Armageddon & Physics Essay Example for Free

Armageddon Physics Essay In 2007, the September 1st issue of The New Scientist alleges that the film Armageddon is shown by the management training programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). A 1998 Jerry Bruckheimer-produced disaster thriller directed by Michael Bay in which deep core drillers attempt to avert an asteroid’s collision with the planet Earth, The New Scientist contends that NASA’s screening of a razzle-dazzle blockbuster claiming ground in science, is purely for entertainment purposes. â€Å"†¦the screenings are just a game for NASAs space geeks: who can find the highest number of impossible things in the movie? The record, [†¦] stands at 168. † Regarding the scientific fallaciousness of Armageddon, astronomer Philip Plait has many contentions. Plait notes that the introductory premise of the film, in which an asteroid of the same size which humanity faces was a â€Å"dinosaur killer† that possesses the same destructive capacity of â€Å"10,000 nuclear weapons. † However, he asserts that this is a severe underestimation, for the fictional asteroid would actually release at the very least, eight hundred thousand nuclear weapons, based on conservative estimates. Plait implicitly infers that the writers were going for a dramatic figure, but one whose complete lack of scientific basis leads to a severe underestimate. It is also preposterous for it to be impossible to communicate the drilling experience of an oil rig crew to astronauts or engineers, former engineer turned writer Tom Rogers notes. However, this is how the movie rationalizes the oil rig crew’s participation in Earth’s salvation despite their complete lack of astronautical experience. But even excusing such a premise, Rogers notes that the film stretches credulity when the Mir space station rotates at high velocities to induce artificial gravity. Amazingly enough, it rotates so fast that it can create gravitonic conditions in under half a minute, despite the fact that the Mir station’s mass exceeds a hundred tons. Rogers’ contention in this scenario is that the planetary gravity conditions could not be possibly simulated unless the human’s height is a small percentage of the rotational radius. As such, the astronauts would only experience gravitonic force on both ends of their bodies, which would feel â€Å"disorienting and probably cause [them] to stumble and vomit. † The Jupiter Scientific Organization also asserts that NASA’s plan of inserting a hydrogen bomb eight hundred feet deep into an asteroid that is three hundred miles wide – essentially a Texas-sized asteroid, which is exactly what it is called at one point in the film – does not actually scale very well. The film’s core (all pun intended) premise is actually absurd: attempting to split an asteroid with two pieces by exploding it with a hydrogen from within would be like hypothesizing that a single hydrogen bomb could fracture the state of Texas. It’s â€Å"like a pin-sized hole no deeper than a scratch in a ten-foot rock. † Such a hydrogen bomb â€Å"would roughly be like lighting a match. Can the ignition of such a match split a ten-foot rock? † Rogers also observes that a flaming shuttle crash site contradicts what the astronauts are told earlier about the gravity being about a tenth of that on the planet Earth. Such a low gravity cannot support an atmosphere – which is why they wear space suits in the first place: the asteroid surface does not and could not hold oxygen – yet for some reason, flames burn in the absence of oxygen. Lastly, a successfully halved asteroid would still be disaster, as the gravitonic forces they exert would cause catastrophic tidal changes that would eradicate most of the Earth’s population. â€Å"Sometimes theres just no way to have a happy ending,† Rogers notes. Works Cited â€Å"Feedback. † The New Scientist, Issue 2619. 01 September 2007.Plait, Phil. â€Å"The Astronomy of Armageddon. † Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy. 08 August 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2008 from: http://www. badastronomy. com/bad/movies/armpitageddon. html â€Å"Movie Review of Armageddon (and Deep Impact) from a Scientific Viewpoint. † Jupiter Scientific Information. July 1998. Retrieved June 6, 2008 from: http://www. jupiterscientific. org/sciinfo/armageddon. html Rogers, Tom. Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics: Hollywood’s Best Mistakes, Goofs and Flat-Out Destructions of the Basic Laws of the Universe. Connecticut: Sourcebooks Hysteria, 2007.

Management of Pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia

Management of Pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia Percutaneous management of pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia under computed tomography guidance Corersponding Author Dr. Mitesh Kumar Main Author Dr. Roy Santosham Co Authors Dr. Bhawna Dev Dr. Deepti Morais Dr. Rupesh Mandava Dr. R. Jeffrey Abstract Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a brief, excruciating and perhaps the most severe pain known to man affecting the hemifacial region. It occurs mainly due to tortuous vessel compressing the trigeminal nerves, though in many cases, the exact etiology and pathogenesis remain undetermined. The first line therapeutic option for patients affected by TN is the medical line of management and patients refractory to the same, are offered various invasive procedures like balloon compression, gamma knife surgery, radiofrequency ablation, etc. In this paper, we present percutaneous management of the pain by injecting neurolytic drugs in the foramen ovale under Computed Tomography (CT) guidance as the new and promising technique of treatment in TN. Keywords Trigeminal Neuralgia, percutaneous management, CT guidance, neurolytic drugs Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Computed Tomography guided percutaneous management of pain in trigeminal neuralgia using neurolytic drugs. Introduction Trigeminal Neuralgia is also known as tic douloureux, a term given to this painful disease by Nicolaus Andre in 1756 [1] . TN is a pain which typically is intense, brief, usually unilateral, recurrent shock like involving the branches of fifth cranial nerve [2]. It can be mainly classified into two types. First being, the classical TN (Type I), which is due to neurovascular compression, the most common vessel causing the same being superior cerebellar artery followed by anterior inferior cerebellar artery [3]. Second type is atypical TN (Type II), secondary to causes like trauma, tumor, multiple sclerosis or herpetic infections. The distinction between these two types is mainly based on clinical symptoms [4, 5] as Type I pain is episodic in nature whereas Type II pain is more constant. TN is often called by many as â€Å"the suicide disease† [6] as the patients who suffer from it would rather take their lives than bear the pain. The initial line of treatment for TN is medical management by drugs like Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Oxcarbazepine among others. Patients of type I TN may also be advised microvascular decompression. Those patients who do not respond or have contraindications to the above mentioned drugs or experience no change in the intensity of the pain are called Refractory TN [7]. Such patients are advised invasive procedures like trigeminal nerve block neurolytic block, radiofrequency ablation, gamma knife surgery and balloon compression. We describe our experience in percutaneous management of pain by injecting neurolytic drugs in the foramen ovale under CT guidance in six patients, suffering from TN. Method and Materials used Pre procedural work up The pre procedural work up included clinical evaluation and thorough reading of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of all the patients to rule out any neurovascular conflict. Any patient with neurovascular conflict was considered an exclusion criterion in our study. These patients were reported taking the drugs for TN for over three months with no improvement in the pain. The pain score evaluation was done using Numeric Rating Scale [8] and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale [9] as a baseline evaluating point to be compared to the same scoring system after the procedure. Routine investigations such as coagulation profile, liver function test, renal function test, HIV and HbsAg were done before the procedure. Numeric Rating Scale Patients rate pain on a number scale from 0-10, 0 being a depiction for no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale The Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale is a pain scale that was developed by Donna Wong and Connie Baker. The scale shows a series of faces ranging from a happy face at 0 (No Pain) to a crying face at 10 (Worst Pain Possible). The patient must choose the face that best describes how they are feeling. In our study, we use the Wong Bakers scale to assess the patients’ pain before and after the procedure. The neurolytic drugs and materials used in the procedure were 22 G spinal needle for block, 25 G needle for skin infiltration, 2% xylocaine , Iohexol Non ionic contrast medium, 100% alcohol, 1ml syringe and normal saline solution. The patient was put in the supine position with head placed in reverse occipitomental position (chin up and neck extended), turned 30 ° to the opposite side of the block. The foramen ovale was identified under CT guidance and a virtual track was made starting from a point which was 2-3cms lateral to the angle of mouth on the skin to foramen ovale (Figure 1). Once the trajectory of the needle and the foramen ovale was confirmed on CT scan, the skin at the point of entry was infiltrated by 2ml of 2% xylocaine using a 25G needle. Then, a 22G spinal needle was inserted at the same point and aimed in the direction of planned trajectory towards the foramen ovale (Figure 2). To prevent the needle from entering the oral cavity, a finger from inside the mouth can be used to guide the same [10]. Though, we did not apply this in any of our patients. Following this, negative aspiration was attempted to check for Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) or blood aspirate. If the aspirate contained CSF or blood then the needle had to be readjusted. Then 0.5ml of mixture made from 1ml of iohexol and 2ml of 2% xylocaine was injected into the target site in order to check the spread of injectant and exact needle tip position. Once the tip of the needle touches the mandibular nerve root, the patient might complain of the exact similar pain which he/she has been suffering, thus confirming the accurate needle tip location. This injectant acts as a diagnostic block if the trigeminal ganglion is the pain generator with xylocaine providing anesthesia prior to alcohol injection. A mixture containing 3ml of 100% alcohol, 1ml of iohexol and 1 ml of saline was made. Of this 1ml of the mixture was injected into the foramen ovale (Figure 3 and 4). Post procedure check scan was performed to rule out any complication. Result Exact position of the needle tip in the foramen ovale was seen in all the six patients thus achieving 100% technical success. All these patients achieved a significant level of relief with an average pain score of two immediately after the procedure. Twenty four hours after the procedure, they rated their reduction of pain at an average pain score of one. Four out of the six patients ie Patient No. 1, 2, 4 and 6 were completely relieved of their pain with one year follow up without taking any medication. In Patient No. 3, the procedure was abandoned as during the diagnostic block, the injectant was seen tracking into CSF cistern and fourth ventricle. Patient No. 5 reported with a similar pain of TN within three months with a pain score of five, little less than the pre-procedure pain score of six. The pain was more severe in the pterygopalatine segment, hence a pterygopalatine block was carried out and the patient had a pain score of one twenty four hours after the procedure. Hence, the initial trigeminal neurolysis was partially successful in this patient. No post procedural complication was seen in any of our patients. Discussion The trigeminal nerve arises from the lateral pons at its superior to mid portion. It travels forward in posterior fossa and merges with the trigeminal ganglion in the Meckels cave. The trigeminal ganglion is located lateral to the cavernous sinus. It gives three divisions ophthalmic (V1) segment which emerges from superior orbital fissure, maxillary (V2) from foramen rotundum and mandibular (V3) from foramen ovale. The trigeminal nerve provides sensation for the face, mouth and supplies the muscles of mastication. TN mostly involves maxillary division and mandibular division of trigeminal nerve though it may also involve the ophthalmic division as well. The reported annual incidence rate of TN is about 4.5 per 100,000 persons [11] but the actual figures may be even much higher because of diagnostic challenges associated with the disease. TN is more common in females than males with a ratio of 3:2 and is usually seen after 50 years of age [11]. Trigeminal nerve block is an upcoming treatment in TN patients who are refractory to medical line of management. It relieves the pain and also reduces the side effects of drugs which are used for the treatment. Earlier studies were mainly done using x-ray or fluoroscopic guidance which had its own limitations in terms of image quality and two dimensional views. In contrast to this, CT scan provides excellent and direct visualization of foramen ovale leading to correct placement of needle [12] and thus scoring over fluoroscopy. This reduces the chances of injecting neurolytic agents at improper locations and thereby reduces the side effects. In our cases, initial check CT scan was done by injecting 1ml of iohexol to determine whether the needle is in exact location. This doubly ensured us about the location as well as the spread of injectant. This was different from previous studies done using fluoroscopy where a diagnostic block using xylocaine had to be given in order to confirm the location of the needle tip. We used a mixture of 3ml of 100% alcohol, 1ml of iohexol and 1ml of saline for trigeminal neurolysis however, Han et al stated that trigeminal nerve block with high concentration of lidocaine (10%) is capable of achieving an intermediate period of pain relief, particularly in patients with lower pain and shorter duration of pain prior to the procedure [13]. Alcohol spreads easily and should be used cautiously. The other agents which can be used but were not used in our study are phenol and glycerol. The side effects that may follow the procedure are numbness and hypoesthesia in the entire trigeminal nerve distribution. There can be abolition of corneal reflexes which can produce exposure keratitis and dryness of eyes. Improper injection of alcohol into CSF space can lead to arachnoiditis/ meningitis. CASE 1, 2, 4 and 6 These patients were suffering from trigeminal neuralgia with pain score ranging from six to eight before the procedure. All these patients have been taking carbamazepine for more than three months with no relief from pain. MRI showed no neurovascular conflict. These patients had a significant relief of pain with pain score at three months and twelve months being zero. None of these patients had to take oral medicines after the procedures. Fig 1: Site marked for needle Fig 2: Tip of the needle in foramen insertion ovale Fig 3: Dispersion of injectant in Fig 4: 3D reconstruction showing the foramen ovale needle tip in foramen ovale. Case 3 This eighty year old male came with complains of left sided trigeminal neuralgia. He had been taking carbamazepine for four months with no change in pain intensity. The procedure had to be abandoned as after injecting the diagnostic block, the injectant was seen tracking into the CSF cistern in the cerebello pontine angle and fourth ventricle (Figure 5). Fig 5: CT scan showing needle tip in the left foramen ovale Case 5 This forty seven year old female came with complains of right sided trigeminal neuralgia. She had been taking carbamazepine for three months without any relief in pain. MRI scans showed no neurovascular conflict. The procedure was successful with pain score of one immediately after and at twenty four hours after the procedure (Figure 6). However, this patient came back within three months of the procedure complaining of pain, which was more in the pterygopalatine segment. A pterygopalatine block was done with resultant pain score of one at twenty four hours after the procedure and two at nine months of the procedure. Hence, this patient showed partial response to trigeminal neurolysis carried out initially. Fig 6: CT scan showing the tip of the needle in right foramen ovale. Conclusion Percutaneous injection of alcohol, iohexol and saline mixture at the verge of foramen ovale under CT guidance is an effective and promising method to relieve pain in patients of TN refractory to medical line of management. This technique is inexpensive, cost effective and a relatively painless procedure. Being a minimally invasive technique, the chances of any infection and other post operative complications are less. Since our study involved only six patients, this technique needs to be further evaluated on a large sample size to substantiate the result of this procedure. Having said the above, we would like to emphasize that our initial experience of this procedure was quite impressing. Abbreviations TN Trigeminal Neuralgia CT Computed Tomography CSF Cerebro Spinal Fluid MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging References Andre ´ N. Traite ´ sur les maladies de l’ure`thre. Paris: Delaguette, 1756 Merskey H, Bogduk N. Classification of chronic pain: descriptions of chronic pain syndromes and definitions of pain terms. Seattle: IASP Press; 1994. P. 59-71 Jannetta PJ. Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve for tic doloreux. In: Youmans ed. Neurological surgery 4th edn. WB Saunders Co. Philadelphia. 1996: 3404-15 Cruccu G, Gronseth G, Alksne J, et al. AAN-EFNS guidelines on trigeminal neuralgia management. Eur J Neurol. 2008; 15 (10): 1013-28 Gronseth G, Cruccu G, Alksne J, et al. Practice parameter: the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (an evidence based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies. Neurology. 2008; 71 (15): 1183-90 Michael D. Chan, Edward G. Shaw, Stephen B. Tatter. Radiosurgical Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia. In: editor Pollock Bruce, Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery, an Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics. Elseiver Health Sciences. 2013. pp. 613-621 Cruccu G, Truini A. Refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia. Non-surgical treatment options. CNS Drugs. 2013 Feb;27(2):91-6. doi: 10.1007/s40263-012-0023-0. Hartrick CT, Kovan JP, Shapiro S (December 2003). The numeric rating scale for clinical pain measurement: a ratio measure? Pain Pract 3 (4): 310–6. doi:10.1111/j.1530-7085.2003.03034.x. PMID 17166126. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale Foundation: Retrieved 6 December 2009. Michael J. Cousins In: trigeminal nerve block. Cousins and Bridenbaughs Neural Blockade in Clinical Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 29-Mar-2012, 410 Allan B. Wolfson, Gregory W. Hendey, Louis J. Ling, Carlo L. Rosen, Jeffrey J. Schaider, Ghazala Q. Sharieff. In: Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia. Harwood-Nuss Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. Lippincott Williams Wilkins. June 23, 2009, 786 Và ­ctor Whizar-Lugo MD, Francisco Anzorena-Vallarino MD, Roberto Cisneros-Corral MD, Ricardo Valdez-Jeres MD, Rogelio Hernà ¡ndez-Velazco DDS. Use of Computed Tomography Guide for Trigeminal Alcohol Neurolysis. Anestesia en Mexico: Volume 20 No. 1 (January-April 2008) Han KR, Kim C, Chae YJ, Kim DW. Efficacy and safety of high concentration lidocaine for trigeminal nerve block in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Int J Clin Pract. 2008 Feb;62 (2):248-54. Epub 2007 Nov 23.

The Magyars :: essays research papers fc

The Magyars   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Medieval Period in European History saw several waves of â€Å"barbarians† which helped shape the face of European society. The nomadic tribes of people that lived a migratory life, while other groups were founding civilizations with permanent living centers, are today referred to as barbarians. Two great empires, the Chinese and the Roman, ruled on the extreme edges of the enormous Eurasian continent and were separated by vast distances.1 The people that existed between the two empires and roamed the large wasteland were called â€Å"barbarians.†2 They did not have a permanent living center and therefore raided settled towns and cities for food and riches. Because of there roaming ways and raiding tactics, barbarians were feared and hated in the Medieval World. The word â€Å"barbarian† is presently associated with being backwards, uneducated, or indecent; in one word, uncivilized. These wandering people lived in family orientated groups called clans, which combined together to form a tribe. Tribes depended on one another for protection. Among these barbarian groups where a traveling people known as the Magyars. The Magyars had a major impact on the Carpathian Basin in Central Eastern Europe, and directly affected the picture of the European landscape that we have today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The magyars are a mysterious peoples whose origins and connections are highly debated among scholars and historians. The first place to begin when searching for origins, is the language. The Magyar language is a branch of the Finno-Ugrian family of languages, most nearly related to Finnish, although supplemented by numerous Turkic words.3 The language is very unique and their is no other like it in the world. Popular 2 belief places the origin of the people themselves somewhere in the Orient. The Old Magyar Fatherland was probably situated in the ancient Orient, which we call the Near-East, and played an important role in Mesopotamian lands.4 Linguistic evidence places the Magyars among the ancient Egyptians. Contemporary records speak of a Makari Queen5 from the XXth dynasty; between 1080-940 BC6 Egyptian Kings of the XIXth dynasty forced the Magyars out of Africa for good. From their the people dispersed, moved around the European landmass, including Hungary, and mixed with other peoples.7 Much of the Finno-Ugrian peoples mainly dispersed in the widespread region on the west side of the Ural Mountains.8 It was in this region that the Magyars were exposed to the Turks. Their language was enriched with Turkic elements while maintaining its basic Finno-Ugric characteristics. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the Magyars during this period because of their nomadic ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By the end of the 5th century the Magyars had begun their southward migration The Magyars :: essays research papers fc The Magyars   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Medieval Period in European History saw several waves of â€Å"barbarians† which helped shape the face of European society. The nomadic tribes of people that lived a migratory life, while other groups were founding civilizations with permanent living centers, are today referred to as barbarians. Two great empires, the Chinese and the Roman, ruled on the extreme edges of the enormous Eurasian continent and were separated by vast distances.1 The people that existed between the two empires and roamed the large wasteland were called â€Å"barbarians.†2 They did not have a permanent living center and therefore raided settled towns and cities for food and riches. Because of there roaming ways and raiding tactics, barbarians were feared and hated in the Medieval World. The word â€Å"barbarian† is presently associated with being backwards, uneducated, or indecent; in one word, uncivilized. These wandering people lived in family orientated groups called clans, which combined together to form a tribe. Tribes depended on one another for protection. Among these barbarian groups where a traveling people known as the Magyars. The Magyars had a major impact on the Carpathian Basin in Central Eastern Europe, and directly affected the picture of the European landscape that we have today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The magyars are a mysterious peoples whose origins and connections are highly debated among scholars and historians. The first place to begin when searching for origins, is the language. The Magyar language is a branch of the Finno-Ugrian family of languages, most nearly related to Finnish, although supplemented by numerous Turkic words.3 The language is very unique and their is no other like it in the world. Popular 2 belief places the origin of the people themselves somewhere in the Orient. The Old Magyar Fatherland was probably situated in the ancient Orient, which we call the Near-East, and played an important role in Mesopotamian lands.4 Linguistic evidence places the Magyars among the ancient Egyptians. Contemporary records speak of a Makari Queen5 from the XXth dynasty; between 1080-940 BC6 Egyptian Kings of the XIXth dynasty forced the Magyars out of Africa for good. From their the people dispersed, moved around the European landmass, including Hungary, and mixed with other peoples.7 Much of the Finno-Ugrian peoples mainly dispersed in the widespread region on the west side of the Ural Mountains.8 It was in this region that the Magyars were exposed to the Turks. Their language was enriched with Turkic elements while maintaining its basic Finno-Ugric characteristics. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the Magyars during this period because of their nomadic ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By the end of the 5th century the Magyars had begun their southward migration

Investigation into the kinetics of the reaction between peroxodisulphate(VI) ions and iodide ions :: essays research papers

PLAN Introduction: After having built up knowledge about the kinetics of reactions I decided to do an investigation in this area. I was initially introduced to this particular reaction1 in EP6.4 and then in AA2.1. I was interested in using this reaction as a means of potentially supporting and quantifying some of the theories that I have studied along with also perhaps extending on them. Aim: Using a clock reaction I shall: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Investigate the effect of concentration for each reactant and use the results to find the rate equation for this particular reaction. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate and use the results to find the activation enthalpy for this particular reaction. Background detail The Reaction:2 The reaction I am studying is often referred to as an ‘iodine clock reaction.’ A clock reaction is where the time taken to form a definite, small amount of a product at the beginning of a reaction is recorded to work out the rate. This reaction involves the oxidation of iodide ions to iodine molecules which are soluble in water and are visible as a pale brown clear solution. The formation of the iodine can easily be detected because all other species in the reaction mixture are colourless. The addition of starch to the reaction mixture further enhances the colour change by forming a dark blue-black complex with the iodine. The overall ionic equation is: (the spectator ions K+ have been left out to see the electron transfer clearly) S2O82- (aq) + 2I- (aq)  2SO42- (aq) + I2 (aq) The initial rate of the reaction can be measured by measuring the time it takes to produce a fixed small amount of iodine in the reaction as mentioned above. This can be done by adding thiosulphate ions into the reaction system which instantaneously revert the iodine molecules to iodide ions. When the amount of thiosulphate ions run out, iodine is produced and there is a sudden colour change. A sudden colour change makes the time required for the iodine to be produced very obvious. This reaction is shown in the equation: 2S2O32- (aq) + I2 (aq)  S4O62- (aq) + 2I- (aq) The total amount of iodine produced in the reaction mixture can be calculated by the equivalent amount of thiosulphate added to the reaction mixture. This way the rate can be measured in concentration of iodine produced per unit time rather than just as a reciprocal of time. This is important because it enables me to work out the rate constant, k, in the rate equation which I will discuss later.

growaw Metamorphosis of Edna Pontellier in Kate Chopins The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

The Metamorphosis of Edna Pontellier in The Awakening The Awakening, written by Kate Chopin, tells the story of a woman, Edna Pontellier, who transforms herself from an obedient housewife to a person who is alive with strength of character and emotions which she no longer has to repress. This metamorphosis is shaped by her surroundings. Just as her behavior is more shocking and horrifying because of her position in society, it is that very position which causes her to feel restrained and makes her yearn to rebel. Adele Ratignolle is Edna's close friend and confidante, but the two women are nothing alike. Adele is the perfect housewife and mother; she is the epitome of what a Creole woman and mother ought to be. She lives her life for her children, always being sure that they are properly cared for, clothed, and educated. Unlike Adele whose life is fulfilled through loving and caring for her children, Edna is "fond of her children in an uneven, impulsive way" (Chopin, p. 18). They are not enough to justify her life. Adele could not understand how Edna could say that she "would never sacrifice herself for her children, or for anyone" (Chopin, p. 47). Edna's being is taking on a new importance in her life. She is starting to realize just how important it is to be true to herself. She has never done that before. She went along with the way things were supposed to be, holding her socials and tending to her house until she became aware that she needs more from her life. Edna's marriage to Leonce is safe, but there is no passion or excitement. "She grew fond of her husband, realizing with some unaccountable satisfaction that no trace of passion or excessive and fictitious warmth colored her affection, thereby threatening its dissolution" (Chopin, p. 18). While this lack of emotion is enough to satisfy Edna for the majority of her marriage, after she begins to allow her true self to come forth, she feels trapped and seeks a way to escape. She realizes that she needs intrigue and flavor in her marriage, especially, in her life. Leonce cannot understand that she does not fit the mold of the typical Creole woman. Her lifestyle is suffocating her. The person whom Edna truly admires is Mademoiselle Reiz, who is a brilliant pianist.

Bat Case Report

Executive Summary BAT is a technology that sells financial software to individuals and organizations. BAT’s success had attracted a number of competitors. BAT differentiated itself by committing to free tech support for the life of the product. BAT started its call center operations in 1987 with 6 technicians which grew to over a 100 technicians by 2002. However, the call center has been under pressure in terms of long waiting times for customers. Such poor service was beginning to take its toll on the company’s reputation.We recommend that BAT should implement the Fast Track proposal in order to improve customer service and the company’s bottom line. We understand that free technical support is BAT’s value proposition and central to its business model, but we will show with our analysis why this is the best approach to follow. Qualitatively, 1. BAT will still maintain free support with Fast Track. Fast track will only create market segmentation. Customers on top of the market pyramid who are readily willing to pay can be tapped. . Fast Track will convert the call center from a cost center into a profit center. With the revenue being generated out of Fast Track calls, BAT can staff the call center with more technicians to improve service levels for standard callers. Current Situation BOP Team 1 is consists of 8 customer service technicians and the arrival rate of customers is 22. 5 customers/hour. The average time to deal with one customer is 18. 2 minutes. Therefore, the service rate capacity per technician is 3. 2967 customers/hour.After running the Steady-State, Infinite Capacity Queues model, the average waiting time of customers is 0. 14979 hour, which equals to about 9 minutes and there will be in average 3. 37 customers waiting in the queue. Please refer to Appendix 1 for details. Since the arrival rate and the service capacity rate cannot be shortened, increasing number of technician is the only way to shorten the average wai ting time down to less than 1 minute. We ran the model again by adding more technicians one by one, and we found that the average waiting time decrease down to about half minutes at 11 technicians.Please refer to Appendix 2 for details. Fast Track We considered different staffing plans and ran Queuing Macro for average wait time. We considered adding servers and keeping one queue, and other scenarios with dedicated Fast Track Servers. We ran Queuing Macro under five different staffing scenarios: (Please note that we have dedicated Fast track servers in Scenarios 4 and 5) Scenario No| No of Standard Servers| No of Fast Track Servers| 1| 8| 0| 2| 9| 0| 3| 10| 0| 4| 7| 1| 5| 7| 3| The following results were observed:Refer to Appendix 3 for spreadsheet calculations. As observed in the data, Scenario 2 and 3 succeed in keeping Average waiting for track customers to less than 1 minute. Scenario 2 uses less number of resources. Scenario 2 (9 technicians) is the best staffing level, without dedicated servers for Fast Track. Economics of Fast Track We’ve now established that Scenario 2 and 3 keep average wait time to less than 1 minute to help meet the Fast Track Guarantee. In Scenario2, The average server utilization is 75%, which is an adequate level.The additional yearly net revenue that can be obtained ranges from $54,325 to $376,300 depending if 10% or 40% of customers become Fast Track customers. In Scenario 3, The average server utilization is 68%, which is not as good as in the previous scenario. The additional yearly net revenue that can be obtained is also less attractive, ranging from $1,325 to $323,300. Also considering a scenario where we keep 11 technicians, The average server utilization decreases to 62%. The additional net revenue/loss that can be obtained per year is now not so attractive, ranging from a net loss of 51,675 to a net revenue of $270,300. Scenario 2 (9 Servers) offers the best revenue opportunities. Free Service for Fast customers waiting over 1 minute. We did some simulations to see what happens if BAT offers Fast Track service, charging $2 / minute, but giving the service for free if the customer waits over 1 minute. According to the â€Å"Queuing† macro, with 1 additional server there is a 30. 7% chance that any given customer (whether Fast Track or Standard) will wait more than 1 minute.Considering that 10% of these customers are Fast Track individuals, we obtain an arrival rate of 30. 7% * 10% * 22. 5 customers/hr = 0. 69 customers / hr. On the other hand, considering that 40% of customers are Fast Track individuals, we obtain an arrival rate of 30. 7% * 40% * 22. 5 customers/hr = 2. 7 customers / hr This means that, on average, the number of Fast Track customers who will wait over 1 minute ranges from 0. 69 / hr to 2. 7 / hr. In other words, roughly anywhere from 1 to 3 Fast Track customers per hour will be waived from the Fast Track fee.As seen on Appendix â€Å"xxxxx† (Table 4), this rep resents a loss of annual revenue ranging between $2,197 and $8,786. However, despite declines in revenue, this fee-waiver option will surely improve customer’s experience and customer loyalty. Therefore, we recommend Scenario 2 (hiring 1 additional server) in order to implement Fast Track, charging $2 / minute and including the fee-waiver option if waiting time exceeds 1 minute. Service Contracts vs Pay per call There are several aspects to consider when deciding if BAT should offer service contracts or just pay-per-call.Firstly, offering charged technician support goes against BAT’s original value proposition, however, pay-per-call maintained free service option. Also, pay-per-call could differentiate itself from the industry norm. It is easier for customers to accept. BAT has been offering free technician service to support its product since the founding of the company. Free technician support is part of BAT’s value proposition to customers. While charging pay -per-call service is already deviating from BAT’s core value, following the industry norm to offer service contracts could negatively impact the value proposition of BAT.Secondly, offer service contracts require higher investment caused by increased volume of customer calls. With pay-per-call service, customer will only call technician support when they are encountering problems that are urgent and customer can not only solve by themselves in a timely fashion. And since the call is charged on the minute basis, customers are more likely to keep the call short. Whereas, with service contracts, customers could call technician support with any question, and tend to stay on the line longer that they actually need to.There will be an increase of number of phone calls if BAT decides to offer service contracts. The increase of number of phone calls and prolonged time for each phone call will require BAT to invest heavily in terms of human resource and training. Overall, in terms of e conomic value and flexibility in operation, the Pay-per-call option is more preferable than service contracts. Pay-per-call requires less investment in human resource and training, also it has the flexibility to not charge customer, if their waiting time exceeds 1 minute.

Reality of School Violence in US

On January 18, 1993, Scott Pennington, a seventeen year-old student from Kentucky, shot and killed his eastside Carter High groom t distributivelyer Deanna McDavid and janitor Marvin Hicks, and then held his twenty- two classmates at gunpoint for or so fifteen minutes. On September 15, 1995, Daniel Watson, eighteen, was supercharged with sensationness count of kidnapping, two counts of nefarious possession of a weapon on civilize property, and fifteen counts of first stop endangerment after holding a associate degree student at gunpoint at his high accept.Watson had been in a involution before enlighten, and then went home and returned with two handguns. In November of 1996, Drew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, opened wake on their fellow students and teachers in J one(a)sboro, Arkansas, cleaning four students and an English teacher. Is this what should be incident in Americas schools? Should students create to be to a greater extent concerned with their safe ty, sort of than obtaining a severe education? Incidences convertible to the ones just described occur both(prenominal) year in school systems across the country.According to the National Center for training Statistics, fifty-seven percent of public elemental and momentary school principals report that one or more incidents of crime/ wildness occurred in their schools during the 1996-1997 school year. The center similarly account that ten percent of each public schools experienced one or more serious violent crimes (defined as murder, rape, or other type of knowledgeable battery, suicide, physical attack or economic consumption with a weapon, or robbery) during the 1996-1997 school year. animal(prenominal) attacks or fights led the list of reported crimes in public schools, with about 190,000 reported incidences in 1996-1997.Schools should be places where the objective is to dig students the skills and knowledge to help them with their prospective they should non be havens for violent acts. Something obviously needfully to be done to decrease and hopefully one day eliminate craze in Americas school systems. There have been numerous proposals repair to help the conundrum, but there dummy up has not been a significant progress in the problem nationwide. Several new-fashioned reports-one by the American Psychological fellowship and another by the National instruction Association-show a dramatic increase in the incidence of school emphasis.It is going to possess a team exertion by the authorities, communities and the schools to help tailor hysteria in Americas school systems. The politics has attempted to address the issue of school rage. In 1994, President Bill Clinton sign(a) the Gun-Free School Act, mandating a one-year riddance for students who bring weapons to school. The Act similarly promoted the zippo tolerance for weapons policies of some states and school di nonindulgents. Currently, the federal official judicatur e and most states also make funds available for barroom activities by anti-crime and education legislation.This year, money was allotted in the federal budget for the hiring of more teachers in the schools. Although the government has rate some effort into helping the schools, is it enough? The problem of hysteria of schools is often overlooked by the government and instead more emphasis is put on political scandals, foreign policy, and welf are. It seems unjust for the students who idolize going to school each day that the government concentrates more on the private relations of the president and the precondition of people from other countries, than on the future of its own citizens.The government needs to pass on more money for the improvement of schools, both externally and internally. This money needs to be put toward the hiring of more teachers, violence prevention programs in the schools, and improvements on the school buildings. The government also should be monitorin g the schools physical exertion of the zero tolerance policies, making certain(a) that they are strictly enforced in every school across the country. The second ingredient to solving the problem of violence in schools is community initiatives.An alpha one is providing an assortment of out-of-school programs to students. It is primary(prenominal) that these programs withstand youth constructively engaged when their families are unavailable, and provide them with attention from care adults and good role models. They also need to move on teamwork, mention, and positive personal relationships. These programs keep kids outdoor(a) from negative influences on the street and in the media. Helping youth find employment in the community is another important way for communities to help build the self-esteem and sense of responsibility among adolescents.Having a blood also helps youth appreciate how important staying in school is to their future travel plans. The most important eleme nt to the answer of violence in schools is the improvement ring the actual schools. The first key is to reduce violence through personalization. Overcrowded schools and classes hurt both the educators efforts to know their students and students efforts to know one another. The provide from this is often misunderstanding, frustration, and increasingly, violence. Smaller classes can enable schools to become communities in which students know and cheer one another as individuals.They would also allow educators to form steady caring relationships with the students most likely to start or suffer from physical and psychological violence. School violence frequently results from conflicts that are unsuitably managed and therefore intensify. Conflict resolution programs should be offered in schools to both students and educators to give them skills to efficaciously and constructively handle the controversies that naturally turn in learning environments. Schools should also promote the d evelopment of good display case.The missing mo in violence prevention programs is book of facts development though the skills of empathy and self-discipline, write character education experts Diane G. Berreth and Sheldon Berman. Without these skills, we run the risk of schools comme il faut locked-down and oppressive institutions built around fear rather than responsiveness. Teachers also play an immanent role in dealing with school violence. Studies have shown that children consistently admire and respect those teachers that are strict in background knowledge high standards for behavior and academic performance, and who turn up a personal interest in their students.It is also important that teachers follow strict enrols of conduct throughout the whole school. This code of conduct should be shared with the students, and should not be altered by the teachers. Students should never have the feeling that they might be able to get away with something, because a teacher rarely en forces the rules. It is with longing that teachers reckon the days when disruptive behavior in school meant running in the halls, throwing spitballs and clout ponytails. Today, the disruptive behavior is much more frightening.It takes the shape of brutal beatings, stabbings, and shootings. young violence disrupts schools and is taking its toll on students, teachers, parents, and communities. Youth violence is threatening the entire social organisation of public education. The issue of school violence needs to be attended to quickly. This problem cannot be solved by the efforts of one force, but rather it exit take the teamwork of the government, communities, and the schools to help reduce the violence. If policies such as the ones described are not implemented, students will continue going to school in fear.