testify that there is no god except Allah. I testify that there is no god except Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to success (in the life and the Hereafter)! Come to success! Allah is most great. Allah is most great. There is no god except Allah. (Morning prayer) Prayer is better than sleep. Prayer is better than sleep." The times that adhan is made is set by the sun. The first is made at dawn, the second after the sun has passed the peak, the third mid afternoon, the fourth after sunset, and the fifth when night begins. Inside the Mosque, as a mark of cleanliness and respect, shoes must be removed. Before praying, Muslims must wash in a special way called Wudu, which they were commanded to do by Muhammad. This makes them clean for prayer as they are about worship and be in close presence

Neurophysiology Study Guide

Neurophysiology Study Guide 1. Define â€Å"equilibrium potential†. Why is the resting potential closer to the potassium equilibrium potential (EK+) than the sodium potential (ENa+)? The equilibrium potential is the point at which the force exerted on an ion by electrostatic and concentration gradient forces are balanced, and there is no net movement of that ion. The resting potential is closer to EK+ than ENa+ because the cell membrane is more permeable to potassium than sodium. 2. How would ENa+ change following an increase in the external concentration of sodium?Would the resting potential be affected significantly? If the external concentration of sodium was increased, the concentration gradient driving the movement of sodium would be increased more sodium would diffuse into the cell and would reduce some of the negative charge on the inner surface of the lipid bilayer. This would serve to decrease (make less negative) the resting potential, but would not affect it signifi cantly since the membrane is much more permeable to K. 3. Does any net Ionic current flow at the resting potential?What are the relationships among â€Å"passive† and â€Å"pump†ionic currents at the resting potential? There is no net ionic current flow at the resting potential. However, since neither Na+ nor K+ is at equilibrium, there is a net flow of each across the membrane. The Na-K pump generates the concentration difference that sustains the resting potential: but it is the passive ionic flow that creates the resting potential. Pump currents balance passive currents (diffusion) at the resting potential. 3. Define â€Å"electrogenic† and â€Å"neutral† pumps.What role does the Na-K pump play in the resting potential? An electrogenic pump creates a potential difference across the membrane – positive and negative charges are not transported across the membrane in equal amounts. Neutral pumps are balanced according to charge – there is no potential difference created. The Na-K pump generates the concentration difference that sustains the resting potential. 5. Describe the sequence of ionic events and their effect upon the resting potential following lockade of the Na-K pump, or following an increase in extracellular potassium or sodium. When the Na-K pump is blocked by an agent such as oubain or digitalis, Na+ and K+ will continue to diffuse passively across the cell membrane down their respective gradients. After a while, intracellular [Na] will increase and intracellular [K] will decrease. The reduced [K] gradient will reduce K efflux through nongated channels; therefore, the resting potential will depolarize. The reduced [Na] gradient will have little effect on the resting potential.If extracellular [K+ ] is increased, the driving force for potassium diffusion out of the cell will decrease, and the resting potential will become less negative (depolarized). If extracellular [Na+ ] is increased, the driving force f or sodium movement into the cell will increase with a resultant slight depolarization, but there will be no significant change in resting potential. Na+ -K+ ATPase pump activity Y [[Na+]in Y [Na+]O/ [Na+]i Y ENa+ Y (EM – ENa+) Y INa+ Y Conduction velocity and Depolarized threshold 6.Explain the interrelationships between ionic and capacitive currents during postsynaptic potentials or during an action potential. Ionic current is the flow of ions through channels into or out of the cell. Capacitive current is the movement of charges, usually positive, up to or away from the cell membrane. During an excitatory postsynaptic potential or an action potential, there is an initial ionic current flow into the cell, followed by a capacitive current out of the cell, which serves to depolarize the membrane potential at a distance. The current loop forms a â€Å"local circuit. † 7.Define â€Å"time constant†. How is it calculated and why is it important for integration of electrical activity at the axon's initial segment? The time constant is the amount of time it takes for EM (membrane potential) to decay to 1/e of its initial strength (37%). It is equal to resistance times capacitance. It is important for integration at the initial segment because it determines whether temporal summation can take place – a long time constant means slow decay which allows summation to occur; a short time constant means fast decay, and therefore no summation. 8. Define â€Å"length constant'.How does it depend upon axon diameter, axial resistance and membrane resistance; what does it suggest about the relative effectiveness of synapses on the soma versus synapses on the dendrites? The length (or space) constant is the distance that a signal can travel before falling to 1/e (37%) of its initial magnitude. It is proportional to the square root of the diameter of the fiber and to membrane resistance, and inversely proportional to axial resistance. The higher the membrane resistance, the farther the signal will go. The larger the length constant, the slower the signal decay.This suggests that synapses on the soma are more likely to undergo spatial summation than dendritic synapses. 9. Define â€Å"graded potentials†. How do these differ from action potentials? A graded potential is one in which the amplitude is directly proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus. It has no refractory period and is a local potential – i. e. it is not actively conducted and spreads only passively. Graded potentials can be either depolarizing or hyperpolarizing and can add. Action potentials cannot add, have refractory periods are all or none, and are propagated actively. 0. Explain the shape of a â€Å"strength duration† curve. Define â€Å"rheobase† and â€Å"chronaxie† The shape of the strength-duration curve shows that initiation of an action potential is dependent on both the amplitude and the duration of a stimulus. Rheobase is the minimum effective stimulus strength. Chronaxie is the duration of the stimulus that is required to just reach threshold when the stimulus amplitude is twice rheobase. 11. Explain in detail how an action potential is generated. What types of channels tend to open as the membrane potential depolarizes?Draw a graph illustrating how sodium and potassium conductances change (with time) during an action potential. When the membrane is depolarized, voltage sensitive Na+ channels open allowing Na+ to enter the cell down its electrochemical gradient This entry of Na+ further depolarizes the cell, resulting in the opening of more Na+ channels: thus allowing more Na+ to enter, and so on. When the influx of Na+ exceeds the efflux of K+ , threshold is exceeded and the response becomes regenerative, leading to the depolarizing or rising phase of the action potential.After a period of time the Na+ channels inactivate and close: blocking further entry of Na+ through these channels. Also after a delay, voltage-sensitive K+ channels open, allowing K+ to leave the cell, traveling down its electrochemical gradient. The inactivation of the Na+ channels coupled with the opening of the K+ channels result in the repolarization of the membrane potential 12. How do the time courses of sodium and potassium conductances differ during a maintained depolarization? A maintained depolarization causes Na+ inactivation (reduces PNa+) and hence increases (depolarizes) the threshold potential.In addition, compared with the Na+ activation process, the K+ activation process (increased PK+ ) is delayed and persists as long as the depolarization is maintained. 13. Define â€Å"sodium inactivation†. How does it explain the â€Å"absolute† and â€Å"relative† refractory periods, or â€Å"accommodation†? How do potassium ions play a role in these processes? What limits a neuron's maximum rate of firing? There are two ‘gates' on the voltage gated sodium channels. As the membrane is depolarized, sodium channels open. When the membrane is fully depolarized, sodium channels become inactivated.Sodium inactivation is high at the peak of the action potential and is maximal about the time that the repolarization phase intersects the zero potential. It is this process and the fact that most potassium channels are open that account for the absolute refractory period. The relative refractory period is the gradual recovery of Na+ channels from the inactivation process. Accommodation is also related to sodium inactivation because a slow depolarization will cause the Na+ channels to go directly from the closed state to the inactivated state. A neuron’s maximum rate of firing is limited by the absolute refractory period. 4. What role does the Na+ -K+ pump play in the action potential? How is the action potential affected by alterations in the concentration of extracellular Na+ or K+ Action potentials arise from the passive movement of ion s down their electrochemical gradients. The Na+-K+ pump creates the electrochemical gradients that sustain the resting potential and generate the action potential. Alterations in the concentration of extracellular K+ will cause fluctuations in the resting potential that will decrease or increase the likelihood of an action potential being generated.Alterations of extracellular Na will increase or decrease the conduction velocity of action potentials as well as the likelihood of an action potential being generated. 15. Explain the mechanism for propagation of an action potential in an unmyelinated nerve or in a myelinated nerve. Why is the latter much faster? What factors affect conduction velocity? Once an action potential has been initiated, the inward Na+ current depolarizes the membrane toward ENa+ . This results in a potential difference between this active region and the adjacent inactive region, which is still near EK+ .Hence, current will flow between the active and adjacent inactive region, depolarizing the inactive region. The resulting increase in intracellular Na+ leads to an outward capacitive current and depolarization of this region of membrane. When the depolarization reaches threshold, an action potential will be initiated in this region of the membrane. In an unmyelinated nerve, this is a continual process moving down the membrane. In a myelinated nerve, this process occurs only at the node of Ranvier. Myelinated nerves have faster conduction velocities because the action potential â€Å"jumps' from node to node, which may be up to 2 mm apart.Conduction velocity is affected by membrane capacitance and by membrane and axoplasm resistances. Myelin increases membrane resistance, thereby constraining incoming positive charge to move down the axon. Myelin reduces membrane capacitance; this reduces the amount of negative charge that must be neutralized to reach threshold. Axoplasm resistance is inversely proportional to axon diameter. Thus, conduct ion velocity increases with fiber diameter,. 16. Describe the process of â€Å"saltatory† conduction. Why is it advantageous? Explain how and why conduction velocity and the length (space) constant are affected by demyelinating iseases. Saltatory conduction is the discontinuous propagation (jumping from one node of Ranvier to the next) of an action potential along a myelinated nerve. Saltatory conduction arises in part from the properties of the myelin sheath, which increases the membrane resistance and decreases the capacitance in the internodal region; the result is an increase in current flow down the core of the axon. In addition the voltage-sensitive Na+ channels responsible for the generation of the action potential are localized only at the nodes.This type of conduction makes possible rapid precise control of muscle contraction. In demyelinating diseases conduction velocity and the length constant are reduced in the unmyelinated areas. The length constant is proportion al to membrane resistance and when the myelin is destroyed, the resistance at that point decreases and therefore the length constant decreases. Because of increase capacitance and negative charge on the inner surface of the membranes, propagation of the signal takes place continuously instead of jumping from node to node; therefore, conduction velocity is decreased. 7. What are the three functions of a sensory receptor? 1) Transduction of the environmental signal Energy Y Change in membrane potential 2) Amplification of the environmental signal 3) Transmission of the environmental signal to the CNS 18. How does a â€Å"receptor potential† or â€Å"generator potential† differ from an action potential? A receptor or generator potential is a graded potential that is proportional to the stimulus. It is not a function of the membrane potential and thus is not regenerative like an action potential.It has no refractory period and, therefore, is additive. It is â€Å"localâ⠂¬  and propagated. Finally, the ion channels producing the receptor/generator potentials are different from those underlying the action potential; they are not voltage gated. 19. Explain how an action potential is initiated in a sensory nerve. What conditions are necessary for repetitive firing? How does the firing frequency depend upon the amplitude of the generator potential? Upon the intensity of the stimulus? A sensory nerve action potential begins with the receipt of an appropriate environmental signal.The stimulus causes a localized increase in the permeability of the nerve terminal to Na+ . The resulting net inward positive ionic current depolarizes the nerve terminal. This current spreads passively along the axon terminal producing a depolarizing outward capacitive current The outward capacitive current, in turn. may induce an action potential in a region of the nerve with a low threshold for generating an action potential- usually at the first node of Ranvier in myelinate d nerves. A maintained stimulus is necessary for repetitive firing.The firing frequency is proportional to the amplitude of the generator potential and the intensity of the stimulus. 19. Define â€Å"sensory adaptation†. Name two classes of receptors. What type of information about the stimulus is derived from each? Give examples. Sensory adaptation is the decline in response that occurs over time when a receptor is subjected to a constant stimulus. There are two types of receptor classifications: slowly adapting (tonic) receptors and rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors. Slowly adapting receptors provide information about the rate of change of a stimulus as well as the magnitude and duration.This type of receptor is seen in touch, pressure, hair cells for hearing and vestibular function, muscle spindle receptors, Golgi tendon organs and in baroreceptors. Rapidly adapting receptors are unable to maintain a sustained depolarization, despite sustained stimulation. They function as rate-detectors providing information about the rate of change of the environmental signal. Rapidly adapting receptors are found in the Pacinian corpuscles and skin hair receptors. 19. Describe in detail the steps involved in the release and degradation of ACh at the neuromuscular junction. What factors regulate how much ACh is released?Chemical synaptic transmission is initiated by a depolarization of the presynaptic element and the subsequent influx of Ca++ ions into the nerve terminal through voltage-dependent Ca++ channels. Ca++ facilitates contact of synaptic vesicles with the terminal membrane, which triggers the synchronous release of several thousands of transmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft. The ACh binds to its receptor on the postsynaptic membrane. After dissociating from the receptor, ACh is degraded by acetylcholinesterase (produced by ) 19. Define â€Å"quantal† release and â€Å"miniature† end-plate potential.How are the two related? Quantal r elease refers to the release of neurotransmitters in discrete packets or vesicles. A single vesicle contains about 5-10,000 ACh molecules, and is capable of depolarizing the membrane about 1mV. The small depolarization caused by the spontaneous release of a few vesicles is called a miniature end plate potential. Spontaneous release of vesicles occurs at a rate of about 1/sec. MEPP's may be important in maintaining the integrity of the muscle fiber. 19. Discuss the â€Å"end-plate† potential (EPP), including its characteristics and underlining mechanisms.Why are its amplitude and duration limited? How does it differ from an action potential? The end-plate potential is the postsynaptic potential produced at motor end plate. The EPP occurs as the result of ACh binding to its receptors on end-plate membrane and opening the chemically gated channels located there. The EPP is a graded potential – the magnitude of the EPP is proportional to the number of channels opened by AC h – and spreads only passively. The EPP acts as a stimulus for the production of an action potential on the muscle membrane contiguous to the end-plate membrane.The amplitude and duration of the EPP may be limited by the amount of neurotransmitter released, or by the number of receptors present, or by the normal activity of AChEase. The EPP differs from an action potential in the same ways that other graded potentials do. 19. How are action potentials initiated at the muscle end plate? What is the ratio of' the number of muscle action potentials to motor neuron action potentials (output: input)? Action potentials are initiated in the region of the muscle end plate when the membrane is depolarized by the electrotonically spreading EPP.The ratio of the number of muscle action potentials to motor neuron action potentials (output: input) is 1:1. 19. What are chemically gated ion channels? Give an example. How do such channels differ from voltage-gated channels? Chemically-gated i on channels are those channels which open only in response to the binding of a chemical neurotransmitter, hormone or other chemicals and not in response to membrane depolarization as voltage-gated channels do. The channel associated with the ACh receptor is a chemically-gated ion channel: 26.Compare and contrast the characteristics of chemical and electrical synaptic transmission. Electrical synaptic transmission is mediated by gap junctions. The gap junctions provide a pathway for cytoplasmic continuity. As a result, a depolarization (or hyperpolarization) produced in the presynaptic terminal produces a change in potential in the postsynaptic terminal. There is minimal synaptic delay and the transmission can spread bidirectionally. Electrical junctions are found in the nervous system, as well as smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.Chemical synaptic transmission occurs between two cell membranes separated by a synaptic cleft. The presynaptic terminal contains a high concentration of mi tochondria and synaptic vesicles and there is a characteristic thickening of the postsynaptic membrane. Since the neurotransmitter must diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to its receptor, there is delay of about 0. 5 – 1 msec between the initiation of an action potential in the presynaptic terminal and a potential change in the postsynaptic terminal. Chemical transmission is generally unidirectional.

Maps in Your Mind Essay

Reasons for Tolman to carry out the study were to demonstrate that complex internal cognitive activity could be studied in rats, not only in humans, and that these mental processes could be studied without the necessity of observing them directly. The theoretical propositions which this research is based on were two 2 modifications to the prevailing view that Tolman proposed. One was that the true nature and complexity of learning could not be fully understood without an examination of the internal mental processes that accompany the observable stimuli and responses. The second was that even though internal cognitive processes could not be directly observed, they could be objectively and scientifically inferred from observable behavior. The method Tolman used were two studies which clearly demonstra6ted his theoretical propositions. The first was called â€Å"The Latent Learning† experiment, where rats were divided into 3 groups. The first of the 3 groups was Group C, control group, which was exposed to a complex maze using the standard procedure of one run through the maze each day with a food reward at the end of the maze. Second was Group N, received no reward, which was exposed to the maze for the same amount of time each day but found no food and received no reward for any behavior in the maze. Last was Group D, received a delayed reward, which was treated exactly like group N for the first 10 days of the study, but then on day 11 and the remainder of the experiment found food at the end of the maze. The results to the first study were that the rats in groups N and D did not learn much of anything about the maze when they were not receiving any reward for running through the maze. Group C rats learned the maze to near-perfection in about two weeks. But rats in Group D had found out a reason to run the maze and that was food. They had learned the maze in about 3 days (day 11 to day 13). The only possible explanation for these findings was that during those 10 days when the rats were wandering around in the maze, they were learning much more about the maze than they were showing. Tolman explained â€Å"Once they knew they were to get food, they demonstrated that during the preceding non-reward trials, they had learned where many of the blinds were. They had been building up a map and could utilize it as soon as they were motivated to do so.† Now the second study was called â€Å"Spatial Orientation† experiment. This experiment was designed to show that rats trained in a maze actually know the location of the food reward relative to their starting position even if the elements of the maze are changed, or even removed. First rats learned to run the simple maze, where they entered the maze at the start, then run across a round table and into the path leading to the food at the end. This was a relatively simple maze and no problem for the rats and learned it to near perfection in 12 trials. The maze was changed into a sunburst pattern, now when the rats tried their usual rout they found it blocked and returned to the round table. There the rats had a choice of 12 possible alternate paths to try to get to where the food had been in the previous maze. Results for the second study showed that the rats had frequently chose path 6, which ran about 4 inches from where the food had been placed in the previous maze. Here, Tolman was expanding his theory beyond the notion that rats, and potentially other organisms including humans, produce cognitive maps of the route from point A to point Z. He was demonstrating that the maps that are produced are not mere strip maps represented as A to B to C and so on, to Z, but are much broader, comprehensive or conceptual maps that give organisms a cognitive lay of the land. The significance of Tolman’s study was that Tolman theorized that comprehensive maps of our social environment are advantageous to humans, while narrow; strip like maps can lead to negative human conditions such as mental illness or prejudice and discrimination. His reasoning was based on findings related to the studies described earlier indicating that when rats were over motivated or over frustrated they tended to develop very narrow maps and were less likely to acquire the comprehensive cognitive mapping skills of the rats described in his studies.

Methane as a Greenhouse Gas

Methane as a Greenhouse Gas Methane is a major constituent of natural gas, but its chemical and physical characteristics also make it a powerful greenhouse gas and worrisome contributor to global climate change. What Is Methane? A methane molecule, CH4, is made of a central carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogens. Methane is a colorless gas usually formed in one of two ways: Biogenic methane is produced by microorganisms breaking down certain types of sugars in conditions where oxygen is absent. This biologically-produced methane can be released to the atmosphere immediately upon being produced, or it can be accumulated in wet sediment only to be released later.Thermogenic methane was formed when organic matter was buried deeply under geological layers and over millions of years, and then broken down by pressure and high temperatures. This type of methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, making up 70 to 90% of it. Propane is a common by-product found in natural gas. Biogenic and thermogenic methane may have different origins but they have the same properties, making them both effective greenhouse gases. Methane as a Greenhouse Gas Methane, along with carbon dioxide and other molecules, contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect. Reflected energy from the sun  in the form of longer wavelength infrared radiation excites methane molecules instead of traveling out into space. This warms up the atmosphere, enough that methane contributes to about 20% of the warming due to greenhouse gases, second in importance behind carbon dioxide. Because of the chemical bonds within its molecule  methane is much more efficient at absorbing heat than carbon dioxide (as much as 86 times more), making it a very potent greenhouse gas. Fortunately, methane can only last about 10 to 12 years in the atmosphere before it gets oxidized and turns into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide lasts for centuries. An Upward Trend According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of methane in the atmosphere has multiplied since the industrial revolution, growing from an estimated 722 parts per billion (ppb) in 1750 to 1834 ppb in 2015. Emissions from many developed parts of the world have now appeared to have leveled off, however. Fossil Fuels Once Again to Blame In the United States,  methane emissions come primarily from the fossil fuel industry. Methane is not released when we burn fossil fuels, like carbon dioxide does, but rather during the extraction, processing, and distribution of fossil fuels. Methane leaks out of natural gas wellheads, at processing plants, out of faulty pipeline valves, and even in the distribution network bringing natural gas to homes and businesses. Once there, methane continues to leak out of gas meters and gas-powered appliances like heaters and stoves. Some accidents occur during the handling of natural gas  resulting in the release of large amounts of gas. In 2015 very high volumes of methane were released from a storage facility in California. The Porter Ranch leak lasted for months, emitting almost 100,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere. Agriculture: Worse Than Fossil Fuels? The second largest source of methane emissions in the United States is agriculture. When evaluated globally, agricultural activities actually rank first. Remember those microorganisms that produce biogenic methane in conditions where oxygen is lacking? Herbivorous livestock guts are full of them. Cows, sheep, goats, even camels have methanogenic bacteria in their stomach to help digest plant material, which means they collectively pass very large quantities of methane gas. And it is not a minor issue, as a full 22% of methane emissions in the United States are estimated to come from livestock. Another agricultural source of methane is the production of rice. Rice paddies contain methane-producing microorganisms as well, and the soggy fields release about 1.5% of global methane emissions. As the human population grows and with it the need to grow food, and as temperatures rise with climate change, it is expected that methane emissions from rice fields will continue to increase. Adjusting rice-growing practices can help alleviate the problem: temporarily drawing down water mid-season, for example, makes a big difference but for many farmers, the local  irrigation network cannot accommodate the change. From Waste to Greenhouse Gas–to Energy? Organic matter decomposing deep inside a landfill produces methane, which is normally vented out and released into the atmosphere. It’s an important enough problem that landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions in the United States, according to the EPA. Fortunately, an increasing number of facilities capture  the gas and route it to a plant that uses a boiler to produce electricity with that waste gas. Methane Coming From the Cold As Arctic regions warm up quickly  methane is released even in the absence of direct human activity. The Arctic tundra, along with its numerous wetlands and lakes, contains large amounts of peat-like dead vegetation locked in ice and permafrost. As those layers of peat thaw, microorganism activity picks up and methane is released. In a troublesome feedback loop the more methane there is in the atmosphere, the warmer it gets, and more methane is released from the thawing permafrost. To add to the uncertainty, another worrying phenomenon has the potential to further disrupt our climates very rapidly. Under Arctic soils and deep in oceans large concentrations of methane exist entrapped in an ice-like mesh made of water. The resulting structure is called a clathrate, or methane hydrate. Large deposits of clathrate can be destabilized by changing currents, underwater landslides, earthquakes, and warming temperatures. The sudden collapse of large methane clathrate deposits, for whatever reason, would release lots of methane into the atmosphere and cause rapid warming. Reducing Our Methane Emissions As a consumer, the most effective way to lower methane emissions is by reducing our fossil fuel energy needs. Additional efforts include choosing a diet low in red meat to reduce the demand for methane-producing cattle and composting to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills where it would produce methane.

Sobeit and So Be It

Sobeit and So Be It Sobeit and So Be It Sobeit and So Be It By Maeve Maddox Jean writes: Could you do a feature on so be it and sobeit? Â  I thought for sure it was always written as three words until a discussion on a court reporters message board came up about a proofreader saying that it should be a one-word word. Sobeit is a word and so be it is a clause. Neither is much used in ordinary conversation or writing, but legal language tends to be on the old-fashioned side. The clause so be it is a subjunctive expression meaning let it be so. Example: Aladdin: I want a huge palace with a thousand servants and a swimming pool. Genie: So be it! Sobeit can be used as conjunction or as a noun. As a conjunction sobeit means provided that, if. Example: I will finish this 800-page novel, sobeit I live long enough. Sobeit can also be used as a noun, as in this example from the OED: Thou answerest me an houre after..like to a Sexton with a Sobeit or Amen. Whether to spell it as one word or write it out as three words depends upon the context. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Farther vs. FurtherTry to vs. Try and30 Nautical Expressions

Real-World Green Chemistry Examples

Reals Green chemistry seeks to develop products and processes that are kind to the environment. This can involve reducing the waste a process creates, using renewable materials, lessening the energy required to form a product, etc. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsors an annual challenge for the most innovative green chemistry inventions, plus you can find examples of green chemistry in many of the products you buy and use. Here are some interesting sustainable chemistry achievements: Biodegradable Plastics Plastics being developed from eco-friendly renewable sources, plus some modern plastics are biodegradable. The combination of innovations reduces our dependence on petroleum products, protects humans and wildlife from undesirable chemicals in old plastics, and reduces waste and impact on the environment. Scientists at  NatureWorks  of Minnetonka, Minnesota, makes food containers from a polymer called polylactic acid, made using  microorganisms to convert cornstarch into a resin. The resulting polymer is used to replace rigid petroleum-based plastic used in yogurt containers and water bottles. Advances in Medicine Pharmaceuticals are expensive to produce in part because of the complicated and exacting synthesis mechanisms required to produce some drugs. Green chemistry seeks to streamline production processes, reduce the environmental impact of drugs and their metabolites, and minimize toxic chemicals used in reactions. Professor Yi Tang, of the University of California,  devised an improved  synthesis process to make  Zocor ®, which is the brand name for  the drug, Simvastatin, used to treat high cholesterol. The previous process used hazardous chemicals and released a large volume of toxic waste. Professor Tangs process uses  an engineered enzyme and a low-cost feedstock. The company Codexis, then took the mechanism and  optimized the enzyme and synthesis process so the drug could be manufactured more safely, less expensively, and with less of an environmental impact. Research and Development Scientific research employs a number of techniques that use hazardous chemicals and release waste into the environment. New greener processes keep research and tech on track while making it safer, cheaper, and less wasteful. Life Technologies  developed a three-step, one-pot synthesis method for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), used in genetic testing. The new process is more efficient, consuming  up to 95 percent less organic solvent and releasing up to 65 percent less waste compared with the conventional protocol. Using the new process, Life Technologies  eliminates about  1.5 million pounds of hazardous waste each year. Paint and Pigment Chemistry Green paints go way beyond eliminating lead from formulations! Modern paints reduce toxic chemicals released as paints dry, substitute safer pigments for some poisonous colors, and reduce toxins when the paint is removed. Procter Gamble and Cook Composites and Polymers formulated a soya oil and sugar mixture to replace petroleum-derived paint resins and solvents. Formulations using the mixture release 50% fewer hazardous volatile compounds.Sherwin-Williams created water-based acrylic alkyd paints that contain low levels of volatile organic compounds  (VOCs). The acrylic paint is made from a mixture of acrylics, soybean oil, and recycled PET bottles. Manufacturing Many of the processes used to make products rely on toxic chemicals or could be streamlined to reduce the use of resources and release of waste. Green chemistry seeks to develop new processes and improve conventional production methods. Faraday has developed a plating process to make high-performance chrome coatings from trivalent chromium instead of highly toxic hexavalent chromium.

About artist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

About artist - Essay Example Moreover, he has acquired masters from Pratt Institute of Brooklyn and from New York School of Visual Arts in New York City. He has also conducted many drawing exhibitions, music and video performances, press coverage and received honors and indulges in teaching profession. The actual artistic work of Michael Alan is painting, drawing and sculpting. According to (Alan) â€Å"Art is a combination of harmonious opposites, close observation, catharsis, a means of communication and a radical juxtaposition of dimensional elements†. The drawings of Michael Alan depict transformative energies of performers and spaces considerably. He utilized in his art work, materials which are assorted in nature including prints, casts, discovered objects and paints. The sculptures built by Michael have the quality of beauty and efficacy which can pull any art lover with ease. Michael Alan is an artist who gives importance to the mystical power of space and elements of nature. He portrays himself as an alien and one who holds connection with the out of the world experiences. He believes that his artistic works are different dimension of the energy of space and human beings surrounding him. According to him â€Å"The energy within spaces and human beings are like immeasurable driving force which gives shapes and sizes to my paintings, drawings and sculptures†. Michaels artistic perspective is that world is a space station where different energies with different magnitudes collide with each other to form creative forces. The artists always have major impact on the culture and values of a society or community. Michael Alan believes that he is a person who lives on hope. As per (Maliszewski ,2012) â€Å"I am hope, I am not Michael. I don’t care about anything else. You are hope â€Å". He spreads this positive message to his family, friends and community that if a person is hopeful then his life will be lively and vibrant. In general if we consider the

How music affects emotions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

How music affects emotions - Essay Example Though emotional reactions occur within human beings, most of the times, various factors or people provoke these reactions. Music is the perfect example of a factor that affects and influence heavily on human emotions. Music impacts profoundly on the emotions and elicit reactions such as happiness, sadness, and anxiety. Furthermore, it leads to stress or the relaxation of people. The massive ability and power that music has is unmatchable and undeniably strong. Music easily manipulates human beings’ emotions and the brain in a simple yet a sweet and exciting way. Music physically influences the brain that triggers a range of emotional response from human beings. Though the emotional content of most music is subjective, it has little or no influence on the ability to trigger feelings and reactions in humans. Consequently, various people enjoy and experience music in different ways that massively affects their memories both positively and negatively. The difference in experiencing varied emotions hugely depends on the environment and mood of the person listening to the music. Additionally, culture, personality, and preference also play an enormous role in determining a person’s emotional experience when listening to music. Furthermore, various types and genres of music elicit different and contrasting emotions among the listeners Music easily makes people happy and psyched up at different times. Although pursuing personal happiness is important and relevant to most people, some view it as a selfish and self-centered act. Major keys and rapid tempos cause happiness among listeners. This type of music elevates the mood creating and ecstasy feeling among the listeners. Furthermore, happy and excited people tend to maintain and improve their mood by listening to lively music. The idea of listening to such type of music at such moments is natural and people have no explanation for this. In addition, music serves a

Applying the Background and Methodology of the Research Process to Essay

Applying the Background and Methodology of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care - Essay Example To increase the provision and access to these primary needs, it is important for the federal government to deploy more health and clinical providers to such areas. One of the major concerns that have drawn controversy is the provision of reproductive health services particularly for the teens. The role of teenagers in the determination of their reproductive choices and the influence of the parents in such health choices has been the main source of controversy. This calls for provision of specialized medical services by physicians to ensure that the teens make right choices regarding their reproductive health. This study therefore focused on establishing the relationship between elective pregnancy termination among teens and the population density (Robert, 2004). This study is important to the healthcare sector given the risks that are associated with pregnancy termination. Hypothesis in research refers to tentative explanation about a given phenomenon that tries to establish the existence of a relationship between test variables. It is used in research to predict or test the expected outcome. The hypotheses for this study include; Dependent variables are those variables or values whose outcomes are measured by the independent variables. Independent variables on the other hand are those variables that are manipulated or varied by the researcher. In this study, the percentage of electively terminated pregnancy represents the dependent variable while population density represents the independent variable (Robert, 2004). This is the theoretical perspective of the study that simply defines the theories and the variables that will be investigated in the study. Theoretically, the study established that, access to reproductive health services was relatively low in low population density areas hence, few cases of electively terminated pregnancies in teens. Literature review plays an important role in research since they act as secondary source of the

Is it correct to claim that the study of politics constitutes a Essay

Is it correct to claim that the study of politics constitutes a science Discuss with reference to case study research - Essay Example d the various studies concerning man and his multifarious activities like philosophy, economics, natural sciences, history, psychology and of course politics. The Renaissance saw the enquiring minds of Europe and no doubt earlier, where advanced cultures existed (pre-renaissance), delving into studies in various disciplines that were analysed and documented, until the latter half of the nineteenth century and the dawn of the twentieth century saw the thrust towards making studies of most disciplines empirical, meaning that information had to be gained by experience, observation or experiment2. Studies conducted had to follow certain set criteria and measurements to be valid. In the modern state, for proper planning, such was the demand. Many North American political scientists, notably Jon R Bond, believe that a ‘hard science of political behaviour’ is possible and someone would come along and do for political science what Newton has done for physics3. In an essay on this subject by James W. Skillen, he quotes Bond as saying that, ‘the beginning of scientific enquiry is the fact/value dichotomy’ and that ‘the core goal of scientific methods is hypothesis testing and theory building that would yield quantifiable results’4. Indeed, one cannot dispute the fact that without such empirical studies, in terms of politics, economics, sociology and natural sciences amongst others, that planning commissions of various authorities worldwide would have been successful in the implementation of their programmes. Much of the developed and developin g world relies on these studies to implement development programmes with a view to pre-empting failure. Statistics, objective data, all factual and tangible rule the day. However, the question of how accurate we are, when the human element is involved is a question for debate. Here is a discipline that is dependent on so many vagaries of man. Kenneth Minogue, in his book Politics, aptly encapsulates this when he

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) Essay - 3

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) - Essay Example This is especially true of the temperance societies. These groups saw a great deal of society’s ills manifest in the use of alcohol. They crusaded against â€Å"demon rum† and sought for a prohibition against the use of alcohol. Women were prominent members and often the leaders of these societies. In this way, the battle for temperance and women’s suffrage carried on together, often with one society for temperance being almost indistinguishable from societies that advocated women’s suffrage. Both of these concerns were part of the Second Great Awakening because churches began to adopt a theology that said they should be stewards over society. They believed that Christian principles should be applied to all aspects of culture, so they became involved in causes, such as temperance and women’s suffrage because the current state of the nation did not reflect good Christian principles and values (Sutton, 1992). Nowhere did this manifest itself more than in the movement to abolish slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a good example of how the abolitionist viewed slavery and how the participants of the Second Great Awakening viewed the Christian’s duty in regards to curing social

Is it morally defensible for doctors to offer treatments that will Essay

Is it morally defensible for doctors to offer treatments that will enhance human capabilities (mental or physical) Discuss - Essay Example Abnormal genes will be replaced with normal and well functioning genes through homologous combination while selective reverse mutation will ensure that abnormal genes will return to the normal function (Sandel, 2007). Spindle transfer approach will ensure that the entire mitochondrion that is defective is replaced with normal mitochondria. Basically, there are two types of gene therapy that are Somatic gene therapy and Genetic gene therapy. Somatic gene therapy entails the transfer of genes in the somatic cells of the patient except the undifferentiated stem cells (Burley and Harris, 2002). On the other hand, Genetic gene therapy entails modification of the cells including the sperm cells of the patient and these genes become inheritable by the offspring of the patients thus preventing the passage of the disease to the offspring (Becker, 2000). Gene therapy has attracted intense ethical debate and controversy with the opponents asserting that it is not natural while the proponents as sert that it improves the living standards of the patient and offspring (Wartburg and Liew, 1999). According to Aristotle’ ethical theory, all the scientific technique must aim at certain good and there is absolutely one final end of all sciences. The absolute end of sciences should be happiness which all sub-ends aim at attaining (Wartburg and Liew, 1999). In this case, Aristotle ethical theory is clear that happiness entails thriving life and living well. Accordingly, happiness of patients encompasses the external goods that include wholesome children and personal beauty (Burley and Harris, 2002). According to Aristotle, gene-therapy is necessary since it leads to high standards of health care thus leading to happy patients and wholesome children (Vaughn, 2009). Accordingly, the death of a patient will cause unhappiness to the friends and close family

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) Essay - 3

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) - Essay Example This is especially true of the temperance societies. These groups saw a great deal of society’s ills manifest in the use of alcohol. They crusaded against â€Å"demon rum† and sought for a prohibition against the use of alcohol. Women were prominent members and often the leaders of these societies. In this way, the battle for temperance and women’s suffrage carried on together, often with one society for temperance being almost indistinguishable from societies that advocated women’s suffrage. Both of these concerns were part of the Second Great Awakening because churches began to adopt a theology that said they should be stewards over society. They believed that Christian principles should be applied to all aspects of culture, so they became involved in causes, such as temperance and women’s suffrage because the current state of the nation did not reflect good Christian principles and values (Sutton, 1992). Nowhere did this manifest itself more than in the movement to abolish slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a good example of how the abolitionist viewed slavery and how the participants of the Second Great Awakening viewed the Christian’s duty in regards to curing social

WEEK 8 journal 6500 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

WEEK 8 journal 6500 - Essay Example n for errors to occur during practice, but failure to report these errors could lead a habit that may end up causing serious problems in the future especially when patient safety is concerned. When the nursing students were checking blood sugars, the nurse on the hall wanted them to dry their finger that had been wiped with alcohol by fanning it finger using their hand. According to patient safety, procedure in preventing that would be a wrong technique. The finger should air-dry. The nursing students did it the way the nurse wanted them to even though it was wrong so as not to upset the nurse on the hall. Nursing students need to understand that patient safety comes first, and it is okay to report an error or raise concern if they notice an error being committed by a senior nurse or physician. Having an error-reporting system is one important strategy for improving the healthcare system. Apart from offering safety through reporting and tracing underlying causes, it further offers information about potential future errors and problems (Kim, Kim, Kim, & Kim, 2007). According to Wolf & Hughes, (2008) â€Å"ethical principles of beneficence (doing well) and non-maleficence (preventing harm) are violated when errors are not reported or disclosed†. The situation I observed at the practicum site mirrors what research has found to be key reasons that lead to medication administration errors, which is a real world problem. A study carried out to identify barriers to the reporting of medication errors found â€Å"Administrative barriers and fear were found to be the top two reasons for not reporting medication administration errors among nursing students† (Koohestani & Nayereh, 2010). Kim, M.-S., Kim, J. S., Kim, Y. H., & Kim, H. J. (2007). The effectiveness of the error reporting promoting program on the nursing error incidence rate in Korean operating rooms. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 185-191. Wolf, Z. R., & Hughes, R. G. (2008). Chapter 35. Error Reporting

Contextualising Our Countrys Good Essay Example for Free

Contextualising Our Countrys Good Essay The historical context of this play is most key, in that the play its self is based on the past. In mid seventeenth century there was a fear within the middle and upper classes of the raising crime rate, largely due to an increasing population and high unemployment figures. The chosen solution to this problem was the transportation of convicts to Australia, where they could be used as slaves to build a naval outpost. The writer Timberlake Wertenbaker was born in the United States, and also lived in France. Shortly after moving to London she became a play write, and is said to have produced her best work, including Our Countrys Good, during the 1980s. She wrote the play after she had read up on the history of the transportation of convicts from England to Australia. To do so she used resources such as the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally, and journals of marines sent to Australia. Through these journals she could get a useful insight into what life for convict was really like. She could learn of the marines frustration that they had been sent to do just a job, in such a place, and the way in which they took out these frustrations on the convicts. Her knowledge of such wrong doings comes through very clearly in the text in scenes, and also through characters such as Sergeant Robbie Ross. Through these marines journals historians were also able to discover that in 1789 several convicts, and one officer put on a play for the whole colony. Through this they were able to teach themselves and their observers of compassion, co-operation and creativity. This is the key story in Our Countrys Good. In keeping with this realistic approach Timberlake Wertenbaker based her characters on real convicts of the first ship to Australia. From what little we know of the characters and their lives after Australia we can see Timberlakes influence for their personalities and traits which we can recognise: Timberlakes key character, Ralph Clark, was a real person. The journal he talks of in the play is a genuine historical item on which his character is based. After his time in Australia he is moved to a new post, and makes sure Mary Brenham, another key character in the play whom he falls in love with, is also transferred. Form this we can see parallels between life and the play in his apparent devotion for Mary that we as audience grow to love. The character Liz Morden is based on a convict called Nancy Turner. She lived to be pardoned and had a large family with a rich thief. This may be the life we would expect for Liz. Through the play she has restored her faith in humanity and has the confidence and love to build a family, but at the same time she will not turn on her own kind and chooses a thief as a lover. John Wisehammer began farming and became a respectable merchant. Just as we would expect of his character who always claimed to be innocent. John Freeman was exempted from hanging, just as his character had always waned. In the play we learn of his hate for the job. Dabby Bryant did escape, as we knew her character in the play would, she eventually ended up back home in Devon. From the above we can see to what extent Wertenbaker was true to the real story of the convicts in Australia. There is also a strong cultural significance to the play. It was written in 1988 for the Royal Court Theatre in London. It came at the end of an extremist period, Thatherite Britain, in which an us and them attitude was strong. And the fact that it was a strong capitalist party in power was evident. One of Thatchers most famous comments was there is no such thing as society, just individuals and their families. Wertenbaker was making a stand against such attitudes and showing we should take the time to think about each other and grow as people in community which can be formed, as the convicts show, in any group of people, however they are originally regarded. Wertenbaker used the play to portray a message that like sending the convokes away, or punishing them with floggings, Michael Howards short sharp shock tactics of the time would not work, but the key was reform, and giving the prisoners something more, by believing they could be more. The play was revived in 1997, as New Labour was coming into power. One of Labours visions is that people can change, its within them. Just as Phillip and Ralph believed the convicts could, and just as Liz Morden proved was true, as both her and Mary found themselves in different ways through the play. There are parallels present between this aspect of the play, and schemes for young offenders today. Young people use art such as graffiti to find themselves through something positive, constructive, enjoyable and rewarding, in much the same way the convicts used The Recruiting Officer. In reviving the play it became recognised again and The Recruiting Officer has been performed in prisons quite recently, as have other plays with the intention of doing what Ralph did for the convicts in Our Countrys Good, restoring their faith in humanity and humanitys faith in them.

Substance Abuse Treatment Groups Analysis

Substance Abuse Treatment Groups Analysis Patty Stewart Introduction For my assessment, I attended three different substance abuse treatment groups in my local town of Port Huron, Michigan, in the county of St. Clair. The first meeting I attended is at the St. Martin Lutheran Church. The meeting is called the New Horizons Group Discussion and is held every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Vision of Hope Group meets at the Grace Episcopal Church on Friday evenings where I attended at 7:30 p.m. The final meeting is called Narcotics Anonymous located at the United Methodist Church on Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. For the duration of these meetings I observed silently. Description of the New Horizons Group Discussion The New Horizons Group Discussion was held in the cafeteria area of the S. Martin Lutheran Church located on Chestnut Street in Port Huron. I attended this meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 7pm. There were folding chairs set out in a circular pattern. On one wall there was a chalkboard with the name of a guest speaker written on it. A table at the entrance to the cafeteria held a stack of flyers with names and locations of other Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the Port Huron area. In the back of the room was a table with coffee, cookies, and donuts. There were 12 people attending this meeting consisting of nine males and three females. The ages of the members ranged from the mid-twenties to approximately mid to late sixties. Components of the New Horizons Group Discussion This was an open group and I was welcomed to join them without any discrimination. They began the meeting by bowing their heads and reciting the serenity prayer. When the prayer was complete the guest speaker was introduced and took the podium. The guest speaker was an older gentleman who appeared to be in his late sixties. He told the group a little bit about himself and proceeded to tell his story of alcohol addiction to finding his path to recovery. He often used humor which seemed helpful in keeping a calm and relaxing atmosphere. In his story of addiction he talked about the first time he turned to alcohol and that it felt like a spiritual awakening. He felt that it changed his outlook on everything, until he realized his drinking was a necessity and not a choice. He spoke of unity within the AA group and the strength it brought to them. The guest speaker described that they were all a part of something instead of being separate. The Big Book was mentioned while he discussed the concept of getting rid of old ideas to bring clarity. Feelings about the New Horizons Group Discussion I felt comfortable at the New Horizons Group Discussion. The guest speaker was engaging and hearing his story was enlightening. It was easy to see why the meeting was helpful to those who attended. There was a sense of acceptance without judgement. The members knew each other so I felt that they had all likely been attending for some time. There was no lack of support between members which encouraged recovery. When the meeting had ended the members remained there talking amongst each other while enjoying coffee and snacks. I left feeling as though I had just attended a family gathering. Thoughts about the New Horizons Group Discussion According to a study from 2003, group discussions empower individuals and give a sense of community (Linda Fisher, 2003). The guest speaker mentioned having felt a sense of unity within the group and within the community. This group felt very much like family members and, despite being new to the meeting and having no history of substance use, I was welcomed into the group as though I were family as well. There was always acknowledgement of social struggles that have been or need to be overcome. It was encouraged to know the twelve steps and let them guide each and every one of them throughout life. Interaction with the New Horizons Group Discussion I spent very little time interacting with others because I primarily wanted to observe. The little interaction that I did have was all very positive. I was initially concerned that the members would have some animosity towards me for fear they would think I was being judgmental of them but that was not at all the case. They welcomed me into their group and asked me if there was anything in particular that I would like to learn about. When I left they encouraged me to return if I would like to observe another meeting. Self-Reflection of the New Horizons Group Discussion The New Horizons Group Discussion was enjoyable to attend.I was grateful to them for allowing me into their circle and to observe them as they bared their souls to one another. The group had a very relaxed structure and I felt that if I was able to take comfort from that then it was certainly helpful to new incoming addicts. I got the sense that they were there for each other as much as they were there for themselves. No one wanted to let another down. This group was successful in encouraging each other and offering support and resources outside of the meetings as well as inside. Description of the Vision of Hope Group I attended the Vision of Hope Group on September 30, 2016 at 7:30pm. The group was held at the Grace Episcopal Church on 6th Street in Port Huron. This group was a little larger than the last one I had attended with 27 members in attendance. The majority of the members were male. This group had a large number of members over the age of thirty. The meeting was held in the congregation area of the church where the members sat in the pews facing the podium. Upon entering there was a table with refreshments and snacks. A smaller table on the left held brochures of the twelve steps. This meeting is held every Friday at 7:30pm and is an open meeting. The group lingered beforehand socializing amongst each other and welcoming people as they walked in. Components of the Vision of Hope Group The group all sat filling the first couple pews in the front and in close proximity of one another. They began by holding hands and reciting the serenity prayer. The group leader then took a moment to congratulate everyone for their arrival and thanked them for their attendance. She stressed the importance of attendance, and as a study in 2008 has shown, regular AA attendance is associated with improved effectiveness in sobriety (Gossop, 2008). The group leader then proceeded to read aloud the twelve steps, she spent a few minutes discussing the importance of acceptance of being powerless over alcohol is key to acknowledging the addiction. She continued to tell her story of addiction and road to recovery. When she finished her story she then opened the podium to others. One by one they took turns discussing their own journey and which of the twelve steps they are currently at. A few members opted to decline speaking which appeared to be ok with everyone. At the end of the meeting the group leader reminded everyone of outside sources available and offered her continued support. Feelings about the Vision of Hope Group The general feeling at the Vision of Hope Group meeting was that of acceptance. Everyone was friendly and outgoing. It could be felt from the moment I entered the building that I was entering a place of community. There was a lot of encouragement and support being given to one another. As an outsider, I was still treated with respect and they were all very generous to offer their time to answer any questions I might have. There was a lot of close interactions between them and I could see that some of them knew each other outside of the meeting. As stated in a recent study, individuals uniting around one common goal are stronger than individuals facing difficulties alone (Shealy White, 2013). Thoughts about the Vision of Hope Group I enjoyed the Vision of Hope Group meeting. Allowing everyone the opportunity to discuss their own daily struggles was encouraging to others and yet it never felt like an obligation for anyone to discuss anything if they didnt chose to. As an outsider, I appreciated hearing about the twelve steps from the perspective of the group. I really liked the amount of support that was offered to everyone from the group leader, but also between group members. I was able to see that although they all face similar struggles, they all came from very different backgrounds. It was clear to see that despite having overcome many obstacles they still face new challenges every day in regards to their addiction to alcohol. Interaction with the Vision of Hope Group The members of the Vision of Hope Group were all very open and honest about their struggles with alcohol. Despite being a new face in the crowd they continued to be open with me present. A few members approached me when the meeting ended and offered to give me further insight to addiction and recovery. I could see that some members have been attending longer than others by how comfortable they appeared to be. Overall, there was an obvious sense of community amongst this group. Self-Reflection of the Vision of Hope Group This group had a very relaxed feel to it. Many of the individuals had grown very close with one another and created a sense of family. Because of this, it was easy to feel at ease when joining this group. I felt that some of the members were also members of the church that this meeting was held in. The group, as a whole, encouraged me to recommend this meeting to anyone I knew in need of support. Description of Narcotics Anonymous meeting The Narcotics Anonymous meeting is held at the United Methodist Church on Church Street in Port Huron. I attended the meeting on Saturday, October 15th 2016 at 8pm. This meeting is held weekly and is an open group. The meeting was held in the basement of the church. There was a long rectangular table set up with chairs around it at one end of the room. At the opposite end of the room there was an attached kitchen with a counter separating the two rooms. On the counter there was a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cookies. On the main table where people sat, there were copies of the Narcotics Anonymous handbook. The group had around twenty five people in attendance. The ages of the group ranged between people in their twenties to people in their mid to late fifties. There was a white board with a circle drawn on it that had a diamond in the center. Below that were three simple words that read Just for Today. Components of the Narcotics Anonymous meeting At this meeting the group leader discussed the twelve steps of NA. The focus of the meeting that particular day was step six, Group conscience is the spiritual means by which we invite a loving God to influence our decisions (Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc, 1991). The group leader talked about addiction being more powerful than the individual and that its important to hand themselves over to a higher power. This was a very spiritually based meeting. As the members each took turns speaking it was clear to see that they were pained by the way addiction has taken over their lives. They talked about the comfort they gained from knowing they are not alone in their fight against addiction. Many spoke of stressful situations triggering cravings for drugs. Feelings about the Narcotics Anonymous meeting Attending this group meeting felt much different than the AA meetings I had attended. The members in this group appeared pained as they spoke of their addiction. I felt helpless hearing their stories and wished I could do something to ease their pain. They placed a lot of emphasis on goals and the need to strive for them in order to conquer addiction. Goals work best when broken down into manageable steps (Kim T. Mueser, 2003). Thoughts about the Narcotics Anonymous meeting This group was as supportive as the others I attended, but the feeling was more somber. My thoughts are that those addicted to substances other than alcohol may feel more hopeless in living a normal life. The connections between the members in this group were not as strong as I had seen in AA groups, perhaps due to the different struggles they all face. There was evidence, however, that they appreciated having a place they can talk about their addiction without judgement from others. Interaction with Narcotics Anonymous meeting Most of the people in attendance spoke to the group and told their story. Each person discussed their addiction and described how it has impacted their life. Some had shown further progress than others in their recovery. The group leader was understanding and yet objective. He was very good at keeping the momentum of the meeting going. When the meeting was finished some members remained and spoke to the group leader for additional support. Self-Reflection of the Narcotics Anonymous meeting This was a difficult meeting to attend. The sense of hope wasnt as prominent within this group. There was a lot of encouragement from the group leader and from some of the members, but it lacked in additional outside resources for others to look into. I felt like there needed to be more motivation given, possibly hearing more success stories. Conclusion Having attended the three different meetings I can clearly see the benefit to support groups. There is an unlimited supply of support given to one another both inside the meetings and out. Everyone I met had a different background, different lifestyle, and different story to tell. Addiction isnt prejudice. People of all ages and walks of life can come together and offer unity and family to help one another in their battle against addiction. I learned that there are different types of meetings and that with a little bit of time, an addict can find one that fits them and gives them the amount of support and encouragement they need. References Gossop, M. S. (2008). Attendance at Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, frequency of attendance and substance use outcomes after residential treatment for drug dependence: a 5-year follow-up study. Addiction, 119-125. Kim T. Mueser, D. L. (2003). Integrated Treatment for Dual Disorders. New York: The Guilford Press. Linda, F. K., Fisher, M. (2003). Participation in community life by AA and NA members. Contemporary Drug Problems, 875-904. Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (1991). Retrieved from Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org Shealy, S. A., White, L. A. (2013). INTEGRAL EVOLUTIONARY RECOVERY: Revisioning the Twelve Steps through a Kosmocentric Lens. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 66-81.

A Constitutional Framework: The Relationship of Supreme Power and Indiv

A Constitutional Framework: The Relationship of Supreme Power and Individual Rights in the Second Treatise The supremacy of legislative power is a deceptive phrase in the Second Treatise. If one were to follow Locke’s blueprint for the original formation of the commonwealth closely, it would become apparent that supreme power in political society rests with the people, not the legislature, because ultimately, there must be a constitution that is written by the people. In order to most clearly see this, a distinction must be drawn between the basic political society and the higher level institution of government, and the events that take place in each sphere must be differentiated. In light of this distinction, the relationship between individual rights and the rights of the legislative can be seen to be much more dynamic as supreme power may shift from one to the other depending on the actions of the legislative and the reactions of the people. The retention of individual natural rights within Locke’s government becomes significantly less problematic than if the legislative were invariably supreme, although the recourse available to the individual who finds himself outside the majority is still relatively limited by the power of the majority in political society. The fundamental premise that a commonwealth is formed before its government is created implies that there exists a space of time between men’s leaving the state of nature and the establishment of a government, and it is this time that separates Locke’s initial â€Å"political society† from his later stage of political society with a government; he later calls this stage â€Å"society† itself as distinct from â€Å"government† (XIX, 211) . The events of the transition stage are cri... ...im others, like the protection of his property and the right to appeal to disinterested judges. The constitution is the means by which these rights may be preserved against the power of the legislative in government, and the standard by which the people may measure the justice of the laws promulgated by the legislative. Within the constitutional framework, Locke provides for the protection of the individual from the government through the codification of his natural rights, and the protection of the individual from the majority is at least partially secured by the protection of his property. The problem of the tyranny of the majority is not wholly solved by the introduction of a constitution into political society, but Locke seems to see his safeguards as the most expansive that can be achieved under a government to which men in nature must give something up to enter. A Constitutional Framework: The Relationship of Supreme Power and Indiv A Constitutional Framework: The Relationship of Supreme Power and Individual Rights in the Second Treatise The supremacy of legislative power is a deceptive phrase in the Second Treatise. If one were to follow Locke’s blueprint for the original formation of the commonwealth closely, it would become apparent that supreme power in political society rests with the people, not the legislature, because ultimately, there must be a constitution that is written by the people. In order to most clearly see this, a distinction must be drawn between the basic political society and the higher level institution of government, and the events that take place in each sphere must be differentiated. In light of this distinction, the relationship between individual rights and the rights of the legislative can be seen to be much more dynamic as supreme power may shift from one to the other depending on the actions of the legislative and the reactions of the people. The retention of individual natural rights within Locke’s government becomes significantly less problematic than if the legislative were invariably supreme, although the recourse available to the individual who finds himself outside the majority is still relatively limited by the power of the majority in political society. The fundamental premise that a commonwealth is formed before its government is created implies that there exists a space of time between men’s leaving the state of nature and the establishment of a government, and it is this time that separates Locke’s initial â€Å"political society† from his later stage of political society with a government; he later calls this stage â€Å"society† itself as distinct from â€Å"government† (XIX, 211) . The events of the transition stage are cri... ...im others, like the protection of his property and the right to appeal to disinterested judges. The constitution is the means by which these rights may be preserved against the power of the legislative in government, and the standard by which the people may measure the justice of the laws promulgated by the legislative. Within the constitutional framework, Locke provides for the protection of the individual from the government through the codification of his natural rights, and the protection of the individual from the majority is at least partially secured by the protection of his property. The problem of the tyranny of the majority is not wholly solved by the introduction of a constitution into political society, but Locke seems to see his safeguards as the most expansive that can be achieved under a government to which men in nature must give something up to enter.

Statistical and managerial techniques for six sigma methodology theory and application Essay

Quality improvement (QI) comprises of continuous and systematic actions that result to measurable improvement in the health care as well as the health status of patients groups that are targeted. According to the institute of Medicine’s, which is a recognized advisor and leader on the nation’s health care improvement, health care quality comprises of a direct correlation between the desired health outcomes and the level of improved health services of populations and individuals (Shan 2008). The process of QI involves the application of a defined and a deliberate process of improvement. It involves ongoing and continuous efforts designed to achieve measurable improvements in the effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, outcomes, performance, and other indicators of quality in processes or services which improves the community health and achieves equity. Methodologies used in integrating QI strategies in the health care performance                Methodology describes theoretical analysis of the appropriate methods to a given field of study or to the body of principles and methods particular to a branch of knowledge (Barone 2012). On the other hand, a strategy refers to the science and art of marshaling and planning resources for an efficient and effective use (Menon 2010). Six Sigma                It involves monitoring, designing and improving process that eliminate or minimize waste while increasing financial stability and optimizing satisfaction. The performance of a process is applied in measuring improvement through comparing the process capability with the capability of baseline process after the potential solution piloting for quality improvement. It uses two primary methods. One method is responsible in inspecting process outcome and counts on the defects, calculates the rate per million of a defect, and applies a table of statistics in the conversion of defect rate per million in relation to a sigma metric. The second estimates the variation of the process to predict the performance through calculating a sigma metric from the observed variations of the process. It uses a five-phased process that is disciplined rigorous, referred to as DMAIC approach. It begins by identifying the project, reviewing the historical data, and lastly defining the s cope of the expectations. Next, the standards of continuous total quality performance are selected objectives of the performance are defined, and definition of sources of variability. Data are collected for assessment of how well the process was improved by changes as a new project is implemented. Customer inspired quality methodology                It concentrates on the process as well as the results of an organization. This methodology needs the service to be thorough as it focuses on the customers’ perspective. It identifies customer measures, reviewing and improving processes and getting the feedback of customers. This methodology enables the organization to realize the customer needs and works towards integrating them to the customer services. The methodology becomes continuous as the patients’ needs change with time. The organization sets down procedures which act as a reference to the organization. This calls for regular training of the staffs so as to enhance better services delivery to the customers. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA)                Studies and projects based on QI aimed at bringing positive changes in the processes of delivering health care services can apply PDSA for favorable outcomes. This method has been widely used by healthcare institute for rapid cycle improvement. The model has a unique feature that is the cyclical nature of assessing and impacting change. It is most accomplished effectively through frequent and small PDSAs instead of using slow and big ones before wide changes are made in the system. The aim of PDSA efforts in quality improvement is to establish a casual or functional relationship between outcomes and changes in processes specifically capabilities and behaviors (Provost 2011). Three questions are proposed before applying the PDSA cycles: what is the aim of the project? How will it be revealed that the set aims were achieved? What is going to be done to achieve the aim? The cycle starts by with determining the scope and the nature of the problem, what is to be measured in order to understand the effect of change, and where the strategy is to be targeted. A change is implemented, and information and data are collected. Results from the study are interpreted and assessed through reviewing several key measurements showing failure or success. Lastly a change on QI is implemented based on the results obtained. Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)                It occupies a significant part in the field of management technologies of clinical knowledge through their capacity to support the use of knowledge and the clinical process, from investigation and diagnosis through treatment and long-term care. These support systems are â€Å"systems of active knowledge using two or more patient data items for the generation of case-specific advice (Danniels 2010). CDSS is designed typically to integrate a medically based knowledge, an inference engine and patient data for case specific advice generation. IT applications                For health care providers to meet the increasing quality demands of their patients, they are required to focus on innovation technology. Examples of IT that can be applied include object oriented technologies, use of specific components of IT, and the computerized system records (Qi 2013). Object oriented technology ensures all different systems in the organization are connected to a unified system of management. Patient’s records are computerized to prevent damage or loss. For specific IT components, it ensures easier monitoring of quality performance in the organization. IT applications in improving performanceObject oriented technology                Links the components of quality management system to the entire management system of the enterprise, it is obtained through connection of these components via interface of a standard framework. It ensures that medical records are not lost, and there is faster delivery of services. Computerized system of patient records                It has great effects on the profitability of the organization. It minimizes time and labor that is used during data entry. The stored data is easily propagated once it has been keyed into the system (Clancy 2003). Specific IT components                It helps in sufficing the demands of the diversified population of patients. It ensures consistency in the organizations operations. It enables the organization to achieve the safety of patients and have fast service delivery. Nurses and other health workers learn fast on how to use such systems as they are specific. Use of milestones and benchmarks in quality indicators management                In quality improvement, quality indicators are used as a guide to the performance evaluation in an organization. Walshe et al (2001) stated that performance should be continually evaluated and at the end of the organizational projects. Benchmarks are operations and programs that are set out in order assess the organizational performance (Catalano 2008). This is achieved through running some trial tests and standards. It ensures a review of information technology performance of an organization. Milestones mark the end of a stage or a project. Performance is continually monitored, improved and evaluated through this process. Potential benchmarks                For the plan of QI, future event, benchmarks system level and application benchmarks will be applied. Benchmarks help the organization in achieving the set goals. The benchmarks system level is meant in evaluating how computer programs and applications are performing in overall. According to Obadiah & Boudriga (2009), use of information technology improves the organizational computer programs and systems. The application of benchmarks applies actual application programs. In the delivery of health care services, the aim is ensuring that each patient gets quality health services. The vision, mission and strategic plan of the health organization are to give satisfactory services to patients. The organization also plans to be the leading store and drug suppliers. Improvement of performance is in line with the organizational plans as they facilitate achievement of patients’ satisfaction and quality improvement. This results to increased sales, competitivene ss and revenue (Walshe et al 2001). Conclusion                Performance and quality improvement are very essential in an organization. It is achieved through the use of improved information technology system, and methodologies of performance improvement. Improvement of performance being a continuous process leads to increase in the organizational profit and customer loyalty. References Barone, S., & Franco, E. L. (2012). Statistical and managerial techniques for six sigma methodology theory and application. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Chiarini, A. (2013). Lean organization from the tools of the Toyota Production System to lean office. Milan: Springer. Daniels, R., Grendell, R. N., & Wilkins, F. R. (2010). Nursing fundamentals: caring & clinical decision making. (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Dou, R. (2013). Proceedings of 2012 3rd International Asia Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management Innovation (IEMI2012). Berlin: Springer. Harrington, H. J. (2013). Performance acceleration management (PAM): rapid improvement to your key performance drivers. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Menon, R., & Kumar, R. (2010). The long view from Delhi: to define the Indian grand strategy for foreign policy. New Delhi: Academic Foundation in association with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. Provost, L. P., & Murray, S. K. (2011). The health care data guide learning from data for improvement. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Qi, E. (2013). The 19th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management: engineering management. Berlin: Springer. Source document

Two Personalities, One Stripper

For the past two and a half years I have been living with my best friend, â€Å"Bailey†, who is like a sister to me in a lot of ways. This is especially true in regards to the way in which we are able to openly confide in each other about everything and anything, just like some sisters do. In fact, our relationship is so strong Bailey even feels safe enough to trust me with the intimate, detailed stories she brings home with her every weekend after working at Shot Gun Willie’s. If you haven’t guessed by now, my roommate moonlights as a stripper, and has been working as such for the past year. I chose to write about Bailey because of the various ways in which I have witnessed her having to mentally, and physically transform herself in order to cope with the trials and tribulations that come from working at a strip club. As well as the damaging repercussions this type of occupation has had on her overall perceptions of self, the world, and her relation to/in the world. It is also because of Bailey’s repeated exposure to the lustful, perverted, and greedy sides of people that the need to develop a completely new and separate persona arose, and Bailey’s alter ego â€Å"Kimber† was created. Throughout this semester, we have learned about many different theorists and their philosophies on the different, complex environments and experiences that help to contribute to the development of the human personality. For this paper I chose to use the concepts and ideas of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Melanie Klein, and Donald Winnicott. Soon after learning about the diverse beliefs each of these theorists attributed to the creation, enhancement, and hindrance of an individual’s personality, I started to see a correlation between them and the weekly conversations/stories my roommate and I had about her experiences working at Willie’s, and the psychological effects that were beginning to develop from constantly being in this type of environment. When looking at Bailey’s situation from a few of Freud’s perspectives we can see the development of defenses starting to take root. By this I mean that Bailey begins to unconsciously employ a number of â€Å"psychological means to help keep anxiety-provoking material out of her awareness in order to reduce or avoid anxiety† (Beneath the Mask, pg. 43). One of the ways in which Bailey does this is through what Freud conceptualized as being a type of neuroses he referred to as Defense Neuroses. To Freud, this type of defense originally arose from the ego’s attempt to protect our consciousness against threatening sexual thoughts. To e, this kind of neuroses is depicted in the formation of Bailey’s new belief that all men are lying, scummy perverts as a way of protecting herself against the idea that she is somehow dirty and perverted herself for being a stripper, and secretly liking to dance naked in front of strangers. This form of defense neuroses can also be seen through the way in which Bailey tries to keep her stripper life completely separate, and hidden from the rest of her life and the world by denying and suppressing any involvement in it, because of the fact that she feels guilty about finding some enjoyment in taking her clothes off for money. Bailey also uses another one of Freud’s neuroses techniques in order to avoid experiencing anxiety, called Obsessional Neuroses, which is a disorder that involves individuals engaging in ritualistic acts to help keep them from feeling anxiety. This can be seen through the way in which Bailey routinely comes home from work, and before doing anything else (i. e. taking off her makeup, wig, or stripper clothes) she must immediately sit down, and smoke one to two bowls of weed in order to forget, as well as dull the experiences of that night’s events. While still being a little high, Bailey must take two showers so that she can thoroughly clean her entire body with exfoliating soap and a scrub brush before going to bed. She referrers to these showers as her way of escaping from the people, mindset, and feelings work puts her in by watching all her problems being washed away and sucked down the drain. If Bailey does not perform one or both of these rituals she is unable to unwind from work, which in turn makes her become highly agitated, and overwhelmed with a sense of anxiety about being a bad person because of how she chooses to financially support herself. Bailey’s urge to incessantly scrub her body multiple times, represents her unconscious need to compulsively clean the outside of her body in order to no longer feel emotionally dirty or unclean on the inside. Another way in which Bailey uses obsessional neuroses to cope with being a stripper, and avoid the emotional anxieties that come with this occupation, is through her ritualistic preparation for work. As in, the way in which she routinely transforms herself from Bailey into the completely separate Kimber. The metamorphosis from Bailey to Kimber begins with a head to toe makeover so extreme Bailey becomes nearly unrecognizable. This detailed process involves such things as, the application of face makeup that is a few shades too dark for Bailey’s natural complexion, in turn making her look like she is tanner than she really is, followed by thick amounts of pink blush, heavy eye makeup, and fake eye lashes. Bailey then organizes an outfit for Kimber that contains such essential items as vibrantly colored fishnet stockings, eight inch silver platform stiletto high-heels, two G-strings, and last but not least a top and bottom set that barely leave anything to the imagination. The ritualistic transmutation into Kimber is finally complete when Bailey puts on her long platinum blonde wig, and modifies her voice to sound higher for the rest of the night until she removes the wig. Bailey routinely performs these practices in order to try and repress all the anxieties that arise from working in such an atmosphere, as well as maintain a level of disconnect from the kind of anxiety-provoking experiences that take place in the stripper world. If for some reason Bailey does not have the opportunity to change into her Kimber self, then she is almost instantaneously plagued with a sense of worry about not being able to make money because she is too much like herself, as well as the fear that someone will recognize her as Bailey, which to her signifies the end of her life and her world as she knows it. Through Freud’s perspective, both of these types of compulsive behaviors can be seen as a form of avoidance by means of distraction, as well as a type of self-imposed penance for â€Å"having engaged in behaviors that were pleasurable but deemed as being ‘bad’ † (Beneath the Mask, pg. 43). To me Bailey’s creation of â€Å"Kimber† represents a lot of different components to Carl Jung’s theories on personality, and its development. The first is Jung’s concept of the Persona Archetype, which is the â€Å"front we present to others, because social living makes demands for certain kinds of behavior† (Beneath the Mask, pg. 65). Society does this by establishing â€Å"certain expectations and certain roles around which we must hide our ‘private’ selves† (Beneath the Mask, pg. 165). It is in this way that Kimber has become one of Bailey’s more predominant personas, in that Kimber is the mask Bailey wears in order to hide her private self from the people she encounters while working in the strip club. At first, the construction of the Kimber persona seemed like a good buffer between the people at the club and Bailey’s private self, however this persona soon began to envelope Baily’s psyche. This happened because the Kimber persona was given the opportunity to take over the psyche through becoming too attached to certain aspects of the created persona, which was due to the need for its continual and constant use. It is in this way that Kimber’s experiences have altered Bailey’s views on life and the world. As a result of this, Bailey now perceives all of her interactions and experiences in the real world outside of the strip club too narrowly in relation to men, and their specific social role and function in the world. For example, Bailey cannot help but only see men in one of two ways. To her they are either a form of testosterone driven, easily accessible capitol, that takes little to no effort to manipulate and acquire, or they are cheap, dirt-bag assholes just looking to score with anything that walks. This type of black and white thinking is directly connected to the way in which Kimber categorizes, and views men at the club in order to make her nights there as lucrative as possible. This alteration to Bailey’s opinions of men represents just how strong and successful the persona of Kimber has become in taking over Bailey’s psyche. These changes in Bailey’s way of thinking have also coincidently led to a break in her Continuity of Self, which is the way she has perceived herself as being throughout her life up until this point. Meaning that because of the modifications to Bailey’s psyche that have developed out of the creation of her Kimber persona, Bailey now perceives her role within the world and society differently, due to repetitive personal and situational experiences in the club. For instance, Bailey now sees herself as having more personal power over men and people in general, because of the ways in which she has learned to use her sexuality as a manipulative tool. Conversely she now also has a lower sense of her overall self-worth, due to the fact that because she makes money solely off of her looks and nothing else, Bailey has begun to believe that this is all that she is with nothing more to offer the world. In turn this type of mindset has helped to create many diverse types of complexes ranging from the formation of different archetypal related complexes, as well as other male related issues. hen can also be seen in the reverse way Bailey has begun to see the role of women within the world, which is that they are either judgmental prudes or excepting sexual beings, in that they are either secure or not with their own sexuality enough to except or reject the fact that strippers are real people too, and that they shouldn’t be judged simply on the basis of occupational choices. terms of what her specific social role, and purpose is within society in relation to men, and their use in the world.