The Foundations of Rap Music Essay Example For Students

The Foundations of Rap Music Essay Expression, slang characterization, and boastful rhyming often describe the genre known as rap music. Rap music was originally recognized as traditional storytelling in the late 1970s. It was discovered by DJs and disc jockeys in New York clubs where people did not come to just dance but to listen to the interesting new style of music. Although rap did not flourish until the late 1970s, it is said that rap extends as far back as the period of slavery. It was used as a form of expression for the oppressed African Americans that were forced to leave their home land and work in the fields of a â€Å"white† owner. Rap music was accompanied by beat boxing, break dancing and interpretative dance. Rap music is explained through different expressions but not all rap songs are alike. Songs like â€Å"Staring Out of My Rearview Mirror† by Tupac and Lil Wayne’s â€Å"Mirror† are both associated with rap music but they still have their differences. We will write a custom essay on The Foundations of Rap Music specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Lyrics like â€Å"Multiple gunshots fill the block, the fun stops/Niggaz is callin cops, people shot, nobody stops/I wonder when the world stopped caring last night/Two kids shot while the whole block staring†(Tupac) and â€Å"With everything happening today/You dont know whether youre coming or going/But you think that youre on your way/Life lined up on the mirror dont blow it†(Lil Wayne) are one of the things that make the music of Tupac and Lil Wayne different. Although, Tupac is said to be an inspiration to Lil Wayne their messages within these songs are different. Tupac talks about his surroundings and life while Lil Wayne reminisces on friendship and loyalty. Tupac says, â€Å"(They got me) starin at the world through my rearview/Go on baby scream to God, he cant hear you/I can feel your heart beatin fast cause its time to die (we)/Gettin high, watchin time fly, and all my motherfuckers. † He talks about life and the things he goes through throughout his life along with the stresses life brings. Life constantly has you looking through your review mirror or watching your soundings. Rap artists like Tupac and Lil Wayne speak what they are feeling and relate it to relevant situations in the art of combining words of expression. Rap music causes the mind to think thoroughly. Rap music may be simple, but it does have the mind thinking although many rappers have meaningless lyrics and have violent slurs in their approach to rap music in order to boost sells and create a false image in the music industry. However, some rappers tell a story through their verbal ability. Some rappers use an excessive amount of detail in their songs to get their points across. They provide you with a mental picture to go off of. Rap music finds a way to draw attention and it has accomplished the task of getting people to have a reaction of some sort. Although many parents believe that rap music is the leading cause of violence in today’s society, rap music is a form of expression and release. Rap can help relieve stress in many situations that teens or â€Å"young† American faces. Writing is a form of release. Teens encounter a lot of situations where they feel as though they do not have anyone to talk with to discuss their problems so they turn to rap music. They use that form of expression to release the anger they have built up. Whatever pinned up or suppressed feelings teens may have, they associate it with rap music. Rap music is among any form of music that is accessible to relieve stress and other mental strains.

buy custom Domestic Uses of Relational Technology essay

buy custom Domestic Uses of Relational Technology essay For the past decades, relational technology has been perceived to be the most sufficient domestic data management system in the world and the data management foundation for information processing in the business entity. In order to accomplish the superpower nature and meet the rapid technological advancement in the economy, the US government needs to encourage its citizens to appreciate and put into use the relational technology for domestic uses. One challenge facing the entire economy in the US is the development of effective system in which decision making, by the relevant authority, will be relied on, managing of data resulting from this decision made and the communication of the information derived to the relevant groups (Alagi%u0107, 2001). The complexity and scope of these processes have grown and the inadequacy in pressure sensitivity has become apparent. Individuals need to focus their attention to other income generating activities therefore the use of relational technology will ease the situation. The creation of relational technology database will imply that there is effective communication and data management in the sector. Relational technology enhances efficient and timely report writing in the organization. Earlier on, the information processing system was based on a huge data access and mainframe systems which were limited to the IT professionals in mst of its undertakings. Databases that were available were majorly homegrown, and in order to effectively retrieve data, comprehensive database knowledge was required. In the case where users needed special report, drafting will be done by only the IT specialist. The implementation of the relational technology will minimize these inconveniences in the organization and provide relevant information to the management which will be used in decision making (Alagi%u0107, 2001). The current change in the economy has fostered for competition in the markets in order to acquire large market share. An organization needs to be competitively advantageous in an attempt to realize its strategic goals. Relational technology has enhanced availability of information to interest groups in the economy so as to satisfactorily market their activities. This is seen by companies producing up-to-date records of its financial statements. Relational technology has introduced the report writers who are user friendly as they entirely rely on SQL in data documentation, that is, the query language which is introduced by the relational technology (Sumathi, 2007). The users of the system will be able to produce their ad hoc queries concerning the database and file the reports effectively and within the stipulated timeframe. Simplicity in the operations and presentation of the organizational data is guaranteed. Unlike in thee past, organizations were not able to effectively simplify their data for use by both the corporate entity and the non-conversant client concerning the applied techniques. Trends of the organizational operability and the graphical representation of the financial statements are attributed to SQL system in the relational technology. SQL system enhances consistent use of the language in which varied questions concerning the diverse nature of data can be easily asked. SQL functions by analyzing the data provided in a standardized and simpler format; table containing only columns and rows. The simplicity of data documentation, however, came with a severe price. The inherency of the complexity in the relationships between the real world data does not, naturally, fit into the designed columns and rows. Therefore, data produced is usually fragmented into many tables where they are joined in order to effectively complete simple operations. Therefore, basing on the above facts on the importance of relational technology in the changing US economy, most business organizations will articulate to relational technology in an attempt to be competitively advantage in the economy. As such, management should be technological savvy in its operations and this will be achieved by incorporating the desired relational technology in the organization in order to realize its strategic goal and objectives. Buy custom Domestic Uses of Relational Technology essay

Street Gangs in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Street Gangs in America - Essay Example The social relationships of gangs provide teenagers a sense of belonging, an especially important need for developing adolescents. In many neighborhoods, youths are actively recruited or intimidated into joining gangs and seemingly have little choice. â€Å"A few [teens] are virtually born into gangs as a result of neighborhood traditions and their parents’ earlier and perhaps continuing gang participation or involvement in criminal activity† (Moore, 1978). The gang offers disenfranchised youths experiencing feelings of isolation that are also wavering between their native and adopted cultures and connected to neither, a family-like affiliation. These are many reasons that young people join gangs, all of which are relatively easy to understand. Therefore, this discussion will focus on the gangs themselves, their motivations, characteristics, general make-up and current trends concerning street gang activity in America. The typical age range of gang members is 12 to 24 years old with an average age of about 17 to 18 years, but this average is generally older in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles where gangs have been in existence longer (Curry & Decker, 1998). While the numbers of younger gang members are growing, the average age of members is also increasing. Gangs are progressively becoming proportionately older as they increase in total size throughout the country. Not surprisingly, male gang members well outnumber women by a large percentage, a disparity that widens as the members become older. Gangs differ in size depending on the types of criminal activity associated with the gang. â€Å"Traditional (large, enduring, territorial) gangs average about 180 members, whereas specialty (e.g., drug trafficking) gangs average only about 25 members. In large cities, some gangs number in the thousands and even tens of thousands† (Block & Block,

Advancements in Communications The Use of Cloud Computing Research Paper

Advancements in Communications The Use of Cloud Computing - Research Paper Example This paper will discuss various concepts of communication and its emerging factors in cloud environment. This paper will also outline the implications of cloud computing in communications. Cloud Computing  and Communications Cloud computing is one of the emerging concepts in telecom sector. In addition, cloud computing has successfully changed the dimensions of communication (Weiss; Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). In today’s global world where new standards and technologies are offered and changed everyday each and every organization is trying its level best to make use of cloud computing. Additionally, the idea of cloud computing is already adopted in various fields. According to a research, cloud environment will be adopted in a large number of corporations and enterprises in upcoming years. In fact, cloud computing is already been adopted in various sectors such as communication and information technology which resulted in significant growth and profit generation (Phuk an). In this way the telecom sector is much energized about the scenario of cloud environment. In addition, the telecom sector will acquire numerous competitive advantages from networking operations along with modern technological aspects. Hence it will become easy for them to play an imperative role in the rapid growing world of cloud computing environment (Phukan). Cloud computing generally  offers a lot of convincing benefits for common users and organizations that used it, such as it is useful in many ways. It facilitates organizations with the cost of operations performed reduced capital and scalability according to our demands. So we are in right opinion towards business concerning matters to take full fledging advantage of the on-going computing resources and services according to our demands, collectively known as â€Å"the cloud†. Without a doubt, Cisco is a leading network oriented company is working with other industry leaders on joint venture to develop and expa nd protocols and standards that are useful in transformation of the long-term vision the Inter-Cloud form, today into reality. If the Cisco joint venture happens then it will make considerable changes in the cloud environment, further than the technology directions must change in this regard. The IT-related organizations, and how IT (information technology) mechanism with various business units, have to acclimatize as well, or organizations would not achieve what they desire from the cloud computing (Nations; Ingthorsson). If we research the Cloud Computing like both a service delivery model and technology concept, particularly according to its networking point of view, and also its various implications indeed. We already have studied the existing and promising technologies related to networks usually used in the Cloud computing, either in internal level or in external, it may include various aspects that correspond to WAN (wide area network) technologies as well as Data hub/centre interconnections. If we analyze the both Long-distance interconnections (MAN and WAN), the overall spectrum between information centers are visibly based on IP (internet protocol) standards that are used over the ATM (auto transit machine), Ethernet, SDH/ SONET and further recently, on MPLS with QoS as well as interconnection that have local capabilities.  

Dementia care

Dementia care ‘The public outdoor world is rarely conceived of as an appropriate setting for a person with dementia’: Critically discuss this statement with reference to your reading and practice or caring experience. Use at least one case study or vignette of up to 350 words taken from your practice or caring experience. This should support your argument and illustrate either the opportunities and/or the challenges of accessing the outdoors. Assignment to be: 2500 words People with dementia have the right to a dignified, healthy, safe, and friendly environment where they are treated as equals regardless their increasing age or diminishing capabilities. (Mitchell et el., 2004). They can still maintain their abilities to cope independently throughout the early or mild stages of dementia. They still have the desire to stay independent and have control over their own lives. It is essential for people with dementia to experience regular mental and physical exercise to keep their minds and bodies active and to maintain social contact. If the streets in their neighbourhoods are not designed to meet their needs they will be trapped in their homes, because their previously safe and secure neighbourhood changed into a harmful and dangerous environment. There is an increasing need improve urban design through the Local Planning Authorities, as such urban planners should take in consideration the implication of not only normal ageing but they should enable indi viduals with various types of cognitive impairments to maintain their independence (Burton Mitchell, 2006). Effects and challenges of dementia Physical, mental, and psychological changes are due to the ageing process, and can encompasses several slight impairments in hearing, vision, ability, mobility, and memory. These affect elder individual’s ability to live in their surroundings with ease. This is even more difficult for individuals with dementia because they have to cope with both the normal ageing effects and the challenges of dementia that cause a threat to their personhood and result in the loss of identity (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Chaudhury, 2008). Dementia pose a number of behavioural, personality, and cognitive changes for example restlessness, agitation, depression, and anxiety. There is a typical decline in physical and mental abilities. They develop a typical style of mobility in the form of an unsteady shuffling pace with a stooped posture, always looking down and as such they are not aware of their surroundings. Dementia also result in sensory impairment which can include hearing and vision. Colour ag nosia is often intensified by dementia, dark colours and combinations thereof is difficult to distinguish. There might also be impaired depth perception, sharp colour contrasts or patterns on the ground will be interpreted as steps or holes, shiny or reflective surfaces looks slippery and wet, buzzy designs or repetitive lines will cause dizziness and that can result in trips or falls. The mental decline in dementia is permanent and incurable, it might progress gradually and result in unpredictable physical deterioration. During the mild to moderate stages their short-term memory is very fragile and their long-term memory remains acute (Burton Mitchell, 2006). Negative feelings The statement, ‘The public outdoor world is rarely conceived of as an appropriate setting for a person with dementia’ said it all. â€Å"There are currently over 750,000 people with dementia in the UK and this is predicted to rise to about 870,000 by 2010 and over 1, 8 million by 2050†. (Burton Mitchell, 2006, p. 27). But people with dementia is disabled and disempowered by the unfriendly and unsafe environment, it does not meet their cognitive impairment needs, which is ignored. Accessibility for these individuals have become a huge problem, there is positive transformations for normal disabilities but not effective enough to take into consideration the different barriers for individuals with dementia and their unique impairments. Burton and Mitchell (2006) found that individuals with dementia experience negative feelings that include fearfulness and anxiety. This is due to the fear associated with their decline in mobility and vision. Burton and Mitchell also i ndicated the complications and risks presented by existing city environments for instance irregular paving, poor seating, no shelter, steep inclines, a lack of signposting, and bicycles on footpaths. The psychological and social difficulties are also serious obstacles for example, poor bus services, inaccessibility of local shops, insufficiency of toilet services, and the possibility of getting lost. Constant noise of heavy traffic flow disturbs the person with dementia’s hearing and has an influence on their concentration. Unexpected, loud sounds often frighten them. Another ‘no-go’ facility is the moving stairways in any public building, it hinders a person with dementia who suffers vision-impairment to judge the stairways distance and speed. (Blackman et al. 2010) Vignette The above findings support the caring experience in my practice in that the public outdoor world is not an appropriate setting for a person with dementia, they do experience obstacles and challenges on a daily basis when accessing the outdoors as proven in my vignette: One of the residents, Mr X, in my care setting has been experiencing Schizophrenia for many years and he has also diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. He was from the local area and very familiar with the neighbourhood and community and is well known by some of the locals. He had free access in and out of the Care Home for many years but recently we received a phone call from a local shop that informed us that Mr X had lashed out towards one of their staff members who approached him to support and guide him. At one stage Mr X entered a private property without consent. He also developed some injuries on his lower legs and hands and also got on the wrong public transport. It was not very pleasant to involve the police to locate Mr X and to guide him back to his own home. After observing Mr X’s change in behaviour we determined that there was a deterioration in his physical and mental functioning, for example he could not remember where a toilet facility was available and used the ally of the local shop. He also entered a private property because that was his previous home. Due to the uneven walkways he also tripped and fell, injuring his legs and hands. Furthermore, Mr X could not read or understand the electronic screen at the bus stop causing him to use the wrong public transport. We had to involve Mr X’s General Practitioner to review his medical treatment and according to the legislation we had to redo his risk assessments. Out of experience and observation we are aware that a person with dementia experience bad days and good days, and it can be problematic to specify at what stage their dementia has developed. But Mr X still has the capacity to make his own decisions and as such he decided to continue with his daily visits to the local neighbourhood as normal. We understand and support his decision, because this daily routine ‘walk about’ was very vital to maintain his self-respect, independence, and his quality of life. However, Mr X agreed to inform staff when he is leaving the facility and when he can be expected back, following the internal home policy to keep him safe and secure. Positive transformations As mentioned above there was positive transformations for normal disabilities, the UK Disability Discrimination Act updated in 2005 affected a change in attitudes towards design for disability in order to meet the needs of anyone with disability. Accessibility has become the most important problem because of the increasing population of older individuals and more positive attitudes towards disability in general. Recently the mission for dementia friendly communities received an enhancement from the Prime Minister’s Challenge on dementia: a national challenge. In his challenge the Prime Minister highlighted three key areas (see Prime Minister’s Challenge, 2012, p.5) Driving improvements in health and care. Creating dementia friendly communities that understand how to help. Better research. Mitchell (2012) identified only six projects that have addressed the dementia-friendly design of neighbourhoods. That includes a three year research project, which was sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Individuals with dementia and older people in the community were directly involved, through escorted walks around their own neighbourhoods and in depth interviews. During the research the neighbourhoods were measured, mapped, and evaluated by using a developed checklist of environmental features. This research identified six key design principles that are necessary and required to make the streets and neighbourhoods more dementia friendly. The streets need to be safe, comfortable, accessible, familiar, legible, and distinctive (Burton Mitchell, 2006). Familiarity The roads and outdoor environments and features should be recognisable and easily understandable by older individuals, especially for the person with dementia who experience confusion, spatial disorientation, and memory difficulties. Individuals with dementia do not recognise modernistic unfamiliar designs, they are used to traditional designs with the main entrance facing the street with normal swinging doors and not revolving or sliding doors. They also fail to recognise modern designed street furniture, for example modern bus shelters, telephone boxes, or an automated ‘Superloo’ (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). To achieve familiarity in the outdoor environment the following can be done. Long-established streets can be maintained, local styles, materials, and forms should be used for new developments, and any changes should be incremental and on a minor-scale (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). Legibility Legible roads refers to an easy to recognise network of directions and junctions with simple, obvious signs and noticeable, unmistakeable features. Some individuals with dementia sub-consciously use various techniques to find their way. These include visualising their route through mental maps, route planning by using the same route every time, and they can follow symbols that are realistic and clear. Most individuals with dementia find it difficult to follow or understand the outdoor signs. A cluster of signs is very confusing and difficult to read and understand. People with dementia prefers straightforward, simple signs fixed to the wall. For example the post office sign is familiar and the colour is acceptable for people with colour agnosia. Another technique they tend to use in order to find their way is familiar landmarks and environmental features, such as the letterbox at the corner or a street cafà ©. It can happen that individuals with dementia get lost at times, that is d ue to confusion, disorientation, or distractions like sudden loud noise that causes a break in concentration (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). To achieve legibility in the outdoor environment, streets should be laid out on an irregular grid pattern, staggered and this will allow the connection of routes that is easy to understand. Forked and T-junctions decrease the amount of routes and offer focus points at the end of the roads (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). Distinctiveness Distinctive streets replicate the community’s character through the use of a variety of features, colours, forms and materials that provide the buildings and streets with their own character and identity. It is essential for people with dementia to follow a route with a variety of local styles, shapes, sizes, and colour that will help them maintain concentration. They prefer a visit to the parks that presents them with mix activities such as enough seating, greenery, and public art (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). To achieve distinctiveness and to help dementia people find their way in the outdoor environment it is important to provide interesting and understandable places, use landmarks, and environmental features. Firstly, make use of aesthetic features such as water pumps, attractive gardens, hanging baskets, fountains, and trees. Secondly, use practical features for example street furniture that includes familiar letter boxes, red K6 telephone box, bus shelters, and safe public seating (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). Accessibility Accessibility states to which degree the local streets empower people with any physical, mental, or sensory impairment to reach, enter, and walk to places they wish to visit. Older people, including people with dementia are no longer able to drive on their own or to use any public transport. Their trips are limited, due to their personal capabilities, to local places within walking distance for their homes. With the decline of their mobility they cannot walk fast or far distances and they struggle to cope in crowded places because they need enough space on the walkways. Level changes also create barriers for frail people, similarly ramps or steps are a challenge for people with mobility problems (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). To attain accessibility for frail people, they should preferably live no more than 125m from the nearest post box or telephone with 2m wide pathways and no more than 500m from crucial services and facilities. There should also be public seating every 100m to 125m (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). Comfort Comfort for older people and people experiencing permanent incapacity can include streets that allow them to visit places of their choice without any mental or physical agitation, it provides them with a welcoming and calm feeling (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). To achieve a comfortable environment the streets must be designed in a way that it is welcoming, quiet, open, and accessible by providing enough public seating, shelter, and toilets. The seating must preferably be a wooden seat with arm and back rests. Bus stops should provide shelter, with transparent sides and flat seats of non-slippery material that do not conduct cold or heat (Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004). Safety Safety is a critical characteristic of a friendly environment for dementia people, they have to be able to move around without fear of tripping, falling, being run-over, or attacked. Safe streets will be well-lit, wide, plain, level, non-slippery, non-reflected, and smooth footways with isolated bicycle lanes and in front of building entering ways (Blackman et al., 2010, Burton Mitchell, 2006, Mitchell et el., 2004) The above principles outline the design guidelines to a more outdoor friendly environment for people with dementia. Burton and Mitchell (2006) also provides 65 recommendations and by using these it will support the design and re-design of an easy to use and welcoming neighbourhood. To summarise, it is clear that people with dementia, at least during their mild to moderate stages, can still maintain their ability to cope independently and any regular mental and physical exercise is essential to maintain their self-respect, independence, and their quality of life as seen in the vignette. That is why it is so important to us to ensure that the outdoor environment is accessible, open, and safe for people with all stages of dementia. If this cannot be achieved the environment out there becomes a scary and frightening world for people with dementia. Although, the neighbourhood environment is not dementia friendly at present there is positive improvements and pressure from Government, through the Prime Minister’s Challenge on dementia. Importantly, the research project identified six principles of a dementia friendly environment that can be used for future planning and implementations. This will ensure that all new developments that take these principals into consideration will be in line with suggested and prescribed rules that cater for a safe and accessible environment for people with dementia.

The Role of Female African American Sculptors in the Harlem Renaissance

The Role of Female African American Sculptors in the Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance, a time of global appreciation for the black culture, was a door opening for African American women. Until then, African Americans, let alone African American women, were neither respected nor recognized in the artistic world. During this time of this New Negro Movement, women sculptors were able to connect their heritages with the present issues in America. There is an abundance of culture and history to be learned from these sculptures because the artists creatively intertwine both. Meta Warrick Fuller and Edmonia Lewis, two of the most popular sculptors of this time, were able to reflect their native heritages and the dynamics of society through their artwork. Meta Warrick Fuller and Edmonia Lewis were two of the most renowned women sculptors during this time. Fuller and Lewis’ pieces showed how they connected with the social happenings of the time as well as portraying their African roots. Often their subjects were chosen to serve as a political mission or statement as to their feelings of societal issues. Often their subjects were chosen to serve as a political mission or statement as to their feelings of societal issues. Their sculptures support the idea that these women were products of living within a contact zone. As artists began to gain recognition in the artistic world, they continually represented what it meant to be black in America. Personalities and individualism were displayed through their work while simultaneously portraying the political, social, and economic conditions of being black. This idea runs parallel with Mary Louise Pratt’s (1990) definition of a contact zone. She defines it as a "term to refer... ...central rather than peripheral in the forging of a more liberating and intelligent visual culture in the United States" (p. 37). Works Cited Jackson, P. (1992). (in)Forming the Visual: (re)Presenting Women of African Descent. International Review of African American Art. 14 (3), 31-7. Kleeblatt, N. (1998). Master Narratives/Minority Artists. Art Journal, 57 (3), 29. Powell, R. (1998). Art of the Harlem Renaissance. American Art Review, 10 (2), 132-137. Pratt, M. (1990). Arts of the Contact Zone. Richardson, M. (1995). Edmonia Lewis’ The Death of Cleopatra Myth and Identity. African American Art. 12(2), 36-52 Savannah, G. (1998). African American Women Sculptors. American Art Review, 10, 162-5. Scwartz, B. (1997). African-Americans in the Visual Arts: A Historical Perspective. http://www.cwpost.linet.edu/cwis/library/aavaahp.htm

Life Support Essay

The issue of sustaining life by medical technology is complicated by uncertainty as to when death actually occurs. Is it when breathing ceases, the heart stops beating, or brain activity is no longer evident? Medical support can keep a body breathing after meaningful signs of human life have ceased. There are individuals who seemingly have died, only to be resuscitated within minutes of interrupted heartbeat or breathing. Some who have been so resuscitated and kept alive with life support have recovered and returned to live normal lives. Others have not. Questions arise in these instances: How long should one try to hold on to life, especially when suffering persists and the quality of life is at question? When is our appointed time to die? Although most people may think of ventilators when they hear the words â€Å"life support machine,† there are many other types of machines used to sustain one’s life. The type of life support machine used depends on the medical condition of the patient and the reasons for the use of life support machines. Patients with life threatening illnesses may make the choice to use life support machines while they are still of sound mind and capable of making their own decisions. There are four main types of life support machines. The first is a ventilator, which forces air into the lungs of a patient who cannot breathe on her own. The second type is a pacemaker which is used for those who have irregular heartbeats, or for those who suffer from an abnormality of the blood vessels. Next, there are dialysis machines, which are most commonly used for patients who suffer from renal (kidney) failure. A ventilator works by forcing warm, oxygenated air into the lungs while removing carbon dioxide. A plastic tube is inserted through the mouth and into the trachea, and is then hooked up to the ventilator which monitors every breath of the patient while regulating the air pressure at which the patient receives the air. Pacemakers are used most frequently for those who suffer from an irregular heartbeat or rhythm. They are surgically inserted below the skin, and emit electrical impulses that remind the heart to beat normally. Dialysis machines are used for both short and long term use, sometimes as a temporary measure to maintain the patient’s health until they can receive a kidney transplant or to prolong and provide a quality of life for people who are not transplant candidates. Hemodialysis is often used three times a week to help cleanse the blood and remove the build-up of deadly toxins. Hemodialysis machines work by removing the patients blood, running it through the machine to cleanse it, and then pumping it back into the patient. This process happens simultaneously with the use of a shunt. Life support machines enable patients to survive for a period of time while their body is recovering from a specific illness or injury. They benefit patients who only need them for a short time as well as people who are attempting to maintain quality of life for the long term. Life support machines are also beneficial in the event that the patient is deemed â€Å"brain dead. † In these circumstances, the organs continue to receive oxygen-rich blood flow to keep them functioning until they can be removed for transplantation. Many believe that life support machines are used only for those who are comatose or critically ill. They are however, also used for those who have a life threatening disease or injury, such as paralysis, who are attempting to maintain a normal life. A perfect example of this is Christopher Reeve. He relied on a ventilator to breathe for him a majority of the time, and before his death, was still able to lead a productive life. Many also believe that life support systems are used only in a hospital. Again, this is not true. The use of noninvasive ventilators are becoming more popular for those who wish to live at home. Patients who receive dialysis are able to reside at home while visiting a dialysis treatment center on scheduled days.