Compare Plath and Larkin Essay Example for Free

Comp are Plath and Larkin Es ordainCompare and contrast the ways in which stopping point is portrayed in Philip Larkins poesy Days and Ambulances and Sylvia plaths bird Lazarus and Death and Co The songs i am going to analyse are brothel keeper Lazarus Death and Co Ambulances Days It is understatement to say that both Sylvia Plath and Philip Larkin throw away immense depth and subsidiary meanings to their poems, both writers expertly structure their poems and riding habitd varied techniques to convey their themes of shoemakers last and instil their messages to their contri scarceors. Plath goes ab tabu it an autobiographic manner and parades demise as a theatrical show leaving the auditory modality in shock and awe however Larkin presents cobblers last in a earlier trivial manner in comparison to Plath. He juxtaposes the all(prenominal)day street scene with horrific. He uses the ambulance as a momentary that death is every present and our ragings ultimately lead to the journey of death. The oxymoron dame Lazarus is significant to the poem. Lazarus, originally a man who is raised from the dead by Jesus is feminised and turned into Lady Lazarus. Plath summarises what she feels the terrible gift of being reborn.The alliterative spend a penny of address Lady Lazarus liberates herself from the irrevocable influence of the male figure portrays her idea of feminine transcendency over men and how women should excel over men in whatever they do however Larkins title Ambulances is a noun that is commonly associated with the negative imagery relating to accidents,hospitals ,blood, injuries and most importantly death. Both writers use lexical techniques to convey their outlook and opinion on the theme of death some of which consists of rhyme, rhetorical devices and their choice of vocab. rhyme is used in the root stanza as Plath declares I feed done it once more/One year in every ten she emphasises to the equal repartition of her near-death exper iences and holds connotations of her self-annihilation attempts, one year in every ten and one being premeditated at this stage. Plath speaks in hyperboles to emphasize her suicidal intention and her need to oblige her death and become a walking miracle. The pre modifier walking illustrates the fact that despite her many near death experiences she is still alive and ready as ever to attempt another suicide experience.The uoyant noun miracle that Plath describes herself as, demonstrates to the reader just how romantically Plath thinks of death to be and how her ending her own flavour is a hitmingly phenomenal way of dying. In comparison to this, Larkin contrasts his lexical techniques in oppose to Plath, he begins with the first stanza being a dramatic, alliterative opener. The vehicles are Closed like confessionals and are giving back none of the glances they absorb like a corpse. The alliterative statement closed like confessionals illustrates the Roman Catholic idea of confess ing sins to a priest in a closed box.This similarly outlines the poems religious nature and demonstrates to us the religious idea of death which connotes it of being like a closed rack up box a coffin. This also depicts the closed off nature of death and how once a person dies everything, they are sealed off from the world, an end to everything. Larkin uses enjambment to emphasize the disconnection between people and death throughout the poem. In the first devil lines, the lack of punctuation ironically causes the reader to stop at the end of each line.This symbolises the separation between the ambulance, and the city it is travelling through, as healthy as the glances the ambulance takes in. In the fourth stanza, Larkin uses enjambment in five out of the six lines, demonstrating the isolation of death throughout society. Specifically in the last iii lines and into the last stanza, Larkin reveals that what unites one another across the years, at last move apart t here (in the ambulance and at the hospital), while connecting all four of those lines.Vocabulary is also an element used by Plath to depict death her language cross-file is bold and informal. The vocabulary and rhythms make out the conversational speeches within the poem and make them out to be colloquial and everyday spoken, the frequently end-stopped lines, the repetitions which have the effect of mockingly counteracting the violence of the meaning, all establish the deliberately dismissive note of death which Plath strives to achieve..At times the tone is hysterically strident and demanding stop me hand and foot The big strip tease. Gentlemen, ladies These are my hands My knees. Iambic pentameter is also used in Lady Lazarus because it mimics the rhythm of conversational speech and makes it approximate to spontaneous speech. This also highlights Lady Lazarus aural quality as it is meant to be read aloud which emphasizes it rhetorical intensity and perhaps the power that Lady Lazarus ha s gained throughout the poem I am your opusI am your valuable The pure gold baby The spontaneous structure of the poem emphasises the emotional and physcological riot of Lady Lazarus and how she speaks spontaneously out of pain that she is feeling form her suicidal attempts On the contrary, Larkin also used five groups of six lines of poetry (sestet) of iambic trimeter and roughlythere are some irregularities, a, with the first and last lines of each sestet rhyming, and the middle rhyming ab-a-b like a ballad.The second stanza, only the first and last lines have been ended with punctuation leaving everything in the middle flowing. The women in the shops are detached from the Wild white face inside the ambulance. The third stanza all ends with punctuation, excluding the first line. This one exception is very isolated within the stanza as it is the only line remaining to flow. The flow emphasizes that the solving emptiness is not an obvious fulfil which we face every day.The solvi ng emptiness, a description of death, lies just under all we do, not exposed. Moreover, Plath employs and uses unique language features to express her emotion soon, soon the flesh/the grave cave repetition is used to emphasise her point across to the earreach, she also repeats soon twice to comfort the auditory sense as well as herself this also correlates to Plaths idea of death and how it is a welcoming experience not to be terrified by, something that makes her feel at home.To the readers and audience itself it is something disorientating and a lonely discomforting concept, but to Plath and her persona Lazarus, it is something they embrace with open arms and are anticipating it soon besides, Larkin goes about his language features other than so much so that Larkin hardly uses devices such as repetition, exclamation , but sort of settles for an indirect approach to his language, the only apparent use of language feature is the distinctive italic fronted text poor soul ,this highlights and emphasises the point Larkin wishes to make and also is his idea od the reaction given to the audience and the reader.This again relates to Larkins idea of death and his opinion being in total contrast to Plath. For Larkin, death is a dreadful thing, a cold, merciless, selfish thing and when death strikes it only can be described for the prey of death as poor which Larkin does, to have pity on those death has taken. Soul has In Lady Lazarus the audience are the spectators observation the performer show off her daring acts in aver to prepare her to die. She in other words entertains the audience by producing her own death in a rather erotic manner.The audience is shown the grim reality of death through the pre-modifier peanut-crunching. This illustrates to the reader just how engrossed the audience is in watching Lady Lazarus attempt her suicide and are absorbed in the strangeness of her death and robotically carry on crunching on their peanuts oblivious to just how di smal the death of Lady Lazarus is . Showmanship is portrayed through the use of first person I throughout the whole poem and the audience seems to develop a charge from the gothic belly dancer Lady Lazarus puts on for them or perhaps a charge the audience have to pay for watching.Using the metaphor charge gives connotations of the audience wanting a show, watching Lady Lazarus unwrap herself ,restored to breeding The big strip tease indicating informal connotations of the audience being largely male and receiving some sort of sexual fulfilment from this. Plath also portrays her rather freakish desire for death by distrusting the audience directly O my enemy/ do I s sustentation? The vocative O along with the possessive pronoun my directly challenges the audience as if the audience are somewhat responsible for the suicidal state that Plath is this instant in, affright them as she challenges them.The O my could also be taken as a form of loving address to her lover. If put nex t to enemy it reflects her feelings about death as if it I something to long and lust for however death is all something that is utterly terrifying at the same time as it is a whodunit to all of us. It also adds a sense of awkwardness throughout the poem as the reader begins to wonder about death and what appears in the afterlife. The audience also feels partly responsible for Plaths terrible state and are also blamed for causing her death in such a manner.The rhetorical question do I terrify not only involves the audience directly, but also threatens the audience rather mockingly as if the answer to the question should be nothing but a yes. The verb terrify portrays Plaths dual state, just like the Nazis she will not hesitate to inflict pain upon herself in order for her to die yet just like the Jewish race she fades beneath a strong force as she begins to doubt whether she is capable of ending her life. This again increasingly adds to awkward uncomfortable nature as audience bein gs to wonder what kind of miserable state she will be left in when she dies.However the audience in Ambulances are the people (mainly middle class) that are well-nigh where the death has taken place. They are the children strewn on steps and women coming from the shops. Here the newton of life trivialises the horror of death as ordinary people carry on living their life. They are watching horrifically as the body comes in. The audience here is rather sympathetic and empathise with the person that has just died. Poor soul/they whisper at their own distress.Using the verb whisper Larkin wishes to portray how the audience not only whispers out of remorse, pity and respect for the person that has just died but also whisper because they feel a sense of relief and appreciativeness that the person that has just expired was not themselves or their loved one. Here Larkin shows us the selfish nature of man and how man despite everything shall always care about them in essence leaving everyb ody walking on their own. Through this Larkin shows us how death is, death shall leave every person unaccompanied and everyone shall be no one.Death is selfish and when the appointed time, death shall not wait and indeed All streets in time are visited. The visitor being death personified through the use of a vehicle, the Ambulance. The ambulance here is death. And Larkin portrays the randomness of death and how unexpected it can be by the use of the preposition in and the noun time. Here Larkin reminds the reader than death is inevitable and is always there, a god like figure. Larkin also presents the idea that the audience, the onlookers forgot about death yet are redisposed(p) when a death appears around their life and the fastened doors recede.The audience are perhaps morbidly fascinated by death as it appears strange to them but then the audience then begins to realise the emptiness/That lies under all we do and for a moment the audience understands that life has only one certa inty death. The title of the poem Death Co title is an etymological, lexical technique in itself and is employed by the writer to change the perception of the reader, for the reader to be open minded and to grasp the writers idea. The co referred to in the title refers to a line of products which begins to establish the ironic and mocking mood of the poem,.Death is often viewed with incongruity, something that coldly takes away life yet offers comfort to those who are in pain or believe in an afterlife. This again links to the idea of death being a business because the persona asserts that there are ii referring to the two individuals that make up the entity called Death and co. To the persona it is perfectly natural that there are two people because a business must be compromised of at least two people. In Death Co the persona asserts that, there are two, personifying death the two individuals who make up the entity called Death Co.She comments that it is natural that there w ould be two, as most companies are made up of at least two people. The individual exhibits // birthmarks, and the speaker proclaims that they are his trademark. This claim subsumes the title of the poem, metaphorically revealing the business which is Death Co. By doing this the ide of death is bought closer to the persona as it now becomes a threat that is visible and is standing before the narrator. Sibilance is used to describe the trademark the scald scar of water.The effect of the assonance is that it names harsh fierce sound and emphasises the cruel and punitive nature of the partners in Death Co. Larkin however does not use his metaphoric objectified technique in the title but rather from within the poem itself. In the second stanza Larkin uses the priest and the make as symbols of different sentiments and values of death. The priest being a man of worship and the doctor symbolic to a man of science who both serves in solving that question two people obsessed with the m ystery of death appears after the question has been solved.The priest coat is black which represents death and he helps the person from moving from this life to the next. The Doctor coat is white which represents life as the doctor tries to revive the person. This again has connotations of conflict between science and religion Plath begins by using repetition of numbers two of course there are two. She is reasserting that death has come in two living forms before her. One of them looking grotesque, whose eyes are lidded and the other is attractive having long and optimistic hair yet dangerous .She does this to juxtapose the idea of life and death, the fact that two mortal creatures are bring about her lifeless state. The two figures create a sense of fear within her as she finds it difficult to name the two. he tells me how badly/He tells me how sweet. The repetition of Second person pronouns and the collocation of her divergent feelings towards death emphasises how at times death appears inviting and perhaps more easier alternative to life difficulties yet the sheer fact of suicide perhaps restrains her form ending her life as the fear of the un have sexn in the afterlife haunts her .Which perhaps emphasizes her fearful yet unrecognisable feelings towards death. She fears death and the reader can see that Plaths posseses a frightened predatory victimised outlook on death so she cannot find a specific name to address them as or perhaps there is no personal attachment to death as death is metaphorically recognised as a business, it performs it function and then leaves. On the other hand Larkin uses the same rhetorical feature of repetition but in a rather different manner.Days are repeated three times in the first stanza and this repetition forces the reader to think about the meaning of the word days which is the futility of existence ,the inevitable truth that all life must end in death. The reader is compelled to think about what would happen after the days has ended. Larkin gives day a spatial dimension as he describes days as Days are where we live. This raises about how time is measured the nature of it and its artificiality. Days are not a place,not a where but a when and it is in this paradox that leads to the blank response to the second question. Where can we live but days.From this question the answerer is now question themselves as they come to realise the inevitable truth behind days ,there is a lack of choice to the answer and the answerer realises that on the other side of dyas is the night which holds high connotations of death and the afterlife something which clearly fright and perhaps intrigues the answerer Once a person no longer has any days left to live in,the only other place that a person can occupy will be a place in his grave The use of a junction or persona is clearly present in both poems although again both poets use this craft differently to suit their own methods of portraying death.Larkin does not clearl y portray the identity of the voice or the voices the reader perceives in Days however what we do know is that there is a clear distinction bewtween the voice that asks the questions and the voice that answers the questions. The questions that questioner asks are literally simple,naive and appear to be that of a child asking questions rather simple questions. Of course the underlying meaning which lies behing these unpretentious questins is the metaphor of death in the background. The second voice appears to be different and fluctuates throughout the development of the poem.This voice appears to be the answerer to the questions that are asked and answers the question in a rather straightforward manner . The answer to the first question Days are where we live denotes a matter of fact, mollifying tone as the simple question is answered by an equally simple although equally worrying answer. At first the voice appears to be kindly positive reassuring the childish questioner that days ar e to be happy in which again holds connotations of death. It tells the questioner and the reader also that the inevitableness of death is true so we should live our lives while we have it and enjoy and be happy within it.In the second stanza the answerer adopts a earthly macabre tone almost mocking and cruel as it dryly observes that the only place people can inhibit apaprt from days is death. the questioner is nerve-wracking to find a simple answer and uses the filler ah to contemplate on what happens after days,the question become a lot of bigger then it initially seemed and the answerer realises there is no simplistic way to answer it and so the preist and doctor are suppousedly the only people that hold the answers to the question However Plath uses two male persona in her poem to portray death and reveal the double or schizophrenic nature of death.The use of male personas was chosen deliberately to emphasise the painful awareness of mans seemingly innate Judas quality just a s death can be cruel and snipe away happiness at the last moment.

Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Essay Example for Free

Ontario Teachers Pension Plan EssayOntario Teachers Pension Plan Board hedgerow Foreign Currency Exposure Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board Hedging Foreign Currency Exposure Issue Identification The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) is a outlined contribution mean that was created in 1917 to provide and administer a award plan for Ontario school teachers. Sponsored by the Ontario G all overnment and the Ontario Teachers Federation, the plan shortly supports 343,000 teachers, former teachers and supporters.The recent establishment decision to eliminate the 30% constraint on abroad investments and the increased volatility in the currency market has prompted the OTPP investiture Committee to address the following 1. Whether to continue the International Equity Swap Program 2. Whether to administer changes to the Foreign Exchange Hedging Policy Goals and Objectives In dress to come to a decision, it is necessary that any solution put forth must align with the goals and objectives of the fund. OTPP is a long-term fund determined to minimize risk, cost and the additional contributions required to fund the plan while maximizing its returns.OTPP Investment St judgegy In the early 1990s the OTPP board realized that it was essential to suffer investing abroad to diversify risk and to capitalize on international opportunities to achieve greater returns, given the size of the fund. However, it was not until 1996 that the Foreign Exchange environ Program (FX Hedge Program) was implemented in response to a significant rise in currency exposure. As the fund faced increased foreign currency risk, risk management became essential and thus, a hedging insurance of 50% of its foreign currency exposure was introduced.Due to the fact that OTPP has a regular commitment in supporting its pensioners, it must expose itself to limited risk and effectively hedge against any unexpected changes in its investments. Hence, a conservative policy of hedging 50% of foreign e xchange exposure was enforced. Additionally, the International Equity Swap Program (IE Swap Program) was implemented as a solution to the government prohibition of 30% ownership of foreign investments. Since most assets were tied up in non-marketable Ontario Debentures, a swap program enabled OTPP to reallocate its assets.OTPP Performance Evaluation The st postgical decision to diversify beyond Canada and into global markets has proved to be beneficial to the OTPP investment portfolio. It has contributed substantial value to the fund over the 10 year gunpoint (1995-2005) by reducing potential losses, since five of the six foreign currencies appreciated against the Canadian dollar. For the past 15 long time, OTPP investments view as also consistently outperformed the benchmark rate of returns, generating a 10-year average rate of return of 11. 4% and a gross return of $15. billion over benchmark returns. Despite the portfolios negative rate of returns in 2001-2002, it has still p roduced considerable investment growth in relation to the benchmark, demonstrating the strength of OTPPs investment policies in risk management. However, since interest rates have declined by approximately 3% (1990-2004), the value of the pension fund has increased. This has resulted in larger amount of payments made to pensioners. Additionally, the demographics of the OTPP plan membership have changed significantly over the past 30 years.The ratio of active members per retiree has decreased from 101 in the 1970s to the present ratio of 1. 61. Moreover, the expected years retirees rely on the pension have also increased to 29 years. All these factors have exerted a great deal of pressure on the pension plan to sustain its funding with contributions from fewer working teachers. With the foreign currency market being increasingly volatile, OTPP is concerned regarding its future ability to support pension payments. Decision CriteriaThe Investment Committee must consider the following c riteria when deciding whether to implement changes to the International Equity Swap Program and Foreign Exchange Hedging Policy the funds exposure to foreign exchange risk, transaction costs, and an alignment of goals and objectives of the fund. Alternative Although OTPP has performed well in the past, the future outlook of the pension plan remains uncertain. Therefore, OTPP has four alternatives to the future direction of the fund. OTPP can continue or discontinue the IE Swap Program and maintain or revise the flow rate 50% FX Hedge Policy.Continue/Discontinue the Swap Program Previously, the swap program was used as a means to bypass the government restriction on foreign investment. With the regulation being lifted, OTPP has to now evaluate whether the swap program remains necessary. The program has allowed OTPP to reallocate their assets cost-effectively as it eliminates OTPPs cost of transacting this instant in foreign exchange market. Moreover, since OTPP does not gain owners hip of the securities, it has reduced the amount of cash required and limited its risk by transferring the risk to counter-parties (UBS, recognition Suisse, JP Morgan, etc. ).

Conflict between Freedom and Determinism

Conflict between Freedom and DeterminismFreedom, Determinism ResponsibilityInstructions Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying conflict between degagedom and determinism and the various options for settle that conflict. Demonstrate my profess thinking about the problem, must show that I read made a determined effort to grapple with the problem. Essay is indite for a cold audience theyre smart, but they have no prior knowledge of what Im talking about. Try to organize your essay so that each take time off of it builds up a defence of your position.IntroductionThe idea that tender beings exercise free leave seems commonsensical that is, we understand that when we act, we were capable of acting early(a)wise than we did. It whitethorn come as a surprise to hear that this is actu in ally a hotly contested claim, and it has been subjected to philosophical scrutiny for thousands of years. The position that I will be defending is called hard determinism, a view that up unti l several months ago, I was blissfully unawargon even goed. Hard determinism is the view that humans exist at heart the causal loop of the universe, that our actions are inextricably bound to the laws of nature. It proposes that human behaviour is originatord by an individuals personality, desires and values, but that their personality, desires and values are caused by external antecedent factors oer which the individual has no control. These factors can range anywhere from genetic predisposition to their upbringing to the cultural norms of the society they happened to be born in. In short, hard determinism rejects the flavor of human agency. The objective of my paper is two-fold1) To make the argument that the thesis of determinism does non undermine our every day conceptualization of the will, but simply proposes an explanation for the cause of what we call moral behaviour.2) To make the argument that the thesis of free will and moral responsibility does not cohere with the t hesis of determinism or in other words, to attack the compatibilist/soft-determinist view.Different interpretations of determinisms truth exist. So I guess here I would outline specifically what the different views of determinism are, just like that dudes paper LOL. I would identify mine and elaborate on the arguments. This definition admits a will or a desire-that-produces-action, but it admits no free will or free desire.Libertarians subscribe to the notion that human actions are uncaused and undetermined. They operate on the premise that humans are capable of originating acts, initiating a sequence of events, self-governing and gum olibanum we are independent of graphic causal chains.Clearly formulate and explain the position you hold. In rig to defend your position of hard determinism, I extremity to undermine their defence of freedom. Libertarians attack determinism by making a case for the exceptions theyre pointing to. Their only point of attack to make a case of their co unter case I need to prove their counter-example is not true. You can point to the sorts of suppositions that libertarians are making about human beings. Question the plausibility of those suppositions the idea that were autonomous, the idea that we exist somehow outside of the causal loop.I also argue against the claim of human uniqueness held by Libertarian philosophers, so look at Chisholm and look at Lewis, who soft of touches on that. Libertarians argue that humans are capable of originating acts, initiating a sequence of events, self-governing and thus we are independent of natural causal chains. Libertarians stay fresh that freedom and moral responsibility are logically incompatible with determinism. They believe that for humans to be free, there must be some instances, fundamentally, human action, which are not the effects of causal antecedents. But if this were true, then the human will must be subject to a special kind of explanation. Libertarians seem to stick out pa rtial determinism, which suggests a break in the ongoing process of cause and effect.For instance, history is not characterized by a linear progression, whereby wiz cause produces certain effects and so on ad infinitum. Instead, life can be described as a vast tree with an illimitable number of branches, which tell apart into numerous possible directions. Yet, for human action to transcend causal determinism 1 of two possibilities must be fulfilled i) events themselves must be uncaused and indeed random, or ii) particular events must be causi sui (the cause of itself).Refuting the compatibilist/soft-determinist poses more of a challenge, as they share common ground with a hard determinist. Outline the master(prenominal) points and objectives of my paper and establish which of the 3 classical positions I hold. In this case, it is hard determinism. As such, I seek to prove that the thesis of free will does not and cannot cohere with the thesis of determinism.I also argue that t he thesis of determinism does not undermine our every day conceptualization of the will, it simply proposes the source of what causes us to croak back on moral behaviour. Then why do we act morally? Because it is evolutionarily useful for us to do so. Ruse says that true morality substantial over time evolutionarily. Talk about monkeys nigga lol. Well see how that works out. For both of the following paragraphs, draw specific arguments from the readings, explain those arguments in my own words, critically assess the arguments and make clear why you accept or reject those arguments.Its harder to defend yourself against soft determinism. Give the main argument or arguments in its defence.State as clearly and forcefully as you can the main objections which would be raised by those holding the other positions. So here I can explain libertarianism and soft determinism. Rebut those objections. Libertarians argue that humans are capable of originating acts, initiating a sequence of event s, self-governing and thus we are independent of natural causal chains.Libertarians maintain that freedom and moral responsibility are logically incompatible with determinism. They believe that for humans to be free, there must be some instances, fundamentally, human action, which are not the effects of causal antecedents. But if this were true, then the human will must be subject to a special kind of explanation. Libertarians seem to support partial determinism, which suggests a break in the ongoing process of cause and effect.For instance, history is not characterized by a linear progression, whereby one cause produces certain effects and so on ad infinitum. Instead, life can be described as a vast tree with an infinite number of branches, which divide into numerous possible directions. Yet, for human action to transcend causal determinism one of two possibilities must be fulfilled i) events themselves must be uncaused and therefore random, or ii) particular events must be causi s ui (the cause of itself).Human independence in the strong sense for our lives to be meaningful and important. How do you hold people morally responsible in a deterministic world? Focus on the deliberative process theres no compulsion or constraint, then were freely deliberating and thus can be held morally responsible. Libertarians often worry about objective worth.Look at Kane in Fischer. Its true that all of our behaviour is causally determined. Look at Widerker and how he talks about how youd act if there was an announcement that the universe is deterministic. Would you feel like your life is unimportant?A third argument for incompatibilism was formulated by Carl Ginet in the 1960s and has received much attention in the modern literature. The simplified argument runs along these lines if determinism is true, then we have no control over the events of the past that determined our present state and no control over the laws of nature. Since we can have no control over these matters , we also can have no control over the consequences of them. Since our present choices and acts, under determinism, are the necessary consequences of the past and the laws of nature, then we have no control over them and, hence, no free will.Opposition to determinism promotes that without belief in uncaused free will, humans will not have soil to behave ethically. Determinism, however, does not negate emotions and reason of a person, but simply proposes the source of what causes us to fall back on moral behavior. Anyone susceptible to vile actions from the idea of determinism was susceptible before and does not hold strong moral judgment prior to the idea.Determinism implies the moral differences between two people are caused by hereditary predispositions and environmental effects and events. Simply because the cause of a persons morality (depending on the branch of determinism) is not entirely themselves, this does not mean determinists are against punishment of people who commit crimes independent of moral judgement, punishment can still serve to modify a persons behaviour.Another point of view is that if determinism is true, and free will is not, then morality and ethics are meaningless concepts. Morality and ethics require that a choice can be made in order for these concepts to have any meaning. But if a person has no choice, in the case of a deterministic world with no free will, then it does not make sense to say whether individuals can make more (or less) ethical or moral choices, because there are no options available to them except the one they must deterministically follow.I will use the words determinism and causality interchangeably to mean approximately the same thing, with determinism referring to the more general state of the world and causality referring to more specific causal relationships.On the other hand, Sam has argued that morality can be studied scientifically. This would require operationally defining morality (Harris suggests a de finition akin to a behaviors probability of maximizing human wellbeing but the definition itself is not the focus of his argument). Harris goes on to suggest that, given that human brains have certain properties, we could go on to identify objectively superior moral frameworks that is, multiple optimized ethical systems may emerge that satisfy our definition of moral.

The Design Of Toughened Glass Columns Physical Education Essay

The Design Of case-hardened Glass Columns Physical Education EssayGlass has clinched the attention of engineers and architects in late(a) years despite its break adapted nature. As well as its aesthetic allure, the increase knowledge of this material allows structural boundaries to be pushed and endless possibilities to arise. Glass facades, beams, and travel are most of the structures that arrive at been explored with. However, the prospect of using a fruitcake column as a structural comp iodinent, as opposed to an ornamental role, is of increasing interest. Various structural shabu types are available and have proven to be sufficient, just now toughened trash reigns as the strongest type, yet its capability to impromptu shatter brush aside also prove to be a liability.What is Glass?Glass is an inorganic, non-crystalline, solid, transparent material, renowned for its brittleness. Its molecular structure attributes to its brittleness, making it weak in tension (Chen Lui, Ch.29) and without an ability to distribute load or absorb impact energy. Potentially, deoxyephedrine is actually strong, even exceeding the force play of structural steel. However, ascribable to field trumpery having fairly low gap toughness, this is only achievable when meth contains no defects, as freshly drawn fibre might be (Rice Dutton, 33).Glass does non yield, sooner it sallys and its failure is stochastic, meaning that prediction for failure is based upon risk or statistics (ISE, 11). Glass does non adhere rigorously to stoichiometry as crystalline materials do, due to the ability to incrementally alter the properties of codswallop in continuously by adding components/substances to modify its properties. For instance, adding potassium oxide to silica get out change the crosspatch properties (Clare, Ch.23). Although described as a solid, applesauce is rather a subset of the solid state. It is inbornly an moldable solid below its transformation region, i.e. the wish-wash transition state, and a liquid above it, spy scum has the attributes of a liquid apart from the ability to flow (Clare, Ch.23). There is a range of intricacies inbuilt within provideful composition this go away later prove to greatly explain the complexities of glass behaviour.A Look at Glass Chemical and Physical CompositionUnlike m any(prenominal) other materials, glass consists of a geometrically irregular ne some(prenominal)rk of silicon and oxygen atoms, with alkaline parts in amidst (fig.1.4) (Haldimann Luible Overend, 4). As glass is an inorganic product of coalescence, it consists of a number of chemic components. The chemical composition of glass has a signifi jakest impact on glass viscosity, the melting temperature Ts and the thermal expansion coefficient T of glass (Haldimann Luible Overend, 4). One of the important attributes of glass is its resistance to corrosion by acid and water (Chen Lui, Ch. 29). There is a massive variety of different types of glass, however, the most(prenominal) prevalent type of glass in construction (approximately 90%), is soda lime silica glass (Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners), and for other special applications, borosilicate glass is used. However, depending on the purpose for the glass, other types are available, much(prenominal)(prenominal) as Lead glass, borosilicate glass, glass fibre, vitreous silica, alminosilicate glass, alkali-barium silicate glass, technical glass, glass ceramics, optical glass and sealing glass, to name but a few (Glass Online).Borosilicate glass consists of mainly silica (70-80%) and boric oxide (7-13%) with small amounts of the alkalis (sodium and potassium oxides) and aluminium oxide. Borosilicate glass has a con side of meatrably low alkali content, and hence, has an appreciable level of chemical durability and ravish resistance (Glass Online).The chemical components of soda lime glass are as follows70% 74% SiO2 (silica)12% 16% Na2O (sodium oxide)5% 11% CaO (calcium oxide)1% 3% MgO (atomic number 12 oxide)1% 3% Al2O3 (aluminium oxide)(Glass Online)Regardless of the specific type, the main constituent of glass is silica sand (Chen Lui, Ch. 29). Sand alone can be used to experience glass at a temperature of 1700oC but the gain of other minerals and chemicals significantly lowers the melting temperature (Glass Online). For instance, the melting temperature for pure silica is approximately 1710oC, but it drops to 1300-1600oC through the addition of alkali (Haldimann Luible Overend, 4). Glass consists of a network formers and modifiers bod. 29.1. Silicon and oxygen ions are bonded together (formers) forming a three dimensional structural network of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium (modifiers) ions (Chen Lui, Ch. 29). Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), known as soda ash, is added to create a mixture of 75% silica (SiO2) and 25% of sodium oxide (Na2O), which will reduce the temperature of fusion to about 800oC (Glass Online). How ever, this concoction means the glass is produces water glass, meaning it is water-soluble. To make the glass stability, chemicals such as (CaO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) are added which is achieved by adding limestone, which results in a pure slow glass (Glass Online).The viscosity of the liquid glass during the cooling phase increases constantly until solidification is achieved at about 1014Pas. The temperature at solidification is called glass transition temperature Tg and is about 530oC for soda lime silica glass. Contrasting crystalline materials, the transition between liquid and solid states occurs over a particular temperature range, instead of a single precise temperature (Fig. 1.5, Table 1.3). Small amounts of iron oxides are responsible for the greenish colour of soda lime silica glass. A reduced iron oxide content results in an extra clear glass, which is known as low iron glass, and is readily available (Haldimann Luible Overend, 6).Essentially, the composition of gl ass varies to appease a particular product and production method, which requires the raw materials to be weighed and mixed properly as the consistency of the composition is vital in glass production (Glass Online).The essential physical properties of soda lime silica and borosilicate glass are summarised in Table 1.5. Optical properties depend on the thickness of the glass, the chemical composition, and the apply coatings. The most prominent of the glass properties, is its very high transparency within the visible range of wave spaces (= 380-750nm). However, for different glass types, the exact profiles of non-transmitted radiation spectrum differ, but are in the wavelengths outside and cheeseparing the infrared band (Fig. 1.6). A large percentage of UV radiation is absorbed as a result of O2 reaction in the glass, but long-wave infrared radiation ( The Making of GlassEssentially, glass is produced by rapid melt quenching of raw materials (reference) there are currently assorted methods by which glass is produced. The float change Fig 1.1 is the most practiced glass production method used today, which produces flat glass, attributing to 90% of the production worldwide. Although the steps vary, it is simply melting at 1600-1800oC, forming at 800-1600oC and cooling at 100-800 oC Haldimann Luible Overend, 1). The Pilkington Brothers introduced the float process in 1959. It has several advantages, such as low cost production, vast availability, superior optical quality, and allows for large stable glass panes to be caused. The production process is shown in Fig 1.2. Glass is produced by melted raw materials in a furnace at 1550oC. Subsequently, the molten glass is poured continuously at 1000oC on to a shallow pool of molten tin whose oxidation is prevented by inert atmosphere consisting of hydrogen and nitrogen. (Haldimann Luible Overend, 2). The glass floats onto the tine and spreads forming a smooth flat surface, with an even thickness of 6-7mm it gradually cools and is drawn onto rollers, wherefore entered into a long oven called a lehr that is change at a temperature of 600oC. The thickness of the glass can be controlled within a range of 2-25mm, through adjusting the speed of the roller, whereby, reducing the speed increases the glass thickness. The glass is slowly cooled to prevent residual stresses world induced in the glass, after annealing, automated machines inspect the glass to check for obvious defects and imperfections. The glass can then be cut to a standard coat of 3.21m- 6.00m, and stored. A prejudice that arises from this method is that there is a discrepancy between the two faces of a glass sheet. Apparent diffusion of tin atoms into the glass surface occurs on the tin side, which could influence the behaviour of this surface when it is glued. The mechanical forcefulness on the air side is great than on the tin side, which occurs because of the transport rollers interacting with the tin side in the cooling area. This interaction with the rollers can reduce the strength of the glass as it can create surface flaws (Haldimann Luible Overend, 2).Fracture Mechanics in GlassAs glass is unable to yield plastically ahead of fracture results in the fracture strength being highly sensitive to stress c one timentrations. To achieve accurate characterisation of the facture strength of glass, the nature and behaviour of the flaws must be mixd, as a result of surface flaws causing high stress concentrations (Haldimann Luible Overend, 49). The stress of glass is time dependent yet, humidity causes stress corrosion resulting in flaws slowly maturation when bared to a positive catch opening stress. Essentially, this is when a glass element is stressed below its momentary strength, fails after the time required for the comminuted flaw to grow to its critical size (Haldimann Luible Overend, 49). These flaws are either inherent in the glass or a result of cutting, drilling, grinding, or an impact from th e environment humidity heightens the offset of discovers. Due to the cut edges in annealed glass being weaker than its flat surfaces, annealed glass beams are designed with lower stresses than glass plates. The onset of libertine fracture is represented by this general equation (a)= (EGc) (ISE, 57)Where a is the half length of the fragment, E is the Youngs Modulus and Gc is the toughness of the glass Gc has units of kJ/m2 and is the toughness of the glass, sometimes known as the critical strain energy release rate. The equation shows that fast fracture will happen when in a material subjected to a stress , a crack reaches some critical size a or alternatively, when material containing cracks of size a is subjected to some critical stress . This is a mathematical representation of the trend in annealed glass to be stronger under short-term loading rather than long term. The purpose of glass modification processes such as toughening and heat strengthening is to prevent glass fro m experiencing tension in surface to avoid crack growth, so that fracture mechanics calculations need non be call fored Fig 5.3.Professor Inglis (1913) discovered that a slot, hole, or notch in a metal plate was likely to reduce strength by a greater value than that predicted from simply considering the reduction in tensile area. It was proven that the stress field near the discontinuity is exaggerated by an amount that is reliant upon the radius of curvature relative to its length perpendicular to the stress field. The discontinuities or randomly distributed flaws across the surface are known as Griffith Flaws. Griffith flaws are patent on the surface of glass, but the strength of the glass is coinciding with the presence of visible defects, which is usually the origin of the cracks that occur under an applied tensile stress. inadvertent contact can damage the edges of a glass plate more significantly than any other region of the glass. The deflection or bending of the glass is usually able to absorb the energy from an impact on a glass face but an edge impact is resisted by the full in-plane callosity of the glass plate or beam and produces greater damage impulse. Once load is applied, stresses develop and concentrate at the tips of flaws or cracks, which usually go unobserved by the naked eye. Griffith claimed that crack propagation occurs if energy release on crack growth is adequate enough to supply all the energy that is needed for the growth of cracks. Mathematically this is stated asc=EGc/aWhere c is the stress required to fracture a plate with a crack of length 2a, E is Youngs Modulus and Gc is the critical elastic energy release ratio or toughness of the glass, with units of energy per unit plate thickness and per unit crack extension.This expression signifies the occurrence of fast fracture when a material is under stress that results in a crack of the size a. It is maintained by some that glass is able to reverse crack damage, i.e. heal a mic rocrack, if it reverts back to an unstressed state. On the other hand, the surface condition of glass sheet alters each time it is cleaned due to new microcracks surfacing. Therefore, the notion of damage reversal is up to the engineer to decide whether it is reliable in design (ISE, 57).Over time, momentary strength of loaded glass decreases, even if only subjected to static loads. This is a quintessential concept to grasp for the structural use of glass, and was demonstrated by Grenet (1899). Flaw and glass properties, stress history and the crack velocity-stress enthusiasm relationship govern the growth of a surface flaw (Haldimann Luible Overend, 50).Structural Behaviour and Failure Characteristics of GlassUpon failure, glass does not yield, it fractures, and the failure is stochastic, meaning that the predicted failure is based on risk or statistical analysis (ISE, 11). However, glass is very strong, even stronger than steel. But the inherent low fracture toughness means that this optimum level of strength is only achievable when the glass is free from all defects. Ultimately, glass is brittle, without the ability to redistribute load or absorb energy (Rice Dutton, 33). Due to the brittle nature of glass, it is important for the designer to have an insight into how the structure will behave if one or more of the glass elements fail most importantly the safety implications should be assessed (ISE, 55). Fig 5.1At low stress levels, the majority of materials tend to raise by Hooks law, in that stress and strain are proportional. Yet, a higher stress levels the material deforms plastically, but as glass is a brittle material, it simply fractures without warning instead. The mechanical properties of glass are displayed in Table 29.1 (Chen Lui, Ch.29). The theoretical strength of glass is usually approximately a tenth of it elastic modulus.The density of the cracks rather than the theoretical breakage stress governs the failure stress of glass, whereby glass compressive strength can reach a value of 10,000MPa, demonstrating that whilst in muscle contraction it is very strong. Conversely, in tension it fails, and this usually occurs when stress levels are less than 100MPa. It is the general consensus that glass failure originates from crack growth and surface flaws, where the stress is concentrated, as demonstrated in Fig 29.5 (Chen Lui, Ch.29).To gain scope of how differently glass behaves relative to the most commonly used construction material, steel, is to observe the behaviour displayed in stress-strain curveGlass molecular structure influences its mechanical properties, particularly its random irregular network of silicon and oxygen atoms. Its structure allows for no slip planes or dislocations so that macroscopic plastic flow transpires before fracture (Haldimann Luible Overend, 49). Glass failure is most likely to be initiated by surface cracks, because these tend to have the worst geometries and are subjected to the highest str esses due to bending. If the loads to which the glass is subjected do not create enough surface tension to overcome the surface crush, no crack will propagate. Toughening, therefore, increases the effective strength and impact resistance of the glass. Should an external load overcome the precompression and cause a crack to propagated, then the stored energy due to prestress will cause the cracks to spread immediately in all directions and the pane of the glass will fragment explosively (Rice Dutton, 33). Static wear of glass, also known as sub-critical crack growth is a phenomenon of glass. An applied sub critical stress causes cracks of flaws to slowly grow with time, until a length is reached, at this point the stress intensity at the crack tip reaches a critical value. Consequently, rapid fracture occurs due to the highly strained atomic bonds swiftly breaking at the crack tip. Stress corrosion is a term used to describe the relationship between the crack growth velocity and th e stress intensity factor. Apart from applied stress, there are a number of factors that hasten slow crack growth, such as alkaline solutions and increasing temperature (ISE, 56).Plastic flow is not thinkable in glass, therefore when the glass surface is in a state of tension the flaws produce high stress concentrations. The flaws are random and can purport any path therefore the failure strength can only be determined through statistical analysis. Therefore, the basis of risk of fracture of glass that is determined does not give assurance that the glass can withstand the designed load. Strength of glass relies on the load duration and environmental conditions Fig 29.6 shows the strength-time relationship (Chen Lui, Ch. 29). The time to failure and applied stress relationship is expressed mathematically asnT= constantWhere is stress T is duration and n is a constant (ISE, 56).The value of n varies, and Sedlack (1995) as well as Pilkington Glass Consultants recommend n = 16 for de sign purposes. This equation suggests that loads applied at an exceedingly long duration will allow allowable stresses to decrease to insignificant values. However, in reality, this is not true (ISE, 56). Unlike steel that yields and flows when locally overstressed, glass breaks when it is overstressed. For that reason, it is vital that the designer attempts to eradicate possible design features that may result in stress concentrations. Such as bolted glass has been developed in such a way that, stress concentrations are avoided around the bolts this attention to detail cannot be readily detected (ISE, 58). To avoid force being transmitted from glass to another material, as this causes stress concentrations to develop soft setting blocks, fibre gaskets, and protective brushes have been implemented to limit this (ISE, 58). Glass is almost perfectly elastic, one-dimensional and is isotropic, and is not subjected to fatigue (Haldimann Luible Overend, 8). Glass only fails by brittle fr acture, and cycling loading can cause the growth of cracks. Most materials have a fatigue limit, whereby there is stress amplitude where facture does not happen or fracture only happens after a great number of cycles (108). Additionally, although many materials have a fatigue ratio, which is the ratio of the fatigue limit to yield strength, but since glass does not yield, this attribute is obsolete (ISE, 58). As glass fails in tension or by buckling, the highest tensile stresses that occur from applied loads should be considered when finding the elastic stability of glass element. Applied compressive stresses can cause tensile strains, but tensile strains can even occur as a result of the Poissons effect from compressive stresses (ISE, 60). Glass failure occurs when the tensile stress is equal or greater than the characteristic strength, which can be calculated using Eqn 29.5. The membrane stress is constant across the thickness of the plate, whilst the bending stress can be interpr eted as varying linearly. Thus, superimposing the membrane and bending stresses can determine the total stress on the glass (Chen Lui, Ch. 29).Furthermore, the deflection of glass elements is an important aspect to consider and such behavioural patterns like toughened glass deflecting more than annealed glass (even when of the same strength) due to toughened glass being considerably thinner, should be taken into consideration (ISE, 56). Glass plates are typically thin so they demonstrate large displacements. The use of thin plate linear bending theory will produce incorrect results. Therefore, the large deflection theory should be used instead to calculate the maximum stress when checking stress against failure. Failure generally is taken to be at the point when the maximum tensile stress equals the glass fracture stress (Chen Lui, Ch.29).Glass can be quite sensitive to any impact and will result in fracture the common causes of glass breakage areExcessive stress form wind pressur e or other loadsThermal stress due to differential temperature on different parts of the paneBuckling due to large compressionSurface or edge damageDeep scratches or gougesSevere weld splatterDirect contact with metal (e.g. window aluminium frame)Impurities like nickel sulfide (NiS)Excessive deflection bringing glass in contact with other hard objects. (Chen Lui, Ch. 29)Hence, the strength of glass relies on these aspects the duration of the applied load, environmental conditions, humidity, size of the stressed area, the dissemination of stresses across the stressed area, the condition of the surfaces and edges of the glass (ISE, 57). Prestressing glass, notably by heat-strengthened and toughened are the two basic types, enables the glass to maintain compression on the surface, therefore, eliminating crack propagation (ISE, 59). Survival probability of scratched glass loaded at a constant rate Eqn Time dependence of glass strength Eqn Fig 5.4 Fig 5.5 Fig 5.6The Different Types of Structural GlassGlass, itself, is highly susceptible to fracture, which results in a lot of shattered glass, and ultimately, health and safety implications. The fracture of glass stems from the surface flaws. Thus, the industry has developed various modification methods to achieve an increase in the practical strength of glass, by introducing local high compressive stresses near its surfaces (Chen Lui, Ch.29). By common practice, these modifications are usually implemented on float glass.Tinted GlassTinted glass is also known as heat-absorbing glass, and is produced by colorant being added to normal clear glass. Light transmittance varies depending on colour and thickness, with a range between 14 to 85%. As a result, tinted glass is not and heat-strengthened glass is typically used when making tinted glass (Chen Lui, Ch.29).Coated GlassPlacing classs of coating onto a glass surface makes coated glass, and there are two types the solar control (reflective) and the low emissivity typ es. Structural strength of coated glass is only indirectly affected when the thermal stress is altered, but coated glass is more associated with its energy absorption and light transmission attributes. Therefore, to prevent excessive thermal stress, heat-strengthened glass should be used to produce coated glass (Chen Lui, Ch.29). equip GlassA common misperception is that fit out glass is stronger than unmodified annealed glass, due to the wires being seen as reinforcement. However, the wires actually induce cracks and weaken the glass. Yet, wired glass is able to hold together upon being broken (ISE, 22). Wired glass is produced when a steel mesh is implemented onto the molten glass during the turn process (the rolling portion of the flat glass process). It has a high rate of breakage due to sunlight, and hence is weak in resisting thermal stress. Although it is still weak in resisting thermal stress, polished wired glass is used for fire rating since after it breaks, it sticks to the wire mesh and prevents smoke passing. Figure 29.8 shows a damaged wired glass panel under sunlight (Chen Lui, Ch.29).Annealed GlassAnnealed glass panels do not have any heat treatment (Chen Lui, Ch.29) it is produced using the float process (as described previously) (ISE, 22). It is usually used when large glass panels need to be used, and it is too large for any heat treatment (Chen Lui, Ch.29). The behaviour of annealed glass is typically perfectly elastic until fracture occurs. Upon fracture, large, sharp shards emerge which are dangerous. However, annealed glass panes do not spontaneously fracture, and due to alternate load paths across the glass pane, it may not fall out of its frame upon failure. Although there is no creep or fatigue in the metallurgical sense, slow crack growth occurs as a result of cyclical loading, whereby, if this glass is under permanent loading, the deformation increases with below 3% over a 50-year period. Imposed strains, such as bending and therm al stresses, as well as instant impact, causes elastic deformation resulting in brittle fracture of annealed glass (ISE, 22). Annealed glass is not very strong, so it is weak in thermal resistance. The allowable stress is approximately 15N/mm2 (Chen Lui, Ch.29). Fig 2.4 Fig 2.5 Fig 2.6Heat-Strengthened GlassHeat-strengthened glass is created using a convertible process to toughening, with the exceptions that there is a lower cooling rate (Haldimann Luible Overend, 12) and the level of the produced prestress is lower. The fracture behaviour, however, is more akin to that of annealed glass rather than toughened (ISE, 24), with larger fragments than that of thermally toughened glass (Haldimann Luible Overend, 12). The compressive surface stress for heat-strengthened glass lies in a range between 24 and 69N/mm2 and European Standards quote that the pattern of breakage ranges between 25 to 40N/mm2 (ISE, 24). Heat-strengthened glass is commonly used in laminated glass assemblies, but the nature of its large fracture pattern causes a significant remaining bearing(prenominal) capacity upon failure of the glass. The stress gradient depends on the thickness of the glass and as the glass must be cooled down gradually, thus, thick render (exceeding 12mm) cannot be heat-strengthened using the toughening process (Haldimann Luible Overend, 12).Laminated GlassLaminated glass is two or more glass panes bonded with an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or resins, such as acrylic. The thickness of the interlayer varies between 0.4mm to 6mm. A disadvantage of laminated glass is the validity of composite action. Although usually only two layers are bonded, over 25 layers have been effectively bonded coming at 100mm thick. Laminates can integrate many thicknesses and arrangements to suit a certain requirement. Most importantly, many different types of structural glass can be arranged in the laminated formation, including toughened, annealed, heat-strengthened and bent glass f or example. However, toughened and heat-strengthened glasses both cause small amplitude waves as a result of the rollers used in the process. This in turn, enhances the separation between the laminated glasses and ultimately the PVB is impractical. Therefore, resin laminating should be instead. When using a PVB interlayer, the sheets of glass have the PVB interjected between them and then this sandwich travels through an oven of about 70oC, and then passes between rollers which shove out the excess air from the bonding. The laminated glass is then placed in an autoclave, heated at 140 oC and at a pressure of 0.8N/mm2. It is possible to manufacture laminated glass at a maximum of 6m by 3m. In resin laminating, the two principal resins are acrylic and polyester. The glass sheets are held together at a right distance apart using double-sided tape around the perimeter. The resin can then be poured in between the two sheets, and once the air has been extracted the open edge can be seale d, and the laminate is stored horizontally to allow the resin to cure and solidify. The curing occurs through UV light or chemical reaction. The size that can be manufactured using this method is dependable on available glass pane sizes (ISE, 24).The structural behaviour of the laminated glass varies, depending on the duration of the load. Hooper (1973) demonstrated that the duration of the loads affected the behaviour of the laminate. With short-term loads the laminate acted compositely, whilst with long-term loads, the load was shared between the two glass sheets, in proportion to their relative stiffnesss, as a result of the deformation of the interlayer (ISE, 24). To determine this behaviour, the deflection of the panel under a specific load should be calculated and then compared to the deflection calculated using finite element software. This would allow for the equivalent thickness used in the software to be adjusted to give the same deflection measured, in order to determine the equivalent thickness of the laminated glass pane that should be used for optimum design (Chen Lui, Ch.29). An increase in the temperature, results in the interlayer softening and a reduction in the composite behaviour. Laminated glass is highly valuable as it offers various performance benefits. For instance, if one or both of the layers are impacted and breaks, the interlayer prevents penetration and allows any broken glass to stay bonded to the interlayer. Additionally, an increase in the thickness of the interlayer increases the penetration resistance of the glass (ISE, 24).Fig 29.9 Displays laminated glass behaviour once broken (Chen Lui, Ch.29).Toughened GlassChemically Toughened GlassChemically toughened glass implements the principle of a compressive surface layer preventing crack propagation, where the compressive layer is a result from an ion exchange process. Therefore, flat glass that contains sodium ions is immersed in a molten salt bath (electrolysis baths (ISE, 23 )), of potassium nitrate. As the temperature of the molten salt is insufficient to permit structural relaxation, the potassium ions force themselves into the sodium sites, consequently, putting the surface under compression (Clare, Ch.23). Although it is an advantage that unlike thermal toughening, thinner glass sheets can be toughened, it results in thinner compressive layers, which are less robust than the thicker layer created through thermal toughening (ISE, 23). Also, the strength of glass can be increased by ten times depending on glass composition (Clare, Ch.23).Thermally Toughened GlassThermal toughening of glass is achieved by change annealed (float) glass plate to about 620-650oC, whereby it begins to soften at this point (ISE, 23). The outer surfaces are then cooled rapidly by cooled air blasts, and the exterior layers quickly cooled and contracted. A thin layer of high compress stress the surface occurs, with a region of tensile stress at the centre of the glass (Fig 29 .7). The parabola represents the stress distribution across the thickness of the glass pate, which is also in self-equilibrium. The physical properties of the particular glass used and the geometric shape of the glass governs the exact shape of the curve. Toughened glass has a bending strength is three to five times

†REFLECTION Monitoring and Ensuring Quality Care

REFLECTION Monitoring and Ensuring Quality C argonIntroductionThe mathematical function of this paper is to reflect on a recent personal experience of patient solicitude, which enabled me to achieve a module 9 competency, Actively seeks to extend get knowledge.I will be critically analyzing 1 occupy for charge incident using Boud, et al (1985) model of criticism, (please see appendix 1) which will enable me to monitor and ensure quality patient cargon in upcoming practice. The nursing incident happened when I was looking after a patient requiring intestinal tube feeding (ETF). It is important to none that all confidential information relating to patients, wards, hospitals and professional colleagues has non been included in this paper to ensure ethical practice and adherence to the NMC code of professional conduct, section 5 which affirms that I must guard against breaches of confidentiality (NMC 2008).Reflection is a useful tool for the continuation of professional sup puration among nurses (Somerville and Keeling 2004). The word reflection originates from the verb reflectere which elbow room to bend or turn backwards (Hancock 1998). It is a tool, which unlike text books and videos, does not stand a limited shelf-life, it is approach effective, is portable and can be used world wide.Patient ProfileThe aspect of nursing c atomic number 18 I have chosen to reflect on is the care of a patient who required enteral tube feeding (ETF) due to dysphagia a condition in which the action of suping is difficult to perform (Unison wellness Care 1998). This nursing intervention was essential for a patient in my care, who I shall call thaumaturgy. Please see appendix 2 for bums past medical exam history.The Plan of Treatment for JohnJohn was admitted to my area of practice six days ago following his CVA. He is receiving ETF via an NG tube as an agile intervention and is being assessed to see if he is a suitable candidate for a percutaneous endoscopic gas trostomy (PEG) tube which are used as a more permanent form of enteral tube feeding (Holmes 2004). The nasogastric tube is ab prohibited 22 inches 55.9cm in length (Holmes 2004) and was inserted into his left nostril down by means of the pharynx, through the oesophagus and through the cardiac sphincter muscle and into the stomach (Marieb 2001). Food can be administered through the tube directly into the stomach and the swallowing border does not need to view as place. The food is administered by a pump that controls the amount of feed addn in mls per hour. This description could sound as though ETF is evermore safe and effective and has no complications. Elia (2001) affirms that ETF is typically safe and easy to administer. However John did experience a number of difficulties that could have been rectify sooner than they were. On reflection of Johns care it is clear to see (with the benefit of hindsight) that if Johns care was managed differently and if complications were notic ed and acted on promptly, his hospital experience could have been precise different.1.) Returning to the experience Problems John faced.John experienced two main complications as a depart of ETF. The basic was regurgitation of the feed into his throat and blab and the morsel was diarrhoea. The rate of the feed had been increased over a period of days to its optimal rate, following the ETF guidelines postd by the NHS trust that I was working in. The infusion was commenced during the night while he was sleeping to allow John greater freedom during the day as he could be disconnected from the pump. The regurgitation happened during the first night that the pump was running at the optimal flow rate. Davis and Shere (1994) report that regurgitation is a commons complication of ETF. As a consequence, John had to swallow what had come up into his m emergeh. The rationale for John to undergo enteral tube feeding was to pr ra dictated further weight loss and aspiration which can be caused by dysphagia (DeLegge 1995, Gibbon 2002 and Davies 1999). Aspiration has various meanings, however in this context it refers to the movement of foreign material i.e. fluids or food, into the trachea and further down into the lungs (Unison wellness Care 1998). This can occur when the swallowing mechanism is ineffective or impaired. Infection of the lobe of the lung, in which the foreign material has lodged, occurs. This is called aspiration pneumonia (Unison Health Care 1998). Patients suffering from dysphagia are at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia (DeLegge 1995 and Gibbon 2002). ETF was commenced to overcome this risk but now the very intervention that was intended to eliminate the risk has caused an even greater risk of aspiration pneumonia.According to Marieb (2001) in that location are two stages of sup (swallowing). The buccal signifier, which is a voluntary action, occurs in the mouth and is the first phase of deglutition. The tongue progressively elevates an teriorly to posteriorly, propelling the bolus through the oral cavity. When the bolus has moved to the base of the tongue, the soft palate is raised, preventing food from being regurgitated via the nasal passage(Davies 1999). The second is the involuntary pharyngeal-oesophageal phase which Davies (1999) describes as a complex sequence of muscular movements. After a CVA the ability to initiate the secondary phase of deglutition can be disrupted resulting in ineffective or complete failure of this phase of deglutition. This short explanation of pathophysiology demonstrates how important it is to know nursing rationales for nursing interventions. Patients suffering from dysphagia can some quantify overcome the problem by eating a pureed diet and drinking thickened fluids, but this depends on the severity of the dysphagia (Stringer 1999). John needs ETF because his dysphagia is too advanced to be overcome by a change in diet.Arrowsmith (1993) recommends that patients who are receiving E TF via a NG tube that are cunning in bed, should have their head and shoulders elevated 30-40 degrees during feeding and up to one hour afterwards to minimise gastric pooling and reflux of the feed. This example demonstrates how a elemental action can make a substantial impact on the quality of care that they experience. It has the multiple purpose ofImpact of the quality of care that they experience. It has twofold purpose ofpromoting the effectiveness of the intervention and minimises harm to the patient by reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Assessing for signs of aspiration in a patient suffering from dysphagia should al elans be taken seriously by nursing staff. Stringer (1999) reports that if dysphagia is serious enough it can prevent the victim from swallowing their own saliva. The average person swallows approximately 590 times each day 146 when eating, 394 when awake and not eating and 50 times during sleep (Davies 1999). With the average person swallowing litera lly hundreds of times each day, patients are at risk of aspirating (on their own saliva) regardless of ETF. Barer (1989) found that over one third of conscious acute stroke patients admitted to hospital had unsafe swallowing. Davies (1999) citing Ellul and Barer (1994) affirms that dysphagia in the first trinity days after stroke is associated with a five to tenfold increased risk of chest infection during the first week. This is due to varying degrees of aspiration. Aspiration is a potentially fatal complication of ETF.John likewise experienced three episodes of diarrhoea since starting ETF. John was only provided with a commode which was only relations with the symptoms rather than treating the cause. No contact was made with the senior house officer or dietician. Furthermore there did not appear to be much bring up among the nursing team and there was no hash oution or sharing of knowledge between colleagues accept what came from myself. I told my mentor what I had been read ing during my reflection time and pointed out some reasons that have been identified as causing diarrhoea for patients receiving ETF. The attitude of my mentor was apathetic, and commented, Hes bound to pick up a bug, give it time, it will pass. This shocked me as Somerville and Keeling (2004) reports that the nursing profession depends on a culture of mutual support, and this was not what I received from my mentor.I wanted to discuss the temperature of the feed, his current medication and the cleanliness in which the feed was prepared and administered. If the feed is too cold when it is administered it can cause diarrhoea (Arrowsmith 2003). Howell (2002) reports that diarrhoea can be the result of ETF but it can also be due to the side effects of medications. Antibiotics can cause the common side affect of diarrhoea (BMA 2001) but John was not receiving any. Diarrhoea in ETF can also be caused through the introduction of bacteria through poor hygiene standards in the preparation an d presidentship of the feed however the preparation and administration does not need to be performed aspptically.This is only indicated if the patient is immunocompromised (Arrowsmith 1993). My professional knowledge reminded me that I could not chuck out the diarrhoea as a coincidence. If there were nursing interventions that could be used and I didnt use them, I would be failing to provide quality care for my patient. Nurses are responsible not only for their actions but also for their omissions (NMC 2008). I wanted to refer to each others professional knowledge through discussion, and to the ETF guidelines to see if there was a simple cause to the problem that could be rectified before consultation with the doctor or dietician became necessary. I was able to rule out most factors that can cause diarrhoea. This led me to believe that the infusion rate could be too fast. These are the factors that I wanted to discuss with my mentor so I could contact the dietician to seek help fr om the multidisciplinary team. Gibbon (2002) asserts that stroke care requires the services of a multi-professional team, working towards an agreed therapeutic plan thusly my reason to collaborate with the dietician.2.) Attending to feelings What did I feel was Positive?During reflection time I was very interested and pleased to find this research to show that there could be something that I could do to put an end to the discomfort, distress and potentially disastrous complications of a patient in my care. Many times as a student I have felt up that I personally, am not making a great difference to my patients health and wellbeing as I am not working independently, but under my mentor who in general decides on a course of action for our patients. This time I have found the answer from my own research. All that remains is for me to bring this research to my mentors attention and then put the intervention into practice. The patient will benefit, and I will have a great sense of ach ievement as I will have, in a downcast way, improved the quality of someones life, accomplishing one of the reasons why I decided to take a career in nursing.Attending to feelings What did I feel was Negative?In response to the apathy that I encountered, I felt disappointed and ineffective and undervalued. My original mentor was off on temporary short term sickness due to a small operation and therefore I was allocated another Junior Ward Sister to take her place for the short period of time in her absence. I felt disappointed because my contribution to the care of my patient was not welcomed and that this mentor was not as patient or interested in my learning and on-going development. I also thought it was unfair because I had evidence to base my suggestions on. It was not a vague idea I had conceived but it was grounded in research. I felt powerless because as a junior and inexperienced process of the team I felt I had little influence over the overwhelming hierarchy. Morris ( 2004) states that student nurses throw little power because they are viewed as inexperienced. I wanted to make my mentor realise that the patient could be suffering (from diarrhoea and regurgitation) because of our negligence and not from inevitable causes.Why was Cognitive Learning Being Achieved?In this situation I was learning a number of things, mainly relating to communication, team work, assertiveness, accountability and responsibility. I learned that my priority is with the care of my patient and not with my popularity among colleagues, just as the NMC (2008) signifies when it states when facing professional dilemmas, your first consideration in all activities must be in the interests and safety of patients. When I met with my original mentor on her return back to work we discussed this incident of practice and she praised my efforts in extending my knowledge to improve patients care. I therefore achieved the competency, actively seeks to extend own knowledge.Do Any Barriers to Learning Exist?The barriers that existed to my learning were the apathy of the nurses and the limits of my own assertiveness. It was very hard on this ward to feel proud of the care that was being accustomed. The ward was poorly staffed, the ward manager was unanimously unpopular, the ward relied heavily on agency staff that was not familiar with the ward and my temporary mentor wanted to leave nursing because of all of the above (and more). As a new and enthusiastic team member I found my self fighting against the low morale and low motivation of the current staff. Job satisfaction can impact on the care that nurses provide. Brown (1995) believes that when nurses enjoy good job satisfaction they provide a higher standard of care to their patients. Rohrlach (1998) and Govier (1999) cited by Kitson (2003) discovered that nurses who were happy with the care they were big(a) were more likely to stay within the clinical area which would in turn provide some stability and security within the workplace. According to this research, the unfitness to give quality care (due to the problems mentioned) was resulting in low morale.The dilemma I faced was as follows. I had already approached my mentor once regarding Johns problems and detected that there was little interest in what I had to offer and in the nurses willingness to correct any problems. If I addressed the issue again, I risked worsening the relationship between my mentor and myself. Morris (2004) identifies that student nurses often feel nervous to the highest degree speaking out because they feel the need to conform or do not handle to be viewed in a negative way. Student nurses risk upsetting the status quo by speaking out. If I left the issue my patient whitethorn be suffering discomfort unnecessarily, but as a student I will never be held accountable in a way that registered nurses midwives or health visitors are (NMC 2008). Would this justify me leaving the issues and conforming to the apathy and bad practice of my mentor? Morris (2004) disagrees. She says that although students are not legally accountable for their actions and omissions, they are morally responsible for ensuring that patients are receiving good standards of care. The student nurse must be responsible. Semple and Cable (2003) affirm that responsibility is concerned with answering for what you do. Registered nurses, midwifes and health visitors are accountable which, Semple and Cable (2003) defines as being answerable for the consequences of what you do.3.) Re-evaluating the Experience Drawing ConclusionsDrawing conclusions is the most vital part of the process of reflection. It will shape future practice and quality of care. Conclusions that are drawn from reflection must agree with the treat and Midwifery Council code of professional conduct. It is with the NMC that all matters of conduct, practice and attitude are dictated to nurses. The NMC (2008) motto, protecting the public through professional standa rds can only be achieved if all those on the NMC register are willing to submit to the conditions and regulations that it upholds. and so Somerville and Keeling (2004) affirm that in order for nurses to meet the demands of the NMC, they must focus on their knowledge skills and behaviour which can be achieved through reflection.On reflection of the set forth incident, it was difficult to know what to do. My mentor was not up to date with the knowledge of this area of practice. I cannot, and do not expect her to know everything, however Glover (1999) points out the nurses should be reliant on others for information. The NMC (2008) states that nurses should work cooperatively within teams and respect the skills, expertise and contributions of colleagues, treating them fairly and without discrimination. Therefore I expected my temporary mentor to take more interest in what I had to offer. Indeed Morris (2004) argues that qualified nurses are obliged to listen to other staff regardless of their qualification status.Announcing that practice should be in accordance with the NMC is too simplistic an answer to such a diverse problem. It is correct to say this but how will this be achieved? The ward is in need of good clinical leadership, first of all from the sister in charge. Nadeem (2002) states that the call for good leadership in the NHS has reintroduced the matron figure and also the new routine of nurse consultants. Specialist nurses do have a role in ensuring safe practice and quality care but this should be in auxiliary to effective local leadership i.e. leadership from the ward sister. Leadership is perceived as being good if there is good team working and if managers have good relationships with staff (Lipley 2003) which is one area that needs consideration in this scenario. Meeting the staffs needs improves satisfaction, productivity and efficiency (Nadeem 2002) which in this instance principally means the provision of resources, i.e. human resources. Nu rses who are happy with the care they give are more likely to stay within their clinical area (Rohrlach 1998 and Govier 1999 cited by Kitson 2003). This would provide some stability and security in the workplace. Clinical governance has also come to play a prominent role in ensuring quality care. The establishment has defined clinical governance as a framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding standards of care, by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish (Department of Health 1998). It had been noted that unacceptable variations in clinical practice where becoming common in the NHS (Department of Health 2010). While some patients were receiving excellent health care, e.g. in stroke care, other patients in the country were receiving sub-optimal stroke care due to differences in facilities, funding, education and staff. Each clinical area can improve the quality of care by (1) using modern matrons and nurse consultants as clinical leaders, (2) by having adequate staff to care effectively and to lift morale among existing staff and (3) by implementing clinical governance which will result in the roaring of good practices across wards, departments and NHS trusts through the sharing of expertise, research and ideas. The wards problems could also be addressed through annual reviews or by encouraging staff to bear an up-to-date portfolio (Somerville and Keeling 2004). This will allow nurses to identify strengths and opportunities for development.Critically analysing using reflection on this incident has been valuable in maintaining the quality of care as set out in the NMC code of professional conduct. Gallacher (2004) says that she questions different peoples practices in order to provide her patients with first class quality care. Clinical practice will not improve if it remains unquestioned. Hindsight gives the practitioner the opportunity to discriminate between good and bad practices. Safe, legal and quality care can only be given if it is in keeping with the NMC code of professional conduct.Reference listArrowsmith, H. (1993) breast feeding Management of Patients Receiving a Nasogastric Feed. In British ledger of nurse. 2 (21) 1053-1058Barer, D. (1989) The Natural record and Functional Consequences of Dysphagia after Hemispheric Stroke. In Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 52, 236-241BMA (2008) New Guide to Medicines and Drugs.London British Medical Association.Brown, R. (1995) Education for Specialist and Advanced Practice. In British Journal of care for. 4 (5) 266-268Department of Health (1998) First Class Service Quality in the New NHS. London The Stationery Office.Davies, S. (1999) Dysphagia in Acute Strokes. In Nursing Standard. 13 (30) 49-55Davis, J. Shere, K. (1994) Applied Nutrition and Diet Therapy for Nurses. 2nd Ed. Philadelphia PA,WB Saunders.DeLegge, M. (1995) Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrojejunostomy A Dual Centre Safety and Efficacy Trial. In Journal of parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 19 (3) 239-243Gallacher, G. (2004) Gaining a Better Understanding of Reflection to Improve Practice. In Nursing Times. 100 (23) 39Gibbon, B. (2002) Rehabilitation Following Stroke. In Nursing Standard. 16 (29) 47-52Glover, D. (1999) Accountability. In Nursing Times Clinical Monograph. 27, 1-11Elia, M. (2001) Trends in Artificial Nutrition Support in the UK during 1996-2000. Maidenhead BAPEN.Hancock, P. (1998) Reflective Practice using a Learning Journal. In Nursing Standard. 13 (17) 36-39Holmes, S. (2004) Enteral Feeding and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy. In Nursing Standard. 18 (20) 41-43Howell, M. (2002) Do Nurses know enough about Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy? In Nursing times. 98 (17) 40-42Hutton C (2005) After a stroke 300 tips for making life easier, London.UKKitson, J. (2003) Education for High dependence Nursing. In Paediatric Nursing. 15 (1) 7-10Lipley, N. (2003) Research S hows Benefits of Nurse Leadership Training. In Nursing Management. 10 (2) 4-5Marieb, E.N. (2001) Human Anatomy and Physiology. 5th Ed. United States of America asa dulcis Cummings.Morris, R. (2004) Speak out or Shut up? Accountability and the Student Nurse. In Paediatric Nursing. 16 (6) 20-22Nadeem, M. (2002) Evolution of Leadership in Nursing. In Nursing Management. 9 (7) 20-5Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct. London NursingCouncil (2008) and Midwifery Council.Nursing and Midwifery An NMC Guide for Student of Nursing and Council (2008) Midwifery. London Nursing and Midwifery Council.Semple, M. Cable, S. (2008) The new Code of Professional Conduct. In Nursing Standard. 17 (23) 40-48Somerville, D. Keeling, J. (2004) A Practical Approach to Promote Reflective Practice within Nursing. In Nursing Times. 100 (12) 42-45Stephanie K, Daniels, Maggie Lee Huckabee (2008) Dysphagia following stroke (clinical dysphagia) London.Stringer, S. (1999) Managing Dysphagia in Palliat ive Care. In Professional Nurse. 14 (7) 489-492Appendix 1Three stages to the process of reflection. Boud, Keough and baby carriage (1985).a) Returning to experience Observations what happened? What was my reaction? Clarify personal perceptionsb) Attending to feelings What did I feel at the time? What did I feel was positive? Why is cognitive learning being achieved? What did I feel was negative? Do any barriers to learning exist? Raise awareness and clarify feelingsc) Re-evaluating the experience Draw conclusions and insights unneurotic with existing knowledge Identify gaps in knowledge Integrate existing and new knowledge

Life Happens :: Essays Papers

Life HappensFor just about every kid you really enjoy high school and really dont think about what you are going to do after you graduate other than the particular that you know you are going to continue or to college of nigh kind. Well then there are the others who are non thinking about where they are going to go to college, hardly what job they are going to find so that they can support your child that they just found out that their girl is having. You talk about an eye opener for those kids. Yes they may be eighteen years old and stick outting ready to move out on their own, but they are still kids getting ready to raise a kid. This is where it gets scary.It is the half way through your junior year and you have been having a great time. This is when the early slap in the face comes. You are talking to your girlfriend and she tells you that she is late. The firstly thing that runs through your mind is, Late for what? No sooner does that go through your brain and it hits y ou what she is late for, and that is when your heart hits the floor and like every other guy in the same situation you open your mouth, Are you sure? akin a girl not knowing when she is late for her period is kind of like a guy not knowing if he had an orgasm. After some guys have a few more beers and freak out for a few minutes, or hours, they think that they can not do this and that the girl should get an abortion. Sometimes the girl is right on board with this, and the baby is aborted and the teens lives go on like nothing ever happened. At least until the girl gets a conscious and starts thinking about what she has done and what could have been. This will bother the girl at least sometimes. It might bother the guy but not usually. Then there are other guys who after their freak out period they decide to take responsibility for their actions and tell the girl we will take out it through this, we can do this. This is where the real story begins. Not only do we have two kids getting ready to leave the nest for the first time and learn how to spread their wings and fly, but they already have their own baby to teach how to do this also.

Changing Times Make for Unhappy eBay Customers :: essays research papers

Changing Times Make for Unhappy eBay CustomersHow much is too much, or how much is overflowing? This is an economic question that every successful business will have to evaluate in order to remain an icon in the marketplace. Todays business world is unlike any time in comparison. There has never been more opportunity for small ventures to turn into major financial companies long with the use of the World Wide Web. It is true that many of these overnight wonders are short lived and go un noniced however we do have the elite assort of companies that have made their mark in our everyday lives. eBay is one of those companies that have made good use of this opportunity. eBay Inc. is considered as the worlds leading online individual(prenominal) trading community. Founded in 1995, eBay is available 24 hours, 7 days a week with more than one million registered users. In the 4th quarter 2003, eBay report a net income of 935.8 million dollars up 44% and their full year net income for 200 3 was 3.27 billion dollars, up 51% for the same time last year. until now with their noted economic success this company still finds a need to raise fees for the use of their service.On the positive side of the moral and ethical matter, in that respect are great things that eBay offers as well as provides for its customers. People with many dreams of becoming entrepreneurs and starting successful businesses has found eBay and answer to their prayers. Many people who fall apartt have the resources to use an outside place to start their businesses have used eBay to sell their items straight from their homes to save money. Some of their businesses have even boastful so that they are now able to rent a separate space to run their small companies. This is a blessing that probably would have not been a reality if not for the large Internet auction service named eBay. eBay is not a dirty word in their vocabulary it is a effluence board to independence and an opportunity for a good way of life. Although some have used eBays services to cheat and steal, eBay has started a foundation that helps in communities all across the country. Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay Inc. made a statement Giving back to the community has been an essential part of eBay since the very beginning.