Nishma

â€Å"When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways-either by losing hope and falling into self destructive habits or by using the challenge to find our inner strengths†- Dali Lama. I have witnessed and encountered many tragedies in my life and are going share the trials and tribulations that I have endured and how life has made me a stronger Individual today.The point of this story Is not to upset those who have witness tragedies as well or frustrate those who are going through something UT to show that anyone can come out stronger through tragedies they've witnessed, instead of faltering into a distressful state of mind. My story begins at just the age of 8, we Just had moved to a South Texas town, Counted, this town had about 2,000 to 3,000 people residing in It. My parents had decided this was the perfect place to raise me and my brother who Is two years older than me.I TLD understand much then, but from what I can remember the only problems I had was what fl avor of Ice cream I wanted when my father took me to the ice cream shop and which Disney Handel show was on. But then, as I thought things were Just fine, On one summer night I heard noises in my parents' bedroom and I overheard my favorite hero crying in the bedroom and saying he needed to tell us something terrible had happened. As he sat me down on his lap and told me that grandfather had passed away. My grandfather had been diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after he came from India to America too visit us.My father had to take him back to India when they found out he diagnosed. I sat there not understanding what had happened and hearing my ere in tears for the first time. It was one of first of many forms of tragedy I have had to witness as I thought nothing could shake my father but at this moment I realized I was wrong and got scared, this moment had changed my whole perspective on anything can happen at any moment. But what really stood out to me was my father's ability to g o through the tough times and soul be strong for everyone else. This tragedy I witnessed taught me how to be strong and not to take things or people for granted.I was able to be an emotional support for my parents. Tragedies can come n several deferent ways in different parts of our lives. In relation to this I witnessed my father face his second tragedy in life, his pride and Joy was his business but, in 2001 when the markets slowed, the hotel my father owned, which was about a 12 room property, slowed down to a point where he could not afford to keep it open anymore. We had days we TLD have electricity, and It got so bad that my dad to give up his car too. After about two years of hoping it would regain business, it lead us to a disappointment.My dad had given up, had to give the hotel up to the bank. This was something that he had to face head-on and decided to go back to work again. Though his pride and Joy were lost, he developed a sense of motivation which would bring him back to one day owning a business again. I didn't really understand the direct impact on my life. This is an example of a tragedy that I witnessed and was able to learn that though you might fall, you always have to get back up stronger and even more motivated then you were before. Later at the age of 14, I witnessed prejudice towards my mother because of her disability.My mother was diagnosed severe bipolar disorder along with chronic schizophrenia. She had unpredictable days of outburst of anger, frustration, along violent actions. But she had days when she would be completely normal. As a family we felt completely helpless at times. Most of my mom's side of the family were not there to support us and ignored the situation. In the community that my parents and I lived, primarily Indo-Asian, did not accept people with disabilities, and were often times excluded in events, gatherings and have caused them to lose their Jobs.Being witness to this type of scenario and the idea that we as a society think time has improved our â€Å"backwards way of thinking† has caused me to rethink how far we have actually come and how far we still need to go. As a observer, I was in disbelief that people be the way they were to my mother who has one of the most open minded and honest soul. Some of the verbal language that was thrown at her as I heard as a child left me with a bitter taste and sometimes vivid scenes from the past. The taunts such as â€Å"she's crazy' and â€Å"she needs to be sent to a mental hospitals.Tragedies can not only effect the primary individual but the individuals around them, as I was an example in this case being Judged as my mom. I now am able to voice to injustice for my mom. I have been able to help provide my mom and much more acceptable environment and give her that happiness she deserves. Her condition has given me the motivation to show people that despite her health she was able to raise a responsible daughter. Misfortunes that have been overcome can be described as triumphs.A primary example of this can be said about my father going through his fife with a several different tragedies, but following every tragedy, he has made it to overcome those and created triumphs. For example, after he lost his business he had to start from the bottom of the hotel industry. As I witnessed him move from one Job to another I saw him learn from every opportunity he had and then carried that up the ladder. Triumphs can be created through small or big steps following tragedies. Being a witness to tragedies can really set yourself up to realize that you have them in your own life too and those triumphs keeps you going.In my life I have seen my ether go through many obstacles that were tragedies too me. Being a witness to huge life events of the closest people in your life can lead to many lessons and those lessons can teach you how to work through your own tragedies. In conclusion I have witness many tragedies and I have also witness many triumphs, The examples I have given above about my grandfather passing away, about my father losing his business and having to get through the problems of prejudice with my mom and the community we lived in, shows that tragedies can be overcome despite the obstacles.I eave witnessed many triumphs watching my father having his through the hotel industry, in his career and his personal life. Every step he took to get to the triumph was another step forward . Let's all about having building blocks and overcoming obstacles to get there. Being a witness to these, personally, has made me a stronger, thriving and motivated individual. It's all about learning through other people's problems or learn how to deal with them when I have my own. Today, I have built my foundation from overcoming these problems, and has made me understanding and a responsible person.

Logical Fallacy

One of the main problems with Michael Moore’s IDIOT NATION (and much of Moore’s work in general) is the fact that Moore begins with a conclusion and works backwards in an attempt to prove his argument. That is, he has already made up his mind on a subject and then â€Å"cherry picks† facts and arguments to prove his point. Unfortunately, his proof collapses upon careful examination of the logic flaws in his arguments. This will be proven by selecting several examples of flawed logic in the work and defining it. Consider the follow excerpt by Moore condemns private education and promotes public education by way of personal attacks: â€Å"Hunt these little pricks down like dogs and then cage them until we can break their will†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (138) Moore is referring to here is the elitist attitude of the clergy and he points it out in a thoroughly pandering manner. He presents a supremely sweeping generality of nuns as totalitarian dictators. This demonizes the nuns is done to disparage the educational system they represent so as to prop up the other institution. This method hopes to gain sympathy for a cause through the cheap use of personal attacks. Similarly, Moore attacks the military and lays the blame on defense spending as the reason why there is much failure in the public schools: â€Å"[political leaders and voters] have decided it is a bigger priority to build another bomber than to educate our children.† (135) In other words, because tax dollars are being funneled needlessly to the military our schools are in bad shape. Hence, cut military spending because there is no need for it and pump more money into schools and the schools will automatically improve. This is a thoroughly false analogy as it infers there are no security threats to the United States and that military build up is arbitrary and aggressive and that schools are under-funded, both of which are complete inaccuracies. First, the public education system in the United States is no where near as bad as alarmists like Moore contend. Public schools has produces many excellent students over the years, but let’s center on the worst case scenarios†¦after all, that is what Moore does. If millions of dollars were pumped into the school system, how would this alter the attitudes of areas of contention such as poor quality teachers who are not doing their jobs or students who cut class? What about the millions of dollars of already spent on public education that has produced little results? Why should it be increased? And why cut military spending? Why not cut agriculture subsidies? Because Moore personally doesn’t like the military and that is the bidget cut he is after. Moore is also opposed to measures of discipline in public schools and uses an argument rooted in pandering to gain support. Consider the following: â€Å"kids learn to submerge personal expression. They learn that it is better to go along so that you get along.† (147) Moore is referring to dress codes that have been instituted in some public schools. Moore’s statement panders to those who would sympathize with an anti-authoritarian statement and may be willing to align with his anarchist sentiment. The reality of this sentiment is that no one is trying to submerge personal expression as much as the schools are attempting to reduce violence. Many dress codes were designed as a way of reducing gang violence. Moore does not address this and opts to pander to those who see such actions by the school as an attack on rugged individualism. Pandering may draw support, but it can not make an untrue argument about conspiracies to subvert individualism. Moore is not an unintelligent man and has been known to make clear and intelligent points. Unfortunately, his desire to be a populist has led to such flawed logical treatises such as IDIOT NATION and this is unfortunate as he could do much better.                                 

Research Prospectu Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research Prospectu - Essay Example According to a report by consumer analysts Nielsen, 47% of the world’s social networking is being done through the mobile phones (State of the Media, 2). The recent report on facebook use indicated that 250 million of facebook users are accessing the social network site through mobile phones, and they were found to be more active than the non-mobile users. The social networking trend has increased especially in the last 5 years; with every 4 out of 5 active internet users visiting social network sites (State of the Media, 3).The social networking applications were found to be the third most used applications among the USA smart phone users. This transition of the mobile phone usage from the initial communication to the Mobile social networking trend has elicited a lot of interest, especially regarding the relationship between the social media and mobile phones that has seen this exponential growth in Mobile social networking. The purpose of this study is to investigate the neg ative implications of the growth of mobile phone use for social networking. Literature review Mobile phones and the social media have changed communication in the world. ... Statistics further indicate that 47% of the web browsers visit the social networking sites, and 62% of all users with social network accounts are involved in instant messaging and chatting with their friends, relations and even strangers they meet on the social networks (Killackey, Anda, Gibbs, Alvarez-Jimenez, Thompson, Sun, & Baksheev, 2011). The implication of these statistics is to send a message to the society that; should the internet or the social media platforms collapse one day, then, the world would have more distressed people, than would be caused by any other tragedy. The change in the social media trend can be accounted for by the development of the mobile technology, with the focus of the mobile developers and other operating system software manufactures focusing on the production of mobile devices and software that are compatible with the social networking features (Tsai, Han, Xu & Chua, 2009). Social media marketing is yet another concept that has arisen, considering that it is now possible for different people to access the social networks from anywhere and anytime, as opposed to when individuals were limited to accessing social networks through the computers (Mills, Egglestone, Rashid, & Vaataja, 2012). A study published regarding the analysis of application features usage for the smart phone indicated that 43% of the owners of the smart phones have engaged in games applications usage, while 26% of the owners are using the social networking applications (Pachler, Ranieri, Manca & Cook, 2012). This simply indicates that the growth of mobile social networking is high, compared to any other mobile application, since the games applications

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Research Paper Example Due to its effect on various body parts, rheumatoid arthritis is usually known as system illness and at times it is referred to as a rheumatoid disease. Â  Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness that is without syndromes and as such, it can exist in a patient’s body for several years without being noticed. The meeting point of two body parts to allow movement is referred to as a joint. Consequently, arthritis refers to an inflamed joint. Rheumatoid arthritis results in the destruction of ligaments, bones, and cartilage leading to a deformed joint. These damages can occur early and progress slowly in the course of the disease development. According to statistics, in the United States alone, rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 1.3 million individuals occurring more commonly in women than men. Â  Rheumatoid arthritis has no known cause. However, infection agents, which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses, have over a long period been suspected as the cause but no approval has been made to this effect. Scientists across the globe believe that the disease could be inherited genetically. Through scientific research, certain genes have been identified as having the ability to increase the risk of contracting rheumatoid arthritis. Certain infections and environmental factors are suspected to trigger immune system activation in susceptible individuals. The misdirected immune system as result invades and attack body tissues resulting ending up in the inflammation of various body parts such as the eyes, lungs, and joints. Â  Tissue inflammation degree determines the appearance of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The disease is usually active on occasion of inflamed body tissues and appears to be in remission during periods when there is reduced tissue inflammation.

DIY Behavior interviews Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

DIY Behavior interviews - Assignment Example In connection to this, the college students are no exception. First interviewee felt that most of the employers are interested to candidates who are able to provide quality production and are easy to work with. In connection to this, any college student willing to get chance need to be creative enough while going through the interview question (Herrero 13). Second interviewee; the DIY has nothing more than an elaborate and unique mechanism that is used by most employers to identify candidates who have some social advantages. Third interviewee; the practical of carrying out the DIY by most of the employers provides them with appropriate employees who are well social, committed and ready for quality and quantity production within their various points of work (â€Å"The Complete Outdoor Builder† Web). Fourth interviewee; There is a need for a student to work hard in school to achieve the desired goals in life. Having the DIY in mind to the college, the student will be in a position of being reasonable and essential in education matters. Fifth interviewee; the students will be in a position of working extra hard to beat up the challenges that they may face in future life while they are alone. We managed to carry out a project of College Care Package. First interviewee; the project made us know some of the requirements an individual joining grand school should have. In first place we realised that one should stay caffeinated to fifth sleep off in order to get straight A’s by studying smart (Speed, Mark & Jenny Web). Second interviewee; though, some students still adore minor needs that play no significance role in their studies such as fun food and tricks. Third interviewee; We managed to buy some for our five friends who really became happy with us simply because we wanted to be sure to what extend college students loves minor things. Fourth interviewee;

Nursing research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Nursing research - Assignment Example Some of the resources that have been of critical help in nursing research include the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository. This repository offers nurses interested in research access to numerous articles and publications which can be used in evidence based-practice for free. The purpose of setting up this site was to present nurses with a repository that can help them improve their practice as well as patient care. In addition, there is a book titled ‘The Nurse’s Grant Writing Advantage’ which enlightens nurses interested in research on how to request for grants or sponsors who can fund their research. The page also presents Johns Hopkins Nursing evidence-based practice: Model and Guidelines Second Edition and Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Implementation and Translation. These books were developed by nurses working in the Johns Hopkins hospital and serve as reliable resources when nurses are seeking advice on how to implement evidence-b ased practice. Other books include ‘Evidence Based Design for Healthcare Facilities’ and ‘The International Textbook of Reflective Practice in Nursing’. These books offer nurses with reliable knowledge that can help them in nursing research. The final book presented on the site is titled, ‘Interpretive Phenomenology in Health Care Research’ which is also a critical source in health care research (Bowers-Lanier, 2012). Evidently, STTI forms partnerships with Global nurse leaders in a bid to develop a voice and a vision for the future in a platform named Global Advisory Panel on the Future of Nursing

E-Payment Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

E-Payment Systems - Essay Example The report has conducted a brief literature review regarding e-payment systems in order to highlight their importance for an e-commerce company. Advantages, disadvantages and implications of three types of e-payment systems as Biometric Payments, Mobile Payments and Person-to-Person (P2P) Payments have been discussed in the report and based on the evaluation; the report has recommended suitable e-payment solution to the client. In the later section, the report has also evaluated security frameworks that can protect the customer account information, transaction information and website database from unauthorized and malicious access. At the end of the report, suitable security recommendation has also been provided to the client, which can not only increase transparency of the e-payment system but also help the client to improve their brand presence through social media marketing. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 E- Commerce and E-Payment Systems 4 Different types E- Payment Systems 6 Biometric Payments 6 Mobile e-Payments 7 Person-to-Person (P2P) Payments 9 Recommendations 11 Website and Database Security 13 Conclusion 15 Introduction Fazlollahi (2002) stated that demand for e-payment and online transaction has been increased manifold with the growth of e-commerce. ... archer will propose e-payment system for Book Bunker that can not only help the client to ease the payment process but also increase their online presence. In the next section, the researcher will describe the theoretical model of e-payment system in order to prepare the background of the proposed recommendations. Three different e-payment systems will be proposed for Book Bunker and security suggestion will also be provided at the end of the report. E- Commerce and E-Payment Systems According to Khosrow-Pour (2008), e-commerce sites help users to buy and sell products and merchandises through online platform and internet communication. When product purchase and sell is being done online then it would be unfeasible to connect manual cash payment with the virtual system due to three reasons, 1- lack of synchronization between manual and online system, 2- lack of symmetry in the information processing and 3- synchronization might decrease the speed of processing (Khosrow-Pour, 2008). H ence, it can be said that absence of e-payment system might create problem for users of the system to pay cash in the virtual environment of e-commerce. Heng (2004) reported that before the arrival of e-payment system, e-commerce companies introduced various e-cash systems such as â€Å"Millicent†, â€Å"Digicash†, and â€Å"PayBox† etc as the predecessor of e-payment system but this earlier version of e-payment systems failed to provide the security and efficiency of transactions. Due to such inefficiency of previous e-payment system, customers shifted to online transaction via credit/debit cards payment or cash payment. According to Abrazhevich (2004), consumers also check for the security settings in the e-payment system and often stop using the e-payment system if the service vendor has

Ford Motor Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ford Motor Company - Essay Example As can be see in Chart 1 which compares the aggregate Industry Sales in number of units sold to the individual major players, the entire industry suffered and each player reflected a steep decline in the number of automobiles sold until 2009. Auto Unit Sold in ‘000s Years Chart 1. Aggregate Industry Sales vs. Individual Players USA Auto Manufacturing Industry In 2009, GM (Isidore, C. 2009) and Chrysler (Epiq 2009) applied for bankruptcy. Toyota (Toyota 2012) also lost substantially. The performance of Ford was therefore not comparable to these competitors because, unlike the other players, Ford profited in 2009. And it was because Ford retrenched and operated after closing three (3) plants, had lower cost and expenses, and at profitable level to match the demand. Thus, Chart 1 was meant to show how Ford performed along with the industry performance and the industry players’ performance in terms of Units Sold. What cannot be seen in any chart is what Ford did to earn star ting 2009 up to the present. It had nothing to do with competitive designs or pricing strategies, although such strategies helped. But GM also adjusted the design to shift to smaller vehicles. After the recession, individual auto manufacturers like General Motors, Chrysler, Nissan, and Ford realized increases in sales by 2010 and 2011 annual reports. Details of the units sold appearing in Table A show that in terms of market share growth, these auto manufacturers performed as follows: 2010 2011 Market Share (MS) Growth MS2010 Less MS2009 Market Share (MS) Growth MS2011 Less MS2010 Cumulative Growth 2011 Base Year= 2009 GM 19.14% ( 0.78% ) 19.66% + 0.52% ( 0.26% ) Chrysler 9.34% + 0.43% 10.69% + 1.35% +1.78% Nissan 7.86% + 0.46% 8.19% + 0.33% +0.79% Ford 16.49% +0.57% 16.58% + 0.09 % + 0.66% Ford Motor Company has the 2nd biggest market share next to General Motors as of the 2011 yearend. The lead of GM over Ford was reduced during the downturn and recovery years. As a matter of fact , Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson (2012, p.138) shows the market share of GM to be 19.2 in 2010 and 19.9% in 2011. But the NADA (2012) statistics show a lower market share for GM equivalent to 19.14% in 2010 and 19.66% in 2011, whereas the data of Ford Motor Company in the same years were fairly accurate at 16% in 2010 and 17% in 2011 due to the round-off. Thus, Ford realized both growth in the Net Income and growth in its market share of the US auto sales. Details of market shares and number of vehicles sold each year in the USA came from the National Automotive Dealers Association of USA. See Table A below and in the following page. Table A. New-Vehicle Sales & Market Share by Manufacturer [Source: NADA 2012. New-Vehicle Sales & Market Share by Manufacturer. National Automotive Dealers Association, p.9. Viewed October 24, 2012 @ http://www.nada.org/NR/rdonlyres/C1C58F5A-BE0E-4E1A-9B56-1C3025B5B452/0/NADADATA2012Final.pdf ] How Ford Motor Company actually profited in 2009 even while sa les declined for the entire industry and for individual players can be explained by the initiative of its management to retrench and operate at a more profitable level, seeing the industry declining demand for automobiles. Ford Motor Company retrenched by closing three plants and operating with lower capacity. This resulted in the reduced Total Assets in 2009 and 2010. The lower cost and expenses by 2009 made it possible for the company to generate profits starting 2009. The sales growth

European law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European law - Essay Example The moot question that arises in William case’s is whether the requirements spelt out by the Italian Government for import of his cheese into Italy could constitute a violation of Article 28 and therefore a restriction on imports? Their first requirement is (a) an inspection test to determine the listeria content of the cheese (b) a requirement that William change the label on his product. The meaning of quantitative restrictions was clearly stated in the case of Riseria Luigi Geddo v Ente Nazionale Risi1 in which it was stated that â€Å"any measure which amounts to a total or partial restraint on imports, exports or goods in transit constitutes a quantitative restriction.† For example, a quota system was held to be a restriction of trade in the case of Salgoil SpA v Italian Minister for Foreign Trade.2 Directive 70/50 must also be taken into consideration because it lists out all measures which are equivalent to quantitative restrictions, however in William’s case, there are certain existing EU Directives which member States are expected to comply with, which will also be relevant. The EU Directives which will apply in the case of William is Directive 92/46/EEC, which has held that listeria must be absent in 1 gm of hard cheese, however in soft cheese it must be absent in 25g samples taken from the product3. Also, the Directive 93/43/EEC is intended to ensure that all food products sold within the EU meet certain minimum health standards. Therefore, under this Directive, it may be noted that any requirements of the Italian Government on the inspections for listeria in the cheese will be only indistinctly applicable4, because it applies to cheeses produced within Italy and outside the country. Since manufacturers within Italy are also expected to comply with this requirement of inspection at their own cost, it is unlikely that that this will qualify as a measure that infringes Article

Is Prejudice and Discrimination a Myth or a Real Life Situation Essay Example for Free

Is Prejudice and Discrimination a Myth or a Real Life Situation Essay Prejudice is a cultural attitude that rests on negative stereotypes about individuals or groups because of their cultural, religious, racial, or ethnic background. Discrimination is the active denial of desired goals from a category of persons. A category can be based on sex, ethnicity, nationality, religion, language, or class. More recently, disadvantaged groups now also include those based on gender, age, and physical disabilities. Prejudice and discrimination are deeply imbedded at both the individual and societal levels. Attempts to eradicate prejudice and discrimination must thus deal with prevailing beliefs or ideologies, and social structure. Although there is no wide agreement as to the cause of prejudice and discrimination, there is a consensus that they constitute a learned behaviour. The internalization of prejudice starts with parents and, later, teachersthe groups primary in the formation of attitudes within children. The media and social institutions solidify prejudicial attitudes, giving them social legitimacy. In a sense, it is incorrect to speak of eradicating prejudice, since prejudice is learned. At best, one can reduce prejudice and discrimination. Society looks most often to education and legislation to alleviate prejudice and discriminationfor reasons still not clearly known, inter-group contact alone is not enough to reduce prejudice. On one hand, multicultural education, whether direct or indirect, constitute the mainstay of educational efforts to eliminate prejudice. On the other hand, the emphasis on civil rights, enlightened immigration policies, and mandates for quota hiring are the cornerstone of legal approaches to alleviating the effects of prejudice and discrimination. The most overlooked area in resolving the problems of prejudice and discrimination lies in the web of close relationships where genuine feelings of love can be fostered and strengthened. The private sphere may indeed be the last frontier where a solution to the problems of prejudice may have to be found.

Theories and Models of Memory

Theories and Models of Memory Baddeley and Hitch developed another model of short-term memory which is called working memory. The distinction between short-term memory and working memory is that short-term memory is frequently used interchangeably with working memory however the two of them should be used separately. Short-term memory refers to just the temporary storage of information within the memory whereas working memory refers to the processes that are used to temporarily organise, manipulate and store information. Their model also put forward instead of the short-term memory being a single store, it is in fact an active processor containing many different types of stores- the central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. Central executive: The central executive is the main and most important component of the model which can be best described and known for attention. It is responsible for controlling and monitoring the operation of the slave systems known as the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketch pad that have limited capacity, and relates them to the long-term memory. Within the central executive, it decides what information needs to be attended to and which parts of the working memory to send this information to in order to be dealt with. Also, it is its function to decide what working memory pays attention to whenever someone is completing an activity and another activity comes into conflict with it. The central executive basically directs attention and puts the activity most important as priority meaning it selectively attends the important stimuli and ignores the least important. Despite how important the central executive is in the working memory model, we know less about it compared to the two subsystems it controls. It is Baddeley who suggests that the central executive functions more like a system that controls attentional processes, rather than a memory store. This is unlike the visuo-spatial sketch pad and the phonological loop which are both specialised storage systems. Phonological loop: The phonological loop holds speech-based information for 1-2 seconds and is composed of an articulatory control process and a phonological store. The articulatory control process acts as an inner voice which practices information from the phonological store by repeating it again and again. An example of this is remembering a phone number we have just heard. As long as we keep repeating it in our heads, we can retain the information in working memory. The phonological store on the other hand is the inner ear. Spoken words enter the store directly meanwhile written words must firstly be changed into a spoken code before they can enter the phonological store. The working memory model has strengths and is supported by Shallice and Warrington (1974). Theyfound support for the working memory model through their case study of KF. KF was a brain damaged individual who had an impaired short-term memory. He struggled to immediately recall words which were represented verbally, but was fine with visual information. This suggested that he had an intact visuo-spatial sketchpad but an impaired articulatory loop, therefore showing evidence for the working memory models view of short-term memory. This finding couldnt be explained using the multi-store model of memory, which therefore put forward that the short-term memory was just one system. Visuo-spatial sketchpad: The visuo-spatial sketchpad is known as the inner eye and refers to what things look like. It also processes the temporary storage of spatial and visual information. It can manipulate visual and spatial information held in the long-term memory, and images in two and three dimensions, for example people can recall someones face they know from long-term memory in only two dimensions and can also imagine walking around their kitchen in three dimensions. Evidence suggesting that the working memory uses two completely different systems for dealing with verbal and visual information is that it is much harder to perform two verbal tasks at the same time because they interfere with each other and results in performance being reduced. The same applies to carrying out two visual tasks at the same time. However, a verbal processing and visual processing task can be completed at the same time because the information does not interfere. Furthermore, this supports the view that the sketch pad and phonological loop are two separate systems within the working memory. Gathercole and Baddeley (1993) also support the working memory model and they completed a lab study where people participating were divided into two groups. All of them had to complete a task which involved them following a moving spot of light. This would use the visuo-spatial sketchpad. At the same time as this was going on, one group also had to describe the angles on a letter, which was another task involving the visuo-spatial sketchpad. The other group meanwhile was given a second task that would involve and use the phonological loop and they were given a verbal task whilst following the light. The results were that Gathercole and Baddeley found the performance was way better in the participants completing tasks which used separate systems. Episodic buffer: The episodic buffer was added into the working memory model by Baddeley in 2000 after the model failed to explain the results of various experiments. It briefly stores information from the other subsystems, integrating it together, along with information from the long-term memory, resulting in complete scenes or episodes. It basically acts like a backup store which communicates with both the components of the working memory and the long-term memory. The episodic buffer is not limited to one sense only, unlike the other two slave systems. Its functions seems to weave visual memories, bind memories together and phonological memories into single episodes, which then become stored in the episodic long-term memory. The central executive chooses information from the phonological and the visuo-spatial sketchpad that go into the episodic buffer to then form an episode of memory. Along with this, the episodic buffer also appears to download episodes from the long-term memory, referring them to be analysed and possibly recalled to conscious memory.

Steroid Use in Pro Sports is Unethical Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When you were a kid, didn’t you want to play a professional sport? What would you give to be one of the best athletes in the world? Would you risk your reputation? Your health? Would you be willing to die? Although many studies have come out saying that steroids diminish one’s health, people still take them hoping to be the best. Imagine if you were a 28 year old who left college early because a pro team â€Å"guaranteed† you that you would play in the big leagues. Yet you just got stuck in the minors, and the only way you could get to the big’s was to take a pill that made you super-strong and super-fast. It would make sense to just take it. But what if that pill shrunk your testicles, hurt your heart and vascular system, and made your heart work 3 times harder than it is suppose to? An athlete would be pressured to take these pills, yet it would be smarter to say no. Why would athletes, of all people-risk harming their bodies? If I became a major league baseball player, and hit 65 homeruns, I couldn’t live with myself thinking that most of those wouldn’t have gone over that fence if I hadn’t taken steroids. I could never be proud of my stats or not be ashamed when a reporter told me how good I was and asked me how I learned to hit the ball that far. Although the benefits of steroids are good, the risks and side effects are too dangerous. Therefore athletes should not use steroids. Steroids have a surprisingly long and interesting history. Although steroids did not become popular until the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, they were around for a long time before that. In the 1930’s, anabolic steroids were developed to treat anemia and other muscle-wasting diseases. But it was not until 1954 that anabolic steroids began to appear in athletic competition when Soviet weightlifters supposedly used them at the World Championships. In 1958, a doctor by the name of John Ziegler developed Dianabol; the first mass produced anabolic steroid, with the help of a Pharmaceutical company, and in 1960 distributed Dianabol to the U.S. weightlifting team. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) banned the use of anabolic steroids in 1974, just 7 years after it hired a medical commission to perform drug tests on athletes. Two years after the ban by the IOC, eight athletes were disqualified from the Montreal Olympics after testing positive for steroids. The NFL started ... ...y if every player uses them. Also when sports were invented it was made to be challenging. Baseball wasn’t invented for someone to go up to the plate and hit 2 of every 10 balls pitched to them over the fence. When a player hits a homerun it is supposed to be special. When golf courses need to be renovated from 500 yard Par 5’s, to 650 yard Par 5’s, because players are driving the ball 350 yards, it kind of defeats the purpose of the game. What is the point of watching it when the players are too good for the courses they play on. Are all sports going to become obsolete or boring to watch from the use of steroids? The answer is yes, if the use of steroids isn’t stopped. Bibliography Congress gets baseball to act on steroids www.comcast.net/news/sports Fredric J. Frommer Associated press writer Steroid use a growing problem among American High School athletes www.opposingviewpoints.com Gary Mihoces USA Today Athletes have the right to accept the risks of steroids www.opposingviewpoints.com Robert Lipsyte New York Times United states must spearhead reform to eradicate drugs www.opposingviewpoints.com Barry R. McCaffery Retired U.S. Army general

Confucius in Modern China Essay -- philosophical ideologies

Every culture is composed of many philosophical ideologies that comprise the ever-changing nature of said nation. Many cultures do not have a monolithic, nor static nature; ideas such as Maoism, Daoism, Christianity, etc., challenge the preexisting notions that are part of a culture. Even though the Chinese government has established a strong strand against Confucianism, it is still a part of the Chinese culture in socio-political, economic, familial, and individual levels. Confucianism is still prevalent though business, education, the Confucian revival, the previous ties China had with Confucianism, and a return to old traditions as a default. Through the economic-business aspect point of view, Confucianism still holds sway over many of the actions and feelings in Chinese business, and some even say that, â€Å"it is impossible to do business in China and not feel the effects of Confucian philosophy† (Jacobs 29). For example, the sense of a social hierarchy is painfully obvious when foreign entrepreneurs do business with Chinese companies. In a business venture, â€Å"a British marketer who invited several Chinese guests to a trade promotion reception†¦ According to Chinese tradition, the glass of wine should have been presented to the highest trade official first† (Jacobs 29). This sense of hierarchy is also integrated into several manifestations of Chinese business management, particularly in an individual level that builds up to the corporation as a whole; due to the fact that the majority of people are expected to behave according to rank, they are disinclined to present ideas that may lead to the de velopment of the business. Jacobs also says that this explains â€Å"much of the inertia in Chinese businesses, particularly in state-owned en... ...ts influence is still strong. For example, â€Å"the Chinese state is allocating a $10 billion fund to sponsor a worldwide network of schools to promote Chinese culture and language† in the Chinese Bridge Program, which is viewed as he first step to a wider global acceptance of Confucian philosophy (Zhu). Speaking in a historical sense, in times of major social change, such as when the Communist party came into political power, Confucianism was derided and dismissed. Although political agendas and events try to mask the traditional ideologies of the Chinese people, recent political changes have said to create a new structure (Jacobs 30). Just as any other philosophy that has been imbued with a culture, Confucianism is not easy thing to dissolve; the basic principals form the basis of much of China†²s culture on a business, familial, socio-political, and individual levels.

Places in Gullivers Travels Essay -- essays research papers

Places In Gulliver's Travels By: Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels has several places that Gulliver visits. In this paper we will take a look a in-depth look at each of the places that Gulliver visits. In my opion Gulliver parelles many places to is home country, England. Lets take a look at the first stop in Gulliver's travels, Lilliput. Lilliput is inhabitited by people who are only six inches tall. Gulliver seems like a gigant. The Liliputians have a structured government and social lifestyles. The government has a senate, officials, a council, and an emperor. The government has several parrells to the England government. Gulliver tells us that these competitions, to choose the officials, who can 'Dance on the Rope', are often the cause of fatal accidents. Flimnap, in fact, would havekilled himself ina recent fall had not one of the king's "cushions" broken his fall. The king's "cushion" represents George I's mistress, who aided Walpole in his return to power after a "fall." Another comparison between Lilliput and England, Reldresal, a Lilliputian government officer. He represents Walpole's successor, he payed Gulliver a special visit. His purpose is to acquaint Gulliver further with domestic and international pol itics, and to enlist Gulliver for assists in protecting their land from invasion, corresponding to the Tories and the treats to France. In Lilliput, the warring parties are the High-Heels , the Tories, and the Low-Heels , the Whigs. Just as George I favored teh Whigs, so the Lilliputian emperor favors teh Low-Heels. Just as George I's successor, the Prince of Wales, indicated favor to both parties, the Lilliputian heir to the throne wears one high heel and one low. Although several things are parralleled to England some things are not the same. They both have punishment system that are based on different ideas, were as the Englandjudiciary system is based on on punishment, the Lilliputians judiciary system has its rewards for following the rules. They also have very stiff punishments for unjustly accusing another of a crime. If at a latter point in time the accused person is fround innocent, the person who wrongfully accused is put to an creul death and the un justly accused is rewa rded materially, and also recieves a title from the emperor. Upon leavin... ...y that is perfectly ordered, perfectly peaceful, except for the Yahoos, and exempt from the topsy-turviness of passion. In thier society there is also no crime, poverty, unhappiness but also their is no joy, passion, ecstatic love. Everything is done on an even keel. The Houyhnhnms are the representation of the perfect human culture. The marriages are arranged and the couples have no more feelings for each other than for any one else. The Yahoos are human-like, and are keep in a kennel, and prohibited from having anything to do with the Houyhnhnms. The Yahoo had arrived on thier island by acident. These people are less civilzed than the Houyhnhnms. They represent the lowest traits in human nature. They are gluttonous, filthy, lascivious, theiving, violentbrutes. Only physically do they resemble civilized people. They started out on the country only two Yahoo, and as they had children and their children had children they also lost the cilivilation and needed to be around other peo ple to stay civilized. In a way this represent the way Gulliver wanted him home country England to be, perfect in its ways. But what would they have done with the Yahoos that they would have incountered?

Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 2

For a few seconds, I was no longer at the party. My mind's eye flashed back to where I stood on a cliff outside the town I'd grown up in, barely old enough to be called an adult by today's standards. And Niphon was there, smiling at me, promising me he had all the answers and could make my problems disappear†¦. I shook my head, driving off the memories and returning to the party at hand. His smile grew, an evil smile that promised even more evil things. I could have been facing Eden's serpent himself. â€Å"I knew you had it in you,† he continued, stepping toward me. His voice stayed soft. â€Å"I knew it the minute I saw you. I can't wait to find out firsthand just how†¦experienced you've become.† My defenses snapped into place, and I stepped back. â€Å"Touch me, and I'll break your fucking neck.† â€Å"Such ingratitude, considering I made you what you are.† â€Å"Stay away from me.† He started to move forward again, and my heart leapt to a pace that would have killed most humans. Suddenly, Jerome's voice fell over us, and I realized the room had become silent. â€Å"Leave her alone, Niphon. She said no.† The imp paused and made a pleading face. â€Å"Aw, come on, Jerome. What kind of demon doesn't share his goods?† â€Å"You aren't here to fuck my succubus. If you can't do your job, I can replace you.† Jerome's voice held a warning note that even an asshole like Niphon couldn't ignore. Maybe someone would be consigned to Hell tonight after all. Disappointingly, the imp inclined his head in obeisance and backed off. The look he gave me warned we would have a later conversation. I walked over to Jerome. â€Å"Maybe you should have given me a heads up earlier.† â€Å"And ruin things for you lovebirds? Hardly something a die-hard romantic like me could do. Besides, I told you to come early.† Hugh snapped his cell phone shut and wandered over to join us. He kissed my cheek. â€Å"Hey, sweetie. Big things going on here.† My already enormous sense of dread grew by leaps and bounds. â€Å"Such as?† â€Å"Re-org. Seattle's lines have been redrawn. We're getting another succubus. Or, well, we've got one.† My jaw dropped, and I replayed Niphon's earlier words. â€Å"You are so joking.† â€Å"Afraid not. This is Tawny.† Robo-Blonde pranced over on her stiletto heels and tried to shake my hand again. I kept it out of reach, fearing for my bones. I forced a smile. â€Å"Hi, Tawny.† I turned back to Jerome and jerked my head at Niphon. â€Å"Why is he here then?† â€Å"I acquired her,† the imp explained. â€Å"Acquired† was a nice way of saying he'd bought her soul for Hell, just as he'd purchased mine. â€Å"It's my job to stay and watch her until she's settled in and taken her first victim.† â€Å"No one ever did that for me,† I recalled. â€Å"You sort of threw me to the wolves.† I'd had to be some innkeeper's sex toy in Constantinople for a few years until I'd learned the succubus ropes. Niphon shrugged. â€Å"HR's new policy. Just think of all the time it'll give us to catch up.† Giving Tawny a sidelong glance, I hoped her adamant desire to destroy men everywhere meant she'd be a quick study. Eyeing her leopard-skin skirt, I had my doubts. â€Å"Well. Fantastic. Now that I'm up to speed, I guess there's no need to stay – â€Å" Hugh shook his head, suddenly becoming my-friend-the-imp as opposed to the all-business imp. I could tell from his expression that I wouldn't like what he had to say next. â€Å"There's something else you need to know. For the next year or so, you have to be her†¦uh, mentor.† â€Å"Mentor,† I repeated flatly. He nodded, looking sympathetic. Jerome watched our exchange with amusement. â€Å"What, um, does that mean for me exactly?† Hugh set his briefcase on a coffee table and pulled out what looked like the kind of copied-and-bound manual Kinko's would run off. He tossed it to me. I caught it and nearly keeled over. The thing had about eight-hundred pages. Mentor's Official and Complete Procedural Handbook on Initial Succubus Intake and Probationary Period (Abridged). â€Å"Abridged?† I spun toward Jerome. â€Å"Tell me you're getting back at me for the time I accused you of wearing Old Spice.† â€Å"That one's still coming,† said the demon. â€Å"This one's for real.† â€Å"I can't do this, Jerome. I don't have the time! Do you know how much stuff I've got going on? I'm still training the new assistant manager at work – â€Å" He stood up with speed a vampire might have admired. He leaned toward me, the amusement gone from his face. â€Å"Oh gee, Georgie. How inconsiderate of me to take you away from your human boyfriend and your crucial-to-the-world bookstore job and all the other fucking absurdity in your life! Let me just go ahead and tell my superiors that you've got more important things to do than answer to the powers who control your immortal soul and could wipe out your existence in the blink of an eye.† Heat flooded my cheeks. I didn't really appreciate being verbally bitch-slapped in front of Niphon and Seattle's entire dream team of evil. â€Å"I didn't mean it like that. I just – â€Å" â€Å"It's not up for debate any longer.† His words crawled over my skin. I swallowed. â€Å"Yes, Jerome.† Even I knew when to back down. Silence fell. A smirk played over Niphon's face. â€Å"A human boyfriend. How terribly quaint. I can't wait to hear all about it.† â€Å"I think it's cute,† said Tawny. â€Å"I hope you're making him suffer.† â€Å"Their romance is a great tale of self-exploration,† remarked Hugh, straight-faced. I shot him a glare. As a sexual workaround, Seth and I found we could do unto ourselves what we couldn't do to each other. I'd never actually told my friends about this solution, but they'd kind of figured it out. With the drama complete, the rest of the room lost interest in me. Tawny did not, however, and immediately began talking to me about the joys of ripping out men's hearts and watching them cry. I left her as quickly as I could, working the room and talking to those I hadn't seen in a while. I was good at smiling and making people laugh while all the while, my mind spun and processed this new complication. When I finally found Cody, Peter, and Hugh huddled in a corner, I breathed a sigh of relief. I could tell from the looks on their faces that this was the most hilarious thing they'd seen in a while. Cody, young for a vampire but ancient compared to Tawny, threw an arm around me. His shaggy blond hair was tamed into a short stub of a ponytail. He was perpetually laidback and upbeat, and his â€Å"youth† always made the rest of us want to baby him. â€Å"Oh, man. This is going to be great. You are so screwed.† â€Å"As if,† I said, squirming away. â€Å"You think I'm afraid of her?† â€Å"I am,† said Peter with a shiver. He had thinning brown hair and wore casual yet exquisitely coordinated clothes, all the way down to his argyle socks. He was an old vampire, close to my age, and was Cody's mentor. I'd never thought much about their mentor-apprentice relationship before. It always seemed pretty effortless, but then, Cody was no Tawny. I followed Peter's gaze to where the new succubus animatedly told a story to a stone-faced demoness named Grace. From the dangerous jiggling of Tawny's breasts, it looked as though the structural integrity of her shirt could only last so long. â€Å"I don't think you're afraid,† said Hugh slyly. â€Å"I think you're jealous.† â€Å"Of what exactly? Bad fashion sense? An ergonomically unsound bustline? I have nothing to be jealous of.† â€Å"Whatever. I saw your face when you heard we were getting a new succubus. Looks like someone isn't going to be the only girl in our little clique anymore.† â€Å"So?† â€Å"So, we'll have a new little sister to fawn and fret over. You'll have to share the spotlight.† â€Å"I'm not sharing anything,† I said huffily. Peter laughed. â€Å"So it does bother you. Can't wait until the fur starts flying.† â€Å"Her fate is in your hands,† said Cody. â€Å"You should make her call you ‘Miss Georgina,'† added Hugh with a mocking southern drawl. â€Å"Or at least ‘ma'am.'† Niphon's presence and Jerome's lecture had put me in a grouchy mood. â€Å"I'm not doing any mentoring. She's so gungho to take on the world's male population, she doesn't even need me.† The three men exchanged more smirks. Cody made some hissing and meowing sounds, scratching at the air. â€Å"This isn't funny,† I said. â€Å"Sure it is,† said Cody. â€Å"Besides, don't you want to help others? Where's your sense of goodness and charity?† â€Å"I think I cashed that in when I, you know, sold my soul to Hell.† Peter waved his hand. â€Å"Details, details. ‘Tis the season to put aside petty rivalries and animosity. You've got to get into the holiday spirit. You probably haven't even put up your Christmas tree yet.† â€Å"I'm not getting a tree this year.† The smile slipped from Peter's face. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Oh, shit. You've done it now,† said Hugh. â€Å"I already got lectured earlier for not having one.† â€Å"You're a Scrooge,† Peter told him while still looking at me. â€Å"No one expects that kind of festive cheer from you. But Georgina†¦didn't you have a Christmas tree last year?† â€Å"Yeah. Somebody burned it down. At my Christmas Eve Martini Party.† â€Å"I was there,† said Peter. â€Å"I don't remember that.† â€Å"You were drunk. You'd already passed out.† â€Å"What kind of sick bastard burns down a Christmas tree?† Hugh and I exchanged glances. â€Å"That's an excellent question,† I said dryly. Peter looked startled. â€Å"Was it you?† he asked Hugh. â€Å"No,† said the imp. â€Å"It was Carter.† â€Å"Your Christmas tree was burned down by an angel?† asked Cody. He hadn't been with our group last December, so this was all new to him. And Peter too, apparently. â€Å"Yup. The irony isn't lost on me,† I said. â€Å"He had his ashtray too close to where a branch was hanging down.† â€Å"Well, I think he did you a favor,† said Hugh. â€Å"You can get a fake one now. They're easier. No watering. No woodland animals. Besides, you can get them to match your d? ¦cor. Did you notice Peter's is ‘pissed-off ocean green'?† Peter sighed. â€Å"It's ‘jaded sea green.'† I followed their gazes to Peter's monstrosity of a Christmas tree. Nine feet of perfectly shaped needles draped in gold tinsel and red glass ornaments. Everything on it coordinated. In fact, I suddenly realized, it matched Peter's outfit. The tree looked like a display model from a department store. The green in the multicolored bejeweled star on top even seemed to bring out the blue in the ‘jaded sea green.' â€Å"At least you don't have an angel on top,† I said. â€Å"Because that would have been kind of wrong. And possibly a fire hazard.† â€Å"Joke all you want,† the vampire said, â€Å"but you have to have a Christmas tree. Oh, yeah – you also have to draw a name for Secret Santas.† I groaned. â€Å"Are we doing that again?† â€Å"Let me go get the cup,† he said, trotting to the other side of the kitchen. I looked at the other two. â€Å"A vampire obsessed with Christmas. That has to be the weirdest thing I've ever heard.† â€Å"No weirder than an angel burning down a Christmas tree,† pointed out Cody. Peter returned with a reindeer mug that held a few folded pieces of paper. He held it out to me. â€Å"Not many left. Pick.† I pulled out a slip and opened it. Carter. â€Å"Son of a bitch,† I swore. â€Å"I hate Christmas.† â€Å"You do not,† said Peter. â€Å"You just have to get a tree. Then you'll feel better.† My eyes drifted from the star, down to Tawny and Niphon. â€Å"What I have to do is get out of here,† I told them, setting my glass on the counter. I made my good-byes to them and endured a bit more teasing about my new mentoring job. As I walked to the door, I overheard Jerome saying to Grace, â€Å"†¦but I'll be out of town for a few days.† I suddenly realized I needed to ask him something. â€Å"Hey, Jerome.† He turned from the demoness, shooting me an impatient look. In as few words as possible, I recapped how I'd woken up without the energy I'd stolen the previous night. Jerome listened, looking bored. â€Å"What'd you do last night? Bursts of shape-shifting? Rocket science? Heavy lifting?† I didn't need him to tell me what sorts of things would burn through my energy. â€Å"I didn't do any of those things. I just slept. I did dream, though.† â€Å"Dreams only suck the life out of humans, not us,† he remarked dryly. â€Å"It's what keeps Hell in business.† Seeing my expression, he sighed. â€Å"It's probably nothing, Georgie. Mental exhaustion'll do it. You probably spent the whole night unconsciously wrestling with sexual temptation.† I didn't appreciate his flippant answer, but there was nothing I could do about it. I left the party, driving home at a reasonable speed limit this time. As soon as I cleared the door, I tossed that ridiculous manual to the floor. It landed with a ground-shaking thump that made my cat Aubrey puff up her tail. â€Å"Sorry,† I mumbled, scratching her black-speckled head in consolation. Traipsing to the bedroom, I promptly dialed Seth on my cell phone. â€Å"Hey,† he said. â€Å"Hey. You have to come over here tonight.† A pause. â€Å"Well, I could, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh, come on! You won't believe what I just went through. We're getting another succubus.† He paused again. â€Å"I'm not really sure how to respond to that.† â€Å"Respond by getting your ass over here. I need you.† â€Å"Thetis†¦I'm so close to the end here. Four chapters away. And I got this idea while we were having breakfast†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I groaned. Cady and O'Neill had defeated me again. Before actually meeting Seth, I'd worshipped him from afar as a literary genius, reading his novels over and over. Now I knew the dark truth about being a bestselling author's girlfriend. Hearing my silence, he reluctantly added: â€Å"But, I mean, if you really need me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No, no. Don't worry about it. It's okay.† â€Å"You don't sound like it's okay. I know how women work. You say that, then you'll hold a grudge against me forever. Literally.† â€Å"No, really. It's fine. I'll be seeing you tomorrow anyway. Besides, as soon as I get out of this dress, I'm just going to pass out anyway.† No way was I starting that procedural tome. â€Å"You're wearing a dress?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"You weren't wearing one earlier. What's it look like?† I started laughing. â€Å"Ooh†¦are you trying to have phone sex with me?† â€Å"Phone sex? Hardly. We haven't even had a phone first date.† â€Å"It's not that hard. You see, I tell you how the dress has a really low neckline with nothing underneath. Then, you tell me how you'll reach out and peel it off and stroke my – â€Å" â€Å"Oh my God. No. We are not doing this.† Typical Seth. He could write sex scenes that set the page on fire or dialogue clever enough to impress even me. Make him vocalize any of it, and he choked up. He was shy around others, fearful in large groups, and much happier staying an unnoticed listener. I sympathized but sometimes had trouble really comprehending it, considering how often I became the center of attention. I liked to think he'd improved a bit since we got together, but he had a long way to go. â€Å"It just takes practice. Here, I'll help you. Picture it. I'm getting on my knees and slowly unfastening your pants – â€Å" â€Å"Okay, look. If you really want to go through with this, I'd be happy to, you know, go get on my computer and IM it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh good grief. Go work on your book.† I hung up the phone and sat down on my bed. Good Lord. My weekend had taken an abrupt U-turn. Like it or not, I supposed it had been only a matter of time before a new succubus joined the ranks here. Seattle had grown significantly over the years, and I could only do so much. But a green succubus? One I had to train up? If I hadn't known such administrative decisions were out of the demon's hands, I would have accused Jerome of doing it on purpose. It was on par with his sense of humor. Why couldn't we have just gotten some antisocial pro who did her job without ever interacting with me? And Niphon†¦well, that was the coup de gras. I didn't like being reminded of my past, and I didn't like him. Something told me he had it in for me, though I couldn't entirely fathom why. He'd bought my soul and recruited my eternal services. What more was there? Wait and see, a warning voice whispered in my head. I shivered. Tawny couldn't make her first score a moment too soon. Suddenly, I didn't feel like passing out after all. I wanted to go out. Not for a victim or anything†¦just to, well, be out. Grab a drink. Do a little flirting. It might salvage the train wreck I'd just endured. I headed downtown to the Cellar, a favorite watering hole for local immortals. After Tawny's coming-out party tonight, I doubted anyone I knew would be there. A little alone time suited me just fine. Yet, as I entered the crowded bar and slipped through the drinking, laughing patrons, I felt a cool sensation tickle my immortal senses. It made me think of crystal and ozone. Scanning around, I finally found Carter sitting across the room at a round table. Seattle's most powerful angel – and the one who had burned down my Christmas tree – had sensed me too, and a slight smile curled his lips in greeting. Although he naturally hadn't been at Hell's all staff meeting, he did have a tendency to hang out with my little clique. It had weirded me out at first, but I'd since come to view him as a normal fixture in my life, albeit a strange and badly dressed one. More startling than seeing him out tonight, however, was his assortment of companions. Three angels and a human – none of whom I'd ever met before. All of them watched me, displaying curiosity and – for one of them – scorn at my presence. Whatever. He could scorn all he wanted. It would take more than an angel posse to get to me after everything I'd experienced today. Carter's company did strike me as odd; I'd never known him to work with others. A grudging curiosity rose up within me, wondering what could have brought them all together – with a human, no less. Noting my scrutiny, Carter winked and made a small gesture of invitation, much to the astonishment of two of the angels. I nodded back in acknowledgement, first stopping by the bar to get a vodka gimlet. When I walked over a minute later, I put on my best saucy succubus attitude and pulled up a chair beside Carter. â€Å"Well, well,† I said. â€Å"I feel like it's Rush weekend or something. We're all entertaining guests, huh?† â€Å"So I hear,† he said. He absentmindedly ran a hand through his chin-length blond hair. Unless I was mistaken, it had been washed for the first time in six months. These guests must be serious. â€Å"I also hear one of yours is of a more permanent nature.† I pulled a face. â€Å"I don't really want to talk about that, if it's all the same to you.† â€Å"Can we expect a cat fight soon?† â€Å"That joke is so one hour ago. You want to introduce me to the rest of the class?† This made one of the angels laugh. She had deeply tanned skin and black hair that shone like silk. A merry glitter danced in her eyes as she extended a hand to me. â€Å"Yasmine. And you're Georgina.† I nodded back, unable to help a smile. The one she gave me in return filled me with warmth and joy. Maybe some angels weren't so bad after all. It was a good thing, too, because her companions seemed less thrilled to make my acquaintance. â€Å"I'm Whitney,† said another slowly, a pretty black woman whose hair consisted of myriad tiny braids. She dressed with a fashion sense that met my standards and wore cat-eye glasses that made her look both cute and wise. Her handshake took a moment in coming, but it did come. I glanced at the last angel expectantly. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes, paired with a long and narrow face. His expression conveyed clear disapproval and a haughty coldness. Now that was behavior I associated with angels. For a moment, I didn't think he'd speak at all. Then, with great stiffness, he said, â€Å"I'm Joel.† No handshake followed. I turned to the human. He grinned back with as much enthusiasm as Yasmine and flipped his longish dark hair out of his eyes. â€Å"Vincent Damiani. Nice to meet you.† â€Å"You too.† I cut Carter a sly look. â€Å"And all this time, I didn't think you had any friends.† â€Å"You're jumping to conclusions, Daughter of Lilith.† He sipped from what looked like whiskey straight up. â€Å"They're here on business.† â€Å"Ooh. Top secret angel business, huh? What're you going to do? Dance on a pinhead? Lobby for National Cute Puppy Day?† Joel's cold look dropped another ten degrees. â€Å"As if we would discuss our affairs with a dark seductress of evil.† Yasmine elbowed him with an eye roll. â€Å"She's joking.† â€Å"That's what she wants you to think,† he warned ominously. â€Å"I for one am not going to let my guard down while she attempts to use her wily and sinister powers of seduction on us.† Fixing him with a slow, languid smile, I leaned back in the chair, crossing my legs so the skirt rode up my thighs. â€Å"Baby, if I were using my wily and sinister powers of seduction, you'd be the first to know.† A dark flush stained his cheeks. He fixed his gaze on Carter. â€Å"I don't know what game you think you're playing, but you need to get rid of her.† Carter stayed unfazed. â€Å"She's harmless – unless you're a drug-pushing god or a nephilim. Or an introverted writer.† Yasmine flinched, her cheerful countenance becoming sober. â€Å"Don't joke about nephilim.† â€Å"In fact,† Carter obliviously continued, â€Å"she might fix that little logistical problem. Georgina, I don't suppose you'd mind playing hostess, would you? Vincent needs a place to stay while he's in town.† I arched an eyebrow in surprise. Misinterpreting my silence, Vincent hastily added, â€Å"It's okay if you don't want to. I mean, you don't even know me. I can see how that'd be weird.† â€Å"I don't know,† I told him, even more curious as to what was transpiring with this odd group. â€Å"If angels vouch for you†¦well, you can't really get a better recommendation than that. If you don't mind sleeping on the couch, it's fine by me.† â€Å"You're a pearl among succubi,† Carter declared. Joel nearly choked on his drink. Considering his stick-up-the-ass attitude, I doubted he had anything alcoholic. Probably Kool-Aid or Pepsi. Diet Pepsi, at that. â€Å"Are you out of your mind?† he exclaimed. â€Å"She's a succubus. You can't subject him to that. Think about his soul.† â€Å"She's not really into nice guys,† Carter said. â€Å"Usually. You won't have a problem.† Yasmine offered Vincent a playful look. â€Å"He's not that nice anyway.† â€Å"Carter – † began Joel. â€Å"I told you, she's fine. Let it go. You have my word. Besides, she won't ask any questions, and it'll give him an accessible place to stay while you guys search.† I jumped on the word â€Å"search.† Now we were getting somewhere. â€Å"What are you guys looking for?† Dead silence met me. Whitney crossed her arms. Vincent sipped his drink. â€Å"Okay, I get it.† I finished the gimlet with a gulp. â€Å"Need to know basis. Mum's the word. Hush-hush and all that.† Yasmine's easy grin returned. â€Å"I love her, Carter. No wonder you keep her around.† She then started talking about another succubus she'd met in Boston, smoothly changing subjects as deftly as Carter could. Guessing what I was thinking, Carter caught my eye and grinned. I rolled my own eyes in exasperation. Nonetheless, as the evening progressed, I found myself liking Yasmine immensely. She, Vincent, and Carter carried most of the conversation, and while angels weren't nearly as fun as the rest of my friends, I found this group entertaining in their own way. They also swore and drank a lot less, but well, nobody's perfect. When the bar closed, I took Vincent with me, but not before Joel issued warnings about the sanctity of the human soul. Vincent listened to it with a patient face, nodding along at the key parts. â€Å"Is he always like that?† I asked on the drive home. Vincent laughed. â€Å"He can't help it. He means well. He's just worried about me.† â€Å"Are you worried?† â€Å"Nah. You're pretty cute, but no, I'm not worried. I'm already in love with someone.† I started to joke that that was no protection against anything, that I'd seduced plenty of guys who thought they were in love. Something in his voice stopped my quip. The way he spoke implied that being in love was indeed protection from me and all the other evils of the world. He spoke like one who was invincible. I suddenly felt sad. â€Å"Good for you,† I said softly. He cut me a sidelong look. â€Å"You're okay for a succubus.† â€Å"Okay enough to tell me what you and the Super Friends are doing in town?† A smile flashed back over his face. â€Å"No.† At home, I set him up on the couch, producing piles of blankets to keep him warm. I kept my apartment at a steamy temperature most of the time, but it was December, and the part of me that still remembered huddling around meager fires in days gone by felt one could never have enough blankets. I soon went to bed, buried under my own stash of covers. This time, I didn't dream.

Are Clinical Psychologists Simply Expensive Therapists?

Are Clinical Psychologists simply expensive therapists? Discuss. Clinical Psychology is a combination of science, knowledge and theories which together formulate a scientific approach which enables a clinical psychologist to ask questions about the human experience and life and how these experiences affect people in order to treat them (Plante, 2010). The services of clinical psychologists and therapists are required when individuals are suffering with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and marital issues and deeper mental health issues which alter and have a negative effect on psychological well-being (Hunsley & Lee, 2010).Mental health statistics show that one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some course in a year with anxiety and depression being the most common in the UK so it is therefore no wonder that waiting lists for therapists and clinical psychologists are very long (Foundation, 2011). There are many debates as to whether clinical psychologi sts are simply expensive therapists because it has been argued that therapists and clinical psychologists offer very similar treatments, both of which are successful but with the only different being the price.This essay will investigate and aim to answer the question as to whether clinical psychologists are simply expensive therapists. This essay will look at what clinical psychologists do and who they work with and also what therapists do. It will focus on key differences between the two and the reasons why clinical psychology is more expensive and whether this cost is justified. What do Clinical Psychologists do?Clinical psychologists as with many psychologists aim to reduce, prevent and alleviate psychological distress and dysfunction in order to promote psychological well-being and to improve people’s lives. Clinical psychologists can work with a number of people across the lifespan including those suffering from anxiety problems, depression learning disabilities and als o deeper routed mental illnesses. They can work with very young children suffering with emotional or physical trauma or the elderly coming to terms with a terminal illness.They diagnose these illnesses or disorders that people are suffering with and decide on the best course of treatment. They then work alongside a medical team of Doctors so that the Doctors can then prescribe the treatment and medication that a clinical psychologist recommends (BPS, 2011). Due to the vast amount of knowledge that Clinical Psychologists have from years and years of training, they are able to carry out research which can be very important to science and change the way we view and treat certain illnesses or disorders (Allpsychologyschools, 2011).What do therapists do? Therapists also aim to reduce psychological distress and increase wellbeing. The term therapist is a very broad term for trained people to offer treatment in order to help people feel better. As with clinical psychologists they help peop le to make decisions and problem solve by offering support, guidance and clarification (Allpsychologyschools, 2011). There are many different types of therapists and they tend to work with adults with those suffering with marital and relationships problems and life problems in general (recomparison, 2011).Examples of different therapies available are; behavioural therapies which look at thought processes and behaviours, Psychodynamic therapies which investigate the unconscious and link current behaviour to traumas and events during childhood and humanistic therapies which look at the person in the current situation and how they can develop (Counsellingdirectory, 2011). Similarities and differences between clinical psychologists and therapists.From the above examples of what clinical psychologists and therapists do it is clear to see that they are very similar. In fact many people believe the terms clinical psychologist and therapist are interchangeable and therefore this essay will now look at how they are different and answer the question of whether clinical psychologists are simply expensive therapists (Tarren, 2010). One difference between clinical psychologists and therapists is the academic qualifications and training they have undergone.Clinical psychologists have a very advanced degree, usually having studied at undergraduate level, master’s level and then PhD or Doctorate level. This therefore means they have a very deep knowledge and understand of the human mind and ways to help treat people. The training they undergo enables them to function as scientist practitioners in the NHS focusing on evidence based practises unlike therapists which focus on theory based practices.Also, Therapists only have only a general degree or in some disciples no degree at all (Allpsychologyschools, 2011). It could therefore be said that clinical psychologists ought to be more expensive as they are more advanced than the typical therapist, they are able to contribu te their knowledge and understanding at a number of different levels within the healthcare system such as schools and organizations and they also contribute to a variety of roles within the healthcare system such as assessments, consultancy, intervention and treatment.However it has been suggested that clinical psychologist are vastly over priced to the point that people cannot afford to pay for their services and now many services within the NHS are looking for opportunities to create therapy posts which will employ people from other professions who have the correct post-graduate training therefore causing implications for clinical psychologist places within the NHS.The fact that many people cannot afford clinical psychologists and see them as too expensive in the current climate gives people a reason to seek therapy and help from elsewhere and therefore using therapists. Even when the economic climate returns to the way it was, people may still avoid using expensive clinical psych ologists because using therapists and alternate therapies would have been a norm for quite a while and clinical psychologists may no longer seem a necessity.To avoid this there needs to be an increase global emphasis on the importance of clinical psychologists and the unique skills and advantages that clinical psychologists supposedly have over other therapists to make them more expensive (Smith, 2006). Clinical psychologists are able to diagnose problems and why people feel certain ways, they are trained on how the mind works and therefore work very closely with doctors and psychiatrists in order to say what medications should be prescribed to help the person.They can then refer the individual for treatment or therapy with a different person (multidisciplinary). Therapists on the other hand don’t tell the individual what the problem is but rather they listen and help the individual themselves discover why they feel the way they do. They are not as advanced on how the mind wo rks but they are trained on the techniques involved in providing therapy. These are usually called ‘talking therapies’ and are promoted in the NHS (Talking Therapies, 2011). Due to the popularity of ‘talking therapies’ within the NHS, NICE believe that 10,000 ore therapists are needed, 5,000 of which should be clinical psychologists but their training should become more based on therapy, more specifically cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a treatment which looks at the thought processes and aims to change negative, irrational thinking into more positive, realistic though processes, therefore resulting in positive personality changes and outlook on life. CBT has been proven very successful with a success rate of over 50% for anxiety sufferers and just one course of CBT can lead to 12 months free of depression (Economics, 2006).Practitioners of CBT can claim they are therefore offering NICE approved treatments and charge a lot more fees because of t his whereas other general therapists and counsellors cannot despite the fact that there has been no sufficient evidence that CBT is more effective than other therapies even though some therapies are much more effective than others (Mollon, 2010). Clinical psychologists and therapy. Clinical psychologists seem to dislike being referred to as ‘therapists’ or those who provide therapy.Eysenck (1940) was the first clinical psychologist in Britain and he attacked one form of therapy – psychotherapy; â€Å"It is our belief that training in therapy is not, and should not be, an essential part of the clinical psychologist’s training, that clinical psychology demands competence in the fields of diagnosis and/or research, but that therapy is something essentially alien to clinical psychology, and that if it is considered desirable on practical grounds that psychologists perform therapy, a separate discipline of Psychotherapist should be built up to take its place a longside that of Clinical Psychologist. Despite Eysenck’s view of this form of therapy, Smith (1977) carried out a study of clinical psychology looking at psychotherapy and found that it is effective, â€Å"someone chosen at random from the experimental group after therapy had a two-to-one chance of being better off on the measure examined than someone chosen at random from the control group†. However the study also brought about results that slightly devalue clinical psychologists by finding that the therapy was effective regardless of the therapists academic and previous experience (PhD, no degree etc) and also the type of therapy did not affect the effectiveness either.Eysenck later developed behaviour therapy based on Pavlov’s Dog and from this cognitive behavioural therapy was formed to which clinical psychologists attacked. One clinical psychologist defined CBT as â€Å"virtually anything to anyone† therefore it is not individual specific and anyone can use it therefore devaluing clinical psychologists and also devalue the context of the patient’s experience. It has been stated that people need to be cared for and respected for and valued and not just pushed into compliant with models of ‘normality’ which are handed down by psychologists and cognitive behavioural therapists (Hussain, 2006).Why clinical psychologists are expensive. If a person goes to a therapist for help then they will talk a lot more and actually help themselves through self discovery rather than the therapist helping them directly. A clinical psychologist however, you pay for help that is specific to your needs, you gain an accurate diagnosis which can help you understand your problems and also you can be prescribed medications because clinical psychologists work in tandem with doctors and psychiatrists (Allpsychologyschools, 2011).Clinical psychologists are indeed very expensive and they are also paid a significant amount more than thera pists, sometimes up to ? 100,000 they are paid if they are for example a consultant clinical psychologist. This different in salary has caused a vast amount of rivalry amongst the profession especially with those who offer psychological therapies whom believe that the pay difference is unjustified especially since a lot of the treatment and service is very similar (NIMHE, 2007).Despite some people believing the two terms are interchangeable and therapists believing they offer a very similar service, it is not necessarily true. Indeed clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress as with therapists, however clinical psychologists have been through a rigorous education system to gain a much deeper understanding and knowledge which gives them the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and also the ability to operate across a variety of therapeutic models so that a patient receives individual specific treatment tailored to them.Therapists however are trained in their specific therapy and will usually only offer this one therapy to patients. Turpin (2009) said that clinical psychologist service is dependent on a much high level of knowledge, skills and competences rather than the provision of good quality evidence based therapies and this is why they are more expensive because these skills and competences are part of the clinical psychology curriculum and training with other therapists will not come into contact with.Overall there is great controversy as to whether clinical psychologists are simply expensive therapists. Nick Serieys, a CBT therapist argued against the NICE decision to employ 10,000 new therapists, 50% of which should be clinical psychologists. He argues that there is no sufficient evidence that clinical psychologists are more effective than CBT therapists who are counsellors, occupational therapists and so on and the only different being is that they are very expensive in comparison (Hussain, 2006).In contrary, Jeremy Halstead, a lead consultant clinical Psychologist believes that clinical psychologists are rightly more expensive than other therapists, arguing that clinical psychologists offer a much better deal as therapists due to their ability to formulate problems from a variety of perspectives and theories therefore they are more flexible in their approach and can tailor more individual specific treatment (Hussain, 2006). I believe that clinical psychologists are simply just expensive therapists, but rightly so.Clinical Psychologists go through years of extensive training as previously mentioned and have a significantly greater depth of knowledge in order to work in multidisciplinary teams and to link their knowledge for diagnosis and treatment across many topics, whereas therapists are trained in how to provide an individual therapist and do now have a greater knowledge of the underlying reasons why a person may need therapy. Clinical psychologists however do have this knowledge and work with doctors in order to ensure they are prescribed the right medicines.Therefore although clinical psychologists and therapists may appear to do very similar work, clinical psychologists have a greater depth of knowledge in order to treat, diagnose and also the skills to carry out research and are very flexible compared to therapists who do have a vast amount of knowledge but in the area of just therapy. References Allpsychologyschools. (2011). Therapist vs. Psychologist. Retrieved 04 05, 2011, from All Psychology Schools: www. allpsychologyschools. com/psychology-careers/article/therapist-psychologis

Human Relations Approach to Technology Essay

Organizational communication technology is seen as a tool that can free workers from mundane tasks and allow them to engage in activities that satisfy higher- order needs. Emphasis is placed on technological impacts on worker attitudes. (1) This approach has helped people learn to be more of a multitasker. This approach also helps people be able to have more one on one time with people face to face because it frees them up more so than they were once able to do. This approach also changes the world. Another side to this is that technology has done more and faster production than humans can. Technology has taken over many people’s job. What used to be an assembly line of people working to put metal together for chairs or anything else has become a one person job making sure that the robots had put the metal together like it was supposed to be. There is a plant in Hopkinsville, KY that mig welds and repairs parts and pieces of appliances. With this plant there are people only getting hired who has welding experience so that they can check what the machines do, when the machines mess up it is up to that person to fix it. The people working there are always getting laid off due to them over hiring at times. They don’t need as many people as they once did because they have technology and it has stepped up and taken over the jobs of those people who got laid off. In the medical field, there are advancements being made every day. There are always creations of different instruments like the robot advancement that allows the doctor to be able to see better and more precise cuts and less people who need to be in the person’s body at one time. Now there isn’t a whole table of nurses and doctors working there is only one nurse and a doctor who is controlling the robot. The nurse is who puts the instruments in the robot and the doctor moves the robot. Yes this robot is great with being more precise but it is also cutting more people out of their jobs. These medical advancements are being made to make things faster, easier, and more reliable than some older doctor whose hands shake from time to time. There is also the computers advancement that is being made every day. With this computer advancement it is giving me the opportunity to stay at home and work. I get to use the internet to do my job and anything else that I need to do than I simply use my phone. With out all of the advancements that are being made with technology in computers than I would not be able to do this job from home. The only form of human relations that will be from me in this job is the occasional times that I get on the camera and of course all of the times I talk to people on the phone. This does stop the face to face effect that was once a big role in life. Human relations approach to technology plays a major impact no matter which side you want to look at. It plays a role in both ways where it helps humans but it also hurts humans. I feel that to an older person looking at this would think that technology is taking away their livelihood because they are older and it is harder for them to find a different job. (2.) Somebody my age like me, I love the technology and how it plays out according to human relations. I feel that everyday I should learn something new so it doesn’t bother me if I don’t know how to do something. I feel that learning to use technology makes my life easier and faster. References (1.) Miller, K. (2012). Organizational communication: approaches and processes (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. (2.) Subject. (n.d.). JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie. JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie. Retrieved February 19, 2013, from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/20023443?uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21101834177857

Rammed Earth

RAMMED EARTH Fionnadh McGonigle 0818555 Contents †¢ History (page 2) †¢ The Use of Rammed Earth within the UK (pages 3 & 4) †¢ Rammed Earth as a Sustainable material, Thermal and Insulation properties (pages 5 & 6 ) †¢ Weather Protection (page 7) †¢ Construction week o Aims (page 8) o Risk Assessment (page 9,10 &11) o Prototype I (pages 12,13 & 14) o Prototype II (page 15) o Earth preparation (pages 15 &16) o Prototype III (pages 17, & 18) o Final Wall (pages 19, 20 & 21) o Revised Risk assessment (page 22) Conclusion (pages 23, 24 & 25) †¢ Bibliography (page 26) Rammed Earth Historical Use The use of earth itself in construction dates back thousands of years, the first recorded city – Jericho was built of earth. The first recorded use of rammed earth was by the Babylonians in 5000BC. Parts of the western portion of the Great Wall of China 300BC are built of rammed earth. Almost every European country has a history of rammed earth construction but is usually a material associated with arid areas. 780-1850 Rammed earth experienced popularity in the USA until mass production of fire bricks and sawed lumber became readily available. These materials were now favoured for being more elegant and modern than using rammed earth – or â€Å"dirt†. However during World War I and the Great depression, supply shortages prompted a return to Rammed Earth. Rammed Earth remained fairly unpopular then until the 1970’s when it began to be rejuvenated by the environmentally conscious.Despite Rammed Earths extensive use throughout history, its use is still not so popular within the UK. Reason for this is largely due to architects/ Builders not knowing enough about the material and sticking to the familiar concrete, timber and brick ways that they know, rammed earth can often also be perceived as having cruder finishing and not in keeping with the clean-sharp lined finished which are so often preferred in today’s archi tecture- Though with the appropriate shuttering clean finishes can be achieved.Building with rammed earth is considered to carry greater risk and uncertainty, the material is yes, more suited to arid climates, but even in arid climates modern method of construction using rammed earth are being continually tried and tested e. g. in Australia. Rammed earth is a perfectly viable and good material to be used within the UK – there is a need to get past the reluctance to use and experiment with it more here – the climate presents a challenge which can be won in innovative ways. [pic] The Use of Rammed Earth within the UKThings which prohibit the wider use of Rammed earth within the UK †¢ The longer than average period needed for construction. †¢ The formwork and Labour costs. †¢ The climates high humidity climate – Moderate external temperatures. †¢ Concerns which are had about the careful detailing which can be required. †¢ Poor thermal resis tance – The need for external walls to require additional insulation. †¢ Not all soil types are appropriate importation of soil for a rammed earth construction will significantly detract from its environmental credentials. The Quality control required for rammed earth constructions is quite high. †¢ Moisture movement can be caused by high clay content. †¢ The UK has few modern examples of rammed earth buildings – relatively untested in this climate – comparative to other countries. †¢ There are currently no UK codes of practice on rammed earth construction. †¢ Adding cement stabilisation can compromise its attributes as a sustainable material. †¢ It can be difficult to find insurance for rammed earth construction. It needs to be kept dry during construction which can result in the need for temporary roof structures. After construction this presents the needs for overhangs or on exposed sights structures to protect from prevailing el ements- can compromise aesthetics. †¢ People hungry construction. †¢ Some more high profile examples of rammed earth building in the UK have experienced problems e. g. the Eden project- over hangs were not big enough and the splash back of rainwater has eroded some of the facade. Reasons why rammed earth would be chosen over other materials It distinct appearance. †¢ Natural and readily available. †¢ It has a low embodied energy. †¢ Rammed earth is hygroscopic – due to high moisture mass – it will regulate humidity. †¢ Post demolition – unstabilised earth is reusable. †¢ Supports sustainable practices by using local soils. †¢ High Thermal mass – though the extent of which has yet to be quantified. †¢ Airtight construction is achievable. †¢ It can be considered a traditional form of construction. †¢ Modern methods have and continue to be widely tried and tested overseas. An integrity of building is exp ressed which is often lacking nowadays. †¢ Expression of cultural conditions. †¢ Acoustic properties- its dry density (pd) is typically 2,100 kg/m3 therefore the weighted sound reduction index (Rw) would be 58. 3dB [1] and thus more than satisfies Building regulations (2000), Doc E Resistance to the Passage of Sound. Other considerations when Using rammed earth Rammed earth is hygroscopic, therefore external cladding systems must be vapour permeable to allow for evaporation.Important for unstabilised walls and less so for stabilised walls where stabilising agents will impair breathing, still it is better to consider vapour permeable solutions for both instances to reduce chances of condensation build up on the inside face of insulation. Water resistance the need to keep the structure dry post construction is done in various ways, large overhangs, plinths upon which the wall is constructed, rendering or cladding to the facade- these options will affect the structures sustai nability, look and thermal mass.A comparison between the calculated U-values for both ‘conventional' masonry and Stabilised rammed Earth wall designs [pic][2] Rammed earth as a sustainable material CO2 Emissions are greatly reduced with the use of rammed earth, as opposed to cement which due to the need for burning limestone produces CO2 contributing about 10% of the global CO2 emissions. Rammed earth taking soil from the site not using a stabiliser is the most sustainable method; however the addition of a cement stabiliser is common practice and considered to reduce considerably the risk and uncertainty, cement is used making up 6-7% of the mix.The embodied energy is low- its inherent recyclability and reduction of CO2 during the structures lifetime, high thermal mass and low operating costs. If the clay can be sourced from site, and is suitable then it eliminates all transportations cost. If the clay is not so suitable, then a stabiliser of cement can be added. If the soil o n site is not at all suited for a rammed earth construction then clay can be transported to site- however both of these options will compromise the environmental integrity of the building, the latter of which doing so quite considerably.Also due to the need for rammed earth to be kept dry at all times during construction there can be a need for temporary roof structures to keep the rain away, this will therefore impact its sustainability. Depending also on what type of shuttering is used can lead to waste, for e. g. timber shutter although can be reused, its reuse is limited as it will become saturated from the moisture in the clay. Thermal Performances, Rammed earth has a high thermal mass – walls will naturally regulate both the internal temperature spaces, and can also regulate the temperatures of external spaces such as courtyards.Energy required to heat and cool a building can be greatly reduced if rammed earth is designed into the heating system, however the UK requires the addition of either internal or external insulation, this aside from affecting the aesthetic of either facade it is fixed to, will compromise the thermal mass of the adjacent space. Structural Performance, whilst the structural strength and stiffness is compromised with increased waster content, if designed correctly and waterproofing measure taken then rammed earth is perfectly capable of acting as a load bearing structure.Rammed earth which is imported in not only contribute to the cost and environmental issue of transportation, it also leaves a scar on the landscape as it is being taken from elsewhere, e. g. a quarry, even if this is later turned into some sort of nature reserve it is still leaving a permanent change to this landscape. Insulation – in the UK there are few examples of rammed earth combining insulation, most contemporary walls are unclad, but there is an increased need for insulation to be used in conjunction with the thermal mass of the walls. |Advanta ges |disadvantages | |External Insulation |Walls protected from weathering |Loss of characteristic appearance | | |Exposed thermal mass internally |Loss of thermal mass externally- which is | | | |sometimes used to regulate temperatures of | | | |spaces such as courtyards | | | | | |Internal Insulation |External appearance is maintained |Loss of available thermal mass. | | | |Internal appearance compromised | [pic][3][pic][4] Weather protection †¢ Weather needs to be drained away from walls †¢ Construction upon raised footings †¢ Avoidance of sites vulnerable to flooding †¢ Protecting wall from rain using adjoining elements e. g. roof overhangs †¢ Allow evaporation of moisture from walls †¢ Onsite which are considerably exposed there is a need to consider rain screen cladding or render. Construction Week AimsThe aim of the work we did within the workshop was to question the building processes as a whole, by means of both small and large scale prototypes , to push the presumed limitations of a material and its formwork, to not just accept, that rules have been predetermined, but to push for innovation. As we studied, the idea of the â€Å"builders yard† allows for just this, meaning a material can be taken and experimented with, in a specific location which possesses the same limiting factors as the actual site e. g. Climate and resources, and test particular means of creating the desired construction before doing so, it is a hub for construction in the area- encouraging risk by means of experimentation rather than out casting it.The advantages of such an idea are that when a material can be experimented with it allows for greater understanding and judgment of its limitation- rather than acceptance of existing limitations, and therefore systems of constructing and spatial relationships can be explored. The community have a personal knowledge of the neighbourhood its character and needs, they are given the power to modify and contribute to it, their personal attachment means, as workmen they have a continued responsibility to the changes which occur with building in the area as well as maintenance of them. The people who work together within the builder’s yard understand and achieve better quality meaningful results; the workmen are uniquely and specifically educated, and the buildings produced are, unlike much of the current construction possess a humane quality, a warm character.The focus on the act of making allows for and evolution and a subsequent greater understanding of everything involved in the construction and about the materials. By making the rammed earth wall within the studio we were pushing the boundaries of predetermined limitations, re-examine the architectural production of rammed earth, and coming up with our own unique response. We explored the possible use of fabric formwork by means of making and testing prototypes on a small scale and then on progressively larger scales we s ee how it uniquely responds to specific methods thus learning learn how the material and structure can better work together, creating a successful wall with fluid innovative shapes, with lower embodied energy.Whilst making our wall every element was specifically made and tested and altered, until the best result were achieved, for example we experimented a lot with the sizes of our buttons, trying to get them to sufficiently restrain the wall –without damaging it when removing them, we were fortunate to stumble upon a size which not only did the job we required but more. This scenario is similar to what happens in the builder’s yard; it is this experimentation –and risk taking which leads to the discovery and sometimes unexpected discovery of innovative solution and inventions. There can be other factors, such as keeping cost down driving the invention of new materials and components. [pic] [pic] [pic] Prototype IAs a group did we met with Roland for a quick bri efing on what direction we should take for our rammed earth wall, he suggested that we should first sit down together and come up with some ideas and sketches to make some prototypes, and that we should also sort out the earth so that it would be ready for when we begin construction. We discussed some ideas about what sort of shaped wall we would like to achieve, including some over ambitious ideas of constructing the walls then flipping it! We agreed we wanted to design a wall to incorporate a curve, a variation in thickness of the wall from bottom to top. We divided into three groups and set about coming up with a design each and building a prototype to text these ideas. Once the earth and fabric had been sorted we each returned to our prototypes, and began to each work out and start making our frame work. Our group decided to make a framework by cutting a .Semi Lunar shape to incorporate some variation in thickness throughout the wall the . Assembling a frame to which we could pi n the fabric to at intervals after each period of . Ramming. The Idea was that one side of the wall would be taut and quite flat and the . other we would periodically place round ties to restrain the wall and create an undulating shape to it. [pic][pic][pic] Basic framework Difficulties with attaching fabric and supporting threads Excessive budging over buttons. Issues highlighted by Prototype 1: †¢ First of all we needed to add further supports as the structure was not as stable as hoped. Tight spaces need to re-think to consider a pneumatic rammer fitting inside the formwork/ framework. †¢ The way the formwork was constructed some of the supports hindered the pinning of the fabric to wood. †¢ The button and tie system we used was not as successful as we hoped- we believed this to be down to the size of the wooden buttons being too small in diameter , which resulted in them become stuck under the overhanging rammed earth and were difficult to remove without causing d amage to the wall. They did not restrain the width of the wall much either, this was also partly due to us leaving the thread too long. Also initially we put on the ties without the wooden disc which resulted in a serious overhang. When we were ramming the earth we did so by hand, using some pieces of wood with flat ends, the highlighted another problem-as due to the way the framework was constructed we had a piece of wood running across the top we made manoeuvring a piece of wood let alone a pneumatic rammer difficult. †¢ Despite having made a definite shape in the base board, to influence the shape of the wall- it in reality had no effect as the fabric took its own shape. †¢ The need to be taught correctly how to mix the earth and test it. †¢ The need to not put too much earth in at each layer as the lower down parts were not getting properly compressed [pic] [pic] Prototype IIThis prototype consisted of 3 wooden sides and a wooden base cut with a curve the fabric w as then pinned to the front and around the curve – the idea being that pinning the fabric to the curved base would create a curved facade. However this prototype was pretty unsuccessful – it suffered structural issues and was not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the rammed earth inside, as it was simply nailed together. The fabric also failed to restrain the form of the wall and budged with little shape. Another issue was that as this prototype required a wooden base beneath it, -not so practical! – In reality this would be likely to make the wall less structurally sound- and would be pretty impossible to remove as a rammed earth wall is extremely heavy. In conclusion this wall was a failure. [pic] SOIL TESTING [pic]Compressing the soil then dropping from arms length away. EARTH PREPARATION Whilst making the first prototype our earth was not of the correct consistency – which resulted in our wall crumbling a bit. We had used the earth which we h ad moved indoor on day one – we added some water to the clay- thinking this would help the earth-stick and compact better. It wasn’t until Rowland came on the 3rd day and was able to tell us immediately, the mistakes we had made, and then showed us the correct for mixing, preparing and testing the earth. We broke down our prototypes returning the earth to the pile and also broke down the previous year’s pillars so the soil could be recycled. [pic] [pic]At first we used the pneumatic rammer to break down these pillars- this was also our first encounter with using the pneumatic rammer, so we learned some general things about using it – safety precautions with turning it on and off, how it must be held, and despite having identified issues of safety in our risk assessment – not many precautions were taken – wearing of safety clothing/boots/goggles. We then began to break it up further using shovels and spades- a lot of dust had been created by this process so we got buckets of water and using bottles threw water over the earth and clay. Once it had all been broken down we began to mix it altogether whilst adding water at the same time. The earth needed to be constantly moved and shovelled – thoroughly so that it’s would be of the same consistency throughout. When the appearance of the mix changed and seemed to be getting close to what we wanted – it looked darker and less dry and dusty, we began to testing it.To test the soil we picked up a handful – squeezed it tightly between both hands, then holding it at arm’s length away from the body- arm held straight – dropped the earth from this height and if it broke into 3 main pieces then we would know that it was ready to ram. It took several testing remixing / adding extra moisture attempts before we did get the earth just right. We also needed to continue testing the earth as over the days it could dry out – so we regularly m ixed the soil and tested it adding water when necessary. PROTOYPE III On the third day, when Rowland came and saw each of our sub groups prototypes. He was able to give us feedback, and give us some explanation to why some things had occurred which we hadn’t expect. In our prototype the spacing of the buttons presenting some issues, as did the several elements of the framework.As a group with the help of Rowland we began work on another prototype, again involving a curve, this time a more defined one with the hope it would have an impact on the shape of the wall. This time however we were to make are formwork as minimal as possible. At first we used just two pieces of wood placed either side of the fabric, and at the other end we used thread to sew it up. Sewing a few inches at a time, to make manoeuvring the pneumatic rammer easier. It was then decided we would place a piece of timber at one end-to achieve a flat surface. We spaced the buttons further apart from each other a nd more evenly spaced. We made planned the wall so it would be 1. 5m long but due to the excess budging which occurred it was approx 1. 2m in length and 1. m high, we positioned 3 rows of 2 button / thread equally spaced. Also when with the previous prototype when we placed the threads simply did so and then proceeded to ram the earth, however this presented a problem when it came to trying to remove then- it was really not possible to remove then without serious damage to the wall occurring. So to avoid this problem, we used some plastic tubing, through which the threads would sit, this would allow use to remove the threads and re use them again within the same wall. When using these we had to be careful whilst ramming and not hit or cause excess pressure on the threads as they could break or bend. [pic][pic][pic][pic]Tubing covering Threads Button buckling under pressure sewing of one side wooden panel at other side When ramming the wall we added a few inches of earth at a time, m aking sure that it was even first then rammed it until it compressed down and then added the next layer- it is quite a long process. It was necessary to ram the edges first keeping the rammer moving at all times moving from the edges inwards, ramming around the thread/tubes until it was at a point where enough earth was above the thread it was safe to ram on top. This prototype was largely successful the few things were again highlighted which we would resolve within the final piece.Again something highlighted by the buttons; was that because of the way we made them- 75mm diameter, bigger than in the first prototype, but they were made using thinner wood than before and due to the pressure of the rammed earth above the buttons- they had actually buckled and bent. This however was a positive thing as they both allowed them to be removed easily-and without damaging the wall, and also created a nice effect on the wall aesthetically. [pic] [pic]Final Wall We had been quite successful in our final prototype so our intention was pretty much scale this up for our final wall. We began by cutting a piece of timber to create a hole sized 1. m by 300mm, to which the fabric which we had cut 4m x 2. 2m was then pinned to the underside of the piece of wood- to keep it in place and restrained during ramming. We used on piece timber 2m x 300mm on one end which we nailed to the fabric and base board at One end, to achieve our flatter surface, and on the other end, we used the method of sewing to create a more curvaceous crafted appearance. The fabric was sewn at intervals, approx 30mm at a time. The Earth which we had prepared as outlined- in Earth preparation, had 2-3 people constantly working to keep its consistency and moisture content even, and at interval shovel it into the structure.Earth was filled and evened out at approx 15mm at a time and then rammed and compressed down. Two people were needed to ram at all times, with 2-3 supporting people, holding material, and als o as we got higher and higher- needed to help hold and steel the pneumatic rammer as it became more and more difficult with height. The process of ramming would begin once the earth had been levelled, begging at edges and moving systematically towards the centre, taking care when approaching the plastic tubes containing the treads and attached to the buttons- directly ramming above them could cause them to bend and distort the shape and support they gave.At 350-400mm vertical spacing’s buttons and threads were attached, piercing the fabric with a knife to create a hole through which the threads within their plastic tubes were placed, to the end of these on the exteriors of the fabric were placed the buttons, which were had cut 75mm in diameter using a piece of thin piece of wood approx 7mm thick. These buttons, along with supporting washers and bolt could later be removed along with the actual thread, and reused. The buttons etc were placed at 300mm horizontal intervals. The Spacing was determined from out prototype as the best spacing to create enough support, least uncontrolled bulging, without over restraining the structure.This added the restraint of the wall, the crafting of curvaceous shapes and ease of removal of components. The making of the wall comprised of adding earth the earth then ramming and repeating this process until 350-400mm height was achieved, then addition of the threads and buttons and repeating again until we reached 2m height. All the while we also were constantly maintaining and controlling the earth consistency by turning, adding moisture and regularly testing as explained earlier. As we reached higher –more people were required to aid the steering and supporting of the pneumatic rammers, but as we had less soil we were able to sacrifice people from this.In reality on a larger scale project this may not be a solution that could work, however as our means of reaching higher and higher was a series of standing on chairs and then tables and even some risque chairs on table, this would definitely not happen on a real site as it would most certainly be violating all sorts of health and safety rules, adequate scaffolding would be used and people the people working on ramming and earth maintenance would remain constant. Once the wall had been rammed until the top and almost all of our soil supply had been used, we were able to take down the fabric formwork, which took comparatively little time to assembly and construction. We unscrewed the buttons removing them which care†¦ just in case†¦. hey had in the same way with the prototype buckled under the strain and had curved round so once removed left a beautiful perfectly ball like shape, and we quite easy to removing, causing no damage to the structure, after that we cut the fabric to remove it, it was very easy on the side with the wood, coming away leaving a very flat surface, on the other side, some more care was taken not to damage the impri nt of the sewing, though more care was taken than was probably needed- the deceptively soft look of the wall made one think it might just crumble away, which was of course not the case, it was more delicate at edges such at the ends that were sewn, but very durable. The only part of the wall which really presented any issues when removing the fabric was the bottom, of course the fabric pinned beneath could not be removed, but as the wall had bulged over the wooden base trapping fabric below, we had to cut around the bulges leaving fragments of the fabric stuck beneath- it was just impossible to remove, but they were not noticeable after edges were trimmed, and neither affected the strength or overall appearance of the wall.The only implication if would have in real building sites would the amount of fabric salvaged from each construction would be less , and whilst it could be reused, the size of fabric over time would shrink and shrink. [pic] The changes to the design we did make fr om our previous prototype were: †¢ We discarded the idea of incorporating the curve as in every attempt so far had been unsuccessful, having no affected on the shape of the wall. So we simply cut a straight rectangular shape into our baseboard. †¢ Rather than having two pieces of wood either side of the fabric then bolted together and the piece of timber then placed inside the piece, we used the one piece of wood at one end and attached the fabric to that. As the wall was going to be longer we would be using 3 button / threads per row and having 4 rows We stuck with the method of sewing up the other side as it had been quite successful in the last wall, however in the final wall throughout the process of ramming it became apparent that it was leaning quite a bit particularly at the top of the wall- as can be seen in the final photograph. [pic]FINAL WALL [pic] Conclusion During the course of construction we learned a lot about building with rammed earth. Before this week I believed that building the wall would be a lot more complicated than it actually is, and I found it fascinating at how much could be achieved with some Fabric, thread, very little wood, some buttons and some earth!It was interesting the affect that the stitching, buttons and wood had on the wall- a very unique finish could be achieved and the structure was so strong and solid despite of it looking much like a giant cushion. The first thing we did in preparation for construction week was our risk assessment- however despite highlighting various precautionary measures we should take – in reality we took almost none. However I think that the risk assessment was still quite accurate in assessing the risk it was wrong not to observe the suggested measures. We did at times wear goggles when the dust simply made it impossible to see what we were doing when ramming, and we did take great care when using the ramming equipment as its use carried the most danger. But in the end I think fashion won out over the use of goggles, masks, boots and gloves.The Buttons which we used were probably the most successful thing that came out of our construction week. Although by complete accident. Because we had used a thinner piece of wood for our buttons in the final prototype when we rammed the wall – the buttons buckled under the pressure and at first we thought that this was another failure, but in the end it turned out this worked in our favour- they were easy to remove without damaging the wall, but also gave a very clean nice rounded indentation- success! [pic][pic] [pic] The Rammed Earth wall and construction methods we used differs from the conventional way in which a rammed earth wall is made by using fabric as formwork as opposed to wood or metal as is the norm.Within UEL the students and staff are pioneering the use of fabric formwork with rammed earth – which has otherwise been left unexplored as a method. In previous year in UEL students and staff h ave also experimented with fabric to make rammed earth columns. The use of fabric in other construction methods such as concrete has been successful, well received and used more and more in various new and innovative ways. The wall which we built was largely a success in all aspects of shape, height, strength and texture. Making it very possible that this project, could lead the way for further use of fabric formwork within the field of rammed earth constructions.It has been proven successful and there is no reason that this method could not be adopted as a viable means of construction in mainstream rammed earth constructions. The Reasons why constructing a rammed earth wall using fabric is better than current method are numerous: ? Sustainability ? The use of low embodied energy rammed in conjunction with fabric resulted in an ultra ecological combo. ? The fabric can be used and reused, as can the buttons and threads ? Beauty ? Sculpted texture created when using fabric can be quit e desirable, and will be depending upon specific fabric choice ? The Positioning of the buttons will also impact upon the finished appearance. The effect achieved with our wall was that of a large cushion As there are fewer limitations on the size of fabric which can be used as there are when using wood – where marks from joints are unavoidable. ? Rapid construction and deconstruction of formwork. ? Fewer things are needed to construct a wall when using fabric, so in principle this method could be used in obscure locations where communications are poor, as transpiration would not pose as much of a problem as it would if using heavy –bulky formwork, provided of course the earth could be found on site. ? Expense –Fabric is less expensive than conventional formwork, fabric formwork is approx 1/25th [5] the cost of dimensional lumber ? Less Weight- weighting approx 1/300th[6] of rigid formwork. There are too, reasons why using fabric formworks may not be favoured. ? Manpower The way in which we constructed our wall required people to do various different things simultaneously, ramming, holding the fabric to keep it tense, shovelling the earth into the wall, turning the soil to maintain moisture consistency. In general at any one time we required 7-8 people so building on a larger scale could present issues of number of people required. Although alternative method of turning the soil or holding the fabric could be adapted. ? Appearance ? The fabric restrained appearance may not be appropriate to the design and desired look. ? Height restrictions ? Whilst there are no specific height restrictions associated with fabric form work- it is an aspect of this construction method- yet to be explored fully- our wall was just less than 2m, what would happen when the height would be increased?Would there be significant implication affecting thickness of the wall? Budging is not as controlled with fabric as with wooden formwork. One of the great things I s aw from our construction week was working together with a set of people for one week for a common goal- we achieved so much, learning from each other sharing ideas and testing them, One can really see how this is in some small way how the builders yard idea must function, and therefore I would believe it to be a really successful idea. If a small group of people in one week can create this unique rammed earth wall- then communities of people working together on projects of greater long-term significance to them i. e. heir homes their neighbourhood the places they will spend their lives, with such vested interested interests, and working on larger scales over longer periods should be creating all sorts of innovative building techniques, materials and components. Bibliography Buildings of Earth and Straw: structural design for Rammed Earth and Straw; Bruce King Introduction to health and safety in Construction; P. Hughes Martin Rauch: Rammed Earth; Kapfinger, Otto Rammed Earth: Design and Construction guidelines; Peter Walker, Rowland Keable Rammed Earth Structures: a code of justice; Julian Keatle The Architect – Builder The rammed earth house / Photographs by Cynthia Wright; David EastonTS Intuition & Process; Peter Salter Essay: Re-viewing the builder’s yard as a place for design and Visualization; Charlie Hailey, Ph. D. www. eartharchitecture. org/ www. earthstructures. co. uk www. greenspec. co. uk www. historicrammedearth. co. uk www. historicrammedearth. wordpress. com www. listserv. repp. org/pipermail/greenbuilding www. rammed-earth. info www. rammedearth. davis. net. au www. terrafirmabuilders. ca ———————– [1] http://www. earthstructures. co. uk/feature_sra_amended. pdf [2] http://www. earthstructures. co. uk/feature_sra_amended. pdf [3] www. greenspec. co. uk [4] www. greenspec. co. uk [5] www. fab-form. com [6] www. fab-form. com