Benefit of cloud computing and example Essay

Cloud computing provides many different business benefits to business that choose to use to the services. First benefit that the cloud computing offers is the ability to afford the service, cloud computing is very financially affordable for business. Using the service of cloud computing, business is able to save money, able to avoid taxing-in-house systems unnecessarily. Refer to the example from this case, Amazon, cloud computing is the biggest payer, only charges business charges businesses for what they use. Cloud business will charge a monthly payment or yearly payment, this will difficult to some businesses because they don’t know whether the service will satisfy for the business or not. Cloud computing is an affordable service for large and small businesses. And cloud computing offer from financial standpoint, that business can use Amazon’s IT infrastructure and pay a smaller amount instead of creating their own IT infrastructure. Moreover, the benefits of cloud c omputing is improve business in the new way, flexible computing power and data storage, provide data management. Zynga uses these benefits to maximize their experience with their usage of cloud computing, this company is using Amazon Web Services (AWS). When Zynga release new games, they don’t know what amount of computing resource to dedicate to the games. If they using cloud computing (Amazon cloud computing) it will benefits to them because whether their games will be popular or not, it will help them to save money. In case their games are popular, they can move it to the company’s own private cloud computing (zCloud). The problem that they solve: In this case Zynga is using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to solve by release their new games to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. This helps Zynga to increase their efficiency and can save the money in the long run. Secondly, it can solve the problem about capacity of advertising; to launch a coupon promotion. Example from this case study, Outback steakhouse wasn’t sure how popular an upcoming coupon promotion would be, so the company use Microsoft’s Azure cloud to launch promotion. Inter Thirdly, InterContinential Hotels has revamped its infrastructure to include both  private and public cloud usage to improve response time for customers, so customers will receive data faster if the data are located on a server. Lastly, IBM, Cisco and other traditional data center giants realize that cloud computing is threat to their technology infrastructure business, the solution is to rising computing costs, they have been steering their customers toward virtualization software, whic h allows them to run many more applications on each individual server that they buy.

A Comparison of Attitude, Personality, and Knowledge Predictors of Service-Oriented Essay

The research design that was used in this study was correlational non-experimental. The variables that were studied included confirmatory factor analysis, item-to-total correlations, improvement in the Cronbach’s alpha statistic, and attitudinal and personality antecedents. With the use of antecedents, the job satisfaction measure incorporated seven items on a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic work related aspects and one global job satisfaction item. Two studies were conducted to investigate the attitude, personality, and knowledge antecedents of service oriented OCBs. It consisted of participants, whose responsibilities included answering customer service inquiries, responding to customer problems, and selling and recommending services over the phone. There were 325 employees who agreed to participate in the study in exchange for 1 hour of overtime pay. With the second study, the participants included staff and part-time employees of five libraries at a university who had customer contact as part of their daily responsibilities. They represented several departments that have customer contact including circulation, document reserves, and government publications. The relationships proposed were that job satisfaction would be positively related to the service-oriented OCBs of loyalty, service delivery, and participation. Also it expects POS to be positively related to contact-employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs. They also expected the following: a positive relationship between service orientation and loyalty, no relationship is expected between empathy and loyalty OCBs, the trait richness will be positively related to contact employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs, and lastly that strategy richness will be positively related to contact employee loyalty, service delivery, and participation OCBs. The study concluded that the results in both studies were virtually identical. The hypotheses in this study were proven after the information was gathered and evaluated. There are no recommendations that I would change within this study, however, I would have applied the study to other employee types. The Influence of Motivation to Attend, Ability to Attend, and Organizational Commitment on Different Types of Absence Behaviors Journal of Managerial Issues James P. Burton, Thomas W. Lee, Brooks C. Holtom This study used the experimental design to conduct data. There were three types of variables that were used in this study which included independent, dependent, and controlled. The dependent variable was a time lost measure of absence that was used where the total number of days absent per employee was observed for a period of ten months following the administration of the survey that was used on 214 employees. The independent variable was the motivation to attend work which was measured by three items that assessed the degree to which an employee is motivated to go to work every day. Also the ability to attend was measured by four items along with organizational commitment which was measured by the items from Meyer and Allen’s. The controlled variables were age, gender, tenure, and level of education. There were five hypotheses that were proposed: 1) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to family issues, 2) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to transportation problems, 3a) Motivation to attend will be negatively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to illness, 3b) Ability to attend will be positively related to the frequency of absenteeism that is attributed to illness, 4) Motivation to attend will be negatively related to the frequency of absenteeism that results in failure to notify the organization, and 5) Motivation to attend will mediate the relationship between affective, normative, and continuance commitment and absenteeism. Hypothesis 1 was proven to be accurate, hypothesis 2 and 4 failed to gain significant R2 when the various absenteeism variables were regressed onto motivation to attend and ability to attend. Hypothesis 3a was supported after data was conducted, and Hypothesis 5 could not be conducted because motivation to attend was not significantly related to overall absenteeism. I was unable to find any flaws with this study and do not have any recommendations to change.

Happiness Is Real When Shared

This is one book which I have just finished reading. I don’t normally read biography, but came across the story while doing some random search on wikipedia (where one link can lead to another). I really got very interested in the true story of this young man who ended up dying in Alaska. I went to buy the book at Kinokuniya. In 1992, a young man by the name of Christopher McCandless from a well-to-do family in the US abandoned everything he possessed after graduating with honours from University. For the next two years, he lived off the streets, travelling from place to place, living on the bare minimum.Finally, he hitchhiked to Alaska with little food (only 5 pounds of rice) and equipment as he wanted to be in total isolation from human contact and go into the wild, in his words â€Å"to live off the land† – eating the animals he hunted and plants grown there. He actually managed to survive for more than 100 days in Alaska with this way until a series of unfortu nate accidents that caused him to die slowly (and painfully) of starvation on an abandoned bus. His decomposed body was found more than two weeks later. He was only 24 at the time of demise.All this while, his family didn’t know his whereabouts and was searching for him, until they received this piece of unfortunate news. In this book, Jon Krakauer explored the life of Christopher McCandless and try to understand the thoughts behind this young man who gave up everything he has in search of a life of adventure and meaning (to him), and also how the people around him were affected. He must had been a very charismatic person, as people he met along the way during his years on the streets really liked this guy a lot. Some actually asked him to settle down at the place he was at.But then his ultimate aim was to really live in the wild with only nature (and nothing else, human relationships was worthless to him) and commitment was the last thing on his mind. This story left a very deep impression in me, not just because of the tragic circumstances surrounding it, but I could identify with Christopher McCandless in that at his age, I was also sort of like him. Well, I might not have given up all my wealth (I admit, my family wasn’t as well-to-do as his) and go all the way out into the wild, but I did have certain anger or unhappiness about the way my life turned out and wanted to live a different sort of life.That was why at that time my results sort of fumbled (as I was half-hearted about the whole studying affair – to me, studying what I had no interest in was an â€Å"insult to my integrity†. ). I also wanted to get away from my family (which was one of the catalysts which caused Christopher McCandless to make such a decision, he was very upset by certain things he found out about his parents), so for a period of time I was staying in the hostel. During that time, I really planned to eventually leave my family once I have the financial means and stay outside.In fact, after I graduated from university, I went to Malacca for a few days all by myself to enjoy the isolation. Ha ha, until now, my parents weren’t aware this was what I did – and I can’t yet find the courage to inform them. (This is probably a secret I will bring to my grave). Okay, this was probably not so much of an adventure, but I did derive certain excitement out of this trip. Imagine me on a free and easy trip carrying just the map and walking around (and people who know me know I’ve a very, very poor sense of direction). I would not say I managed to find my sense of purpose in life during that very short trip.In fact, it was years after I graduate before I realised what was really important in my life. For Christopher McCandless, towards the end of his life, realised that â€Å"happiness only real when shared† which is what he wrote on his journal. When he finally got the isolation he yearned for in Alaska, someho w, he must have finally realised the importance of human relationships and that real happiness lies with being able to spend time with the one you care. Of course, the sad part is it came too late too as he was trapped in the wilderness which he had yearned for previously.Given time, I believe he would eventually return to his family and friends. For me, after years of working (and probably maturity over the years), I also realised the importance of treasuring the time with my familiy and friends. You do not have to go to the extreme (in my case, escape from my family) to change the state of your life. In fact, all that matters is your perception. I have to be responsible in what I do as it is not just about me, but whatever I do have repercussions on my loved ones too. I had probably hurt the people around me as much as they have hurt me.I remember there was one saying I read somewhere – people may not love you the way you want them to, but that doesn’t mean they donà ¢â‚¬â„¢t love you. Recently, I did have the urge to go backpacking alone somewhere (of course, with the intention of not letting my parents know), but I admit I did have second thoughts after reading the book, ha ha! But don’t think that will last for long, as by nature, I do like to â€Å"wander around† – I can’t be trapped for too long. In the end, I guess Christopher McCandless did manage to find peace with himself. His final note written on his journal was â€Å"I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD.GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL! † Although he didn’t manage to go back to his loved ones, he appreciated all the love bestowed upon him by them. I would like to think that he did not leave this world with any regret. Currently, I am reading another book by Jon Krakauer about his experience during the 1996 Mount Everest climb. Another tragic tale of how harsh nature can be. I might want to catch the movie version of â€Å"Into The Wildâ⠂¬  directed by Sean Penn. Not sure if the film will evoke the same emotions in me (sometimes film adaptations can be disappointing).

Accounting and Finance for Managers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Accounting and Finance for Managers - Assignment Example their was no empirical evidence to indicate that ABC eliminated unnecessary overhead costs and improved the profitability of companies post-implementation (Shim & Stagliano, 1997; Foster & Swenson, 1997; Chenhall & Langfield-Smith, 1998). During the last century, accurately accounting for overhead costs posed a major challenge for management accountants. Conventional allocation methods tended to distort product costs and Activity-Based Costing emerged as a realistic alternative to address this problem. This paper provides a brief overview of the origins of ABC and explores the theoretical foundation of ABC as a management and cost control system. The paper then discusses the major strengths and limitations of the ABC model and provides a practical example of how ABC has been fully integrated into the strategic management systems of a successful manufacturing company in Qatar. Activity-based Costing has gone through three distinct phases in its development. Each phase has its origins in one of the following theoretical constructs; the Japanese management movement, the total quality management and continuous improvement framework and Six Sigma modelling. The application of these theoretical models to the development of ABC is discussed below. Activity-Based Costing began to draw the attention of European and American companies in the early 1980s. Firms in the manufacturing and technology sectors in Japan were gaining global pre-eminence with respect to their product quality and significant profit margins while competitors in the West struggled to contain costs and to develop innovative manufacturing processes. Turney (2005), notes that companies such as Toyota and Sony were heralded as global leaders and as a result, their internal organizational processes were analyzed in minute detail and replicated by their competitors in the West. It soon became apparent that the traditional accounting methodology of allocating overhead costs uniformly across the various

Statistical Tools in Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Statistical Tools in Research - Essay Example A t-test is a statistical tool that can help evaluate the average results between two independent groups (statsoft.com). In this case, the independent groups are the proposed and reported methods. The means of the two methods were compared to determine the values for the t-test (fao.org). The t-test values with their respective n degrees of freedom were determined using the Student’s t-test table, and the researchers were able to provide evidence that the proposed and reported methods are similar. The F-test is a ratio of the variances and measures the similarity of the results obtained using two different methods (fao.org). Given the F-value for then degrees of freedom, the authors were able to establish that their proposed method is similar to the reported method. The accuracy of the method, expressed as % Recovery, was also measured. The recovery, in terms of percentage, is a ratio of the actual result and the theoretical value in the study (Narayana and Sunil, 207 – 208). The study conducted by Ward et al. (696-698) also used the mean and SD to compare the pancreatic cancer cases brought about by nitrates and those of the control population. The researchers used the odds ratio and % confidence interval to quantify their observations. However, in the calculation of the odds ratio, adjustments had to be made to account for age, gender and smoking habits of the participants. The odds ratio is a ratio of the probability of a particular event or disease to occur with its probability of not occurring (Goldin, stats.org). The values obtained will have a maximum value of 1, which implies a 50:50 chance of occurring and not occurring. The mean and standard deviation of results do not only provide the spread of the data in the population but can also be used to compare two different methods and arrive at associations between a disease and  its possible causes. Narayana and Sunil were able to optimize the use of statistics in the study that they conducted, with the use of the t-test and F-test.  

Four Major Infuential Events that Shaped the U.S Essay

Four Major Infuential Events that Shaped the U.S - Essay Example According to the website of history.com tension between the colonizers and the Americans began in 1775 when the British government began to exploit them by imposing too many taxes and harsh policies, the Americans began to complain and so the problem of social unrest started. Every time the British sought expansion of territories, the more the Americans got hurt thru increased taxations. This problem led to the Americans to consider civil disobedience to the unjust laws and to stage an American revolution. The combined strength of the people and courageousness led to the declaration of independence. When they could no longer bear the inconsiderate rule of the British colonizers, Americans started to protest. The solid commitment of the American people in thirteen colonies brought an end to the colonization regime and the beginning of America’s independence. The Significance of the U.S. Constitution The U.S. constitution becomes significant to the foundation and evolution of th e United States today because it gives the legal authority to govern the people of the United States and to establish the basic structure of the government. The basic purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to establish the rights of all American citizens. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787 and came into effect in 1779. Borade said it is the shortest and oldest constitution in the word. It is significant to the evolution of the United States today because the Constitution instituted a framework of the government that defines the functions and responsibilities of every government branch so the people know what to expect from them, and thus, people are assured that each department does not go beyond its limits. So now, we have the judicial, the executive, and the legislative branch of the government. In the executive branch we have the president, vice president and other cabinet members who are responsible in enforcing the laws of the land. What is relevant here is the dem ocratic process; people have the power and right to elect and put officials who will rule the government. The constitution puts tenure of service to each elected officer. We have a judicial branch where courts are established. The courts interpret the laws and determine how it is applied. The judicial courts provide a check and balance on the legislative and executive branches. Last is the legislative branch where the laws of the land are made. It is composed of senators and congressmen wherein each represents the interest of their respective constituents. The US Constitution is important to us because it defines the civil liberties and rights of the Americans. The Constitution assures that there will be no discrimination and everybody will have equal rights. Specifically, these liberties include freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to media access, freedom of assembly and freedom of petition. Likewise, the US constitution guarranies rights of the Americans, such as t he right to possess firearms, right to question to arrests and property seizures, without warrant; right to public trial for criminal offenses and the right to question excessive bail and punishment. Because of the constitution government is strengthened and everything is put in proper position.. It has placed the State in general peace and order since

Health Promotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Health Promotion - Essay Example It has been seen that the period of adolescence is like a conversion phase which brings unpredictable emotional sufferings, and it takes a shape of depreciation and anxiety. Similarly like young adults, middle aged people also suffer from severe mental disorders because women and men in their mid life think themselves as a old generation who have difference needs and choices than the younger ones, thus in many cases they feel a sense of loneliness and ignorance. During the age of 50, people experience transitions and changes in their decision regarding work and life balance, death of older parents and children growing up and creating their separate lifestyle. It is the when men and women find that their taste and preferences are changing, mood swings, anxiety about spouse and children. Mental issues should be resolved before it creates any serious situation and life risk. This part of the project includes the reason behind carrying out the project. This research has been undertaken to understand about the difficult part of human psychology and the various mental disorders that are faced by young adults and middle aged people. The research has mainly focused on the population of UK. Participants are residents of UK and the target groups are young adults who belong to the age group of 14-25 and middle aged people. Several questions and approaches have been taken for the intervention process. Different types of mental disorders and theories of health promotion have been discussed in the project. This project will be useful for general public to understand about mental health disorders and it will also be helpful for future researchers to understand the concept. Aim of the research is to create various policies for several mental disorders that are affecting the young adults and the middle aged people throughout the world. It also aims to create

Care of the severe asthmatic paediatric patient Essay

Care of the severe asthmatic paediatric patient - Essay Example Unless severe asthma is adequately treated it can become life threatening. Treatment regimen in the case of severe paediatric asthma is giving high concentrations of oxygen to the patient, nebulized salbutamol and systemic corticosteroids. One of the most frequent causes of children being presented in hospitals is asthma. The important concern with paediatric asthma is that a significant percentage of children hospitalized with a severe attack of asthma are likely to die. This makes understanding paediatric asthma and maintaining guidelines for managing severe paediatric asthma important to the reduction of paediatric mortality in hospitality Weinberger 2008 p.633, defines asthma as a disease characterized by hyper-responsiveness of the airways to various stimuli, resulting in airway obstruction that is reversible to a substantial degree either spontaneously or as a result of treatment†. The airway obstruction observed in asthma arises from the different levels of severity of broncho-spasm and inflammation. Inflammation in asthma is the result of mucosal oedema and the secretion of mucous (Weinberger, 2008). Guill, 2004, points out that asthma does not occur as a set of episodic events spread over periods of time, but is rather present as a state of inflammation and hyper-responsiveness of the airway that presents in a varying manner in an individual suffering from asthma and also among the different individuals having asthma. Such an observation suggests the severity of an asthmatic event in a child varies from time and time and the severity of an asthmatic event is not necessarily the same between different indiv iduals (Guill, 2004). The varying severity of asthma in children gives rise to asthmatic events that may be present with minimal symptoms that have hardly any impact on the health of the child to asthmatic events with life threatening potential. The available indicators of the severity levels of asthma in children are the

History ( global civilization ) Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

History ( global civilization ) - Term Paper Example Spanish trader in the 1503 also took many Africans as slaves. Bartering of goods produced outside Africa with slaves further increased the trade. The trader used to sell the slave for profits to Americas. Until the 18th century millions Africans were slaved while more than a million died along journey to coast. The removal of Africans made the population of the country decline also the continent face huge poverty issues. On the other hand, European countries wealth resulted from slavery. One of the biggest effects of slavery was rise to racism and differentiation in color. In the 18th century, movement against the slave trade began when Thomas Clarkson took steps to create awareness regarding the cruel act, and subsequently, the House of Lords enacted an Act for the abolition of The Slave Trade (Newman, pp. 23). Lastly, President Thomas Jefferson also signed a bill approved by Congress to prohibit the import of slaves in the United

Faith Based Nursing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Faith Based Nursing - Research Paper Example Health is something which can be experience only in the absence of disease and injury. So in faith based nursing attempt is made to give wholeness of mind, spirit and body to a patient suffering from illness. According to (Hickman,2006,pg 12)â€Å"Faith based nursing was the term used by the Rev. Granger West berg to describe the unique, specialized practice of professional nursing in faith communities to promote holistic health†. It is a principle of holistic health which aroused from a concept that the human beings must have the aim to strengthen his relationship with God, family and society. In earlier times, the faith based nursing existed between Judeo- Christian communities but currently it has taken strong hold in all other faiths as well. However, the concept of faith nursing is not well accepted by other faith traditions and as a result there are many other names given to this practice of nursing. The Concept of Faith Based Nursing The faith based nursing if defined f rom the perspective of Christianity can be said to be a sacred calling. It is a religious based phenomenon, wherein the faith upon the creator helps a patient in healing form an illness. Here the emphasis is on the spiritual relation of a person to God and health .In this area of nursing, the sacredness of God and its relation to the health of a person is considered of utmost importance. As per ( IPNRC,2000) â€Å"The American Nurses Association is the recognized professional organization for nurses in the United States. ANA sets universal standard for nursing care and professional performance common to all nurses engaged in clinical practice – Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice†. Faith based nursing can be offered in various models and it entirely depend upon the nature of faith community delivering the service. During the 16th and 17th century major transformation has occurred to this nursing practiced still the Roman Catholicism remained the dominant faith tradi tion. During this period, there were profound social, intellectual, political and economical changes which had impact on this nursing practice. There were reformation which led to the partition of churches into protestant and Roman catholic, and faith based nursing remained the latter’s concept and practice. In the their website ( Nursing Homes ,2010) writes that â€Å"Catholic nursing homes are often found in association with local parishes, however many are part of larger non-profit groups or hospitals that offer decades of experience with medical care as well as specialties like Alzheimer's care†. Scope and Practice of Faith Based Nursing Faith based nursing is also known as congregational nursing or parish nursing. The nurses who practice this nursing are bound by scope and standard of parish nursing practice established by American Nurse Association. According to ( Vicky, 2005)â€Å"Based on the generic standards, the American Nurses Association recognizes specia lty nursing practice by identifying the specialty and delineating its unique scope and standards of practice†. The scope and standard of nursing practice were established with the co – operation of Health Ministries Association which was formed in 1988 by the recognition of ANA. Faith based nursing is a profession of independent nature and focuses on the promotion of health and wellbeing of people with the means of spirituality. The patient’

What is the evidence of debate ideas to a critical period (CP) effect Essay

What is the evidence of debate ideas to a critical period (CP) effect and What are the flaws - Essay Example Various studies have been largely conducted with the basis of debating on this hypothesis and the ideas that affect the critical period. Subsequently, there have been studies conducted too with a view to assessing the flaws that have surrounded this hypothesis, particularly in relation to the selective overview of the theoretical issues and empirical findings that relate to the question of the second language acquisition and a person’s age (White, 2003). In this study, the concentration point shall be laid on the flaws that have been experienced with in relation to the ideas of the critical period effect. To achieve this, a degree of familiarity has been assumed on the familiarity of readers in connection to specific linguistic structures that relate to this hypothesis. Subsequently, it is assumed that the audience is well informed of the methodology in relation to the critical period effect. In discussing the critical period debate, publications that have been made on the same shall form the basis of the analysis taking into consideration the availability of the concepts that have been geared towards the support for the hypothesis. For instance, according to Birdsong (2006), an understanding into the debate of critical period effect requires that brain based data and the behavior of individuals be discussed in relation to the cognitive neuro-functioning and neurocognitive aging of persons. His first argument is that there is a demonstrably different outcome in the acquisition of a second language among adults in comparison to the acquisition of the first language among children. A departure from this basic observation is what has triggered the attempts by various researchers to seek for an understanding of the age-related effects of acquiring a second language based on the hypothesis of the critical period. According to Qingxin (2012), there is no existence of a critical/sensitive learning period for the second language. The argument

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Cam) Essay Example for Free

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Cam) Essay Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes a variety of interventions—from exercise and dietary supplements to stress management strategies, biofeedback, and acupuncture. These therapies—which come from many different disciplines and traditions—are generally considered to be outside the realm of conventional medicine. When used in combination with conventional medicine, they are referred to as â€Å"complementary;† when used instead of conventional medicine, they are referred to as â€Å"alternative.† In the United States today, approximately 75% of people with MS use one form or another of CAM, generally in combination with their prescribed MS treatments. Are CAM Therapies Safe to Use? Many people use CAM because they believe that anything sold over-the-counter at a pharmacy or health food store is healthy and harmless. However, unlike conventional medical treatments—which are thoroughly tested and carefully regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—most CAM therapies have undergone very little, if any, scientific study. So some may be completely safe while others may actually pose significant risks—for example, by producing serious side effects or interacting negatively with other medications a person is taking. Fortunately, a greater effort is now being made to find ways to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various types of CAM. Why is Controlled Clinical Studies So Important? Carefully-designed clinical trials are the best way to determine whether a treatment is safe and effective. Here are the reasons why: * Because the course of MS is variable, and each person’s symptoms tend to come and go in an unpredictable way, the only way to determine the effectiveness of a treatment is to test it on a large number of people. * Because most people—regardless of the disease they have—will have a positive response to any new treatment they receive (even if it’s an inactive substance or placebo), the effectiveness of a new treatment can only be proven by comparing it to a placebo or to another treatment that has already been shown to be effective. * Because every treatment carries with it the risk of anticipated and unanticipated side effects, the only way to evaluate a treatment’s safety is to evaluate it in a large number of people over a sufficient period of time. Recommended Guidelines to Follow People who are considering using a CAM therapy should ask the following questions: * What does the treatment involve? * How and why is it supposed to work? * How effective is it? * What are the risks? * How much does it cost? The answers to these questions can help a person considering a CAM therapy to weigh the benefits against the risks. For those who decide to go ahead with the CAM therapy, here are some good, common sense recommendations: Keep your physician informed about everything you are taking. Not sharing this important information is like asking your physician to treat you blindfolded—and knowing everything you are taking will allow your doctor to alert you to possible side effects or drug interactions. Dont abandon conventional therapy. The treatments your physician prescribes for you are the ones that have been evaluated in controlled clinical trials or accepted by the MS medical community as safe and effective therapies. So stay with your prescribed treatments even if you decide to add CAM to your treatment plan. Document the experience. Keep a detailed log of what you take or what is done and any changes you experience. Check out These Complementary Approaches to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being * Food and Diet—Although various diets have been promoted to cure or control MS, no diet has been proven to modify the course of MS. MS specialists recommend that people follow the same high fiber, low fat diet that is recommended for all adults. * Exercise— Exercise offers many benefits for people with MS. In addition to improving your overall health, aerobic exercise reduces fatigue and improves bladder and bowel function, strength, and mood. Stretching exercises reduce stiffness and increase mobility. The physicial therapist can recommend an exercise plan to fit your abilities and limitations. * Stress management—The relationship between stress and the onset or worsening of MS is far from clear—and different types of stress appear to affect different people in different ways. But none of us feel our best when we’re stressed, so it’s important to find the stress management strategies that work best for you. * Acupuncture—Acupuncture is finding its way into Western medicine, with studies suggesting possible benefits for a wide range of problems. Definition of terms: 1. Alternative medicines is any practice that is put forward as having the healing effects of medicine, but is not based on evidence gathered with the scientific method. Typically not part of conventional treatment, alternative medicine is usually based on tradition, belief in supernatural energies, pseudoscience, errors in reasoning, propaganda, or fraud. Alternative therapies lack scientific validation, and their effectiveness is either unproved or disproved. The treatments are those that are not part of the conventional, science-based healthcare system. 2. Complementary medicines is treatment and medicine that you use in addition to your doctors standard care. 3. Dietary Supplements dietary supplements are substances you eat or drink. They can be vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants, amino acids (the individual building blocks of protein), or parts of these substances. They can be in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form. They supplement (add to) the diet and should not be considered a substitute for food. Importance of CAM in Clinical Pharmacy Studying CAM is important in clinical pharmacy since it is concerned with drugs. If you have a patient who does CAM system, then you can be aware of do’s and don’ts so you can perform a better patient counseling. Since CAM is not suggested, but at least you know it, then you can support your patients regarding that. Situational Analysis Talk to your doctor about risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine Work with your conventional medical doctor to help you make informed decisions regarding complementary and alternative treatments. Even if your doctor cant recommend a specific practitioner, he or she can help you understand possible risks and benefits before you try a treatment. Its especially important to involve your doctor if youre pregnant, have medical problems or take prescription medicine. And dont stop or change your conventional treatment — such as the dose of your prescription medications — without talking to your doctor first. Finally, be sure to keep your doctor updated on any complementary and alternative therapies youre using, including herbal and dietary supplements.

The Origins Of The Modern World History Essay

The Origins Of The Modern World History Essay Wonderful synthesis of recent scholarship on Rise of the West literature with an economic and ecological focus. Uses Global Historical Context to address most issues addressed in the Modern World History course. Use as: Teacher background Use isolated quotes/ chapters for all levels Review book at end of AP curriculum for review Questions raised: How did industry and European-style countries called nation-states-rather than highly developed agrarian empires like China and India-come to define our world? How has the gap between rich and poor increased? How and why have European ways of organizing the world come to dominate the globe? Was the Rise of the West a temporary blip? Scope: Global look (but especially Europe, China and India) 1400 -1900 Chapter by chapter breakdown: Intro In the space of just 200 years, the world has seen a great reversal of fortune: where once Asians held most of the economic cards, today it is primarily Western countries and Japan. (p. 2) Concepts addressed/ introduced in chapter: Globalization Enlightenment Communism Nation-states French Revolution Weber-Protestant work ethic Disease Industrial Revolution modernization Exploration/ Encounter Progress History Colonialism Renaissance Capitalism Slavery Modes of Historical Inquiry Comparative units of analysis Definition of Eurocentrism State legitimacy Concept of Pentimento (p. 8) Ecological analysis Historical inquiry multiple causality (contingent, accidents, and conjunctures) Chapter 1 Material and Trading Worlds Circa 1400 The Chinese, for example, had a long history of contact with these kinds of people [nomads], and in fact had come to classify them into two groups the cooked, those willing to accept some of the trappings of Chinese civilization, and the raw, those who ere not. Concepts addressed in chapter: Birth of civilization Nomadic interchange Agricultural revolution Peasants Biological Old regime Cooked and Raw World systems wildlife population impact on Lebensraum Largest urban areas Peasant revolts (comp. Pugachev, Taiping, Japan, France) Bigger Questions: Role of Population growth and decline Existence of polycentric world system Chapter 2 Starting with China During those 1100 years [650 1750], the Indian Ocean was arguably the single most important crossroads of trade and generator of merchant wealth in the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (p. 49) After European introduction of armed tradeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ there were responses. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ some Asian rulers of coastal trading cities responded by walling their territories and purchasing their own cannons and gunsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. In Achehà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the Islamic ruler in the early 1500s built a formidable navy for the dual purpose of running the Portuguese blockade and capturing their ships and arms. Later, in the 1500s, through its contacts with the Ottoman empire, Acheh imported several large and well-made Ottoman guns, sufficient not just to defend themselves from the Portuguese, but to threaten Portuguese-controlled Malacca. Portuguese armed trading may have altered much in the Indian Ocean, but dar-al-Islam continued to limit what Europeans could and could not do in the world. (p. 63) Concepts addressed in chapter: Chinese history Indian textiles Zheng He Slavery Confucius Mongols Indian Ocean trade Crusades Origins and Spread of Islam Feudalism/ serfs Ibn Battuta 100 years war Islamic empires Reconquista Role of Constantinople Spice trade West African empires: Ghana, Mali Mediterranean trade (Venice/ Genoa) African gold- Mansa Musa Portuguese/ Spanish exploration East Africa Increase of armed trade in I.O. Chapter 3 Empires, States, and the New World, 1500- 1775 Where previously there had been several worlds in the world-the Chinese world, the Indian Ocean world, the Mediterranean world, and the Americas, as yet unknown to Europeans, Asians, or Europeans-after 1500 two new links drew the entire globe into a single world for the first time. (1492 and 1571) ..the first globalization (p. 67) By 1700, then, England had a government that, in the words of one British historian, was prepared to subordinate all foreign policy to economic ends.' (p. 88) In 1775, Asia produced about 80% of everything in the world, probably an increase from 1500. In other words, two-thirds of the worlds population-Asians-produced four-fifths of the worlds goods. Seen from another perspective, Europeans, at one-fifth of the worlds population in 1775, shared production of one-fifth of the worlds goods with Africans and Americans. Asia thus had the most productive economies in the three centuries after 1500. (p. 81) Concepts addressed in chapter: Imperial expansion Russia (4x), China(2x), Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Decreased nomadic influence Aztec (25 m.) and Incan (16 m) empires (strengths and weaknesses) Arrival and impact of Cortez and Pizarro Columbian Exchange Disease Forced labor Silver mining Potosi, Chinese demand, Spanish Armada Textiles New World economy: Plantation system, increase of slavery, sugar State-building (wars, competition, debt, expulsions, Inquisition, Enlightenment) Mercantalism 7 years war/ French Indian wars = the first world war? Chapter 4 The Industrial Revolution and its Consequences, 1750 -1850 Indeed, India around 1700 was the largest exporter of cotton textiles in the world and supplied textiles not just to meet English demand, but throughout the world as well. Southeast Asia, east and west Africa, the Middle East, and Europe were major export markets, in addition to the large domestic Indian market. No wonder that the demand for Indian cotton in the eighteenth century was greater than all the weavers in the country can maunfacture and that India accounted for fully one quarter of the world manufacturing output in 1750. (pp. 96- 97) It was as if the British had subjugated the Indian peninsula simply in order to use its resources against China. (p. 117) Concepts addressed in chapter: Use of coal to replace wind, water animal power Cotton textiles-cost of food not labor is what made textiles cheaper Increased protectionism by E. Role of VOC and EIC Battle of Plassey/ Clive > India Use of slave markets in Americas for cheap textiles Demographic changes in China Role of gender in textile industry in China (107) Tea Opium Wars Use of iron and steam Chapter 5 By 1900, India accounts for barely 2% of world manufacturing output, China about 7%, while Europe alone claims 60% and the United States 20%. (p. 123) Without opium à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ there probably would have been no British empire. (p. 130) Concepts addressed in chapter: De-industrialization/ ruralization of India Industrialization of Br, Fr, Ger, US, Russia and Japan Recessions Social consequences of Industrialization factories and work women and families resistance and revolution (Communist Manifesto) Nationalism (nations- French Rev) state legitimacy Tools of empire in Africa and China (Maxim gun, quinineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) Taiping Rebellion (20 m.) Japans imperialism Spanish American war Ecological trends Deforestation- India, Latin America El Nino famines (p. 148) HOW DOES THIS WORK?) Social Darwinism, racism justifies the success -> genocides Conclusion interactions among various parts of the world account for most of the story of the making of the modern world, not the cultural achievements of any one part. Indeed those achievements are not understandable except in a global context. The whole-in this case the world and its modern history-thus is greater than the sum of its parts. (p . 155) It seems to me that pentimento is an apt metaphor for exploring the patterns of change and continuity in world history. If we think of the pattern of world history being composed of two primary layers, the first is a picture of a world in which Asia shines most brightly, as it did from 1400 to about 1800. That picture, though, was covered up over the past two hundred years by a new one depicting the rise of the west. Now though that second painting is beginning to fade and elements of the first one-the wealth and power of Asia are again beginning to show through, reasserting some of the worlds previous patterns, though in new contexts and with important variations. (p. 159) Concepts addressed in chapter: 20th century developments wars, depression, technological developments, decolonization role of international organizations Idea of pentimentoChange and continuity Sequel: Story of resistance to Modern World (p. 161) Critiques: 1900 stop but examples go beyond that year Time jumping within periods (ex. of peasant rebellions) China emphasis Redundancies Synthesis Dense for students?

Approaches To Tackling Cervical Cancer Health And Social Care Essay

Approaches To Tackling Cervical Cancer Health And Social Care Essay The Health Promotion logo incorporates five key action areas in Health Promotion (build healthy public policy, create supportive environments for health, strengthen community action for health, develop personal skills, and re-orient health services) and the three basic Health Promotion strategies (to enable, mediate, and advocate) as described by the World Health Organisation in the Ottawa Charter (World Health Organisation 1986; Nutbeam 1998). In Nigeria, incidence rate of cervical cancer is the estimated at 25 per 100,000 women; with an about 8000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year(Adewole, Benedet et al. 2005). CITED IN OKONOFUA. The National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme (NCCPP)-the first national effort towards the cervical cancer prevention in Nigeria-was formally launched by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in October, 2008. Potential approaches to tackling cervical cancer Medical or preventive approach: primary prevention via HPV vaccination and secondary prevention via cervical screening .This closely aligns with the principle highlighted in the Alma Ata declaration which focuses on prevention rather than cure(World Health Organisation 1978). Behavioural approach: encouraging clients to take-up screening services and also encouraging clients to adopt healthy sexual behaviour through group or one-to-one counselling as well as mass campaigns. Educational approach: increase awareness of the cause of cervical cancer via sex education (peer education and family life skills curriculum). Knowledge about the risk factors for cervical cancer may change sexual attitudes and ultimately behaviour. Socio-economic factors may however limit voluntary change in behaviour. Provision of leaflets, booklets, group, and one-to-one advice may be used to educate on the risks of the disease. Social change approach: free education for teen females and free vocational training programmes and improving access to education. Empowerment approach: enhance life skills through family life skills curriculum and peer-education which help in teaching female teenagers assertiveness and negotiation, and self esteem building regarding sexual issues. Theoretical underpinning for cervical cancer screening This intervention combines the medical (preventive), behavioural and educational approaches to health promotion. The theoretical framework is the modified health belief model(Rosenstock, Strecher et al. 1988) of health-related decision making. The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been widely used in the prediction of cervical cancer screening uptake (Gillam 1991; Austin, Ahmad et al. 2002; Johnson, Mues et al. 2008).It is based on the individuals perceptions of the threat posed by a health problem (susceptibility, severity), the advantages of avoiding the threat, and factors influencing the health related decisions (barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy). This value-expectancy model(Shumaker, Ockene et al. 2009) suggests that whether people change their health behaviour, accept an intervention, or not would depend on if they believe its benefits outweigh its risks (e.g. death) or costs (time and money). It suggests that women are influenced by how vulnerable they think they are to cervical cancer (perceived susceptibility) and how serious they consider it to be (perceived severity). This theory has however been criticised as being unable to predict behaviour but it can potentially serve as a framework for elucidating womens reactions to screening and help in devising methods of increasing participation, improving the quality of the service, and reducing womens anxiety towards cervical cancer diagnosis(Fylan 1998). According to the HBM, asymptomatic people may not go for cervical screening unless they accept that, though they have no symptoms, they may in fact have pre-cancerous lesions (perceived susceptibility). They must understand that cervical cancer is a leading cause of death (perceived severity). Taking a Pap smear test will reduce the risk of cervical cancer (perceived benefits) without negative side effects or excessive difficulty (perceived barriers). Posters, reminder letters and messages, or radio announcements especially in the local dialect mig ht encourage women to go for screening (cues to action). For those who have had a friend or relative developing cancer, counselling might help build confidence in taking up the service (self-efficacy). Individual perceptions Modifying factors Likelihood of action Perceived benefits of cervical screening-avoidance of premature death minus Perceived barriers to cervical screening -accessing healthcare facilities (transport), inconvenient clinic times, lack of a female screener (especially for muslim women), fatalistic view of cancer, cost of testing, lack of patient-friendly services, cultural health beliefs, language barriers, fear of discrimination, spouse disapproval, absence of symptoms Demographic variables Age (>20), female (gender),marital status Socio-psychological variables Low socio-economic status, poor nutrition, level of education, polygamy, multiple sexual partners Structural variables Knowledge about cervical cancer, prior contact with people with cervical cancer Perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer Perceived severity of cervical cancer Perceived threat of cervical cancer Likelihood of having a pap smear Cues to action Advice from physicians and lay persons (friends, neighbours, relatives, community leaders, and spiritual leaders) Mass media campaigns-radio announcements and broadcasts (in English and local dialect), newspaper articles, billboards, television, press advertisements Booklets, leaflets, and posters placed in public places like supermarkets; handbills Illness or death of a friend or close relative from cervical cancer Reminders from physicians Health Belief Model of Cervical Cancer Prevention (Adapted from (Naidoo and Wills 2009)-Health Belief Model pg. The theory of reason action and theory of planned behaviour may be used to predict response to cervical cancer screening based on looking up to the health promoters as models. Role of the media in cervical screening Using the media to pass on information and advice is an important strategy or tool for health promotion. Much of public health issues-including smoking and HIV/AIDS -have been successfully improved via extensive media campaigns. Media messages help in reaching large numbers of people. The vital role of research in health promotion has been supported by research (Marcus and Crane 1998; Jenkins, McPhee et al. 1999).Mass media campaigns aim to raise awareness or provide messages about participation in the intervention. Mobile phone text messaging is a potentially useful means of sending invitations and reminders for screening. A research finding also stated that mobile phone messages `seems to be an effective tool for increasing compliance with vaccination schedules'(Vilella, Bayas et al. 2004).A trial demonstrated that attendance at primary care centres improved via mobile phone text messaging (Leong, Chen et al. 2006)and unhealthy behaviours such as smoking(Rodgers, Corbett et al. 2005) has been shown in research to be improved by text messages. Furthermore, a systematic review also indicated that mass media interventions may play a key role in influencing the use of healthcare interventions(Grilli, Freemantle et al. 2000). Linear causal and diffusion of innovation model have been used to explain the effects of media on an audience.REVISE AND ADD 3 LINES FROM TAG AND NAIDOO Though media is effective at reaching large nos of people the understanding and recall by the target audience cannot be guaranteed .It must be supported by other strategies like reimforcement from experts. CITE NAIDOP189 PLUS SOURCESCHECK NAIDOO AND WILLS .There is also a problem of interpreting statistics research studies and interpretation of risk. Social marketing=market women,university students,female health care wokers,women in churches,muslim women Read pg 194 plus few other ar Rationale for cervical screening For a screening for a disease to be effective: the disease must be an important health problem; the natural course of the disease should be well understood; the disease should have a long detectable preclinical phase; must have effective treatment and early treatment should improve outcome; the test should be highly specific and sensitive; and adequate resources to perform the test should be available and it should be cost effective(Naidoo and Wills 2005). LINK THESE TO PAP SMEAR AND CERV CA + CITE epide/sys reviews/rcts The Ewles and Simnett model(Ewles and Simnett 2003) combined with a logic framework would be used in planning the programme. Needs assessment: the case for cervical cancer screening in Ibadan The needs assessment for this programme is carried out from the professionals perspective using the epidemiological approach (Williams and Wright 1998; Bowling and Jones 2002; Tones and Green 2004).Needs assessment is best carried out using both qualitative and quantitative information(Gilmore and Campbell 2005).It is done in order to help establish priorities ,assist planning, justify the use of resources and also in planning evaluation. It brings to light the magnitude of the problem and establishes a baseline against which the health promotion intervention can be evaluated. Ibadan is large community located in Nigeria. It shares a unique mix of middle class -mainly government workers and university staff -and socially disadvantaged groups. It has a substantial number of Muslims spanning the Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups .Literacy level is low. The transport system is inexpensive but poorly organised and most women are involved in petty trading. Health services available are one teaching hospital, 3 state-owned general hospitals, and primary health centres located within each LGA. Epidemiological data-morbidity, and mortality statistics-from the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan cancer registry- was used to identify and quantify the incidence of cervical cancers occurring in the community. The mean age of years at presentation. A recent study by doctors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan as reported by The Punch of November 7, 2002 gave credence to the emerging trend revealing- that out of- Nigerian women have breast cancer. Based on this finding, 34,800 new cases would be expected in 2003 an increase from 27,840 or 25% in 1999. Selection of intervention population Based on needs assessment, practical considerations such as level of funding, the pathogenesis of human papillomavirus infection and to a lesser degree current life-expectancy statistics? This intervention targets women between 20 and 65 years old Justify with evidence Aim The programme overall aim is to reduce the morbidity and premature mortality from cervical cancer in Ibadan? Objectives To raise the awareness of cervical cancer and screening to 85% by the year 2014 To increase to about 70% participation( the percentage of eligible women screened by ) To Intervention and resources=500 words The intervention is a community-based intervention set in Ade-Oyo Ibadan, a community in the South-Western region of Nigeria. Mass media campaigns to promote cervical cancer screening-planned media coverage funded by sponsoring bodies plus unpaid media coverage in newspapers-the recent death of a former first lady from ovarian cancer may increase awareness and the involvement of the current first lady in cancer initiatives has led to a dramatic increase in media coverage of cancer related issues. Stakeholders-represenative of the press? Primary staeholders-the women Secondary stakeholders Health professionals-general practitioners,specialist gynaecologists,health promotion and public health nurses,community health extension workers Key stakeholders Funding bodies and ngos World Health Organisation , Mass Medical Mission (MMM) ,PATH Policy makers- agencies/FMOH/Oyo State moh,Ministry of Women Affairs RESOURCES Pap smear plus acetoacettttt Target? by 2014 Evaluation of the cervical cancer prevention programme=300 -400 words Ethical principles 3-4 lines Political dimensions3-4 statements Politics can be looked at from a power perspective and defined as the production ,distribution and use of scarce resourcesCite IN NAIDOO(Heywood 2000). Politics play an important role in the success of health promotion interventions. ATTACH LOGIC FRAMEWORK Quantitative approach: Conclusion This health promotion intervention has used the medica approach to hp which is often viewed as being mechanistic redustic view of health

Macbeth :: essays research papers

Macbeth If it hadn’t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo. Macbeth, also would not have been killed my Macduff. The three witches are the reason that everything happened the way the they did. In the beginning of the play, the three witches prophecized that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor adn the King of Scotland. In the near future Macbeth became the Thane of Cawdor because of his valiant efforts in the war. Macbeth started to think about the witches proheciesand started to become a little ambitious. With the constant nagging and mockery of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth decides to go through with the murder of Duncan. Thus, another one of the witches prophecies was fulfilled. The witches also prophecized that Banquo’s sons will be kings. In the worry of Banquo finding out about the murder of Duncan and the thought of Banquo’s son, Fleance, Macbeth hires a few asassins to murder Banquo and his son. Later,three ghosts appear in front of Macbeth. First, an armored head appears and warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Second, a bloody child appears telling Macbeth that no man born a woman should harm him. Third, a child holding a tree, tells Macbeth that he is safe until Birnham Woods comes to Dunsinane. After the three ghosts visit Macbeth, the apparition of Banquo appears. Following Banquo is seven of his descendants, all of which were deceased kings. The first of the three warinings from the ghosts comes true when macduff allies with Malcolm, one of Duncan’s sons. Together they plan to retake the throne of Scotland. Macduff and Malcolm plan to use the leaves and branches of Birnham Woods as camouflage. Before Macbeth is killed, he

Nationalists :: essays papers

Nationalists The extent to which Nationalists should pursue their goals is a complex issue. The possible changes as well as the losses must be weighed. There is a myriad of complex issues surrounding the situation. Without Nationalists making changes, Italy would not be unified, Apartheid would still exist in South Africa, and many other changes would not have occurred on this planet. I believe that Nationalists should try to solve their problems and get what they want without using violence as a tool. Guseppe Mazzini was a major factor in the unification of Italy. He started his fight for unity with non-violent means. He tried wearing black clothing to mourn the persecuted, and he attempted to educate the people about the dangers of foreign rule in Italy. Gradually however he escalated to more violent means of getting his way. He stirred feelings of Nationalism, brotherhood and religion. In 1848 he started a revolution in Rome. The Pope was forced to flee the city, and Mazzini established a Roman Republic. The entire republic was built upon the one-time rage of the masses. Mazzini simply stirred the emotions of the people, but they didn't really feel that strongly about it. The population of Rome didn't care enough to fight for the retention of the city. The French were easily able to re-take the city, and return it to the Pope. Mahatma Gandhi represents the other side of the spectrum, throughout his life he used only non-violent means to get what he wanted. His main goal was to get Moslems and Hindus to live peacefully together. He was quoted as saying "All religions are almost as dear to me as my Hinduism". One instance of his attempts to use non-violent means to accomplish his goal was his two hundred and thirty-kilometer march to the ocean in order to extract salt illegally. This was in protest of Britain's salt monopoly in India. Other non-violent acts that he used as tools to persuade the government to listen to his goals were his six to twenty-one day fasts. At one time Gandhi used a fast to force his release from prison. The prison would have been held responsible for his death and would have major pressure put on it to close down. Gandhi had become such a hero to the population that, if the government allowed

Healthy Grief Essay

The Book of Job is a profound story about a man who was â€Å"perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil† (Job 1:1). Job was a man who had a loving family, prospered and was very wealthy. For whatever reason, Satan challenged God regarding Job. Satan told God that if everything were taken away from Job, he would surely curse God. It was a â€Å"bet† of sorts. So God gave Satan the power to destroy everything Job had with the exception of Job’s life. Satan took away Job’s possessions, family and health. Unbelievably, even after all his loss, Job still fell to the ground and worshipped God. Job 1:2-20) The trials and hardships that Job suffered were inconceivable, yet Job seemed to persevere and demonstrate resilience beyond what is human. What made the difference? Was it his faith? This paper will discuss the five stages of the Kubler-Ross grieving process. It will examine the successful example of Job’s own grieving process as it relates to the Baha’i faith. The Five stages of Kubler-Ross can be seen throughout the story of Job. According to Kubler-Ross (2013), the grieving process is comprised of five formal stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. The first stage, denial, actually enables the person to initially endure an incredible loss. While it may seem counterintuitive, denial is actually a critical aspect of the healthy healing process. It is comparable to entering a stage of shock. The act of denial actually is a protective mechanism that helps a person cope with the overwhelming situations. (Kubler-Ross & Kessler 2013) One could interpret Job’s statement, â€Å"Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away†(Job 1:21) as a form of denial. Others may interpret it as his unwavering faith in God’s plan. Anger is the next stage, and is absolutely essential to the grieving process. Job is seen voicing his anger, â€Å"Therefore I will not restrain my mouth, I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. † (Job 7:11) Pain is the emotion most closely related to and buried under anger. So, in essence, the pain drives anger and anger drives change. As it relates to the grieving process, anger instigates a form of strength and can provide the backbone and structure necessary to move on to the next stage. Kubler-Ross & Kessler 2013) Although Job voices his anger it isn’t directed to God but rather the situation. Bargaining in the third stage and is the stage of negotiating. In their mind, a person will remain in the past, and try anything to return to the way things were before. (Kubler-Ross & Kessler 2013) At first glance, it appears Job doesn’t ever go through the bargaining stage, he clearly expresses his sadness. He continues to praise and worship God in spite of the losses he is going through. However, one can observe how he clearly wishes he could return to the way things were before. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered. † (Job 9:4) But his sorrow could certainly be seen as a type of bargaining with God to relieve his sorrow. The fourth stage is depression, the stage where one will experience feelings of emptiness and hopelessness. Some people worry that their feelings of despair will last forever. Yet this stage is part of the natural order of loss, and a critical component of the five stages. When someone is depressed they become withdrawn. They sometimes question whether or not they should go on themselves. The depression stage is part of the natural healing process and is a necessary step one must experience in order to heal. (Kubler-Ross & Kessler 2013) Job reveals his own deep depression he says, â€Å"My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope. â€Å"(Job 7:6) â€Å"Let that day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said. † (Job 3:3) and continues to question why he survived birth and should probably never have been conceived. (Job 3:3-11). Job is feeling hopeless and is becoming depressed. He also feels his problems are ith no end in sight, and he is experiencing the thoughts of giving up. Acceptance of his trials is evident in Job 13: 15-16 â€Å"Through he slay me, yet will I trust in him, He also will be my salvation. † Job accepts that God is wise and puts his trust in him. This stage is about the acceptance of a new reality; people change, learn and develop empathy from their grief to move on. Acknowledging the pain and moving on doesn’t mean the past is forgotten, rather it enables the person to move forward with an open heart and a broader perspective. Job didn’t fully understand the purpose of his trials, but he accepted the omnipotence of his God. His faith sustained him just as faith sustains people today. Job’s faith is similar to that of the Baha’i faith. Those of the Baha’i faith believe that the body, mind, and spirit grow when they are tried by suffering. Trails or tests are viewed as a gift from God. Those who have these tests and persevere will have happiness while those who don’t are cowards. They are asked to turn to God and pray when enduring these tests and be thankful. Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting† (Baha’i International Community 2013). Job persevered and believed there was a reason to why God was putting him through these trials. Studies have shown that those who attend church, pray, and actively practice their faith actually suffer less depression and resolve their grief sooner than those with little or no faith at all. (Quick, 2012) Clearly, there appears to be a correlation between spiritual beliefs or faith, and the ability to handle stress and accept tragedies in a more positive way. Healthcare providers, counselors, and clergy have all recognized that having a faith to cling to or a greater belief in life after death can ease the grieving process. In conclusion, having a belief in a greater power and life after death can make dealing with loss much easier. When a person has something to cling to, it can make dealing with trauma or loss more manageable. If there was no belief in life after death or no belief in a greater power, life’s tragedies would be far more difficult to deal with. It’s actually healthy to cultivate a belief in something. Like Job, we will all experience some type of loss in our lives. Grief is a common thread to each and every person on the planet. Identifying the stages of grief, and having the resources and skills to cope with grief is crucial for handling grief in a healthy way. Everyone experiences the stages of grief. The difference seems to be faith. People who have a deep sense of faith are better equipped and more quickly navigate the stages of grief. As with Job, their faith allows them to go forward and successfully help others through the grieving process.

Mongol Criticisms

November 28, 2010 Mongol Invasions The Mongol Invasions of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries have long been a point of contention amongst historians and scholars. The series of assaults launched on behalf of the Mongols ultimately amounted to a holocaust in which few were spared. Though the immediate impacts of the conquests were undeniably horrific, some historians have commended later Mongol regimes for the institutional reforms they introduced.However, even with these post invasion innovations in mind, a legitimate rationale behind the excessive destruction and violence is still a question for debate. When examining the ideological motives of the Mongols, it is clear that they were radically impassioned by their beliefs. Unfortunately, the logic behind these beliefs is less clear.Taking into consideration the relevant religious debate during the time period as exemplified in â€Å"William of Rubric’s Account of the Mongol Invasions† as well as the pertinent hum anitarian concerns best illustrated by renowned historian Ibn al-Athir, criticisms regarding the religious legitimacy and negative humanitarian impacts of the Mongol Invasions are valid assessments. The first controversy surrounding the impact of the Mongol invasions is whether or not their motives were legitimate.Much of historian criticism suggests that the religious and ideological beliefs of the Mongols that compelled them to action were both extremist and illogical. The second topic of debate is whether, with those motives in mind, the extermination of such an enormous group of people, could possibly be justified. In contrast with these historians’ criticisms, some historians commend the institutional reforms and cultural changes initiated by the Mongols.However, considering the inhumanity of systematically exterminating entire civilizations based on religious and ideological beliefs that are in many ways flawed, historian criticisms are both appropriate and compelling. The religious foundations of the Mongol invasions have been subject to criticisms from historians who raise interesting ideological concerns. Some historians argue that no event so catastrophic could possibly hold any justification in religion nor could it be condoned for whatever long-term beneficial effects[1].According to Ibn al-athir, â€Å"there is no strength and no power save in God, the High, the Almighty, in face of this catastrophe, whereof sparks flew far and wide, and the hurt was universal†. It has also been suggested that Mongol religion did not take into account morality nor incorporate any codes for governing human behavior. The tribe’s original religious identity was based in Tengriism, or the worship of an Eternal Blue Sky god. In practice, Tengriism was notably primitive. Ibn al-Athir confirms this observation in saying, â€Å"As for their religion, they worship the sun when it rises, and regard nothing as unlawful†.A religion that takes no pa rticular stance on fundamental moral issues and provides no feasible code of living for it’s followers is a religion that encourages chaos. But an even more obtrusive Mongol belief was in their God given destiny to conquer the entirety of the known world. They defined this destiny as an attempt to â€Å"purify the earth of the disorders that taint[ed] it† (96). Or in other words, to destroy any civilization whose beliefs did not coincide with theirs. By modern standards, the Mongol invasions could be classified as genocide.The arrogance of the Mongols also ensured the continuity of the movement. In William Rubruck’s account of the Mongols, it is evident that the perspectives of other religious, social, or political parties were largely suppressed. Tolerance for opinions that conflicted with Mongol regimes was minimal, and their violent history instilled a level of fear in people that kept them quiet. Combined with their passionate objective to carry out God†™s will, Mongol arrogance and intolerance gave the movement frightening momentum.Being violently impassioned by these questionable beliefs, it is not surprising that the actions of the Mongols were also very controversial. The systematic extermination of hundreds of thousands of people, involving cases of torture and public killings, undoubtedly constitutes a humanitarian catastrophe. For Ibn al- Athir, the Mongol invasions represented â€Å"the greatest catastrophe and the most dire calamity (of the like of which and days and nights are innocent) which befell all men generally†. He comes to this conclusion in part by considering the most tragic event preceding the invasions.This event was Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem and the slaughtering of the children of Israel. In his comparison he notes that the Mongols killed more people in a single city then all of the children that were massacred in Israel, thus deeming the invasions the single most catastrophic event in history at that time. During the Mongol’s invasions they destroyed villages, and desecrated countless schools, libraries, mosques, and palaces. Many historians perceive their militant tactics as being ruthless and barbaric.Examples of such acts are: The flooding or burning of entire villages, pouring molten gold down the throat of a Muslim governor, creating public pyramids from victims severed heads, and even slaughtering dogs and cats on the street. Ibn al- Athir comments on the merciless approach of the Mongols by asserting that â€Å"Even Antichrist would spare such that follow him, though he destroy those who oppose him, but these Tartar’s spared none, slaying women and men and children, ripping open pregnant women and killing unborn babies†. This reiterates the dilemma of how any event so atrocious in it’s impact could have any legitimate rationale behind it.Accredited arguments in support of the Mongol Invasions commend the long-term effec ts of Mongol rule. The two most prevalent to the debate are: First, that a post invasion shift toward government centralization occurred and ultimately benefited Middle Eastern infrastructures. Second, that the Mongols introduced a new phase of creativity to the Middle East. Some historians have labeled the shift back toward government centralization as the rebirth of the Iranian Monarchial System and commend it for having â€Å"recreated the brilliance of Saljuq-Period Turkic-Iranian monarchical culture†.They argue that this change enabled innovative developments and constructions such as building cities, developing irrigation works, and trade expansion. Furthermore, some argue that the synthesis of Mongol, Turkic, Seljuq, and Iranian concepts gave birth to a uniquely innovative and artistic culture. Evidence supporting this conception includes the flourishing of historical writings, the revival of painting and illustration, and architectural advancements. It is true that Mo ngol rule saw a complete cultural transformation that may have in some ways benefited Middle Eastern society, but at what cost?The value of any newly established state must be weighed with the value of the one it replaced, not excluding the question of why it was replaced in the first place. By modern standards, the justifications behind the actions of the Mongols are backwards and nonsensical. Consistent with historian criticisms, Mongol religion fails to incorporate any ideals of morality or legality or to provide any sort of framework for its followers. Furthermore, though they claimed to be endowed with a God given destiny, they were never able or willing to back this claim up with any sort of proof.This leads one to wonder why no one contested the actions of the Mongols during that period. The answer to that question is best illustrated in the religious debate recounted in â€Å"William Rubricks account of the Mongols† in which the exclusiveness of Mongol influence is il luminated. The Mongols sought to institute a level of fear in it’s people that would keep them quiet and prevent them from fighting back. Sadly, even those who didn’t fight back were not necessarily spared. The nonsensical violent and inhumane acts committed by the Mongols were inexcusable.The invasions ultimately led to the obliteration not only of entire Middle Eastern populations but also to that of their cultural identities. Whether what replaced those cultures was prosperous or not, there is no justification for the diabolical actions of the Mongols. humanity o Their claimed religious incentives and fatalistic belief in their destiny This brings me to the inquiry of what logical motive led the Mongols to perpetrate their invasions. During their invasions the Mongols destroyed villages, and desecrated countless schools, libraries, mosques, and palaces.In fact there have been cases in which they even destroyed damns and flooded entire villages. Another argument in f avor of the Mongol’s is that the synthesis of Mongol, Turkic, Seljuq, and Iranian concepts gave birth to a new level of creativity in the Middle East. Ibn al- athir is recognizing the impossibility that any religion could provide justification for the atrocious actions of the Mongols. The powerful impact of Mongol religion and ideology on their militant actions qualifies them as extremists.In Hulegu Khans warning to the inhabitants of Baghdad he asserts his belief that he is doing his part in carrying out God’s given destiny: â€Å"I will burn your city, your land and yourself. If you wish to spare yourself and your venerable family, give heed to my advice†¦ If you do not, you will see what God has willed† (97). When a movement as enormous in scope and strength as the Mongol’s claim to have a purpose that is endowed to them by God, their influence is automatically multiplied. William of Rubruck’s Account of the Mongols† provides a detail ed Western Account of the Mongol invasions. The religious debate included in his account, addresses the areas in which Christian ideology conflicts with institutionalized Mongol religion of the time. One significant principle that incited conflict among the religious parties present was the omnipotence of God.Arthur Goldschmidt Jr. and Lawrence Davidson, A Concise History of the Middle East Ninth Edition, Boulder, CO, Westview Press, 2010, 95-98

Research About Differences in Grade Essay

Introduction The field of Information Technology is one of the most interesting courses of study. This is very evident in the growing number of students pursuing the field in our school, College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC). In our (the CIC community)commitment for excellence as stipulated in our vision and mission, the school administrators, faculty and staff are continuously seeking ways on how we can improve our programs, the content and delivery of instruction and most especially our students. We do such by attending fora, conducting various seminar/workshops/trainings, benchmarking with other schools, peer mentoring, pursuing graduate studies and eventually aspiring and working for a university status through an ongoing accreditation with PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities). In the 4-year stint of offering the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, often, we are able to have not less than three blocks every semester. As a private school competing with so many others within the province, we represent quite a volume in our enrolment. However, most often than not, most students do not earn impressive grades. Though they pass, their grades as evidences of their performance in their different subjects, are quite low. Despite of the effort and commitment of the faculty to adapt, implement, innovate strategies for facilitating learning, very few of our students make it to have high grades especially in major subjects. Among these subjects are Computer Organization, Database Management System and System Analysis and Design. This leads the researcher in making this term paper to seek an answer to the problem cited below. Statement of the Problem Considering the subjects mentioned above, this study aims to answer: Is there a significant difference on the performance of the students in these three major subjects? Significance of the Study This term paper is deemed important for the following groups of people in our academe: For the teachers. The result of this study will shed some light on different performance, if there is any, of our students in the subjects concerned thereby providing an opportunity for improvement. If there is such difference, the subject and the teacher handling it may provide some effective means that others may use. Moreover, this term paper may also bring forth some more ideas for us, teachers, to get to know more our students and therefore provide them with the necessary intervention for better scholastic achievement. For IT students in CIC. Students, whose grades are used in this paper, may be benefitted thru proper interventions that maybe drafted for them. For future takers of the subjects mentioned here, this may prepare them for the semester wherein they will take the subjects. For the researcher, herself. This term paper is the culmination of her struggle with Statistics. The success of this paper may lead to more papers where topics learned in this subject may be applied for the creation of new knowledge and for delivery of information. Quite an exciting future for the researcher, she believes. Scope and Delimitation This term paper entitled â€Å"Difference of Selected BSIT 3 Students’ Performance in Three Major Subjects: A Term Paper† is focused on finding the difference, if there is any, in three major subjects taken by BSIT 3 of the College of the Immaculate Conception last 1st Sem of School Year 2010-2011. The subjects concerned were Computer Organization, Database Management System and System Analysis and Design. Computer Organization, mostly theoretical in nature, deals with various hardware structures and their interaction with each other. Database Management System, on the other hand, aims to develop a skill in designing, creating and maintaining and/or manipulating a database using MySQL. Lastly, System Analysis and Design focuses on the rudiments of systems development through a feasibility study which is collaborative in nature. These are three different subjects taken by mostly the same students, inclusive of irregular students, under different teachers. This term paper is limited only for the three subjects. It is not concerned, in any way, how those subjects were delivered nor with each student’s intellectual capacity. Definition of Terms CIC. College of the Immaculate Conception CIC community. Refers to the CIC administration, faculty and staff. Programs. Refers to the different course offerings of CIC Blocks. Refers to each class of students consisting of, ideally, not more than 40 students. IT Subject. Refers to each subject offered in the Bachelor Science in Information Technology curriculum. Computer Organization. Refers to the IT subject that presents the various hardware structures (down to transistor level) that compose a computer, their individual functions, how they interact with each other, how they can be organized and controlled to perform the task assigned to the computer. Database Management System. Refers to an IT subject that tackles the following topics: the physical database design process (the last stage of database design), data administration functions, which encompass concurrency control, database security and recovery. System Analysis and Design. This It subject deals with the different phases of systems development focusing on analysis and design where students will learn the rudiments of systems development through a feasibility study. College. Refers to CIC. Methodology The methodology employed in this study is the simple analysis of variance (ANOVA) or one-way ANOVA. According to Prof Isidra Marcos (2011), a distinguished professor in the NEUST graduate school, ANOVA is used for testing that two or more independent samples were drawn from population as having the same mean or to test whether or not more than 2 samples (or groups) are significantly different from each other. Each column in this table refers in each subject. The first column is for Computer Organization, the second one is for Database Management System and lastly for the System Analysis and Design. The last row displays in each cell the number of grades in each column. For the first subject, 31 grades corresponding to 31 students were gathered. There were also 31 and 33 on the second and last columns respectively.

A Class Divided Documentary Review

A class divided is a documentary about a teacher named Jane Elliot who teaches her students about racism first hand. She divides the students into two groups, the blue eyes, and the brown eyes. For the first day, the â€Å"brown eyed† children are not able to go to recess, or lunch at the same time as the rest of the children. They wear a blue collar around their necks so that they are obviously different at a distance from the other students. They are not allowed to drink from the same water fountains, use the playground equipment, or even play with the blue eyed children.The next day, the roles are reversed. During these two days Jane Elliot would make comments about the children wearing the collars to degrade them. She would point out if one of them wasn’t ready on time, or if they forgot something. She would say things like â€Å"That’s how blue eyed people are† â€Å"Brown eyed people are better than blue eyed people† (J. Elliot, A Class Divide d, 1985). After the children who weren’t wearing a collar noticed Mrs. Elliot saying these kinds of things, they would also chime in and begin saying things about the kids wearing the collars.Mrs. Elliot said â€Å"I watched wonderful, thoughtful, children turn into nasty, vicious, discriminating little third graders. †(J. Elliot, A Class Divided, 1985) . The movie showed the students come back for their fifteenth class reunion to talk about this life long lesson that their third grade teacher taught them. All of the students said it was a lesson they have never forgotten and something that changed their lives forever. They talked about how it affected their lives growing up, and how it affects the way they raised or were currently raising their children.Since she got done teaching, Jane has been doing trainings are conferences to teach others. Her movie A Class Divided has been shown in prisons to inmates who are trying to earn a degree. She also did training at a pri son in Iowa for the guards and other staff members. When people signed into the meeting they had to log whether they had brown eyes or blue eyes. Those with blue eyes had to wear a green ribbon. The people with brown eyes were able to go in and sit when the training was scheduled to start, where the blue eyed people had to stand out in the hall. The bathrooms were labeled â€Å"browns only†.The blue eyes weren’t told what was going on, they were just told to wait outside, and administration would come out and tell them to be quiet. Meanwhile, Jane Elliot talked to those with brown eyes and told them that they were not to allow blue eyed people to sit beside them. She told them that brown eyed people were better than blue eyed people. She said that blue eyed people were no good and the brown eyes were to treat them as such. A while after the meeting started the blue eyes were able to come into the room. They had to sit in the back, and some people didn’t even hav e a seat.During the meeting Jane talked to the people with blue eyes a lot like she did to her students 30 years ago. The reaction she got from the adults were a lot like they were in her experiment with the children, however there was one woman who was a lot more out spoken and rebellious toward Jane. Jane Elliot does a great job at not only telling people about racism and discrimination, but also showing how it affects us, and how easy it is to go with the crowd. Some of the movie takes place in a school, and this is a place where children are taught to socialize.Teachers play a huge role in how students are molded, especially at such a young age. In this day and age, I don’t think teachers really think about how much of an influence they are on their students. Most of the children spend more time with their teachers than they do with their own parents. Jane took on this role and helped her students understand that there is an issue with discrimination and taught them a val uable lesson. When this documentary was filmed not everyone was taught that the color of your skin doesn’t make up the type of person that you are.They were taught that if you are not white, you aren’t â€Å"normal†. They associated people that had a different skin color as â€Å"bad† or even â€Å"stupid†. In those times it was totally acceptable and some people sincerely believed this. Things that are social acceptable change over time and this is something that has changed in a big way. I’m not saying that everyone doesn’t care about the color of your skin. There is a lot of racism going on in our world today, but it is no where near as bad as it was forty years ago.It reflects what we are taught by our parents also. If we are taught that â€Å"black people† are bad then we are going to believe that they are, and look at all of the bad things they do. We like to be the same as everyone else; we do not like to stand out. In t he film a lot of people didn’t dare to stand up for those wearing a collar because that would require them to stand up and go against what the authoritative figure was saying. This video relates to several chapters in our sociology book, the main chapter being chapter ten, race and ethnicity.This movie focused on the struggle in our country with discrimination of those with a different skin color, concentrating on â€Å"blacks† being the minority. At the time, people thought of black people are dirty, stupid, and bad people. They didn’t think they were able to do anything as good as white people. Jane Elliot turned her classroom into a small discriminating society in a sense. She had the brown eyed students wear blue collars the first day and they were not able to do any of the same things that the blue eyed students did.She divided this class that was once a united class who played together, into a class that was split into two groups and mocked and made fun of each other, solely because of the color of their eyes. I also think we could relate this movie to chapter fourteen, where the book talks about education. Like I have stated before, teachers play a major role in their interaction with their students and how they can be molded. Jane talked about going over the phonics card packs with the brown eyed students on the day that they wore the collars around their necks and it took them five and a half minutes to get through the card pack.On the day that they didn’t wear the collar around their necks, and were treated with respect and felt as though they were sufficient, they only took two and a half minutes to get through the card pack. Jane talked about the time she performed this exercise for the second time with her third grade class. She said that the students score went up on the days where they were â€Å"on top† and went down on the days they were on â€Å"bottom†. After going through the exercise their overall scores would have a significant incline. Mrs.Elliot sent the results to Stanford University’s Psychology Department to have them study and examine why this would be so. We could also relate this video to chapter seventeen, which talks about social change: collective behavior, social movements and technology. Like I said, things that were once socially acceptable in those times are no longer acceptable now. In those days it was ok for people to say the word â€Å"nigger’ it was a term that people used for black people because that’s the term everyone else was using. Now, it is considered a derogatory word and it is not acceptable to say it.I thought that this documentary was very interesting. I loved what Jane Elliot did with her students. I wish it was something more teachers could do, but now-a-days it probably couldn’t be done because of the stink people would put up about it. I feel that some teachers spend too much time talking about topics and not n early enough actually teaching. Jane taught her students a lesson that they have remembered and will never forget. It is something that they have taught or will teach to their children. The town I grew up in was quite a bit like Riceville, Iowa. It was a small town, primarily Christians who were white.In fact, there were only two black people in our town and they happened to be two of my cousins who were adopted. From as far as I can remember I was taught that skin color doesn’t make up who the person is, â€Å"It’s what is on the inside that counts. † My cousins and I had a great relationship with my cousins and it wasn’t because of the color of their skin, or the color of mine that made the difference. I have met black people who I didn’t like, and I have met white people who I didn’t like. To me color makes no difference. I am very grateful that I was taught this lesson, and I feel and for those who haven’t been taught.I think it w ould be incredibly useful for this to be used in school. There are many other forms of discrimination other than people with different skin colors. Just because it is the form that is most widely talked about doesn’t mean it is the only one. I hope in some way, maybe not by putting collars around their necks, but I do hope that this is taught in schools through out the years. References Peters, William. (1985). A Class Divided. PBS, Frontline Benokraitis, Nijole. V. (2012). SOC, (Student Edition) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 19

The dealer's house sat away from the road, just like all sinister houses should, I suppose. My biased perceptions aside, there was actually little else about the house that was all that creepy. It was big and expensive-looking, spreading out lazily on beautifully manicured lawns, visible to me even at night. In a region where yards were at a premium, that much land signified a great deal of money. Unlike Bastien's place, this house had no similarly well-to-do neighbors. This house was in a class of its own; it could not be part of a mere suburban neighborhood. â€Å"Where are we?† I asked, because it seemed like the kind of naive, starry-eyed question I should be asking. Alec had met me downtown and then driven me out to this place in his own car. We were about twenty minutes outside the city. â€Å"This is where the guy lives,† he told me happily. His mood improved as we got closer to the house. â€Å"He'll hook you up.† The car followed the long, sinuous driveway and came to a stop by the garage. In an oddly chivalrous way, he opened the car door for me and gestured that I follow him inside. Glancing back at his beat-up Ford Topaz, I couldn't help thinking that being an immortal drug lord's lackey should pay better. Alec led us through a side door in the house, and even I was taken aback at what I found inside. The first word that came to mind was lush. And not the drunk kind either. I meant in the opulent sense, the kind of lush you sink your teeth into. The walls, floor, and ceilings consisted of gleaming dark hardwood, almost like we were inside a lodge – say, a lodge that cost seven figures. Beams of that beautiful wood crisscrossed the open, cathedral ceiling. Jewel-toned oil paintings in gilt frames hung on the walls, and I had enough of a sense for the value of art to recognize they had not come from Bed Bath & Beyond. We crossed out of the foyer and found more of the same in a large living room. Its focal point was an enormous fireplace whose brick faà §ade stretched to the ceiling. A multicolored stained-glass landscape hung above the fireplace's opening, and flames from the roaring fire – along with several strategically placed candles – cast the only light in the room. Nothing electrical. In that dim, flickering lighting, I sensed the man before I saw him. The same unfamiliar immortal signature from the concert carried to me, coupled with something else. This close to him, I noticed how much he felt like the crystals. Or rather, how much the crystals felt like him, as if they were pale, fractured versions of the masterpiece. The whole vibe from him felt weird but not quite as discordant as the crystals themselves had. â€Å"Alec,† said a creamy voice, â€Å"who is your lovely friend?† The man unfolded from the couch, standing in one fluid motion. I now saw the same features as before: flawless tanned skin, long black hair, high cheekbones. He also wore the same hot Victorian couture, complete with another of those gorgeous silk shirts that billowed around his arms and showed smooth skin through the V-neck. â€Å"This is Georgina,† said Alec, voice quaking with nervousness and excitement. â€Å"Just like I said.† The man glided to us and took my hand in both of his. â€Å"Georgina. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.† He drew my hand to his lips – which were full and pink – and kissed my skin. He held my hand a moment, letting his dark eyes bore into mine, and then he slowly straightened up and released me. â€Å"My name is Sol.† I turned off all my impulses to make snappy jokes and/or maul this guy, instead opting for stunned innocence mingled with a little fear. â€Å"H-hello.† I swallowed nervously and looked down at my feet. â€Å"You've done well,† Sol told Alec. â€Å"Very well.† I didn't have to see Alec to tell he was practically melting with relief. â€Å"So†¦does that mean†¦I can, you know†¦?† â€Å"Yes, yes.† Unless I was mistaken, a slight note of irritation underscored that pleasant voice. â€Å"Afterward. Go upstairs now. I'll summon you when I'm ready. â€Å" Alec started to leave, and I grabbed his sleeve, still playing frightened maiden. â€Å"Wait – where are you going?† He smiled at me. â€Å"I'll be right back. It's okay. You wanted more, right? Sol's going to get it for you.† I must have truly looked terrified because he squeezed my arm reassuringly. â€Å"It's okay. Really.† I bit my lip and gave him a hesitant nod. His eyes held mine for a moment, and something very like regret flickered across them. Then he left. â€Å"Come sit with me,† intoned Sol, taking my hand again. He led me to a sumptuous couch by the fire. Warmth from that orange glow spilled over me, and the flames were reflected in his dark eyes. I sat down gingerly, scooting back because the cushions were so big. We sat there quietly. He smiled expectantly, and I gave him a faltering smile back. â€Å"Alec said you could give me more†¦you know†¦of that stuff.† â€Å"You enjoyed it then?† â€Å"Yes. Oh yes. It made me feel†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Immortal?† â€Å"Y-yes, that's it. Please. I need more. I can pay you†¦whatever you want.† He waved a hand carelessly. â€Å"We'll discuss such mundane matters later. For now, let's see if we can't satiate your hunger.† He leaned over to a small table and lifted up two goblets. Goblets. How quaint. â€Å"This should tide you over until we can arrange a larger batch.† I took the cup from him. It felt heavy, like gold. Nothing but the best if you were going to drink the food of the gods, I thought. They held a dark red liquid. If the crystals felt like a weak approximation of Sol, the aura radiating off of this cup felt like mega-Sol. It was intense and strong, making the vibe from the crystals seem like a total nonevent. Maybe that was what happened when ambrosia liquefied. I realized then he'd been waiting for me while I pondered. â€Å"Drink up.† I hesitated, not having to feign apprehension this time. Drink up? What should I do? If I didn't drink, my cover might be blown, and I still hadn't had â€Å"provocation† to smite this bastard or whatever one did to someone with a dart-arrowhead-thing. Carter and Jerome had said ambrosia wouldn't hurt an immortal; they'd even said an immortal could resist its nasty effects to a certain extent, much longer than humans. That didn't necessarily make me feel better, though. I preferred to be in my normal range of skills to deal with this, but it looked like I didn't have that luxury. I couldn't delay any longer. Smiling shyly, I brought the cup to my lips and drank. He did the same. Who could tell? Maybe personality amplification would help me out here. Maybe I had a secret Amazonian alter ego lurking within me who was dying to jump out via the ambrosia and bludgeon this guy with a goblet. Once Sol started drinking, he didn't stop. He tipped the cup back until he'd consumed it all. I followed suit. The stuff really didn't taste so bad. In fact, it tasted sweet, almost sickeningly so. Weirdest of all was its consistency. Thick. Almost viscous. â€Å"There,† he said, taking my empty cup. â€Å"You'll feel better soon, and then we can talk reasonably.† He shifted into a more comfortable position, long legs stretched out and relaxed. He had a slim build and delicate features. His narrow fingers wound one of his black curls around it. â€Å"Tell me about yourself, Georgina. What do you do?† â€Å"I, uh, work in a bookstore.† â€Å"Ah, you're a reader then.† â€Å"I try to be.† He inclined his head toward a wall covered in books. â€Å"I'm a reader myself. There's no greater pursuit than improving one's mind. â€Å" He started talking to me about some of his favorite books, and I smiled and commented as appropriate. As we talked, I began to feel†¦well, for lack of a more descriptive term, good. Really good. Almost like I was buzzed from an excellent liqueur. My limbs tingled a little, and a warm sense of euphoria burned through me. I heard myself laughing at one of his jokes. I almost sounded genuine. â€Å"You're very beautiful,† he suddenly said, and I wondered when he'd moved so close to me. I had to blink to stay focused. The room spun slightly, and my hands and feet kept delaying in obeying my orders. Sol reached out and touched my cheek, trailing those graceful fingers down my neck. â€Å"Your beauty is a gift.† I tried to move, mainly to see if I could actually manage it, not to avoid his touch. Honestly, his touch was pleasant – extremely pleasant. It made my pulse pick up a little. I could, I soon discovered, still move. I was just a little sluggish. â€Å"Shhh,† he crooned, placing a restraining hand on my wrist. â€Å"Don't be afraid. Everything will be all right.† â€Å"W-what are you doing?† He had an arm around my waist now and was moving his mouth toward the spot where my neck met my shoulder. His lips, when they touched flesh, were warm and full of promise. I trembled a little under that kiss and tried to figure out what was going on here. The short answer, obviously, was that something had gone wrong. I felt dizzy and disoriented enough to be at a frat party over at U.W. On top of that, this immortal – this strange immortal I barely knew – suddenly seemed more alluring than I'd imagined possible. Hadn't I come here to kick his ass? Why was I making out with him? Was this what ambrosia did to me? Were these my core traits – the power to get buzzed and take pleasure in sex? To become even easier than I already was? His hands moved down and unbuttoned my shirt so they could slide down and cup my breasts, which were just barely covered by the black mesh bra I'd bought with Dana. He kissed me directly now, his mouth pressing against mine. As his tongue delicately slipped between my lips, I tasted a sweetness akin to the ambrosia. Bottom line: it needs to be self-defense. So Carter had said, but suddenly I didn't really need much defending – unless it was from myself. My own hands were moving without my conscious knowledge to unfasten his pants, and our bodies were becoming entwined together on the soft cushions. Self-defense. Self-defense. Why self-defense? What was I forgetting here? Ah, of course. The dart. I pushed through the red haze muddling my senses, forcing clarity. The dart. The dart would stop Sol somehow, stop him from continuing to spread the poison of ambrosia. It would stop him from hurting people†¦like Doug. I battled through my disorientation and pulled my mouth away from Sol's, attempting to squirm the rest of the way out of his grasp. I won a little room but not much. He was still close. â€Å"No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I gasped out. â€Å"Don't do this. Stop.† Sol, regarding me with surprised amusement, shushed me. â€Å"You don't know what you're saying.† â€Å"I do. Stop.† I wriggled one arm free, one arm that then snaked to the pocket containing Carter's pouch. I needed the other arm free too, but Sol was holding it. Looking down, I suddenly saw that his wrist was bleeding. How had that happened? I hadn't caused it. â€Å"Georgina, you are about to be honored above all mortal women. Lay back. Stop struggling. No harm will come to you. You will enjoy this night, I promise.† He moved his mouth back to mine, and again that blazing euphoria swelled within me. A traitorous moan of pleasure caught in my throat. Taking this as submission, Sol's grip on my restrained arm lessened, and I shifted it away just enough that both of my hands now touched the pouch. Yet, it was a hard battle. My motor control still wasn't all it should be. Kissing him, in that moment, seemed much more important than some silly pouch. My mind didn't want to focus on anything else. But I forced it to. Through sheer strength of will, I pushed the physical pleasure out of my head and instead replayed every consequence of the ambrosia I'd seen: Casey's devastation, Doug's wild swings from darkly frenetic exuberance to even darker depression, and finally his limp body in the hospital. Mortals are fragile things. Very fragile. And Sol played with them as if they were nothing. The smoldering coal of my anger began to burn again. He's a stronger immortal than you. Preying on you – especially when you belong to Jerome, so to speak – is a big no-no. You would be justified in protecting yourself. Again, I pulled my mouth away. â€Å"Stop,† I said again more firmly. â€Å"I want you to stop. Stop doing this.† â€Å"I'm not going to stop,† Sol snapped. Anger marred his honeyed tone. His breath was heavy, and his chest heaved with exertion. He – or I – had removed his shirt, and I had a perfect view of that unprotected skin. â€Å"I'm not going to stop, and believe me, once I start, you won't want me to stop either.† My fingers moved to open the pouch; the other hand slowly readied itself to reach inside. The ambrosia in my system dulled my reflexes, but I kept battling through it and sized up where in his chest his heart would be. â€Å"I've asked you three times to stop. Once should have been enough. No means no.† â€Å"No means nothing from someone like you.† He laughed a little, still not taking me seriously. â€Å"What's wrong with you? I thought you wanted to be immortal.† My hand was inside the pouch, pulling the dart out. Sol and I both felt its power at the same time, just as he realized what I was. His eyes widened, but I didn't give him time to react. I didn't think or falter. Just as Carter had ordered, I simply took action – well, with a cheesy punch line, of course. â€Å"Been there, done that,† I said, slamming the dart into his heart. For half a beat, Sol froze, unable to believe this was happening. And that's when things got messy.