THE POWER OF LOVE

     We get but a few true loves throughout the course of our lives. Love is a thing to be cherished. Relish in every moment of it. Nothing in this world can so stir a man's soul to purpose as the love of a good woman. A man must overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to survive and succeed in this new world. It is the love of a strong woman that will be the steel in his spine and the resolve in his gaze. When his will is all but broken and he is overcome with despair, the inspiration of a woman’s love will keep him on his feet. The promise of her kiss and the want of her embrace will keep him ever pressing forward fearlessly against any foe. The true love of a man and a woman working in unison and filled with the light of the eternal spirit can shake the very earth itself from its foundation.

Dane E. Gilkey

Image found at:  http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1257&bih=710&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=JvPD8FgrebnFkM:&imgrefurl=http://breath-expression.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-is-love-something-you-can-touch.html&docid=hL0RpglaLf-wvM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K5k-7-Wd3KGAM3j8S0wv0_xo1_sD4NoY0hWcs-Bx8xlLRBehTXQkiihRwi3ggO3Dl6D91H5X6SHu56XnQ0HhUJzc2-bOJTCIr6bB2f14g0VOrMcsZdeUye7wV1T8jb1AqQwXEaIOhng/s1600/love.jpg&w=900&h=675&ei=hhmXT5CrK-KW2QXuv8CBDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=815&vpy=167&dur=2195&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=155&ty=105&sig=113047967266275079757&page=2&tbnh=153&tbnw=204&start=15&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:15,i:183

Be confident, get up and do something.

     I meet so many people every day that are just existing and not living.  Wake-up people and come to life.  Take part in the wondrous world in which we live, because life is not a spectator sport.  It is a sport you have to participate in full force giving 100% of yourself all the time.  Life is an exciting, dynamic and full-contact sport and you should be playing to win all the time.  Do not be sedentary; don’t listen to all of the people out there who tell you, that you can’t do something.  All of those who tell you that you are not smart enough or you don’t have the right background you’re not thin enough or tall enough or pretty enough.  GOD made you absolutely perfect.  You are as tall, thin, smart, and good looking as you are supposed to be.  

      Hold your head up, stick your chest out, put a smile on your face, look people in the eyes and remember who you are and where you come from and all those who came before you and sacrificed so much so that you could be here.  Be proud of yourself and have faith in your abilities.  Speak positive vision into yourself every day.  Tell yourself, yes I can!!!  Make a plan.  Then go out and do something with your life.  Do not settle.  

      Remember that even the longest journey begins with a single step.  Let nothing stop you.  Never give up, stay the course and fight to the end.  You can fulfill your dreams as long as you never give up on them and never stop dreaming.  We all have greatness within.  Let your greatness out, release the dragon.  We all have our own unique set of abilities.  Make the best of what you have.  Stay positive and you can truly work wonders.

Dane Gilkey

My Ten Commandments Of Health Care Administration Ethics

1.    I will always conduct myself in a professional manner.

2.    I will honestly and faithfully carry out my assigned duties, and care for all patients who have been placed under my charge.

3.    I will immediately correct any discovered shortcomings in patient care.

4.   I will vigilantly be ever on the lookout for any wrong doing of any kind.

5.    I will not permit physical or mental abuse.

6.   I will not permit unsanitary conditions to exist.

7.    I will respect the basic human rights of all patients and employees. 

8.   I will guard against the loss of patients autonomy.

9.   I will assure that my facility is properly manned, properly equipped and that my employees have been properly trained.

10.  I will immediately report any fraud, waste or abuse to the appropriate authority, not matter what the cost and no matter what the situation.

Dane E. Gilkey

Explanations and justifications.

I have taken great care in writing these Ten Commandments of The Health Care Administrators and it is no coincidence that I have called it so.  The Ten Commandments handed down by Moses were supposed to be Gods rules of life and death.  Today we think of them as guidelines for staying out of trouble.  So too are these guidelines designed to keep the health care administrator on the proper path.  While writing these guidelines, I put myself in the place of a patient.  I considered if I am a patient, what would I expect from the medical industry.   In general when I am seeking treatment, the answer is quite simple.  I expect that the medical workers should conduct themselves as professionals.  I further expect to be treated fairly and be accorded the general respect that I am due as a human being and as an American tax payer.

1.       HCAs should conduct themselves as professionals.  That means looking and acting the part.

2.      Since they are professionals and are being paid, it is expected that they can be trusted to do their jobs.

3.      This point also has to do with being a professional.  It is expected that you should set yourself to a higher standard.

4.      As an HCA you are put in a position of public trust.  We the patients trust that you are spending our money wisely and that you are square dealing.

5.      This point just goes to common morality.  Your patients are in a compromised position and should not be taken advantage of.

6.      This is another simple make sense point.  Any medical facility is presumed to have a high level of sanitary cleanliness.

7.      This point is self-explanatory.

8.      Protecting a patients basic right to be informed and play a part in the decision making process in regard to their care.

9.      If you don’t have the right tools and equipment it will limit your effectiveness.

10.  This last point strikes right at the heart of ethics and morality.  If you cannot keep these commandments you should not be an HCA.

Dane E. Gilkey

Guns are not the enemy.

Train and license

     Guns are not the enemy.  They are not the devil and guns don’t kill people.  People kill people.  Careless people with guns and people who don’t know how to handle a gun, kill people.  People were killing each other long before there were guns and they will be killing each other long after guns are gone.  In prison inmates kill each other every day and they don’t have guns.  They do not need them.  The gun is not the weapon.  The person is the weapon.  It is the hard heart that kills.  The individual with a determined mindset and an indomitable spirit will always find a way to get the job done.  If you have done something to someone that in their mind of that person warrants killing you, then that is that.  If this person is motivated enough, then they are going to kill you, no matter what and they don’t need a gun to do it. They can run you down with a truck or just do it the old fashioned way and bash your skull in with a stone.  In any event, a truly determined individual will find some way to get the job done.  Taking away my gun would not stop me and it would not stop you from doing the same.  I believe that instead of trying to keep guns out of the hands of citizens, we should instead insure that they are properly trained on how and when to use a weapon and be licensed.

     In order to operate a motor-vehicle you have to show proficiency with the operation of that vehicle, and you have to prove that you have an understanding of the laws with regard to the use of a motor-vehicle.  Does it not also stand to reason that you should have to have some reasonable level of proficiency in the use of a gun if you are going to own and operate a gun of any kind, whether it is a hand-gun, rifle, whatever the case may be?  Everyone is ok with police officers carrying guns.  Why is that, because we all know that police officers are trained on how and when to use their weapons, and we trust that the officer will exercise all due caution.  It should be the same for John Q. Citizen.

     In the military we have certain basic safety rules with regard to the use of weapons.  These are simple make sense rules.  Rules like don’t point your weapon at anything you are not willing to destroy.  You must be sure of your target and what is beyond it.  You have to know what you are going to hit if you miss or if the round goes through the target.  Leave the safety on until you are directly on target and of course do not put your finger on the trigger until you are about to shoot.  Following these simple rules helps greatly reduce the number of accidents.  The police have similar guidelines.  So why is the civilian population not required to follow similar make sense guidance.  My point is if our legislators were genuinely concerned with reducing gun violence and the number of accidental discharges, then they would introduce practical legislation geared toward actually dealing with the issues.

     The current gun legislation varies from one state to the next and just makes it hard for John Q Citizen to purchase and carry a weapon.  Citizens need guns to protect themselves from the criminal element.  You have a right to feel safe in your home and to be safe on the street everywhere you go, any time day or night.  Criminals already have guns and to make things worse they usually attack in groups.   Anyone who is up to something wrong is not going to go out and legally purchase a weapon and register it.  Criminals don’t do that, instead they purchase weapons illegally on the street or they steal them.  So no amount of legislation will keep guns out of the hands of criminals.  But, time and time again the lawmakers use this same old tired argument as their justification for enacting more and more laws that make it difficult for citizens to own guns and protect themselves.  They will attempt to frighten the public by stating the violent crime statistics.  They then will use these statistics as their justification for enacting more and more stringent laws.  As stated earlier, guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

     “According to the National Self Defense Survey conducted by Florida State University criminologists in 1994, the rate of Defensive Gun Uses can be projected nationwide to approximately 2.5 million per year -- one Defensive Gun Use every 13 seconds.

     Among 15.7% of gun defenders interviewed nationwide during The National Self Defense Survey, the defender believed that someone "almost certainly" would have died had the gun not been used for protection -- a life saved by a privately held gun about once every 1.3 minutes. (In another 14.2% cases, the defender believed someone "probably" would have died if the gun hadn't been used in defense.)

     In over half of these gun defense incidents, the defender was facing two or more attackers – and three or more attackers in over a quarter of these cases. (No means of defense other than a firearm -- martial arts, pepper spray, or stun guns -- gives a potential victim a decent chance of getting away uninjured when facing multiple attackers.)

     In 79.7% of these gun defenses, the defender used a concealable handgun. A quarter of the gun defenses occurred in places away from the defender's home.”   (The World Wide Web gun defense clock)

     The founding fathers of the United States felt so strongly about the issue of citizens being able to own and carry weapons, that they included it in the United States Constitution. “The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that declares "a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

  The meaning and scope of this right has been described as among the most contested of the rights codified in the Bill of Rights.” (Wikipedia.org)

      The right of citizens to own and carry weapons has been an issue of debate since this country was founded and I have no doubt that it will continue to be an issue of debate for many years to come. As for me I think the National Rifle Association spokesperson Charlton Heston said it best when he stated “You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead hand.” I would feel much better if I knew that everyone else out there carrying a weapon was trained on how and when to use it.

Dane E. Gilkey

                                                               Works Cited


Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz, "The world wide web gun defense clock". Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Self-Defense with a Gun. 17 Feburary, 2009 http://www.pulpless.com/gunclock/stats.html.


The Bill of Rights, "wikipedia.org". United States Constitution. 17 Feburary, 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution>.

A Comparison and Contrast of Newton's Universal Law of Gravity with Coulomb's Law of Electric Charges.

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation states, “Every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force directed along the line of centers for the two objects that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the separation between the two objects.”

Fg = G x (m1 x m2 /r squared)

Coulomb’s Law states “The magnitude of electrostatic force between two point electric charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of each of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the total distance between the two charges.

F = k x (q1 xq2 / d squared)

“So Newton’s law of gravitation for massive bodies is similar to Coulomb’s law for electrically charged bodies.  Whereas the gravitational force of attraction between such particles as an electron and a proton is extremely small, the electrical force between these particles is relatively enormous.  Other than the big difference in strength, the most important difference between gravitational and electrical forces is that electrical forces may be either attractive or repulsive, whereas gravitational forces are only attractive.”  (Conceptual Physics, Pg. 414)

Works Cited

Hewitt, Paul G.. Conceptual Physics. Boston, Massachusetts: Addison Wesley, 2006

The Future of Programmable Logic Controllers

Abstract

     The topic of this paper is The Future of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).  My objective is to explore the possible future uses of PLCs.  To achieve this objective I read several articles written over the past several years on the future uses of PLCs.  After performing this research I believe that PLCs have a bright future indeed.

 

Introduction

     “A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is an industrial grade digital computer that is capable of being programmed to perform control functions.” PLC’s are used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or lighting fixtures.  Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact.  “PLC’s have eliminated much of the hardwiring associated with conventional relay control circuits.”  Some of the benefits of PLC’s include easy programming and installation, high control speed, network capability, troubleshooting and testing convenience, and high reliability.”[1]

The parts of a PLC

     The basic PLC has only a few parts.  “First, a central processing unit (CPU), the CPU is the brain of the whole operation.  A typical processor usually consists of a microprocessor for implementing the logic and controlling the communications among the modules.  The processor requires memory for storing the results of the logical operations performed by microprocessor.  Memory is also required for the program EPROM or EEPROM plus RAM.  The CPU controls all PLC activity and is designed so that the user can enter the desired program is relay ladder logic.”[2] Next, a power supply that supplies power to other modules that are plugged into the rack.  The input and output (I/O) portions are just that, the inputs and the outputs.  “The I/O system forms the interface by which field devices are connected to the controller.  The purpose of this interface is to condition the various signals received from or sent to external field devices.”[2] Finally we have a programming device which is used to enter the desired program into the memory of the processor.  “A personal computer (PC) is the most commonly used programming device.  Most brands of PLCs have software available to that a PC can be used as the programming device.  The PC communicates with the PLC processor via a serial or parallel data communications link, or Ethernet.  If the programming unit is not in use, it may be unplugged and removed.  A program is a user-developed series of instructions that directs the PLC to execute actions.  A programming language provides rules for combining the instructions so that they produce the desired actions.  Relay ladder logic (RLL) is the standard programming language used with PLCs.”[2]

Another use for PLCs

     PLC technology may very well be the future of multi-room audio systems.  “If you’re lucky enough to own a home pre-wired for audio, video, cable and network communications, you’re ready for a whole house music system. If you don’t own a networked home, and have no plans to retrofit your home with network wiring, PLC technology may be for you. PLC enables the distribution of music and control signals throughout your home via your home’s existing electrical wiring. PLC makes it easy to setup a multi-room audio system without installing any new wiring in your home.  PLC is based on Powerline Carrier technology that piggybacks audio and control signals over the alternating current or AC electrical wiring that almost all homes have. HomePlug is the name of the industry group whose mission is to promote PLC technology and adopt product standards.”[4]

 

A bright future for PLCs

     According to the many articles I read, the future of PLCs is bright indeed.  The following is taken from a June 2008 article published on the Engineering Talk website by the Arc Advisory Group.  The Arc Advisory Group is the leading research and advisory firm for manufacturing, energy, and supply chain solutions.  “PLCs, which are used across all major discrete and process industries, will continue to experience growth as robust, emerging economies create buoyant demand for increasing automation.  While a cooling off period is expected, automation demand is expected to continue to grow during the forecast period.  The market is demanding the programmable automation controller (PAC), a multi-disciplined controller capable of providing real-time logic, motion and process control, in addition to HMI and other functions, on a single platform.  Major automation suppliers have extended PLC functions beyond just logic, especially in higher end models.  The PLC-based PAC market growth is expected to be higher than the overall PLC market growth.  This growth will be driven by the logical extension of PLC functionality to a multi-disciplinary platform.  ARC predicts that most of the small and large PLCs of today, as well as some of the micro PLCs, will morph into PACs, and the pure PLCs will remain at the Nano and some of the micro level.  PLC applications cut across discrete, process and hybrid automation segments, and are poised for steady growth across all manufacturing.  Manufacturing companies, acutely aware of the need for more automation, and for both producing and saving energy to cope with rapidly rising energy demands and costs globally, are increasingly using PLCs.”[3]

Conclusion

     In writing this paper I have discovered that we have only begun to tap into the many possible uses of PLCs.  I believe it is only a matter of putting our imaginations to work and we may find many as yet unforeseen uses for PLCs.

References

[1]Dane E. Gilkey, (2011, April 6), EET 331 Programmable Logic Controllers, “LogixPro Relay Logic Introductory Lab”.

[2] Text Book by Frank D. Petruzella, “Programmable Logic Controllers”, 4^th Edition, Published by McGraw-Hill, 2005.

[3]Engineeringtalk, Initials. (2008, June 12). The future for programmable logic controllers. Retrieved from http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/arb/arb201.html

[4]Gary Altunian, Initials. (2011). Is plc technology the future of multiroom audio?. Retrieved from http://stereos.about.com/od/advancedstereotopics/a/homeplug.htm

Femtocell Networks

Abstract

     This paper will be an overview of and brief introduction to femtocell networks.  The objective is to become familiar with the femtocell technology and discover its benefits and current level of usage.  To achieve this goal I reviewed several industry related journals.  After performing this research I’ve come to realize, the many valuable usages of the femtocell and now believe femtocells will come into wide usage in the near future.

 

Introduction

 

    For this assignment we had to review two articles.  One entitled Femtocell Networks:  A Survey, and the other entitled,  Femtocell network architecture and signaling protocol.  Let’s start with the basics first.  Exactly what is a femtocell?  Prior to this assignment I had never even heard the term before. The website FemtoForum.Org defines a Femtocell as follows, “Femtocells are low-power wireless access points that operate in licensed spectrum to connect standard mobile devices to a mobile operator’s network using residential DSL or cable broadband connections.”[3]  It femtocell allows us to increase the capacity and the effectiveness of our home network by providing us with a more powerful wireless signal.

  “The demand for higher data rates in wireless networks is unrelenting, and has triggered the design and development of new data-minded cellular standards such as WiMAX, the Third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP’s) High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and LTE standards, and 3GPP’s EVDO and UMB standards.” [1]

     Nowadays it seems engineers are under more and more pressure to make everything smaller, faster and wireless with a seamless ease of use.  I think the femtocell is a great idea and I believe its use will dramatically increase in the near future.  Making things wireless reduces clutter and the amount of wires in the area.  Not to mention the fact that wireless devices are more convenient and give the user greater freedom of movement.  Today everyone has to be able to multitask and having a femto providing a nice strong signal will make that a lot easier to do.  In todays fast pace market everyone has to stay on top of their data, and no one can afford to miss a call.  Missing that call may cost you your job.

     “The surest way to increase the system capacity of a wireless link is by getting the transmitter and receiver closer to each other, which creates the dual benefits of higher-quality links and more spatial reuse.  In a network with nomadic users, this inevitably involves deploying more infrastructure, typically in the form of microcells, hot spots, distributed antennas, or relays.  A less expensive alternative is the recent concept of femtocells – also called home base stations – which are data access points installed by home users to get better indoor, voice and data coverage.” [1]  Below in figure 1 you will see a typical femtocell network.

[2]

Conclusion

     The articles I reviewed were both insightful and informative.  I now believe I have a basic understanding of what a femtocell network is and I will more likely than not experiment with setting one up in my own home.  Just like anything else, the femtocell has its good points and bad points.  For instance, the technology may seem a little complicated to some of the less tech. savvy members of the public.  Also the physical placement of the cell is critical.  You have to determine the correct place to get the most bang for your buck.  Once again, this may turn out to be a complicated task to perform for some people.  However, I believe the benefits that can be received from using a femtocell are more than worth the trouble and expense of setting up a femtocell network.

References

 [1] Vikram Chandrasekhar and Jeffrey G. Andrews, Alan Gatherer, Initials. (2008, October 9). Femtocell networks: a survey. IEEE Communications Magazine, 59-67.

[2] Srinivasa Rao,Ravi Raj Bhat , Initials. (2008). Femtocell network architecture and signaling protocol. Continuous Computing, Retrieved from http://www.ccpu.com/papers/femtocells/

 [3]  What is a femtocell?. (2009, November). Retrieved from http://www.femtoforum.org/femto/index.php?id=46

Appendix

Fig. 1:  High-level Femtocell Network Architecture