Critical Analysis of a Representative Theory of Perception

Philosoph

Antipaternalism and John Stuart Mill /

John Stuart Mill has come under severe criticism, in some cases even from usual supporters, for his strong position against paternalism. His view is that paternalism, described in today's language as coercive strong direct paternalism, is always wrong. In this paper I argue that paternalism is best construed as an interference with autonomy, or what Mill calls individuality, on grounds of beneficence. I further show that Mill's absolute prohibition against coercive strong direct paternalism, and especially legal paternalism, is correct. I develop four powerful arguments for this conclusion based on Mill's book, On Liberty. The first maintains the supreme worth of individuality and autonomy. The second line of argument, one Mill seemed to think was the strongest, is based on the fear of legal moralism. The third argument holds that the model of good parenting requires non coercive means of control for self-regarding behavior. The final argument might best be described as the dilemma of paternalistic punishment. This argument maintains that punishment for self-regarding conduct on grounds of beneficence undermines the beneficence. I argue that this line of argument is especially powerful against legal paternalism. My conclusion is that, when properly understood, Mill's position on paternalism is perfectly consistent and defensible

Sex Impacts Regression Models Predicting Upper-Body Muscular Endurance

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data and the well-established overall benefits of physical activity (PA), only one out of three adults meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) muscle strengthening guidelines in the US. PA and obesity levels, cardiovascular endurance, psychological factors, and sex disparities have been suggested as possible predictors of this statistic. Minimum levels of muscular endurance are required to perform activities of daily living (ADL), maintain functional independence during aging, and to participate in leisure and PA without undue fatigue or risk of injury. Upper-body muscular endurance is commonly measured directly using the push-up test. Males are more likely than females to meet the muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines. Regression analysis is often used in exercise prescription in an effort to provide answers to a phenomenon and make predictions of future behavior. PURPOSE: To examine whether a prediction model for upper-body muscular endurance using predicted oxygen consumption (VO2max), physical activity (PA) level, age, body mass index (BMI) and mental toughness index (MTI) scores during a push-up endurance test is subjected to sex. METHODS: In total, 162 participants agreed to participate (Mage= 23, SD=5.7). A calibrated Monark 828E cycle ergometer, an electronic HR monitor with a chest strap were used for the VO2max test prediction based on the heart rate termination. A standardized push-up test was chosen to measure muscular endurance. BMI was calculated based on height and body weight. PA and all of the aforementioned assessments were collected and calculated according to ACSM 10th ed. guidelines. The statistical analysis involved a multiple regression of the variables described above using R and p level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The regression model for females was: y=.7+.04*x; F5,47=5.6, p=.00, R2=.373 and for males was: y=.73+.02*x; F5,78=1.9, p=.11, R2=.108. Comparing the regression models factored for sex revealed significant difference between males and females: x2(15)= 38.67, p=.00072. CONCLUSION: Muscular endurance is associated with improvements in cardiovascular and respiratory function, reduction in cardiovascular risk factors, decreased morbidity and mortality, and other benefits, such as decreased anxiety and enhanced performance. Our prediction model for upper-body muscular endurance was significantly different based on sex. Health care professionals may need to consider sex when using models for prescribing exercise to increase North Americans’ upper-body muscular endurance. Future studies on muscular endurance should focus on creating models examining the contribution of other factors in order to investigate the unexplained variance of our modeling. However, the authors believe that sex needs to be investigated further in any future regression modeling. Limitations may include self-reported data of physical activity and mental toughness scores

All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk: Examining Diasporic Differences Along Dimensions of Black Identity

Existing psychology literature relating to Black identity tends to group members of the racial category without considering the differential history and experiences of ethnic groups within the larger “Black” umbrella classification. Significant strides have been made with respect to exploring intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989) and dimensionality within the Black identity. The present study utilizes a multidimensional methodology in order to (1) disentangle the relationship which exists at the intersection of race and ethnicity and (2) determine its impact on measures of Black identity. 198 participants identifying as African American (n=148), African (n=13) and Afro Caribbean (n=37), respectively, completed the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (Sellers et. al., 1997), a 56-item survey consisting of 7 subscales falling into the categories of Centrality, Regard and Ideology. Descriptive and comparative analyses demonstrated ethnic differences in inventory responses with significant results attributed to humanist ideology subscales. Limitations and future directions are discussed. This study adds to the larger psychology literature surrounding the topic of Black identity by complicating the relationship between ethnic and racial identity and the methods used to most effectively study each

All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk: Examining Diasporic Differences Along Dimensions of Black Identity

Existing psychology literature relating to Black identity tends to group members of the racial category without considering the differential history and experiences of ethnic groups within the larger “Black” umbrella classification. Significant strides have been made with respect to exploring intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989) and dimensionality within the Black identity. The present study utilizes a multidimensional methodology in order to (1) disentangle the relationship which exists at the intersection of race and ethnicity and (2) determine its impact on measures of Black identity. 198 participants identifying as African American (n=148), African (n=13) and Afro Caribbean (n=37), respectively, completed the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (Sellers et. al., 1997), a 56-item survey consisting of 7 subscales falling into the categories of Centrality, Regard and Ideology. Descriptive and comparative analyses demonstrated ethnic differences in inventory responses with significant results attributed to humanist ideology subscales. Limitations and future directions are discussed. This study adds to the larger psychology literature surrounding the topic of Black identity by complicating the relationship between ethnic and racial identity and the methods used to most effectively study each

All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk: Examining Diasporic Differences Along Dimensions of Black Identity

Existing psychology literature relating to Black identity tends to group members of the racial category without considering the differential history and experiences of ethnic groups within the larger “Black” umbrella classification. Significant strides have been made with respect to exploring intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989) and dimensionality within the Black identity. The present study utilizes a multidimensional methodology in order to (1) disentangle the relationship which exists at the intersection of race and ethnicity and (2) determine its impact on measures of Black identity. 198 participants identifying as African American (n=148), African (n=13) and Afro Caribbean (n=37), respectively, completed the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (Sellers et. al., 1997), a 56-item survey consisting of 7 subscales falling into the categories of Centrality, Regard and Ideology. Descriptive and comparative analyses demonstrated ethnic differences in inventory responses with significant results attributed to humanist ideology subscales. Limitations and future directions are discussed. This study adds to the larger psychology literature surrounding the topic of Black identity by complicating the relationship between ethnic and racial identity and the methods used to most effectively study each

Cholecystostomy Treatment in an ICU Population: Complications and Risks

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement has widely been used as an alternative treatment to cholecystectomy, especially in advanced disease or critically ill patients. Reported postprocedural complication rates have varied significantly over the last decade. The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety of percutaneous cholecystostomy tube treatment in critically ill patients. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart analysis of 96 critically ill patients who underwent cholecystostomy tube placement during an intensive care unit (ICU) stay between 2005 and 2010 in a tertiary care center in central Massachusetts. Complications within 72 hours of cholecystostomy tube placement and any morbidity or mortality relating to presence of cholecystostomy tube were considered. RESULTS: A total of 65 male and 31 female patients with a mean age of 67.4 years underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement during an ICU stay. Sixty-six patients experienced a total of 121 complications, resulting in an overall complication rate of 69%. Fifty-four of these complications resulted from the actual procedure or the presence of the cholecystostomy tube; the other 67 complications occurred within 72 hours of the cholecystostomy procedure. Ten patients died. Tube dislodgment was the most common complication with a total of 34 episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystostomy tube placement is associated with frequent complications, the most common of which is tube dislodgment. Severe complications may contribute to serious morbidity and death in an ICU population. Complication rates may be underreported in the medical literature. The potential impact of cholecystostomy tube placement in critically ill patients should not be underestimated