People Who Need People Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

People Who Need People - Essay Example A comprehensive social contract theory would depend upon the ideas of Stuart Mill, Thomas Locke, and John Rawis. John Stuart Mill’s ideas would be helpful in developing a perfect relationship between the individual and the state. The state, as an entity of authority, should work towards satisfying the individual’s interests. The state, therefore, should ensure that the individual attains the maximum satisfaction possible while also minimizing pain an individual faces. For instance, in terms of food, the state should ensure that a citizen becomes satiated. Similarly, the state should minimize hunger in the individual. The state, however, only performs these duties as long as the satisfaction of an individual does not compromise on the welfare of other individuals. Besides, the state should define a society form the individual’s disposition rather from the communal view (Jeske and Fumerton 163). The state should create an environment that enables the individual conform to oneself rather than conform to the society. Thomas Hobbes’ ideas are crucial in determining the finite capacity of the state in governing individuals’ affairs. Hobbes defines human beings, in their natural state, as unruly and asocial beings whose interests are rarely unified. This imposes the necessity of the state in harmonizing the interests of individuals. The state, therefore, is a natural consequence of individuals’ disorganized nature. Eventually, states behave as human beings as they develop asocial nature. In this perspective, the state should be subject to regulations that ensure it operates within responsible confines. Individuals should not hold the state as an entity that cannot err. This is because the state reflects the magnitude of disorganization present in a society. It is essential for individuals to create structures that ensure unrelenting transformation of the state towards perfection. John Rawls’ theory is essential in rationalizing the John

Conviction on Economic Stability Essay Example for Free

Conviction on Economic Stability Essay One of the best renowned authors of the 21st Century, Adam Harmes – a foreign policy instructor bumped in an idea of analyzing the mishaps which is seemingly occurring in today’s era. Upon producing the book The Return of the State, he cited numerous instances and reasons why the International Business Propagandists must think of ways to expunge the ascending clash between the level of intervention implemented by the economic and political scheme, which he was able to sought as the primary problem on why the country has been departing from the reality of the immediate. Furthermore, he stated the major inevitable state of free-market trade mishaps are that by which denotes â€Å"supreme power† on America, which he, and Paul Martin believes as the root of all fault and that America should not only swallow the benefit out of the concept of trade alone, but rather share the Supremacy along with the other developing states since that as for the moment, they are considered as that which is vested with the pre-dominant influence over all the countries in UN and thus must make a move to improve the welfare of the general masses. He also mentioned numerous convictions on globalization’s effect in the economic realm, Unitarianism in America, G-20 series – as a cure to the rivalry in the economic basis and the expansion of the elite powers’ support over those who need such (Harmes). Concluding the totality of the book, Harmes’ enthusiasm and devotion on racial and international equilibrium and social welfare serves him a ticket on gaining the sympathy of those cosseting on prose historical books. In addition to that his arguments may have seemed opinionated in some certain circumstance, however, it illustrates the need of higher rationality and thus giving the â€Å"elites† in the world of globalization a tickle in their higher sense of rationality that the world is but a web of inter-related active countries and such voices and needs must be well taken care of (Harmes). The Return of the State is grandeur of Harmes in uplifting the banner of humanitarianism and concern for global economic stability. Reference: Harmes, Adam. The Return of the State. Vancouver: Douglas McIntyre, 2004.

Contract Law Essay examples -- essays research papers

DETERMINING PAST PERFORMANCE VERSUS EXPERIENCE Contracting Officers within the Federal Government are tasked with negotiating contracts for goods and services with the contractor that is best able to satisfy that particular requirement in terms of quality, timeliness and cost. Best value analysis strives to apply good business judgement to making source selection decisions. It seeks to isolate technical differences between proposals to determine which offer represents the best value to the customer. The Federal Government is steadily moving away from awarding contracts purely on the basis of low price and opting to employ evaluation factors such as past performance, management capabilities and technical superiority. Confidence in a prospective contractor's ability to perform satisfactorily is an important factor in the source selection process making for "best value" analysis. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the difference between experience and past performance in the source selection process of &quo t;best value" procurements. Definition Experience is the active participation in events or activities, leading to the accumulation of knowledge or skill (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988). In other words it is the process of "learning by doing". It reflects whether a contractor has performed a job that is similar or of "comparable size and complexity". Comparable size and complexity meaning that which is similar in dollar amount; number of client/customer employees services; and number of contractor employees assigned to the contract, and types of services performed. When you consider that every requirement has its own set of problems and pitfalls, it makes perfectly good sense to look at whether a contractor is knowledgeable of where those problems are likely to occur and if the contractor has experience in solving such problems. Past performance serves as an indication of a contractor's ability to perform virtually any contract. In addition to whether or not a contractor has experience doing a particular job it is also important to know "how well" that particular job was performed as it relates to the pending procurement. Evaluation of a contractor's past performance enables contracting professionals to better predict the quality of and customer satisfaction of future work. Past perfo... ...sp; Contact: Phone: Phone: 2. If a Government Contract, Contract Number: Contract Officer (CO): Phone Number and Fax Number: 3. Provide a brief description of all services performed on the contract. 4. Number of building (s) on-site/off site. Total square footage serviced and number of occupants per each building. 5. Number of occupants per building. # On-Site: Total Square Footage: Number of Occupants: # Off-Site: Total Square Footage: Number of Occupants: 6. Number of permanent supervisors/employees assigned to the contract project. Supervisors: Employees: 7. Contract Start Date: Contract Completion Date: 8. What was the dollar value of the contract per year: Total for term of contract: 9. Names of all Sub-Contractors and their roles on the contract. Name: Role: Name: Role: Name: Role: Name: Role: 10.Brief statement regarding your compliance with the contract terms and conditions. 11.Your statement regarding any known performance outlined as unacceptable and/or not in accordance with the contract terms and conditions. 12. If contract was not renewed for all option years, what is your explanation why it was not renewed?

ICD-10-CM Essay

The Changes between ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets. Differences between ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets. How ICD-10 coding could affect patient encounters. How the transition will affect departments. Regulatory requirements. Quality Improvement. Clinical Documentation Improvement. The challenges and barriers of ICD-10-CM/PCS coding transitions. Create a checklist for the staff. The font or typeface I will use or script-like fonts around 14, in bold those typically work better as heading fonts rather than body text and 12 for the body. I use of visuals communication would help me effectively deliver my message on the important issues with documentation and with the pictures and graphs, showing gains and loss of loss revenue would help them understand what is required for compliance and increase revenue. I will also show the standard required to be in compliances with The Joint Commission rule and regulations. The reason for my choice for training materials because is easiest way too explained and train the staff with all the new changes. These training sessions will be workshops and departmental in-services with custom design to fit each service needs. My training or transition would start with and introduction to explained in detail the new system of ICD-10 The ICD-10 Transition The ICD-9 code sets used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient Procedures will be replaced by ICD-10 code sets. This fact sheet provides background on the ICD-10 transition, general guidance on how to prepare for it, and resources for more information. About ICD-10 ICD-10-CM/PCS International Classifications of Diseases, 10th Edition, and Clinical Modification Procedure Coding System consist of two parts. 1. ICD-10-CM for diagnosis coding outpatient 2. ICD-10-PCS for inpatient procedure coding. ICD-10-CM for use in all U.S. health care settings. Diagnosis Coding under ICD-10-CM uses 3 to 7 digits instead of the 3 to 5 digits used with ICD-9-CM, but the format of the code sets is similar. ICD-10-PCS is for use in U.S. inpatient hospital settings only. ICD-10Â ¬ PCS uses 7 alphanumeric digits instead of the 3 or 4 numeric digits used under ICD-9-CM procedure coding. Coding under ICD-10-PCS is much more specific and substantially different from ICD-9-CM procedures coding. The transition to ICD-10 is occurring because ICD-9 produces limited data about patients’ medical conditions and hospital inpatient procedures. ICD-9 is 30 years old, has outdated terms, and is inconsistent with current medical practice. Also, the structure of ICD-9 limits the number of new codes that can be created, and many ICD-9 categories are full. This New Patient Summary table demonstrates the required levels of the 3 key components for E&M code selection: History, Exam, and Medical Decision Making; elements must be met in all 3. This New Patient Summary table demonstrates the required levels of the 3 key components for E&M code selection: History, Exam, and Medical Decision Making; elements must be met in all 3. Next I would add a example of E&M codes with procedure and continue through the most common outpatient services and I would start with the inpatient process. I hope with the review and and example and other training aids the medical staff would understand that it more important than ever with the documentation and explained in different scenario how it could affect you and patient legally and medically, when treatment is not documented. Using visual most times it help, just not just having a boring training where you know no ones is paying attention. I will use other visual aids and charts on a few different power points. Since it so much information to take in I will do a basis summary of the changes. In Addition I will complete on training aids using what the Department of Veterans Affairs adding some of my material making it more customize for our Medical Center breaking it up so the staff wouldn’t get overwhelm. Iexplain and show them that structurally, ICD-9-CM is running out of room to add new codes. New diagnosis codes are submitted by medical societies, quality monitoring organizations and others annually. ICD-10-CM will allow not only for more codes but also for greater specificity and thus better epidemiological tracking, analysis of disease patterns and treatment outcomes, supports quality measurement efforts, and leads to accurate reimbursement and supports waste, fraud and abuse initiatives. Health Information Management(HIM) my department will have assessment each of coding staff they will be the first to complete the training along with the doctors. The doctors training will be more on documentation. The doctors will need to document to the level of ICD-10 allows for very specific code assignment when provider done. The coders will train more on how to select the correct codes. My finial decision will be the following steps 1.ICD-10 Training ICD 2.ICD-10-CM Anatomy and Pathophysiology 3.ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment 4.ICD-10 Documentation Training for Physicians (detailed) 5.Implementation ICD-10-CM My Duties As The Medical Records Administration Management ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and Knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs. Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s). Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results. Work in the occupation or subject matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. Planning, developing, and directing a medical records program for a health care facility that meets both institutional goals and standards of accrediting agencies. Evaluating and analyzing the organization and operation of medical records services, including medical records and indexes, and recommending and/or implementing appropriate revisions and modifications. Assisting medical and administrative staff in evaluating the quality and appropriateness of patient and health care services. Designing information systems to collect, analyze, monitor, report, and maintain privacy and confidentiality of patient and institutional data for health care related programs, and evaluating and implementing changes to assure the reliability of data. Developing and implementing policies and procedures for processing legal medical documents and insurance and correspondence requests in accordance with Federal, State, and local statu Refernce Search Ask Pictures http://www.search.ask.com/pictures?q=new&o=APN10092&lang=english&tpr=3&gct=bar Search Ask celabration http://www.search.ask.com/pictures?q=balloons+celabration&o=APN10092&lang=english&tpr=2&gct=bar Department of Veterans Affairs http://vaww.vhaco.va.gov/him/

Assessing what appears to be the use of LAMP in Eduardo Gamarra’s CVA

In January 2003, Eduardo Gamarra and his research team set out to lend their professional and academic expertise in mitigating the probable causes of Bolivian conflicts through the Conflict Vulnerability Assessment or CVA of Bolivia (Gamarra, 2003, p. 1). Assessing the possible causes of conflicts in Bolivia will stop the ongoing threats to countrywide instability.The Bolivian instability may have started and peeked during the 2002 elections where parties started to clamor for position by entering into party coalitions; due to this, the majority vote that should have been echoed as the Bolivian democracy has been counterproductive to insure the satisfaction of party coalition based interests (Gamarra, 2003, p. 4). Through the CVA, Gamarra deems that it is possible to predict possible events that could turn into violent confrontations by taking into account the premises set by the present Bolivian political landscape.In relation to the main objectives of this research paper, Eduardo G amarra’s preemptive and predictive research to address future Bolivian conflicts will be assessed through the methodology that Gamarra employed in his research. As of this point, Gamarra’s CVA appears to employ predictive methodologies in its attempts to prevent the occurrence of violent confrontations in Bolivia. Furthermore, CVA appears to follow conventions of predictive research such as those prescribed in LAMP. As the center of this research paper, Lockwood Analytical Method of Prediction (LAMP) is one of the widely used predictive research methodologies (LAMP, 2010, p.n. pag. ). This methodology offers a new methodological approach from the conventional quantity based projections in predictive researches (LAMP, 2010, p. n. pag. ). LAMP can be assumed as the methodology used by Gamarra in CVA since CVA is also highly predictive in terms of its generalizations. This research paper will assess whether Gamarra’s CVA as a predictive work follows the guidelines set by LAMP. By qualifying the CVA parts and foci with the twelve steps prescribed in LAMP, this paper seeks to fulfill its objective and deems that a definitive conclusion is possible to arrive at. Gamarra as a follower of LAMP as seen in his CVATo conclusively qualify whether Gamarra used the LAMP method in writing the CVA would require the tedious work of identifying whether the part of the LAMP are present in the CVA. This task is impeded by the fact that the final format of the CVA does not have the same labels as the LAMP; at least not as blatant. However, the idea that Gamarra used the LAMP in his CVA can be seen through the parts that his CVA put so much attention on (which follows LAMP prescriptions). These parts appears to have been presented in the CVA; these parts entails almost fifty percent accordance to the prescribe methodology in LAMP.In the whole CVA, the issue that holds the most bearing is the mitigation and prevention of conflicts in Bolivia. Gamarra and his tea m was more than solid in reiterating that the CVA will focus on Bolivia as a conflict prone country. This is the reason why Gamarra and his team spent a lot of time in trying to predict the possibilities of the occurrence of conflicts. Through the extensive research facts presented in the paper, it can even be said that the whole CVA seeks to answer one primary question, â€Å"What are the probable reasons that would cause conflicts to arise in Bolivia?† The CVA tried to find the answer for this question by grouping the conflicts in Bolivia in five major classifications, institutional, economic, land, coca/cocaine, and citizen and public security (Gamarra, 2003, p. 4). In the CVA, Gamarra and his team identified two major actors that can very much affect the outcome of the conflict resolution and mitigation in Bolivia- government and opposition. The MNR or Nationalist Revolutionary Movement represents the government; while the MAS or Movimiento al Socialismo leads the opposit ion. CVA attributed that these parties are the main actors in the Bolivian politics and conflicts.Misunderstandings and apathy between these two parties can easily translate the strong political divide to violent confrontations (Gamarra, 2003, p. 4). However, the CVA did not dismiss the possibility that the 2002 elections can also improve the conflict situation through these parties (Gamarra, 2003, p. 4). The government and the opposition perceive the issues of conflict in terms of their participations on the issues. The government side pride themselves in terms of the international economic and security support it has (Gamarra, 2003, p. 6).On the other hand, the opposition takes pride in the intermediation they are able to contribute to the conflict resolution process (Gamarra, 2003, p. 6). In the CVA Gamarra and his team provided contextualizing facts that would put the MAS led opposition and MNR led government in their places in the conflict situation. This attempt can be seen wi th the graphical representation that Gamarra and his team presented to show the divided opinions of the national actors regarding the appropriate type of government in Bolivia (Gamarra, 2003, p. 14).Gamarra further contextualized the conflicts in terms of the partisan opinion in considering the plausibility of military uprising (coup d’etat) in installing new types of government that parties see as more fitting to Bolivia (Gamarra, 2003, p. 12). Even if Gamarra and his team are loyal to LAMP in these parts of CVA, there are other parts of CVA that show that the CVA was not exclusively written through LAMP. The Contradictions, Shortcomings and Disloyalties of CVA to LAMP As said earlier, the CVA appears to be written through the LAMP; this can hold for the almost fifty percent of the CVA.However, in terms of the data gathering and presentation part of the CVA Gamarra and his team took a different path apart from LAMP. This claim can be supported with the different formulation of the conflict scenarios in the CVA when compared to the LAMP. In LAMP, the permutations of the alternative futures (z) follow a strict formula XY=Z that is determined by the number of actors (x) and the numbers of major scenarios (y) (LAMP, 2010, p. n. pag. ). The formula basis of LAMP insures uniformity in terms of the numbers of scenarios that would be required in predicting through certain national actors.In the CVA there are five major scenarios provided (counter narcotics, political institutions, citizen and public security, economic arena and land ownership). Raising the two identified actors by the five major scenarios will require thirty-two scenarios. On the other hand, the CVA was only able to provide 16 scenarios under the five major scenarios. Another shortcoming of the CVA was its failure to conduct proper pair wise comparison among the scenarios; this resulted to different scenarios provided under the five major scenarios.The scenarios of citizen and public security have four scenarios as compared to the three scenarios of all of the remaining major scenarios (counter- narcotics, political institutions, economic arena and land ownership. Due to the absence of a pair wise comparing mechanism, the CVA also lacks the qualifications of probabilities that are determined through â€Å"votes† from comparing pair wise. These characteristics of the CVA deviated by twenty- five percent from the total twelve steps prescribed in LAMP.On the other hand, CVA delivered the remaining twenty-five percent of LAMP in accordance to the prescriptions of LAMP. Gamarra and his team provided the needed information to establish consequential analysis, which the step 9 of LAMP prescribed. The steps 10, 11 and 12 are also included in the CVA through the imaginative conclusion presented in the CVA. The high dependency rate of the Gamarra and his team’s conclusion with the numbers presented by the graphical representations follow the predictive nature of LAMP . Conclusion and RecommendationsTaking into account all of the investigations presented in this research paper it can be concluded that the Conflict Vulnerability Assessment of Bolivia is a hybrid research in terms of the methodologies it employed. The seventy five percent of the CVA was written in accordance with LAMP, but the twenty five percent of CVA does not coincide with the quantitative requirements of LAMP. The difference between LAMP and the methodology employed in CVA does not imply that the CVA is a failed predictive research. CVA’s use of different methods only show the flexibility that Gamarra and his team sought to establish in the CVA.Given this conclusion, this paper would recommend improvements for the two major aspects of the CVA- structure and methodology. It is recommendable that the CVA would use a paper structure or format that is more accessible in answering specific aspects of predictive research. The current arrangement of the CVA tends to make the is sue of Bolivian conflict too broad to discuss and even solve. The discussions without the recommended segmentation appear not only to be reiterating but also to be too general since the reference focal points overlap each other (as seen in the presentation of the scenarios).On the other hand, the methodology employed with the CVA appears to be improvable in terms of making the quantitative aspect of the methodology isolated and only catered as additional empirical references. A qualitative research method is probably more fitting to the undeniable culture sensitive and politics laden conflicts in Bolivia. Eduardo Gamarra and his team could have broken away from the conventions of quantitative predictive research by providing more vivid narrative accounts of the current and predicted conflict situations instead of standing on the methodological position of LAMP.The quantitative elaborateness in LAMP makes the quantitative shortcomings in CVA either half-truths or irrelevant; both pro babilities could have avoided if the CVA was treated as a qualitative research. Bibliography Gamarra, E. A. (2003). Conflict Vulnerability Assessment Bolivia. Retrieved August 5, 2010, from www. digitalcommons. flu. edu: http://digitalcommons. fiu. edu/cgi/viewcontent. cgi? article=1002&context=laccwps LAMP. (2010). The Application of LAMP. Retrieved August 5, 2010, from www. lamp-method. org: http://www. lamp-method. org/2. html

The Invention of the Monsters essays

The Invention of the Monsters essays Salvador Dalis, The Invention of the Monsters, 1937, which is located at the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts the idea of Surrealism, through, the artists use of space, and form, color and iconography. In the following paper, I will discuss the developments of these elements in Dalis work. Dali juxtaposed forms in his nightmarish environment. He has the haunting environment, with the dark colors, and the burning giraffe. He sets up his picture in some sort of parallel form between men and women. The women that have the double faced masks, are together, and the half- horse, half females are together. It seems as though no matter how close they are to each other, they do not touch each other. Another characteristic of form would be with the little objects that are laying on the table. There is a human hand, towards the lower left side of the drawing, holding an antique watch. Then there is another human hand holding a ball. The hand seems as though it could be the womans hand that is sitting on the wooden altar. Towards the upper right hand side of the table, lies a sculpture with two heads, perhaps this might of have been a symbol of Dalis love that he has for his wife Gala, since she was known for posing in his paintings. Based on Dalis Persistence of Memo ry, it seems as though he was still influenced by his previous painting in signifying that time was very important to him. Lastly, there is this dog that you can hardly see on the postcard, but you can actually see it in the real painting. It has been said that the blue dog, that was painted in the lower right hand side of the painting, was done in an unstable pigment, that faded away within a few years from the artists completion of his work. It was also said that this dog did not symbolize a monster of any kind. Dalis Invention of the Monsters is distinct in the way the artist treated the forms. For instance...

Attention Shoppers!

Attention Shoppers! "Attention Shoppers! The store will close at twelve due to the session!" It was the night before Christmas and I had one last present to buy for my mom. I had already got the rest of my family's presents and I had less then 30 minutes to get the last gift. The store was full everywhere I turned there was someone bumping my shoulder. I went to the jewelry department I did not have a lot of money to work with ($15.74 to be exact). I was looking for something that would mean a lot to my mom.As I was browsing through the jewelry department I stumbled past a display of gold rings. When I started to look through them I thought it was hopeless since most of them were men rings. All of a sudden I stopped and stared at the most perfect ring. It was gold with a mother and her son holding hands.I Am a WalletAll was good until I checked the price tag. It read $20.99. At this time I felt like all was lost. As I started to walk away I noticed a saint of a sign. The sign spoke of a 50 percent sale on all jewelry. Without thinking I turned around and took the ring to a register. This was all so perfect and there was but fifteen minutes left for the store to closed and I had all my shopping done. When I got to the register I placed the ring on the counter and waited for my tally, I reached for my wallet when all I found was pocket lint. My wallet had been picked pocketed. After settling down from the shock of my wallet gone missing, I went to put the ring back. On the way back thoughts were going...

Accidentally Fueling a Diesel With Gasoline

Accidentally Fueling a Diesel With Gasoline To keep people from accidentally  fueling up a diesel engine with gasoline,  most diesel fuel pumps are distinguished by green markings and green fueling nozzle handles. In addition, the inside of a diesel vehicle fuel door has a â€Å"Diesel Fuel Only† label. But what happens if you inadvertently fill your diesel car or pickup with gasoline? Whether you’re new to  diesel ownership or might have both diesel and gasoline powered vehicles in your own personal fleet, it can be oh-so-easy to accidentally misfuel your diesel tank with gasoline. Filling a  fuel tank  is such an ordinary and mundane task, that just a moment’s inattention (did you really need to read that text message?) can cause you to grab the wrong nozzle and pump away. Bad enough if you realize the mistake right away and can get the car towed to a car dealership or independent repair shop to have the tank drained- a $500-$1,000 expensive nuisance. But what if you don’t even realize the mistake and end up driving away with a tank full of gasoline? Chances are you won’t get very far, perhaps just a mile or so. That’s when the diesel in the fuel line gives way to the fresh batch of gasoline on the way from the tank, and the engine starts to run â€Å"funny.† Of course, it all depends on how much diesel remained in the tank before the gasoline was added, and how new and sophisticated the diesel engine is. How Much Gas Does It Take to Harm a Diesel Engine In a 2007 or newer  Ã¢â‚¬Å"clean diesel† engine, any amount of gasoline will probably damage the sensitive emissions control components (DPF,  OxyCat, and  SCR) and system. In older engines with much less sophisticated emissions systems, a lightly diluted (say 90 percent diesel/10 percent gasoline) mix would likely pass through with little or no detriment. It might simply cause reduced engine power, perhaps a bit more noise, and possibly a sharp warning from the emissions sensors that detect something other than pure diesel exhaust. It’s a high concentration of gasoline that spells real trouble. Whether a modern clean common rail diesel (CRD) or an old indirect injection unit, burning straight gasoline or highly diluted diesel fuel will almost certainly result in catastrophic damage to the mighty  diesel engine. Dos and Don’ts If you are fortunate enough to discover you were pumping gasoline rather than diesel before driving away, here are the dos and don’ts. DO NOT  start the engine, even just to move the car from the pumps.DO NOT  turn the ignition on, even just to unlock the steering wheel. This could activate an electric fuel pump and feed tainted fuel into the engine injectors.  DO  tell the station attendant you cannot move the car and pay for the fuel dispensed.DO  call your roadside service provider and request a tow to either the vehicle’s brand dealership or an independent repair shop.DO  have the fuel tank drained and receive confirmation that the contaminated fuel was limited to the fuel tank. If you don’t notice the  mis-fueling error until the car has been driven, stop as soon as it is safe and call your roadside service provider to request a tow. Unfortunately, the price to repair the damage will be very expensive and this is a situation that  will not  be covered by your automaker’s warranty. What Gas Does to a Diesel The problem is multifaceted. It is a function of the completely different burn characteristics of the fuels (volatile and explosive gasoline versus high flash point diesel fuel), and the peculiarities of engine design in regards to how fuel is ignited (spark ignition  versus  compression ignition). Gasoline is formulated to resist auto-ignition in a spark engine (depending on the octane), so this fuel introduced into a diesel engine either won’t ignite or will more likely ignite at the wrong time causing severe  detonation- literally a shock wave throughout your cylinder. Though diesel engine  reciprocating components- pistons, wrist pins, and connecting rods- are built to withstand enormous explosive force, the shock wave effects of uncontrolled detonation can easily destroy them. If by chance major engine damage is avoided, there are other serious consequences. Diesel fuel itself acts as a lubricant  for the fuel pump and delivery system as well as the  valve train. Running thin, low viscosity gasoline through a diesel fuel system would starve it for lubrication and cause those sensitive components to rub together, eventually destroying them. Additionally, the entire fuel system will have been affected. That means the fuel pump, fuel filter, and  fuel injectors will likely need replacement. In the worst-case scenario, it might be cheaper to just replace the engine and components. Good News for Newer Diesel Vehicles Gasoline vehicle fuel filler openings were made smaller in diameter beginning in the early 1980s. This was in response to the mandatory use of unleaded fuel to protect  catalytic converters  and the negative effects of lead to human health. That’s why the smaller diameter gas filler nozzle fits into the larger filler opening of diesel cars. Then in 2009, BMW launched its clean  diesels  in the U.S. with a â€Å"mis-fueling protection device,† essentially a gas cap replacement with a diameter specific to diesel nozzles, as standard equipment. Audi followed in 2011 with a similar device, and beginning with 2013 vehicles, Volkswagen redesigned its fuel fillers to accept only diesel fuel. Today, nearly every diesel vehicle- car or pickup- will only accept diesel fuel. What Diesel Fuel Does to a Gasoline Engine Fortunately, this one is almost impossible (notice we said almost) to ignore, since the larger diesel filler nuzzle won’t fit in a narrow gasoline filler neck. But if you do manage to get diesel fuel in your gasoline tank, the engine will probably not even start, and if it does, it’ll run terribly and probably smoke like a chimney. Engine damage will most likely be minimal to none, but a thorough and expensive fuel system flush will certainly be in order. This article was edited and updated by Larry E. Hall

'Do pesticide residues in food pose a significant risk to consumer Essay

'Do pesticide residues in food pose a significant risk to consumer health - Essay Example Studies revealed that residues of pesticides remain in the crops for some time that eventually enter the cycle of the food chain. If these chemicals can kill and destroy the pests, they can also pose a potential danger to human beings. A safe level is then studied by researchers to establish the tolerable amount of pesticide residues that can ingested and does not endanger human beings. Incidents from around the globe reveal that human beings suffer from pesticide poisoning or overdose that has adversely affected life and health. This occurred despite stringent regulation by government regulatory agencies. Can pesticide be continuously used so that crops can be grown in abundance and free of disease but still not endanger the life of human beings? Without pesticide, farmers and growers will suffer great losses when pests and diseases attack their farms. But on the consumer end, death and illness can result. A balance has to be made so that both the production and consumer sides can b enefit. Pesticides that can be used in plants must be approved by regulating agencies (Food Standards Agency 2004). Introduction Pesticide is a general term that refers to a wide array of products used to decimate pests in the house, agricultural farm, etc. such as insect killers (called insecticides), mould and fungi killers (or fungicides), weedkillers (herbicides), slug pellets (molluscicides), rat and mouse killers (rodenticides), plant growth regulators, and bird and animal repellents (Health and Safety Executive 2009). United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010) included disinfectants and sanitizers (for kitchen or laundry), chemicals used for swimming pools, personal insect repellents, baits and sprays for cockroaches, and powders and sprays for fleas and ticks. There are natural pesticides such as pyrethrums (taken from chrysanthemum plant) and others are modified forms of natural chemicals (Health and Safety Executive 2009). For several decades, pesticides are bein g used by food growers in order to make the produce look good and abundant (Health and Safety Executive 2009). The chemicals used in regulating the growth of plants (e.g. one that slows down sprouting in potatoes) are likewise classified as pesticides and are regulated (Food Standards Agency 2004). Without using pesticides, the crops can lose their quality (Food Standards Agency 2004) making them not saleable in the market. Pesticide is used primarily for the benefits it can offer. In the farm, it protects the crops from pesky insects, weeds and fungi that cause diseases in plants (Health and Safety Executive 2009). Farm crops grow healthy and protected from diseases by pesticides (Food Standards Agency 2004). It also prevents rats, fungi and insects from contaminating the food while under storage (Health and Safety Executive 2009). In most instances, there are trace amounts of the chemicals used that remain inside or around the produce after harvest or while being stored (Food Stan dards Agency n.d.). These chemicals are called pesticide residues, and also include traces that result from the breakdown of pesticides (Food Standards Agency n.d.). It is sometimes necessary that a pesticide must stay longer on the crop to effectively protect it (Food Standards Agency n.d.). Exhaustive studies are conducted by regulatory agencies in collaboration with scientific institutions to confirm the report submitted by a company about the pesticide intended to be sold to the public. Upon the grant of approval, the

Discuss.. The image of managers as rational and analytical planners, Essay - 1

Discuss.. The image of managers as rational and analytical planners, decision makers and issuers of commands does not stand up to scrutiny when researchers examine what managers actually do - Essay Example The other members of the organizational community may be attached to the organization as their economic activity or as a source of some satisfaction. Besides, the nature of human being that deviates from the ideal situation does not allow them to operate collectively towards the achievement of common objective. There is a lot of diversity among the human resource. There is also need to plan the activities of an organization and make appropriate decisions at certain points in the organization. These require some kind of management, a way of passing information and coordinating the activities in the organization (Watson 2003, p4). The roles of the various employees need to be defined, there is need to supervise how the employees perform the tasks as a way of appraisal or dismissal, and there is a need to review the organizations objectives and evaluate the overall performance of the organization. There is a need to establish proper relation with the individuals that are outside the org anization as well. The diverse need of the community that surrounds the organization including the employees of the organization is what makes management one of the challenging roles in an organization. A manager who partly owns a company will provide a different managerial approach than the other one who has no share in the organization (James, 1999, p.2). The role of managers in an organization has received various scrutinies due to the ambiguity that exists in defining term itself. The operations in a given organization may not go on smoothly not because the top management consists of incompetent personnel but because the managers are not doing the right things. Watson (2001) thus describes management in three different aspects: management as a function, management as activities and management as a team of people (p.35). The kind of manager that Watson mentions includes both the middle manager and the senior manager. The

Personal Experience at Alcoholics Anonumous Term Paper

Personal Experience at Alcoholics Anonumous - Term Paper Example This was accomplished by having the attendees share their unique stories about how alcoholism had affected their lives, opening the door for other group participants to offer either condolences or shared sympathy. Throughout the meeting, elements of altruism were present, which is giving members a sense of self esteem by allowing others to offer their help and/or opinion for those who were obviously troubled by alcoholism and how it had caused dishonor at the personal or family level (hanbleceya.com, n.d.). Individuals shared stories about being put before the court system in front of their peers and felt indignity or how they had lashed out at their children while under the influence of alcohol. This shared forum seemed to give the more troubled participants a sense of honor and self-respect rather than embarrassment. Development of socializing techniques were also part of the group curriculum, which was apparent by drawing out discussion from those that were more reserved about sharing their stories. This technique involves â€Å"creating an environment that fosters adaptive and effective communication† (agpa.org, 2007, para.5). There were at least two people that the researcher could recognize, through body language and more reserved behaviors, that they did not want to be attending the group meeting. The leader forced social discussion from these individuals and remind them that the goal of the meeting was to promote inclusion rather than segregation. Imitative behavior was part of this philosophy by finding confidence to share openly by modeling support from their peers. With this also came cohesiveness as on several occasions the leader reminded the group that they were accepted and their value justified as worthwhile human beings. Several individuals showed signs of catharsis, relief of their own feelings of guilt regarding how alcoholism had

Emotion and cognition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Emotion and cognition - Essay Example Consciousness and cognition approaches might be the evolutional milestone in human race. But if we underestimate emotions, it tantamount to that we are at the point where we started our journey. As such, at this point of evolution we should not even attempt to judge emotions; but simply try to understand and accept emotions as emotions. Here I used the term ‘understand’ purposefully. By this process of consciousness – a cognitive approach – we are slightly keeping ourselves at a distance from emotions for the time being. The dynamic processes of thinking and evaluating may be speedy with reference to our learning capacity. But the dynamic potentiality of emotions is thousand fold. We shall assume that the impact of experiences to be emotions; the inputs for emotions are stored in human brain with enormous intensity, variety and number. The potentiality of emotional force is thus condensed to its core. Conscious viewing of emotions and their sources would throw more light on how we handle / emotions. Devising various methods of emotion control are the products of human thinking and propensity to regulate emotions under controlled conditions. Impressions of emotion are deeply embedded in our psyche. Like behaviour and characteristics the subtleties of emotions are carried to and from generations through genes. The spectacular phenomenon of facial expression of emotions in a well matured style by the just born baby in almost equivalent to the fine and minute expertise of an actor is the typical evidenc e for this generational carriage of emotions. Researches are needed in plenty to near the source of emotions. And still more are required to find out the carrier that transmits these subtleties to genes. Psycho analytical experimentations, social studies, neural physiological tests, behavioural observations and many more are in treasure. Even then the potency of these methodologies is still under question. The Hindu mythological contentions

Peloponnesian War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Peloponnesian War - Essay Example Division was evident especially due the two rival systems of alliances where neither could allow the other to be superior to the other. Sparta led the Peloponnesian league while Athens headed an empire of city-states 454 BC, the Delian league treasury, was transferred to Athens. After two years, Athens which dominated the vast Mediterranean Sea naval alliance started treating the league members as subjects rather than partners. Sparta had initially rejected the proposal of formation of the league. Athens then began fighting short wars to force members who had any intentions of defecting from the league to stay and those who had already left to rejoin. 433 BC, Athens, signed a treaty with Corcyra (modern day Corfu) to provide mutual protection, the move was interpreted as an act of provocation by Sparta and its allies and the following year Sparta cancelled her treaty with Athens. 433 BC, Athens, banned trading activities with city-states allied to Sparta. Athens also introduced high taxes to other states that led to the weakening of the Delian league. Sparta then declared war to stop Athenian control and dominance. 431 BC, Spartans ally, Thebes, sent a contingent of soldiers to seize and control a town called Potidea. However, they failed and the soldiers were caught and imprisoned. The residents of Potidea put the advancing troop of 200 to death. A day later Athens sent a messenger to plead with the townspeople against such abrupt action but it was too late as it marked the beginning of a long battle, a war. According to Thucydides the immediate causes of the Peloponnesian war were the Corinthian opportunism. It all began when Corcyra and Corinth began disputing over Epidamnos; the dispute drew Athens and Sparta which lead to the formation of a powerful group of allies. As the initial dispute escalated another one sprung up over Potidea in northern Greece between Athens and Corinth. The squabbles began a free fall into deeper conflict. The Epidamnos and

An analysis of the current and future use of internet technologies of Essay

An analysis of the current and future use of internet technologies of ''Hallmark Cards'' - Essay Example However, the suitability of such company driven technological initiatives will depend on how the effectiveness of the internet applications in meeting the set goals and objectives (Smith and Kidd 2000, p 45-50). The internet has basically changed commerce (Smith and Kidd 2000, p 45-50). The most basic forms of communication such as written and verbal communication between a business and its consumers and suppliers have been changing. Electronic communication, in the form of the internet, keeps on changing the commercial activity for consumers and businesses. E-commerce can therefore be defined as the sharing of product and service information, developing and improving human business relationships, while transacting business over the internet (Canzer 2006 p. 97-99). Hallmark was founded in 1910 and is currently the world’s most well-known producer of greeting cards. Hallmark creative artists produce several designs for greeting cards and other products each year. The greening cards and other products are produced in 38 dissimilar languages and are sold to more than 100 countries in the world (Regan 2009 p. 150-159). At hallmark, an advertising e-business model is based on earning revenues in exchange for the placement of advertisements on the firm’s website. Just like traditional media such as television, newspaper and radio, advertising in the internet involves advertisers’ support of distributed online entertainment or information likely to be accepted by consumers, who see advertising as the cost they have to incur to receive free content online. The internet provides Hallmark with the opportunity to create unique design and interaction with the targeted audience (Pierce 2005 p 18-23). The advertising model in the internet has necessitated the entry of small production studios and small entertainment artists who seek to get advertising revenues as well as to put up for sale their products online. There are no

Peloponnesian War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Peloponnesian War - Essay Example Division was evident especially due the two rival systems of alliances where neither could allow the other to be superior to the other. Sparta led the Peloponnesian league while Athens headed an empire of city-states 454 BC, the Delian league treasury, was transferred to Athens. After two years, Athens which dominated the vast Mediterranean Sea naval alliance started treating the league members as subjects rather than partners. Sparta had initially rejected the proposal of formation of the league. Athens then began fighting short wars to force members who had any intentions of defecting from the league to stay and those who had already left to rejoin. 433 BC, Athens, signed a treaty with Corcyra (modern day Corfu) to provide mutual protection, the move was interpreted as an act of provocation by Sparta and its allies and the following year Sparta cancelled her treaty with Athens. 433 BC, Athens, banned trading activities with city-states allied to Sparta. Athens also introduced high taxes to other states that led to the weakening of the Delian league. Sparta then declared war to stop Athenian control and dominance. 431 BC, Spartans ally, Thebes, sent a contingent of soldiers to seize and control a town called Potidea. However, they failed and the soldiers were caught and imprisoned. The residents of Potidea put the advancing troop of 200 to death. A day later Athens sent a messenger to plead with the townspeople against such abrupt action but it was too late as it marked the beginning of a long battle, a war. According to Thucydides the immediate causes of the Peloponnesian war were the Corinthian opportunism. It all began when Corcyra and Corinth began disputing over Epidamnos; the dispute drew Athens and Sparta which lead to the formation of a powerful group of allies. As the initial dispute escalated another one sprung up over Potidea in northern Greece between Athens and Corinth. The squabbles began a free fall into deeper conflict. The Epidamnos and

Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 5

Research Proposal - Essay Example This is a process which evolves from theoretical to conceptual in observation. The necessity of technology as a staple in our everyday lives led to the emergence of newer strategies to connect businesses and consumers. Such is the current popularity of e-commerce in conducting marketing. Upon careful consideration it is apparent that this is not merely a trend but will continue to be an indispensable marketing tool. Electronic-commerce also known as electronic marketing gives new meaning to the way business is done. Not only is marketing limited to the conventional marketing tools, it now paves the way to search for convergence with clients. The study calls for a deeper analysis of the marketing tools employed by Melbourne Zoo. First, the general attitudes of the visitors need to be identified to be able to know what are the current programs and features of the zoo that entertains them the most. This will be helpful as this could be the bannered attraction for Melbourne Zoo. This would also identify if they are doing enough in terms of satisfying the clientele. Once this is answered, the study aims to concentrate on the integration of e-commerce in the development of its marketing strategies. This is a way to modernize the brand image of the zoo as well as the utilization of current available technology to maximize the potential of the enterprise in its further success through the internet. The researcher feels this to be an important concentration of the study as it is one of the gaps easily identified through research of Melbourne Zoo. Melbourne Zoo currently has as its primary website http://www.zoo.org.au/ which is a comprehensive site that is directed towards the promotion of the zoo. At the same time it posts news and other relevant information. The main problem for this as the researcher sees it is that the website is dedicated to three zoos, collectively known as the Victoria Zoos. First,

Polydactyle Case Essay Example for Free

Polydactyle Case Essay Polydactyle is a genetic disorder that is caused by a gene on chromosome seven. Polydactyle is a condition were an individual has more than five digits per hand. Most cases are isolated and not related to any other disorder but some are related to others. The errors occur during fetal development and they are caused by on several mutations on a gene that is known as chromosome seven. Polydactlyle is Autosomal dominant meaning that an offspring can get this disease by having it passed down from just one parent. During normal embryonic development while the infant is still in the womb the hand of the infant will most likely form a shape of a paddle. Following six to seven weeks later the paddle hand will split into digits as we know as fingers also resulting in more toes than normal, more fingers than normal extra digit on hand and extra digit on foot. The separation process is excessive while creating the extra â€Å"segment†. Polydactyle is also just one of those genetic defects that underlays hereditary from a parent. Polydactyle is often found more usually with African Americans to get it instead of other ethnic backgrounds. Polydactyly occurs by its self by isolated conditions or in conjunction with other symptoms as one aspect of a multi-symptom diseases. There are several forms of isolated and several forms of Polydactyly; each of these, where the genetics is understood, is caused by an autosomal dominant gene. This means that since the gene is autosomal (not sex-linked), males and females are equally likely to inherit the trait. This also means that since the gene is dominant, children who have only one parent with the trait have a 50% chance of inheriting it. However, people in the same family carrying the same gene can have different degrees of Polydactyly. There are a number of treatments that are used for the disorder Polydactyl but many families tend to go one way with the disorder. Most families contact a Orthopedic Surgeons or a Plastic Surgeon. This specialist removes there childs extra digit when they are 1 to 2 years of age. But Polydactyly  varies in complexity. A minor procedure may correct small extra digits or those with a narrow base. However, when the base is broad or if the extra digit is rooted deeply in the hand, reconstructive surgery may be the best option when the child is old enough to safely undergo an elective procedure. Operating on the bone, joint, ligaments or tendons may be necessary to create the most functional hand possible for the child so there is not a lot of pain.

The Internet Movie Database :: The Internet Movie Database

â€Å"The Internet is a communications tool used the world over where people can come together to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another† (Smith, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back). Society uses the Internet as a way to shout out their opinions about any particular issue. The entertainment industry is commonly scrutinized by these online vocalists; thankfully for their sake, although sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, the Internet audience does provide positive feedback as well. Movies are commonly dissected online; viewers like to explain every little thing that they liked about a particular movie as well as tear a movie limb from limb. The Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com) is one of the most popular sites for such movie critiquing. The site has many features that satisfy the needs of most movie buffs, and because of this site, people can come together and share their opinions of movies as if they were Roger Ebert themselves. It is the complet e experience that one can have on the Internet Movie Database such as the involvement and the amount of information that can be explored (not just read) that make the Internet such a major part of many people’s lives. The Internet Movie Database is a website that allows the user to find a seemingly infinite amount of information. You can type in the name of your favorite actor or actress and find out everything that they have ever done in the movie industry, whether it be acting, producing, writing, special effects, or anything else that you can think of. The site also provides any information available for future projects. Beyond the world of movies, you even get information of the television shows that they may have been a part of and even what video games they may have provided a voice for. Many of the actors and actresses also have a small section that provides trivial information about their lives. These are all some pretty cool features; however, the best parts of this website are the movie rating system and the message boards. The rating system is based on a 1 – 10 scale, and it uses a weighted average. The ratings section also provides charts of ratings for different age groups, sex, and the combination thereof, along with US and non-US citizens, Top 1000 voters, and the staff of imdb.com. The message boards provide lots of commentary about any particular movie, the stars of the film, or any social issue that may be represented in it.

Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway Essay examples -- Hills

"Literature is a luxury: Fiction is a necessity" (Chesterton). Literature is a single phenomenon that will always remain in the lives of people throughout the years. According to Andre Maurois, "In literature, as in love, we are astounded by what is chosen by others." Fiction Literature is one of the most fascinating types of Literature. There are many types of Fiction Literature read across the world and with much selection, the greatest are short stories. Out of those, one very memorable short story is called "Hills Like White Elephants". The author, Ernest Hemingway, has created many intriguing stories with his recognizable syntax. The specific style he is known for may be childish and use only a few small lines, but nevertheless his writings are continuously read by many people. Like any exceptional author would, Hemingway manipulates his text to get across certain themes in the plot of his stories. A couple themes found in "Hills Like White Elephants" are doubt, choices, conseq uences, and decision-making. These themes are noticed by Hemingway's use of various different literary elements in the story. They help the reader better understand the true meanings behind "Hills Like White Elephants"' seemingly empty plot. The characters in this story are very believable because they play very realistic roles. For their situation, these characters are appropriately casted. The protagonist of this story is a girl named Jig. She is portrayed as a flat character where we only see one side of her throughout the story. We only see her doubt and worry over not being able to make a decision. The decision she is trying to make is whether or not to go through with an 'operation' that is not directly stated. We later infer that she... ...about life itself. May we all learn from this reading experience as well as gain knowledge about the world as we know it. Works Cited Akers, Tim. â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants.† Short Stories for Students. Ed. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999. Short Stories for Students. Gale. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. Hemingway, Ernest. "Hills Like White Elephants". LitFinder for Schools. Gale. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.. Henningfeld, Andrews Diane. Overview of Hills Like White Elephants, for Short Stories for Students, The Gale Group, 1999. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. Johnston, Kenneth G. "'Hills Like White Elephants' Lean, Vintage Hemingway," in Studies in American Fiction, Vol. 10, No. 2, Autumn, 1982. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. Weeks, Lewis E. Jr., â€Å"Hemingway Hills: Symbolism in â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† in Studies in Short Fiction, Vol. 17, No. 1, Winter, 1980. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.

A Study on the Benefits and Drawbacks of Affirmative Action

This paper will study and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action hiring practices on municipal police and fire departments in the United States.To start, we shall first define affirmative action.   Affirmative action refers to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group, typically, minorities or women.Motivation for affirmative action policies is to redress the effects of past discrimination and to encourage public institutions such as universities, hospitals and police forces to be more representative of the population.   This is commonly achieved through targeted recruitment programmes, by preferential treatment given to applicants from socio-politically disadvantaged groups and in some cases through the use of quotas.Opponents of affirmative action policies argue that it is based on collectivism and merely another form of discrimination because it can result in qualified app licants being denied entry to higher education or employment because they belong to a particular social group, usually the historically socio-politically dominant group; typically majority races and men. (Wikipedia Encyclopedia, 2007)Affirmative Action is also defined as the positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. When those steps involve preferential selection—selection on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity—affirmative action generates intense controversy. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2007)Simply put, affirmative action means taking positive steps to recruit, employ, train, and promote workers who traditionally have been discriminated against in the job market. (Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 2007)In the United States, affirmative action is a policy or a program of increasing the representation of certain de signated groups allegedly seeking to redress discrimination or bias through active measures, as in education and employment. It is usually achieved through the use of discrimination and preferential treatment for those groups. Proponents of affirmative action generally advocate it either as a means to address past or present discrimination or to enhance racial, ethnic, gender, or other diversity.However, opponents of affirmative action contend that affirmative action programs are discriminatory in that they promote under-qualified individuals over higher qualified individuals based on race and ethnicity.  Ã‚   Affirmative action in the United States mostly applies at transition points—times when individuals are changing their employment, housing or enrollment.Those most affected thus include working age adults who hope to improve their lot through a change in obtaining housing, employment or the pursuit of educational opportunity.   This arrangement has the greatest impac t on young people, while maintaining the status and position of established members of society. (Diversification of U.S. Medical Schools via Affirmative Action Implementation, 2003)The roots of affirmative action can be traced back to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act where legislation redefined public and private behavior. The act states that to discriminate in private is legal, but anything regarding business or public discrimination is illegal.   There are two instances when opposing affirmative action might seem the wrong thing to do.Affirmative action has been the subject of numerous court cases, and has been contested on constitutional grounds.   But despite this, we still have many advantages to list.   To further understand the topic on affirmative action hiring practices in municipal offices and fire departments, we shall list and discuss also the advantages or benefits of affirmative action hiring practices in the United States, those advantages that will only apply on hiring in municipal offices and fire departments. A Study on the Benefits and Drawbacks of Affirmative Action This paper will study and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action hiring practices on municipal police and fire departments in the United States.To start, we shall first define affirmative action.   Affirmative action refers to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group, typically, minorities or women.Motivation for affirmative action policies is to redress the effects of past discrimination and to encourage public institutions such as universities, hospitals and police forces to be more representative of the population.This is commonly achieved through targeted recruitment programmes, by preferential treatment given to applicants from socio-politically disadvantaged groups and in some cases through the use of quotas.Opponents of affirmative action policies argue that it is based on collectivism and merely another form of discrimination because it can result in qualified applican ts being denied entry to higher education or employment because they belong to a particular social group, usually the historically socio-politically dominant group; typically majority races and men. (Wikipedia Encyclopedia, 2007)Affirmative Action is also defined as the positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded.When those steps involve preferential selection—selection on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity—affirmative action generates intense controversy. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2007)Simply put, affirmative action means taking positive steps to recruit, employ, train, and promote workers who traditionally have been discriminated against in the job market. (Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 2007)In the United States, affirmative action is a policy or a program of increasing the representation of certain designat ed groups allegedly seeking to redress discrimination or bias through active measures, as in education and employment.It is usually achieved through the use of discrimination and preferential treatment for those groups. Proponents of affirmative action generally advocate it either as a means to address past or present discrimination or to enhance racial, ethnic, gender, or other diversity.However, opponents of affirmative action contend that affirmative action programs are discriminatory in that they promote under-qualified individuals over higher qualified individuals based on race and ethnicity.  Ã‚   Affirmative action in the United States mostly applies at transition points—times when individuals are changing their employment, housing or enrollment.Those most affected thus include working age adults who hope to improve their lot through a change in obtaining housing, employment or the pursuit of educational opportunity.This arrangement has the greatest impact on young p eople, while maintaining the status and position of established members of society.(Diversification of U.S. Medical Schools via Affirmative Action Implementation, 2003) BibliographyAn Affirmative Action Status Report: Evidence and Options. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://www.puaf.umd.edu/IPPP/1QQ.HTM]Affirmative Action is Reverse Discrimination. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_eth_aa_reverse.htm]Affirmative Action – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/affirmative-action/]Affirmative Action – Wikipedia Enyclopedia. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action#Arguments_In_Favor_of_Affirmative_Action]How Affirmative Action Effects Us All. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://www.studyworld.com/newsite/ReportEssay/SocialIssues/Racial%5CHow_Affirmative_Action_Effects_Us_All-321553.htm]Myth: Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination. Fact: Affirmative Action is compensatory justice. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-reversediscrimination.htm]Shaheen Lakhan – Diversification of U.S. Medical Schools via Affirmative Action Implementation. BMC Medical Education. 2003.The Major Affirmative Action Cases: A Digest of the Record. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://www.acenet.edu/bookstore/descriptions/making_the_case/legal/digest.cfm]What is Affirmative Action? – Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Retrieved 08 August 2007, from [http://www.pstcc.edu/organizations/affirmao/what_is_aa.htm]

Attachment, Loss and Bereavement

This essay describes and evaluates the contributions of Bowlby, Ainsworth, Murray-Parkes, Kubler-Ross and Worden, as well as later theorists, to their respective fields. I demonstrate how I already work with some of these models, highlighting my strengths and areas for development. I emphasise some influences on Bowlby’s work, leading to his trilogy Attachment 1969; Separation 1973; and Loss, Sadness and Depression 1980; demonstrating how attachments in infancy may shape our attachment styles in later life.Pietromonaco and Barrett posit â€Å"A central tenet of attachment theory is that people develop mental representations, or internal working models that consist of expectations about the self, significant others and the relationship between the two. † (Pietromonaco and Barrett, 2000, 4:2, p156). I illustrate how this internal working model is developed via the relationship between infant and primary caregiver, demonstrating that maternal deprivation can create a †˜faulty’ internal working model, which may lead to psychopathology in later life.I also demonstrate how these internal working models influence our reactions to loss and bereavement in adulthood and their potential impact on the counselling relationship. In addition, I explore the multi-layered losses experienced by HIV+ gay men and finally draw some conclusions. Freud’s view on the infant’s attachment to its mother was quite simple â€Å"the reason why the infant in arms wants to perceive the presence of its mother is only because it already knows by experience that she satisfies all its needs without delay.† (Freud, 1924, p188 cited in Eysenck, 2005, p103).In contrast, behaviourists believed that feeding played a central role in the development of attachment. (Pendry, 1998; Eysenck, 2005). These theories were termed ‘secondary-drive theories’. In 1980, Bowlby recalled â€Å"this [secondary drive] theory did not seem to me to fit the facts †¦. but, if the secondary dependency was inadequate, what was the alternative? † (Bowlby,1980, p650 cited in Cassidy and Shaver, 1999, p3).Bowlby’s theory was influenced by his paper â€Å"Forty Four Juvenile Thieves†, where he concluded a correlation exists between maternal deprivation in infancy, leading to affectionless psychopathology and subsequent criminal behaviour in adolescents. (Bowlby, 1944, 25, p19-52). This led to him researching the impact of loss on children displaced through war and institutionalisation, resulting in ‘Maternal Care and Mental Health’ (1952), where he confirms a link between ‘environmental trauma’ and resultant disturbances in child development.As a result of this research, Bowlby concluded â€Å"it is psychological deprivation rather than the economic, nutritional or medical deprivation that is the cause of troubled children. † (Bowlby in Coates, 2004, 52, p577). He was further influenced by L orenz who found that goslings would follow and ‘attach’ themselves to the first moving object they saw. This following of the first moving object was called ‘imprinting’. (Lorenz, 1937 cited in Kaplan, 1998, p124).Clearly babies cannot follow at will – to compensate for this, †Bowlby noted that ‘imprinting’ manifested itself as a spectacularly more complex phenomenon in primates, including man, which he later labelled ‘attachment’. † (Hoover, 2004, 11:1, p58-60). He also embraced the work of Harlow and Zimmerman who worked with infant rhesus monkeys demonstrating that not only did the need for attachment give them security, but that this need took priority over their need for food. (Harlow and Zimmerman 1959 cited in Green and Scholes, 2003, p9).Dissatisfied with traditional theories, Bowlby embraced new understandings through discussion with colleagues from such fields as developmental psychology, ethology, cont rol systems theory and cognitive science, leading him to formulate his theory that the mechanisms underlying the infant’s tie to the mother originally emerged as a result of evolutionary and biological pressures. (Cassidy and Shaver, 1999; Green and Scholes, 2003).Defining his attachment theory as â€Å"a way of conceptualising the propensity of human beings to make strong affectional bonds to particular others.† (Bowlby, 1979 cited in Green and Scholes, 2003, p7), he posited â€Å"that it is our affectional bonds to attachment figures that engage us in our most intense emotions. † and that â€Å"this occurs during their formation (we call that ‘falling in love), in their maintenance (which we describe as ‘loving) and in their loss (which we know as ‘grieving’), (Green and Scholes, 2003, p8), thereby replacing the secondary-drive theory with a model emphasising the role relationships play in attachment and loss. (Waters, Crowell, Elliot t et all, 2002, 4, p230-242).Disregarding what he called Freud's ‘cupboard love’ theory of attachment, he believed instead that a child is born ‘biologically pre-disposed’ to become attached to its mother, claiming this bond has two essential features: the biological function of securing protection for survival and the physiological and psychological need for security. (Green and Scholes, 2003; Schaffer, 2004). Sonkin (2005) describes four features to this bond: secure base, separation protest, safe haven and proximity maintenance.The concept of a secure base is fundamental to attachment theory and is used to describe a dependable attachment to a primary caregiver. This secure base is established by providing consistent levels of safety, responsiveness and emotional comfort from within which the infant can explore his or her external and internal worlds and to which they can return, thus providing a sense of security. Separation protest is exhibited as a si gn of the distress experienced upon separation from an attachment figure, who may also be used as a safe haven to turn to for comfort in times of distress.When safety is threatened, infants attract the attention of their primary caregiver through crying or screaming. Maintaining attention and interest, e. g. vocalising and smiling, and seeking or maintaining proximity, e. g. following or clinging, all serve to promote the safety provided by the secure base (providing of course that parents respond appropriately). (Holmes, 1993; Cassidy and Shaver 1999; Becket, 2002; Green and Scholes, 2003).Proximity seeking is a two way process, for example child seeking parent or parent seeking child. (Weiss in Murray-Parkes, Stevenson-Hinde and Marris, 1991; Becket, 2004; Sonkin, 2007). Bowlby also recognised ‘unwilling’ separation caused by parents who were phsycially present but not able to respond, or who deprived infants of love or ill-treated them, left them with a sense of imme nse deprivation and that this unwilling separation and resultant loss leads to deep emotional distress. (Green and Scholes, 2003).At a recent conference, the Centre for Attachment based Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy (CAPP) asserts â€Å"Early interactions with significant others in which there are fundamental failures of empathy, attunement, recognition and regulation of emotional states, have been shown to cause the global breakdown of any coherent attachment strategy, thus engendering fears of disintegration and threatening psychic survival. In the face of such experiences, powerful dissociative defences may be employed, encapsulating overwhelming feelings of fear, rage and shame. † (CAPP, 2007).Together with Robertson and Rosenbluth, Bowlby demonstrated that even brief separation from the mother has profound emotional effects on the infant. Their research highlighted a three stage behavioural response to this separation: protest – related to separation anxiety; des pair – related to grief and mourning; and detachment – related to defences. (Robertson, Rosenbluth, Bowlby, 1952 in Murray-Parkes, Stevenson-Hinde and Marris, 1991). Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters and Wall (1978) later established the inter-relatedness between attachment behaviour, maternal sensitivity and exploration in the child.Under clinical settings, they sought to observe the effects of temporary separation from the mother, which was assessed via the ‘strange situation’ procedure. This study involved children between the ages of 12 to 18 months who experienced separation from their mother, introduction to an unfamiliar adult and finally reunion with their mother. Ainsworth et al reasoned that if attachment was strong, mother would be used as a secure base from which the infant could explore, thereby promoting self-reliance and autonomy. Upon separation, infants usually demonstrated separation anxiety.Upon re-union, the mother’s maternal sensitivity and the child’s responses were observed, thus providing a link between Bowlby’s theory and its application to individual experience. The trust/mistrust in the infant’s ability to explore their world from the secure base is re-inforced by Erikson’s (1965) examination of early development and the child’s experiencing of the world as a place that is nurturing, reliable and trustworthy (or not). Influenced by Ainsworth’s previous work in Uganda, the ‘strange situation’ led to the classification of secure or insecure attachment styles in infants.Insecure styles were further grouped into insecure/avoidant and insecure/resistant (ambivalent). (Pendry, 1998; Holmes, 2001; Eysenck, 2005). Main and Solomon later added a fourth attachment style – insecure/disorganised. (Main and Solomon, 1986 in Cassidy and Shaver, 1999, p290). Throughout all of these interactions, an ‘internal working model’ is developed, the cultivat ion of which relies on the dyadic patterns of relating between primary caregiver and infant (Bretherton, 1992, 28, p759-775), comprising the complex monitoring of internal states of primary caregiver and infant.  (Waters, Crowell, Elliott et al, 2002, 4, p230-242).According to Schore â€Å"These formative experiences are embedded in the developing attachment relationship – nature and nurture first come together in mother-infant psychobiological interactions. † (Schore, 2001, 17, p26). Over time, this leads to the infant’s ability to self-monitor their emotions (affect regulation), but until such time, Bowlby posited the mother acts as the child’s ego and super-ego †She orients him in space and time, provides his environment, permits the satisfaction of some impulses, restricts others.She is his ego and his super-ego. † (Bowlby, 1951, p53 cited in Bretherton, 1992, 28, p765). Bowlby concluded a healthy internal working model is â€Å"a worki ng model of an attachment figure who is conceived as accessible, trustworthy and ready to help when called upon†, whilst a ‘faulty’ model is â€Å"a working model of an attachment figure to whom are attributed such characteristics as uncertain accessibility, unwilllingness to respond helpfully, or perhaps the likelihood of responding hostilely. † (Bowlby, 1979, p141).Ainsworth suggests that positive attachment is more than explicit behaviour â€Å"it is built into the nervous system, in the course and as a result of the infant’s experience of his transactions with the mother. † (Ainsworth, 1967, p429), thus supporting Bowlby’s theory. Later descriptions of attachment styles describe secure attachment as â€Å"the development of the basic machinery to self-regulate affects later in life†, (Fonagy, Gergely and Jurist, 2002 cited in Sarkar and Adshead, 2006, 12, p297), whilst insecure attachment â€Å"prevents the development of a proper affect regulatory capacity.† (Sarkar and Adshead, 2006, 12, p297).This is supported by Schore (2003) who alludes to developmental affective neuroscience to set out a framework for affect regulation and dysregulation. Based on research into the development of the infant brain, he reviews neuro-scientific evidence to confirm the infant’s relationship with the primary caregiver has a direct effect on the development of brain structures and pathways involved in both affect regulation and dysregulation.The research and evidence suggests the internal working model begins as soon as the child is born and is the model upon which future relationships are formed. The quality of the primary caregiver’s response to infant distress provides the foundation upon which behavioural and cognitive strategies are developed, which in the longer term influence thoughts, feelings and behaviours in adult relationships. (Cardwell, Wadeley and Murphy, 2000; Pietromonaco and Barrett , 2000, 4:2, p155; Madigan, Moran and Pederson, 2006, 42:2, p293).A healthy, secure attachment to the primary caregiver would therefore appear essential for a child’s social, emotional and intellectual development, whilst interruption to this attachment would appear to promote the premise of psychopathology in later life. Whilst some evidence exists to demonstrate internal working models can be modified by different environmental experiences, (Riggs, Vosvick and Stallings, 2007, 12:6, p922-936), the extent to which they can change remains in question.Bowlby himself postulated â€Å"clinical evidence suggests that the necessary revisions of the model are not always easy to achieve. Usually they are completed but only slowly, often they are done imperfectly, and sometimes done not at all. † (Bowlby, 1969, p83). Whilst change may be possible, the unconscious aspects of internal working models are deemed to be specifically resistant to such change. (Prior and Glaser, 2006) . We can safely assume therefore, that in the majority of cases, internal working models tend to persist for life.I concur with Rutter’s criticism of Bowlby's concept of ‘monotropy’, i.e. Bowlby’s belief that babies develop one primary attachment, usually the mother, (Rutter, 1981 cited in Lucas, 2007, 13, p156 and in Eysenck 2005), accepting instead that infants form multiple attachments. This is supported by a study by Shaffer and Emmerson (1964) who concluded infants form a ‘hierarchy’ of attachments, often with the mother as the primary attachment figure, although nearly a third of children observed highlighted the father as the primary attachment figure. (Schaffer and Emmerson, 1964 in Cassidy and Shaver, 1999, p44-67).Collins, Dunlop and Chrysler criticise Bowlby’s ‘lens’ in that it was â€Å"limited by his own cultural, historical and class position. Bowlby’s culturally biased assumptions and empiricist metho ds of inquiry concentrated on individualised detachment and loss as part of the normal course of mourning loss, which perpetuated the Western tradition of preserving the autonomous individual self as the normal goal of development. † (Collins, Dunlop and Chrysler, 2002, p98), leading them to conclude Bowlby’s assumptions ignored other cultural practices (as did Ainsworths), with which I agree.They also suggest Bowlby’s concept of maternal deprivation was perhaps exploited to get women to return to the home post World War II – â€Å"Characterised as a choice, this ‘homeward bound’ movement was supported by the various governments, whose maternalist and pronatalist ideology of the 1930s continued into the post-war period to provide a rationale for sending women home to reproduce †¦ maternalism and the maternal deprivation hypothesis provided one conceptual framework for pronatal ideology as it intersected  with the demands of governments and industrialists. † (Collins, Dunlap and Chrysler, 2002, p102).We must also remember that Bowlby’s observations â€Å"were based on children who had been separated from their primary caregivers during the Second World War† (Lemma, 2003 cited in Lucas, 2007, 13, p156), and that these procedures â€Å"were based on behaviours that occurred during stressful situations rather than under normal circumstances. † (Lucas, 2007, 13, p156) [this latter criticism also applies to Ainsworth’s work].Nonetheless, in highlighting the damaging effects of institutionalised care on young children, Bowlby’s strengths lie in drawing attention to the role attachment, attachment behaviour and attachment behavioural systems play in a child’s development and the subsequent potential consequences of disruption to the bond between infant and primary caregiver. I concur with Cassidy and Shaver’s (1999) criticisms of the strange situation in that there a re too many unconsidered variables for a firm theory to be established at the time of Ainsworth’s writings, accepting their view that she did not consider the mood nor temperament of the child.Nonetheless, Ainsworth et al have provided a tool with which to measure attachment styles in infants, which is still in use today. Later research by George, Kaplan and Main assesses adult internal models through the use of the Adult Attachment Interview. This classification of adult attachment styles promotes the idea of models extending into adulthood as a template for future relationships. (George, Kaplan and Main 1985 cited in Pendry, 1998).Hazan and Shaver continued this line of research identifying patterns of attachment behavior in adult romantic relationships, concluding the same four attachment styles identified in infancy remain true for adult relationships. (Hazan and Shaver 1987 in Cassidy and Shaver, 1999, p355-377). Although theoretically rooted in the same innate system, a dult romantic attachment styles differ from parent-child bonds to include reciprocity of attachment and caregiving, as well as sexual mating.  (Hazan and Zeifman, 1999 in Cassidy and Shaver, 1999, p336-354).The literature on bereavement has become inseparable from Bowlby’s theory of attachment and, following from this, the way in which people react to the loss of this attachment. On reflecting on losses in adult life, Weinstein (2008) observes Bowlby’s persistence of formative attachments and how the pattern of protest, despair and detachment that follows a baby’s separation from its primary caregiver is re-activated and presented in full force in adult loss.Weinstein writes â€Å"The ability of the adult to cope with attachment in intimate relationships to negotiate independence, dependency and inter-dependency; and to manage loss is all about how successfully they coped with separation as an infant. As a baby they had to retain their sense of their mother e ven in her absence and now as adults, as part of the mourning process, they strengthen their own identity with the support of the internalised object. † (Weinstein, 2008, p34).According to Murray-Parkes (1996), the intensity and duration of this grief is relative to what is lost and the grief process is an emotional response to this loss. Murray-Parkes joined Bowlby at the Tavistock Centre in 1962. Together they presented a paper linking the protests of separation highlighted by Robertson, Rosenbluth and Bowlby (1952) in young children separated from their mothers, to grief in adults. (Bowlby and Murray-Parkes, 1970 in Murray-Parkes, Stevenson-Hinde and Marris, 1991, p20).Around the same time, Murray-Parkes visited Kubler-Ross who was conducting her own research into death and dying. This work was later published in ‘On Death and Dying’ (1969) which examines the process of coming to terms with terminal illness or grief in five stages: denial; anger; bargaining; de pression and acceptance. Murray-Parkes later produced a four-phase grief model consisting: shock or numbness; yearning and pining; disorganisation and despair; and re-organisation.In contrast to the passive staged/phased approaches by Kubler-Ross and Murray-Parkes, and perhaps more in line with Freud’s concept of having ‘to do grief work’, Worden developed a four-staged, task-based grief model: â€Å"to accept the reality of the loss; to work through the pain of grief; to adjust to an environment in which the deceased is missing; and to emotionally relocate the deceased and move on with life. † (Worden, 2003). All three models are deemed to be therapeutically useful in that they recognise grief as a process and provide a framework of descriptors for ‘normalising’ grief reactions.That said, they are clearly prescriptive and caution should be exercised in taking any of these prescriptive stages, phases or tasks literally. It is equally important to recognise the uniqueness of individual responses to loss and to avoid prescribing where a client ‘ought’ to be in their grieving process. Since these models were never designed as a linear process, it is likewise important not to steer clients through these stages. This is supported by Schuchter and Zisook (1993), who assert â€Å"Grief is not a linear process with concrete boundaries but, rather, a composite of overlapping, fluid phases that vary from person to person.† (Schuchter and Zisook, 1993 in Stroebe, Stroebe and Hansson, 1993, p23).I agree with Servaty-Seib’s observations â€Å"the stage/phase approaches emerged solely from a death-loss focus †¦ Worden’s work was an important development in the understanding of the process of coping adaptively with bereavement as each task is clearly defined in an action-oriented manner. † (Servaty-Seib, 2004, 26:2, p125). Stroebe and Schut’s dual process model brings together death- loss focus and task-based models. (Stroebe and Schut, 2001 cited in Servaty-Seib, 2004, 26:2, p125).In my work at Positive East, I work with HIV+ gay men experiencing multi-layered loss. My philosophy is to build and maintain a therapeutic relationship within a safe, confidential, contained space where clients can explore their issues. The archetype ‘working towards a model of gay affirmative therapy’ (Davies and Neal, 1996, p24-40) provides me with a framework within which to explore gay culture and to apply an assenting approach to the work, which I believe promotes empathy and helps me to work in the best interests of the client.Conducting my own assessments, I complete a full client history, genogram and timeline, which provides a comprehensive insight into clients attachments and losses. It is important to acknowledge the social context within which multi-layered loss takes place (e. g. heterosexism, homophobia, HIV-related stigma) as well as recognising that indiv idual attachment styles may influence individual reactions to these losses and may also impact on the counselling relationship.Losses experienced by HIV+ gay men include loss of identity, health, appearance, mobility, self-respect, career, financial security, relationships and intimacy. (Riggs, Vosvick and Stallings, 2007, 12:6, p922-936; Koopman, Gore-Felton, Marouf et al, 2000, 12:5, p663-672; Fernandez and Ruiz, 2006, p356). Corr, Nabe and Corr (1997) describe these losses as the cognitive, affective and behavioural responses to the impact of the loss. In identifying attachment styles in HIV+ adults, Riggs, Vosvick and Stallings (2007) found that 90% of gay and bisexual HIV+ adults recruited into their study demonstrated insecure attachment.They suggest the diagnosis of HIV produces a strong trauma reaction, impacting on adult attachment style. In the same study, they found that HIV+ heterosexual adults were more likely to be secure, whereas gay and bisexual adults were more like ly to be fearful, preoccupied, avoidant; or dismissing, respectively. This led them to conclude that gay and bisexual people must therefore contend with societal forces that their heterosexual counterparts do not.They hypothesise â€Å"A diagnosis of HIV may be reminiscent of the coming out process, particularly with respect to concerns regarding stigma and disclosure, and thus may provoke similar fears about rejection by loved ones and society as a whole that contribute to greater attachment insecurity. † (Riggs, Vosvick and Stallings, 2007, 12:6, p931). This is supported by Koopman, Gore-Felton, Marouf et al (2000) who cite attachment style as a contributing factor associated with the high levels of stress experienced by HIV+ individuals.They comment â€Å"From this perspective, perceived stress is likely to be greater among [HIV+] persons having a highly anxious attachment style because their hypervigilance in interpersonal relationships leads to misinterpreting othersâ⠂¬â„¢ behaviours as rejecting or critical of themselves. † (Koopman, Gore-Felton, Marouf et al, 2000, 12:5, p670). This would suggest that HIV+ gay men with insecure attachment style may experience difficulties in developing and maintaining relationships, which, in turn, may impact on the therapeutic relationship.Additionally, according to Kelly, Murphy, Bahr et al â€Å"Dependable and supportive attachments play a crucial role in adjusting to HIV infection. Lack of such attachments and social support has been shown to be a significant predictor of emotional stress among HIV+ adults. † (Kelly, Murphy, Bahr et al, 1993, 12:3, p215-219). This has significant implications for the psychological well being of HIV+ gay men whom, considering their perceived attachment difficulties, may experience difficulties in forming such supportive relationships.In examining the suitability of the common grief models when working with this client group, I accept Copp’s criticism of the Kubler-Ross model for its focus on psychosocial dynamics â€Å"to the exclusion of physical, and to a lesser extent, spiritual dimensions. † (Copp, 1998, 28:2, p383). I also agree with Knapp’s criticisms of the staged/phased grief models espoused by Kubler-Ross and Murray-Parkes. Knapp observes â€Å"while both of these models may be applicable to those experiencing a singular loss, neither model takes into  consideration the multiplicity of losses thrust upon the seropositive gay male population.These men experience overlapping losses, resulting in them being at differing stages with respect to different losses. † (Knapp, 2000, 6:2, p143). Knapp offers a similar criticism of the Worden model in that â€Å"task models fail to account for the continuity of loss in the lives of seropositive gay men. † (Knapp, 2000, 6:2, p143), with which I also concur. In addition, all three models incorporate an end point, which suggests the completion of a cycle, th ereby pre-supposing some sort of finality.These models are therefore limited in their application to my own work, since, as new losses take the place of old, my clients find themselves in a continual cycle of loss without the comfort of such an end point. Processing the loss of the ‘pre-infected self’ and re-defining the ‘HIV+ self’ often means working with the stage of identity vs role confusion in Erikson’s (1965) psychosocial model. Additionally, where partners stay together, a revisiting and re-negotiation of the adult stage of intimacy may be required since intimacy is often disrupted and sometimes lost due to HIV infection.This stage is also revisited by clients where a partner chooses to end the relationship with a HIV+ partner. Working through the loss of the partner (usually due to fear of infection); as well as other significant relationships (usually due to HIV related stigma); is also key to the work. To support this work, I use the †™multi-dimensional’ grief model by Schuchter and Zisook (1993), adopting four of their five dimensions: emotional and cognitive responses; emotional pain; changes in relationships and changes in identity.  (Schuchter and Zisook, 1993 in Stroebe, Stroebe and Hansson, 1993, p26-43).I have also used Worden’s grief model in supporting a HIV+ client whose HIV infected partner committed suicide. This work is clearly demanding and is informed by the client’s internal working model of self and other. Due to perceived stigma and fear of rejection, it is not unusual for the client’s attachment behavioural system to be activated throughout the therapeutic relationship. Recent research highlights the mirroring of Bowlby’s theory within such a relationship.Parish and Eagle (2003) and Sonkin (2005) draw attention to the manifestation of clients seeking proximity maintenance to the therapist; experiencing distress when the therapist is not available; seeking a safe haven when in distress; and using the therapist as a secure base. To cater for this, I strive to provide a secure base in therapy, ensuring I remain boundaried, punctual and professional, informing clients of any breaks and provide opportunities for clients to explore their anxieties. Clients in particular distress may also contact the agency, who in turn may contact me.My experience has taught me that clients with avoidant attachment styles take time to build trust in the therapeutic relationship. I have also found the avoidant attached usually need permission/re-assurance to grieve their losses, whilst the anxiously attached require permission/re-assurance to stop grieving their losses. I am cognisant that the therapeutic relationship promotes attachment yet at the same time acknowledge the paradox in severing this attachment at the end of therapy. Ending sensitively is therefore crucial. I recognise that clients may develop co-morbid conditions such as alcohol and recreati onal drug abuse.In line with the BACP ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect (BACP Ethical Framework, 2007), I use supervision to monitor any emerging signs of such abuse, where a decision may be reached to refer these clients to external agencies or other, suitably experienced, internal counsellors. In assessing my strengths and areas for development, I am now much more aware of how early attachment experiences and internal working models impact on how clients process their losses as well as their potential impact on the counselling relationship and process.I have extensive experience of working with loss and bereavement, which is underpinned by my specialist training and practice at Positive East, as a bereavement counsellor with the Bereavement Service and as a counsellor providing support to those bereaved through homicide at Victim Support. I believe a healthy, secure attachment to a primary caregiver is necessary for a child’s social, emotio nal and intellectual development. In turn this promotes the development of a healthy internal working model, disruption to which may lead to psychopathology in later life.Whilst the internal working model tends to persist through the life course, I believe it can be modified by divergent experiences, but acknowledge this change may be difficult. Whilst I have extensive experience of working with loss, I now appreciate how early formative attachments influence our reactions to such loss and how these reactions may impact on the therapeutic relationship. Popular grief models clearly fall short in addressing the multi-layered losses experienced by this client group, demanding instead the integration of what is currently available.The high level of insecure attachment style demonstrated in HIV+ gay men may be due in part to the unique challenges they face within the context of HIV related stigma and negative social experiences. Finally, I believe my knowledge of theory and sensitive app lication of skills has proved to be an effective strategy in working competently, sensitively and safely with this client group. Nonetheless, I recognise the need for continuous professional development and aim to attend workshops on attachment; and mental health and HIV during the summer.