The Semantic Web Essays

The Semantic Web Essays The Semantic Web Essay The Semantic Web Essay BMO Internet Security Final Project Paper University of Toronto SCS 2115 Professor: Dr. Ken K. Wong By: Kevin Fernando 13/06/2010 The semantic web is a vision created and promoted by Tim-Berners-Lee and the World Wide Web Consortium. In his article the Semantic Web in Scientific American (2001) Berners-Lee explains that The Semantic Web is not a separate Web but an extension of the current one, in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation What Berners-Lee means by this is that in its current state, internet technology is not designed in a way in which computers and machines can interact with each other most efficiently. The primary reason for this disconnect is lies in the difference between information produced primarily for human consumption and that produced mainly for machines. Currently most web technologies are created for human interpretation and merely use machines to store and transfer this information. For example in a search engine, the use of key words and database descriptions allow machines to cross reference the search syntax provided by the ender user and locate the best matching result based on this syntax. However the issue here is that while the machine can read the syntax (the raw structure) of the terms presented it does not know the semantics or the meaning of the phrase/words entered. So if the user was looking for â€Å"cheap cars in Toronto† listings with â€Å"economical vehicles In the GTA† may be by passed by the search engine. Therefore, Berners-Lee’s vision with the Semantic Web is to provide a language that expresses both data and rules for reasoning about the data and that allows rules from any existing knowledge-representation system to be exported onto the Web. One of the best applications of the benefits of the Semantic web is through the example of two users seeking medical attention for their mother. In this example the users dispatch their personal Semantic Web Agents (a software search engine) to cross reference various parameters (availability time, insurance terms, distance, service rating etc. ) and work with each other in finding a hospital solution that satisfies all of the desired stipulations. The primary technologies/techniques involved in developing the semantic web are XML, RDF, URI, and ontologies. Through their implementation in meta-data, these methods enable the Semantic web to â€Å"understand† the relationships within the queries of its users and aid them in locating information. In my opinion â€Å"The Semantic Web† as a term will become not a fad, but a marketing cliche much like the term Web 2. 0 has. However, I am certain that while not all, some, of the underlying principles behind it will definitely surface as web technologies advance. I say this because if one is too look closely enough it is easy to spot sites and technologies that already display â€Å"semantic web† concepts. For example, www. Amazon. com will aggregate user reviews and page views to display recommended other products that other individuals with interest in the same item liked when you search for a specific item. Another example I find remarkable is a feature within Google maps. If you would like to search for pizza restaurants around a particular area, you can simply type â€Å"pizza near [the address, land mark or postal code of your choosing]. Google will then display all pizza restaurants indexed within the vicinity of stated geographical location. This is interesting because in this example the user is asking a question in the way that they would normally direct it to another person rather than translating the question to search syntax the machine can search for. Ultimately, I think this is the direction the semantic web will take – better database indexing, greater understanding of synonymous terms/phrases by search engines, and personalized recommendations based on user trends. While I do not think it would be impossible, I think it would be quite a few years before the emergence of a user deployable, effective software agent that can conduct complex multi-variable search tasks is realized. I say this because in order for this to occur in a useful fashion, the meta-tag data techniques used by the semantic web would need to be universally incorporated into virtually every website ever built – no easy task by any stretch of the imagination. In short, I think that while the concept of a true Semantic Web may be too utopian for reality, some of the guiding principles will be adopted in the inevitable transition to what might be later coined â€Å"Web 3. 0† For Electricite de France, the implemented Semantic web technologies have many potential benefits for their consumer end users. For example, within the research and innovation section, interlinking tags, RDF information, ontology instances and tagged content will enable these individuals to locate articles, films, books, services etc. more efficiently than prior to its implementation. Similarly, shareholders and investors may be able to locate critical decision making financial information with greater accuracy because of the inclusion of these methods. Furthermore, if blogging, RSS and wiki contribution features are available to the general consumer public, then such contributions can easily be located, edited, searched and viewed by various users. In addition, collaboration and discussions between end users and employees such as engineers and researchers can be made more efficient. This will be a key factor if voice of the consumer research and feedback were to be integrated into engineering efforts. Lastly, as a result of the embedded ontology meta-data, the site will be able to dynamically suggest related content for viewing based on a user’s search criteria and related other user search trends. Based on the potential of semantic web technologies, I am confident that its implementation would greatly increase the efficiency at my place of employment in the online learning industry. Firstly, from inter employee relations and collaboration perspective, as with Electricite de France, Semantic technologies would aid personnel with locating, organizing and working with organizational information resources. For example, the benefits could be realized in greater screening accuracy when selecting new candidates for Human resources, better database query tools for consumer trend data in marketing, and more efficient sharing of coding scripts for course development, to name a few uses. The other benefits that would arise would be from a consumer end user perspective. Currently, in the client services department (composed of technical support and student services) there is a knowledge base whereby end users such as students and instructors can search for already documented solutions for any inquires they may have. However, this search could be made vastly more superior and effective if semantic technologies were implemented within it. In such a scenario users would be able to find not only the solution to their own issue, but related issues as well as the ontology information would create these relationships. Moreover, less tech savvy users would have more success using the knowledge base then before as the system would be able to reference their search strings with synonymous words and phrases in finding a solution. So these are a few examples of the many conceivable benefits that could be derived from the implementation of this technology by my current employer. Kevin Fernando

Reading and Thought Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reading and Thought - Essay Example I agree with Macdonald that there is great amount of unexceptional all around us, though he doesn’t take into account the technological world, students and society’s lifestyle today. Modern society has a varied ways of providing information at a close range. This is through the use of laptops, tablets or smartphones. Technology has provided the cyber space that provides to accessibility of abundance of news anywhere both internationally and locally. When thinking of anything or any news accessed through the internet, this defines things that impact positively and negatively to the ethics of the society. This is termed as the globes’ unaffected literary works that can be sort through search engines. This helps in finding internet sources that are most relevant to the topics. For instance, when a prospective car buyer searches the web to find dealers to buy used cars, more than a million results will be found. MacDonald would appreciate the use of search engines since they make internet accessible for useful purposes. The advancement of technology makes access of information easier, and just to the need of the person. Therefore, the nature of the printed ma tter that inundates us daily has a connection to the thought depending on the kid of reading. The thoughts of an individual are directly connected and dependent on the information that the individual reads. The information that someone reads is based on the desires and need that have engulfed at the minds of the individual. Interestingly, the accessibility of the information via internet gives everyone the solution to get his or her needs. In today’s world many vices are considered as part of life. Pornography is becoming a cultural practice and everyone in the world today a brace the norm of watching it. In the click of the worn pornography on the search engines, a myriad of solutions emerge and one can view all sorts of actions

How the mind and body are connected for the use of learning Essay

How the mind and body are connected for the use of learning - Essay Example â€Å"If you use the visual style, you prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others. You can easily visualize objects, you a good sense of direction. You can easily find your way around using maps, and you rarely get lost. When you walk out of an elevator, you instinctively know which way to turn.† Visual learners have a keen sense of knowing where to go (Learning Styles Online, 2008, pg. 1). Visual learning style is also known as the spatial learning style. Visual learners love to draw and doodle. They love using different types of colors in their scribbling, as well as in their sense of style and dress. Visual learners often enjoy architecture, art, design, film, navigation, photography, and planning. Visual learners learn through seeing. â€Å"These learners need to see the teachers body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. peoples heads). They may think in pictures and learn best  from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs.   During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information† (LDPride, 2008, pg. 1). â€Å"If you use the aural style, you like to work with sound and music. You have a good sense of pitch and rhythm. You typically can sing, play a musical instrument, or identify the sounds of different instruments. Certain music invokes strong emotions. You notice the music playing in the background of movies, TV shows and other media. You often find yourself humming or tapping a song or jingle, or a theme or jingle pops into your head without prompting.† Music and sound are key to auditory learners (Learning Styles Online, 2008, pg. 1). Once again, those who are

Study On The Guidance From The Nmc Nursing Essay

Study On The Guidance From The Nmc Nursing Essay The Royal College of Nursing (RCN, 1981) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2004; 2008) described the word accountability as ones responsibility to somebody or for something, in this case nurses are accountable to the patients, the employers and the NMC principles. Responsibility is being accountable for ones action or omission to patients in our care. Whereas Sempre Cable argued that responsibility relates to ones accountability to what one does and accountability is one responsible to the consequence of what one does (2003). Nurses are accountable to the NMC which legislates and regulates all nurses, midwives and specialist community nurses in the United Kingdom and it is the responsible of all registrant to abide to its principle. Therefore, the author will weave the tapestry of this essay to demonstrate that the NMC (2008) guidance may appear simple but it is a difficult responsibility to fulfil by nurses in practice. As the guideline relates to the first paragraph of t he principles of The Code, firstly, trust in relation to caring of patients health and wellbeing will be defined and the discussion will posit around the kind treatment of the patients as individuals without discrimination, respecting their dignity and be an advocate for them whilst they are in the nursing care. Secondly, respecting their right to confidentiality as is of paramount importance and it is enshrined in the Data Protection Act (1989) and also the Human Right Act (1989) which makes it legal. Confidentiality will be defined and note that patients information cannot be disclosed without the patients consent. Thirdly, for nurses to respect the dignity of patients, to advocate for them and respect their confidentiality nurses must be able to use therapeutic communications to get the necessary information and nurses must be able to communicate with other health professionals to support the patients in their care. Nurses must be able to communicate with the patient in a languag e that is understood by the patient. Fourthly, the principle of ethics in the discharging of the roles of nurses is important to complete the jigsaw of this complex essay. Lastly, to bring theory into practice by using the five steps of nursing process model (Christensen and Kenney, 1990, 1995; Roper, Logan Tierney, 1976; Pearson et al, 2005) will be explained by using the framework of the Clinical Governance (Department of Health (DH), 1999) as the benchmark for quality practice to explain the reason that it is a difficult responsibility for nurses to balance the different agendas. Hence, before an attempt is made to answer the topic of this essay theory of nursing is explained and the definition of nursing is postulate for the reader to understand the direction that this topic will be taken. Theory provides a template for practice as it provides the embodiment of nursing philosophies, presenting the beliefs, understandings, and purposes of nursing. It also guides research and education. A theory helps the understanding of nursing by the general public (Seedhouse, 1986). Theory is also a thinking process especially when a nurse is reflecting on the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation) of a patient (Bell Duffy, 2008). Peplau (1952) argued that nurses use therapeutic communication as a way to tease out information from the patients in order that nurses gain the patients trust and they are treated with respect and dignity. (, patients most of the time are seeing the nurse for the first time,) Orems (1971) used the self- care model where he stated that nurses used the continuous self-care action to care for patients when the patients self-care exceeds their own abilities to meet their needs (self-care deficit). Though Horan et al, (2004); Rogers (1970, 1980), Neuman (1980) and Parse (1987) stated that nursing is both an art and science whereby the main aim is to help patient to achieve biological system homeostasis equilibrium after an illness and to sustain their health and wellbeing not forgetting their respect and dignity. RCN stated that the use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever the disease or disability, until death (RCN, 2003 pg 3). Respecting the dignity of patients and caring for their health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that health is a human state of biopsychosocial wellbeing in the absence of illness. Seedhouse (1995) argued that the WHO definition is too broad and difficult to achieve and it does not take into consideration the different definition of illness. Roper et al (2000) argued that health is an important factor in the model for nursing. Therefore, one of the roles of nursing is not only caring for ill patients but the healthy clients especially when doing health promotion. Furthermore, nurses have to care for patients coming from different cultural and ethnical background, gender, sexual orientation. Firstly, nurses must treat people as individuals and respect their dignity and must not discriminate in any way against the patients in their care. Patient must be treated kindly and considerately. Nurses should act as an advocate for those in their care by helping them to access relevant health and social care information and to support them. Secon dly, patients right to confidentiality is of paramount importance and is enshrined in the Data Protection Act (1989), furthermore, it is in the Human Right Act (1989). Ethics and its moral dilemma when caring for patients health and wellbeing Ethics are standards of behaviour which nurses are expected to act on when caring for patients and others (Tschudin, 1986; Edwards, 1996; Holland et al, 2008; Kozier et al, 2008) whereas moral is ones personal standard of the difference between right and wrong in conduct, character and attitude. Ethics are found in the NMC Code of conduct and nurses are accountable for their ethical conduct (Kozier, 2008). Ethics and moral are sometimes used interchangeably in some literatures. Beauchamp Childress (1989, 2009) developed a framework stated that there are four moral principles that nurses can work under. They are autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice as explained below. Autonomy states that a patient is an individual and his/her wishes should be respected eventhough the decision runs contrary to our own ethical issues. Nonmaleficence the patient should not be placed do no harm it could happen intentionally, placing someone at harm risk or unintentionally causing harm. Beneficence doing good implement actions that benefit patient and their supports person. Justice fairness justifying one action against another action. (Nursing theorists may say when a nurse in faced with a dilemma the decision should be based on two ethical models utilitarianism one that brings the most good and the least harm for the greatest number of people or deontological theory action is not judged on its consequences but is judged on whether it agrees with moral principles) Ethics can sometimes provide moral dilemmas that nurses face when caring for a patient especially if the patient has been diagnosed with an incurable disease whereby the family and their employer do not want it to be disclosed to the patient. In such circumstances the conflict it between ethics and moral dilemma that is enshrined in the NMC (2008) Code of Ethics their role as nurses and moral duty to the patient who wants to know the truth and the patients health and wellbeing (Benjamin Curtis, 1992; Edwards, 1996). Thompson et al (2006) stated that ethics and moral cannot work in a vacuum further added that in order to justify moral judgement nurses need prior knowledge of ethical theory. Beauchamp and Childress (2009) added that one needs understanding of moral theory to be able to justify ethical decisions. This demonstrates the extra burden imposed on nurses thereby finding themselves constrained by the difficult responsibilities placed on them to fulfil the NMC (2008) Code of E thics furthermore those of their employers. (Nurses must have professional accountability and responsibility regardless of how simple or difficult the task may, they are personally accountable for their practice and are answerable for any action and omission committed whilst discharging their role. In this case responsibility refers to the accountability or liability associated with the duties undertaken by nurses). Conclusion Definition of important words Before the essay tapestry is weaved some words definition are given to set the tone whether the NMC (2008) guidance appears simple and/or is it difficult responsibility to fulfil in nursing practice. The Essence of Care (DH, 2003) is an NHS Policy helping health practitioners to take a patient-focused and structured approach to sharing and comparing practice. Trust Bell Duffy suggested that being trustworthy is difficult as patients, peers, managers have different expectations on the definition of trust (2009). Trust is therefore defined as . Wilson argued that public has lost trust in nursing care due to the fact that they expect modern medicine could cure every possible ill and secondly someone has failed to deliver the service they were mandated to deliver (2002). Health and wellbeing health is defined as the absence of illness with complete physical, mental and social wellbeing (World Health Organisation (WHO), 1946; Seedhouse, 1986) and wellbeing being the (suggested) state of perfection (Wilmot, 2003) Dignity is defined as the way an individual perceives and acquires values (privacy, respect and trust), sets standards according to these values and from these standards judges what is acceptable influenced by the individual cultural upbringing (Haddock, 1996; Seedhouse, 2000; DH, 2000; Matiti, 2002; DH, 2004; Matiti et al, 2007). Client/patient Advocacy Griffith Tengnah (2008) stated that NMC codes places both a normative and positive rules on the registrant (Normative rule what a person should do or what they should refrain from doing and positive rule imposes a legal obligation to do or refrain from doing something). Therefore, the NMC codes pull on both the normative and positive rule to underpin a shared set of values as enshrined by the regulatory body. Apply the concept of dignity in delivering care by respecting the patient as an individual The concept of dignity A concept is a label given to an observed phenomenon In the policy documents NHS Plan (Department of Health (DH), 2000) and Standards for Better Health (DH, 2004) DH states that patients would be treated as an individual first and treated with respect and dignity by focusing on their whole health and wellbeing not only their illness. It further added that the nurses would also be treated with respect and dignity. These words are echoed in the NMC (2008) Code though it does not mention the registrant. Apply the concept of dignity Deliver care with dignity Identifying factors that influence and maintain patient dignity Challenges situation/others when patient dignity may be compromised Quality of care and clinical governance cycle Conclusion: To the author who is a novice (Benner, 1984) the NMC guidance may appear to be a difficult responsibility to fulfil in practice but to an expert nurse the process and analysis of data happens on an unconscious level. This is done as the nurse may be able to deconstruct an incident by summoning his cognitive intuition (knowledge, experience) therefore the clinical decisions appears in his/her conscious mind readily formed (Lyneham et al. 2008; 2009). So it reasonable to conclude that regimes of care should actually benefit clients, rather than simply not cause harm. Beauchamp T L, Childress J F. (1989) Principles of biomedical ethics. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Beauchamp T L, Childress J F. (2009) Principles of biomedical ethics. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Benjamin M, Curtis J. (1992) Ethics in Nursing. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press Benner P. (1984) From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice. California: Addison Wesley. Department of Health. (2000) The NHS plan: A plan for investment, a plan for reform. London: The Stationery Office. Edwards S D. (1996) Nursing Ethics: A principle-based approach. Basingstoke: Macmillan Press Ltd. Griffith R, Tengnah C. (2008) Law and professional issues in nursing. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd. Hinchliff S, Norman S, Schober J. (eds.) (2008) Nursing practice and health care: A foundation text. 5th Ed. London: Hodder Arnold. Holland K, Jenkins J, Solomon J, Whittam S (eds.) (2008) Roper, Logan Tierney Model in Practice. 2nd Ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Horan P, Doran A, Timmina F. (2004) Exploring Orems self-care deficit nursing theory in learning disability nursing: Philosophical parity paper. Learning Disability Practice. 7 (4) 28-37. Kozier B, Erb G, Berman A, Synder S, Lake R, Harvey S. (2008) Fundamentals of Nursing: Concept, process and practice. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. Lyneham J, Parkinson C, Denholm C. (2008) Explicating Benners concept of expert practice: intuition in emergency nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 64 (4) 380-387. Lyneham J, Parkinson C, Denholm C. (2009) Expert nursing practice: a mathematical explanation of Benners 5th stage of practice development. Journal of Advance Nursing. 65 (11) 2477-2484. Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC). (2002) Code of professional conduct. London: NMC Nursing Midwifery Council. (2008) The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: NMC. Royal College of Nursing (1981) Accountability in nursing. London: RCN. Seedhouse D. (1986) Health: The foundations for achievement. London: Wiley. Seedhouse D. (2000) Practical nursing philosophy: The universal ethical code. New York: Riley. Semple M, Cable S. (2003) The new code of professional conduct. Nursing Standard. 17 (23) 40-48. Thompson I E, Melia K M, Boyd K M, Horsburgh D. (2006) Nursing Ethics. 5th Ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Waights Wilmot S. (2003) Ethics, power and policy: The future of nursing in the NHS. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Wilson R. (2002) Where did peoples trust go? Nursing Standard. 17 (2) 24-25.

Cocultural Communication :: Essays Papers

Cocultural Communication A co-cultural experience When asked to write this paper about a co-cultural experience there was one that jumped right in to my mind. My experience occurred right around a year ago while I working for United Airlines. I worked out of the Canton-Akron Airport so the planes we flew were smaller then the jets out of Cleveland and were propeller planes. One day while checking in passengers like normal for our 5:50pm flight my co-cultural experience came up to the counter to check in. She was probably in her 30’s and was with two of her friends. She was on her way to Chicago to be a guest speaker at a large conference. There was a few things that made this woman unique to me from first sight. First of all she was in an electric wheelchair. Secondly this woman was overweight. Third she appeared to be slightly retarded judging by her actions. And lastly this woman had no arms and no legs. When I found out she was flying to Chicago and not her friends, I recommended that she fly out of Cleveland and that United Airlines would provide her with transportation up to the airport. The reason I recommended this is due to the fact that propeller planes do not have jet-ways that you walk or roll out in to the plane on. But rather propeller planes have approximately 8 or 9 narrow steps that people have to climb up to get in to the plane. For people with disabilities that could not walk up the steps we had a straight back chair to carry them up the steps with. The straight back chair involved a guy at the top of the chair and one at the bottom carrying the chair while walking up the steps. A woman of her size though would be very difficult to carry up the stairs and the fact that the steps are narrow could come in to play also. After my suggestion her friends were very disgusted with me and walked away upset I could tell. No less than a minute later I had a phone call from a represenative of the Americans with Disabilities Act telling me that it was discrimination what I was doing. I explained to him the situation with the steps and that in Cleveland she would be able to roll right onto the plane through a jet-way. Cocultural Communication :: Essays Papers Cocultural Communication A co-cultural experience When asked to write this paper about a co-cultural experience there was one that jumped right in to my mind. My experience occurred right around a year ago while I working for United Airlines. I worked out of the Canton-Akron Airport so the planes we flew were smaller then the jets out of Cleveland and were propeller planes. One day while checking in passengers like normal for our 5:50pm flight my co-cultural experience came up to the counter to check in. She was probably in her 30’s and was with two of her friends. She was on her way to Chicago to be a guest speaker at a large conference. There was a few things that made this woman unique to me from first sight. First of all she was in an electric wheelchair. Secondly this woman was overweight. Third she appeared to be slightly retarded judging by her actions. And lastly this woman had no arms and no legs. When I found out she was flying to Chicago and not her friends, I recommended that she fly out of Cleveland and that United Airlines would provide her with transportation up to the airport. The reason I recommended this is due to the fact that propeller planes do not have jet-ways that you walk or roll out in to the plane on. But rather propeller planes have approximately 8 or 9 narrow steps that people have to climb up to get in to the plane. For people with disabilities that could not walk up the steps we had a straight back chair to carry them up the steps with. The straight back chair involved a guy at the top of the chair and one at the bottom carrying the chair while walking up the steps. A woman of her size though would be very difficult to carry up the stairs and the fact that the steps are narrow could come in to play also. After my suggestion her friends were very disgusted with me and walked away upset I could tell. No less than a minute later I had a phone call from a represenative of the Americans with Disabilities Act telling me that it was discrimination what I was doing. I explained to him the situation with the steps and that in Cleveland she would be able to roll right onto the plane through a jet-way.

Creative Writing †Darkness Essay

I suddenly awoke. It was three in the morning. It seemed like the whole world was sleeping but me. The silence, sinister. I felt the weight of the darkness pushing on me. My mind darted from one nightmare scenario to the next, the fear of the unknown overwhelmed me and I was paranoid about vicious intrusionsMy bedroom door was wide open. My eyes darted around the room, hunting for anything different, any dark silhouettes lurking in the darkness. I failed to find anything out of the ordinary. This only increased my paranoia even more. I felt as though I was fighting a war with the darkness, darting from one trench to the next, fleeing for my life. I groped around the darkness to find the light switch on my bedside lamp. I flipped the light†¦ Light†¦ Safety. I immediately felt relieved. I listened carefully for any noises. I could only hear the buzz of electricity in the light above me that gave me a sense of safety, and the beating of my terrified heart. Just as I began to calm down and convinced myself that everything was alright, I remembered that I left the back door unlocked and the window gaping open, inviting in the strangers that lurked in the shadows. I soon found myself once again paranoid and quickly turned back to the light†¦ Light†¦ Comfort. I knew the only way I could get to sleep was to lock that door and the window. The darkness weighed on me. Even with light streaming throughout my room, I still felt a little uneasy, like the darkness pressed up against my window trying to attack me. I encouraged myself that all I had to do was quickly go down the stairs and down the hallway to the back door and the window that was splayed open. Who was I trying to kid? I was freaked out. As I nervously stepped out of my room, the floorboards creaked underneath me as if it was a warning not to go out of the safety of my lit up room and into the horrifying darkness. I cautiously looked down the stairs in to the inky blackness below. Biting my lip, I started to make my way down the stairs. The light switch is at the bottom. I looked behind me, one last peek of light before I carried on descending the stairs into the unknown. I stepped down from step to step cautiously. Each step dragged me further into the darkness and further away from the safety of the light. I reached the bottom of the stairs. I ran my hands along the wall, my fingers sought the light switch. Flick! Light†¦ Reassurance. A quick few strides across to the door. I hastily bolted the door. I turned to the right, facing the open window. A gust of wind swirled around me, enveloping me with cold air making the hair on my skin stand on end under protruding goose bumps. I abruptly latched the window shut. I sighed with relief and turned and walked back to the staircase. I reached the base of the stairs. My hand hovered over the light switch. I took a deep breath and turned the light off. I was forced to plunge myself back into the darkness. I began to count down the steps as I ascended the stairs. Twelve†¦ Eleven†¦ Ten†¦ Nine†¦ Eight†¦ Seven†¦ Six†¦ I momentarily paused. Halfway†¦ Five†¦. Four†¦. Three†¦ Nearly there†¦ Two†¦ One. I stepped back into the welcoming arms of the light in my room. I leaped back into the warmth of my bed. I reached my arm across to turn my bedside lamp off, my hand suspended in mid air as my mind raced back to the events of a few moments ago. I withdrew my arm and hand, returning them to the warmth beneath my covers. I decided that tonight, the light would stay on†¦ Light†¦ Security.

Demonstrative Pronouns of Spanish

If youve already learned the demonstrative adjectives of Spanish, youll find it easy to learn the demonstrative pronouns. They serve basically the same purpose, acting as the equivalent of this, that, these or those in English. The main difference is that they (like other pronouns) stand for nouns rather than modify them. List of Spanish Demonstrative Pronouns Below are the demonstrative pronouns of Spanish. Notice that they are identical to the adjectives, except that most traditionally use accent marks, unlike the adjective forms, and that there is a neuter form. Singular masculine à ©ste (this)à ©se (that)aquà ©l (that, but further away in time, sentiment, or distance) Plural masculine or neuter à ©stos (these)à ©sos (those)aquà ©llos (those, but further away) Singular feminine à ©sta (this)à ©sa (that)aquà ©lla (that, but further away) Plural feminine à ©stas (these)à ©sas (those)aquà ©llas (those, but further away) Singular neuter esto (this)eso (that)aquello (that, but further away) The accents do not affect the pronunciation, but are used merely to distinguish adjectives and pronouns. (Such accents are known as orthographic accents.) The neuter pronouns do not have accents because they have no corresponding adjective forms. Strictly speaking, the accents arent mandatory on even the gendered forms if leaving them off wouldnt create confusion. Although the Royal Spanish Academy, a semiofficial arbiter of proper Spanish, once required the accents, it no longer does, but neither does it reject them. Use of the pronouns should seem straightforward, as they are used basically the same in both English and Spanish. The key difference is that Spanish requires use of the masculine pronoun when it substitutes for a masculine noun, and use of the feminine pronoun when it substitutes for a feminine noun. Also, while English does use its demonstrative pronouns standing alone, it also often uses forms such as this one and those ones. The one or ones shouldnt be translated separately into Spanish. The difference between the à ©se series of pronouns and aquà ©l series is the same as the difference between the ese series of demonstrative adjectives and the aquel series. Although à ©se and aquà ©l can both be translated as that, aquà ©l is used to refer to something further away in distance, time, or emotional feelings. Examples: Quiero esta flor. No quiero à ©sa.  (I want this flower. I dont want that one. Ésa is used because flor is feminine.)Me probà © muchas camisas. Voy a comprar à ©sta. (I tried on many shirts. Im going to buy this one. Ésta is used because camisa is feminine.)Me probà © muchos sombreros. Voy a comprar à ©ste.  (I tried on many hats. Im going to buy this one. Éste is used because sombrero is masculine.)Me gustan esas casas. No me gustan aquà ©llas. (I like those houses. I dont like those over there. Aquà ©llas is used because casa is feminine and the houses are distant from the speaker.)A mi amiga le gustan la bolsas de colores vivos. Voy a comprar à ©stas. (My friend likes colorful purses. I am going to buy these. Éstas is used because bolsas is plural feminine.) Using the Neuter Pronouns The neuter pronouns are never used to substitute for a specific noun. They are used to refer to an unknown object or to an idea or concept that isnt specifically named. (If you would have occasion to use a neuter plural, use the plural masculine form.) The use of eso is extremely common to refer to a situation that has just been stated. Examples:  ¿Quà © es esto? (What is this [unknown object]?)Esto es bueno. (This [referring to a situation rather than a specific object] is good.)El padre de Marà ­a murià ³. Por eso, està ¡ triste. (Marys father died. Because of that, shes sad.)Tengo que salir a las ocho. No olvides  eso. (I have to leave at eight. Dont forget that.)Quedà © impresionado por aquello. (I left affected by that.) Key Takeaways The demonstrative pronouns of Spanish are the equivalent of English pronouns such as this and these.The demonstrative pronouns must match the nouns they refer to in gender and number.Neuter demonstrative pronouns are used to refer to concepts and situations, not named objects.