Case Study Parrot Head Essay

How can we consider Jimmy Buffet as members of a reference group? A brand community. The definition of a reference group is the people of whose attitudes, behavior, beliefs, opinions, preferences, and values are used by an individual as the basis for his or her judgment. One does not have to be (or even aspire to be) a member of a reference group to be negatively or positively influenced by its characteristics. Jimmy Buffet fans are a part of reference group because they each relate to each other with similar beliefs and behaviors and all have a common bond in following the music of Jimmy Buffet and follow the themes of the fan base similar to dead heads (Grateful Dead). It seem that this reference group aka parrot heads are also part of a nerd group by themselves. Parrot heads is also a humanitarian group and has over 200 different clubs and volunteer groups and charitable events for communities for a charity. This reference group notonly attends Jimmy Buffet concerts but they also are part of huge tailgating party that likes to dress up in tropical outfits and like to drink and pass around blow up dolls filled with alcohol and have fun and escape from their daily nerdy lives. Jimmy Buffet music was big in the late 70’s but his following has become even much bigger today and multi-generational and is not uncommon to see a parent attending this events with one of his adult siblings partaking in the festivities. A brand community is a community or a company to express shared interest in a particular product or â€Å"brand†. In the case of Jimmy Buffet the brand name is Margaritaville from his hit song back in 1977. This brand has gone far beyond selling T shirts and posters but has become a major multi- million dollar business and his branding ranges from a wide range from clothing to casinos and everything in between. I personally am not a parrot head or have been to a one of his concerts but enjoy his music and would probably enjoy going to a concert if the opportunity presented itself. I have a neighbor who is a huge â€Å"Parrot Head† and she has all kinds of Margaritaville brand products from bags games, to Adirondack  chairs to a huge fake palm tree in her backyard and travels to Las Vegas to go to the casino. It is reported Jimmy Buffet has a net worth of over $400 million dollars with his branding and although was a decent musician he has become a marketing giant with his branding. What kind of opportunities does the existence of the Buffett community present to marketers? Develop a list of specific marketing and promotional tactics. The opportunities are endless for the Margar itaville community as long as they are not violating the trademark or bootlegging the products. If you are an entrepreneurial type of person you could work with Margaritaville and develop products that are marketed towards this reference group or could be part of several type of businesses that use this branding or other similar products. Here is a list of promotional tactics one could use to market to this reference group. The Margaritaville line implies quality, value and good times and has a colorful tropical theme and can be put on all different kinds of merchandise that could be sold through several distribution channels. Margaritaville clothing line Restaurant Franchise Hotels Casinos Grocery stores Music stores retailing Jimmy Buffet music Liquor stores Books Clothing lines Parrot Head Hats Sunglasses Club for community charity The Margaritaville brand continues to expand and as new booming markets are created you can see the branding take advantage of those markets that are growing. References Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being (10th ed.). (2013). Saddle River, NJ: Michael R. Soloman. Reference Group Definition – Sociology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sociology.about.com/od/R_Index/g/Reference-Group.htm What Is a Brand Community? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-brand-community.htm Margaritaville: A Brand Anything But Wasting Away | Beneath the Brand. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.talentzoo.com/beneath-the-brand/blog_news.php?articleID=15368 Parrot Heads in Paradise Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.phip.com/

One Proposed Maxim as a Universal Law Essay

1. State your proposed act as a maxim: â€Å"I will take ZAR 620 000 000.00 (A) when I’ve done a year’s work (C) in order to get really, really rich (E).† 2. Restate this maxim as a universal law; â€Å"All people (7 billion of them) will take ZAR 620 000 000.00 when they’ve done a year’s work in order to get really, really rich.† 3.Ask whether your maxim is conceivable in a world ruled by the universal law; In a real world if individuals earned 620million for a years worth of work there are bound to be huge increases of income and spending going around the markets. A downfall of the economy will occur due to business halt in the competing of prices. People will be greedy and will want everything that money could possibly buy which will result in shortages of products and services. Market demand and supply will cease to exist. In conclusion, this maxim is not conceivable in the real world ruled by universal law. 4. Ask whether you would rationally act on your maxim in such a world. IF I had to earn 620million one years worth of work, I would honestly be over indulging and over spending money on unnecessary material items and food. Eventually I would be following an unhealthy lifestyle resulting in many health related problems like stress, obesity and so forth. Of course I would be really rich! But what would my purpose be thereafter? I therefore would never act rationally in such a world. Step 2: Form an opinion On the basis of your analysis, answer the following questions: †¢What would Kant probably have said about Whitey Bassons (or you) earning ZAR 620,000,000.00? (You might want to do a bit of research into the nature of Whitey Basson’s 2010 earnings). According to Kants theory this would be categorized as morally binding. A talented guy like bassoon is terribly rare. I think that this earnings would be seen as an imperfect duty, because this depends on the preference of humankind. Whitey Basson cultivated his own talent by investing his good education and remarkable people skills into building the business and making it the most successful one today. Kant would therefore accept the earnings for whitey has not stolen from anyone or broken any rules. He reaped the rewards of his benefits. †¢What do you think about Whitey Basson (or you) earning ZAR 620,000,000.00? However, It is unfair to look at them as one year’s income, as those were earned over 40 years. So he deserved to be paid a huge amount for his enormous talent and knowledge in  growing the business into a successful one. They make 50m-60m sales a month in seven jurisdictions. It is fair to be rewarded for such hard work and dedication but not in such large percentage increases especially when the state of the economy is not as rapid as the percentage increase in income. †¢Why do you think this? These figures make no sense of the argument that companies need to pay such vast amounts in order to retain top skills, because more than 20 of the top 100 highest paid executives in 2010 are no longer in their positions today. According to a source â€Å"Figures proved that South Africa was a rich country, but the distribution of that wealth left just 20 people owning R112.2 billion, while 48 percent of South Africans were living below the poverty level of R322 a month. Sixteen percent of employed workers earned less than R500, 33.4 percent earned less than R1 000 and 60 percent earned less than R2 500 a month†

Attributes of a Organized Crime Group Essay

While many Americans are familiar with groups such as Al-Qaida, they are less knowledgeable about a group spreading terror within the United States inner cites. This group is the Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13. This essay will focus on the history, structure, operation, activities and participants of the group known as MS-13. The focus will also include the group’s involvement in the drug trade and law enforcement efforts to thwart the group’s activities. As the group gains strength in numbers and with knowledge, it becomes increasingly more dangerous for anyone to encounter them. During the early 1980’s, a civil war took place in El Salvador. The war lasted over 12 years and resulted in approximately 100,000 casualties (Valdez, 2000). The war caused fear among the citizens in El Salvador and as a result, over one million people fled to the United States. El Salvador refuges began to settle in Southern California and Washington D.C., with the largest initial group settling in Los Angeles. When the first group of El Salvadorians refuges settled in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, they were met with opposition. The Mexican residents did not welcome them and they became targets of local gang violence (known Gangs, n.d.). As a result, a group of refugees created a new gang to protect themselves. This gang became known as Mara Salvatrucha. The name is believed to have been derived from combining the word â€Å"Mara,† which is the Spanish word for â€Å"army ant,† with the word â€Å"Salvatrucha,† which is slang for Salvadorian (Wikipedia, n.d.) When Mara Salvatrucha initially formed, their goal was to protect themselves from other Los Angeles gangs. Many initial members of Mara Salvatrucha had connections with a violent street gang from El Salvador, called La Mara. Several others previously belonged to paramilitary groups. One such group, Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMNL), was comprised of Salvadorians trained in guerilla warfare. Many in this group were knowledgeable in the use of explosives, booby traps and other firearms (Valdez, 2000). Soon after organizing, Mara Salvatrucha gained a reputation for being greatly organized and became known for extreme violence and criminal activity (Valdez, 2000). Today, this gang is known as one of the most violent gangs in existence. This group adopted the letter â€Å"M† as their symbol or gang sign. Members display this symbol by pointing three fingers downward. Mara Salvatrucha also identifies with the number 13, which is their way of paying homage to the prison gang, the Mexican Mafia (Know Gangs, n.d.). In addition, Mara Salvatrucha members also use the term â€Å"sureno† as a form of identification. The term â€Å"sureno† means â€Å"southerner† and is often abbreviated as â€Å"SUR† (Valdez, 2000). Mara Salvatrucha members are usually heavily tattooed with these symbols. Since there are other gangs using some of these symbols, Mara Salvatrucha members may be hard to identify. This gang will use ‘M† or â€Å"MS† in addition to the number 13 or â€Å"Sureno† (Valdez, 2000). Today, Mara Salvatrucha has many associate gangs, or cliques. At times, other tattoos may include the name of an associate gang or clique (Valdez, 2000). Upon initial organization of the gang, many members were arrested and deported. Initially, the deportees were sent to the Guezaltepeque Prison in El  Salvador. While in prison, deportees recruited members, which extended Mara Salvatrucha into prison gangs. As a result, this gang began to grow in the streets of El Salvador as well as the United States (Know Gangs, n.d.). When Mara Salvatrucha was first organized the members were of El Salvadorian descent. Today, the group participates in many criminal activities which include other gangs. Therefore, Mara Salvatrucha has now allowed other racial groups to join their organization. Today, Mara Salvatrucha includes members from Guatemal4 Honduras and Mexico. Mara Salvatrucha also has a small number of Black members (Valdez, 2000). Mara Salvatrucha is becoming a big problem for law enforcement. They are involved in many criminal activities and a number of high level criminal enterprises (Valdez, 2000). Some of their criminal activities include car theft, carjacking, sexual assaults, robbery, home invasion, weapons smuggling, car jacking, murder, illegal firearm sales and drug trafficking. Mara Salvatrucha commonly traffic cocaine, marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine. Additionally, Mara Salvatrucha members initiated a tax payment for all non-member drug dealers and prostitutes who â€Å"work† on their turf. These non-members must pay the tax or face consequences of guaranteed violence (Valdez, 2000). Structure â€Å"Mara Salvatrucha is a loosely structured street gang. There is no single leader of governing authority directing the daily activity of all Mara Salvatrucha cliques† (U.S. Department of Justice, 2002). The Los Angeles-based clique is the most prominent clique of this gang throughout  the country. The cliques’ throughout the country usually follow the Los Angeles clique. For example, when the Los Angeles-based clique designates another street gang as an enemy (The 18ft street Gang) or forms an alliance with another street gang (The Mexican Mafia) the other cliques throughout the country often follow suit. â€Å"The members of Mara Salvatrucha in Los Angeles, New York city and Washington D.C./Northern Virginia maintain strong ties with one another. This is often done through family relationships and friendships, and increasingly are meeting to coordinate and conduct criminal activity† (U.S. Department of Justice, 2002). â€Å"Mara Salvatrucha cliques in Los Angeles often have established internal organizations with designated leaders. Several Los Angeles cliques have adopted a military-type organizational structure, appointing captains, lieutenants, and soldiers† (U.S. Department of Justice, 2002). The cliques that are based outside of Los Angeles tend to not appoint official leaders. There are few assigned roles for the members of these cliques. The senior members of such cliques lead meetings and plan the criminal activities of the cliques. The senior members are usually entrusted with the treasury aspects of the cliques as well. â€Å"Despite all its acts of violence, what may be most alarming about the MS-13 gang is its increasing organization and structure that many leading experts are comparing to criminal factions of the 1950s such as the Mafia and Hell’s Angels,’ (Logan and Morse, 2007). In 2004 the National Drug Intelligence Center stated that the gang â€Å"may be increasing its coordination with MS-13 chapters in Los Angeles, Washington D.C./Northern Virginia and New York City, possibly signaling an attempt to build a national command structure† (Logan and Morse, 2002). Law enforcement has questioned the organized, national leadership structure of the MS-13. There is thought by law enforcement that MS-13 members of various cliques might â€Å"simply engage in networking.† Operation In order to join or to be introduced into the gang, one must under go a ceremony of being â€Å"jumped in.† In Washington D.C. a young boy of the tender age of 1l sought after membership because some kids from a local school kept beating him up, in order for those beatings to come to a stop he would have to undergo one more beating and that would be from his â€Å"friends† in the gang- As the 11 year old child was placed in the circle of gang members, the five strongest of the group entered the arena made up of humans. And as the members proceeded to count slowly to 13, the child was kicked and beaten over and over until he finally lay motionless on the ground. If this had been a girl, the ceremony would have not only included her being beaten, but also being gang raped by six members of this group. (et, al 1998) This of course is to prove your worth and loyalty and of course this is only the beginning of the process of initiation into this gang. In regards to MS- I 3 you must also prove yourself, by committing a violent act against someone else, and according to what they have written you can accomplish this act in three different ways; beating, raping, or murdering someone. (et, al 1998) Once in Mara Salvatrucha you are in for life. There have been numerous occasions where a member of the gang has wanted to leave and when this happens the gang members have permission to kill, maim or commit whatever act they choose on that member whose intentions are to leave the gang. Another defining characteristic attribute ofMS-l3 is their absolute intolerance for any person who has the inclination of going to the police and informing them of any activity that the gang is in or has been involved in. One unfortunate individual had his hands completely removed and then was shot in the head. (et, al 1998) One, tell tell sign that an individual is in the lustrous gang is the  numerous tattoos that are all over the body, even on the face. Most common are the numbers 1 and 3, or text MS, and even l8 tattooed on any part of their body. Symbols also represent the gang and those consists of crossbones’, daggers, and dice. Most importantly the symbol will represent what that particular individual brings to the cell or group; i.e. if a individual has a grenade on part of his body he/she is known for weapons or explosives in some fashion or form. (et, al 1998), (Valdez 2000) Activities and Participants The Mara, or MS-l3 gang members, are large in number. Like al-Qaid4 they operate loose, autonomous cells that form a broad transnational network (cells are groups of at least 20 members). The individual cells are very sophisticated. Some are devoted to intelligence gathering, propaganda, recruitment and logistics as well as their more common activities of drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution, and murder (Elkus, 2007). Specifically, MS members are engaged in retail drug trafficking, primarily trafficking in powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, and to a lesser extent, in methamphetamine and heroin. The drug proceeds are then laundered through seemingly legitimate businesses in the communities (FBI, 2005). ln the cities or other areas under MS control, members have managed to create zones of autonomy where they provide a system of patronage and protection to the people in exchange for allegiance and tribute. Mara Salvatrucha is considered the fastest growing, most violent and least understood of the nation’s street gangs. There are believed to be an estimated 10,000 members across 33 states in the United States (Campo-Flores, 2007). This is possibly due in part to the nation’s focus on the war against terrorism post 9/11. Focus on gang and gang activity was reduced and resources were aimed elsewhere in most law enforcement agencies, specifically at the federal level. That has since changed. In December of2004 a multi-agency MS-13 National Gang Task Force was created with focus on the dismantling of MS- I 3 (FBI, 2005). This was done because of the violence exhibited by MS-13 and based on the historical precedent of other similar gangs and organized criminal organizations. According to  intelligence gathered by the FBI, MS-13 still appears to be a loosely structured street gang; however, its threat is based on its violence and its potential to grow, not only geographically, but in its organization and sophistication. As mentioned earlier, these gang members affiliate themselves into groups known as cliques. Each clique will have a local leader called the â€Å"shot caller† and according to the FBI, there is no evidence to support the existence of a single leader or governing authority which is directing the daily activity of all MS-13 cliques. There is some evidence, however, of an increased level of sophistication and some indications of a hierarchy of leadership (FBI, 2005). The National Gang Task Force continues to gather information make arrests of known MS-13 members and continues to develop strategies to control this group. Law Enforcement Efforts According to Valdez, MS gang members have no trepidation towards law enforcement. They act mostly defiant and are not easily persuaded once they have a goal in mind. The Mara Salvatrucha group is responsible for the deaths of three federal agents and of many more shootings of police officers across the country. (Valdez, 2000) What the police and the courts have used to deter criminal activity from this particular group is arrest/incarceration and deportation. â€Å"From April 1994 thru August 1995, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) detained and deported over 100 MS members to El Salvador.† (Valdez, 2000) A good number of the Mara Salvatrucha group are here in the United States illegally, and are apprehensive in regards to this particular matter. In the event they do get deported their families will be unprotected and by transporting the gang members back to El Salvador they are at risk for losing their lives by the Sombra Negra (Black Shadow) death squad. The Sombra Negra is a group made up of miscreant police and military personnel whose intention is to do away with unwanted criminals’ and gang members for vigilante ‘Justice.† (Valdez, 2000) References Campo-Flores, A. (2007). The Most Dangerous Gang in America: Inside the battle to police Mara Salvatrucha. _Newsweek_ March 28, 2007. Elkus, A. (2007). _Foreign Policy in Focus: Gangs, Terrorists, and Trade._ April12, 2007 Retrieved February 2, 2008 from http://www.fuif.ore/fpiftxt/4144 FBI. (2005). Federal Bureau of Investigation-Press Room-Headline Archives. Retrieved January 28, 2008 from http://www.fbi.gov/paee2ljuly05/ms/07 1 305.htm Know Gangs.Com. (n.d.). Mara Salvatrucha MS-13. Retrieved January 28, 2008 from www.knowganes.con/eang resources/profiles/ms13 MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha 13). Retrieved January 28, 2008, from Altered Dimisions Web site: http://www.altereddimensions.net/crime/MS13Gang.htm Valdez, Al. (2000). Mara Salvatrucha Street Gang (Al Queda’s Friends). Retrieved January 28, 2008 from: www.freereoublic.com/focus/f-news Valdez, Al. (2000). Mara Salvatrucha ‘A South American Import’. Retrieved January 28, 2008, from: National Alliance of Gang Investigators’ Associations Web site: http://www.nagia.ore/Gang-Related%2OAfiicles.htm Wikipedia (n.d.). Mara Salvatrucha. Retrieved January 28, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mara_Salvatrucha

Contingent Liabilities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contingent Liabilities - Essay Example From this definition, it can be viewed from two aspects. The first aspect of the definition of provisions describe that the provisions are actually the liability. Provisions are directly referred to as the liabilities of the business but not the usual and general liabilities which are recognized in the balance sheet of the business. Provisions are the special type of liability of the business that is described as another head in the capital and liabilities portion of the balance sheet. The other main feature described by the definition of the provisions is that it is a liability of uncertain amount and uncertain timing. It means that the provisions are not certain in terms of their amount and timing but their nature is known to the accountant. It is known that a certain expense of certain type is going to take place in the future but the exact amount and exact time of the expense is not known to the accountant of the business. Therefore, provisions are the best estimates of the expenses that are going to take place in the future. Liability is defined in the International Accounting Standards as the present obligation as a result of past events and the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of resources. This definition of liabilities also describes the nature and the expected outcome of the liability on the overall business. Hence, a liability is a present obligation which has arisen due to the result of past events and in order to settle that obligation it is probable that the outflow of resources will happen in the near future. Hence the provision is the preparation of the liability whose amount and timing is uncertain but there is surety that the liability will arise at some point in time sooner or later in the future. The concept of provisions provide the accountants with a cushion time to get themselves prepared for the issues that are to rise in the future and therefore, save money for the settlement of future liabilities in the present time. The main point in the provisions is that it is the best estimate of the future amount in present time. IAS 37 recognizes the problem of provisions in accounting and provides a rule to recognize the provision s in the balance sheet. IAS 37 says that the provisions should be recognized by an entity if and only if: a present obligation (legal or constructive) has arisen as a result of a past event (the obligating event), payment is probable ('more likely than not'), and The amount can be estimated reliably. These are the rules which tell the entity when to recognize a provision in the balance sheet. Firstly an obligation has arisen as a result of past events and it is also probable that the payment is to be made for that obligation and the amount of the payment can be reliably measured. These rules are used in many countries of the world to recognize the provisions in the balance sheets of the businesses and are successful in addressing the problem of provision recognition in the balance sheet. Provisions provide the detailed information about liabilities facing the entity. Liabilities like trade creditors etc. provide the information about the liabilities of the business to be paid by the business and the amount and timing of which are certain at present. However, the presence of provisions in the entity's balance sheet prepares those responsible for decision making, to arrange and save the

Zinc and Vitamin D Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Zinc and Vitamin D - Essay Example Both of them have their own important functions which are necessary for the survival of the body. Zinc is a metallic element which is an essential product required by our body. It is present in some foods naturally alongwith certain drug supplements which contain the essential element. It is quite important in the metabolic functions of the body as it helps in improving the activity of the enzymes in the body. It is an important element for people who are undergoing growth for example children and pregnant women. It also helps in improving the immune functions of the body. The animal sources of Zinc are red meat, poultry and shellfish whereas the plant sources of Zinc are grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and rice. I think that i am getting enough of the element because my diet contains red meat and nuts almost on a daily basis. Vitamin D is also known as cholecalciferol in medical terminology. It is a fat soluble vitamin which is necessary for the absorption of calcium from the gut. Vita min D plays an important function in maintaining the calcium and phosphorus level in the blood. It is also important in preventing diseases like rickets and osteoporosis. I need the nutrient so i can balance my intake of calcium and strengthen my bones with the right deposition of calcium. Vitamin D can be found in dairy products of cheese, butter, fortified milk and cream. It is also found in fish, cereals and margarine. I think that i get enough of Vitamin D as my daily diet contains of margarine and milk. References Guyton, Arthur C, and John E. Hall.  Textbook of Medical Physiology. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2006. Internet resource.

Toxicant Pathways Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Toxicant Pathways - Essay Example The majority of our day to day actions help contribute to the presents of these chemicals and toxins within society. From the cars we drive to the factories we work in; from the water we drink and the foods we eat to the very air that we breathe. The ability to limit ones exposure is a matter of self awareness and education. In the meantime, it is important to take the time to understand what could be silently entering your body and how to limit those exposures, as much as possible. Toxicology is approached, primarily, from one of two models. The first is toxicokinetics, which focuses on the course and time frame that a toxicant takes to be absorbed, distributed, biotransformed, and evacuated from the body. Toxicodynamics focuses upon the effects experienced by the organism exposed. Meaning, that it follows the physiological manifestations of the toxic side-effects and tracking how these changes cause other compensatory reactions (Ashauer & Escher, 2010). There are three primary ways that toxicants can find their way into one’s body; through the skin, through the respiratory system, and through the gastrointestinal tract. Touching, breathing in, and eating these toxicants are not uncommon as they are commonplace in our cities and our homes. Once inside the body a toxicant then will move through the circulatory system and, potentially, disrupt, damage, or impair other organs and body systems. There are four ways that a body can â€Å"uptake,† which is how the toxicant passes through the call walls ("Toxic pathways," 2009). Passive Diffusion: The small toxicant molecules move along the cells surface and move along a concentration gradient. Facilitated Transport: The toxicant molecules pass through the cell wall while being aided by other molecules in order to enter the cell. Active Transport: Toxicant molecules are actively combined with carriers in order to infiltrate the cell. Pinocytosis: The cell membrane itself will create a fold around the tox icant molecules and once it invades the cell it can undergo the process called biotransformation. Biotransformation is a process that occurs in multiple tissues and organs in the body, eyes, lungs, skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, but primarily, the liver. There are two important phases to the biotransformation process. In Phase I the toxicant molecules go through chemical changes through one of three processes; oxidation, which occurs when electrons are lost during this process, reduction, which occurs when electrons are gained during the process, and, lastly, hydrolysis, which occurs when there is a chemical reaction to water spillage that leads to a splitting of the toxicant into two fragments or smaller molecules. From here the toxicant may be stored, may become more toxic, and target and damage or destroy a targeted organ. Phase II of Biotransformation involves further chemical changes to be undergone by the toxicant. The process of conjugating determines if the toxic ant will be water soluble or not. The toxicant may then pass through your body as sweat or urine. However, it can, also, be reabsorbed, which can lead to the death of cells and organs ("Toxic pathways," 2009). Granted there are a number of other considerations that can contribute to how and at what speed one’s body reacts to the invasion of toxicants, like age, gender, ethnicity, and species. Our bodies are absorbing and â€Å"

Biomechnics lab report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Biomechnics lab report - Essay Example The change in the horizontal velocity during the braking, propulsive and stance phase are calculated. In the results the changes are summarized and the variables are presented in relation to the body weight of the individual rather than in Newtons. The discussion includes the explanation of the general pattern of the Fz- and Fy- time traces an dthe change in magnitude of the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) variables between each running speed. The paper aims to investigate the effect of increasing running speed on ground reaction force (GRF) related variables. According to the Newton’s Law of Gravitation, any two objects with masses attract each other and the magnitude of this attracting force is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance. The gravitational force acted upon an object by the earth is called gravity or weight of the object. Since we always have contact with the ground due to this gravity there is always an interaction between our bodies and the ground. The reaction from the ground is called the Ground Reaction Force (GRF). The GRF is important external force acting upon the human body in motion. This force is used as propulsion to initiate and control the movement. A single male weighing 74kg uninjured participant was subjected to an exercise to determine the ground reaction force. Following habituation, GRF was recorded while he was running across the Kistler Force Plate five times at 3, 4 and 5 m-s-1 10% . Following each trial during the laboratory session, a MS-Excel spreadsheet containing Fz (i.e the vertical component of GRF) and the Fy (i.e. the anterior-posterior component of GRF) versus time data and the braking and propulsive impulse were produced. From this raw data, we will need to obtain the magnitude of the following GRF related variables (shown in fig. 1) for each trial. Calculation of the changes in horizontal velocity during the braking

LOST Files in a hospital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

LOST Files in a hospital - Essay Example It is through the negative facts that the nurse presented to me that I was able to find out the possible solutions for the problem. I have always been very effective in working with the organizations and so as my habit goes I was able to present the solutions as demanded by the board of directors. The faults I identified might be quite expensive to fix but the results are worth spending for. If not fixed now, leakage of information may cause even greater damage in the near future. The best security the organization should offer is security for the patients’ information. It is well known as the main duty of every medical institution apart from the duty of providing ultimate care. An estimated $150,000 will be needed in fixing the security situation once and for all. Some more $120,000 will be required for computer training. I can comfortably promise the board that there will be no regression if all my recommendations are attended to fully. This will include upgrading the entire I.T department, installation of up to date surveillance systems, and educating the nurses on the importance of computer security. As much as we train our employees, it would also be of much help we hired more trained and experienced employees to assist in directing our own. This will only cost the organization at most an extra $60,000. Apart from the problem of using a Management Information System that is not upgraded, the organization is also facing other problems that resulted to the agony. This is all from the results that were presented before me by the nurse that I hired. Basically, the other major problem is the level of ignorance of the employees as far as maintenance of the security for the organization is concerned. According to the report I received, many nurses log in with their passwords then leave the system open and accessible to any stranger. This enhances leakage of important and preserved information of the organization. The solution

Do Computers Increase Or Decrease Social Connection Essay

Do Computers Increase Or Decrease Social Connection - Essay Example The information communication technologies have helped in shaping the thoughts and actions in ways that affected the lives of people directly. The discovery of voice over internet protocol has made it possible to make internet calls effectively. The society has learnt to view new machines, not as mere products to be purchased, but facilitators of a larger system. This is determined by how usable the machines are in meeting the expectations of the society. The meaning attached to machines or technological innovations has to make life easier for them to be relevant to the mainstream society. Historians argue that new machines are not necessarily coercive agents that force people into social changes. However, in the recent past, the innovations in the information communication technology have had a coercive effect in the social aspect of communication. A compelling example in the impact of social media in the presidential complains in the United States of America. The social media have played a significant role in the success of the Arab spring. The strength of connectivity that has come from the latest information technologies cannot be underestimated2. Computers are viewed as agents of office efficiency. However, it is argued that computers have been known to cause eye problems, back disorders and time wastage in case of software failure. According to the American manufacturing association, of the organizations that reduced staff due to computerization, 24 per cent suffered losses while 43 per cent raised profits3. Through technology, people can study degree programs and attend classes in a virtual atmosphere. A lecturer can teach a class of people with is in different parts of the globe. However, online learning cannot... This paper approves that technology means different things to different social groups. The owners of the supercomputers are estimated to be in different social levels with the owners of desktop computers. The owners of supercomputers are perceived to be established and engaged in high level technological operations. There are characteristics that determine the likability of technology or computing. The more they are adopted, the more they develop their usefulness. This is mostly manifested in the network technologies. The selling point of technologies must be the ease to adopt and the relevance in the immediate usage. There has been an observation that after people adopts a technology, they develop with it. They upgrade as the technology upgrades, and it becomes hard to switch them to another technology. This report makes a conclusion that media ideologies about one medium affect the media ideologies about the other media. Face book and tweeter have had a substantial effect in the way different groups communicate. The social media users are able to send messages and share information in real time. Recent developments have seen the social media empowered to facilitate video calls. It is not clear whether social media is an official method of communication. However, the weight of the messages passed on social media depends on the groups involved and the intended message. Small changes in technology can end up changing the ways in which people circulate information. Technology is rapidly tilting towards improved connectivity. Smartphone is now a means of communication and internetworking. Most scholars talk about new forms of emerging connection technologies, which have been built upon the existing technologies.

Inquiry Based Project for Literacy Learning Assignment

Inquiry Based Project for Literacy Learning - Assignment Example †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 11 Reference list†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 13 Abstract According to Talay-Ongan, literacy learning is a continuous process that needs consistency to have apt performance. This is especially so when it comes to youngsters that need to grasp enough information in accordance to learning. Therefore, children between the ages of five to eight have to be given ample assistance in coming up with a developed learning. The person in control of their learning, especially teachers are to encompass all developmental approach to students to make a perfect learning practice. This will assist the students at this tender age to amass enough opportunity to make better educational standards. The use of balanced approach to development is a system that has been noted to reflect plausible results to the concerned students. The students end up having a balanced learning experience that institutes greater learning, especially when the children are growing up (Talay-Ongan, 2004). This shows why many students with balanced developments during their initial learning have better performance as compared to students with reduced keenness during their initial learning stages. Therefore, it is a prudent approach to design a succinct development project that could be used with the children at their tender ages. This will assist in amassing enough knowledge that could be used in the course of their learning. In addition to this, appraising the developmental project is a point that will reflect a better approach to educational standards. 1.0 Theoretical Perspectives and Rationale Theoretical perspective and rationales are used to ensure there is better performance in accordance to the learners. They are used to measure the performance and effectiveness of the learning in accordance to the youngsters. In this design, the decision was to engage in reading of different texts during the learning. The language has a variety of phonics used to make a difference between the sounds and the letters. This is the initial stage that should be mastered by children during their early ages of growing. Therefore, there is need to have a reelection of the stated phonics, in every language. Though some languages have the same phonics with different pronunciation, banking on the ostensible language is an appropriate measure. This states why people from different continents spell and read the same word in a totally different pronunciation (Talay-Ongan, 2004). This is basically due to their induction in the phonics of their basic language. It is widely known as a

Sweeney Todd Analysis Essay Example for Free

Sweeney Todd Analysis Essay The stage was quite large with a multi-level set. B) The set was dimly lit before the show and eerie music was playing to create a spooky atmosphere. C) Before the show, I could tell that there was going to be a lot of shady actions taking place due to the appearance of the dingy street setting. D) Sweeney Todd took place on a proscenium stage, where the audience was looking in upon the scene as if a wall were missing. E) The space seemed to have adequately met the needs for the production, because the set was very tall and involved several methods of moving from level to level. SCENERY: A) The set consisted of several run-down store fronts with very dim lighting and an early 20th century London feel. The top level of the set held the barber shop near stage right, and a bedroom balcony at stage left. The bottom level housed the bakery and the basement of the bakery, which included a glowing fire oven. B) The age and nature of the buildings hinted at the setting and time of the story. The implied shadiness of the set foreshadowed about the nature of the characters. C) The colors of the set involved many shades of grey and brown, with the inclusion of red lighting at times. D) The designer was very successful in the set design, because it was easy to visualize the intended setting due to the use of area lighting. When a portion of the set was not involved in the scene, it was blacked out making it easier to focus on the scene at hand. E) I felt that the bright red lighting shining from the oven was very symbolic, in that it went hand-in-hand with a shrill sound effect that was played every time a character was killed. The lighting and the sounds symbolized Sweeney Todd’s revenge. COSTUMES: A) The beggar woman’s costume portrayed that she was homeless due to the dirty rags that made up her dress. The style of clothing (length and material of the dress) hinted at the time as well. Pirelli’s costume was very flamboyant which matched his over confident and swindling personality. His personality was often only skin deep, and his costume played perfectly with the front he was putting on. B) The dingy colors of the beggar woman’s clothes fit the homeless role well and also played well with the concept of keeping her identity secret until the end of the show. Her clothes did not make her stand out on stage. Pirelli, on the other hand, wore bright red with ruffles, making him seem bright and villainous at the same time. C) The designer did very well with the costumes, because they fit the characters’ personalities. For example, Mrs. Lovett was a very bold and outspoken woman, therefore her large, fluffy dress represented her well. LIGHTING: A) The lighting was kept seemingly dim throughout the show, which upheld the dreary, somber atmosphere in the scenes. B) The lighting seemed to portray night more often than day, as it only seemed to brighten when the focus was on Johanna. Red lighting was used to show when a character was killed and dumped into the oven. C) The most obvious use of lighting to portray emotion was the red, fire-like light that would emerge from the oven when a character was killed. Also, when Sweeney Todd was intended to appear as a man thirsty for revenge, he was encompassed in fog and the light created shadows on his face. ACTING: A-B) Sweeney Todd was excellent in my opinion. He wore a grey shirt with brown pants and suspenders. His body language was high-strung and motivated but also haggard and aged at the same time. The beggar woman was played with great success as well. The show progressed without much attention being brought upon her until her identity was revealed to Todd and the audience. She wore a bonnet and a dirty dress, and she was usually somewhat crouched to make her seem unimportant. Both of these characters performed well in singing their musical numbers as well. C) The scene where Anthony was serenading Johanna as she sat on the balcony served as an impressive portrayal of the connection between them. Johanna’s singing was very high-pitched. Needless to say it was hard not to notice the significance of this scene. I also enjoyed the murder scenes, simply because of the operational barber’s chair that doubled as a trap door leading to the downstairs oven. D) Every actor gave stellar performances in my opinion. E) The whole team had great chemistry and the show progressed without a hitch. The opening scene involved most, if not all, of the characters singing and moving in unison, and it was virtually seamless. DIRECTING: A) The director was trying to show the audience how revenge can drive a person to do some very crazy things, and the result was a success. B) Everything about the show conglomerated together successfully to create the setting and the emotional atmosphere. The overall uneasy, creepiness was constructed and supported well by the lighting, costumes, and scenery. C) Only the love scenes between Anthony and Johanna strayed away from the eeriness of the story, but even then the audience could sense possible turmoil to come. D) The movement and timing was excellent throughout the show. With bodies dropping down trap doors and synchronized group movements, the blocking was much without flaw. TEXT: A-B) The plot is out of chronological order because it starts with the townspeople burying Todd. He then arises to tell his tale, which consists of the judge ruining his life by exiling him. The plot of Todd’s story involves him meeting Mrs. Lovett and working to seek revenge on the judge and anybody else who stands in the way. The playwright is emphasizing the power that the motivation of revenge can have on a person. C) The conflict entails the judge having custody of Todd’s daughter, Johanna, and Todd’s efforts to retrieve her and kill the judge. D) Sweeney Todd eventually kills the judge, the beggar woman, and Mrs. Lovett, and then he is killed by Toby. This leaves Johanna to be with Anthony. E) As an editor, the only thing I would change about the show would be the length of the musical numbers throughout the show. They seemed longer than necessary and I felt as though some important information was unnecessarily presented in lyrics instead of straight dialogue.

Literary Log Essay Example for Free

Literary Log Essay â€Å"I see their dark forms, their beards move in the wind. I know nothing of them except that they are prisoners; and that is exactly what troubles me. Their life is obscure and guiltless;if I could know more of them, what their names are, how they live, what they are waiting for, what their burdens are, then my emotion would have an object and might become sympathy. But as it is I perceive behind them only the suffering of the creature, the awful melancholy of life and the pitilessness of men† (193). Enemies. When you think about it your â€Å"enemies† are kind of like you, they might like different things, but they have the same intentions as you do. So why do you not like them? This is what Remarque shows in this quote. He shows that the Russians and the French are really similar, they didn’t want to be out in the front killing people they want to go home, but a single word suddenly makes them an enemy. Remarque talks about how he wants to get to know the Russians, it shows that the soldiers want to know these people. However, since they have been told that the Russians are enemies they are not allowed to. Remarque uses imagery to make the audience feel the emotions running through the soldiers as they try to understand that the Russians are really similar to them. What Remarque is trying to get at through this quote is the fact that â€Å"enemies† are really similar to you and they have the same intentions that you have although it may not seem that way. As it is shown, War makes â€Å"enemies† out of people who are quite similar. The soldiers realize that the Russians are like them, as both of them want to go home and survive, along with the fact that they don’t want to kill the other soldiers. Remarque also shows that war creates a chasm between the soldiers and the non-soldiers because the people who make the order to kill a group of people, are not the ones who are doing the fighting, they are the government. The government does not realize that these people have the same intentions as they do along with not knowing that the â€Å"enemies† are similar, they believe that they are demons and completely different form them.

Impact Of Environmental Pollution On Health Environmental Sciences Essay

Impact Of Environmental Pollution On Health Environmental Sciences Essay The paper highlights impact of environmental pollution on Health. The present study has been taken up in Tuticorin industrial town area. Major industries numbering 12 established in the district. They are engaged in the production of cotton, staple yarn, caustic soda, PVC Resin, fertilizers, soda ash, carbon-di-oxide gas in liquid etc., The important major industries are sterlite, SPIC, Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals, Dharangadhra chemicals work, Madura coats, Kilburn chemicals industries. The public sector undertakings are the Thermal power unit (620mm), Heavy water plant, and port trust. The district contributes 70% of the total salt production of Tamil Nadu and meets 30% of salt requirement of our country. Aside from deficiencies in the life support system, men is subjected to a variety of environmental Hazards. Some of these are natural, but increasingly environmental hazards result from mans activities and numbers. Some times manmade hazards are direct in their impact on other man. But they may be indirect in their influence, acting through other biological systems or overburdening the capacity of natural systems for renewal, dispersion, or assimilation. The following factors can be used in categorizing environmental hazards. (1) Biological (2) chemical (3) Physical (4) Psychological and (5) Sociological. Hence more than 12 major industries have established in and around Tuticorin. This becomes one of the source of air pollution, water pollution, Noice pollution, in this area. Air pollution may be broadly defined as the presence of one or more contaminants like dust, smoke, must and odour. The atmosphere which are injurious to human beings, plants and animals which unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property. Air pollution seriously damages human beings. Environmental sociology in the study of the reciprocal interaction between the physical environment, social organization, and social behaviour. Within this approach, environment encomposses all physical and material bases of life in a scale ranging from the most micro level to the biosphere. An important development of this sub discipline was the shift from a sociology of environment to an Environmental sociology While the farmer refers to the study of environmental issue through the lands of traditional sociology, the later encomposses the societal environmental relations. A major challenge for the 21st Century is not the creation of wealth, but the management of health. Concern over the rapid depletion and degradation of the Worlds biological resources and the implications of this loss on the global biosphere and human welfare have been mounting in recent years. Loss and modification of ecosystems and habitats are occurring at an alarming rate, although it is much difficult to quantity or estimate on a global scale. The continuing loss of the biological wealth may leave us with a smaller and less varied stock of global biological resources. The result may leave the human livelihood and the future of the biosphere at risk. Development efforts along with modern warfare have created an uneasy and irreparable environmental consequences, the world over. Human life and health are at great jeopardy and the burden of diseases and ill health raise questions on the development efforts in the pursuit of global prosperity and wealth. The environmental pollution and degradation may rise in step with such a rise in output, the result leading to an appalling environmental pollution and damage. Tens of millions more people may become sick or die each year from environmental causes. Water shortages may become intolerable and tropical forests and other natural habitats may decline to a fraction of their current size. The earths sources are limited and so is the absorptive capacity of its sinks. Whether these limitations will hinder the growth of human activity will depend on the scope for substitution, technical progress and structural change. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Environmental health can be defined as the aspect of public health that is with all external conditions such as all forms o life, substances, forces, problems and challenges and any other condition in the surroundings of man that that may extent an influence on mans health and well-being. Disease in this sense represents maladjustment of the human being to his environment. This rapid industrial growth has made water pollution, air pollution, and hazardous wastes pressing environmental problems in many areas of the developing world. Industrial emissions combine with vehicle exhausts to cause air pollution, while concentrations of heavy metals and ammonia loads are often high enough to cause major fish kills down- River from industrial areas. The lack of hazardous waste facilities compounds the problem with industrial wastes. The physical environment has a major influence on human health not only through temperature, precipitation and composition of air and water but also through its interaction with the type and distribution of the flora and fauna (the biological environment). The biological environment is a major influence on the food supply and on the reservoirs and transmission mechanisms of, many diseases. The following gives the simplified illustration of these relationships. The scale and nature of human activities including agricultural, industrial, and energy production, the use and management of water and wastes, urbanization, the distribution of income and assets within and between countries, the quality of health and other public services and the extent of protection of the living, working, and natural environment. Environmental hazards to health fall into two broad categories. On the one side is the lack of accessibility to basic environmental resources like sanitation, water, fresh air, shelter and the like. On the other side is the exposure to hazardous environment. These hazards include biological agents viz., micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses and parasites which contribute to the global burden of infectious disease, chemical pollutants, ultra violet radiation and the like which cause birth defects and damage the body immunity system and which render people susceptible to a variety of health risks. Environmental Problem Effect on Health Water pollution and water scarcity More than 2 million deaths and billions of illnesses a year attributable to pollution, poor household hygiene and added health risks caused by water scarcity. Air pollution Many acute and chronic health impacts excessive matter levels arc responsible for 300,00 70,0,000 premature deaths annually and for half of childhood chronic diseases; women and children in poor rural areas affected by smoky indoor air. Atmospheric disasters Possible shifts in vector-borne diseases; risks climatic natural: diseases attributable to ozone changes depletion (perhaps 300,000 additional cases of skin cancer a year worldwide; 1.7 (million cases of cataracts). Among the environmentally-based diseases water, food and oil borne diseases affect a majority of the world population. Diarrohea, Cholera and Hepahtis A and E have the clearest link to the environment and spread by both bacteria and virus. According to a WHO study, Diarrohea deaths were around 2.5 million in 1996. Around 4 billion cases of diarrohea cause widespread debilitations each year. The nuclear development and use, the world over is a major threat to human health today. The radiation hazard arising from Extra Low Frequency (ELF) magnetic fields of between one and one hundred hertz (HZ) as well as the very High frequency fields of 147 MHZ, which can alter the outflow of calcium ions from the brain tissue of children, in particular with steadily weakening resistance causes tumour formation in the human body. Health is a fundamental resource to individual and community and is a pre-requisite for their social, spiritual and physicalwell-being, the protection and preservation of which is dependent on the ecological status i of the environment and sustainable development. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Any systematic scientific inquiry has its foundation built up studies conducted in the Past. The main objective of this chapter is to review the theoretical and empirical information available from similar or atleast related studies, such recapitulation could some as a basis for delineating an ideal conceptual framework for the present study and it enables one to identify the past trends in any particular branch of science. Also it helps the researcher to get more clarity on the subject to be studied. STUDIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Mitch William (1993) describing the emerging field of ecological engineering, define it as the design of human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both. The concept pertains more to managing the natural environment rather than the typical engineering domain of the built environment. Gives examples such as the Biosphere project, constructed wetlands sewage treatment systems, water hyacinth river pollution control, and fish production and wetlands systems are examples of ecological engineering. R.R. Barthwal (2002) reports that environmental degradation depends on the nature of the industrial development projects and the technology involved its size location and the time taken to implement them. All industrial projects need not be taken as producers of equal beneficial or negative results. Some industries produce only beneficial results only with limited adverse impact. In contrast some produce adverse living conditions but beneficial economically also. Holmes Hannah (1991) describes the environmental effects, including resource use and pollution, and of meat consumption. He, also mentions human health effects and notes that vegetarianism is more environmentally beneficial, promotes better health, and is less expensive than meat eating. This paper gives general recommendations to preventing pollution by eating less meat and more plant products. It includes charts and sources for more information. Hawken Paul (1993) claims that the socially responsible corporation is a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too myth. The authors agenda for reform includes: adjusting the price of goods to reflect true environmental and other social costs; incrementally replacing the present U.S. tax system with revenue-neutral green fees; rearranging the linear industrial economy into a nature-mimicking cyclical system [industrial ecology]; designing for decomposition, closed-loop reuse/recycling, and toxic materials stewardship; restoring the balance between commerce (business sector) and the guardian (government); and shifting from electronic literacy to biologic literacy. STUDIES ON HEALTH Andersson and Marks (1989) looks at ways in which state, class and health may be related in Southern Africa. The region provides useful comparisons because of the starkness of the relationships between class, race, disease patterns and health care in much of the sub-continent; the different types of state and class structure and the changes in ideology and to some extent health practice came with the political independence of some of its component parts. Balasubramanian (1995) analyses the data on the health of the people and the economic conditions in several developing countries. This paper calls attention to the urgent need internationally for a new approach to mobilize the interests, commitments and resources of a broader constituency of support for the poor. Schindler, Kunzli, Bongard, Leuenberger, Karrer, Rapp, Monn, Ackermannliebrich, (2001) made a study on 3,900 nonsmoking adults from eight areas of Switzerland that represent a range of urbanization, air pollution, altitude, and weather conditions. In this study, researchers obtained three different measures of lung function and compared the results with prior days measurements of ozone, total suspended particulates, and nitrogen dioxide. Daily average concentrations of ozone were significantly associated with mean respiratory function measures during the summer months. RESEARCH DESIGN The objectives of the study from the wider socio-economic perspective focusing on environmental hygiene practices among the selected in Tuticorin town. Based on the framed objectives some appropriate hypotheses are formulated. It is also discussed the methodology and frame work of study in terms of the nature of study variables used, sampling method, data collection process, data analysis procedure operational definition of key concepts and limitations. OBJECTIVES The following objectives are framed for the purpose of the present study: To study the socio-economic life of the respondents in Tuticorin town To analyse the problems of environment in the study area; To study the respondents behaviour on household sanitation and environmental hygiene practices in the study area. To study the respondents behaviour on environmental and common property resource management practices in the study area To find out the defects and problems in the existing environment hygiene and discomfort at their life; To put forth suitable suggestions to improve the respondents environment protection for healthy life. METHODOLOGY This study attempts to examine the respondents behaviour on environmental hygiene and sanitation practices by making an experiment in Tuticorin town, Tamil Nadu. This study deals with environmental hygiene issues relating to environmental pollution and its impact on land, water, health etc., This study analyses the extent to which urban people have knowledge of environment and awareness. It analyses their behaviour on environmental conservation and preservation. It outlines the respondentsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ awareness of various environmental hygiene and sanitation issues and measures. It is generally an exploratory framework of identifying the awareness of among urban people about environmental issues along with their action-oriented activities to preserve and conserve rural environment in particular. Thus, this study is partly exploratory in nature. Thus it constitutes the analytical aspect of the study. Hence, this study is partly exploratory in nature and partly analytical in nature. Pilot study The researchers have conducted a pilot study in Tuticorin town. The pilot study was conducted by employing an interview schedule in the month of October 2005. Also, the result of the pilot study has enabled the researcher reframe the tools for data collection. Sampling The area was selected on a clustered basis, but the data was collected by using of simple random sampling method. The sample size of this study is 400 respondents. Among the several area of Tuticorin town the researcher selected six areas such as Spic Nagar, Thermal Nagar, Mattakkadai, Threshipuram, New Bus stand, Old Bus stand and Harbour in Tuticorin town. The selection areas were quite relevant from the point of view of the studying environmental hygiene practice among the households. These areas were located in and around river belts and also has the concentration of a large number of highly dangerous and polluting industries. Further, people of this area have traditional customs and practices. Data collection The data collection was carried out December, 2009. The researcher has revisited the study areas in the month of March 2010 with view to collect supplementary data as required by foreign examiner. Besides, secondary data relating to the district profile and other data in Panchayat Raj are collected during field study visits. CONCEPTS The following concepts are operationally defined for the purposes of the present study. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION It refers to the occurrence of various forms of land degradation, various forms of water pollution, occurrence of noise pollution and occurrence of air pollution and their consequence on the well being of the local people. SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS It refers to caste status, occupational status, educational status and income status of the respondents and they are taken as independent variables for the purpose of the present study. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS It refers to knowledge of the rural households on pollution and pollutants and their effects on life support system. It includes knowledge of hygienic practices, sanitation practices, environmental health care measures and so on. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES It refers to ways and means of undertaking environmental preservation and conservation measures like sanitation, health care activities, solid waste management, maintenance of environmental resources. LIMITATIONS The findings of this study are applicable only to selected areas only mid it is not applicable to the entire areas of Tuticorin. This study covers only environment related aspects and studying of all aspects of hygiene and sanitation is not possible at the level of an individual researcher due to constraints imposed by money, time, energy and efforts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The actual process of research findings, data analysis, data interpretation and logical arguments are discussed. This chapter starts with the socio-economic background of the households followed by information seeking behaviour, information use pattern, information sharing behaviour, data search behaviour and so on for statistical analysis. All tabular data and statistical analysis are presented in this chapter. Table 1 Sex wise distribution of the respondents S. No. Sex No. of Respondents Per cent 1. Male 301 72.25 2. Female 99 24.75 Total 400 100 The above table shows that the majority 301 (72.25 %) of the respondents were male, the remaining 99 (24.55%) of them were female. It inference that the majority of the male were ready to replay for the problem of environmental pollution. Table 2 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION S. No. Name of the Disease No. of Respondents Per cent 1. Skin diseases 371 93.00 2. Eye irritation 380 95.00 3. Asthuma 153 38.00 4. Deftness 298 75.00 5. Allergy 312 78.00 6. Unhygienic conditions 390 98.00 7. Respiratory problems 393 98.00 8. Cancer 9 2.00 9. Hypertension 91 23.00 The above table prove the impact of environmental pollution an account of establishment of hazard industry such as Kilburn chemical industries, Sterlite Copper Plant, Thermal power plant, Spic Industries, Heavy Water Plant and Madura Coats, in this regard they replayed that an account of the establishment of the above hazardous industries, the majority 371 of the respondents faced the problems of skin diseases, 380 of them were facing the problem of eye irritation, 153, of the faced the problem of Asthuma 298 of them were facing the problem of deftness 312 of them facing the problem of allergy, 390 of the facing the problems of unhygienic conditions, 393 of the facing problem of respiratory problem, 7 of the were facing the problem of cancer and 91 of them were facing the problem of hypertension. The inference drawn from above discussion is that the majority of the respondents facing the problem likes in diseases, eye irritation, deftness, allergy, unhygienic condition respiratory problems and diarriah. CONCLUSION Industrial disposals and other chemical contaminates that enter waterways through agricultural runoff, storm water drains, and industrial discharges may persist in the environment for long periods and be transported by water or air over long distances. They disturbed the function of the endocrine system, resulting in reproductive, developmental, and behavioral problems. The endocrine disrupters reduced the fertility and increased the occurrence of still births, birth defects, and hormonally dependent Cancers such as breast, testicular, and prostate cancers. The effects on the developing nervous system can include impaired mental and psychomotor development, as well as cognitive impairment and behavior abnormalities and pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics and synthetic sex hormones from contraceptives. The GOs and NGOs should take effective steps to clean and green the streets, schools, public safety, etc. Even though its obvious that society stands to benefit from such things, people have always struggled to find some sensible, acceptable way to pay for them. This perennial wrangle. Far on the right, they tell us that self-interested private ownership is the fairest and most efficient way to assign resources. The developing countries like India should be instrumental in raising societal concerns about environmental problems. The scientists should contribute in ways to increasing scientific input in public policy. The governmental agencies, as members of organized scientific bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences, and as researchers in universities and environmental nongovernmental organizations or, conversely, in industries. There are some debates about whether too much or too little science is reflected in actual policy making; few will deny that significant human and institutional resources are expended in an effort to make scientific analyses responsive to policy needs. Therefore, an appropriate forum like scientists, academicians, policy makers and panchayat raj institutions should take effective step to protect environment in all aspects.

“Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus: Theological Objections” :: Religion, Jewish Apologetics

In his second volume on Jewish apologetics, Michael Brown answers twenty eight Jewish theological objections. Brown summarizes this book in his preface: Theological objections, treated at length in the current volume, cut to the heart of the differences between traditional Judaism and the Messianic Jewish/Christian faith. They revolved around the nature of God (the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the person of the Holy Spirit), the nature of man and the need for salvation, and sin and the means of atonement. In sum, these objections claim, â€Å"The religion of the New Testament is a completely foreign religion that is not only un-Jewish but is also unfaithful to the Hebrew Bible.† With regard to cutting â€Å"to the heart of the differences between traditional Judaism and Messianic Jewish/Christian faith,† I really appreciate the way Michael Brown demonstrated in a scholarly and balanced way that the Christian faith was perfectly compatible with the Jewish Tanakh. His discussion on the Trinity (the Tri-unity) was excellent. He demonstrated that the Hebrew word for one, ‘echad, does not necessarily refer to absolute unity and, in fact, could very well refer to compound unity (Page 4). He provides examples from the Hebrew Bible where ‘echad is used of a compound or complex unity as per the oneness of Adam and Eve, the many components of the tabernacle being one â€Å"unified† tabernacle, and the one nation of Israel which is made up of hundreds of thousands of people (5). I loved the way he backed up his discussion of the Shema as referring the concept of uniqueness (Deut. 6:4) by citing the New Jewish Publication Society Version: â€Å"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone† (page 6) Brown demonstrated the deity of Christ by focusing on Him as the Son of God and Word of God, who shares in the divine nature, and who revealed Himself to His people in the Old Testament (15-37). I enjoyed Brown’s treatment of the apparent conflict between the passages which declare that no one has seen God with the other passages which clearly state that God was seen by Abraham, Moses, and Jacob (27-34). As he put it, â€Å"it is Jesus the Messiah—the divine Son, the image of the invisible God, the Word made flesh, the exact representation of the Father’s being—who solves the riddle and explains how someone could really see God, even though God cannot be seen.

The Implicat of Sin in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Implicat of Sin in The Scarlet Letter Sin is the transgression of a moral code designated by either society or the transgressor. The Puritans of Boston in the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, establish a rigid moral code by which to purge their society of deviants. As this society is inherently theocratic, the beliefs and restrictions established by religion are not only incorporated into law but constitute all law. In this manner, the moral code of the Puritan society thoroughly pervades the lives of its individuals, and any presence of iniquity is felt in all aspects of their lives. In The Scarlet Letter, the characters' lives are controlled by the sin they commit. Hester Prynne's adultery causes her alienation from the Puritan society in which she lives. After the term of her confinement ends, she moves into a remote, secluded cottage on the outskirts of town, inducing a physical separation from the townspeople. Because of this seclusion from society, the Puritans regard her with much curiosity and suspicion: " Children...would creep nigh enough to behold her plying her needle at the cottage-window...and discerning the scarlet letter on her breast, would scamper off with a strange, contagious fear." In addition to the physical separation, a more intangible manner of exclusion also exists, in that Hester becomes a pariah. She is subject to derision and malice from the lowliest of vagrants to the most genteel of individuals of the community, though many are often the recipients of her care and attention: "The poor...whom she sought out to be the objects of her bounty, often reviled the hand that was stretched forth to succor them...Dames of elevated rank, likewise, were accustomed to distill drops of bitterness into her heart." Hester cannot feel any sort of kinship with the townspeople in light of the treatment she receives from them, thus alienating her even further from Puritan society. Formerly an inhabitant within the bounds of the community as well as a member of the community, she is now outcast in both respects. Just as the act of adultery is pivotal in Hester's life, this sin effects a similar manipulation of Arthur Dimmesdale's life. Dimmesdale's guilt over his sin continually torments him throughout

The History of the Home Vidieo Game :: essays research papers

How to be an Air Head   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Have you ever noticed how guys tend to flock around airheads? Have you ever wanted to be an airhead, but did not know how? Well worry no more, this short essay will provide you the basics on how to be an air head.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, we will start with the appearance. You should wear platform sneakers, or platform shoes (if you do not have any, then wear the hokiest pair of shoes you have). An inadequate walk helps the over all image of an airhead. Moving on to your outfit, all your pants should be about four inches below your knee. For your top, a short sleeved, brightly colored, crop top will do. Carry a purse that is not long enough to carry on your shoulders, but is a little too long to carry by hand. Make sure to swing the purse back and forth when walking. Wear your hair either up in a ponytail, or just the top layer up, big bangs are a necessity. The more hairspray you use the better. The Second, most important part, of being an airhead is the mind set. For this you will have to get a pack of bubbleishis bubble gum, and pop a piece in your mouth. Chew the gum with your mouth open. Now it is time for the hardest part. Forget everything you have learned from first grade on up, this is vital to being an airhead. Then perfect the look a puppy gets, when it's first yelled at for doing something wrong. (The wag the tail look of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re talking louder than Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve ever heard, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll keep waging my tail until I know why.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?) Use this whenever someone asks you any kind of questions. Use a clueless smile the rest of the time. You can also try bouncing your head from side to side or some hair swinging, which- ever technique you feel more comfortable using.

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Forty

Damon was moving fast, and Elena and the others had to almost race to keep up with him as they headed for the library. â€Å"Typical Stefan, sacrificing himself,† he muttered angrily. â€Å"He could have asked for help when he realized something was going on.† He stopped for a second to let the others catch up and glared at them al . â€Å"If Stefan can't handle a few newly made vampires by himself, I'm ashamed of him,† he said. â€Å"Maybe we should just leave him after al . Survival of the fittest.† Elena touched his hand lightly, and, after a moment, Damon hurried on toward the library. She didn't for an instant believe he would leave Stefan a captive. None of them did. The taut, strained lines of his face showed that Damon was entirely focused on the danger his brother was in, their rivalry temporarily forgotten. â€Å"It's not just a few vampires,† Matt said. â€Å"There are about twenty-five of them. I'm sorry, you guys, I've been a moron.† He swung the stave Meredith had given him – Samantha's stave – determinedly in one hand. â€Å"It's not your fault,† Bonnie said. â€Å"You couldn't have known your frat – or whatever – was evil, could you?† If anyone had spotted them as they crossed the campus, Elena was sure they would have been an alarming sight: she and Bonnie were clutching the large, sharp hunting knives Meredith had given them only half concealed under their jackets. Matt was holding the stave, and Meredith had her own stave in one hand. But it was past midnight, and the path they were fol owing was deserted. Only Damon wasn't carrying a weapon, and he clearly was a weapon. His human fa?ade seemed to have lifted, and his angry expression could have been carved out of stone, except for the glimpse of sharp white teeth between his lips and the seemingly bottomless darkness of his eyes. When they reached the closed library, Damon didn't pause, forcing its metal doors open with the grinding sound of splitting metal. Elena glanced around nervously. The last thing they needed was campus security showing up. But the paths near the library were dark and empty. They al fol owed Damon down to the basement and into the hal ways of administrative offices. Final y, he stopped outside the door marked Research Office where he and Elena had once met Matt. â€Å"This is the entrance?† he asked Matt and, at his nod, efficiently broke the lock on the door. â€Å"You're al staying up here. Just Meredith and I are going down.† He looked at Meredith. â€Å"Want to kil some vampires, hunter? Let's fulfil your destiny, shal we?† Meredith slashed her stave in the air, and a slow smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. â€Å"I'm ready,† she said at last. â€Å"I'm coming, too,† Elena said, keeping her voice steady. â€Å"I'm not waiting up here while Stefan's in danger.† Damon drew a breath, and she thought he was going to argue with her, but instead he sighed. â€Å"Al right, princess,† he said, his voice gentler than it had been since Matt told them what had happened to Stefan. â€Å"But you do what I – or Meredith – tel you.† â€Å"I'm not waiting up here,† Matt said stubbornly. â€Å"This is my fault.† Damon turned on him, his mouth twisting into a sneer. â€Å"Yes, it is your fault. And you told us Ethan can control you. I don't want to get your knife in my back while we're fighting your enemies.† Matt dropped his head, defeated. â€Å"Okay,† he said. â€Å"Go down two flights of stairs, and you'l see the doors to the room they're in.† Damon nodded sharply and pul ed up the trapdoor. Meredith fol owed him down the stairs, but Matt caught Elena's arm as she headed after them. â€Å"Please,† he said quickly. â€Å"If any of the pledges stil seem rational, even if they're vampires, try to get them out. Maybe we can help them. My friend Chloe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In the grim lines of his face, his pale blue eyes were frightened. â€Å"I'l try,† Elena said, and squeezed his hand. She exchanged a glance with Bonnie, then fol owed Meredith through the trapdoor. When they reached the entrance to the Vitale Society's chamber, Meredith and Damon pressed their backs against the elaborately carved wooden doors. Watching, Elena could see a similarity for the first time between them. Now that they were facing a battle, Meredith and Damon were both wearing eager smiles. One †¦ two †¦ came Damon's silent count †¦ three. They pushed together. The double doors flew inward, and the chains that had held them closed went flying. Damon stalked in, stil smiling a vicious gleaming smile, Meredith erect and alert behind him, her stave poised. Dark figures rushed at them, but Elena was looking past them, searching for Stefan. Then her eyes found him, and al the breath rushed out of her. He was hurt. Tied firmly to a chair, he raised a pale face to greet her, his leaf-green eyes agonized. From his arm, dark red blood dripped steadily, pooling on the floor beneath his chair. Elena went a little mad. Charging across the room toward Stefan, she was only half aware of one of the hooded figures leaping at her, and of Damon catching it in midstride, casual y snapping its neck and letting the body fal to the floor. Absently, she registered the smack of wood against flesh as Meredith caught another attacker with her stave so that it fel in convulsions as the concentrated essence of vervain from the stave's spikes hit its bloodstream. And then she was crouching next to Stefan, and, for a moment at least, nothing else mattered. He was shaking slightly, just the faintest tremors, and she stroked his hand, careful of the wound on his forearm. Raised red ridges ran around his wrists below the rope, spots of blood on their surface. â€Å"Vervain on the ropes,† he muttered. â€Å"I'm okay, just hurry.† And then, â€Å"Elena?† Below the pain in his voice, a dawning note of joy. She hoped he could read al the love she felt in her eyes as she met his gaze. â€Å"I'm here, Stefan. I'm so sorry.† She took out the knife Meredith had given her and began to saw at the ropes that held him, careful not to cut him, trying not to pul the ropes any tighter. He winced in pain, and then the ropes around his wrists snapped. â€Å"Your poor arm,† she said, and felt in her pockets for something to staunch the blood, final y just pul ing off her jacket and holding it against the cut. Stefan took the jacket from her. â€Å"You'l have to cut through the rest of the ropes, too,† he said, his voice strained. â€Å"I can't touch them because of the vervain.† She nodded and went to work on the ropes holding his legs. â€Å"I love you,† she told him, concentrating on her work, not looking up. â€Å"I love you so much. I hurt you, and I never wanted to. Never, Stefan. Please believe me.† She finished cutting through the ropes around his knee s and ankles and chanced a glance up at Stefan's face. Tears, she realized, were running down her own face, and she wiped them away. The thud of another body hitting the floor and a screech of rage came from behind them. But Stefan's eyes held hers unwaveringly. â€Å"Elena, I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he sighed. â€Å"I love you more than anything in the world,† he said simply. â€Å"You know that. No conditions.† She took a long, shuddering breath and wiped the tears away again. She had to be able to see, had to keep her hands from shaking. The ropes around his torso were looped and twisted together. She pul ed at them, finding where there was enough give to start cutting, and Stefan hissed in pain. â€Å"Sorry, sorry,† she said hurriedly, and began to slice through the rope as rapidly as she dared. â€Å"Stefan,† she began again, â€Å"the kiss with Damon – Well, I can't lie and say I don't feel anything for him – but the kiss wasn't anything I'd planned on. I didn't even mean to be with him that night, it just happened. And when you saw us, that kiss, he'd just saved my life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She was stumbling over her words now, and she let them trail off. â€Å"I don't have any real excuses, Stefan,† she said flatly. â€Å"I just want you to forgive me. I don't think I can live without you.† The last of the ropes parted, and she eased them from around him before she looked up, frightened and hopeful. Stefan was gazing at her, his sculpted lips turning up in a half smile. â€Å"Elena,† he said and pul ed her to him in a brief, tender kiss. Then he pushed her to the wal . â€Å"Stay out of this, please,† he said, and limped toward the fight, stil weak from the vervain, but reaching to pul a vampire away from Meredith and sinking his own fangs into its neck. Not that she needed his help. Meredith was amazing. When had she gotten so good? Elena had seen her fight before, of course, and she'd been strong and quick, but now the tal girl was as graceful as a dancer and as deadly as an assassin. She was fighting three vampires, who circled her angrily. Spinning and kicking, moving almost as fast as the monsters she was fighting, despite the fact that their speed was supernatural, she knocked one off his feet, sending him flying, and, in a smooth fol ow-up blow, bashed another in the face, leaving the vampire staggering backward with his hands up, half blinded. There were bodies littered across the floor, evidence of Meredith's skil and Damon's vicious rage. As Elena watched, Stefan tossed down the drained body of the vampire he had been fighting and looked around. Only Ethan and the three vampires surrounding Meredith remained on their feet. Damon had Ethan on the run, backing nervously away as Damon stalked toward him, peppering him with sharp open-handed blows. â€Å"†¦ my brother,† she heard Damon muttering. â€Å"Insolent pup. You think you know anything, child, you think you want power?† With a sudden, violent movement, he grabbed Ethan's arm and jerked. Elena could hear the bone snap. Stefan passed Elena, heading toward Meredith again, and paused for a moment. â€Å"Ethan was laying a trap for Damon,† he told her dryly. â€Å"I don't know why I was worried. Clearly, he didn't know what he was trying to catch.† Elena nodded again, suppressing a grin. The idea of any brand-new vampire getting the better of Damon, with al his experience and cunning, seemed ridiculous. Then the tide of the battle suddenly turned. One of the vampires Meredith was fighting dodged her blow and, half bent over, flung itself at her, knocking the slender girl into the air. There was an endless moment where Meredith looked like she was flying, arms akimbo, and then she slammed headfirst into the heavy altarlike table at the front of the room. The table wobbled and fel over with a heavy thud. Meredith lay stil , her eyes closed, unconscious. Elena ran to her and knelt down, cradling her head in her lap. The three vampires Meredith had been fighting were worse for the wear. One had blood steadily streaming down his face, another was limping, and the last was doubled over as if something had been injured inside her, but they could stil move fast. In an instant, they had surrounded Stefan. As Damon growled and turned, shifting his stance to help his brother, Ethan saw his chance and launched himself at Damon. Faster than Elena's eye could fol ow, his teeth were gouging at Damon's throat, bright spurts of blood flying up. He had a knife in one hand and was trying to cut at Damon at the same time as he bit. With a cry of pain and shock, Damon clawed at Ethan, trying to fling him away. Elena picked up her knife again and rushed toward them. But two of the remaining vampires were on Damon in a split second, pul ing his arms back. One caught Damon's midnight dark hair in his hand, yanking the older vampire's head back to expose his throat more ful y to Ethan's teeth. Off balance, Damon staggered backward and for a moment caught Elena's eye, his face soft with dismay. Terrified, Elena grabbed at the back of one of the vampires, and it threw her to the floor without even looking at her. Stefan, meanwhile, was caught in a struggle with another vampire, desperate to get to his brother. Damon was a better and a more experienced warrior than any of the vampires attacking him. But if they pushed their momentary advantage, used their superior numbers, they might bring him down before he could recover. She clutched her knife tighter and jumped to her feet again, knowing in her heart that she'd be too late to save him but that she needed to try. A snarling blur shot past her, and Stefan, free of his adversary, slammed into Ethan, throwing him across the room, sending his knife flying. Without pausing, he ripped one of the other vampires from Damon's arm and snapped his neck. By the time the body hit the floor, Damon had neatly dispatched the other one. The brothers, both panting, exchanged a long look that seemed to carry a lot of unspoken communication. Damon wiped a smear of crimson blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. Suddenly an arm was around Elena's throat, and the knife was wrenched out of her hand. She was being dragged upward. Something sharp was poking her in the tender hol ow at the bottom of her neck. â€Å"I can kil her before you could even get over here,† Ethan's voice said, too loud by her ear. Elena flailed an arm backward, trying to grab at his hair or face, and he kicked viciously at her legs, knocking her off-balance, and pul ed her closer. â€Å"I could snap her neck with one arm. I could stab her with her own knife and let her bleed out. It would be fun.† He was holding her knife, Elena realized, pressed against her throat. His other arm hung loose, and curiously bent. Damon had broken it, Elena remembered. Stefan and Damon froze and then very slowly turned toward Elena and Ethan, both their faces shuttered and wary. Then Damon's broke into a rictus of rage. â€Å"Let her go,† he snarled. â€Å"We'd kil you the second she hit the ground.† Ethan laughed, a remarkably genuine laugh for someone in a life-or-death standoff. â€Å"She'l stil be dead, though, so I think it might be worth it. You're not planning to let me leave here anyway, are you?† He turned to Stefan, his voice mocking. â€Å"You know, I heard all about the Salvatore brothers from some of Klaus's other descendants. They said you were aristocratic and beautiful and terribly hot tempered. That Stefan was moral, and that Damon was remorseless. But they also said that you were both fools for love, always for love. It's your fatal flaw. So, yeah, I think my chances are a lot better when I've got your girlfriend in my power. Whose girlfriend is she, actual y? I can't tel .† Elena flinched. â€Å"Wait a second, Ethan.† Stefan held out his hands placatingly. â€Å"Hold on. If you agree not to bring back Klaus and let Elena go safely, we'l give you whatever you want. Get out of town, and we won't come after you. You'l be safe. If you know about us, you know we'l keep our word.† Behind him, Damon nodded reluctantly, his eyes on Elena's face. Ethan laughed again. â€Å"I don't think you have anything I want anymore, Stefan,† he said. â€Å"The rest of the Vitale Society, including our newest initiates, wil be coming back soon, and I think they'l tip the scales back in my favor.† He tightened his arm around Elena's throat. â€Å"We've kil ed so many students on this campus. Surely one more won't be missed.† Damon hissed in rage and started forward, but Ethan cal ed out, â€Å"Stop right there, or – â€Å" Suddenly, he jerked, and Elena felt a sharp, stinging pain in her throat. She squeaked in horror and grabbed at her own neck. But it was only a scratch from the knife. As Stefan and Damon stood helpless and furious, Ethan's arm loosened from around her throat. He made a hideous gurgling noise. Elena yanked away as soon as his grip weakened. Blood was running in long thick rivulets from Ethan's torso, and his mouth opened in shock as he clutched at himself and slowly fel forward, a round hole in his chest fil ing with blood. Behind him, Meredith stood, hair flying, her usual y cool gray eyes burning like dark coals in her face. Her stave was coated in Ethan's blood. â€Å"I got him in the heart,† she said, her voice fierce. â€Å"Thank you,† Elena murmured politely. She was feeling†¦ real y †¦ very peculiar, and it wasn't until she was actual y starting to fal that she thought, Oh no, I think I'm going to faint. Blurrily, she saw both Damon and Stefan rushing forward to catch her, and when she came to a moment later, she was held tightly in two pairs of arms. â€Å"I'm okay,† she said. â€Å"It was just †¦ for a second, I was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She felt one pair of arms pul her closer for a moment, and then they released her, shifting her weight over to the other set. When she looked up, Stefan was clutching her tightly to him. Damon stood a few feet away, his face unreadable. â€Å"I knew you'd come to save me,† Stefan said, holding Elena but looking at Damon. Damon's lips twitched into a tiny, reluctant smile. â€Å"Of course I did, you idiot,† he said gruffly. â€Å"I'm your brother.† They looked at each other for a long moment, and then Damon's eyes flicked to Elena, stil in Stefan's arms, and away. â€Å"Let's put out the torches and go,† he said briskly. â€Å"We've stil got about fourteen vampires to find.†

Looking for Alibrandi Essay

A good book leaves us thinking with things to say, and Looking for Libidinal Is a good example of one of those books. It captures the exact thoughts of a seventeen year old girl, stressed out from her upcoming HAS exams as well as the problems going on In her social life. Melinda Merchant engages us In the themes of multiculturalism, love, rites of passage and coping with death and encrypts these themes beautifully and expresses them with emotion and thought. One of the biggest themes of Looking for Libidinal is multiculturalism, as Josses trudges to find her personal and cultural identity.At the beginning of the book Josses resents having an Italian background, because at school there is the difficulty and prejudice of being a second generation Australian with an Italian background. She experiences a feeling of being different, as the majority of the students have Anglo- Saxon backgrounds, and have not learned to accept anyone other than â€Å"their kind†. The students tease and make racist comments at her, calling her a ‘new Australian', but Josses Is strong and fights back, but consequently this gets her Into a lot of trouble with the teachers.Although the students at her school are not the only ones, as there are other people who have preconceived ideas about the ‘ethnics', such as Jacob. It begins as Jacob talks about ‘going out with the ethnic girl' and as their argument continues, he goes to say you people should go back to your own country if you're so confused'. At home as well, there is gossip from the Italian society about Josses not being good enough, and her grandmother always telling her that it kills her inside when Josses fights about having her own rights as well, and that the rules and restrictions are stifling to her.Also, the rituals within the family, such as Tomato Day, is resented by Josses at first, but as she mature she begins to see that it is not taking up her free time, but Its an opportunity for her family t o share and tell their stories. Eventually, Josses comes to realize that, even though not everyone In Australia will ever understand a multicultural society, she knows what her place Is and that It matters. â€Å"If someone comes up to me and asks me what nationality I am, I'll look at them and say that I'm Australian with Italian blood rapidly flowing through my veins.I'll say that with pride, because it's pride that I feel. † Love is a major theme that is related to Looking for Libidinal, because it is in this year of Joke's life that she falls in love with Jacob Cote. This decision held an important meaning because this is what made Josses decide between whether she wanted to have an important status and to be considered in the wealthy class, or as Josses describes the beautiful people' (John Barton), or whether she wanted to be seen as the girl who would live her life in the middle-class, Just being normal.Because If she was to choose a relationship with John Barton, this would've left her with a better Image to be accepted for her dream Job as a barrister. Even so, Josses continued to date Jacob, and throughout the book, her feeling continuously become stronger for and Jacob isn't; repeatedly he begins to show strong emotions for his love for her, but Josses feels he is pushing he too hard. In the end, it is the occasion that Josses stands up for herself that they break off the relationship. It breaks her heart, but this teaches Josses to be strong and to stand for herself, and that the future is not going to always be how she wants it to turn out.But that isn't the only relation of love portrayed through the book – despite their disagreements and argues, Josses, Christina ND Katie all love each other. Even thought they shout and, at times, swear at each other, beneath it all they all hold a very close family relationship and know that they are a family. At the beginning of the book, Josses resents her grandmother and hates going to her plac e every afternoon. She argues with her and compels against her with every chance that she gets. Her grandmother, Katie, continues to tell Josses that she and Christina are not good enough and that everything they do breaks her heart.But as the story follows, Josses tries hard to listen, and begins to understand her grandmother. She listens to the stories she tells about her young life in Australia, and as time passes Josses finds out about things that not only change her life, but her relationship with her grandmother as well. The bond grows stronger and by the end of the book, Josses cherishes the relationships she holds with her mother and grandmother, and reflects back to how she once was, but knows now that what she holds with her family is one of the most treasured things in in her life.In looking for Libidinal, rites of passage is a key theme because of how Josses transitions from her immature self into a mature and more open-minded woman. At he beginning of the book, Josephin e is determined to not abide by the rules, yet as she places in more thought and begins to understand more, she realizes that she has only been questioning and opposing school, religion and family, but not thinking about her friend's ideas and moral values.When it came to her friends, she never really gave thought to what she was doing, and this allowed her to be influenced greatly, never standing up for what she thought was right. Once Josephine realized this, she began to have think for herself and started making her own decisions. This is what allowed Josses to stand up to Jacob about having sex with her. By the end of the novel, Josses has realized that there is more to being Just a rebel, as being a reasonable and stable person is not about going against someone rules, but it is about knowing one's self and being able to set your own boundaries.It is this that enables her to accept that a part of life is to know and go along with another's wish, as long as the balance between c onforming and independence is maintained. Death and grieving is another significant issue in Looking for Libidinal. Josses says that she would die if her mother dies, but Jacob, whose mother had died several years earlier, says you don't die. He talks about feeling angry and hurt, but then tells Josses that one day you find yourself remembering something and laughing instead of crying.To Josses, Jacobs description had been so honest and real, and it was then that she realized she had no experience of the death of someone close to her. At the end of the novel, when John Barton commits suicide, Josses is at first in disbelief and hysteria, and then is angry and says she hates John for his weakness. She cries and to accept that he is gone. Josses had reacted to John's death in a predictable way; owing through the emotions of anger, hate, pain, guilt, remembering and eventually acceptance, because to her, whatever had happened had already happened, and she had to move on.In Looking for Libidinal, there are two important comments about suicide. The first was when Joke's father said: â€Å"Living is the challenge, Josses. Not dying. Dying is so easy. Sometimes it only takes ten seconds to die. But living? That can take you eighty years and you do something in that time, whether its giving birth to a baby or being a housewife or a barrister or a soldier. To throw that away at such a young age, to have no hope, that is the biggest tragedy. And the other was by Ivy: â€Å"It wasn't our fault Josses. Not yours or mine. It was always John.But I feel like crying because people will always remember the way he died not the way he lived. † It was because of John's death that Josephine realized that each person has to make their own decisions about living or dying, and that feeling responsible for the lives of other people is only natural, but impossible in the end. In conclusion, Looking for Libidinal was indeed a book that left us with things to say. The way Merchan t conveyed the difficulty of the living standard [for legitimates] only 20 years ago have completely opened our minds and touched our hearts.She has left us to think of how different our Australian society is now, and how multiculturalism might be one of our strongest point to become one united country, and how we have completely accepted that. Not only that, but to describe to us that we must become independent and to stop being conformed to what we want to do, and to think of others but setting our own limits at the same time, to describe this all in one book, I believe that this definitely has to be a book that has influenced us greatly and left us with thoughts in our minds.