Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Truancy in Schools

Truancy is on the rise, and is a precursor to anti-social behavior. It can result from bullying, disaffection and ensuing alienation. Not every student can be academically minded, and though academic qualifications are one of the poorest indicators of potential, yet the imperative need of school education cannot be ignored. And staying in school is the first step to a good education. Truancy results in students losing the benefits of instruction, and the community ultimately suffers from an increase in juvenile crime. The problem can be resolved by a concerted combined effort. The first responsibility is of the concerned school. There has to be a combination of carrot and stick policy. While the counselors and peer groups would motivate, the fear of juvenile courts can be an effective deterrent. Peers have an affirmative influence on students' decision to play truant. One study reported that 84 percent of the interviewed truants said their friends skipped school. Anti truancy programs that expose truants to other peer groups and other methods of interaction may be effective in reducing truancy. The most successful way of countering the truancy can be a structured approach which: Involves parents in all truancy prevention activities. Parents play the fundamental role in the education of their children. It is critical that parents of truant children assume responsibility for truant behavior. Ensure that students face firm sanctions for truancy. Schools should communicate to their students that they have zero tolerance for truancy. Establish ongoing truancy prevention programs in school. Truancy can be caused by factors like drug use, violence at or near schools, association with truant friends, lack of family support for regular attendance, etc. Involve local law enforcement in truancy reduction efforts. The school officials should establish close linkages with local police, probation officers, and juvenile and family court officials This integrated concerted approach can counter and solve the problem of truancy that is symptomatic of a social malaise.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Moral Theology of Health Care

Bioethics is a recently coined word. It comes from â€Å"bio† which means life and from â€Å"ethics† which is morality. Bioethics is that branch of Ethics which deals directly with the problems of life and dying, of health and of healing. It focuses attention to the need for a healthier world in accordance with the dictates of reason.As a health care provider, they are face with many ethical issues left and right. These issues sometimes question our integrity as humans with compassion and concern for others. They say that health care providers are sometimes called an accomplice whenever they have done an unlawful thing which is not legal for their chosen profession. Respect for persons, justice, and beneficence, autonomy has been a major workhorse in bioethical analysis over the past several decades.First, let us discuss the respect for persons, justice, beneficence and autonomy. This entails the dignity that we have as human beings. That as human, we have every right to do things and that we should be respected for it. We should respect individuals as well as their lives. As a health care provider, it is our duty to preserve life and not to destroy it. Health care providers often deal with critical situations where human life us at stake, both in the community and in particular health settings. Thus, it is very important that they understand and respect the sanctity of human life. During such situations they may be forced to decide whether or not to perform clinical procedures to preserve health and save the lives of people in a community.Abortion, we all know that Life is precious. It is our main concern and duty. Health is our personal responsibility. This requires that we adopt a style of life that fosters health. We owe it to our family and society to be healthy. The cost of health care is becoming expensive everyday. It is a crime of gross injustice when, because of our reckless habits, we force our family to suffer financial losses and ind ebtedness.But do we really care about the life which God has bestowed in us? Yes, certainly we do but there are some women choose to abort the life that is in them for some irrefutable reasons. Many agree to abortion depends to the circumstances but how about the women who just do not want to have kids? Is it reasonable that they just abort the â€Å"life† because they want to avoid responsibilities? Absolutely, not! Human life is sacred because conception, from the beginning, already involves the creative action of God.As human beings, we remain forever in a special relationship with the Creator. Human life is endowed with majesty and dignity which call forth for an equally dignified response. We owe human life respect and reverence. Such reverence, respect, and concern for life is a way of saying â€Å"yes† to God’s concern for human life in all its forms. In this complex world that we live in today, abortion and contraception are two of the most hotly- debate d issues. They pose a serious moral challenge particularly to medical practitioners and health service providers who are supposed to preserve and protect human life.Thus a thorough understanding of these issues is necessary to arrive at logical and moral solutions. Still the fact remains that neither abortion nor contraception are desirable in human society. Their prevention should be a shared task that rises above the debates on the morality of abortion or contraception. The sanctity of human life demands that it must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of a conception. From the first moment of her existence, a human being already possesses the rights of a person and that as health care providers we should greatly respect, among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being.This alienable right must be recognized and respected by civil society, political authority and health care professionals. Abortion destroys life and violates the right to life. As such it is morally evil and it should not be in any way legalized and liberally permitted in the laws and constitution of the nation as well as in the ethics of the health care professionals.Euthanasia is one of the most debatable issues of our society today. Many disagree with this practice but others say that it is the only way of ending the agony of the patient. So if this issue is still argued, in what circumstance it becomes right? Euthanasia is the killing, for reasons of mercy, of a person who is suffering from an incurable illness or hopeless injury. Euthanasia is an ancient concept that has in the past been an acceptable practice in certain societies; for example, in ancient Greece. In modern times, however, euthanasia is generally considered murder by the law and also is most of the world’s organized religions.Passive, or negative, euthanasia does not involve the act of killing. It consists of the withdrawal of, or the deliberate failure to initiate, life-sustaining tre atment in hopeless initiate, life-sustaining treatment in hopeless cases. Instead of being kept alive for days or weeks through various kinds of machines and drugs, the patient is simply allowed to die.Moreover, â€Å"euthanasia† derives from the Greek words Eu which means good and Thanatos which means death. It etymologically signifies â€Å"good health,† a pleasant and gentle death without awful suffering. Euthanasia may be defined as an action or omission that by its very nature, or in the intention, causes death, for the purpose of eliminating whatever pain.Furthermore, the issue of death has become more complicated than it is used to be because of ethical conflict. The moral issue of euthanasia revolves around the preservation of human dignity in death even to the individual’s last breath. This issue has both its positive and negative sides.The positive argument states that euthanasia aims to preserve human dignity until death. Not only does one have a duty to preserve life but one also has the right to die with dignity. To die with dignity means that one should be better than to go on living with an incurable and distressing sickness.The negative argument, on the other hand, declares that euthanasia erodes human dignity because it means cowardliness in the face of pain and suffering. People who have faced the realities of life with courage die with dignity.Whereas the positive side insists that mercy killing preserves human dignity, the negative side claims the opposite since the act hastens the death of an individual. Furthermore, others consider euthanasia to be morally wrong because it is intentional killing which opposes the natural moral law or the natural inclination to preserve life. They even argue that euthanasia may be performed for self-interest or other consequences. Also, doctors and other health care professionals may be tempted not to do their best to save the patient. They may resort not to do their best to save the p atient. They may resort to euthanasia as an easy way out and simply disregard any other alternatives.Physician assisted suicide is the type of suicide assisted by a physician. The physician prescribes or administers a drug that could lead the patient to death. One way to distinguish between euthanasia and assisted suicide is to look at the last act, the act by which death occurred.Using this distinction, if a third party performed the last act that intentionally caused a patient’s death, euthanasia occurred. For example, giving a patient a lethal injection or pulling a plastic bag over her head to suffocate her would be considered euthanasia.On the other hand, if the person who died performed the last act, assisted suicide took place. Thus it is assisted suicide if a person swallowed an overdose of drugs provided by a doctor for the purpose of casing death. It is also assisted suicide if a patient pushed a switch to trigger a fatal injection after the doctor inserted an intra venous needle into the patient’s vein. A lot of people think that assisted suicide is needed so patients will not be forced to remain alive by being â€Å"hooked up† to machines. There are laws that permit patients or their surrogates to withhold or withdraw unwanted medical treatment even if that increases the likelihood that the patient will die. Thus, no one needs to be hooked up to machines against his or her will.Neither the law nor the medical ethics requires that â€Å"everything be done† to keep a person alive. Insistence, against the patient’s whishes, that death be postponed by every means available is contrary to law and practice. It is also cruel and inhuman.There comes a time when continued attempts to cure are no longer compassionate, wise or medically wound. On such situations, hospice, including in- home hospice care, can be of great help. That is the time when all efforts should be directed at making the patient’s remaining time co mfortable. Then, all interventions should be directed to the alleviation of pain and other symptoms as well as to the provision of emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and the patient’s loved ones.Medicine is at the service of life. Since the beginning medical practitioners have struggled to conserve health, alleviate suffering and as much as they can, prolong life. Nobody escapes death, as death as inevitable. It is a fearful reality. However, acceptance of death would â€Å"perhaps be easier and more meaningful if one lives life to the fullest and strive to give meaning to his/ her existence.’Today, the span of human life has considerably lengthened than during the past decades, thanks to significant achievements in the medical field. However, life will remain a journey and man will continue his pilgrimage towards his final destiny. Surely, man will reach a point when neither the physician nor modern medicine can do more for him. As one poet states: â€Å"It is sheer madness of a man to cling to his life when God wills that he die.† Nurses play a vital role in a patient’s struggle against illness. Are nurses allowed to cut the thread of life when the weight of pain, suffering and hopelessness has become too heavy for the patient to bear? Can we â€Å"plan† for our death, just as we plan for our future?While health providers strive to render the best care for patients, situations arise when the patients themselves demand for assistance to have their lives ended. During such situations, health care providers and medical practitioners are expected to act morally and justify their stand.Reference:Drane, James F. Clinical Bioethics. Kansas City: Sheed & Ward, 1994. Higgins, Gregory C. Where do you stand? New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1995. Hughes, Gerald J. Authority in Morals. London: Heythrop Monographs, 1978. Kippley, John & Sheila Kippley. The Art of Natural Family Planning. Cincinnati: The Couple of Couple Lea gue International, Inc. 1975..

All the Pretty Horses novel Essay

The main character, John Grady Cole, faces plenty of hardships throughout his journey from his home in Texas to Mexico. On the other hand, McCarthy writes this award-winning book in a positive way, demonstrating the balance between optimism and pessimism in our world. He shows how John Grady Cole has matured and grown substantially because of this negativity he faces. The reader can clearly see the negativity not only in the first page of the novel, but also in the first paragraph. McCarthy begins the book with, â€Å"†¦ he looked at the face so caved and drawn among the folds of funeral cloth, the yellowed moustache, the eyelids paper thin. That was not sleeping†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3). The funeral described in the first page is John Grady’s grandpa’s funeral. Starting a book off in this way (with a dead body) obviously points the reader towards the opinion that this book is a long, dreadful ride with much death and destruction. The image of the coffin, the yellowing moustache, and the deceased person clearly shows the negativity that fills this book. Throughout the book, John Grady Cole faces many challenges and much adversity and learns to live with it. After leaving their home in Texas, John Grady and his best friend Rawlins travel hundreds of miles deep into the heart of Mexico on horseback until they reach a ranch offering work called La Purisima. Both of these boys are skilled at working with horses and spend most of their time at the ranch taming and taking care of the many horses there. While working at La Purisima, John meets the ranch owner’s daughter, a beautiful girl named Alejandra, and falls in love. Alejandra’s father absolutely does not appreciate this; in fact, he orders for John Grady and Rawlins to be arrested because of John’s interactions with Alejandra. The hardships that these boys face are relentless, however, John Grady refuses to hang his head and give up. On their way to the jail, John Grady says to Rawlins, â€Å"I can’t back up and start over. But I don’t see the point in slobberin over it† (155). At this point, McCarthy reveals how John Grady has matured and has learned to live with the sorrows he faces. With this new found maturity, and as John Grady Cole overcomes this terrible journey of negativity, he has learned to live with the pessimism and has found out how the negatives go side by side with the positives. Nearing the end of the book John Grady Cole realizes that â€Å"the world’s pain and its beauty moved in a relationship of diverging equity† (282). John Grady has learned the skill of searching for the light in a dark room, constantly refusing to dwell on the negative aspects of his many horrible situations. He has a new wisdom of the world and has learned how it works. In conclusion, McCarthy writes All The Pretty Horses with much negativity and at the same time he delivers a lesson of how positivity is hidden in every situation, journey, and life. McCarthy demonstrates how John Grady Cole learns maturity the hard way: through hardships, sorrow and death. This book leaves the reader with a tear in their eye and a smile on their face, for they know that sorrow is sitting on the doorstep of happiness.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Data Protection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Data Protection - Essay Example For example, it is because of the emergence of a 'borderless' society that law enforcement agencies increasingly seek to be exempted from the full rigors of the privacy laws. That this kind of exemption can lead, in turn, to misuse and abuse of these powers is perhaps one of the 'costs' we have to bear if law enforcement agencies generally are to be effective in combating crime in the information age. However, before evaluating how ethically right is the State's intervention in the privacy of the members of the society for its proposed public interests, the very terminology of "Privacy" needs to be understood. Extensive material in literature on the definition of Privacy reveals that the term's meaning differs under various approaches to privacy offered by different scholars. Privacy's most widely spread definition has been coined by Warren & Brandeis (1890, p. 205) who define privacy, as an intrinsic value, the "right to be let alone" (Stahl, 2007). Another approach to define privacy by (Stalder, 2002) is that of informational self-determination which sees privacy as the right to determine who accesses person-related data. This interpretation is widely spread in continental Europe whereby privacy may be taken in terms of property which includes the protection of an individual's financial records, health records, ex-directory telephone numbers, criminal records, etc. If person-related information can be treated as property, then privacy issues can be reduced to the more established (intellectual) property law as Spinello (2000) puts it. As an instrumental value, privacy has been described as an important aspect of humans where a truly private space is necessary for mental health (Nissenbaum, 2001), is required to trust others and, more generally, to develop good social relations (Gallivan. & Depledge, 2003; Johnson, 2001).A functioning society thus requires the provision of privacy for its members (Introna, 2000) and that applies to data both computerized and on paper records of its members. The UK legislature's stance on their privacy policy brought about the Data protection Act in 1998 which supersedes the earlier Act of 1984, which aimed to implement Council Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data. Essentially, any person or organization (the data controller) collecting and processing personal data (that is, data which relate to a living individual who can be identified from those data, and includes any expression of opinion about the individual) must register with the Information Commissioner, and must specify various items of information about the data collected and the uses to which the data will be put (Harris 2006, p. 124).The DPA's purpose was to create universal European standards for the collection, storage and processing of personal information. It allowed certain individuals to know what information about them is being held. If enough members of these groups applied their rights they might be able to amass sufficient information to

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Operational Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Operational Management - Essay Example For example, the researcher as part of the product designing division works range of consumer items like outerwear, Protective Fabrics, bike wear, fibre strings, running wear and filters and more than 50% of the revenue of the company comes from the above mentioned products (Gore, 2013a). Therefore, it can be surmised that the researcher as part of consumer product designing team put significant contribution in achieving top and bottom line growth for W L Gore & Associates. Before going to the main discussion, the essay will briefly describe the business operation of W L Gore & Associates. W L Gore & Associates W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc was established in 1958 by Genevieve (Vieve) Gore and Wilbert L. (Bill) (Gore, 2013b). The company is headquartered at Newark, Delaware while employee base of the company is more than 10,000. The company specializes in offering industrial products like fluoropolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), versatile polymer etc which are being used for med ical implants, fabric laminates, signal transmission etc (Gore, 2013c). In case of consumer products, W. L. Gore & Associates offers fabrics and polymer items which can be used by customers for leisure activities, clothing and protective measures during adventure sports. As the research is working on consumer product designing division, therefore, the study will only focus on consumer items of W. L. Gore & Associates in order to address the research problems in focused and precise manner. Operations Tasks Consideration of the research works of Slack (2004) and Slack and Lewis (2008) reveals that marketing and operation management are closely related and both the aspects complement each other. According to Slack (2004) and Slack and Lewis (2008), marketing function works well when it comes to identifying the needs of customers but a firm needs to implement operational strategy in order to provide the required products or services and resources which can satisfy the need of identified need of customers. In case of W L Gore & Associates, four dimensions of operational strategy designed for offering consumer items like outerwear, Protective Fabrics, bike wear, fibre strings, running wear and filters can be defined in the following manner. Figure 1: Four Dimensions of Operational Strategy (Source: Slack and Lewis, 2008) In Top Down approach, top management of W L Gore & Associates suggests the product engineering team to design products which can fit functional strategy of the company, in Market Requirement, task of the operational team is to design items as per requirement of customers identified by marketing department of W L Gore & Associates, in Bottom up approach, operational team of W L Gore & Associates needs to optimize cost and resource allocation from their daily operational experience while working on product designing and in Operational Resource, operational team of W L Gore & Associates needs to conduct resource audit in order to understand existing fi nancial and non

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Fighting for Four Freedoms and the Cold War and the United States Essay

Fighting for Four Freedoms and the Cold War and the United States - Essay Example Peace is far better tool rather than war. The cold war was a hostile rivalry between the US and Soviet Union which started from 1940’s and continued till the Soviet Union broke in 1991.The main reasons of the Cold war was the difference of ideologies. Soviet union which was basically a communist country was ruled by a dictator .this idea was not appreciated by the Americans. Both the nations believed that the other would harm the other nation beliefs. Stalin wanted other countries to come forward to help protect the Soviet Union from being invaded again on the other hand, US and Britain were worried that most of the areas of Eastern Europe were falling under Soviet Union. So lack of trust weakened these nations and they fell apart. Who was responsible for this Cold war? Some blame America some USSR. America tried to show their power and attacked Japan with an atom bomb which was very harmful for the upcoming of generations. During the reign of Eisenhower, most of the populatio n wanted to live a luxurious life. Â   It was a period of prosperity and most of the people started purchasing material things which did not happen ever before. Consequently, Eisenhower put forward the idea that the government should come forward and help in building roads and highways that were to connect to the suburbs.

Monday, August 26, 2019

REACTION ESSAY #2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

REACTION #2 - Essay Example The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. This bible was concise and compelling, full of the use of imagery and rhythm. John Donne was a highly influential and eloquent person. He was not only an Anglican priest of the Church of England, but also the dean of the cathedral church in London. He mastered the sermon as the mediation medium. ‘Holy Sonnets’, for example, was one of Donne’s religious poetry. The metaphysical poetry reflected the dramatic contrast of the baroque. The Protestant North also produced outstanding music and undisputed art. George Frederic Handel was a brilliant musician who composed songs in German and Italian. He composed many songs and brought scripture into life in these songs. Christopher Wren who was an architect, scientist and a professor prepared the design of the new city after fire destroyed most parts of the city. Another person who made an enormous contribution in the protestant north was john Milton. He was a humanist, a poet and also a political activist. He fought for the rights of the people in some controversial issues they faced. The protestant devotionals also spread to the Netherlands. I, therefore, acknowledge the development in the Protestant North as the foundation of today’s developments. For instance, the use of poetry in addressing certain issues affecting the local people is still widely

Sunday, August 25, 2019

ACE Network Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

ACE Network Design - Essay Example Secondly, the extensive use of e-commerce by corporations in their business operations has instigated a heightened requirement for connectivity of businesses with rest of the world through internet. Local area networks have to be hooked with internet while ensuring maximum security. Emphasizing the interaction of Local Area Networks with internet, Comer (2006, p.3) states, â€Å"From a user’s point view, the internet appears to consist of a set of application programs that use the underlying network to carry out useful communication tasks.† The increased dependence of organizational operations on computer networks has prompted detailed planning and management of network designs. Szczuka, Daniel and Dominik (p. 269) observes, â€Å"There has been an explosive growth in internet systems since the 1990s. Network design problems are one of the important issues in the building and expansion of computer networks and have attracted many related researchers’ attention.à ¢â‚¬  Advance Concepts Engineering (ACE) is a medium sized enterprise that deals with development and commercialization of products. Adoption and application of state-of-the-art technologies is a core business value at ACE. Although, presently ACE is operating is small setup but in the enterprise is in the phase of switching its business to a more specious building in an industrial park. This has generated a reasonably serious challenge of designing and implementing a network infrastructure that can meet the business requirement while keeping the core value of technological advancement intact. The network design and implementation is a challenging task in multistory building with a dozen of other design limitations. These limitations have given birth to a range from logical to physical issues in network implementation. These issues include the issues of network scalability, convergence, security, high availability, stability and network traffic management. ACE would require careful ly designed network architecture to achieve these corporate objectives. This report will present a detailed network infrastructure design to accommodate all business and technological needs of the network. The report will present also present a diagrammatic overview of the topological layout of network infrastructure devices. Moreover, to streamline the process of network design and management a number of requirements will be formulated and finalized. These requirements may include the number and type of components like user machines, switches, routers and servers, network availability details, addressing scheme, media to be used in the network and mechanisms to eradicate network and mechanical noise. Network Media The selection of network media is an important decision in network design and management. The decision of media can directly affect the network speed, sustainability and maintenance. The selection of media is topology dependent. Topology is the physical layout of network devices, (Ciccarelli & Faulkne, 2004, p.88) and the decision once made on topology and network media is seldom changed or it might be very expensive to change this decision at a later stage to cater network management or optimization issues. The selection of media for a network environment also depends on the user speed requirements, available resources and future network expansion plans. The ACE network will use a mix of unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and fiber optic cables. Drop cables or patch cables that run from wall fixed faceplates to computers, printers, scanners, IP Phones and other user end devices will use CAT6 UTP cables, CAT6 UTP standard support the gigabit speed for network traffic. Faceplates will further connect these devices to switches placed in a separate switch rooms.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Feminist geographies . The intellectual and political significance Essay

Feminist geographies . The intellectual and political significance - Essay Example It was coined by the French philosopher Charles Fourier. It spread to Great Britain and America by the year, 1910 (HAAN, DASKALOVA And LOUTFI, 2006). Feminist Geography or Feminist theory is the expansion of the study of feminism into a wide horizon of issues and experiences that women encounter. It covers the realms of both philosophical and theoretical aspects of female rights and place. It is primarily aimed to fathom the fabric of gender inequality and its causes and effects on human nature and society; it investigates women’s experiences, social roles, interests, and studies and develops theories on feminist politics in fields such as sociology, philosophy, economics, anthropology, education, psychoanalysis, literary, communication. In addition, feminist theory expounds on female welfare, promotion of women’s interests and gender inequality. Research on Feminist theory revolves around two key points: 1, the research should analyze and expound on the state of women in society; 2, the research should be a derivative of the assumption that women are generally considered subordinates to men. However, it abstains from being excessively political and negates research that is conducted to only achieve gender equality. The fields of interest for researches on feminist theory are sexual objectification, patriarchy, art history, oppression, stereotyping, contemporary art and discrimination (KOLMAR And BARTKOWSKI, 2005). Feminist theory in the past has gone through many changes; from being a movement that just aimed at consolidating and establishing women as a universal entity, to being more motivated towards individuality, diversity and social differentiation. Modern-day feminism has assumed the role of promoting the following issues faced by women: equality in property law, voting rights and rights to run for office, equality in contract law, reproductive rights, this includes open access to contraceptives and abortion, physical integrity, equal pay f or women, articulation of for protection of women from domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment. This has led to the advocacy for workplace rights, such as maternity leave. However, feminist theory has also concluded that for female rights and feminism to succeed, men should also be liberated and that men also suffer from gender inequality (HANNAM, 2007). The popularity and rise of feminism has produced different forms of political movements which have branched into a larger part of society, such as conservatism and liberalism, and some interlink feminism with environment. Liberal feminism aims to achieve individuality and equality of women and men through legal and political reforms without morphing the framework of culture and society. Radical feminism aims at extremes; it deems the notion and practice of male dominance on women through capitalist rule as the primary reason behind oppression on women, this leads to the advocacy of total conversion of society and imp lementation of rules that change the total outlook of society according to the manner that women desire. Furthermore, Conservative feminism only aims to achieve the basic human rights for women and stipulates that women should be conservative against men according to the society in which they live. Libertarian feminism believes that people are self-owners and thus entitled to govern themselves according to their wishes, in reference to women, and that

Friday, August 23, 2019

Network Security setup Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Network Security setup - Research Paper Example WAN domain is a necessary domain especially when connecting with remote users. In Richman investments, it means connecting with several branches in places such as Atlanta, Georgia, Cincinnati, Ohio, and even Los Angeles, California from the headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. In order to ensure security at this domain, it is recommended to ensure proper addressing schemes, proper protocol selection and enhanced encryption of communication equipments. In Richman investments, the database software, operating system, client-server applications, and data stored in the organizations center and their hardware is collectively under this domain. Security measures necessary at this stage is proper authentication, quality network design, authorization, node security, and accounting are an imperative security considerations at this domain. Other security measures that can be implemented within the company’s IT infrastructure includes eliminating single point of failure, improving security access to sensitive data and ensuring that there is data backup in servers outside the main data centre.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The Criteria Used to Make Judgments in Evaluative Teaching Observation Research Paper

The Criteria Used to Make Judgments in Evaluative Teaching Observation - Research Paper Example The teacher noted that there were formatting issues with my PowerPoint that could be improved and that there was a spelling mistake. Again, these are issues that can detract from my lessons, so I was glad to get this feedback so that I can improve the formatting and fonts on my PowerPoint in later presentations. The observers did feel that I had good communication skills, and was approachable as a teacher, so I was happy to get this feedback as well. It seemed that the main areas for improvement were technical issues that can be easily fixed, as opposed to my overall teaching style, so it made me realize that my overall style of teaching is good. I just need to work on my technical issues, including my issues with formatting PowerPoint. These all focus upon the practice as a teacher, so in this paper, this will be the focus. I will also focus, in this paper, the explicit and implicit criteria that is used in evaluative teaching, and I will conclude by making recommendation for improv ing the process of teaching observation by focusing on making explicit the criteria by which judgments are made and empowering observer and observe to be in control of the feedback process. My teaching observations were in line with the research on the topic. Donnelly (2007) notes that peer observation of teaching is a necessary component for good practice in teaching and that dialogue and open debate are encouraged, and risk-taking is supported in teaching. Although I didn’t necessarily take risks with my teaching, when I was being observed, I did notice that there was a good dialogue between myself and my observers. They were more than happy to let me know when they liked something that I was doing, or if they thought that something needed to be improved upon, and this dialogue was very stimulating and enlightening. I also note that Gosling (2002) identified three different types of observations in teaching – evaluation, development and peer review. The evaluation is conducted by superiors and is a formal assessment of one’s competencies. This might take the form of annual appraisals and is used to manage employees. Development is used not to manage employees, but to give an overall overview of one’s teaching competencies. This is also conducted by a superior, and this review is also formal. The third kind, the peer review, is much less formal. This is observation and discussion, and the feedback, while critical, is considered to be non-judgmental and constructive. This takes place only in an atmosphere where both parties are genuine peers, and there is not a power imbalance between the two, and there are a mutuality and respect for one another. My experience definitely falls under the third assessment, as the observation was not a formal one, and there was not a formal assessment of my skills. It was non-judgmental and very gentle criticism that was extremely constructive. Moreover, the observation was truly a peer observation, w hich was helpful.

The Move from Doubt to Certainty Essay Example for Free

The Move from Doubt to Certainty Essay Descartes is interested in the certainty of his existence and the existence of other people and things. Descartes beliefs vary from those of Socrates. Descartes argues that knowledge is acquired through awareness and experience. Using this approach, Descartes moves through doubt to certainty of his existence. He asks himself various questions about the certainty of his existence and solves them through clear thought and logic. Using this method Descartes establishes doubts to be truths and by the end of the book, he has established that he does indeed exist. In this paper, I will show how Descartes moves through doubt to certainty. I will explain how Descartes uses the cogito, proves the existence of God and what that means to his existence. I will also discuss the general rules of truth that Descartes establishes. In the First Meditation Descartes begins to examine what is certain and what is doubtful. Descartes wants to establish that his knowledge is certain and not doubtful. He states, I had accepted many false opinions as being true, and that what I had based on such insecure principles could only be most doubtful and uncertain; so that I had to undertake seriously once in my life to rid myself of all opinions I had adopted up to then, and to begin, and to begin afresh from the foundations, if I wished to establish something firm and constant in the sciences. (Descartes 95) By this Descartes means that he wishes to establish a foundation for his knowledge based on certainty instead of doubt. Descartes first looks at the senses. This is important because the senses are the first thing to cause doubt. He focuses on the perception of things. He says that things far from him, in the distance, give him reason to doubt their certainty, while things that are close to him are indubitable and he is clear about their certainty. However, Descartes realizes that dreams pose an obstacle to his beliefs. Even up close, dreams can be indubitable. Descartes believes that if a person has had a dream that was so intense that the person could not determine it form reality, then they have reason to doubt objects that are close to us and appear to be indubitable. In order to resolve this problem, Descartes suggests that one must examine whether they are dreaming or not. Descartes realizes that he can not rely on his senses anymore to give him dubitable truths. He turns to find something that is indubitable. Descartes tries to use science as a foundation for truth. He discards physics, astronomy, and medicine because all three of them rely upon the senses. we shall not be wrong in concluding that physics, astronomy, and medicine, and all the other sciences that depend on the consideration of composite things, are most doubtful and uncertain (Descartes 98). However, Descartes finds that such things as geometry and arithmetic can be trusted because their are no senses involved. They are based upon logic. whether I am awake or asleep, two and three added together always makes five, and a square always has four sides; and it does not seem possible that truths so apparent can be suspected of any falsity or uncertainty(98). However, Descartes finds reason to even doubt this. The only thing that could makes these truths dubitable is through the intervention by an Evil Deceiver (God). Descartes cannot prove that God is good and has to acknowledge that God has the power to deceive. Therefore, Descartes must doubt all things until he can prove their certainty. Descartes comes to call this doubt Universal Doubt. In the Second Meditation, Descartes examine the existence of himself. He concludes that if he cannot prove something exists then how does he know with certainty that he exists. It is his doubt of his existence that Descartes uses to prove his existence. Descartes realizes that if he is able to doubt then he does indeed exists. He take the approach that, I think therefore I am to establish a certainty that he exists. This idea also known as the cogito becomes the central point that Descartes will use for the remaining of his meditations. Descartes affirms his existence every time he thinks, doubts, or is persuaded(Descartes 103). Descartes affirms that if there is an Evil Deceiver then Descartes must exist because in order for God to deceive, Descartes he must first exist. Although, Descartes has proved his existence he can only prove it in the mental capacity. He does not know for certain that he exists in the physical form. The only way, at this time, that Descartes can prove the existence of his body is through his senses. He has already established that his senses are dubitable and therefore cannot tell him with certainty that his body exists. In order to get a better understanding of his relationship between his body and mind, Descartes melts a piece of wax. He observes the wax in two different states, the first in a solid form and the second in a melted form. He questions how his senses can show him two entirely different forms of the same substance; yet he knows that the substance, in both states, although completely different, is wax. The mind was able to understand the essence of the wax. Although the senses were not entirely capable of making the connection between the two forms of wax, the senses assisted the mind in determining what the substance was. This experiment proves to be important to Descartes because he is able to make a link between the senses and the mind. Using his experiment, Descartes enters his Third Meditation using his general rule of truth that all things we conceive very clearly and distinctly are true(Descartes 113). However, there is one flaw to his thoughts. If God is an evil deceiver than this cannot be true. Descartes proceeds to establish that God is good and does not deceive. Descartes uses three points to establish the existence God. These points are ideas. The first one is adventitious ideas; those ideas that come from outside experiences. The second is invented ideas; those that are derived from the imagination such as sirens and chimera. The final is innate ideas; those that are within one when they are born. Descartes uses two more points to further establish that God exists. He uses the ideas of infinite and perfect. These two ideas, Descartes cannot account for. The only way for such things to come about would be from an infinite and perfect being such as God. These ideas have a direct relationship with God. In order for a finite beings such as Descartes to have a concept of infinite it must have been planted there by an infinite being such as God. Descartes concludes this idea to be true because one cannot derive the idea of infinite by negating the finite(Descartes 125). An example of this would be the use of a number line. The number line will never be able to illustrate infinity. One could negate every number on a number line and still not arrive at infinity. Therefore, Descartes concludes that God does exist and therefore is not an evil deceiver. Because God has supplied us with the innate ideas of perfection and infinity, God, therefore, must be infinite and perfect. Descartes states that, Whence it is clear enough that he cannot be a deceiver, for the natural light teaches us that deceit stems necessarily from some defect(Descartes 131). Since God is perfect he is not an evil deceiver. It is important to realize that by the time Descartes has reached his Fourth Meditation he has proved three important things. The first is that doubt is not universal. The second is that there is a general rule of truth. The third is that God exists and cannot be an evil deceiver. However, Descartes raises a question: If God exists and cannot be an evil deceiver then why are humans imperfect and perpetually making errors? Descartes explains this through the explanation of free will. Descartes states that God has given all humans free will. This is the cause of human error. Because we have free will, humans are able to make choices and decisions free from the influence of God. Sometimes free will interferes with Gods ability to help humans and therefore humans sometimes make poor decisions. If God did not give humans free will than God would play a direct role in every decision made by humans. It is because God gives humans free will that allows for human error. Descartes Fifth and Sixth Meditations begins with the establishment of his remaining doubts and the application of what he has discovered. The first question deals with the essence of color, mathematical, and geometrical truths. The second is the existence of people and things. The third is determining the difference between dreams and reality. Descartes reiterates that God is not an evil deceiver and therefore he can clearly conceive something to be true. He reiterates that if he conceives God correctly then God is perfect. Imperfection is not compatible with Gods omnipotence. A non-existent thing cannot be perfect. Even a non-existent perfect thing is imperfect and all perfect things are perfect. Descartes also restates that a perfect thing cannot deceive. With this knowledge, Descartes proceeds to solve his second problem. The existence of corporeal(physical things) exist with certainty. Since God is not an evil deceiver, the idea of physical things is accurate. Although some perceptions will still be blurry and may confuse Descartes objects do indeed exist. He concludes that he just has to be more judgmental of those perceptions. But as concerns other things, which are either only particular, as,, for example, that the sun is of such a size and shape, etc. , or are perceived less clearly and distinctly, as in the case of light, sound and pain and so on, although they are very doubtful and uncertain, nevertheless, from the fact alone that God is not a deceiver, and has consequently permitted no falsity in my opinions (Descartes 158) Descartes now knows for certain that he has a body. Descartes realizes that, I have a body, which is ill disposed when I feel pain, which needs to eat and drink when I have feelings of hunger or thirst etc. (Descartes 159). Because of these feeling that Descartes has and because God is not an evil deceiver than Descartes is indeed lodged in a body and is an entire entity with it. Descartes finally analyzes his third doubt. He now has the ability to distinguish between being awake and dreaming. When we are awake, Descartes states, are mind flows in an uninterrupted, continuous sequence. When we are dreaming, our mind does not flow in a consistent, and undisturbed sequence. When a person has a break in the consistency of events, they are dreaming. when I perceive things which I clearly know both the place they come from and that in which they are, and the time at which they appear to me, and when, without any interruption, I can link the perception I have of them with the whole of the rest of my life, I am fully assured that it is not in sleep that I am perceiving them but while I am awake(Descartes 168) After establishing certainty to his doubts, Descartes states, And I must reject all the doubts of the last few days as hyperbolic and ridiculous, particularly the general uncertainty about sleep, which I could not distinguish for a wakeful state (Descartes 168). With that Descartes concludes his meditations and uncertainties. Although Descartes makes a sound argument there were some people that disagreed with his theories. One of those people was John Locke. The beliefs of Locke, who was an empiricists, were similar to those of the Sophist during the time of Socrates. He argued that when a person was born their mind was empty. A person obtained knowledge through experiences. He also felt that if a person misinterpreted an experience it could lead to doubt or skepticism. Locke tries to prove Descartes wrong by saying that there are no innate ideas. He states that by understanding our own mind we can deter doubt. Locke proposes three separate possibilities about truth. The first is that there is no such thing as truth. The second is that there is no way to obtain truth. The third reason is that we can understand implied things but not be absolutely certain about them. Locke believed that we never deal with certainty and everyday we deal with possibility. and it will be unpardonable, as well as childish peevishness, if we undervalue the advantage of our knowledge and neglect to improve it to ends for which it has given us, because there are some things that are set out of the reach of it. (Locke 57). Locke states that not all innate ideas come from natural ability. He says that a universal consent does not prove innate ideas. They could arise from experience. Locke supports this theory by saying that innate ideas are neither in children nor idiots. If these ideas were innate then everyone would have them. He further states that mathematical truths are learned from experience and are not innate ideas. Descartes and Locke were two men with completely different views. They each set out to prove their own existence in a different fashion. Although they do not agree with each other, each one of them presents a clear and intelligent argument. It is these arguments that have encouraged the human race to consider the possibility of existence long after the death of Descartes and Locke. People will continue to debate their viewpoints for years to come and maybe, one day we will know the meaning of existence.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Beam Energies Treatment for Lung and Larynx

Beam Energies Treatment for Lung and Larynx Larynx Error Plan Errors: Beam energies for larynx treatment are not correct both fields have 10MV instead of 6MV Field sizes are not right The Right Lateral (RLat) field is too big resulting in shielding errors The Left Lateral (LLat) field is too small and is just skimming the anterior portion of the patients shell The number of fractions on the plan is one (1) instead of 20 daily fractions. The global maximum dose is 110.98% (given as 6103.7 cGy) and is largely outside the Planning Target Volume (PTV), meaning the plan is too hot The 108% region is a hot spot as it exceeds the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU 50 62) maximum value of 107% The LLat field wedge is too thin 1o, so not helping with uniform dose distribution of the plan, hence the right skewed isodoses and the 108% hot spot The plans maximum spinal cord dose of 5112 cGy, exceeds the maximum dose constraint value for the organ of 5000 cGy. Multi-Leaf Collimators (MLC) use on the plan There is not much conformality to the PTV anteriorly from the RLat field There is insufficient shielding of the neck anteriorly Some MLC are not pulled up properly as they are on the field edge which is better shielded by the Primary collimators The RLat field is over-wedged (60o), resulting in the 108% hotspot region The RLat field is not placed optimally re-collimator angle in order to better avoid the spinal cord The Dose Volume Histogram (DVH) data/graph/chart is insufficient as it is only for the spinal cord excluding for example the PTV information The isocentre could be placed more centrally for the plan Criteria use to evaluate the suitability of the treatment plan This is a conventional parallel-opposed field arrangement, which is suitable for head and neck treatment of the larynx (Barrett and Dobbs, Practical Radiotherapy Planning, page 171). Since this is an error plan, the fields do not match in size though they are parallel opposing. The radical dose prescription is 55 Gy in 20 daily fractions of 2.75 Gy over 4 weeks (Barrett and Dobbs, 4th Ed., page 175). This would apply as a prescription for a T1-2 N0 glottic larynx tumour with a volume of 26-49 cm3 (RSCH, St Lukes Radiotherapy Clinical Protocol, Head and Neck Larynx). Use is made of isodose charts, PTV coverage as indicated by the D95 (95% isodose line), maximum PTV dose (Dmax), maximum spinal cord dose, dose volume histograms (for PTV and spinal cord), and departmental protocols to evaluate the suitability of the treatment plan. The Quantec/Emami et. al. (2013) document of Tolerance of Normal Tissue to Therapeutic Radiation provided the dose constraints for the organs at risk e.g. the spinal cord. NICE guidelines only stipulate an offer of choice of trans-oral microsurgery or radiotherapy to people with newly diagnosed T1b-2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. The plan is optimised by use of beam modifying devices like wedges and MLC (Barrett and Dobbs, page 171), and checking the effect using the planning software. Solutions to eliminate identified errors: The beam energy needs to change from 10MV to 6MV in the field properties of the planning software. This will ensure adequate coverage of the PTV as a significant part of the larynx is very close to the skin. A less energy beam offers less penetration and lower build up depth (for skin sparing effect) for dose deposition. The RLat field size can decrease slightly anteriorly, while the LLat field size can increase slightly to ensure adequate anterior coverage. The fields could also be more symmetrical. The LLat wedges orientation needs to change so that the Thick end is Anterior as per the setup information (Toe in). The number of fractions is should change to 20 from the current one fraction. This would give the appropriate dose prescription for the plan of 55Gy/20#/4weeks/2.75Gy per fraction The current plan is too hot, so the beam weightings need adjusting downwards until the plan conforms to the ICRU limits of maximum 100% + 7% (= 107%), and the lower limit of 100% 5% (= 95%) of the proscription dose (ICRU). This process can also improve by correcting the wrongly orientated LLat wedge and using a better wedge angle on it, as well as adjusting down the angle of the over-wedged RLat wedge. Correcting the 108% hotspot region is through adjusting the wedge angles, re-orienting the LLat wedge and adjusting the field weightings. The thin 1o LLat wedge angle needs changing up to 30o for the wedge to have an effect on the isodose distribution, on top of reversing its orientation. This would help in creating a uniform dose distribution for the plan and a reduction/elimination in/of hotspots. According to the Quantec/Emami et al. (2013) guidelines, the spinal cord is to receive a maximum core dose of 50Gy, but the current plan is exceeding this limit. Adjusting theÂÂ   collimator angle for the fields to be parallel to the spinal cord will help avoid treating this critical organ This is also aided by reducing the field weightings, adjusting the wedge angles and orientation of one of them, adjusting the field sizes posteriorly. The MLC leaves need to close where they are open outside the treatment field edges. There is a leaf to shield the anterior corner of the neck but is pulled back, so needs to be part of the configuration. There are five (5) pairs of almost central leaves, that are on the field edges inferiorly and superiorly, they need pulling back by 0.5 cm from the field edge so they do not interfere with primary collimation (Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH), St Lukes Radiotherapy Clinical Protocols). Adjusting the RLat field size anteriorly will aid in correcting the shielding of the neck and improve conformality to the PTV. The RLat field wedge needs reducing to at most 30o to aid uniform dose distribution and reduction of hotspots. Changing the collimator angle of the RLat field so that it is parallel to the spinal cord, will avoid treating through this critical organ. This will result in reducing the spinal cords maximum dose for the plan to within the organs maximum dose constraint value of less than 50Gy, thus aiding in optimising the plan. The DVH information of the plan should include the PTV data and line plot to enable plan evaluation of its suitability. Making the isocentre more central may improve the uniform dose distribution of the plan. Suitability of Plan and Alternative beam arrangement According to De Virgilio, A., et. al. (2012), there is currently no set therapeutic gold standard for the treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This contributes to a lack of consistency and inhomogeneity in treatment planning. The plan under consideration is a 2D conventional plan, which in itself is suitable with the exception of the errors, but is not optimal. The identified errors are correctable and the plan optimisable. In remaining with the conventional plan, a third anterior low-neck field with a light weighting (3DCRT) is an option to improve dose distribution and eliminate hotspots. However, this would require the addition of electron beams to match the photon fields, according to Herrassi, M. Y., Bentayeb, F, and Malisan M. R. (page 98-105). Another option is to use Intensity Modulated RadioTherapy (IMRT) with 3 or 5 beams, or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) with one arc, (Matthiesen C, SinghÂÂ   H, Mascia et. al. (2012)). IMRT offers more conformalit y in regards to carotid arteries as stated by Gomez, D., Cahlon, O., et. al. (2010). Portaluri, M., et. al (2006), suggest that 3D Field-in-Field techniques are a valid alternative as they offer the best global performance when considering PTV coverage and parotid sparing. Conclusion The task was instrumental in reinforcing the importance of understanding the process of treatment planning, and how to check the suitability of the plan before its approval. There is not much information to work with in suggesting alternative beam arrangements. Useful information could have been correct TNM classification, appropriate oncological classification taking into account the anatomic-embryologic and functional complexity of the larynx. There were glaring errors in the plan, and as an exercise, they were useful in sharpening treatment planning knowledge. IMRT is the preferred treatment technique that is efficacious especially for parotid gland and carotid artery sparing. Lung Plan Errors: Beam energies should all be 6MV, some are 10MV on the plan There are too many fields for the plan The LLat beam is going through the contralateral lung The field placement of the right posterior oblique (RPO) is not optimal as its MLCs are shielding part of the PTV contributing to the inadequate 95% dose coverage of the PTV. The global max value of 109% exceeds the ICRU guidelines, meaning the plan is very hot in places. There is an 80% hot spot on the chest, which is very hot for the area close to the skin There are many wedges on this plan resulting in hot and cold spots and a high dose gradient in the PTV. The Right Lateral and Anterior fields are over-wedged, resulting in the 80% and 109% hot spots. The RPO and LLat field wedge angles are not conventional (50o and 33o respectively, when considering the standard wedge angle specifications of 15o, 30o, 45o and 60o. The Lateral fields (Right Lateral and Left Lateral), are too big in relation to the size of the PTV, resulting in unnecessary irradiation of healthy tissue. The current plan exceeds the spinal cord core dose (maximum 50Gy), as interpreted from the DVH data. There is less than 95% PTV coverage laterally , resulting in a max dose to the PTV of 5304 cGy, which is very much less than the expected 6080 cGy (95% of 6400 cGy). Criteria use to evaluate the suitability of the treatment plan Barrett and Dobbs (page 252), acknowledge that there are a number of challenges to covering the PTV fully and remaining within the ICRU constraints, while maintaining acceptable toxicity levels at the same time. A three (3) field conformal plan is normally used for stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A compromise on choosing the best plan is mostly dependent upon the location and size of the PTV, and its closeness to critical structures, like the spinal cord and oesophagus. The plan should try to minimise dose to the contralateral lung as much as possible by using anterior oblique, posterior oblique and lateral beams. Beam modifying devices such as wedges compensate for obliquity at the chest, with MLC shielding conforms each beam to the shape of the PTV (Dobbs and Barrett). Use is made of the Quantec/Emami et. al. (2013), document on Tolerance of Normal Tissue to Therapeutic Radiation in checking dose constraints to organs at risk e.g. brachial plexus, oesophagus and spinal cord. Plan evaluation also uses isodose charts, dose volume histograms and departmental protocols to establish the suitability of the plan. NICE guidelines for Radiotherapy with curative intent for Non-small cell Lung Cancer stipulate that the patient should have good performance status (WHO 0 or 1). It says, CHART should be offered first, but if unavailable then conventional radiotherapy of 64-66 Gy in 32-33 fractions over 6 ÂÂ ½ weeks or 55 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks is the next option. This plan is for 64 Gy in 32 fractions over 6 ÂÂ ½ weeks, so meets with this criterion. Dobbs and Barrett (page 253), mention that careful evaluation of the plan using DVHs is especially important when considering keeping the V20 below 32 per cent (the volume of lung receiving more than 20Gy of the dose). Solutions to eliminate identified errors: Barrett and Dobbs (page 255), point out that beam energies above 10 MV should be avoided due to greater range of secondary electrons in lung tissue, which result in a wider penumbra and thus more radiation to normal tissue. Beam energy of 6MV is adequate, while use of 10MV is for separation at the centre is greater than 28 cm. (Dobbs and Barrett, page 252). As no mention of the separation, it is appropriate to use 6MV on all the beams for this plan instead on mixed energies. This is a conventional plan, and the common number of beams 3 instead of the current 5. The many fields have not helped in conforming the plan to the PTV and improving the dose distribution, but have contributed in unnecessary irradiation of normal tissues. So, removal of the anterior and left lateral beams, would bring the plan back to a conformal 3 field plan. The right posterior oblique field would need setting at around 215o-225o in order to cover the PTV better and its MLC not to shield the PTV as at the present. (RSCH and London Cancer centre protocols). The left lateral field is treating through the contralateral lung, which is operationally against ICRP (2007), ICRU and IR(ME)R 2000 guidelines of keeping dose as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) to patients, employees and the general public. The corrective measure is to remove the left lateral field from the plan. The gantry angle for the right posterior field is not optimal and moving it to around 215o-225o range would improve coverage of the PTV and avoid the spinal cord, even though the MLC is shielding the cord (ideal) in the current setup but also part of the PTV that is not ideal and compromising the 95% coverage of the PTV. The global maximum value of 109% exceeds the ICRU target of maximum 107% within the PTV. Removing the anterior and left lateral fields, and adjusting the over-wedged posterior and right lateral field wedge angles to either 15o or 30o depending on the uniformity of the dose distribution within the PTV, will rectify this issue. The remaining field weights will need adjusting as well to fully optimise the plan. Moving the RPO beam angle to between 215o and 225o, as well as reducing the wedge angle to 30o and removing the anterior beam from the plan will correct the 80% hotspot region. Removing the anterior field will effectively eliminate the 80% hot spot region on the chest. Removing the left lateral field and wedging the right anterior oblique field will help in reducing or eliminating the 109% hot spot region in the PTV. These measures will also result in more uniformity in dose distribution when combined with adjusting the weights of the remaining fields. The current plan has many wedged fields (some over-wedged), which is rectified by removing the anterior and left lateral field from the plan, adjusting the right lateral wedge angle to either 15o or 30o, and that of the posterior field from 50o to either 15o or 30o and inserting a 15o or 30o wedge on the anterior oblique field. This should improve the uniformity of the dose distribution within the PTV. The non-conventional wedge angles of the posterior and left lateral fields (50o and 33o respectively), have not improved the dose distribution in any noticeable way, as there is still a high dose gradient in the PTV. Reverting to the standard angles and using either 15o or 30o at most, would improve the dose distribution of the plan. The two lateral fields are too big; therefore adjusting them posteriorly would improve the PTV coverage of the plan and less irradiation of normal tissue. The left lateral field however needs taking off the plan altogether. The current plan shows excessive dose to the spinal cord and according to the Quantec/Emami et. al. (2013) document, the maximum core dose to the spinal cord should not exceed 50Gy. Moving the right posterior field angle to 215o-225o range and removing the anterior beam will correct this anomaly The less than 95% coverage of the PTV is achieved by: positioning the posterior field optimally (between 215o and 225o), so that the MLC will not shield the PTV but still manage to shield the spinal cord; adjusting the field sizes of the oblique fields; applying 15o or 30o wedge to the right anterior oblique field andÂÂ   adding MLCs to it so that it conforms the PTV better thus improving the dose distribution to the plan; and applying MLCs to the right lateral field to conform the PTV better. Suitability of Plan and Alternative beam arrangement This plan is not suitable for patient treatment in many respects, as highlighted by the errors identified. Improving it is by reverting to the conventional three field/beam plan, with two right oblique fields and the right lateral field as the third one (Barrett and Dobbs, page 252). Other treatment techniques, e.g. IMRT (with emphasis on carotid sparing), helical tomotherapy, VMAT have been found to offer better results on dosimetric comparisons. However, a multi-modality approach could be the best approach when considering new data coming from immunology, molecular biology and genetics on top of the usual surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment options (Franco, P., et. al. (2016)). Conclusion This exercise highlighted the importance of quality assurance and having several layers of checking the suitability of treatment plans that are eventually used on the patients.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Designs

Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Designs Buildability is increasingly become a major requirement in building construction practice. The aim of buildability is use to improve the efficiency of overall building process by developing construction sensitive designs. Nowadays, in Malaysia construction industry, there have facing a lot of problem that will impede the project to process smoothly. In this research, it will highlight what buildability is. Through this we can deeply understand what buildability is and how important it was in the construction industry. Moreover, in this research, we wish to find out and identify the buildability attributes in building design in Malaysia construction industry. There are many buildability attributes have affecting in the building design. If the constructions proceed without a good buildability management, it will bring many problems to the project. So in this research, besides that identifying the buildability attributes, we also wish to find out the importance level for each of these attributes. AIM This report are aim to find out the factors that affect buildability of building design in the Malaysian construction industry. OBJECTIVE In order to achieve the aim of the report, the following are the objectives of this research To study what is buildability and factors may affect it in building design To find out and identify the buildability attributes in building design in the Malaysian construction industry To measure the level of importance of different buildability attributes Research Methodology Literature Review The purpose of the literature review is given us to understanding what buildability in the construction industry is and how important it was. This research methodology may include definitions, ideas and practices of related topics. Besides that, we can study and review to the relevant books, journals, internet and etc., as known as secondary data, that related to the topic buildability. Through those review sources, the important point will be noted down and convenience for us to writing the literature review. The below are showing that the literature search that will be carried out:- Define the definition of buildability/ constructability Define the principle and concept of buildability/ constructability Determine the factor affecting buildability in building design in construction Determine the building attributes and the level of importance for each attribute Questionnaire Questionnaire is recommended as one of the research method, because it is easier for analyzing the data, economical and the hypothesis can be tested. Questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and/or in difference grouping for the purpose of gathering the information from respondents. To gain more information of this research, copies of questionnaire will be sent out to the construction companies and they are needed to express their opinions based on their experience. In this questionnaire, there are empty spaces provide for the respondents to giving their comment or suggest other building attributes which are not included. This questionnaire will target to the professionals such as architect, engineer, project manager, quantity surveyor and others in the contractor industry firm in Malaysia. From the research title, to determine the level of importance of buildability attributes in this research, the classification of the rating scales is used. The questionnaire is based on LIKERT SCALE format. It is a widely used instrument in measuring opinions. A likert item is simply a statement which the respondent is asked to evaluate according to any kind of subjective or objective criteria and generally the level of agreement or disagreement is measured. 5 point likert scale being used as it may produce slightly higher mean scores relative to the highest attainable score. This will be carried out in the final stage of research methodology. The results/ comments get from the respondents will be analyze and present in table or graph in order to provide a clearer view of overall research with writing up the contents of the dissertation. Besides this, analysis and interpretation would be done to gather all the information and data. DISSERTATION ORGANIZATION Chapter 1- Introduction Chapter 1 provides an introduction of the chapter that giving a brief about our proposal. In this chapter it includes introduction/ background, problem statement, aim, objectives, research methodology and working program for the dissertation. Chapter 2 Literature Review Through the review of literature/ articles related to our research topic the important point will be written in this chapter. Journals, books and information from the internet will be the source of the information or data to doing this buildability title dissertation. This chapter are aim to provide a main picture of the knowledge to us before the research is carried out. Chapter 3 Research Design and Methodology Questionnaire will be designed based on the objective and information that we want to find out. These questionnaires will be sent to different construction industry companies in Malaysia to collect data to conduct next step of dissertation. Chapter 4 Data Analysis and Results Discussions The collected information from the respondents will be evaluated and analyzed in table or graph with explanation. Chapter 5 Conclusions This chapter will conclude and recommend the overall results of the survey for further research. REFERENCES Crowther,.P. Design For Buildability and The Deconstruction Consequences, Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse, CIB Publication 272. Lam, P.T.I., Wong, F.K.W., Wong, F.W.H. 2007. Building features and site-specific factors affecting buildability in Hong Kong, Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol 5, No 2. Mydin S.H., Zin R.M., Majid M.Z.A, Zahidi M. and Memon A.H. 2011. Buildability Attributes at Design Phase In Malaysian Building Construction, International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 1. Wong, F.W.H, Lam, P.T.I, Chan, E.H.W. and Wong F.K.W. 2006. Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Design, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 33.7, pg 79 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW INTRODUCTION Buildability or constructability has a huge area of study and it was very important in a construction industry. The aim of these literature reviews are to study and highlight the area that the buildability attributes that may affect the building design in Malaysia construction industry. The first reviews that will focus in this chapter are definition of buildability, then coming up with the principles and concepts of buildability which have defined by different countries. Moreover, this review also focuses on the factors that may affect the buildability by identify the buildability attributes in building design. BUILDABILITY/CONSTRUCTABILITY DEFINITION OF BUILDABILITY Since the buildability is important in the construction industry, so there are many researchers from different countries has identified and defined buildability based on their studies. Based on the several articles study and resources, it found that the one of the widely definition that can be accepted which is define by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), 1983, it stated that the buildability is the extent to which the design of a building facilitates ease of construction, subject to the overall requirements for the completed building (Wong, Lam, Chan and Wong, 2006B.p. 796). Besides the definition defined by CIRIA, there also have another definition which was founded with specific aim of improving the construction total quality management and the overall cost effectiveness and defined as constructability is the effective and timely integration of construction knowledge into the conceptual planning, design, construction and field operation of a project to achieve the overall project objectives in the best possible time and accuracy at the most cost-effective level by Construction Industry Institute (as known as CII) in year 1986 (Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796). According to The Construction Industry in Australia (CIIA), Griffith and Sidwell (1997), has defined constructability as a system to integrate if construction knowledge in the project delivery process and balancing the various project and environmental constraints to achieve the project goals and building performance at the optimal level.(Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796) Buildability Performance Research Group (BPRG), Chen and McGeorge (1994), defined buildability as the extent to which decisions, made during the whole building procurement process, ultimately facilitate the ease of construction and the quality of the completed project which buildability as a management to goals the project by recognize the factors affected the project (Eng, 2002.p. 117). In the other hand, there are other researchers have derived their own definitions based on their studying in buildability, such as:- Ferguson (1989); buildability was defined as the ability to construct a building efficiently economically and to agreed quality levels from its constituent materials, components and sub-assemblies (Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796.) Williams (1982); buildability was defined as the most economic and efficient way of putting a building together.(Yang, 2004) Illingworth (1984); buildability was defined as a design and details which recognize the assembly process in achieving the desired result safety and at least cost to the client.(Yang, 2004) In year 1996, Moore has modified the definition defined by Illingworth as a design philosophy, which is recognizes and addresses the problems of the assembly process in achieving the construction of the design product, both safety and without resort to standardization or project level simplification.(Yang, 2004) Lueprasert (1996), constructability has defined as an important characteristic of structural design and site conditions of construction project which determines the level of complexity of executing the correlative structural assembly tasks.(Yang, 2004) Moreover, there are few researchers believed that constructability are significantly different with buildability. The differences between buildability and constructability are that buildability is a design-oriented concept but constructability is concern the whole project processing. But also have some researchers thought that there are no difference between buildability and constructability, the only is buildability is usually used in UK and constructability is often used in USA. (Yang, 2004) PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF BUILDABILITY According to Eng, (2002, p. 112), Buildability or Constructability has been used and evolved in the construction management in the late 1970s in United Kingdom, but its potential was not been fully exploited in construction industry at the time. Nowadays, buildability is increasingly become an integral part of the construction industry in many countries because it was a technique used to manage the construction process during the pre-construction stage. According to Low et.al, (2008), buildability aim is to ensure the impacts of design details are recognized and considered in the earlier stage to reduce and/or prevent errors, delays and allows a cost control to the overall project others. Together with this, it will enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the industry. Moreover, Low study also stated the summarized of buildability principles that defined by some researchers such as Adams (1989), Ferguson (1989), Gray (1984), Griffith and Sidwell (1995), Tatum (1987) and other s as shown as below:- Efficiency and economical building production; to ensure efficient and economical production of a building, a logical organization of the sequence of assembly is necessary. The building organization must ensure continuity of construction work by having food management due to labors, machineries and materials delivery to achieve this principle (OConnor, 1985). Simplicity; this principles saying that the designers of the project must try to produce the simplest possible details compatible with the overall requirement for the building especially for the buildings group of elements (Ferguson, 1989; Bishop, 1985). Tolerance Level; the building design should recognize its tolerances which are normally attainable under site conditions. Different the materials and components used on site have its different composition and different jointing methods required. Therefore, practical level of tolerance adopted is necessary for the materials and components (Ferguson, 1989). Innovation; use any innovative ideas that can enhance the buildability of a project. The contractor should try to bring in new machineries or methods of working that can improve the productivity and allow construction process more efficiency. Before bring in the ideas, consideration of the level of skills available in industry is required. (Tatum, 1987). Proper scheduling; a good scheduling of works may allow construction proceed smoothly and right on track. The construction sequence should be practical to allow for a continuous flow of work to minimize delays of works (Gugel and Russell, 1994). Repetition and standardization; to reduce time consuming for constructions, the building elements should be design that encourages appropriate repetition and standardization, it may help to reduce cost, risk and error by using readily and standard items in construction (Adams, 1989; Ferguson, 1989). Participation and communication; project team members with relevant knowledge should be encourage to participate all level of construction. They can give their opinion and suggestion during early planning stage to reduce problem in future. Clear project information should be planned and coordinated to suit the construction process and facilitate the best possible communication and understanding on site (Fischer and Tatum, 1997). Avoid damage by subsequent works; the design should enable the works that carried out will not have risk of damage due to adjacent finished elements and with minimum requirements for special protection. This would reduce the need for return visits to site to repair damage. By doing few times checking to the completed works is better to reduce the project completion period (OConnor and Tucker, 1986). (Source: Low et.al, 2008) McGeorge and Palmer (1997) have identified that buildability and constructability is the only management concept to have been designed and developed by the construction industry (Eng, 2002). This is because they think that the separation of designs and construction processes is unique to the construction industry. Eng also mentioned that the report in early 1960s, division between the process of design and construction was recognized as contributing to inefficiencies throughout the construction industry. (Eng, 2002).Emmerson (1962) has identified that insufficient documentation before tender, inefficient pre-contract design procedures and lacks of communication among the architects, consultants and contractors appointed are the factors that cause the problem occurred (Eng, 2002). Moreover, Banwell, (1964) suggested that the contractor who is too far from the design stage for his specialized knowledge can be participate in traditional contracting situation. (Eng, 2002.p. 111).In the o ther hand, Banwell report also highlighted that the complexities of modern construction and its requirement for specialized techniques demand that the design process and the construction stage should not be regarded as separate fields of activity. (Eng, 2002.p. 111) EVOLUTION OF BUILDABILITY/CONSTRUCTABILITY CONCEPT Through different groups of researchers, a number of stages in the evolution of the buildability or constructability concept are been identified and related to research efforts in different parts (Eng, 2002). According to Eng (2002) study, it shows the groups of researchers from different countries that have evaluated the evolution of buildability/constructability, which are: Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA); UK Construction Industry Institute (CII); USA Construction Industry Institute of Australia (CIIA) Building Performance Research Group (BPRG); University of Newcastle in Australia In the early research taken by CIRIA and UK researches, they regarded that buildability is problem that arose from the division between builders and designers; led researchers to focus on technical issue and site and construction planning (Gray, 1983; Adam, 1989; Ferguson, 1989). (Eng, 2002.p. 112) Besides that, Eng stated that most industry researchers and commentators are tended to see buildability as a function that is within the influence or control of the designer. Illingworth (1984) has suggested that the problem of buildability was become deteriorate because the designers and professional team are resented contractors involve and giving their opinions during the design stage.(Eng, 2002.p. 112) In addition, CII had used industry case studies to investigate the constructability problem in construction industry to allow the researchers to understanding the issues. This carried out the understanding of different stages of project life cycle which would relate to different issues in constructability (Eng, 2002). Furthermore, CIIA also used the case studies to enable a holistic perspective to be maintained. CIIA have proposed 12 principles would be relevant with different emphases due to the different project life cycle. For BPRG at University of Newcastle in Australia, they started with conceptualize the buildability problem as one that derived from a complex system and they proposed that the concepts of buildability is needed to recognize the factors in a project environment which may affected in the design process, construction process and the link between them (Eng, 2002). CIRIA RESEARCH IN BUILDABILITY The definition of buildability defined by CIRIA has shown at the above. Though that we know that CIRIA definition is focused between designs and construction; the factors has been implied which are solely within the influence or control of the design team those have a significant impact on the ease if construction of a project (Eng, 2002). The concept was recognized as an issue within an integrated design management context. A good buildability are formed based on a building design, structure or other which had been consider in the construction phase with emphasis on the method of construction, activities, sequence of works and way incorporated into the overall design (Eng, 2002). In additional, Eng study had showing the 16 guiding principles for achieving buildability which was identified and developed by Adams (1989), CIRIA, as below:- Investigate thoroughly Consider accessibility at the design stage Consider storage at design stage Design for early enclosure Design for minimum time below ground work Suitable materials use Consider for the local skill available Design for simple assembly Plan for maximize repetition and standardization Maximize the use of plant Allow for sensible tolerances Allow for a practical sequence of operations Plan to avoid change to work Avoid return visits on site; do it right in first time Safe construction design Clearly communication (Source: Adam, (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY DEVELOPTMENT BY CII According to Eng (2002), has mentioned that CII used case studies to identify different of requirements for the planning stage (Tatum et.al, 1986), engineering and procurement phases of a project (OConnor et.al., 1986) and improvement of constructability that able to make during field operations (OConnor and Davis, 1988). In additional, they had identified and presented 6 concepts for the planning stage, 7 concepts for the design and procurement phase and 1 for field operations phase which showing below:- Conceptual Planning Stage Basic design approaches consider major construction methods Constructability programs are an integral part of project of project implementation plans Project planning requires construction knowledge and experience Early construction involvement in the development of contracting strategy Project schedules are construction sensitive Site layouts show efficient of construction Design and Procurement Stage Design for accessibility, materials and equipment Design for construction in adverse weather and remotes locations Design and procurement schedules are construction sensitive Design to enable efficient construction Design elements are standardize Construction and procurement efficiency are specifications developed Design for modularization to facilitate fabrication/transportation Field Operation Contractors use innovative methods (Source: Tatum et.al; OConnor et.al; OConnor and Davis; (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY PRINCIPLES BY CIIA For CIIA, they have review to the work of CII, and some developed construction information within the Australian context (Eng, 2002). At the beginning, they are 17 principles are being identified and tested. In the other hand, more than twenty of the personnel who experienced in construction are given feedback due to this tested. Through the test, Constructability Principles File (CIIA, 1992) has shown 12 concepts of constructability to represent current best practice applicable over five projects life cycle stages, which are feasibility studies stage, conceptual design stage, details design stage, construction stage and post construction stage (Eng, 2002). The twelve principles espoused were:- PRINCIPLESÂ  DESCRIPTION Integration Constructability must be made an integral part of project plan. Construction Knowledge Project planning must actively involve construction knowledge and experience. Team Skills Project team must be appropriate for the project based on their experience, skills and etc. Corporate Objectives Project team understanding against clients corporate and project objective to improve constructability. Available Resources Technology use in design solution must be matched with the skills and resources available. External factors External factors might affect the cost and program of the project. Program of project Overall project program must be realistic and have the commitment of the project team. Construction Methodology Construction methodology must be considered in project design. Accessibility Constructability will be improved if accessibility is considered good in the design stage of project. Specifications Constructability improved when efficiency considered in specification development. Construction innovation Constructability improved when innovation techniques is used Feedback Post construction analysis is undertaken to allow constructability can be enhanced on future projects Table Principles by CIIA (Francis and Sidwell (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY CONCEPTS BY MALAYSIAN RESEARCHER According to Nawi, Kamar, Lee, Hamid, Abdullah, Haron and Ariff (2009), stated that in Malaysia, the constructability and buildability concepts established by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and other relevant literature by CIRIA, (1983); Tatum, (1987); Adams, (1989); CII, (1993) and etc, there are 23 constructability concepts were formulated and presented by Nima, (2001) which use them to utilize a study in relation to the engineered construction phases. There are 7 concepts for conceptual planning phase, 8 concepts for design and procurement phase and 8 concepts for field operation phases which as follows:- C1-C7 (Project constructability enhancement during conceptual planning phase) Concept C1 the project constructability program should be discussed and documented within the project execution plan, through the participation of all project team members. Concept C2 a project team that includes representatives of the owner, engineer and contractor should be formulated and maintained to take the constructability issue into consideration from the outset of the project and through all of its phases. Concept C3 individuals with current construction knowledge and experience should achieve the early project planning so that interference between design and construction can be avoided. Concept C4 the construction methods should be taken into consideration when choosing the type and the number of contracts required for executing the project. Concept C5 the master project schedule and the construction completion date should be construction-sensitive and should be assigned as early as possible. Concept C6 in order to accomplish the field operations easily and efficiently, major construction methods should be discussed and analyses in-depth as early as possible to direct the design according to these methods. Concept C7 site layout should be studies carefully so that construction, operation and maintenance proceed efficiently and avoid any interference between the operations performed during these phases. C8-C15 (Project constructability enhancement during design and procurement phases) Concept C8 design and procurement schedules should be dictated by construction sequence. Thus, the construction schedule must be discussed and developed prior to the design development and procurement schedule. Concept C9 advanced information technologies are important to any field including field of construction industry. The usage of those technologies could overcome the problem of fragmentation into specialized roles in this field, hence enhancing constructability. Concept C10 designs, with design simplification by designers and design review by qualified construction personnel must be configured to enable efficient construction. Concept C11 project elements should be standardized to an extent that will never affect the project cost negatively. Concept C12 the project technical specifications should be simplified and configured to achieve efficient construction without sacrificing the level or the efficiency of the project performance. Concept C13 the implementation of modularization and preassembly for project elements should be taken into consideration and studied carefully. Modularization and preassembly design should be prepared to facilitate fabrication, transportation and installation. Concept C14 project design should take into consideration the construction personnel, materials and equipment accessibility to the required position on-site. Concept C15 design should facilitate construction during adverse weather conditions. Great emphasis should be made to planning for the construction of the project under suitable weather conditions, but the designer must plan and take into consideration the project elements that could be prefabricated in workshops. C16-C23 (Project constructability enhancement during field operation phases) Concept C16 field task sequencing should be configured in order to minimize damages or rework of some project elements, minimize scaffolding needs, formwork used or congestion of construction personnel, material and equipment. Concept C17 innovation in temporary construction materials/systems, or implementing innovative ways of using available temporary construction materials/systems that have not been defined or limited by the design drawings and technical specifications will contribute positively to the enhancement of constructability. Concept C18 incorporating innovation of new methods in using off-the-shelf hand tools or modification of the available tools or introduction of a new hand tools that may reduce labour intensity, increase mobility, safety or accessibility will enhance constructability at the construction phase. Concept C19 introduction of innovative methods for using the available equipment or modification of the available equipment to increase their productivity will lead to a better constructability. Concept C20 in order to increase the productivity, reduce the need of scaffolding or improve the project constructability under adverse weather conditions, constructors should be encouraged to use any optional preassembly. Concept C21 constructability will be enhanced by encouraging the constructor to carry out innovation of temporary facilities. Concept C22 good contractors, based on quality and time, should be documented, so that contracts for future construction works would not be awarded based on low bits only, but by considering other project attributes. Concept C23 evaluation, documentation and feedback of the issues of the constructability concepts should be maintained throughout the project to be used in later projects as lessons learned. (Source: Nima el al, (Nawi, et.al, 2009)) Although there are many researchers from different countries have identified and presented their own principles and concepts, but the points they covered are almost the same. Through those principles and concepts, it showing the ways to help the construction to reduce its project time, error, cost by having a good buildability on manage overall project. ASSESSMENT OF DESIGNS FOR BUILDABILITY According to CIRC and Chiang et.al, has stated that the construction industries are continues to search out the ways to improve buildability, such as the use of prefabricated, standardized and modular components, as well as the adoption of alternative procurement methods (cited by Wong, Lam, Chan P.C. and Chan H.W., 2006), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore had introduced and published a Code of Practice on Buildabl

Monday, August 19, 2019

Revenge Does nNot Bring Happiness in The Count of Monte Cristo Essay

It is believed by many that it is human nature to deem themselves to be a tantamount to God. Such is the case when one decides to take revenge against those who wrong him. Though vengeance seems like the perfect way to achieve justice, a sense of equity, in actuality it is merely an unsatisfactory hypocritical action. This is the definitive realization of the protagonist, Edmond Dantà ¨s in Alexandre Dumas’ â€Å"The Count of Monte Cristo†. The protagonist comes to understand that after a lifetime of searching for justice, he really only yearns justice from himself. Akin to many of Alexandre Dumas’ other masterpieces, â€Å"The Count of Monte Cristo† is a dramatic tale of mystery and intrigue that paints a dazzling, dueling, exuberant vision of the Napoleonic era in France. In this thrilling adventure, Edmond Dantà ¨s is toiling with the endeavor of attaining ultimate revenge, after being punished by his enemies and thrown into a secret dungeon in the Ch ateau d’If. He reluctantly learns that his long intolerable years in captivity, miraculous escape and carefully wrought revenge are all merely vital parts in his journey of awakening to the notion that there is no such thing as happiness or unhappiness, there is merely the comparison between the two. Ultimately, the irony that Dumas is presenting through this novel suggests that the inability to attain happiness through the hypocrisy that is revenge is because one is really avenging their own self. This becomes evident through his dramatic transformations from a naà ¯ve, young sailor, to a cold, cynical mastermind of vengeance, and finally to a remorseful, humble man who is simply content. To be naà ¯ve is something that pertains to childish innocence. The prevailing theme of innocence to exper... ...ate bliss† (Dumas, 531) As soon as Edmond is able to accept and remorse his hypocritical actions, he returns back to his original state, that of a good man who is content with the simple joys of life. In conclusion, a hypocritical action, such as revenge, cannot possibly bring about happiness. This is because hypocrisy essentially refers to being the very thing that one hates. Edmond Dantà ¨s is initially a man who appreciates all his blessings, however small they may be, although, after being the victim of treachery he morphs into a vengeful, bitter man. When a feeling of discontent arises following his vengeance, Dantà ¨s realizes that by revenging others he is really avenging himself. In other words, one cannot repair an immoral action with an equally immoral reaction. Only when accepting this notion can one rejoin humanity and feel content, as Edmond Dantà ¨s does.