Capital Punishment - Pro and Contra Research Paper

Capital Punishment - Pro and Contra - Research Paper Example Capital punishment is of very old origin. The word capital is derived from the old Latin word ‘caput’, meaning head. Capital punishment, therefore, refers to beheading or decapitation as a method of execution. Today, the term ‘death penalty’ is used interchangeably with the term capital punishment. Capital punishment originated in England, it was then transported to colonies in America during the 17th and 18th centuries. The English legal system considerably relied on capital punishment; this was partly because imprisonment of people for different periods of time was not developed until the late 18th century. For about four centuries, capital punishment has been practiced in America has been a basic part of its history. The first execution in the United States took place in James town in 1608. Latzer and McCord point out that it has accounted for â€Å"at best estimate, about 20,000 executions† (2011, p.1).   However, the method of execution has undergone remarkable changes over time. In the 17th and 18th century America, men, women, and children would attend a public and solemn occasion where death was imposed by hanging. Execution in public was aimed at frightening members of the public in order to avoid crime, administering justice to the accused, and giving the convicted a chance to repent and gain salvation after death. Hymn singing, sermons, and a speech by the condemned accompanied hanging. During the 17th and 18th century, the number of capital crimes was very big. However, there was a great deal of leniency although most trials took less than a day and appeals were not permitted until the 19th century. A benefit of clergy was sometimes granted to the accused resulting in the pardon of certain death sentences. State governors sometimes granted executive clemency to the accused. For example, in New York City, over half of the condemned were granted clemency. According to Latzer and McCord (2011) â€Å"there were even ‘mock hangings’ to empathetically deliver the message, but spare the life of the offender† (p.2).

Course review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Course review - Essay Example However, the antisocial and terrorist groups and agencies play a certain monopoly whereby the solution is only in their grasp, and the victim is left completely defenseless. This is another nature of the manmade terrorist threats; they are targeted, so that a certain section of the population is at risk while the rest are safe or completely unaware of the posing danger (Covey). This makes the threat more dangerous and criminal. With the advancement in technology and the evolution of ideas, the nature of threats has also changed and modified, becoming more sophisticated and complex, and more targeted. The scope of these threats is also becoming more global, and surprisingly, more virtual or transparent, so that they are now very difficult to spot and equally difficult to defend against (Cyber Threats of the Future). The type of threat that society faces at a certain point in time depends upon the framework of that society, and the technical and educational advancement of that era. Whe reas there was, not long ago, a very imminent threat of nuclear warfare, and to some extent, still is, it has become more controlled now due to international treatises and the ownership of nuclear technology by many countries worldwide, so that it is no longer an exclusive technology (Covey). The defenses and the weapons have also been modified in lieu of the changes in the offense. Where there were once wars against entire countries and nations, such as the world wars I and II, more recently, the perpetrators are merely a few individuals who organize crime through the use of agencies and networks. Hence, in modern times, the targets are individuals and small organizations. This is due to the concept of organized crime in the recent times (Hoffman). The future threats and the defense against them would be, in the most likelihood, more technological and virtual than physical, and of a nature that few would have thought of or considered a serious threat. Many of these dangers still se em a work of science fiction films and novels, and the masses still refuse to accept them as viable and potent threats. However, there is growing evidence and attitude toward the application and employment of those technologies in a negative and anti-social manner for highly targeted and suspiring attacks and warfare. This paper purports to discus three of such threats: the cyber threats, artificial intelligence, and biomedical threats. The advent of the Internet has radically changed the nature of the global community, in terms of its reach, connectivity, and the speed of transfer of information and data (Cyber Threats of the Future). The world has literally been connected together through wireless and optical technology, shifting the paradigms of social interactions, educational and academic systems, government workings, military and defense mechanisms, private and public sector, and the corporate world (Cyber Threats of the Future). The technology has touched users on individual and personal levels, while the degree of customization and user-friendly interfaces are improving and increasing everyday (Cyber Threats of the Future). There is now more and more centralized collection and storage of sensitive and personal data, which in itself has become

Case Study Of Psychosomatic Pain Nasrin Nursing Essay

Case Study Of Psychosomatic Pain Nasrin Nursing Essay It is a case of psychosomatic pain disorder in which a twenty seven year old lady named Nasrin is suffering from lower abdomen pain. Recently she had hysterectomy due to heavy periods and regular severe uterine pain. But after six months of her surgery she still feeling pain in her lower abdomen and she have no improvement in pain after six months of her surgery. Her gynecologist confident her that everything was normal but she was not satisfied with this statement. She visits many specialists but found no relief. She felt sharp pain everyday from few minutes to hours. In recent times she felt chest pain and thought she is having heart attack. But after her checkup in emergency the physician recommended that it might be anxiety. She felt insulted .Her GP influenced her to go to psychologist. GP clarified her that at times even emotions causes difficulties in medical problems Clients problems and Diagnosis: Nasrin went to consultant and told her problems. She explained that she has severe low backache and her pain is presently radiating both legs. Pain is very sharp and brought herself to tears. Pain occurs every day at different time intervals. She has lack of motivation and interest. She didnt sleep properly in night. She felt insulted when GP told her that these are only the signs of anxiety and tell her to see a psychologist. She avoids to meet anyone and seen herself failure and weak. By studying the whole case the case is diagnosed with the help of DSM IV checklist and it is diagnosed as a case of pain disorder associated with psychological factors. The client has following features: Her main problem was significant pain from long time. There are many psychological factors which play main role in the beginning, severity, exacerbation or preservation of pain. As pain felt everyday at different times and intervals. Pain is very sharp that brings Nasrin to tears. The symptoms are not purposely produced by the patient. Background: Patient Nasrin is the youngest one in her family. Since puberty she has not good health. She was having severe recurrent headaches but those headaches were not diagnosed as the attacks of migraine. When she was twelve years old her grandmother died. She was suffered with the symptoms of after stroke for four years before her death. After the death of her grandmother her mom showed sympathy towards her and whenever she felt those headaches she told her lie down. Her mother gave cold compression to her head. Mostly she felt chest pain during the stress period of exams. She got married at the age of twenty one and she left her study because of her severe headaches. She always tried to become an ideal companion. Her husband Alfred was also caring but due to her continuous appointments with doctors and their expenses he started criticizing her. Her husband left her after two years of her marriage. She was heartbroken at that time then she started work for supporting herself but soon she l ost her job due to her health problems. Because of her continuous visits to doctors she was absent from work many times and this was the reason for her job lost. After that she joined her parents and moved to their house. Case formulation: For formulating the case, first of all the consultant assesses and socializes into cognitive therapy. CBT is the therapy of choice in various mental health problems. CBT promote patient to talk about himself in a way that how the patient think about himself, the surrounding world and the other persons surrounding him. What are the things affects patients thoughts and feelings. By knowing all these things CBT helps in patients thinking (Cognitive) and what he do (behaviour) and this can help patient to feel better regarding his life. After that assessed the detailed description of the problem of client and in this case it is recurrent lower abdominal pain. Assess the predisposing factors and in Nasrin case these are recurrent headache and chest pain during stress like in exams etc. The precipitating factors were her grandmothers death and separation from her husband soon after her marriage and the maintaining factor is long term complaint of lower abdomen pain. Then ABC analysis of pr oblem was done by the consultant. Diagnose historical context of the problem, its assumptions and core beliefs. After that constructed a treatment and management plan .Afterwards socializing the client towards the self task. When client came to consultant initially in first session he/she should tell the client about the confidentially of their conversation for gaining faith of client, tells the cognitive therapy and regarding the estimated time of the therapy. CBT sessions are depends upon the patients problems and objectives. Generally with CBT results are better realized when sessions are between 6-20 and varies from 40 minutes to one hour each session. Every session is generally has a gap of one week or fifteen days. CBT cannot remove the patients problems but it can help to handle them in an optimistic way. Therapist helps patient to find ways by changing your thoughts and behaviour so that the patient cope with the problems in better way. (Sheldon, 2011). Consultant assesses the details of the problem as in this case Nasrin has a problem of severe lower abdomen pain. She suffers from this pain from a long time. She has heavy menstrual bleeding and severe lower abdominal pain. Her gynecologist was n ot agreeing to do surgery for this pain but Nasrins frequent visits and continuous pain problem agreed her to do surgery. Because of this continuous and sharp pain she influenced her surgeon and had hysterectomy in her young age. After six months of her surgery she felt no improvement in her pain. She visited to many specialists for finding the cause of her pain problem. But nothing was found by any specialist. Recently she felt chest pain and thought that she was having heart attack. But physician told her she is normal and this all was because of anxiety. She felt insulted with this comment. At last her GP influenced her to consult a clinical psychologist and clarify her that at times emotions made worse to medical problems. GP explained her that psychological assessments will better treat her condition. ABC analysis of Nasrin case: In this case A- activating events are the hysterectomy of client which was done at young age. Nasrin is separated from her husband and stay with her parents. B-Her rational thoughts and beliefs are that she is having severe pain in her lower abdomen. She also felt chest pain. She thoughts that she is pathetic for being like this .C- Consequences regarding the emotions she is nervous, irritated, shame and hurt also. In her behaviour she is always sad, there were crying episodes as sometimes the pain bring her to tears and she feels isolated also. After assessing Nasrin problem consultant gave her a questionnaire to do at her home .It is a questionnaire based on Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A). The main reason for giving this questionnaire to know the severity of symptoms of anxiety in patient. This scale contains 14 items and each of these items distinct by a number of symptoms. This scale calculates both psychic and somatic anxiety. Each item is scaled on 0-4 in which 0 means not present and 4 means severe. Total score range is 0-56 and if a person scores less than 17 it shows less severity and 18-24 means mild to moderate severity 25-30 means moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety ( Guy,1976,Hamilton, 1959). In her next visit Nasrin has to bring that filled questionnaire and consultant assessed those answers. In the next session consultant go through that filled questionnaire and identifies and clarified Nasrin problems by DSM IV checklist. The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is the usual classification regarding mental disorders and is used by mental health professionals in America. This has five axis in which Axis I covers clinical disorders, Axis II includes personality disorders and mental retardation. Axis III includes general medical conditions, Axis IV psychosocial and environmental conditions and Axis IV global assessment of functioning scale (American psychiatric association, 2000). Consultant assesses and found that she has a problem of pain disorder associated with psychological factors. Consultant took a detailed historical background in this visit. When consultant asked Nasrin about her background she told him that she was the youngest in her brother sisters. She has poor health since teenage. She has recurrent headaches from puberty but those head aches were not fit into migraine attacks and her grandmother died when she was 12 and her mother shows sympathy towards her after her grandmothers death. She has chest pain during stress. She was married when she was only 21 years old and left her university study because of her severe headache problem. Her husband left her after two years of her marriage. The reason for her separation was the high expenses due to frequent visits to doctors for her complaint of lower abdomen pain. After her separation she started work as personal assistant for supporting her. She lost her job soon because of continuous absent from her job due to her health problems. After that she shifted to her parents place and stay with them. Consultant listen all the background and gave Nasrin a homework task to maintain a daily pain dairy. In which she has to write at what time she has the pain as the pain starts in morning, afternoon or evening. Where is the pain in the scale of 0-10, in which 0 means no pain, 5 means moderate pain and 10 means worst possible pain. She has to write in dairy that what she was doing when the pain started. Did she take any medicine and what was the dose of that medicine? What were the other treatments she used? After one hour what the pain rate was in the rating scale like is it relived or gone worse. What are the other problems she faces? She has to maintain this daily pain dairy (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging, 2006) for one week till her next visit and bring it with her in her next visit. In her next visit the consultant gone through her daily pain dairy and identify her problem. Consultant done a counseling session about her hobbies and her likes and dislikes with her and in that conversation she told that she was previously used to write a personal dairy daily. But due to her health problems she didnt do this now. By knowing this entire, consultant asked her that why not she again start writing a book on her life and choose this as a smart goal for her. But she said that she is not able to do all this because of her health problems then consultant told her to just give this a try. In smart goal it is specific for Nasrin to write a book on her life story. This is measureable as the book will have 150 pages and her progress would be measured monthly. It will be an attainable goal as if she complete twelve and half pages in a month then she would have 150 pages by the deadline. This smart goal is realistic also as at times it will be difficult for Nasrin to get her tho ughts on paper, so she give herself enough time to complete her book. For time she has to finish this book in twelve months that means twelve and half pages in a month and150 pages in a year. So consultant advised her to work on this smart goal and she agreed on that. Generating Solution: For Nasrin consultant planned cognitive behaviour therapy for 6-12 weeks in which she has to continue her pharmacotherapy that means she has to continue her drugs prescribed by physician. She is advised for relaxation therapy and supportive psychotherapy for her anxiety problem. For relaxation therapy she has to do some relaxation techniques which helps in reducing tension of muscles and improving patients in general feeling of wellness and minimizes anxiety. Deep relaxation for 20-30 minutes reduces general anxiety, reduces the incidence and harshness of panic attacks. These techniques also good for sleeplessness and fatigue. It also increases self confidence and reduces the symptom of self blame (Bourne, 1995). In supportive psychotherapy, patient has to be supported for coping with stressors by many actions like carefully paying attention and cheering expressions regarding thoughts and feelings. Supporting the patient to understand the situation and its alternatives and trying to give a hope to patient (Douglas, 2008). Â   She has advised for some physiotherapy to support and tone up her lower abdominal muscles and keeps her body fit. Consultant advised Nasrin some preferred solutions for her problem. She has advised to do early morning yoga for half an hour. Then after her breakfast she is advised to visit local library for reading books on biographies. And coming back to home relax for some time and do some household works and after lunch go out for shopping and start socialising with friends and neighbours. In the evening watch tele with her parents. After dinner chat for some time with parents. Before going to bed while listening music try to write her biography. She has to follow the same till her next visit. After all these visits Nasrin is quiet satisfied and relaxed. Her episodes of pain are reducing day by day.

Internet Censorship is Needed Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Internet Censorship is Needed During the past forty years, over a thousand studies have been conducted on the effects of film and television violence.   This research concluded that media violence, which includes television and movies, contributes to violence in the real world.   According to The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), one expert concluded, "To argue against it is like arguing against gravity." What have been potential effects of this media violence?   Below are some statistics produced by DOJ Statistics from the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ"): *  Ã‚   2.8 million juveniles were arrested in 1997.   Out of these, there were 2,500 murder arrests and 121,000 arrests for other types of violent crimes *  Ã‚   "Juveniles accounted for 19% of all arrests, 14% of murder arrests, and 17% of all violent crime arrests." - (Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1999) *  Ã‚   There has been a 49% increase in the number of juvenile violent crime arrests between 1988 and 1997. *  Ã‚   18% of high school students carry weapons on a regular basis. *  Ã‚   9% of ...

Cell Cycle Essay

cell growth, normal functions What occurs in G1 in the cell cycle? Cell cycle What is the series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide? G1 What is the longest stage of the cell cycle called? interphase During what stage does the G1,S,and G2 phases happen? Mitosis During what phase of the cell cycle does mitosis and cytokinesis occur? Mitosis During what phase of the cell cycle does cell division occur? S (synthesis) During what phase of the cell cycle is DNA replicated? G1 During what phase of the cell cycle does the cell grow? G2 During what phase of the cell cycle does the cell prepare for mitosis? 4 How many stages are there in mitosis? Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase Put the following stages of mitosis in order: anaphase, prophase, metaphase, and telophase G1, S, G2, M Put the following stages of the cell cycle in order: G2, S, G1, M Cell grows, DNA replication, cell prepares for mitosis, cell division Put the following actions in order: DNA replication, cell grows, cell division, cell prepares for mitosis. For efficiency, the process would take too long if it was bigger Explain why cells don’t just continue to grow larger as organisms grow larger. Why do cell divide? (Write in complete sentences) DNA replication What occurs in S phase of the cell cycle? cell prepares for mitosis What occurs in G2 phase of the cell cycle? cell division What occurs in M phase of the cell cycle? nuclear membrane disapears, spindle fibers form chromosomes condense What occurs in prophase phase of the cell cycle? chromosomes line up at equater What occurs in metaphase phase of the cell cycle? sister chromatids pull apart What occurs in anaphase phase of the cell cycle? chromosomes have separated/ ribosomes begin to form What occurs in telophase phase of the cell cycle? Interphase- G, S, G2 normal cell growth/prep for division Missing from this are Interphase and Cytokinesis. What are they, and when do they occur? (Interphase) physical splitting of the cell Missing from this are Interphase and Cytokinesis. What are they, and when do they occur? (Cytokinesis) D Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): cells at end of mitosis H Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): cells at end of meiosis D Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): liver cell H Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): sperm H Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): egg D Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): skin cell H Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): gamete D Identify whether they are haploid (H) or diploid (D): somatic (body) cell 1 copy of every cell What is a haploid? 2 copies of every cell What is a diploid? 46, 23 Human cells: diploid # ____ haploid #_____ 1. crossing over/ mixing DNA from parents 2. produce gamets Explain how meiosis increases genetic diversity in 2 different ways: 2 # cells produced in Mitosis 4 # cells produced in Meiosis replace cells+get bigger Reasons for occurrence in Mitosis making gametes for sexual reproduction Reasons for occurrence in Meiosis 1 # of divisions in Mitosis 2 # of divisions in Meiosis no Includes crossing over (Y/ N) Mitosis yes Includes crossing over (Y/ N) Meiosis somatic Kind of cells using it (Mitosis) gamets Kind of cells using it (Meiosis)

Title Barchester Towers

Allow me to quote Dr. Grantly’s statement on honest men squabbling for money. This is unfortunate since in the light of this question and in reference to the context of the basis of the question in question, the squabble for money and power involves men of God. Church men who are believed by many people and more especially the clergy’s converts to be people of virtue and honest. The contrary is that, they are the ones involved in this conflict of the struggle to ascend to the leadership of the diocese in question.I totally concor with Dr.  Grantly’s opinion and so as Trollope’s endorsement. The squabble amongst the clergy men in the Church bestrays the very trust bestowed to men of Church by the society. The Church should be the center of peace order and honesty. Anything short of this is the very opposite of the way things should happen. OTHER AMBITIONS Apart from the squabbling for the Church leadership, there is also rivalry for the control of Hirams hospital. The ambitions Mr. Hope does not only run much of the proudies official businesses but also aspire to take over the Hirams hospital.This is a show of selfishness since he wants to grab anything at his disposal. He further goes ahead to Marry not necessarily to have a family but the rich lady who will bring wealth to him. This is what we call falling in love in disguise for his love with lady he married lands him into scandals until his undoing restores peace among the people in the diocese. The ambition is to marry someone is encouraged if it is not motivated by other uteria motives. The ambition of ascending to power is also positive since if the world lacked ambition people, it would not produce its leaders.Any one will approve of positive ambition. Grantly’s ambition to take over leadership of the Church is acceptable before the eyes of people who are for the truth and justice. The appointment of proudies is a disappointment to the people who are for the truth. Th e war of ideas between Mr. Slope and his rivals on who has the right to run Hirams hospital is an act of selfishness and shame in the Church and the society as a whole. In this case who is who is not what matters, what matters is who is just. THE HONEST MANThe honest man in the Barchester tower is Archdeacon Grantly . According to Trollope, he is the person who by the virtue of the tradition of the church, he is the heir and the next to take over the leadership of the diocese if everything were to go as stipulated by the law of the Church. The contrast comes when Mr. Proudies is brought in by the Government to ran the affairs of the Church. It is also sad to learn that there are other people who control the state of affairs in the Church and he is only there as a rubber stamp.The above example is one of the many leaders in the world who own their political offices not because the quality to own or ran them but because they are puppets of some well connected power brokers. A good exa mple are Mr. Slope and Mrs. Proudie. Mr. Proudie is unlikely to deliver since his service must be directed to his proxys, political God fathers and mother. Another negative aspect of this kind of a leader is that, he might be installed in an office which he is not experienced to run which might inhabit. This delivery of required of him by the society concerned.Honest people are the least popular with the mass. This is because he may not agree with the view of the majority behavioural aspect that might make him popular. This very sad, since Grantly should have been the right choice for the post of the Bishop but he lost it to proudie since he was not well connected with the politicians. This could have been simply due to his stand on justice and being fair to all which is what the corrupt people would not accept. Then if this is the case, do we allow corrupt people control and rule the world? However, we cannot give all the credit to Mr.Grantly since his own weakness. As a son of Bis hop he grew up with the opinion that he has the monopoly of knowledge as pertains to a running of church affairs, now that he is a heir to his father Bishop his strong opinion are unbending attitude makes him a conservative and a figure representing the Church traditions. He fails to understand world keeps on changing and she should accept to change with it, and that he lived in a society that is dynamic. For that reason he is likely to fall out with people who have modern ideas like Mr.Slope and the sister in- law Eleanor Bold. CHARACTER The character of Mr. Slope and Mr. Arabins desires for the worldly comforts is portrayed negatively. Meangiful comfort can only be realized once someone acquires wealth out of his own sweating. Any short cut or unwanted inheritance as of Eleanor’s case does not guarantee comfort since the consequences haunts the person concern since ones conscience will also remind the person concerned of the unfair ways he dreprived the person of his rights e. g. inheritance. How ever, Mr. Hardings refusal to take over of the deanery is reasonable.This is because being a righteous person would not accept to the associated with corrupt people in the Church. He is also aware of the external political forces running the Church and as such he fears to be compelled to do what he knows its not right before the eyes of God and men. So the relationship between the honest and the wicked is bad as expected. There is no way a honest person will share and agree with the wicked. However we can not deny the fact Dr. Hardings is the Father – in – law to Mr. Grantly and there is no doubt that he shares the same segment with his son in – law Mr. Grantly.We can say that he is also a conservative. We can not also rule out his opposition to the marriage of his daughter Eleanor Bold to Mr. Slope. The fact that Mr. Slope is a close associate of Mr. Proudie who is now the current Bishop and Mrs. Proudie whom they share ideas and house, it is apparent that the two parties have different attitudes towards each other. Grantly’s attitudes towards Eleanor Bold his sister in –law and Mr. Slope are extreme and rigid. He is a one man who would not admit mistakes and he looks at other people as being on the wrong him right. That is why on the other hand Mr.Slope and his associates regard Mr. Grantly as old , out dated old fashioned conservative The honest person will want to use a clear way that would be approved by the men of justice. A wicked person on the contrary, cares not what people would think or say about him but its achievements. It doesn’t matter to him that in the course of action towards the achievements of its goals, someone was hurt on the way or not provided he achieves what he wanted. That’s why the likely of Grantly and other honest people in the church do feature much in the struggle for possession of power.That’s why the author Trollope write to side with Mr. Grant. Pe ople like Mr. Slope, Mr. Arabin are driven by a burning desire of the worldly posses for the worldly possession and comforts, and that’s why their ends is a big disgrace to them and their families. A good name is better than wealth something they fail to understand and history will judge them. The white people say that â€Å" Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely† so the coming in of the politicians in the said squabble for money in the Church not only indoctrinate the politicians but also the church men like Mr.Slope. Charlotte, Stanhope and Madeleine Neroni’s to Bertie’s situation is another very amusing act of people who are acting in the middle of a big controversy . The two characters are close associates of Bertie yet their approach to us are problems leaves a lot to be desired. CONCLUSION In relation to the Church situation today and in reference to the character mentioned earlier in the analysis, it is apparent that the uprightness is lacking the Church and the struggle for power has killed the very trust the church used to enjoy in the past .There are a few honest men and women in Church, but the majority are people out to achieve their ambitions gains. Let the Church stands its ground and route not this vice if it hopes to restore its lost Glory. The government also should keep off the affairs of the Church. A church is a define place with the obligation of providing for refuge and consolation of the heartbroken but not a den of thieves as Jesus puts it when he met people doing business in the Solomon’s temple in Jesuralem. Opportunists should also not seek their lack in the Church as with some of the clergy men today.However when the old fashioned clergy men like Mr. Grantly becomes so rigid with the old ideas, conflicts in the Church from the young generation are eminent . So anything good pertaining to the history and the tradition of the Church should be passed on to the new generation with cauti on and wisdom. Therefore it is seems apparent that somehow Mr. Grantly and the like in the Church should seek for dialogue if the Church glory has to be maintained. Such weaknesses as with the clergy today gives room to the young invading the church and overturning the tablesThey go to work in the Church not with a call to serve the people of God but to earn for their living just like people in any other business. Such people have destroyed the good reputation of the Church. The government and politicians should be warned not poke their noses in the Church affairs least God will punish them for interfering with and destroying the directions and good name of the Church. The two can’t be married let the church be left to the clergy and politics and to the politicians. WORK CITED. ? Barchester Towers by Trollope 1847 ? The writers collections experience

Functions of a Job Description

Functions of a Job Description Job analysis is the foundation of a well-articulated job description that is crucial when recruiting new employees and carrying out performance appraisals for current employees. Job analysis is useful when identifying the attributes of the job viz. general, functional, physical, and education attributes.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of a Job Description specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The human resources managers use job analysis to identify the general attributes of the job such as the title of the position, location, department, division, and pay grade. General attributes provide an overview of what the job entails and where it will be, by stating the exact location, division and department of job. Job analysis helps human resource managers in identifying the functional attributes of the job. Functional attributes determine the responsibilities that an employee in a specified position should perform t o meet the requirement of the job satisfactorily. It helps to emphasize on the purpose of the job, which helps to avoid confusion during the orientation period after recruiting new employees, which is a contributing factor to employee turnover. Functional attributes also determine the chain of command and in return chain of command establishes whom the employee in a position is answerable. It also establishes employees in lower positions who report to the individual in the position. Job analysis determines the education, skills, and experience required by a candidate for a given job in order to carry out the job effectively and efficiently. It helps managers to determine the educational level or equivalent appropriate qualification for the job and previous work background. Job analysis also establishes the skills that a potential candidate must possess to suit the job requirements. Moreover, job analysis helps to determine the physical attributes required for the position including age, gender, height, weight, and other physical characteristics. Some jobs require general physical attributes while others require an individual with specific physical characteristics that are crucial to perform the job effectively. Job description is useful during recruitment and selection of new employees. It provides information that determines the selection criteria, informs candidates on the nature of the job, and ensures the orientation of new employees is successful (Fowler 2). Job description helps human resources manager to determine the expected results for a position during performance management.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It helps in determining appropriate measures for measuring performance when carrying out performance appraisal to identify training needs for individual employees. This helps when reprimanding employees who are not performing th eir duties and responsibilities as expected. It also helps in recognizing and promoting employees whose performance is excellent. Moreover, job description plays a critical role when deciding how to tailor compensation and reward packages for the organization’s employees. When the organization is using monetary rewards to motivate its employees, the job descriptions is useful in evaluating performance of individual employees and hence determines which employees deserve rewards. A job description articulates the responsibilities for a position as well as the pay grade for the position. These are critical factors when calculating the pay commensurate for the position in the industry. This assists the organization in case an employee decides to institute legal proceedings against the organization for low pay. The job description also provides the skills, educational level, experience, and physical attributes for a position in the organization. It acts as a defense for the organi zation in case an applicant institutes legal proceeding against the organization for discrimination during recruitment and selection process. Fowler, Alan. Writing job descriptions. London: CIPD Publishing, 2003. Print.

Creamlines Distribution System Essay Example

Creamlines Distribution System Essay Example Creamlines Distribution System Essay Creamlines Distribution System Essay Business! For Everyone! Creamlines ice cream products are indeed delicious, but you wont find them in your favorite supermarket. This is because Creamlines primary distribution system is the network of sari-sari stores scattered all over the country, says Martinez. As its contribution to nation-building, says Madrid, Creamline has come up the Instant Negosyo concept. For a small amount of money, a sari-sari store owner can be a retailer of Creamline products. All he needs to do is purchase P3,000 worth of ice cream products and Creamline will provide him with a freezer on loan. No expense. The only expenditure is putting the product. The content is P3,000. Of course, you must have a store and good location. In a way, we are giving jobs to everyone, says Madrid. This is a good business opportunity for micro-entrepreneurs as well as overseas contract workers looking to start a small enterprise when they get home. For those with bigger capital to spare, Creamline also offers opportunities for dealers (who take care of the retailers requirements) and distributors (who take care of the dealers requirements). Creamline also offers franchises for those who wish to sell direct to consumers via scooping stations. These stations should ideally be located in such high traffic areas as schools, malls, and bus terminals. Leaving no stone unturned, the company also started sending out ambulant vendors in selected areas. More popularly known as sorbeteros, these vendors sell Creamlines Choco Bulilits, Cream Cones, Cream Bars, and other ice cream products. Not surprisingly, Creamline has done quite well. The company is now operating nationwide, reaching out of Metro Manila and into Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, and garnering numerous fans along the way. If production is any indication, it would be good to note that the company has doubled its plant area since it opened its Pampanga anufacturing facility in 2004. In two years, says Martinez, Creamline plans to put up another manufacturing facility so that distribution will be even more efficient. In the future, Madrid says the company hopes to expand the business, penetrating new markets and developing new products while always giving value for money to their customers. If Creamline Dairy Corporation stays true to its core values of quality, affordability, accessibility, and consistency, then Madrid believes that it wo uld be a truly creamy success.

Definition and Examples of Compound-Complex Sentences

Definition and Examples of Compound-Complex Sentences In English grammar, a compound-complex sentence is a  sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Also known as a  complex-compound sentence. The compound-complex sentence is one of the four basic sentence structures. The other structures are the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the complex sentence. Examples and Observations The compound-complex sentence is so named because it shares the characteristics of both compound and complex sentences. Like the compound sentence, the compound-complex has two main clauses. Like the complex sentence, it has at least one subordinate clause. The subordinate clause can be part of an independent clause.(Random House Websters Pocket Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation, 2007)His blue eyes were light, bright and sparkling behind half-mooned spectacles, and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice.(J.K. Rowling,  Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Scholastic, 1998)The door of the morning room was open as I went through the hall, and I caught a glimpse of Uncle Tom messing about with his collection of old silver.(P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters, 1938)All of us are egotists to some extent, but most of us- unlike the jerk- are perfectly and horribly aware of it when we make asses of ourselves. (Sidney J. Harris, A Jerk, 1961) Those are my principles, and if you dont like them . . . well, I have others.(Groucho Marx)The Druids used mistletoe in ceremonies of human sacrifice, but most of all the evergreen became a symbol of fertility because it flourished in winter when other plants withered. (Sian Ellis, Englands Ancient Special Twig. British Heritage, January 2001)We operate under a jury system in this country, and as much as we complain about it, we have to admit that we know of no better system, except possibly flipping a coin.(Dave Barry, Dave Barrys Guide to Marriage and/or Sex, 1987)She gave me another of those long keen looks, and I could see that she was again asking herself if her favourite nephew wasnt steeped to the tonsils in the juice of the grape. (P.G. Wodehouse, Plum Pie, 1966)In America everybody is of the opinion that he has no social superiors, since all men are equal, but he does not admit that he has no social inferiors, for, from the time of Jefferson onward, the doctrine that all men are equal applies only upwards, not downwards.(Bertrand Russell, Unpopular Essays, 1930) How,  Why, and When to Use Compound-Complex Sentences The compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. This syntactic shape is essential in representing complex relationships and so is frequently put to use in various forms of analytical writing, especially in academic writing. It is also probably true that the ability to use compound-complex sentences elevates a writers credibility: it demonstrates that he or she can bring together in a single sentence a range of different pieces of information and order them in relationship to each other. This is not to say that the compound-complex sentence invites confusion: on the contrary, when handled carefully, it has the opposite effect- it clarifies the complexity and enables readers to see it clearly.(David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen, Writing Analytically, 6th ed. Wadsworth, 2012)Compound-complex sentences get unwieldy in a hurry. So clear writers minimize their use, generally restricting them to no more than 10 percent of their wo rk.But varying the sentence structures in a piece makes it more interesting, and writers who care about rhythm will stray from the simpler forms to mix in compound sentences now and then. (Jack Hart, A Writers Coach: The Complete Guide to Writing Strategies That Work. Anchor, 2006) Compound-complex sentences are  used infrequently in business messages because of their length. (Jules Harcourt et al.,  Business Communication, 3rd ed.  South-Western Educational, 1996) Punctuating Compound-Complex Sentences If a compound or a compound-complex sentence has one or more commas in the first clause, you may want to use a semicolon before the coordinating conjunction between the two clauses. Its purpose is to show the reader very clearly the division between the two independent clauses. (Lee Brandon and  Kelly Brandon,  Sentences, Paragraphs, and Beyond, 7th ed. Wadsworth, 2013)For in the end, freedom is a personal and lonely battle;  and one faces down fears of today so that those of tomorrow might be engaged. (Alice Walker, Choosing to Stay at Home Ten Years After the March on Washington, 1973.  In Search of Our Mothers Gardens, 1983)

Academic Paper Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Academic Paper Review - Essay Example es advance,markets shift,competitors increase,and some products and services become obsolete regularly therefore the succusseful businesses are those that develop new knowledge and disseminate it in the enterprise quickly to manufacture new products and technologies. Maybury et al. (2002) noted that those are the activities that define knowledge-creating company and their business is to ensure continuous innovation. The author of the article sets out to achieve success in businesses through the use of knowledge to achieve the firms goals and objectives. The application of knowledge by the successful Japanese competitors for instance,Matsushita,Kao,Canon,Sharp,NEC,and Honda have made them famous for their capabability to be flexible to market changes,quick responces to customer needs,develop new markets and products and to dominte the emerging technologies. Ichijo and Nonaka (2006) stated that the secret of succeeding in business is the unique approach in the management of creating new knowledge. The article stresses the importance of the Japanese approach that normally seem incomprehensible and odd to other businesses but are used to develop new knowledge of running successful firms. Nonaka (1991) gave an example of the slogan â€Å"Theory of Automobile Evolution† that is a design concept that led to the development of the innovative urban car ,Honda City. The purpose of the article is to explain the focus of the Japanese approach that depends entirely on tapping the tacit and subjective intuitions,hunches of the employees,insights and hence testing those insights and enabling the business to use them as whole. Shibata (2006) noted that the key to successful processes is the ability of the employees to be personally committed to their tasks,their sense of identity with the business and its operation. The author in this article is seeking to present the importance of the business managers to mobilize the workers committment to their work and exemplifying implicit

Public health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 22

Public health - Essay Example substantial amount for these trials, the funds that are supposedly earmarked for these could be channeled to other priority and urgent health concerns, such as greater access to health care of marginalized groups and improved availability of least expensive medicines to more people, as needed. In evaluating a particular illness or disease, consumers are more alarmed at information that indicates that the illness significantly affects more people at a defined time frame. The apparent reason for this is that these illnesses that could be easily spread and inflicts a greater number of people are more risky and dangerous; since these illnesses are not immediately treated, as required. As such, consumers are more alarmed at health information which discloses greater vulnerability of a defined population according to risk factors and the extent of immediate exposure and contraction; for fear that they could be afflicted with these illnesses. As such, health organizations are always vigilant on new illnesses that could develop into an epidemic or pandemic

Shouldice Hospital case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Shouldice Hospital case - Essay Example However, inclusion of other services may be helpful to the practice financially as well increase its market relevance. Prior to expansion, the institution requires funds that would cater for the expansion effectively. In addition, using the funds it generates from business may be disadvantageous and limit the effectiveness of the transition One major concern of considering extension in this case is the control and management of the new institution. Expansion would require a change in the management system. If not effectively managed, the change may hinder the quality of operation and services rendered to clients. The expansion to weekend has caused a rift in the institution since the issue has not been formally discussed. However, the expansion to weekends should be done only if the institution increases its human resources. The current staff has expressed concerns since they have been required to embrace an organizational culture they are not used to. In addition, the concerns revolve the decision by the facility to embrace change. A global expansion should be a viable option. The institution has been in existent for a long time thus having demand in foreign countries. The organization should consider utilizing this market (Heskett& Hallowell

How To Be Idle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How To Be Idle - Essay Example Individual benefits can easily come from having an early evening drink, meditating, and rambling about aimlessly. While societal benefits may be more easily found in savoring the mid-day meal, leisurely naps, and conversing with people. Though touting the benefits of alcohol may start rumors of alcoholism, it can have benefits physically and figuratively. The evening drink marks the end of the work day. All the frustration, endless reports, and endless traffic now become a distant memory against the backdrop of cheerful conversation and the promise of a relaxing evening. Hodgkinson likens this to a transformation into Buddhism, where thoughts of past or future cease and only the present remains. He paints the picture rather well that it is at this time that people become their â€Å"own master's once more† broken free from the chains of â€Å"wage slavery† (113). It is true that there are those who would take this evening drink and continue into a stupor, but that would be missing the point. The point is to become reinvigorated, not comatose. Achieving a balance of working hard while still pursuing other interests in life including daydreaming is important for people if the goal is quality of life. Hodgkinson suggests using general moments of idleness to meditate, or simply day dream such as waiting for a friend, or bus or while being stuck in a traffic jam (228) . Meditation is world renown as being a soothing exercise to de-stress, and clear one's mind. This helps people to realign themselves with what is really important in life and releases them from that feeling of bondage that the modern trappings of consumerism and debt can have. Some promise that alternative lifestyles will help to free oneself from the feeling of bondage, but consequently they only offer an â€Å"alternative set of rules† that have their own complications (Hodgkinson 228). Of course, it is difficult to ignore the honking of cars and the endless dribble of half hear d conversations, but it is achievable and certainly admirable in the attempt. Walking around aimlessly was once the sole right of the elderly, but no longer. Granted it is not a requirement to be without a destination when rambling, but it is crucial not be fixated on it. Take in the sights. Smell the roses, so to speak. Be a loafer. It is amazing what a person can find when not looking. In truth, rambling is another form of meditation. It is meant to gain appreciation and wonder for everyday scenes like a leaf falling from a tree or the way the clouds move with an oncoming storm. Henry Thoreau said that it is easy â€Å"to become a slave driver of yourself† (qtd. in Hodgkinson 228). Rambling is a way of unlocking the chains of slavery that we have placed on ourselves much like the evening drink unchains us from the bondage of the work place. There was once a time when the mid-day meal meant something in society other than just an energy boost to employees so they can keep sl ugging away at the office or factory. It was a chance to get shade from the sun, catch up with friends, and take a leisurely nap. In short, it was a real energy boost. Right now in most western countries it is simply a legal obligation on behalf of the boss. Otherwise, it seems doubtful a person would ever see it. The average Joe looks forward to lunch all morning only to barely get enough time to eat it.

Disruptive Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Disruptive Innovation - Essay Example The new entrants come up with new innovative hard disks that could not be used by the customers because of little raw performance. The innovations that leads to something unique and move out of the traditional market, making it a nontraditional one, despite of various limitations that make it unattractive to the mainstream is termed as Disruptive innovation. In short, present players in the market wins the battle by sustaining innovation but new entrants win the battle by disruptive innovations (Anthony, 2008, p. 4). Straining strategy leads to influence or shape the market in which one competes whereas disruptive strategy â€Å"redefine the market, create a new one and defend against attacks from below† (Anthony, 2008, p. 5). Historically companies have succeeded in using sustained innovations at a market with higher tier by charging the uppermost price from sophisticated and demanding customers. In this way, the company achieves profit. This in turn opens the door for Disrup tive innovations. A disruptive innovation helps the consumers at the bottom of the market to access such products that were previously accessible to only those customers who had lots of money and skill. The characteristics of disruptive innovation include â€Å"lower gross margins, smaller target markets, and simpler products and services† (Disruptive Innovation, n.d.), which may appear not so attractive to the existing solutions when compared with the traditional ones. These innovations offers the market with a lower gross margin making it less attractive for the firms moving upward and making space for the new competitors. Thus having a brief idea about the disruptive innovation as exhibited by Christen, some further elaborations about the model of disruptive innovation is required. This study deals in selecting a sector where any type of disruptive innovations has taken place. Assessing the response of the companies and finding the factors responsible for such response and the correlation with the model developed by Clayton Christensen. The sector which is taken in this paper for analysis is cloud computing technology. But before moving into the detailed explanations, a brief knowledge about cloud computing procedure needs to be discussed in a clear manner and the model developed by Christensen can be explained. 2. Christensen model of disruptive innovation The model of disruptive innovation by Clayton Christensen is basically a hypothesis which can be generally exploited for the purpose of explaining the impact of new technologies on the existence of a firm. The term disruptive innovation was first coined by Clayton Christensen in the year 1997 in his book named, â€Å"The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail".  It has been seen that time and again associated with the failure or displacement of the organizations from their respective industries the organizations â€Å"could see the break coming, merely did nothing until it was excessively late†. Through doing well, the companies are alleged to do and they actually provide to their most profitable customers and highly concentrate on the investments in areas where the profit margins are majorly attractive. This situation generates due to the resourcefulness allocation processes of the constituted

Conflict in Intensive Care Unit Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Conflict in Intensive Care Unit - Assignment Example The researcher states that the players in this situation are the nurses as well as the nurse manager. Each nurse is involved, because he or she will have to decide on his or her shift, and the nurse manager is heading up the issue. The nurse manager appears to not be taking enough initiative to sort the issue out amongst the other nurses, and this can be a huge problem. This can easily result in the nurses becoming angry with each other and this can cause serious implications in the healthcare field. For instance, if a patient is very ill and the nurses are bickering amongst themselves about a scheduling problem, will the client get the proper care? This would need to be addressed immediately. There are two categories of nurses here that have different goals and values. The first category is the nurses who wish to keep their 8-hour shifts, and most of those nurses have worked in the department for 15 years or more. These are the more seasoned, veteran nurses, who have formed their li ves around their current schedules, and are very used to eight-hour shifts. Thus, they feel most comfortable proceeding where they are at. This group of players thus wants to stay with the 8-hour shift schedule. The second category of nurses are those that wish to work 12 hours shifts and thus have more days off. There is no mention of these nurses’ working records, but it appears that these are the nurses who do not have as much veteran status and probably have more flexible schedules as well. The researcher will try a peace negotiation strategy for conflict resolution. His hope would be to attain some type of compromise. The researcher would first approach the veteran nurses and ask them for more information about their planned activities, in order to gauge how important, the situation is to them.

Disruptive Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Disruptive Innovation - Essay Example The new entrants come up with new innovative hard disks that could not be used by the customers because of little raw performance. The innovations that leads to something unique and move out of the traditional market, making it a nontraditional one, despite of various limitations that make it unattractive to the mainstream is termed as Disruptive innovation. In short, present players in the market wins the battle by sustaining innovation but new entrants win the battle by disruptive innovations (Anthony, 2008, p. 4). Straining strategy leads to influence or shape the market in which one competes whereas disruptive strategy â€Å"redefine the market, create a new one and defend against attacks from below† (Anthony, 2008, p. 5). Historically companies have succeeded in using sustained innovations at a market with higher tier by charging the uppermost price from sophisticated and demanding customers. In this way, the company achieves profit. This in turn opens the door for Disrup tive innovations. A disruptive innovation helps the consumers at the bottom of the market to access such products that were previously accessible to only those customers who had lots of money and skill. The characteristics of disruptive innovation include â€Å"lower gross margins, smaller target markets, and simpler products and services† (Disruptive Innovation, n.d.), which may appear not so attractive to the existing solutions when compared with the traditional ones. These innovations offers the market with a lower gross margin making it less attractive for the firms moving upward and making space for the new competitors. Thus having a brief idea about the disruptive innovation as exhibited by Christen, some further elaborations about the model of disruptive innovation is required. This study deals in selecting a sector where any type of disruptive innovations has taken place. Assessing the response of the companies and finding the factors responsible for such response and the correlation with the model developed by Clayton Christensen. The sector which is taken in this paper for analysis is cloud computing technology. But before moving into the detailed explanations, a brief knowledge about cloud computing procedure needs to be discussed in a clear manner and the model developed by Christensen can be explained. 2. Christensen model of disruptive innovation The model of disruptive innovation by Clayton Christensen is basically a hypothesis which can be generally exploited for the purpose of explaining the impact of new technologies on the existence of a firm. The term disruptive innovation was first coined by Clayton Christensen in the year 1997 in his book named, â€Å"The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail".  It has been seen that time and again associated with the failure or displacement of the organizations from their respective industries the organizations â€Å"could see the break coming, merely did nothing until it was excessively late†. Through doing well, the companies are alleged to do and they actually provide to their most profitable customers and highly concentrate on the investments in areas where the profit margins are majorly attractive. This situation generates due to the resourcefulness allocation processes of the constituted

I Don; T Know Essay Example for Free

I Don; T Know Essay Why or why not? All personal and confidential information should be limited to the bare amount of health care professionals. Only to carry out medical treatment (MLAE). 2. In this case, how would you be able to correct your error and provide the missing documents to the patient while still protecting patient confidentiality under HIPAA? You should contact the patient inform them you still have the documents, and ask if they ould like to come to get them (MLAE). 3. Besides a HIPAA Patient Release of Information form, list 4 other items that are found in the medical record. A privacy notice, acknowledgment that the privacy notice was received, a trading partner agreement, and an agreement reached with a healthcare professional business associates (MLAE). 4. Legally, does the patient or the physician/healthcare facility own the medical record? Why? The healthcare facility, but the patient can access them any time as long as the physician feels it will cause no harm to the patient (MLAE). 5. List 3 ways patient confidentiality is maintained in the reception/waiting area of a medical office. Not discussing patient information in the lobby. Making sure computer screens are out of patients sight. Also making sure patients files are not left open (MLAE). 6. A breach of confidentiality can result in what consequences for a health care professional? This could result in possible termination, or possible civil action being taken (MLAE). 7. From the list of Interpersonal Ethics (found in Chapter 1 of the Fremgen text), please describe how any of those traits were demonstrated in your actions in this case scenario? Respect by looking to make sure you could access his information (MLAE). Unit 8 Project Questions: Part II 1. Would the action taken in this second scenario be within your scope of practice for your chosen field? Why or why not? No only physicians should be giving out prescriptions, and they should have never even looked in the file. They should have just taken a message for the doctor (MLAE). 2. What determines your scope of practice for your chosen career? What you study, and what the office you are working in tells you to do (MLAE). 3. Would Respondeat Superior apply in this case scenario? Why or why not? I would not think so, because this person was not acting within their scope of Employment (MLAE). 4. Would the Good Samaritan Law apply in this case scenario? Why or why not? No because this was not any emergency situation (MLAE). 5. What role does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) play in regards to prescription medication? The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and ver-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), and veterinary products (MLAE). 6. What role does the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) play in regards to prescription medication and a physician’s ability to prescribe narcotics? Physicians must have a DEA license to write prescriptions, and i t must be for the state they are practicing in (MLAE). References Bonnie F Fremgen, Ph. D. (2009). MEDICAL LAW AND ETHICS. New Jersey : Pearson Education Inc.

Defining And Analysing Heroism

Defining And Analysing Heroism Heroism consists of actions that must help others, even if it is a possibility and risk of the helper s injury or even death. Some people consider heroism to be very close to altruism, but it is different. Where altruism emphasizes self-denying acts that help others, heroism means a personal sacrifice. The kernel of heroism rotates around of the obligation of the person to a noble goal and readiness to accept a consequence of fighting for this goal. Heroism is old as humanity itself. The human bent fort commemorating heroes is a universal quality of human culture. Heroes are honored in ancient paintings, folklore and myth. Societies dispatched such stories in oral traditions and legends, and myths into epic poems and eddas. Modern societies uphold the tradition of honoring heroes not only in literally masterpieces but also in movies and journalism. Some of heroic ideas are becoming lost or changed by general culture. Being a hero is not just being an outstanding figure. We believe it has become needful to revise the historical senses of the word, and to force it to arrive in modern timeframes. Historically, heroism has been closely connected with military service, although social heroism also deserves close research. For instance, Achilles is the archetypal war hero, whose values were so strong, that Socrates willingness to die for it was also a heroic exploit. Heroism that consist a notable idea is usually not so dramatic like heroism that entails direct physical risk. These different ways of exhorting with the heroic ideal mean a deeper, more tangled definition of heroism. Actions considered as heroic are ordinarily made voluntarily in the sense that they are not compelled by external pressures or at least go out the bounds of the behavior ordinarily prompted by external pressures. By understanding of heroism as a universal characteristic of human nature, not as an unusual feature, heroism becomes something that stands in the line of possibilities for everyon e, possibly inspiring us to answer that call. The thought about the banality of heroism disrobes the myth of the heroic elect . It is a myth that strengthens two fundamental human tendencies: to attribute very rare personal feature to special people who do special feats to see them as superhuman, comparing to the rest of us and the trap of inertial some people call it as the bystander effect . Investigation has shown that this effect is often motivated by scattering of responsibility. In their article The Banality of Heroism , Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo tell that heroism is made up of four autonomous measurements at least (based on authors analysis of many acts that they consider heroic). First, heroism involves some type of quest, which may range from the preservation of life to the preservation of an ideal (Franco, Zimbardo). Second, heroism should have some form of sacrifice (risk). This can be some form of physical danger or a strong social sacrifice. The physical risks in this case are clearly heroic in nature. For instance, Tom Cahill, a researcher from the University of California, called a press conference where defined the EPA s findings that in the after-grass of the September 11 events the air nearby Ground Zero was safe for breathing. With this action he risked his confidence as a scientist. Third, the heroic feat may be active or passive. Often we think of heroism as a courageous activity, something that is clearly perceptible. But some forms of heroism involve passive opposition or reluctance to be moved. And finally, heroism may be an unexpected, one time action, or something that continues over a longer time period. This may have a meaning that heroism may be a nearly immediate reaction to a situation. Or it may be a well considered series of actions endure over days, months, or a lifetime. Franco and Zimbardo give such an example: in 1940, a Japanese consul official in Lithuania, Chiune Sugihara, signed more than 2,000 visas for Jews hoping to escape the Nazi invasion, despite his government s direct orders not to do so. Every morning when Sugihara got up and made the same decision to help, every time he signed a visa, he acted heroically and increased the likelihood of dire consequences for himself and his family. At the end of the war he was unceremoniously fired from the Japanese civil service (Franco and Zimbardo). The scientists stress that even people who have led less than remarkable lives can be heroic in a sing le moment. For instance, during Hurricane Katrina, a man whose name is Jabar Gibson, who was previously arrested in the past, took a bus, freighted it with citizens of his poor New Orleans environs, and delivered them to safety Houston. This feat people of Louisiana considered as heroism, because is that concrete situation Jabar helped desperate people simply to survive. The really interesting investigation which called The heroism of women and men was done by Selwyn W. Becker (University of Chicago) and Alice H. Eagly (Northwestern University). They research heroism of both sexes in dangerous settings. Their study allows examining the ideas that heroism is performed by women as well as men. It is well-known that mostly men were portrayed as heroes in legends, poems and eddas. It is understandable, because of their strength, greater size and physical skills. It is also well-known that since pristine times men considered to be hunters. But we should not forget that women in their tur n always considered to be clever, somewhat cunning and undoubtedly, very skilful. The women may find the right decision more often because of their well-known sixth sense, so it is quite probably that they may take a risk with the same responsibility as men. Moreover, the women more often trust their feelings and inner senses, their intuition and sometimes it helps in those situations when it needs to sacrifice. Then, who says that women are more afraid of sacrificing? There are a lot of examples in the world literature when they made such really brave decisions showing in such a way their true feelings. Becker and Eagly write: Women s risk taking is assumed to derive at least in part from their traditional family role as main nurturer (Becker and Eagly). The authors are sure that nonetheless, it is possible that women s psychological answers to stress prime their helpful acts. Besides, many of women s heroic actions are hidden. But we forgot about another important question: What m akes a hero? Franco and Zimbardo convinced that actually, the first answer of many people who are called heroes is to disown their originality. They say: I just did what I had to do or I am not a hero! Anyone in the same position would have done what I did (Franco and Zimbardo). Sudden life and death situations are distinct examples of situations that excite people into heroic act. The investigators were convinced that these positions create a bright-line ethical inspection that drives some individuals to act in an attempt to stop the evil. Many people in common positions identify the ethical problems connected with the situation and are deeply upset, but decide to ignore it. Franco and Zimbardo believe that a significant factor that may cheer heroic act is the incentive of heroic kind of imagination. It is the capacity to imagine facing risky situations, to fight the hypothetical problems these situations cause, and to consider one s actions and the results. By this, the individual becomes more prepared to act if a moment that calls for heroism comes. Seeing oneself capable of heroism may be the first step towards a heroic consequence. There are several steps we can take to nurture the heroic type of imagination. We can start by remaining aware; critically evaluating each situation we meet so that we do not gloss over an emergency demanding our action. We must withstand the impulse to improve inaction and to develop exculpations that recast evil acts. Also we must try to exceed anticipating negative result connected with some forms of heroism, being socially ostracized as an example. We must trust that others will identify the value of our heroic feats. We should try to develop a capacity of things that do not fit, or do not make sense in a current situation. This means that we must ask questions to get the proper information for us to take action. Besides, it is important not to fear conflict, and to develop the personal courage necessary to stand firm for p rinciples we value. Actually, we should not think of hard conflicts but rather as attempts to force the other people to support their own ideology and principles. We should be engaged in the current position, to imagine alternative future scenarios. But outside of these fundamental points, our society needs to encourage heroic imagination in all of its citizens, especially in young ones. The ancient Greeks and Anglo Saxon tribes revered their poem heroes in Beowulf and Iliad . These stories are antiquated, but their descriptions of the hero still make sense. In these tales, the protagonist often meets a mystical figure who attempts to tempt the hero away from his track. We must also avoid the temptation of evil in our life, and we must recognize that perhaps the temptation will be quite ordinary: for example, an unethical friend, neighbor or coworker. By passing a series of smaller examinations of our stamina, we can refine a personal habit of heroism. Very often epic poems tell about the hero visiting the underworld. This metaphorical facing death depicts transcendence an acceptance of mortality. Arthur Margon in his work Urbanization in fiction. Changing models of heroism in popular American novels 1880-1920 writes that in a w ide line of popular literature works written between the end of Reconstruction and The First World War, prominent American novelists depicted the decline of usual heroism in an urbanized society. In an urban society, goodness and social responsibility could be guaranteed only through the institutions peculiarity of that society. Individualism did not lead to heroism in the materialistic cities. Urban writers dismissed the individualistic hero to either boundary of the junk heap. Some of the authors replaced him with an institutional structure which nurtured self-identification in the community. But American novelists increasingly reflected, through the demise of the hero, the understanding that in the urban age individualism was incompatible with public welfare (Margon) underlines Margon. Till this day, some types of heroism demand paying the final price. But we can also realize this as a hero s desire to face any of the results of heroic action whether the sacrifices are social of physical. The hero often follows a set of rules. It is obviously, that if we will stop imagining ourselves as real heroes, and to realize the real sense of heroism, our society will be more indignant. But if we can rejoin these ancient ideals, refresh them again; we can create a union with the hero in our souls. It is this urgent, internal connection between the modern world and the ancient world that can show to a simple person how to become an everyday hero. As about my opinion. It seems to me, that we often afraid to make such actions, because we live in a world where everyone cares about himself. But if each of us will make one good feat everyday, our life may change completely. Now to my mind comes a movie that is called Pay it forward where the teacher gave pupils the task to think h ow to change this world. The slogan was Think of an idea how to change this world and put it into action! . And one boy named Trevor found the way: each person should make three good actions and then those people whom he helped must do the same in their turn. Well, is not is a heroism I would like to ask? In such a special and very remarkable way this boy forced us to believe in goodness. Exactly such kind of actions may teach everyone to become a hero. We just have to learn how to be more patient, kinder, thankful, attentively, and more helpful but what is most important to help others not by words but by real actions. I think everyone must watch this film and think about his actions and thoughts. It would be great if we will find a possibility and place for good feats in our life. And it does not matter what it will be saving a cat from the transport movement or helping our friend with his tasks. All these details draw one colorful portrait of the modern hero! Work citied Becker W, Selwyn, Eagly H, Alice The Heroizm of Women and Men . Zero, Franco, Zimbardo, Philip The Banality of Heroism . Greater Good Megazine. 2006-2007. Margon, Artur Changing models of heroism in popular American novels 1880-1920 .

Womens Position in Society in Virginia Woolfs A Room of Ones Own Ess

Women's Position in Society in Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own The passage at the end of the Third Chapter in A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf deals with two major themes of this essay. The first being the ways in which women were kept down and made inferior to men, and the second being how this affected women’s writing. Woolf asserts that women were made inferior as a direct result of men’s perceived superiority. This assertment provides a new way of thinking about women’s lower position in society and the subsequent low opinion men held of women and their capabilties as writers. Woolf firmly believes that it is the prerogative of all writers to pay great heed to what is thought of them and to suffer when that opinion is negative. Because the opinion of women’s writing was negative, women could not write freely. Their minds, Woolf believes, were clouded with agendas. They had something to prove or a grudge to vindicate. This is not the ideal situation for writing, or the proper environment for gen ius. Therefore, through her revolutionary way of examining women’s position in society, Woolf proves that the â€Å"masculine complex† and low expectations of women impeded upon their writing process. One major theme this essay illuminates is that of what subordinated women and how that inferiority was maintained. Woolf states, â€Å"Even in the nineteenth century a woman was not encouraged to be an artist† (55). In fact she was discouraged and made to believe such a vocation was beyond her capabilities. Here Woolf turns the issue around showing that women did not consciously choose not to become writers, but were prodded not to write by men. Woolf speculates about the affects of this discouragement saying... ...ganized the traditional way of examining women’s position in society and it’s affect on their art. Her concept of the â€Å"masculine complex† approaches gender relations from a totally different angle. It is male superiority not female inferiority, which perpetuates this system. Men’s dominance is strong and their resistance to the women’s movement was so effective that even strong willed women were humbled. Women were further hindered by the prevailing male sentiment that they were incompetent writers. This naturally fired women’s incentive to prove their capabilities, because all artists are concerned about what others think of them. Yet, this very situation inhibits creativity and continued to prevent women from reaching their full potential. This new line of thinking explains and reexamines the forces that held women down and separated them from their genius.

Computers: Productive Tools In Our Lives :: essays research papers

Computers: Productive Tools In Our Lives Have you ever seen a computer in a store and said, "Whoa! What a chick!"? I am sure you would have, if you were familiar with the new 16xCD-ROM and extra wide SCSI-2 9.0 GB hard drive it features, or if you knew about the dual 225 MHz Pentium pro MMX chips blazing up its performance. To tell you all about computers, it takes a total computer nut like me. After working with computers almost all my life, I can tell you that a computer is an electrical device, without which a guy like me probably cannot survive. If you have no idea of what I am beeping about, read on. Experts, I report no error in reading further. Computers are very productive tools in our everyday lives. To maximize the utility of a computer, what you need to do is get going with the program. To do that, the minimum system requirements are a C.P.U. or the central processing unit, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, and if you want, a printer and a CD - ROM drive. The C.P.U. is that part of a computer that faithfully does what his master tells him to do, with the help of input devices like a keyboard or a mouse. After all this so called sophisticated, next generation equipment, you need some sort of software. Software is a set of instructions to the C.P.U. from a source such as a floppy disk, a hard drive or a CD - ROM drive, in zillions of 1's and 0's. Each of these tiny little instructions makes up a bit. Then they assemble to form a byte. Bytes make up a program, which you run to use the computer's various applications. Now that you know more about computers than Einstein did, let me tell you something more about them, so that you will beat the President in the field of computing. In your computer, you require a good amount of RAM, which is there to randomly accesses memory. That is required to speed up your computer, so that it gives you more error messages in less time. The faster the error messages it gives, the faster you call technical help at 1-800-NeedHelp. The service is open 24 hours a day, but to get through, you will have to wait, at least, until the next Halley's comet passes by. The only thing now required, for you to become the master of this part of the world, is to have a very BOLD determination to become a computer geek.

Benefits of Art Education

Steps to Art Early Childhood Arts Education Initiative Fact Sheet About the Benefits of Arts Education for Children Benefits of Arts Education Source: Americans for the Arts, 2002 * Stimulates and develops the imagination and critical thinking, and refines cognitive and creative skills. * Has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the â€Å"learning field† across socio-economic boundaries. * Strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success. Develops a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond. * Teaches children life skills such as developing an informed perception; articulating a vision; learning to solve problems and make decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks f rom start to finish. * Nurtures important values, including team-building skills; respecting alternative viewpoints; and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.Source:  Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections, 1998, Introduction * Plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development. * Motivates and engages children in learning, stimulates memory, facilitates understanding, enhances symbolic communication, promotes relationships, and provides an avenue for building competence. * Provides a natural source of learning. Child development specialists note that play is the business of young children; play is the way children promote and enhance their development.The arts are a most natural vehicle for play. The Need in Preschools Source: Americans for the Arts, 2002 * Preschool care and education, except for certain low-income programs, is considered a private service and receives little or no federal funding. * While the importance of early childhood arts education has received greater attention in recent years, the majority of funding and programming is directed to grades K–12, with preschools being largely underserved. * Arts education should not be considered a frill, but a necessity.Since preschools are not part of the public school system, funding sources vary greatly. When budgets are tight, arts programs, teachers, and supplies are often cut first. * More than four million children attend preschool programs nationwide. Source: Arts Education Partnership,  Children’s Learning & the Arts: Birth to Age Eight * Preschool-age children are primed for learning and greatly accepting of most art forms. * Compelling evidence exists that early arts experience has an impact on all aspects of a child’s learning and development and that, in many ways, â€Å"earlier is better. * Early childhood thus presents both a unique opportunity and a unique challenge; a part of that challenge is to engage and support all who care for and educate young children in making the arts an integrated and vital part of their earliest experiences. * We know that â€Å"art,† understood as spontaneous creative play, is what young children naturally do—singing, dancing, drawing, and role-playing. We also know that the arts engage all the senses and involve a variety of modalities including the kinesthetic, auditory, and visual.When caregivers engage and encourage children in arts activities on a regular basis from early in life, they are laying the foundation for—and even helping wire children's brains for—successful learning. Adults Agree on Importance of Arts Education Source: Americans for the Arts national public opinion survey, January 2001 * Ninety-one percent of respondents believe the arts are vital to a well-rounded education. * Ninety-five percent of respondents believe the arts teach intangibles such as creativity, self-expression, an d individualism. Seventy-six percent of respondents somewhat or strongly agree that arts education is important enough to get personally involved. However, just thirty-five percent of those who are closely involved in the life of a child have done so. * Sixty-seven percent say they do not know how to get involved. * Eighty-nine percent of respondents believe that arts education is important enough that schools should find the money to ensure inclusion in the curriculum. * Ninety-six percent agree the arts belong to everyone, not just the fortunate or privileged.The Social and Academic Impact of Arts Education Source: Eisner, E. W. ,  Ten Lessons the Arts Teach, (January 1998) * Art is defined as something aesthetic to the senses. A â€Å"work of art† is both an activity and a result; it is a noun and a verb. â€Å"One of the great aims of education is to make it possible for people to be engaged in the process of creating themselves. Artists and scientists are alike in thi s respect. † * Arts curricula is typically process-driven and relationship based, so its impact on academic performance is often underestimated and undervalued.The arts provide a logical counterbalance to the trend of standardized testing and should not be marginalized just because the curriculum is more difficult to measure. * The emphasis and time given to a particular school subject sends a message to students about how important that subject is in life. * Arts programs, especially those including trained professionals, can help draw students out of â€Å"formal† ways of approaching relationships, outcomes, and perceptions. The arts can play a crucial role in improving students’ abilities to learn, because they draw on a range of intelligences and learning styles, not just the linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences upon which most schools are based. (Eloquent Evidence: Arts at the Core of Learning,  President’s Committee on the Arts and Hum anities, talking about Howard Gardener’s  Theory of Multiple Intelligences, 1995) The Physical and Sensory Impact of Arts Education A student making music experiences the â€Å"simultaneous engagement of senses, muscles, and intellect.Brain scans taken during musical performances show that virtually the entire cerebral cortex is active while musicians are playing. † (Learning and the Arts: Crossing Boundaries, 2000, p. 14) â€Å"Dramatic play, rhyming games, and songs are some of the language-rich activities that build pre-reading skills. † (Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connection, 1998, p. 1) â€Å"Preschoolers who were given music keyboard lessons improved their spatial-temporal reasoning†¦used for understanding relationships between objects such as calculating a proportion or playing chess. † (Education Leadership, November, 1998, p. 8) â€Å"Creative activity is also a source of joy and wonder, while it bids its students to tou ch, taste, hear, and see the world. Children are powerfully affected by storytelling, music, dance, and the visual arts. They often construct their understanding of the world around musical games, imaginative dramas and drawing. † (Hamblen, Karen A. ,  Theories and Research That Support Art Instruction for Instrumental Outcomes, 1993) â€Å"Regular, frequent instruction in drama and sign language created higher scores in language development for Head Start students than for a control group. (Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections,  1998, p. 1) â€Å"Listening to music for just an hour a day changes brain organization†¦EEG results showed greater brain coherence and more time spent in the alpha state. † (Malyarenko, et al. , 1996) Art Experiences that Promote Preschool Learning Source:  Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections, 1998, pp. 11–12 * Dance helps build motor control, body relationships, and a sense of directi on. Drawing, sculpting, and other visual arts develop spatial acuity. * Group activities, such as learning dance steps or singing songs, build social skills. * As children describe people and things in their world using pictures, body movements, and mime, they enhance their descriptive, nonverbal, cognitive capabilities. * Repeating stories, poems, and songs strengthens memory. * The art supplies children choose for their work reflects their approach to process and outcomes.

Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Five

I HAD MOCKED KEITH when we first came to Palm Springs, teasing him for freezing up around Moroi. But as I stood there now, face-to-face with the stuff of nightmares, I knew exactly how he felt. I had no right to judge anyone for losing all rational thought when confronted with their greatest fears. That being said, if Keith was here, I think he would've understood why Moroi weren't as big a deal to me anymore. Because when compared to Strigoi? Well, suddenly the little differences between humans and Moroi became negligible. Only one difference mattered, the difference between the living and the dead. It was the line that divided us, the line that Adrian and I firmly stood together on one side of – facing those who stood on the other. I had seen Strigoi before. Back then, I hadn't been immediately threatened by them. Plus, I'd had Rose and Dimitri on hand, ready to protect me. Now? There was no one here to save us. Just ourselves. There were only two of them, but it might as well have been two hundred. Strigoi operated at such a different level than the rest of us that it didn't take very many of them to tip the odds. They were both women, and they looked as though they'd been in their twenties when they became Strigoi. How long ago that was, I couldn't guess. Lee had zealously gone on and on about how being Strigoi meant you were â€Å"forever young.† Yet in looking at these two monsters, I didn't really think of them that way. Sure, they had the superficial appearance of youth, but it was marred with evil and decay. Their skin might be wrinkle free, but it was a sickly white, far whiter than any Moroi. The red-ringed eyes that leered out at us didn't sparkle with life and energy, but rather an unholy sort of reanimation. These people weren't right. They weren't natural. â€Å"Charming,† said one, her blond hair in a pixie cut. Her facial structure made me think she'd been a dhampir or human before being turned. She was eyeing us the same way I'd often seen my family's cat watch birds. â€Å"And exactly as described.† â€Å"They're soooo pretty,† crooned the other, a lascivious smile on her face. Her height said she had once been Moroi. â€Å"I don't know which one I want first.† The blonde gave a warning look. â€Å"We'll share.† â€Å"Like last time,† agreed the other, tossing a mane of curly black hair over one shoulder. â€Å"No,† said the first. â€Å"Last time you made both kills. That wasn't sharing.† â€Å"But I let you feed from both afterward.† Before she could counter back, Lee suddenly recovered himself and staggered forward to the blond Strigoi. â€Å"Wait, wait. Dawn. You promised me. You promised you'd awaken me first before you do anything.† The two Strigoi turned their attention to Lee. I was still frozen, still unable to move or really react while being so close to these creatures of hell. But somehow, through the thick and overwhelming terror surrounding me, I still managed to feel small and unexpected pity for Lee. There was a little hate there too, of course, considering the situation. But mostly I felt terribly sorry for someone who truly believed his life was meaningless unless he sacrificed his soul for hollow immortality. Not only that, I felt sorry for him for actually thinking he could trust these creatures to give him what he wanted. Because as I studied them, it was perfectly clear to me that they were deciding whether or not to make this a three-course meal. Lee, I suspected, was the only one who didn't realize this. â€Å"Please,† he said. â€Å"You promised. Save me. Restore me to how I was.† I also couldn't help but notice the small red patch on his face where I'd hit him. I allowed myself to feel a bit of pride over that but wasn't cocky enough to think I possessed any noteworthy fighting skills to battle my way out of this situation. The Strigoi were too close, and our exits were too few. â€Å"I know where more are,† he added, beginning to look uneasy that his â€Å"saviors† weren't immediately jumping in to make his dreams come true. â€Å"One's young – a dhampir.† â€Å"I haven't had a dhampir in a while,† said the curly-haired Strigoi, almost wistfully. Dawn sighed. â€Å"I don't really care, Jacqueline. If you want to awaken him, go for it. I just want these two. He doesn't matter to me.† â€Å"I get the dhampir all to myself, then,† warned Jacqueline. â€Å"Fine, fine,† said Dawn. â€Å"Just hurry up.† Lee turned so radiant, so happy†¦ it was sickening. â€Å"Thank you,† he said. â€Å"Thank you so much! I've been waiting so long for this that I can't believe it's – ahh!† Jacqueline moved so quickly that I hardly saw it happen at all. One moment she was standing in the doorway, the next she had Lee pinned against the recliner. Lee gave out a semi-muffled scream as she bit into his neck, a scream that soon quieted. Dawn shut the door and nudged us forward. I flinched at her touch. â€Å"Well,† she said with amusement. â€Å"Let's get a good view.† Neither Adrian nor I responded. We simply moved into the living room. I dared a glance at him but could discern little. He was so good at hiding his true feelings in general that I supposed I shouldn't be surprised he could mask abject terror just as easily. He offered me no encouragement with either his expression or words, which I actually found kind of refreshing. Because really, I didn't see any good end to this situation. Up close, forced to watch Jacqueline's attack, I could now see the blissful expression that had settled over Lee's face. It was the most awful thing I'd ever witnessed. I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut or turn away, but some force beyond me kept me staring at the grisly spectacle. I'd never seen any vampire feed, Moroi or Strigoi, but I now understood why feeders like Dorothy could so willingly sign up for their lifestyles. Endorphins were being released into Lee's bloodstream, endorphins so strong that they blinded him to the fact that he was having his life drained away. He instead existed in a joyous state, lost in a chemical high. Or maybe he was just thinking about how happy he'd be once he was a Strigoi again, if it was possible to have any sort of conscious thought under these circumstances. I lost track of how long it took to drain Lee. Each moment was agonizing for me, as though I was taking the pain Lee should have been feeling. The process seemed to last forever, and yet there was also a weird sense of speed to it. It felt wrong that someone's body could be drained in so short a time. Jacqueline drank steadily, pausing only once to remark, â€Å"His blood's not as good as I expected.† â€Å"Then stop,† suggested Dawn, who was starting to look bored. â€Å"Just let him die and have these two with me.† Jacqueline looked as though she was actually considering it, again reminding me what a fool Lee had been to put his trust in these two. After a few minutes, she shrugged. â€Å"I'm almost done. And I really want him to get me that dhampir.† Jacqueline resumed drinking, but as she'd said, it didn't take much longer. By this point, Lee was nearly as pale as the Strigoi, and there was a strange, stretched quality to his skin. He was perfectly still now. His face seemed frozen in a grin that was nearly as much shock as it was joy. Jacqueline lifted her face and wiped off her mouth, surveying her victim with pleasure. She then pushed up her shirtsleeve and rested her nails on his wrist. Before she could tear her own flesh, however, she caught sight of something. â€Å"Ah, much neater.† She stepped away and leaned down, retrieving Lee's knife. It had slid under the love seat in our altercation. Jacqueline took it and effortlessly slashed her wrist, causing deep red blood to well out. Part of my brain didn't think their blood should look so similar to mine. It should be black. Or acidic. She placed her bleeding wrist against Lee's mouth and tipped Lee's head back so that gravity could help the blood flow. Every horror I'd witnessed tonight had been worse than the last. Death was terrible – but it was also part of nature. This? This was no part of nature's plan. I was about to witness the world's greatest sin, the corruption of the soul through black magic to reanimate the dead. It made me feel dirty all over, and I wished I could run away. I didn't want to see this. I didn't want to see the guy I'd once regarded as something like a friend suddenly rise up as some perversion of nature. A touch to my hand made me jump. It was Adrian. His eyes were on Lee and Jacqueline, but his hand had caught hold of mine and squeezed it, even though he was still cuffed. I was surprised at the warmth of his skin. Even though I knew Moroi were as living and warm-blooded as me, my irrational fears always expected them to be cold. Equally surprising was the sudden comfort and connection in that touch. It wasn't the kind of touch that said, Hey, I've got a plan, so hang in there because we're going to get out of this. It was more like the kind of touch that simply said, You aren't alone. It was really the only thing he could offer. And in that moment, it was enough. Then, something strange happened. Or rather, didn't happen. Jacqueline's blood was pouring steadily into Lee's mouth, and while we didn't have many documented cases of Strigoi conversions, I knew the basics. The victim's blood was drained, and then the killing Strigoi fed his or her blood back into the deceased. I didn't know exactly how long it took to work – it certainly didn't require all of the Strigoi's blood – but at some point, Lee should be stirring and getting up as one of the walking dead. Jacqueline's cool, smug expression began to change to curiosity and then became outright confusion. She glanced questioningly at Dawn. â€Å"What's taking so long?† Dawn asked. â€Å"I don't know,† Jacqueline said, turning back to Lee. With her free hand, she nudged Lee's shoulder as though that might serve as a wake-up call. Nothing happened. â€Å"Haven't you done this before?† asked Dawn. â€Å"Of course,† snapped Jacqueline. â€Å"It didn't take nearly this long. He should be up and moving around. Something's wrong.† I remembered Lee's words, describing how all his desperate attempts at taking innocent lives hadn't converted him back. I only knew a little about spirit – and even less about it restoring Strigoi – but something told me there was no force on earth that would ever turn Lee Strigoi again. Another long minute passed as we watched and waited. At last, disgusted, Jacqueline backed away from the recliner and rolled up her sleeve. She glared at Lee's motionless body. â€Å"Something's wrong,† she repeated. â€Å"And I don't want to waste any more blood figuring out what it is. Besides, my cut's already healing.† I wanted nothing more than for Dawn and Jacqueline to forget I existed, but the next words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. The scientist in me was too caught up in a revelation. â€Å"He was restored – and it affected him permanently. The spirit magic left some kind of mark, and now he can't be turned again.† Both Strigoi looked at me. I cringed under those red eyes. â€Å"I never believed any of those spirit stories,† said Dawn. Jacqueline, however, was still clearly puzzled by her failure. â€Å"There was something wrong with him, though. I can't explain it†¦ but the whole time, he didn't feel right. Didn't taste right.† â€Å"Forget him,† said Dawn. â€Å"He had his chance. He got what he wanted, and now I'm moving on.† I saw my death in her eyes and tried to reach for my cross. â€Å"God protect me,† I said, just as she lunged forward. Against all odds, Adrian was there to stop her – or, well, try to stop her. Mostly, he just got in her way. He didn't have the speed or reaction time to effectively block her and was especially clumsy with his cuffed hands. I think he'd just seen what I had, that she was going to attack, and had preemptively moved in front of me in some noble but ill-fated attempt at protection. And ill-fated it was. With one smooth motion, she shoved him aside in a way that looked effortless but knocked him halfway across the room. My breath caught. He hit the floor, and I started to scream. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain against my throat. Without a pause, Dawn had promptly grabbed me and nearly lifted me off my feet to get access to my neck. I mustered another frantic prayer as that pain spread, but within seconds, both prayer and pain disappeared from my brain. They were replaced by a sweet, sweet feeling of contentment and bliss and wonder. I had no thoughts, except that I was suddenly existing in the happiest, most exquisite state imaginable. I wanted more. More, more, more. I wanted to drown in it, to forget myself, to forget everything around me – â€Å"Ugh,† I cried out as I suddenly and unexpectedly hit the floor. Still in that blissful haze, I felt no pain – yet. Just as quickly as she'd grabbed me, Dawn had dropped and pushed me away. Instinctively, I reached out an arm to break my fall but failed. I was too weak and disoriented and sprawled ungracefully on the carpet. Dawn's fingers were touching her lips, a look of outrage twisting her already-horrific features. â€Å"What,† she demanded, â€Å"was that?† My brain wasn't working properly yet. I'd only had a brief taste of endorphin, but it was still enough to leave me addled. I had no answer for her. â€Å"What's wrong?† exclaimed Jacqueline, striding forward. She looked from me to Dawn in confusion. Dawn scowled and then spit onto the floor. It was red from my blood. Disgusting. â€Å"Her blood†¦ it was terrible. Inedible. Foul.† She spit again. Jacqueline's eyes widened. â€Å"Just like the other one. See? I told you.† â€Å"No.† Dawn shook her head. â€Å"There's no way it could be the same. You would never have been able to drink that much of her.† She spit again. â€Å"It didn't just taste weird or bad†¦ it was like it's tainted.† Seeing Jacqueline's skeptical look, Dawn punched her on the arm. â€Å"Don't believe me? Try her yourself.† Jacqueline took a step toward me, hesitant. Then Dawn spit again, and I think that somehow convinced the other Strigoi that she wanted no part of me. â€Å"I don't want another mediocre meal. Damn it. This is becoming absurd.† Jacqueline glanced at Adrian, who was standing perfectly still. â€Å"At least we've still got him.† â€Å"If he's not ruined too,† Dawn muttered. My senses were coming back to me, and for half a second, I wondered if there was some insane way we might survive this. Maybe the Strigoi would write us off as bad meals. But no. Even as I allowed myself to hope that, I also knew that even if they didn't feed off of us, we weren't going to leave here alive. They had no reason to simply walk off. They'd kill us for sport before they left. With that same remarkable speed, Jacqueline sprang toward Adrian. â€Å"Time to find out.† I screamed as Jacqueline pinned Adrian against the wall and bit his neck. She only did so for a few seconds, just to get a taste. Jacqueline lifted her head up, pausing and savoring the blood. A slow smile spread over her face, showing her bloody fangs. â€Å"This one's good. Very good. Makes up for the other.† She trailed her fingers down his cheek. â€Å"Such a shame, though. He's so cute.† Dawn stalked toward them. â€Å"Let me try before you take it all!† Jacqueline ignored her and was leaning back toward Adrian, who had gone all glassy-eyed. Meanwhile, I was free enough of the endorphins that I was thinking clearly again. No one was paying attention to me. I tried to stand and felt the world sway. Staying low, I managed to crawl toward my purse, lying forgotten near the living room's edge. Jacqueline had drunk from Adrian again, but only briefly before Dawn pulled her away and demanded a turn so that she could wash the taste of my blood out of her mouth. Startling myself with how fast I moved, I rustled through my cavernous purse, looking desperately for anything that might help. Some cold, logical part of me said there was no way we could get out of this, but there was also no way I could just sit there and watch them drain Adrian. I had to fight. I had to try to save him, just as he'd tried for me. It didn't matter if the effort failed or if I died. Somehow, I had to try. Some Alchemists carried guns, but not me. My purse was huge, full of more stuff than I really needed, but nothing in the contents resembled a weapon. Even if it did, most weapons were futile against Strigoi. A gun would slow them down but not kill them. Only silver stakes, decapitation, and fire could kill a Strigoi. Fire†¦ My hand closed around the amulet I'd made for Ms. Terwilliger. I'd shoved it in my purse when she gave it to me, unsure what I should do with it. I could only assume blood loss and scattered thoughts made me draw it out now and consider the possibility of using it. Even the idea was ridiculous. You couldn't use something that didn't work! It was a trinket, a worthless bag of rocks and leaves. There was no magic here, and I was a fool to even think along those lines. And yet, it was a bag of rocks. Not a heavy one, but surely enough to get someone's attention if it hit her in the head. It was the best I had. The only thing I had to slow Adrian's death. Drawing back my arm, I aimed at Dawn and threw, reciting the foolish incantation like a battle cry: â€Å"Into flame, into flame!† It was a good shot. Miss Carson would have been proud. But I had no chance to admire my athletic skills because I was too distracted by the fact that Dawn had caught on fire. My jaw dropped as I stared at the impossible. It wasn't a huge fire. It wasn't like her entire body was engulfed in flames. But where the amulet had struck her, a small blaze ignited, spreading rapidly through her hair. She screamed and began frantically patting her head. Strigoi feared fire, and for a moment, Jacqueline recoiled. Then, with grim determination, she released Adrian and grabbed a throw blanket. She wrapped it around Dawn's head, smothering the flames. â€Å"What the hell?† Dawn demanded when she emerged. She immediately began charging toward me in her anger. I knew then the only thing I'd accomplished was to speed up my own death. Dawn grabbed ahold of me and slammed my head against the wall. My world reeled, and I felt nauseous. She reached for me again but froze when the door suddenly burst open. Eddie appeared in the doorway, a silver stake in his hand. What was truly amazing about what followed was the speed. There was no pausing, no long moments to assess the situation, and no snarky banter between combatants. Eddie simply charged in and went for Jacqueline. Jacqueline responded with equal quickness, rushing forward to meet her one worthy foe here. After she'd released him, Adrian had slumped to the floor, still in the throes of the Strigoi endorphins. Keeping low to the ground, I scurried over to his side and helped drag him back to the â€Å"safety† of the far side of the living room while Eddie clashed with the Strigoi. I spared them only a moment's glance, just enough to take in the deadly dancelike nature of their maneuvering. Both Strigoi were trying to get a grip on Eddie, probably in the hopes of breaking his neck, but were careful to stay away from the bite of his silver stake. I looked down at Adrian, who was dangerously pale and whose pupils had reduced to the size of pinpoints. I had only a sketchy impression of how much Jacqueline had drunk from him and didn't know if Adrian's state was more from blood loss or endorphins. â€Å"I'm fine, Sage,† he muttered, blinking as though the light hurt. â€Å"Quite the high, though. Makes the stuff I've used seem pretty soft-core.† He blinked, as though fighting to wake up. His pupils dilated to a more normal size and then seemed to focus on me. â€Å"Good God. Are you okay?† â€Å"I will be,† I said, starting to stand. Yet even as I spoke, a wave of dizziness hit me, and I swayed. Adrian did his best to support me, though it was pretty awkward with his bound hands. We leaned against each other, and I almost laughed at how ridiculous the situation was, both of us trying to help the other when neither of us was in any condition to do it. Then something caught my eye that chased all other thoughts away. â€Å"Jill,† I whispered. Adrian immediately followed my gaze to where Jill had just appeared in the living room's entry. I wasn't surprised to see her. The only way Eddie could be here was if Jill had told him what was happening to Adrian through the spirit bond. Standing there, with her eyes flashing, she looked like some fierce, battle-ready goddess as she watched Eddie spar with the Strigoi. It was both inspiring and frightening. Adrian shared my thoughts. â€Å"No, no, Jailbait,† he murmured. â€Å"Do not do anything stupid. Castile needs to handle this.† â€Å"She knows how to fight,† I said. Adrian frowned. â€Å"But she doesn't have a weapon. Without one, she's just a featherweight in this.† He was right, of course. And while I certainly didn't want Jill endangering her life, I couldn't help but think if she were properly equipped, she might be able to do something. At the very least, a distraction might be a benefit. Eddie was holding his ground all right against the two Strigoi, but he wasn't making any progress against them either. He could use help. And we needed to make sure Jill didn't rush into this with only her wits to defend her. Inspiration hit me, and I managed to stay on my feet. The world was spinning even more than before, but – despite Adrian's protests – I managed to stagger to the kitchen. I just barely was able to get to the sink and flip the faucet on before my legs gave out underneath me. I caught hold of the counter's edge, using it to keep me upright. â€Å"Jill!† I yelled. She turned toward my shout, saw the running water, and instantly knew what to do. She lifted her hand. The stream coming from the faucet suddenly shifted, shooting out of the sink and across the living room. It went to Jill, who collected a large amount of it between her hands and magically forced the water into a long cylindrical shape. It held itself in the air like that, a rippling but seemingly solid club of water. Gripping it, she hurried toward the fight and swung her weapon of water into Jacqueline's back. Drops flew off of the â€Å"club,† but it held on to its rigidity enough for her to get a second hit in before completely exploding into a spray of water. Jacqueline spun around, her hand swinging out to strike Jill. Jill had expected as much and dropped to the floor, dodging in exactly the way I'd seen Eddie teach her. She scurried backward, out of Jacqueline's way, and the Strigoi pursued – giving Eddie an exposed shot on her back. Eddie took the opportunity, evading Dawn, and plunged his stake into Jacqueline's back. I'd never given it much thought before, but if shoved hard enough, a stake could pierce someone's heart just as easily from the back as the chest. Jacqueline went rigid, and Eddie jerked his stake out, just managing to avoid the full force of a strike from Dawn. She still caught him a little, and he stumbled briefly before quickly regaining his footing and setting his sights on her. Jill was forgotten and hurried over to us in the kitchen. â€Å"Are you okay?† she exclaimed, peering at both of us. That fierce look was gone. She was now just an ordinary girl concerned for her friends. â€Å"Oh my God. I was so worried about you both. The emotions were so strong. I couldn't get a fix on what was happening, just that something was horribly wrong.† I dragged my gaze to Eddie, who was dancing around with Dawn. â€Å"We have to help him – â€Å" I took two steps away from the counter and started to fall. Both Jill and Adrian reached out to catch me. â€Å"Jesus, Sage,† he exclaimed. â€Å"You're in bad shape.† â€Å"Not as bad as you,† I protested, still worried about helping Eddie. â€Å"They drank more from you – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, but I don't have a bleeding arm wound,† he pointed out. â€Å"Or a possible concussion.† It was true. In all the excitement, I was so full of adrenaline that I'd all but forgotten about where Lee had stabbed me. No wonder I was so dizzy. Or maybe that was from getting my head smacked into the wall. It was anyone's guess at this point. â€Å"Here,† said Adrian gently. He reached for my arms with his cuffed hands. â€Å"I can take care of this.† A slow, tingling warmth spread through my skin. At first, Adrian's touch was comforting, like an embrace. I felt my tension and pain begin to ease. All was right in the world. He was in control. He was taking care of me. He was using his magic on me. â€Å"No!† I shrieked, pulling away from him with a strength I didn't know I had. The horror and full realization of what was happening to me was too powerful. â€Å"Don't touch me! Don't touch me with your magic!† â€Å"Sage, you'll feel better, believe me,† he said, reaching toward me again. I backed away, clinging to the edge of the counter for support. The fleeting memory of that warmth and comfort was being dwarfed by the terror I'd carried my entire life for vampire magic. â€Å"No, no, no. No magic! Not on me! The tattoo will heal me! I'm strong!† â€Å"Sage – â€Å" â€Å"Stop, Adrian,† said Jill. She approached me tentatively. â€Å"It's okay, Sydney. He won't heal you. I promise.† â€Å"No magic,† I whispered. â€Å"For God's sake,† growled Adrian. â€Å"This is superstitious bullshit.† â€Å"No magic,† Jill said firmly. She took off the button-up shirt she'd been wearing over a T-shirt. â€Å"Come here, and I'll use this to wrap it so that you don't lose any more bl – â€Å" An earsplitting shriek jerked us all back toward the living room. Eddie had made his kill, driving his stake right into the middle of Dawn's chest. In my brief scuffle with Adrian and Jill, Dawn must have gotten some shots in on Eddie because there was a large red mark on one side of his face, and his lip was bleeding. The expression in his eyes was hard and triumphant, however, as he pulled the stake out and watched Dawn fall. Through all the confusion and horror, basic Alchemist instincts took over. The danger was gone. There were procedures that needed to be followed. â€Å"The bodies,† I said. â€Å"We have to destroy them. There's a vial in my purse.† â€Å"Whoa, whoa,† said Adrian as both he and Jill restrained me. â€Å"Stay where you're at. Castile can get it. The only place you're going is to a doctor.† I didn't move but immediately argued with that last statement. â€Å"No! No doctors. At least, you have to – you have to get an Alchemist one. My purse has the numbers – â€Å" â€Å"Go get her purse,† Adrian told Jill, â€Å"before she has a fit here. I'll bind the arm.† I gave him a warning look. â€Å"Without magic. Which, by the way, could make this ten times easier.† â€Å"I'll heal on my own,† I said, watching as Jill retrieved my purse. â€Å"You realize,† added Adrian, â€Å"you're going to have to get over your dieting fixation and consume some major calories to fight the blood loss. Sugar and fluids, just like Clarence. Good thing someone bagged up all this candy on the counter.† Eddie walked over to Jill, and she paused as he asked if she was okay. She assured him she was, and although Eddie looked like he could kill about fifty more Strigoi, there was also a look in his eyes†¦ something I couldn't believe I'd never noticed before. Something I was going to have to think about. â€Å"Damn it,† said Adrian, fumbling with bandages. â€Å"Eddie, go search Lee's body and see if there's a key for these goddamned handcuffs.† Jill had been caught up in talking to Eddie but froze at the words â€Å"Lee's body.† Her face went so pale, she could have been one of the dead. In all the confusion, she hadn't noticed Lee's body in the chair. There'd been too much movement with the Strigoi, too much distraction by the threat they presented. She took a few steps toward the living room, and that's when she saw him. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out right away. Then she sped forward and grabbed his hands, shrieking. â€Å"No,† she cried. â€Å"No, no, no.† She shook him, as though that would wake him. In a flash, Eddie was by her side, his arms around her as he murmured nonsensical things to soothe her. She didn't hear him. Her whole world was Lee. I felt tears spring to my eyes and hated that they were there. Lee had tried to kill me and then had summoned others to kill me. He'd left a trail of innocents in his wake. I should be glad he was gone, but still, I felt sad. He had loved Jill, in his insane way, and from the pain on her face, it was clear she'd loved him too. The spirit bond hadn't shown her his death or role in our capture. Right now, she simply thought he was a victim of Strigoi. Soon enough, she'd learn the truth about his motives. I didn't know if that would ease her pain or not. I was guessing not. Weirdly, an image of Adrian's Love painting came back to me. I thought of the jagged red streak, slashing through the blackness, ripping it apart. Staring at Jill and her inconsolable pain, I suddenly understood his art a little bit better.