Five Phases of Project Management

Assignment – Five Phases Project Management Strategy November 5, 2012 Five Phases of Project Management Life cycle management is a business management approach that can be used by all types of businesses (and other organizations) to improve their products and thus the sustainability, employing the principles of project life cycle – the five phases of project management, which consists of, initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. Iniation PhaseThe first phase of a project is the initiation phase. During this phase, a business problem or opportunity is identified and a business case providing various solution options is defined. Once the recommended solution is approved, a project is initiated to deliver the approved solution. Terms of reference are completed outlining the objectives, scope and structure of the new project and a project manager is appointed. The project manager begins recruiting a project team and establishes a project office environment. Within the initiation phase, the business problem or opportunity is identified, a solution is defined, a project is formed and a project team is appointed to build and deliver the solution to the customer (Barkley, 2005). Planning Phase Often the most time-consuming of the phases of project management, the Planning phase is where you lay your project groundwork and is critical for a successful implementation of the subsequent Execution phase (Reynolds, 2009).Additionally, in this phase Project Planning builds on the work done in Project Initiation, refining and augmenting Cost, Scope, Schedule and Quality (CSSQ) and Project Plan deliverables. Usually, additional members join the Project Team, and they assist the Project Manager in further elaborating the details of the Cost, Scope, Schedule and Quality (Macek, 2010). The planning phase produces a project plan, project charter and/or project scope outlining the work to be performed. During this phase, a team should prioritize the pro ject, calculate a budget and schedule, and determine what resources are needed0 (LaBrosse, 2008).This phase is the basis for the successful execution of the subsequent Executing phase. The planning phase is also the phase where, definition of work packages, detailed planning, clarification of responsibilities, risk analysis, and interfaces are defined. Project Planning marks the completion of the Project Plan –i. e. , no work is left uncovered. Execution Phase Execution. This is where the project team does the work to crate the final deliverables of the project. It is the largest part of most projects and it goes far better if adequate time was taken to properly plan the work of the project (Reynolds, 2009).Resources' tasks are distributed and teams are informed of responsibilities. This is a good time to bring up important project related information (Project Plan Execution, 2009). During the Execution phase, the project manager spends a considerable amount of time in commun ication making sure the resources (people, equipment and materials) are available to do their work and know what work needs to be completed. There is a significant amount of work in this phase, as a project manager works to juggle many aspects of the project.During this phase, you'll use all of your management skills to implement and manage cost and quality, risks and change, and several other factors (Reynolds, 2009). Monitoring The next phase of the Project management life cycle is monitoring. Successful Project Management Principles & Controls are summarized as three main methods; continual focus on the Project Plan, constant update of the Project Plan (especially the triple restraints, and most importantly, measure status and project progress against the Project Plan -making adjustments to get back on track, if necessary (Project Plan Execution, 2009) .Closure In Project Closeout, the Project Team assesses the outcome of the project, as well as the performance of the Project Team and the Performing Organization. This is accomplished primarily through soliciting and evaluating feedback from Customers, Project Team members, Consumers and other stakeholders. The primary purpose of this assessment is to document best practices and lessons learned for use on future projects. In addition, key project metrics are also captured to enable the Performing Organization to compare and evaluate erformance measurements across projects. Project completion is signified by accomplishments such as (1) all tasks finished, (2) agreed deliverables completed, (3) testing completed, and (4) training materials prepared. The project benefits should be measured and compared with the final business case. Not all the benefits of the project are immediately apparent. The results must be compared with the cost-benefit analysis along with all the other forecast benefits that the project was planned to provide the organisation.Analyzes how each phase could support the organizationâ₠¬â„¢s business strategy. There is a dramatic rise in the use of project management as organizations shift to provide customer driven results and systems solutions. Some implementations of project management have been successful, while others are incredible failures. A common occurrence in many organizations is too many projects being attempted by too few people with no apparent link to strategy or organizational goals.Unfortunately, this is why the organization I currently work in is struggling to successfully complete the EMR, too few resources and too many projects being implemented simultaneously and most not align with the strategic plan. Experience indicates that the support of upper management is critical to project success, upper management was absent as participants of the project until the decision was made to delay the go-live. In our case, Upper management did not take action to create an environment for more successful projects in their organizations.Project management m ust be regarded as a company-wide project management competency designed to benefit the entire company (Kerzner, 2005). It also includes developing a corporate culture that is based upon effective organizational behavior and creating a well-developed project management methodology, accompanied by the proper supporting tools, which is vital to achieving organizational goals. Once the organization recognizes that project management is a core competency, the organization can convert this competency into a sustainable competitive advantage.The ultimate purpose is for the sustainable competitive advantage to become the pathway for a strategic competency that becomes a primary drive during strategic planning activities (Kerzner, 2005. As the project management strategy matures, the business value derived from each phase increases. Increased value subsequent to increase project portfolio leads to the alignment of project management and organizational strategy across the organization/enterp rise. Keeping each phase of the project on track yields a successful project, which means managing the triple constraints and strict management of metrics (monitoring phase).The project goals then extend throughout the team to the suppliers, contractors, and stakeholders. The five phases of project management assists the organization in creating a strategic value chain that gives companies a competitive edge. References Kerzner, H. (2005). Using the Project Management Maturity Model: Strategic planning for project management (2nd ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. LaBrosse, M. (2008). Key principles of project management. Food Management, 43(5), 27-27. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/215900222? ccountid=32521 Macek, W. (2010). Methodologies of project management. Wspolczesna Ekonomia, 4(4), 267. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/1115291842? accountid=32521 Project Plan Execution – where you â€Å"walk the walk† as the Pr oject Manager. (2009). Retrieved from URL Managerhttp://www. mastering-project-management. com/project-plan-execution. html Reynolds, D. (2009, May 13). Phases of project management: Initiation. Bright Hub weblog. Retrieved from www. brighthub. com/office/project-management/articles/1672. aspx Reynolds, D. (2009, May 13).Phases of project management: Planning. Bright Hub weblog. Retrieved from www. brighthub. com/office/project-management/articles/1673. aspx Reynolds, D. (2009, July 28). Phases of project management: Execution. Bright Hub weblog. Retrieved from www. brighthub. com/office/project-management/articles/1674. aspx Reynolds, D. (2009, May 13). Phases of project management: Monitoring. Bright Hub weblog. Retrieved from www. brighthub. com/office/project-management/articles/1675. aspx Reynolds, D. (2009, May 13). Phases of project management: Closing. Bright Hub weblog.

Homelessness: What We Can Do About It

â€Å"Being homeless is often defined as sleeping on the streets. Although this is the most visible and severe form of homelessness, there are many other types of acute housing need. These include living in temporary accommodation, poor or overcrowded conditions, or being in mortgage arrears and under threat of re-possession. † (Hope, 27) It is a symptom of many complex problems: mental illness, emotional instability, illiteracy, chronic substance abuse, unemployment, and, most basic of all, the breakdown of city planning. Anyone can become homeless and the reasons that force people into homelessness are many and varied. The leading cause, however, of homelessness in the United States is the inability of poor people to afford housing. â€Å"Housing costs have risen significantly over the last decade, while the incomes of poor and middle-class Americans have stagnated. † (Erickson, 169) The millions of Americans who are unemployed or work in low-paying jobs are among the most vulnerable to becoming homeless. Therefore, homelessness, housing, and income are inextricably linked. Low-income people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, child-care, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which takes a high proportion of income that must be dropped. Two major sources of income are from employment and public assistance. A decrease in either one of them would certainly put poor people at risk of homelessness. Additionally, minimum wage earnings no longer lift families above the poverty line. More than 3 million poor Americans spend more than half of their total income on housing, yet the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates families should spend no more than 30%. † (Gilbert, 84) Although many homeless adults are employed, they work in day-labor jobs that do not meet basic needs, while technological acceleration excludes others from a competitive job market. Many factors have contributed to declining work opportunities for large segments of the workforce, including the loss of well-paying manufacturing jobs. The decline in relatively secure and well-paying jobs in manufacturing, which have been replaced by less secure and poorly-paid jobs in the service sector, has greatly limited the opportunities for poorly-educated and low-skilled segments of the population. This transformation has led to an unprecedented incidence of chronic unemployment and underemployment. (Hardin, 379) â€Å"Underemployment is an especially useful measure of the decline in secure jobs since, unlike the unemployment rate, measures of underemployment reflect not only individuals who are unemployed, but also involuntary part-timers and those who have given up seeking work. (Hardin, 263) In addition to increasing underemployment, an estimated 29. 4% of the workforce are employed in nonstandard work arrangements, for example, independent contracting, working for a temporary help agency, day labor, and regular part-time employment. These kinds of work arrangements typically offer lower wages, fewer benefits, and less job security. â€Å"As recently as 1967, a year-round worker earning the minimum wage was paid enough to raise a family of three above the poverty line† (Sklar, 103). From 1981-1990, however, â€Å"the minimum wage was frozen at $3. 5 an hour, while the cost of living increased 48% over the same period. Congress raised the minimum wage to $5. 15 per hour in 1996. This increase made up only slightly more than half of the ground lost to inflation in the 1980s† (Hardin, 191). Thus, full-time year-round minimum-wage earnings currently not equal to the estimated poverty line for a family of three. Unsurprisingly, the decline in the value of the minimum wage has been accompanied by an increase in the number of people earning poverty-level wages and the declining wages have put housing out of reach for many workers, in every state. Slashed public assistance has also left many people homeless or at risk of homelessness. Replacement of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) entitlement program, a program that was already inadequate in meeting the needs of families, with the non-entitlement block grant program would significantly increase the risk of homelessness for many Americans. Furthermore, earned income and asset limitations discourage individuals and families from breaking the cycle of homelessness and extreme poverty. Several states have terminated or reduced public assistance and food stamps for individuals, while Social Security Income (SSI) is inadequate, and sometimes impossible to obtain, for disabled individuals. As a result, the number of poor Americans is growing and the poor are getting poorer. Across America, there has been a substantial decline in the number of housing units that low-income people and those in need of shelter assistance can afford. Those losses have resulted primarily from downtown urban renewal, gentrification, abandonment, and suburban land use controls. The elimination and reduction of federal low income housing programs has also dramatically reduced the supply of affordable shelter. Moreover, construction of low income and assisted housing has essentially stopped. Due to the increased demand and diminished supply of housing or shelter, the problem of homelessness is further deteriorated. The amount of housing available in the private sector rental stock is diminishing rapidly. As more and more landlords abandon apartment buildings and houses rather than repair them, the housing supply for the poor has declined at an accelerating pace in some cities in the nation. The growth of service-sector employment in central business districts has attracted white-collar professionals, many of whom prefer to live in accessible central city neighborhoods, where they compete with poor, indigenous residents for private market housing (Noyelle, 210). The result is frequently gentrification of inner city housing which traditionally has been the major source of low- income housing. At the same time, downtown service sector expansion has created jobs for many low-waged workers, which increases the demand for low cost shelter readily accessible to the downtown. It makes the homeless in downtown even harder to rent a place to live. Downtown development also diminishes the supply of low-income housing for poor people. As the City raises more new office towers, the vacancy for housing is getting less. In Seattle, for instance, office space in downtown grew from 13 million square feet in 1981 to about 24 million square feet in 1990. On the other hand, the downtown low-income housing stock declined from about 11,000 units in 1980 to less than 6,000 units in 1987. With the passage of new housing levies, cities will try to regain some low income units, but today s low-income units vanish faster than they can be built and there is still a shortage in housing supply in downtown areas. Besides, the qualities of temporary shelters for homeless people are terrible that they think staying on streets is a better choice. Not only have the lost bed-spaces not been made up, but the new hostels are not as readily accessible to the homeless coming directly off the street. They tend to cater to special-needs groups and access tends to be through referral. Planners can play an important role in the search for solutions to homelessness. And homelessness is an extensive, complex process. Different kinds of intervention are needed to deal with the problem. But the most widely accepted approach is a three-tier system, beginning with emergency shelters and moving through transitional accommodations to long-term housing. Rehabilitation of old buildings by minimal funding are common projects to provide shelters for the homeless people. However, some observers suggests that making the renovation of buildings for low-income housing profitable, for developers or investors, can be the solution to the homeless problem. Our examination makes it clear that piecemeal intervention can alleviate emergency shelter crises, but such action will not resolve the long-term problem of finding permanent shelter for the homeless and returning them to the mainstream of society wherever possible, which we regard as the ultimate goal of intervention. Equally obvious is that while long-term intervention strategies are vital, they do not address the problems of survival for those presently without shelter and support. We conclude that both long-term and short-term measures are necessary, but that all the solutions should be based on integrated, comprehensive understanding of the homelessness problem. Only such a comprehensive approach will allow planners to develop workable strategies with any chance for success.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 8

The clock's old-fashioned hands showed threeA.M . when Meredith was suddenly roused from a fitful sleep. And then she bit her lip, stifling a scream. A face was bending over hers, upside down. The last thing she remembered was lying on her back in a sleeping bag, talking about Alaric with Bonnie. Now Bonnie was bending over her, but with her face inverted and her eyes shut. She was kneeling at the head of Meredith's pillow and her upside-down nose almost touched Meredith's. Add to that an odd pallor in Bonnie's cheeks and rapid warm breath that tickled Meredith's forehead, and anyone – anyone, Meredith insisted to herself – would be entitled to a half-scream. She waited for Bonnie to speak, staring in the gloom at those eerily closed eyes. But instead, Bonnie sat up, stood, walked backward flawlessly to Meredith's desk, where Meredith's mobile lay charging, and picked it up. She must have turned it on for a video recording for she opened her mouth and began to gesture and speak. It was terrifying. The sounds that came out of Bonnie's mouth were all too identifiable: backward speech. The tangled, guttural or high-pitched noises all carried the cadence that horror movies had made so popular. But to be able to speak that way on purpose†¦it wasn't possible for a normal human or a normal human mind. Meredith had an eerie sense of something trying to stretch its mind toward them, trying to reach them through unimaginable dimensions. Maybe it lives backward, Meredith thought, trying to distract herself as the frightening sounds went on. Maybe it thinks we do. Maybe we just don't – intersect†¦. Meredith didn't think she could stand much more. She was beginning to imagine that she heard words, even phrases in the backward sounds, and none of them were pleasant. Please let it stop – now. A wailing and mumbling†¦ Bonnie's mouth shut with a clash of teeth. The sounds stopped instantly. And then, like a video being rolled back in slow motion, she walked backward to her sleeping bag, knelt, and back-crawled into it, lying down with her head on the pillow – all without opening her eyes to look where she was going. It was one of the scariest things Meredith had ever seen or heard, and Meredith had seen and heard a fair amount of scary things. And Meredith could no more have left that recording until morning than she could have flown – without assistance. She got up, tiptoed to the desk, and took the mobile phone to the other room. There she attached it to her computer, where she could run the backward message forward. When she'd listened to the message in reverse once or twice she decided that Bonnie must never hear it. It would frighten her out of her senses, and there would be no more contact with the paranormal for Elena's friends. Therewere animal sounds in there, mixed up with the twisted, backward voice†¦that wasn't Bonnie's voice in any way. It wasn't any normal person's voice. It almost sounded worse going forward than backward – which maybe meant that whatever being had spoken the words normally spoke the other way. Meredith could make out human voices over the groaning and distorted laughter and the animal noises straight from the veldt. Though they made the hairs on her body stand up and tingle, she tried to put together the words in between the nonsense. Putting them together she got: â€Å"Aaahhh†¦waggge†¦n†¦ing wuh illllilll†¦be†¦sud-ud-ud†¦den†¦ANDshhhh†¦ohhh†¦ging.YOOOOU †¦hand-and-nd†¦Iiii†¦mmmust†¦BEtherefore†¦herrr†¦aaahhh waggge†¦ning†¦Wewone†¦BE therefor-or-or-or-r† – (was there a â€Å"herrr† next, or was it just part of the growling?) – â€Å"LADE†¦ errrrrrrrrrrr†¦ahhn.Thaaass†¦FORRRRR†¦oththth†¦ERRR†¦handandnd†¦ssssssssss†¦t-t-todo†¦.† Meredith, working with pad and pen, eventually got these words on paper: Awakening will be sudden and shocking. You and I must be there for her Awakening. We won't be there for (her?) later on. That's for other hands to do. Meredith put the pen very precisely beside the deciphered message on the pad. And after that Meredith went and lay hunched in her sleeping bag watching the unmoving Bonnie like a cat at a mouse hole, until, finally, blessed tiredness took her into the dark. â€Å"I saidwhat ?† Bonnie was honestly bewildered the next morning, squeezing grapefruit juice and pouring cereal, like a model host, even if it was Meredith who was scrambling eggs at the stove. â€Å"I've told you three times now. The words are not going to change, I promise.† â€Å"Well,† Bonnie said, suddenly switching sides, â€Å"it's clear that the Awakening is going to happen to Elena. Because, for one thing, you and I have to be there for it, and for another thing, she's the one who needs towake up .† â€Å"Exactly,† said Meredith. â€Å"She needs to remember who she really was.† â€Å"Precisely,† said Meredith. â€Å"And we've got to help her remember!† â€Å"No!†said Meredith, taking out her anger on the eggs with a plastic spatula. â€Å"No, Bonnie, that's not what you said, and I don't think wecould do it anyway. We can teach her little things, maybe, the way Stefan has. How to tie her shoes. How to brush her hair. But from what you said, the Awakening is going to be shocking and sudden – and you didn't say anything about us doing it. You only said that we have to be there for her, because after that, somehow wewon't be there.† Bonnie contemplated that in gloomy silence. â€Å"Won't be there?† she said finally. â€Å"Like, won't be with Elena? Or won't be there, like†¦won't be anywhere?† Meredith eyed a breakfast that she suddenly didn't want to eat. â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"Stefan said we could come over again today,† Bonnie urged. â€Å"Stefan would be polite while he was being staked to death.† â€Å"I know,† Bonnie said suddenly. â€Å"Let's call Matt. We can go see Caroline†¦if shewill see us, I mean. We can see if she's any different today. Then we can wait until it's afternoon, andthen we can call Stefan and ask if we can come over again to see Elena.† At Caroline's house, her mother said she was sick today and was going to stay in bed. The three of them – Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie – went back to Meredith's house without her, but Bonnie kept chewing her lip, looking back occasionally toward Caroline's street. Caroline's mother had looked sick herself, with shadows under her eyes. And the thunderstorm feeling, the feeling of pressure, had been squashing Caroline's house almost flat. At Meredith's, Matt tinkered with his car, which perpetually needed work, while Bonnie and Meredith went through Meredith's wardrobe for clothes that Elena could wear. They would be big, but that was better than Bonnie's, which would be much too small. At fourP.M . they called Stefan. Yes, they were welcome. They went downstairs and picked up Matt. At the boardinghouse, Elena didn't repeat the kissing ritual of the previous day – to Matt's obvious disappointment. But she was delighted with the new clothes, although not for any reason that the old Elena would have been. Floating three feet off the floor, she kept holding them to her face and taking deep, happy sniffs, and then beaming at Meredith, although when Bonnie picked up a T-shirt, she couldn't smell anything but the fabric softener they'd used. Not even Meredith's Beach cologne. â€Å"I'm sorry,† Stefan said helplessly as Elena went into a sudden sneezing fit, cuddling a sky-blue top in her arms as if it were a kitten. But his face was tender, and Meredith, while looking slightly embarrassed, reassured him that it was nice to be so appreciated. â€Å"She can tell where they come from,† Stefan explained. â€Å"She won't wear anything that's come from a sweatshop.† â€Å"I only buy from places listed on the Sweatshop-Free Clothing website,† Meredith said simply. â€Å"Bonnie and I have something to tell you,† she added. While she recounted Bonnie's late-night prophecy, Bonnie took Elena into the bathroom and helped her change into the shorts, which fit, and the sky-blue top, which almost fit, being just a little long. The color set off Elena's tangled but still glorious hair perfectly, but when Bonnie tried to get her to look in the hand mirror that she had brought – the old mirror's shards had all been cleared away – Elena seemed as confused as a puppy held up to see its own reflection. Bonnie kept holding the mirror in front of her face, and Elena kept popping out on one side or another from behind it, like a baby playing peek-a-boo. Bonnie had to be satisfied with a good brushing out of the tangles in that golden mass, which Stefan clearly didn't know how to handle. When Elena's hair was finally silky and smooth, Bonnie proudly took her out to be shown off. And was promptly sorry. The other three were in deep, and it looked like grim, conversation. Reluctantly, Bonnie let go of Elena who immediately flew – literally – into Stefan's lap, and joined them herself. â€Å"Of course we understand,† Meredith was saying. â€Å"Even before Caroline went off her rocker, what other choice was there, ultimately? But – â€Å" â€Å"What ;;what other choice is there'?† Bonnie said, as she sat down on Stefan's bed beside him. â€Å"What are you guys talking about?† There was a long pause, and then Meredith got up to put an arm around Bonnie. â€Å"We were talking about why Stefan and Elena need to leave Fell's Church – need to go far away.† At first Bonnie didn't react – she knew she should be feeling something, but she was too deep in shock to access what it was. When words came to her, the only thing she could hear herself saying stupidly was, â€Å"Goaway ?Why?† â€Å"You saw why – here, yesterday,† Meredith said, her dark eyes filled with pain, her face for once showing the uncontrollable anguish she must be feeling. But for the moment, no anguish meant anything to Bonnie but her own. And it was coming now, like an avalanche burying her in red-hot snow. In ice that burned. Somehow she struggled out of it long enough to say, â€Å"Caroline won't do anything. She signed a vow. She knows that to break it – especially when – when you-know-who signed it, too†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith must have told Stefan about the crow, because he sighed and shook his head, gently fending off Elena, who was trying to look up into his face. Clearly she sensed the unhappiness in the group, but just as clearly she couldn't really understand what was causing it. â€Å"The last person I want around Caroline is my brother.† Stefan pushed his dark hair out of his eyes irritably, as if he had been reminded of how much they looked alike. â€Å"And I don't think Meredith's threat about the sorority sisters is going to work, either. She's too far gone into the darkness.† Bonnie shivered inside. She didn't like the thoughts that those words summoned up:into the darkness . â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Matt began, and Bonnie realized that he felt the same way she did – stunned and sick, as if they were getting off some cheap carnival ride. â€Å"Listen,† Stefan said, â€Å"there's another reason why we can't stay here.† â€Å"What other reason?† Matt said slowly. Bonnie was too upset to speak. She had thought about this, somewhere deep in her unconscious. But she'd pushed the thoughts away every time they came. â€Å"Bonnie understands it already, I think.† Stefan looked at her. She looked back with eyes that were misting over with tears. â€Å"Fell's Church,† Stefan explained gently and sadly, â€Å"was built at a meeting of the ley lines. The lines of raw Power in the ground, remember? I don't know if it was deliberate. Does anybody know if the Smallwoods had anything to do with the location?† No one did. There was nothing in Honoria Fell's old diary about the werewolf family having a choice in the founding of the town. â€Å"Well, if it was an accident, it was a pretty unlucky one. The town – I should say, the town cemetery – was built directly over a place where a lot of ley lines cross. That's what made it a beacon for supernatural creatures, bad or – or not quite so bad.† He looked embarrassed, and Bonnie realized that he was talking about himself. â€Å"I was drawn here. So were other vampires, as you know. And with every person who had the Power who came here, the beacon became stronger. Brighter. More attractive to other people with the Power. It's a vicious cycle.† â€Å"Eventually, some of them are going to see Elena,† Meredith said. â€Å"Remember, these are people like Stefan, Bonnie, but not people with his moral sense. When they see her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bonnie almost burst into tears at the thought. She seemed to see a flurry of white feathers, each tumbling in slow motion to the ground. â€Å"But – she wasn't this way when she first woke up,† Matt said slowly and stubbornly. â€Å"She talked. She was rational. She didn'tfloat .† â€Å"Talking or not talking, walking or floating, she has thePower ,† Stefan said. â€Å"Enough to drive ordinary vampires crazy. Crazy enough to hurt her to get it. And she doesn't kill – or wound. At least, I can't imagine her doing that. What I'm hoping,† he said, and his face darkened, â€Å"is that I can take her somewhere where she'll be†¦protected.† â€Å"But you can't take her,† Bonnie said, and she could hear the wail in her own voice without being able to control it. â€Å"Didn't Meredith tell you what I said? She's going to wake up. And Meredith and I need to be with her for that.† Because we won't be with her later.Suddenly it made sense. And while it wasn't quite as bad as thinking that they would be not-anywhere-at-all, it was more than bad enough. â€Å"I wasn't thinking of taking her until she can at least walk properly,† Stefan said, and he surprised Bonnie with a quick arm around her shoulders. It felt like Meredith's hug, sibling-ish, but stronger and briefer. â€Å"And you don't know how glad I am that she's going to wake up. Or that you'll be there to support her.† â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But the ghoulies are still going to come to Fell's Church? Bonnie thought. And we won't have you to protect us? She glanced up and saw that Meredith knew exactly what she'd been thinking. â€Å"I would say,† Meredith said, in her most careful, measured tones, â€Å"that Stefan and Elena have been through enough for the town's sake.† Well. There was no arguing withthat . And there was no arguing with Stefan, either, it seemed. His mind was made up. They talked until after dark anyway, discussing different options and scenarios, pondering over Bonnie's prediction. They didn't get anything decided, but at least they had thrashed out some possible plans. Bonnie insisted that there be some means of communication with Stefan, and she was just about to demand some of his blood and hair for the summoning spell when he gently pointed out that he did have a mobile phone now. At last it was time to leave. The humans were starving, and Bonnie guessed that Stefan probably was, too. He looked unusually white as he sat with Elena on his lap. When they said good-bye at the top of the stairs, Bonnie had to keep reminding herself that Stefan had promised that Elena would be there for her and Meredith to support. He would never take her away without telling them. It wasn't areal good-bye. So why did it feel so much like one?

Management (McDonald's) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Management (McDonald's) - Essay Example This was however not ethically rosy. The local business community was concerned that the aggression of the McDonald's franchise was anticompetitive and was also not auguring well with other workers in Brazil. There quick integration was considered unethical by preemption of competitors. This was formulated from their high rents that McDonald was levying from the local restaurants. Thus McDonald ended up in court for double rate rental fees factor on sales as compared to the US mother country scenario which is only 8.5%. Jordan (2000, p. A23); Korten, (2001, p. 419 -449). On the side of the unsatisfied employees, there was gripe about their reduced hours of work and shifts to evade paying overtime. The Ministry of Labor in Sao Paulo was mandated to investigate these claims that the employees claimed prevented them from working longer to earn more overtime. The global practice of McDonald is however shift based during peak hours and to achieve efficiency, this strategy was deployed to minimized work hours to up to 8 hours a week. Due to lack of strong laws, McDonald got away with these allegations and is continuing with the practice up 30 years to date. McDonald senior management claims that this is what has helped them to survive the high inflation in the Brazilian fast food market and justify by the peril of other fast food companies in the past. Jordan (2000, p. A23); Burt (1983, p. 419-420); Korten, (2001, p. 419 -449). McDonalds's Stakeholders' map by use of Sethi's Dimensions on Corporate Social Performance Sethi (1975, p. 58 -64) McDonald has a network of stakeholder as shown in the diagram above. They have owners and investors who earn share after every financial period. They have banks that have lent them money to carry out their aggressive financial expansions. They belong to various trade associations that are based in the respective regions of investment. The media companies help them in the advertisements everywhere as well as in their publicity campaigns. The transport companies that they partner with help them in the JIT deliveries. They have a range of supplies in the cereals, poultry, meat, vegetable, ice cream ingredients and other food and drink soft products. They have recycling companies that help them on the collected packaging and wraps to avoid pollution. They have customers from children, youth, men and women. There is pressure group such as the case in Brazil that felt the Macdonald was preempting the potential competitors. Naylor (2004, PPT. 5.3); Sethi, (1975, p. 58-64). McDonald also has got trade unions who sued them like in the case at Brazil for 'under employment.' They have millions of employees World wide. The European Union has also been stepping up regulations to the McDonald in relation to some trendy health concerns about some of their foods. The governments are related to them in the provision of business environment and tax collection. The local governments have been allowing them to set specific number of store while regulating competition. The business community is mainly composed of potential fast food restaurants who would like to see a level playing field of investment. The legal system is there to ensure that McDonald adheres to the standing law and order. Naylor (2004, PPT.

Adler Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Adler - Essay Example Of these ‘marking’ has been the issue which has been repeatedly cultivated. Marking has been an age old tradition for indigenous book addicts, & they have been the greatest champions of this approach. But is marking really effective in reality as its propagators quote to it to be? This answer requires a few notions to be discoursed. First let’s be clear; marking books is necessary but not obligatory. A reader who is enjoying a book from a spiritual plane may not require marking a book as he automatically gets involved with the metaphysical components of the book. Here a fundamental perception must be clarified. Marking a book is nothing more than an intellectual phenomenon. A person who does not possess the heart & soul of concentrating in the labyrinth of the pages can never attain his goal solely resting on the process of marking. The entire process of marking is of a clichà © orientation. It encourages a person to scribble & squander the beauty of the mother article thereby destroying its tranquility. Yes, marking is a necessary aspect of reading. But it can never be the heart of it. It involves a mechanical process which may prove devastating for the reader’s psychic quotient. Reading should be all about enjoying, not writing & criticizing on the mother article right from the introduction. Fi nally all books do not require marking. The subject of the book determines the logic as what should be done with it. Indiscriminate marking in each & every book only alleviates complexity. Marking nevertheless has helped me in getting over numerous socio-political theories in books like Machiavelli’s, ‘The Prince’, Karl Marx’s ‘Das Capital’ & Robert Bresson’s ‘Theory of Film Language’. The markings in these books were mainly simplified summaries of the original text. It was written with the Endeavour to explore the inner world of these literatures in an easier manner. Adler develops a unique & interesting method to read

Analyse article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Analyse article - Essay Example Furthermore, the article points out that oceans absorbs more carbon dioxide thus making it more acidic which erodes the skeletal structure of the corals. Consequently, these factors have led to loss of 27% of the coral reefs and an estimated 60% could be lost in 30 years. Accordingly, the article points out that when these corals are exposed to acidity conditions, or pollution, zooxanthellae and other microscopic algae in the process referred to as â€Å"coral bleaching† (Vallery 2015).These microscopic algae alongside the zooxanthellae are responsible for the production of oxygen, food and the beautiful rainbow colors that have made human beings to fall in love with the corals. Similarly, coral reefs usually plays a significant part in terms of ensuring that the aquatic system stays healthy and therefore it is important that coral reefs be preserved. Sadly, the article points out that loss of coral reefs would lead to up to 25% of the loss of the total biodiversity of the aquatic and marine life. Furthermore, this loss would lead to the extinction of various marine animals consequently affecting the global ecosystem. Quite surprisingly however, the article points out that the loss of coral reefs can be avoided. The article illustrates that a scientific study found that 12 out of 21coral reefs were able to recover as a result of the coral bleaching process. In a nutshell, the article talks about the importance of coral reefs in the overall ecosystem, whilst airing the concern that it has continued to face depletion. Therefore, the article campaigns towards the reduction in the amount of loss of the coral reefs, in order to realize a healthy ecosystem. People are therefore faced with the responsibility to ensure that coral reefs are given the chance to survive. This can be achieved through minimization of human actions such as overfishing, releasing carbon dioxide and other

Women in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Women in America - Essay Example However, the concept of ‘womanhood’ handed down through the ages, prevented them even from understanding that their own frustration, as women had been schooled to think that catering to the needs of the male-ruled world alone was their duty, and that alone can lead to fulfillment; â€Å"As a housewife and mother, she was respected as a full and equal partner to man in his world† observes Friedan (p. 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think.However, the concept of ‘womanhood’ handed down through the ages, prevented them even from understanding that their own frustration, as women had been schooled to think that catering to the needs of the male-ruled world alone was their duty, and that alone can lead to fulfillment; â€Å"As a housewife and mother, she was respected as a full and equal partner to man in his world† observes Friedan (p. 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think.  The important thing in Friedan’s work is that, while implies that women could find better fulfillment, if only they would go beyond the domestic frontiers and the roles imposed on them by the traditionally male-dominated society. Friedan seeks to emancipate womanhood from the ‘gendered’ roles imposed on her sex through work and occupation outside the domestic arena.   While Goldman’s perception of gender relations appears to be stronger and more vociferous. Goldman goes further in the analysis of   ‘feminine mystique’ discussed by Friedan and notes that   â€Å"a short period of married life, of complete surrender of all faculties, absolutely incapacitates the average woman for the outside world. She becomes reckless in appearance, clumsy in her movements, dependent in her decisions, cowardly in her judgment, a weight and a bore, which most men grow to hate and despise†. However, Goldman scorns marriage itself, as it is defeating in all ways.... 1). Friedan goes on to describe the mental torture and torment that women had to undergo because of this conflict in their real emotions as against what they have been schooled to think. The important thing in Friedan's work is that, while implies that women could find better fulfillment, if only they would go beyond the domestic frontiers and the roles imposed on them by the traditionally male-dominated society. Friedan seeks to emancipate womanhood from the 'gendered' roles imposed on her sex through work and occupation outside the domestic arena. While Goldman's perception of gender relations appears to be stronger and more vociferous. Goldman goes further in the analysis of 'feminine mystique' discussed by Friedan, and notes that "a short period of married life, of complete surrender of all faculties, absolutely incapacitates the average woman for the outside world. She becomes reckless in appearance, clumsy in her movements, dependent in her decisions, cowardly in her judgment, a weight and a bore, which most men grow to hate and despise" (Marriage and Love 3-4). However, Goldman scorns marriage itself, as it is defeating in all ways; she says "The institution of marriage makes a parasite of woman, an absolute dependent." (M&L 1) She partially holds women responsible for their subjugation and hampering their own emancipation, "The woman considers her position as worker transitory, to be thrown aside for the first bidder" (Goldman 3). Furthermore, Goldman criticizes the other institutions like religious bodies and the state for burdening women in various ways form which they seek emancipation, "because woman recognizes the awful toll she is made to pay to the Church,

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Case Study Example As a manager you should clearly identify your target clientele. This can range from student to members of the public that frequently visit this enterprise. You should also have a good market for hardcore pool players who like to play the game on a frequent basis. This is one of the most important questions that you should consider when you want to have a competitive edge over the other competitors who offer the same kind of service. The pool hall needs a relatively large space. You will have to acquire space that will contain all the pool tables and space for other services that will be offered within the premises. This may include service station for offering foods and drinks, seat where spectators can sit and watch other people playing. This can increase on the revenues that will be obtained in addition to the sales from the pool table games. If Todd wants to increase his revenue at the pool bar, he must have a viable business plan which is able maximize on the sales at any particular time. He should be able to project the number of people who come to lounge at his pool bar and see this as an opportunity for making more sales. He should be able to make more sales when the students are in school than when they have closed. However, you can also make sales when the general public also visits the pool hall. You can be able to use the lower pool table rental to attract the general public. The lower pool table rental will bring a larger number of people which in turn, increases sales in drinks and food that is sold within the premises (Needham 49). Nonetheless, the prices should not be too low as this may reduce the amount of revenue that will be generated. The overall design of the service counter, furniture where student can sit, the arrangement of the pool table is very important. It is important for the layout of the pool hall to be arranged in a systematic manner so that the the pool players and other people to have free

PETROLEUM POLLUTION IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS -(THE ROLE OF Literature review

PETROLEUM POLLUTION IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS -(THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TREATIES) - Literature review Example To achieve this end, reviewer will concisely and critically discuss the literature’s structure, contents and evaluate if international laws are appreciated in resolving petroleum pollution cases in high seas. Content: Preventing Oil Spill thru Standards Authors of this literature are Nicholas P. Chereminisinoff and Paul Rosenfeld. They are chemical engineer and environmental chemist respectively with expertise on environmental pollution prevention and ecological restoration programs. Chereminisinoff and Rosenfeld aimed to share high impact contribution on pollution control processes by probing into petroleum industry to document best management practices and models, cleaner production of technologies and pollution prevention practices. This is clearly depicted in the title of the journal Pollution Prevention and Cleaner Industry: Best Practices in Petroleum Industry. Structurally, the literatures have no Abstract section but concise topic and themes where explicated in the Pre face Section. Authors detailed prevention of oil spill in six chapters, all of which had separate introduction, body and conclusion. Each chapter has proper author referencing to corroborate studies and they prescribed other references for further reading too. The document is sufficient of originality for journals, logically concluded with illustration and can be summarized without sacrifice to content. Authors indicated in introduction their serious concern on petroleum pollution in both land, air and high seas citing impact to industries, corporation and vessel owners that are supposedly boxed by policies on standard quality control (applied to oil extraction industry), corporation laws, maritime laws, insurance and environmental policies. Petroleum pollution’s devastating impact to ecosystem were all pointed in the introduction citing issues on protection, compliance to regulations, toxic management, performance audit, and the like. Thus, authors at the outset asserted tha t corporations engaged in the extraction and distribution of petroleum across continents should have transparent Environmental Aspects in accordance to internationally ISO standards for standard quality control to prevent disasters and environmental destructions. They urged corporate entities to strictly adhere to regulations by exercising strategic corporate planning, standard operational system, environmental protection standards, risk management, regular performance appraisal and thorough environmental impact assessments. As hypothetical assertion, they argued that corporation should not just generate revenue but must include pollution prevention for cost –efficiency, especially that oil extraction and distribution is a capital intensive venture. Authors manifested that they disfavored extractive industry’s productivity at the expense of environment and public safety. On methodology, authors did not expressly stated how data collection was done but their handbook cl early depicted the use of mixed qualitative and quantitative research studies that absorbed empirical facts which covered (a) comprehensive narration about petroleum industry, quality standards required in its facilities and operations and about quality

Mutual Fund Regulation Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Mutual Fund Regulation - Dissertation Example We affirm the lower court’s decision. Background The case records reveal that on March 31, 2011, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a class action related to the fall in mutual fund share prices during the 2008 global financial crisis. The plaintiffs’ claims were made pursuant to Sections 11 and 12(1)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (hereinafter the Securities Act). Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that the relevant prospectus issued by the SSgA Yield Plus Fund misrepresented the Mutual Fund’s risk exposure to mortgage associated securities. The US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied the plaintiffs’ claims on the grounds of loss causation pursuant to Section 10 (b) of the Securities Act. It was held that under Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act, the allowable quantification of damages is confined to a decrease in the value of securities that follows from the transmission of fabricated inflation/misrepresentation of the purchase price of security. Since mutual fund shares may only be sold or redeemed at a statutorily formulated price based on the net asset value (NAV) of the fund’s securities, misrepresentations in the corresponding prospectus cannot inflate the NAV of the mutual fund and thus cause a fall in the NAV. Therefore the lower court held that the plaintiff’s complaint did not properly plead the required loss causation and the action was subsequently dismissed with prejudice (Yu v. State Corporation, 2011). The Appellant claimed that the document offering the mutual funds â€Å"misrepresented the nature of the securities or investment held by the Yield Plus Fund†, misrepresented its description, the Fund’s objectives and the risks associated with mortgage exposures and the risk associated with investing in the Fund (Yu v State Street Corporation, 2011). The Respondent claims that the Appellant’s motion should be dismis sed because (as previously argued) the Appellant did not plead â€Å"falsity and materiality† (Yu v State Street Corporation, 2011). The Respondent also argue once again that the certifications that they indorsed did not contain false â€Å"statements of material facts†; the Appellant’s claims should be denied because the Respondents are not vendors of the mutual funds; and the â€Å"control person claims under Section 15† should be dismissed (Yu v State Street Corporation, 2011). The Respondents also claim that the loss causation is not substantiated because even if the statements had been substantiated, the damages claimed are not linked to the alleged misrepresentations or omissions relied on. Opinion Securities Act of 1933, Sections 11(a) and 12 (a)(2) When investors purchase mutual fund shares based on a mutual fund’s published statement and the latter reflects a material misstatement, investors have wide remedial recourse pursuant to Sections 11(a) and 12 (a)(2) of the Securities Act. The investors are able to recover the resulting decline in the value of the shares without having to claim reliance upon the misstatement or without having to prove that the defendant was somehow culpable in terms of the misstatement. Additionally, the claims under Section 11 (a) and 12(1)(2) do not call upon the shareholders to comply with

Spirituality and Art Essay Example for Free

Spirituality and Art Essay â€Å"Spirituality is such a vibrant and integral part of our lives that even our changing times and all the apparent obstacles have not stifled the powerful partnership of spirituality and art in the modern era† Lynn M. Herbert. This essay will assess and discuss three contemporary artists that address the idea or concept of ‘spirituality’ in their work. Spirituality is a term that lacks certain defiance or a definitive definition, although social scientists have defined spirituality as the search for ‘the scared’; which is broadly defined as that which is set apart from the ordinary. The term has changed throughout modern day society that it can now be classes as a separate entity from religion itself. Three key contemporary artists that use their works to convey the message of spirituality are; Alex Grey- The Artists Hand, 1997, oil on wood, 1616 inches; H. R Giger The Spell I, 1973, Acrylic, ink on wood 240x280cm and Cosima Lukashevich – The Oracle, 2009, Painting, Pastel on canvas 16 x 21. 9 inches. Each one of these three pieces has a different take on what the artist personally believes spirituality is. Alex Grey is that of a visionary artist best known for his depictions of the human body. The multiple layers of reality, revealing the complex integration of body, mind, and spirit has become his trademark in the 90’s. His paintings have been featured on various covers of albums and have been exhibited throughout the world. (Hagerty, 2006) The artist’s hand, 1997, holds a powerful instrument, here symbolized by a â€Å"Vajra brush,† is a means to awaken people to their own essence through the light of higher power. The history of art is an expression of universal creativity that invisibly surrounds and supports every creative action. The Vajra is a spiritual device, a thunderbolt scepter owned by the Hindu god Indra and adopted by the Buddhist sages as a symbol of the diamond-like clarity and brilliance of the mind’s true nature. (Alex Grey) This is a key point in Greys piece along with his signature of the human body. The Artists Hand shows the layers of a human body each layer showing a new represtation of it. The vajra has ightning potruding from it and the figureines in the background are all that of superstious being either being a direct decent of a religion or an ancient civilization. The incorporation of the eye is one that with background research tells of a clarity to the artists beliefs. Grey’s interpreataion of spirituality in which his pieces show that his definition comes from the human body and key chakra elements. To Grey it seems that spirituality comes from within the human body rather then of a religious origin. Giger however uses his interpretation of the relationships that the body has, The Spell I (1973) by H.  R. Giger shows the relationship between man and machine. Through Giger’s artwork the idea of Biomechanics is understood to bring the human structure to the next level, allowing evolution to take place with the existing aid of machinery. The visuals presented in Giger’s artwork tell the story of how humankind is affected by its surroundings and what we take for granted. This is Giger’s idea of our future and if we keep relying on a machinery to complete our tasks we will become one with machine living in a cultureless society. Mark, 1982) Unlike Grey, Gigers use of the human body is more conceptual in a mechanical way; he utilizes the concept of the matrix in his piece alonlg with key spirituality symbols like the horned female and the skull. Even though futruistic his take on spirituality is that of a symbolic method. Cosima Lukashevich is a well-rounded spiritual artist who is said to be artist of the world – who unlike Giger and Grey is inspired by life and the cultural heritage and ancient symbols. Her pieces are of less refinance and are that of an expletory piece. Lukashevich channels her spirituality through nature and meditation; her piece uses ancient symbols and meanings. Her interpretation of The Oracle, 2009, is that of a dreamlike appearance. Her use of position allows the viewer to focus of the clarity of the eyes in the piece. The use of her medium is crucial in this piece and so is the symbolic meaning behind it. Comparing this piece to Giger’s and Grey’s it is clear that it is more earthy then the two others. Grey and Giger have a precision to their pieces that Lukashevich does not capture however each artist expresses in their own way what they think spirituality is. Giger and Grey even though having slight common grounds take very different paths with their concepts. The use of the human body has been a key feature throughout each of these three pieces and shows that the human body is a crucial piece in the journey through spirituality. Spirituality is still a term that lacks certain defiance or a definitive definition, although social scientists have tried to define spirituality as the search for ‘the scared’; which is broadly defined as that which is set apart from the ordinary. The term itself still remains broadly defined; however you may choose to argue the points that of the artists, Alex Grey, H. R Giger and Cosima Lukashevich each convey through their works as the definition. Each has tried to convey their own definition of spirituality though their own works. But at the end of the day spirituality is something that one defines within themselves through their beliefs, attitudes and values; it is something that will remain till the end of time as an undefined term that through various artistic channels many try to seek its true origins. Artists at the dawn of the 21st Century have had the unique opportunity to create a universal spiritual art. This art will be born from visions of sacred archetypes common to all mystic paths. The spirit of the times will choose artists sufficiently prepared for this task. The challenge to an artist today is integrating the vast visual legacy of human culture with their own deepest and highest personal insights, distilling that into works of art and making a living at it.

Learning Team IRAC Brief Essay Example for Free

Learning Team IRAC Brief Essay Learning Team B was tasked to study the IRAC method of case study analysis, and select one legal case from a current event that has taken place within the past two years relevant to this week’s objectives. After selecting a current case, Learning Team B prepared a case brief using the IRAC method. Learning Team B selected the United States v. Jones case, which was decided January 23, 2012. Learning Team B was also tasked to provide an explanation of how the legal concepts in the United States v. Jones case could be applied within a business managerial setting. The government issued a warrant to place a Global Positioning System on the personal vehicle of Jones to track any unlawful behavior. For 28 days, the government monitored the vehicle and â€Å"it subsequently secured an indictment of Jones and others on drug trafficking conspiracy charges† (United states v., 2012). The issue is that a violation of the Fourth Amendment may be in question. The question in this case is whether or not the vehicle that was fitted with the GPS is considered real or personal property. Also how is the vehicle subject to government surveillance only on public property? Could the vehicle be subject to the real or personal property laws protected under the Fourth Amendment? The question remains if the vehicle can be searched using the GPS only part of the time. The court’s ruling still does not clearly define what the fourth amendment covers as real or personal property. The definition of the Fourth Amendment is not completely clear on exactly what the real or personal property is defined as or if it is reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by society or a court of law. The law â€Å"protects reasonable expectations of privacy, but the Supreme Court has refused to provide a consistent explanation for what makes an expectation of privacy ‘reasonable’† (Kerr, 2007, p. 503). The Fourth Amendment can be applied to a business managerial setting by protecting workers rights to privacy somewhat. Any use of work property, including e-mail and Internet is subject to inspection by the company. There is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the workplace if an employee has an office. If the employee is in the  front of the work environment conversations or anything in plain view can be subject to police search. According to â€Å"Surveillance Self-Defense (2013), â€Å"A big question in determining whether your expectation of privacy is ‘reasonable’ and protected by the Fourth Amendment arises when you have ‘knowingly exposed’ something to another person or to the public at large† (Reasonable Expectation of Privacy). If a person is exposes intended personal information or property to a third party that reasonable expectation of privacy is no longer valid. The â€Å"Fourth Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights,† and the â€Å"Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the United States Constitution.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment protects the rights of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures† (Gatewood, 2013, p. 1). The government can use â€Å"GPS to track an individual movement† if they believe a crime have been committed. If law enforcement wants to obtain a warrant for â€Å"a GPS device to be installed† on an individual car, he or she must be able to convince a judge that a crime has been committed. They must also provide the judge with information about the place that will â€Å"be searched, and the† individual â€Å"or thing to be seized† (Hughes Burton, 2013, p. 1). In this court case, â€Å"the agents obtained a warrant, but they did not comply with two of the warrants restrictions. First, they did not install the GPS device within the 10-day period that was required by the provision of the warrant.† Second, the â€Å"GPS device supposed to be installed in the vehicle in the District of Columbia, as required by the condition of the warrant.† The â€Å"government installs the GPS device on the vehicle in a public parking space in Maryland† (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). According to McKenzie (2002), â€Å"the vehicle is an effect as the term is used in the Amendment, and this is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.† An organization that use any form of GPS device on an individual vehicle would be violating the Fourth Amendment.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment† was implemented to safeguard the rights of citizens, and to make sure that his or her â€Å"privacy is not violated† in any way (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). A public management can â€Å"conduct a mixed-motive search of an employer’s workplace, seeking to discover evidence of worker misconduct, as well as evidence the worker has committed a crime.† For example, a â€Å"search of a computer of a worker who has been downloading child pornography implicates both personnel misconduct and criminal concern.† â€Å"Courts assessing whether to apply the O’Connor reasonableness standard or the more traditional Fourth Amendment probable cause and warrant requirements of these mix-motive searches have applied O’Connor, reasonableness standard.† Certainly, â€Å"as explained by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, O’Connor’s† objective of â€Å"ensuring that an efficient workplace should not be frustrated simply because the similar misconduct that violates a government management’s rule, and it is also illegal† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). A community employer can conduct searches related to the workplace â€Å"such as to find a missing file or to investigate workplace misconduct,† in compliance with the â€Å"Fourth Amendment without probable cause or a warrant.† A job-related search is â€Å"constitutionally† allowable â€Å"as long as they are reasonable expectation of privacy.† Furthermore, â€Å"even if the search does infringe on a worker’s reasonable expectation of privacy, the search will deemed reasonable in accordance with the Fourth Amendment it is justified as its inception and permissible in scope† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). In George Orwell’s 1984, the citizens of the dystopian, totalitarian country of Oceania are subjected to a grim reality of constant government surveillance. In difference, technology is necessary to fulfill Orwell’s nightmare is far closer to fact than fiction. For example, the smart phone while using its GPS function is an indispensable component for numerous road trips; this global device has many of the same capabilities as 1984 feared telescreen. In the United States v. Jones, the Supreme Court of the United States concluded that police violated the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution when they attached the GPS-enabled tracking device to the defendant’s vehicle and used it to monitor the car’s movements for 28 days (Maryland Law Review, pg. 998). Jones highlights two uniquely prescient  concerns: The impact of modern information-sharing technology on individual privacy, and what limits ought to be placed on Law enforcement from using such technology unrestricted by physical boundaries (Maryland Law Review, pg. 999). The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court and held that without a warrant, the installation of the GPS tracking device constituted an unlawful search under the Fourth Amendment (United states v., 2012). The government had argued a person did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets but the U.S. Supreme court rejected this argument. The U.S. Supreme court ruled a person does have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets regardless of how the GPS tracking device is placed on the person’s vehicle. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that today’s surveillance technology is very advanced but still creates a physical intrusion into a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy protected under the Fourth Amendment (United states v., 2012). This ruling is very important in today’s business world as technology rapidly advances. The current generation of workers is very comfortable with advanced technology but still have the basic expectations of privacy that workers had 20 years ago. Companies can track email conversations, locate company smart phones using GPS technology, locate, and monitor routes of company vehicles, and even video tape activity at their locations. It is important that an organization brief and ensure each employee acknowledges the reasonable expectation of privacy policies. If a company issues a smart phone to an employee and employ GPS tracking on the phone, the employee must be informed his or her smart phone will be monitored. If a company installs GPS tracking devices on their vehicles the driver of that vehicle must be informed his or her route and movement is subject to company monitoring at all times. If a company video monitors its employees, employees must sign an acknowledgment under standing their movement with the organization is monitored and recorded during the business day. Advanced technology is a tool to reduce fraud in the workplace but cannot violate an employee’s right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. References Gatewood, J. (2013). It’s raining Katz and Jones: The implications of United States v. Jones- A case of sound and fury. Pace Law Review, 33(2), 683-715. Retrieved from http://Web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com George Orwell Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1988, The Evolving Fourth Amendment United States vs. Jones, The information cloud, and the right to exclude, Ber An Pan, 1993 Hughes, T. Burton, C. (2013). Police GPS surveillance on vehicles and the warrant Requirement: â€Å"For a while I’ve been watching you steady†. American Journal Of Criminal Justice, 38(4), 535-550.doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9185-z. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Kerr, O.S. (2007, November). Four Models of Fourth Amendment Protection. Stanford Law Review, 60(2), 503-551. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224069628?accountid=35812 McKenzie, D. (2002). What were they smoking?: The Supreme Court’s latest step in a long Strange trip throu gh the Fourth Amendment. Journal of Criminal Law Criminology, 93(1), 153. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Koster, P. R. (2007). Workplace searches by public employers and the Fourth Amendment. Urban Lawyer, 39(1). 75-84. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.comezproxy. Apollolibrary.com Surveillance Self-Defense. (2013). Retrieved from https://ssd.eff.org/your-computer/govt/privacy U.S. Supreme Court, (2012). United states v. jones (No. 10–1259). Retrieved from website: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf

CNS Involvement in GBS: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential

CNS Involvement in GBS: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIAL AS AN INDEX OF CNS DEMYELINATION IN GB SYNDROME Dr. Smita Singh*, Dr. Nitesh Mishra**, Dr. Shraddha Singh#, Dr. Sunita Tiwari## ABSTRACT: Guillain-Barrà © Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, frequently severe and fulminant polyradicular neuropathy that is autoimmune in nature. GBS manifest as rapidly evolving areflexic motor paralysis with or without sensory disturbances. It mainly involves peripheral nervous system and autonomic nervous system. There are rare evidences about the involvement of central nervous system (CNS) in GBS. The main objective of the study was to assess the CNS involvement in GBS using the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP). The study was conducted in the clinical neurophysiology lab in the department of physiology, CSMMU Lucknow. Study group involved 26 subjects (n=26) having GBS and control group involved 30 normal subjects (n=30). BAEPS were recorded by Neuroperfect- EMG 2000 EMG/NCV/EPsytem. The data so obtained were subjected to analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 13.0. There was significant increase in PIII PV peak latencies and PI-PIII PI-PV interpeak l atencies in both left and right ear in the study group, which showed the CNS involvement in GBS which can be assessed using BAEP. Key words: Guillain-Barrà © Syndrome, Central Nervous System, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barrà © Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, frequently severe and fulminant polyradicular neuropathy that is autoimmune in nature. GBS manifest as rapidly evolving areflexic motor paralysis with or without sensory disturbances. The usual pattern is ascending paralysis i.e. weakness begins in distal limbs but rapidly advances to affect the proximal muscle functions. Lower cranial nerves are usually involved causing bulbar weakness and difficulty with handling secretions and maintaining airways. Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR) usually disappears with in 1st few days of onset. Bladder dysfunction if present is usually transient1. In severe cases of GBS autonomic involvement is common. Usual feature are loss of vasomotor control with wide fluctuation in blood pressure, postural hypotension and cardiac dysrhythmias. Pain is another common feature of GBS most common is deep aching pain in weakened muscles. GBS shows mainly two types of pathophysiology, demyelinating form and axonal degeneration. Basis of demyelinating form is conduction block, which results in flaccid paralysis and sensory disturbances. Recovery is possible as remyelination occurs. Axonal degeneration shows slow rate of recovery and results in greater degree of residual disability. CSF shows albuminocytological dissociation that is elevated CSF protein level (100-1000gm/dl) without accompanying pleocytosis. CSF usually remains normal when duration of illness is less than 48 hours. CSF protein level increases at the end of first week of illness. Electrodiagnostic features are mild or absent in early stages and lag behind clinical evolution. Demyelinating form shows prolonged distal latencies, slow conduction velocities, conduction block and temporal dispersion of compound action potential. Axonal form shows decrease amplitude of compound action potential without conduction slowing and prolongation of latencies. There are several clinical, pathologic and electrophysiologic evidences that have established that GBS affects predominantly the peripheral nervous system. Focal demyelination of the Schwann cell derived myelin has been described. Neuropathologic and electrophysiologic evidences for involvement of central nervous system are rare. There are few studies2, 3, 4, 5, which have been performed to explore the involvement of CNS in GBS. However, there exists no study in the Indian environment regarding the same. The present study is an effort to explore the CNS involvement in GBS by measuring auditory evoked potentials. This test evaluates the integrity of auditory (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential) pathway by measuring evoked potentials. Evoked potentials are recorded as electronic impulses by surface electrodes attached to the scalp. A computer extracts these low amplitude impulses from background brain wave activity and averages the signals from repeated stimuli. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials, produced by delivering clicks to the ear, and help to locate auditory lesions and evaluate brainstem integrity. MATERIAL METHODS: The study was conducted in the clinical neurophysiology lab in the department of physiology, CSMMU Lucknow. The subjects of study group were selected from neurology, pediatrics and medicine department of CSMMU Lucknow and selection of the subjects of study group had been done on the basis of detailed history, though clinical examination, laboratory investigations and clinically proven cases of GBS. Normal healthy controls were selected after through clinical examination and it was insured that they do not have any apparent clinical illness that may affect the evoked potentials. Clearance from the institutional ethical committee was obtained written informed consent had been taken from the entire subjects study and control group. The study was conducted on clinically diagnosed cases of GBS of both sexes. The subjects were diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical examination, and typical CSF profile (albuminocytological dissociation) and electrophysiological evidences of demyelination. Subjects having prior neurological illness, apparent hearing and visual impairment, AFP due to another cause were excluded from the study group. All the subjects of study and control group were tested under similar laboratory conditions. Subjects were given sufficient time to relax rapport had been established so that they feel comfortable and cooperate during investigation Recordings of BAEPS: BAEPS were recorded by Neuroperfect- EMG 2000 EMG/NCV/EPsytem. The EPs were recorded with disc electrode from standard scalp location. Electrode were placed at vertex (Cz, reference electrode) ,ipsilateral and contralateral mastoid process (Ai and Ac active electrode) and forehead (Fz, ground electrode) after proper cleaning the scalp or skin site with alcohol followed by EEG conducting paste For recording 2000 click stimuli at the rate of 11Hz/sec with duration of .1 ms were delivered at 70 dB. The other ear was masked by pure white noise at 40 dB. This click generated by passing 0.1 ms square pulses trough shielded headphone. Electrical impedance was kept less than 5 kilo ohm. Peak latencies of all the waves I., II, III, IV and V and interpeak latencies of I-III,II-V and I-V were determined for both right and left ears separately. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data so obtained were subjected to analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 13.0. The data has been shown as mean ±SD, to compare the difference between the normal and healthy controls; â€Å"t† test for independent samples has been carried out. The confidence limit of the study was kept at 95%, hence a â€Å"p† value less than 0.05 denoted statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Table 1: Peak Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials for Left Right Ears ** p Table 2: Inter-peak latencies for BAEP for Left Right Ears * P DISCUSSION: Guillian Barre syndrome (GBS) is regarded as a predominantly motor neuropathy with transient or absent sensory features. Although the central nervous system is rarely involved, GBS associated with CNS, manifestations has been described in children by Okumura et. al (2002)6. and in adults by Maier H et. al. (1997)3, and Muller HD et. al.(2003)4 Maier H et. al. (1997)3 observed histopathological changes in CNS of GBS patients. He found infiltration of macrophages microglial cells and/or lymphocyte in different areas of central nervous system. Spinal cord and brainstem shows lymphocytic infiltration and microglial activation. Histopathological feature of CNS involvement is also observed by Muller HD et. al. (2003)4 in form of the cellular infiltration of spinal cord though not very significant and suggested CNS involvement in GBS occur, though rare. There are few studies which had demonstrated CNS (changes) lesion in GBS on neuroimaging. Nadkarni N et. al. (1993)7 observe MRI finding of CNS white matter lesion in patient of GBS who had developed symptoms of optic neuritis after plasmapharesis. These findings suggest there may be possibility of same antigenic mechanism of pathogenesis in CNS as well as peripheral nervous system. Okumura et. al. (2002)6 reported the clinical course and electrophysiological and neuroimaging of a patient of GBS associated with CNS lesion. He found mild slowing of background activities without paroxysmal discharge in electroencephalogram (EEG), mildly prolonged N2 latency with abnormal waveform in VEPs. BAEPs were unremarkable. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) there were multiple lesions in cortex and sub-cortex in the right occipital lobe and in the deep white matter in both frontal lobes. Despite all these lesions there was no evident CNS manifestation in the case. This implies that an association of CNS involvement in patients with GBS could be under estimated because some lesions can be clinically silent. The present study was an effort to evaluate central nervous system involvement in patients of GBS in Indian population because there is no study regarding the same performed in the India. In the view of known pathologic involvement of most proximal portion of peripheral nerves in GBS, the most likely cause of these BAEP abnormalities is focal demyelination of Schwann cell derived myelin sheath that covers the extramedullary portion of the auditory nerves. Prolongation I-III IPL indicative of lesion in the auditory nerve to medullary junction or lower pons around superior olive trapezoid body. The prolongation of I-V IPL suggests the abnormality of conduction of auditory signals from the proximal auditory nerve to the mesencephalon via pons. The findings of the study of BAEPs are comparable and show similarity with the results of study done by Zgorzalewicz M et. al. (2003)8 except there is an additional finding of IPL III-V prolongation in our study. In the study done by Schiff JA et. al. (1985)9 had also found prolonged I-III inter peak latencies (IPL) in five of six patients of GBS and I-V IPL in two of six patients, these results are comparable with the present study. Ropper AH et. al. (1986)10 also find the BAEP abnormality in the form of I-III and III-V IPL prolongation in patients of GBS, though that was not clinically significant. Whereas Nelson KR et. al. (1988)11, find the BAEPs abnormality in patients of GBS as prolongation of wave II latency and total absence of BAEM wave form in the early stage of disease and with the complaints of sudden onset of deafness, hearing improved with the recovery and BAEP abnormality of conduction block was replaced as a prolongation of wave I latency. After convalescent period BAEPs become normal. In present study there was no case present as similar complaint and BAEPs finding. Topcou M et. al. (1993)12 had performed evoked potential study in patients of GBS and found BAEPs and VEPs values were abnormal in some patients during early course of illness, though the values were not statistically significant. Wong V et. al. (1997)13 had found BAEPs abnormality in Miller Fischer syndrome (MFS), a variant of GBS. His findings of BAEPs abnormalities suggest proximal auditory nerve and brainstem involvement. CONCLUSION: Thus it can be concluded from our study that though often ignored, the central nervous system demyelination does occur in Guillain-Barrà © Syndrome (GBS) and the same can be assessed using evoked potentials like Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP). REFERENCES: Harrisons; Principle of internal medicine, 15th ed. McGraw-Hill 2001. Lobuz-Roszak B, Pierzchala K, Kapustecki J, GBS central nervous system symptoms, Neurol Neurochir Pol 2004 May-June; 38 (3) : 221-6. Maier H, Schmidbauer m, pfausler B et al., Central nervous system pathology in patients with the GBS, Brain, 1997 Mar, (pt 3); 451-64 Muller HD, Beckman A, Schroder JM, Inflammatory infiltrates in the spinal cord of patients with GBS, Acta Neropathol (Berl) , 2003 Dec, 106 (60 : 509-17 Nadkarni N, Lisak Rp , GBS with bilateral optic neuritis and central white matter disease, Neurology, 1993 Apr, 43(4) : 842-3 Okumura A , Ushida H , Maruyama K et al., GBS associated with central nervous system lesions, Arch dis Child 2002 Apr ; 86 (4) : 304-6. Nadkarni N, Lisak Rp , GBS with bilateral optic neuritis and central white matter disease, Neurology, 1993 Apr, 43(4) : 842-3 Zgorzalewicz M Zielinska, Kilarski D. Brain stem auditory visual evoked potential in children adolescents with GBS, Neurol Neurochir Pol, 2004; 38(1Suppll): 531-7 Schiff JA , Cracco RQ, Cracco JB, Brain stem auditory evoked potentials in GBS, Neurology. 1985 May; 35 (5). Ropper AH, Chiappa KH, Evoked potentials in GBS, Neurology, 1986 Apr; 36(4): 587-90 Nelson KR , Gilmore RL, Massey A , Acoustic nerve conduction abnormalities in GBS ,Neurology, 1988 Aug ; 38(8): 1263-6 Topcu M, Ergin M, Nurlu G et al., Evoked potential in GBS, Turk J Pediator, 1993 Apr- Jun; 35 Wong V. A neurophysiological study in children with Miller Fisher syndrome and Guillain Barre Syndrome. Brain Dev. 1997 Apr; 19(3): 197-204.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in America Essay -- Expository

This world is populated by a variety of races that come from different cultures and different backgrounds. These people differ in many ways. Do you know Chinese in all over the world have something in common? It is the Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture and it is celebrated once every year. They do not have a specify date for Chinese New Year because the date is set by traditional calendar that was invented in China long time ago. A day before Chinese New Year or known as Chinese New Year eve, family members who is working out of state will go back to their hometown to have a family gathering and a special dinner will be served. There is fifteen days of celebration in the Chinese New Year and each day carries a different meaning. For example, for the first day of Lunar New Year, it is the welcoming of gods from the heaven and earth. According to the elderly, the family members will gain protection from this goddess by worshipping th em. Many Chinese will abstain from meat because they believe that this will ensure long and happy lives for them. Most of the western people do not have a deep understanding of what Chinese New Year is all about. Further more, this is not a common festival that they is celebrated. As a result, it creates a big difference of the surroundings for Chinese New Year. The purpose of writing this research paper is to compare the ways international Chinese students celebrate Chinese New Year in United States of America. I have been in America for 15 months; this is my second year celebrating my Chinese New Year in the states. Since I have been here, I have never enjoyed the Chinese New Year anymore. Things were different here. I still have to attend... ...lso held a party in New Hub. In conclusion, celebrating Chinese New Year in the states is different compare to other Chinese countries. It is difficult for a foreign Chinese student to adapt the different feeling of celebrating Chinese New Year. Chinese students from different counties have different ways to celebrate Chinese New Year. After I had been through a disappointing Chinese New Year for my first celebration in the states, I hope that other students would feel better for their first year in the United States. It helps to reduce the fear for international students of further their studies overseas. This research paper increases the understanding of different celebrations that are held by international students. After talking with students, I wanted to try to create a better Chinese New Year atmosphere next year in Indiana for those new Malaysian students.

Peru :: essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  PERU- PROFILE  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Location Country in west central South America, bounded on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil and Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The area of Peru, including several offshore islands, is 1,285,216 sq km (496,225 sq mi), making it third in size (after Brazil and Argentina) of South America countries. Lima is the country’s capital and chief commercial center. Topography Peru may be divided into three main topographical regions: The coastal plain, the sierra, and the Montana. The coastal plain is an arid, elongated stretch of land extending the entire length of the country and varying in wild from about 65 to 160 km. (about 40 to 100 mi) it is a northern extension of the Tacoma Desert of Chile. The plain has few adequate harbors. Most of the desert is so dry that only10 of the 52 rivers draining the Andean slopes to the Pacific Ocean have sufficient volume to maintain the flow across the desert and reach the coast. However, the coast is the economic center of Peru. Most of the Nation’s leading commercial and export crops grow in the 40 oases of the region. The sierra, an upland region with towering mountain ranges of the Andes, lofty plateaus, and deep gorges and valleys. The main range is the Cordillera Occidental; other ranges include the Cordillera Oriental, the Cordillera Central. The sierra, which covers 30 percent of the country’s land area, traverses the country from southeast and northwest. Several of the highest peaks in the world are located in the various sierra cordilleras and plateaus, notably Huascaran (6,768 m/22,205 ft), the highest in Peru. Lake Titicaca is in the southeast. In the northeast the sierra slopes downward to a vast, flat tropical jungle, the selvas, extending to the Brazilian border and forming part of the Amazon Basin. The mountain attains a maximum width of about 965 km (about 600 mi) in the north and constitutes some 60 percent of the Peruvian land area; it is covered with thick tropical forests in the west and with dense tropical vegetation in the center and east. Peru has three main drainage systems. One comprises about 50 torrential streams that rise in the sierra and descend steeply to the coastal plain. The second comprises the tributaries of the Amazon River in the mountain region. The third principal feature is Lake Titicaca, which drains into Lake Poopo in Bolivia thought the Desaguadero River

Essay --

Bonds and Equities Defining Bonds and Equities Bonds are certificates of obligation or indebtedness, issued by governments and companies to raise funds repayable at interest over relatively long periods. Equities are investments exercised by purchasing a share in the ownership of a corporation; and are more commonly called stocks or shares (as in the stock market or share market). Bonds have a very favorable relationship with equities. Historically, when equity markets fell, bonds had gone up in value, partially offsetting the fall. When equity markets rise, interestingly, high quality bonds also tend to rise, although to a lesser extent. Therefore for an investor with equity portfolio wanting to reduce portfolio volatility or make the portfolio less susceptible to a fall in equity markets bonds are the most appropriate. Bonds generally pay a much higher income than high quality government and corporate bonds to compensate for higher risk. Similar to equities, bonds tend to perform best when economic growth is strong with low stable interest rates. In such an environment the ability of these companies to pay interest and repay their bonds on the maturity date is greatly enhanced. [Z. Bodie, 2000] Investment in bonds and equities, usually via stock-markets and other exchanges for financial instruments. So-called "portfolio investment" is usually relatively easy to re-sell; hence this type of investment can flow relatively easily into and out of a country's stock-markets. This can lead to volatility in share-prices and levels of capital availability. What’s the difference? Equities are shares listed on the stock exchange. Their prices are influenced by the underlying performance of the companies, the sectors in which they operate ... ...easures pertaining to the micro stability of the intermediaries can be subdivided into two categories; general rules on the stability of all business enterprises and entrepreneurial activities, such as the legally required amount of capital, borrowing limits and integrity requirements; and more specific rules due to the special nature of financial intermediation, such as risk based capital ratios, limits to portfolio investments and the regulation of off-balance activities. [White 1996] References Z Bodie, A Kane and A J Marcus. "Investments". 5th Ed. Irwin 2000. E J Elton and M J Gruber. "Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis". John Wiley 5th Edition 1995. White L., 1996, "International Regulation of Securities Markets: Competition or Harmonization?† in Lo A. (ed), The Industrial organization and Regulation of the Securities Industry, NBER, Cambridge

Separation of Powers in the American Democracy

Separation of powers provides our government with a system of checks and balances, a way to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful. This concept was important in the creation of our government because it prevented one central government. Our Framers wanted to avoid a government that was run by one person, or one super powerful group. In order to effectively put their theory to work, they actually separated the powers between each branch of government. The three branches of our government consist of the Legislative Branch, The Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. While each branch does hold some authority over the other two, they are still politically independent of one another. Let me explain further how the separation of powers works. The Legislative Branch’s powers include passing all federal laws, the ability to override a president’s veto, declaring war, enacting taxes, and it can even impeach the president. The Executive Branch’s responsibilities include veto power over all bills, making treaties, pardon power, and it ensures all laws are carried out. Lastly, the Judicial Branch has the power to try federal cases and it can also rule that laws or executive acts are unconstitutional. As stated earlier, each branch has authorities, or checks over the other two. We know that the Executive Branch has the power to carry out laws. The Legislative and Judicial branches check over the Executive Branch in this manner because even though they are enforcing the laws, the Legislative Branch is the one with the ability to fund the laws and other executive actions, while the Judicial Branch interprets them. And, though the Legislative Branch has the power to impeach the president, a Chief Justice (a member of the Judicial Branch) sits as President of the Senate during this time. Each branch works together to ensure the other is doing what it’s supposed to be doing. I believe the Framers thought separation of powers was so important because their goal from the beginning was to establish a government that was unlike any other. Our Framers wanted to make sure that the government they were creating would be able to withstand itself over time. The Framers wanted to show they had faith (not much, but a little) in their fellow citizens by giving them the power to vote and make decisions. Giving the power to the people was the aim of our new government. By leaving behind countries where dictators ruled the people, and where Kings and Queens passed down authority from generation to generation, our Framers did everything they could to make sure our new government would not become what they disliked so much. Separation of powers preserves the ideas and wants of our Framers, and that is why I believe a system of checks and balances to be so important. References http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_cnb.html http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/checks_balances.htm http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2007/12/what-separation-of-powers-means-for-constitutional-government

Succubus Heat CHAPTER 10

Dante promptly passed out after sex later that night, but I stayed awake for a while. Rolling over at last, I turned my back to him and stared at my bedside table. I'd set Seth's book there, and now its spine stared out at me, like we were having a showdown to see who would look away first. Seth had given it to me as a gift, possibly a peace offering, yet I was afraid of it, afraid of how I might feel if I opened it. After ten minutes of staring, I finally reached for the book and scooted closer to the bed's edge so that I could get more light from my tiny reading lamp. Curling onto my side, I took a deep breath and opened up All Fools Night . First came the title page, then the dedication: For my niece Brandy, who dreams of great things and will achieve greater ones still . It was embarrassing, but I had almost for a moment speculated whether he might have dedicated the book to me. He'd finished it right around the time we first started dating, but he'd been editing and making small changes right up until the time we broke up. It was vanity, I supposed, to think there might be some sign of my time with Seth in the book. Yet, when I turned the page, I wondered. Before the first chapter, Seth always had a quote, something from a speech or possibly a verse from a poem that was relevant to the book. This was from a song: And if I only could I'd make a deal with God And I'd get Him to swap our places – â€Å"Running Up That Hill,† by Kate Bush I read the lyrics a couple of times, wondering if there was more to them or if I just wanted there to be more to them. I'd heard the song a long time ago, and it had had that poppy synth feel so common to music in the 1980s. I didn't recall this particular part. Finally, dragging my eyes away, I moved onto the heart of the book. Before meeting Seth, I'd rationed myself while reading his novels. I would only read five pages a day because I'd wanted to prolong the sweetness of that first reading. When something was really good, it was easy to dive into it, and before you knew it, the moment was gone. You'd burned through it. I experienced that too frequently in my long existence, and a strict reading schedule was a weak attempt to slow things down. When I settled into this book, though, I didn't really have a plan, and before long, I knew stopping at five pages was impossible. It was exquisite. While he had a few self-standing novels, this series-Cady and O'Neill-was his flagship one. At its basic level, this was just a mystery book, yet there was a wonderful, lyrical quality to Seth's writing that elevated him above the genre ghetto. Sure, there was action and a trail of clues, but his characters were also evolving, always growing in ways both wonderful and heartbreaking. Seth had a way of describing their feelings and their reactions in a style that was so real, it resonated with my own life and left an ache in my chest. Whether that was for his art or for the man himself, I couldn't say. It was only when Dante rolled over that I'd realized I'd been sniffling. â€Å"Are you crying, succubus?† â€Å"It's this book,† I said. I had just read a section where Cady and O'Neill were having a profound talk about life, and O'Neill had commented that all people were seeking both damnation and forgiveness, needing each to make sense of their existence. I was crying because it was true and because Seth had known it was true. â€Å"There are a lot of things to cry about in this world,† Dante said through a yawn. â€Å"Not sure a book should be one of them.† The clock read 4 a.m. by that point, and my eyes were bleary from tears and a need to sleep. I put down Seth's book-which I was now more than half-way through-and turned off the light. Dante shifted and threw an arm around me, resting his chin on my shoulder. His breathing grew heavy and regular, and before long, I joined him in sleep. The phone woke me up at an ungodly hour later in the morning. Dante was gone already. I found that surprising, but seeing as he hadn't gotten three hours of sleep, it might not have been that much of a leap. â€Å"Hello?† Finding the phone had been feat enough, let alone checking the caller ID. A frantic voice answered me. â€Å"Georgina? This is Blake.† â€Å"Blake?† I didn't think I knew any Blake. â€Å"Don't tell me you forgot about us?† He pronounced â€Å"about† as â€Å"aboot,† and it came back to me through my sleep-addled brain. â€Å"Oh, God. I'm sorry. Blake. From the Army.† Him calling me couldn't be a good sign. I sat up straighter in bed. â€Å"What's going on?† â€Å"They're doing something today†¦I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but I'm worried. I don't know much, except that it's big.† I was up and moving now, clothes and hair shape-shifting as I walked. â€Å"Do you have anything else? A time or place?† â€Å"Not yet. Evan's being really secretive about what he's telling us. He says the Angel wants it to be a need-to-know-thing and that we won't find out the details until the absolute last minute.† â€Å"Fuck.† I suspected the Angel was also trying to limit my knowledge as well. Flattering, but frustrating. â€Å"Okay, well, listen, I'm in Seattle, but I'm getting on the road right now. I should be there in two hours.† â€Å"You can't get up here in two hours,† he said incredulously. â€Å"I can if I don't drive the speed limit.† There was a bit of congestion within the city itself, but once I got a little north of it, the traffic cleared up. It was the morning commute; everyone wanted to get into Seattle. Once I had clear highway ahead of me, I dialed Cedric. I knew he wasn't going to like my lack of information, but considering how angry he'd been after last time, I had to at least make the attempt here to keep myself out of trouble. It was Kristin who answered. â€Å"He's having breakfast right now,† she told me. â€Å"It's kind of a special time for him. He doesn't like to be disturbed.† There was an anxious tone to her voice, and I could almost picture her arranging a breakfast tray just-so for him. â€Å"Yeah, well, he might be disturbed whether he likes it or not.† I told her what Blake had said, and her response was similar to mine. â€Å"That's all you've got?† â€Å"Their Angel's working on a need-to-know basis now,† I said bitterly. â€Å"I'll let you know more when I learn more. I just figured Cedric should know.† She sighed. â€Å"You're right. Thanks. Man, this is going to piss him off. He'll have no appetite at all.† I made the drive in the two hours I'd quoted Blake and miraculously didn't get pulled over. I hadn't heard from him the entire time, so I dialed him once I was over the border and buying coffee. I'd found a Starbucks and took a secret thrill in defying the Tim Hortons domination. Except†¦once I had the coffee in hand, I decided a donut would be really good with it, so I walked over and got one from the Tim's across the street. Blake didn't answer, so I tried Evan next and also got no answer. Frustrated, I drove over to Evan's house and knocked on the door for a while. I was nearly on the verge of climbing in through a back window when my phone rang again-and ironically, it was Evan himself. â€Å"Georgina!† he exclaimed, sounding ecstatic. â€Å"Where are you? We need you here.† â€Å"Where are you ?† I demanded. â€Å"On the observation deck,† he said. â€Å"Observation deck of what?† â€Å"The Space Needle. You live close by, don't you?† I nearly dropped the phone. â€Å"You're in Seattle ?† â€Å"Yeah!† I could perfectly picture that eager, zealous look of his. â€Å"Cool, huh? The Angel wanted us to expand our message. So, we're all up here with these banners that we're going to unfurl at the same time, and then we've got a few more surprises to-â€Å" â€Å"Evan,† I begged, sprinting toward my car. â€Å"Don't do it. You're stirring up more trouble than you realize.† â€Å"That's the point!† he chuckled. â€Å"How long until you can be here?† Once I told him I wasn't in the city, he lost interest, and my pleas became meaningless. As soon as we disconnected, I dialed Cedric, expecting to get Kristin. Instead, I got his voice mail. Somehow, that made me angry. â€Å"Cedric, this is Georgina. The Army isn't doing their thing here-they're down in Seattle right now. I hope you finally believe I didn't have anything to do with their stupid plans now! When Jerome finds out, it's going to be my ass on the line, and knowing my luck, he'll think you and I are working together.† Yes, this was one of those situations in which there was no way I could win. I was going to get in trouble no matter what I did, but again, I had to attempt damage control. Jerome had a cell phone that he never answered and didn't even have voice mail for. Hugh was the best way to get a hold of him-but he didn't pick up either. â€Å"Damn it!† I cried into his phone. â€Å"Doesn't anyone answer their fucking phones anymore?† I gave him a hasty recap of what was happening and told him to let Jerome or one of the demonesses know about the cult's plans, or else Jerome was going to get the same scrutiny from the higher-ups that Cedric had been getting. After that, there was nothing left for me to do except hit the road to Seattle again-something I was not happy about. Fortunately, I was fully outside the commuting times now and again could enjoy easy driving as I zipped down I-5 at 75. Pretty Hate Machine blared on my speakers and was oddly soothing to my agitated mood. I eventually fell into that trance-like state drivers often get, with one part of my brain watching the road and the other frantically wondering if my warning had reached any of the Seattle demons in time to intercept the Army. I had just cleared Everett, about a half-hour outside of Seattle, when it hit me. A jolt of electricity shot through my body, making the world spin and my vision blur. I felt hot all over. My hands slipped on the wheel, nearly causing me to swerve into the neighboring lane. I had just enough bearings to slam on my hazard lights and pull off on the shoulder before I hit someone. A wave of nausea rolled through my stomach, then settled down, then swept through me again. Shifting the car into park, I put my head down on the steering wheel, hoping for some clarity. There was a buzzing in my ears, and my whole body shook. What the hell? I didn't get sick. Ever. The only thing that could really affect me like this was drinking too much or indulging in other substances. I'd had food poisoning a couple of times, but it had been short-lived, and somehow I doubted that donut I'd had was doing this to me. I lifted my head up a little, but the world kept rocking. Closing my eyes, I rested my cheek against the steering wheel and took a few deep breaths, hoping I wouldn't throw up. I had no idea what was going on here, but it would pass. It had to pass. And it did-a little. I don't know how long I sat like that, maybe about fifteen minutes, but the next time I dared a peek up, the dizziness had lessened. The nausea was still there, but it too had dropped to a lower level. Deciding to risk it, I turned back onto I-5, anxious to finish my drive to the city and figure out what was wrong with me. I made it back to town without causing an accident and nearly fell over trying to make it up my building's stairs. I didn't even bother with my suitcase and simply left it in the car. Once in my apartment, I headed straight for my room and crashed on the bed. Aubrey joined me and peered curiously at my face. I gave her a few pets, then let my hand slip down as I fell asleep, too weak to hold it up any longer. I woke up almost two hours later, shaken out of sleep by knocking at my door. I sat up, relieved to find my stomach had settled. The light-headedness had also gone away. Maybe the donut had been defective after all†¦and yet, I had this weird feeling-this tiny, nagging suspicion-that something wasn't right. Only, I had no clue or evidence as to what it was. Ignoring it for now, I stumbled out to the living room and opened my door, not even bothering to look out the peephole. Cody and Peter stood there, both of them grinning from ear to ear. â€Å"What do you want?† I asked, stepping aside for them when the door opened. â€Å"I was sleeping.† â€Å"I can tell by your hair,† said Peter, flouncing on my couch. â€Å"And what are you doing asleep? It's the middle of the day.† Still groggy, I squinted at my clock. It was a little after three. â€Å"Yeah, I know. I didn't feel good. It's weird. I just suddenly felt wiped out and dizzy.† That smile had never left Cody's face. He sat beside Peter. â€Å"How do you feel now?† I shrugged and settled onto my loveseat. â€Å"Fine, I guess. A little tired, but the worst is over.† That nondescript something isn't right here feeling was still with me, though. â€Å"You shouldn't be cooped up inside,† said Peter. â€Å"It's a great day.† â€Å"Look at all the sun,† agreed Cody. â€Å"It's like summer came early.† I followed his gaze to the window. Warm golden light spilled in onto my floor, much to Aubrey's delight, and beyond the neighboring building, I could see blue sky. Still, I wasn't impressed. â€Å"We're barely into spring. This is a fluke. It'll probably be cold tomorrow.† Peter shook his head. â€Å"You sure are grumpy when you wake up.† They both seemed so absurdly pleased with themselves, and I couldn't figure out why. â€Å"Maybe you should get outside,† said Cody, exchanging smirks with Peter. â€Å"We were going to go for a walk after this. It might cheer you up.† â€Å"Yup. Nothing like a bright, sunny afternoon to perk up the old spirits.† Peter's grin grew even bigger. I leaned my head back against the loveseat. â€Å"Okay, okay. What's the joke I'm missing here?† â€Å"No joke,† said Peter. â€Å"We just think it's a great day.† â€Å"A beautiful, sunny day,† Cody concurred. â€Å"Will you two stop already? I get it. It's a nice day. The sun is out the, the birds are singing-â€Å" I stopped. I felt my eyes go wide. I looked at the smirking vampires, then looked at the sun-filled world outside, and then looked back at them. I swallowed. â€Å"How,† I asked quietly, â€Å"are you guys out in the middle of the day?† Their pent-up mirth exploded, and they both dissolved into laughter. I felt wide awake now. â€Å"I'm serious! What's going on? You can't be out in daylight, and how-wait. I didn't sense you guys at the door. I still can't sense you.† â€Å"I know,† said Cody. â€Å"Isn't it crazy?† â€Å"No! Well, I mean, yes. But it's not†¦it's not supposed to happen,† I argued. I didn't understand how they could find this so entertaining. Something was wrong. Very wrong. All the drama with the Army was gone from my mind. That niggling worry that I'd woken up with turned into a hard knot of fear. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I'd gone cold all over. â€Å"How is this possible? The sun should fry you.† â€Å"Hell if we know,† said Peter. â€Å"We were in our coffins and then just suddenly†¦woke up. We got out, and there we were. Out and about in the middle of the day. You know what else? I don't want blood. No desire whatsoever. Not even a drop.† â€Å"And so what, you guys just decide to go stroll around and enjoy the day? You didn't contact Jerome? You didn't question the fact that something has seriously altered your immortal existence?† A mischievous look crossed Peter's face. â€Å"Not just us, Georgina.† They both watched me expectantly. â€Å"Don't look at me like that,† I told them. â€Å"I've always been able to go out in the sun.† â€Å"You don't have a signature either. We can't sense you,† said Cody. I stared at them for several heavy seconds, trying to parse the meaning here. An uneasy feeling began building in my stomach as I recognized their implication-except what they were implying was impossible. Unthinkable. â€Å"You're wrong,† I said. Slowly, carefully, I touched my face. It was exactly the same as it had been this morning. My build was the same. My height was the same. I was still me. I exhaled with relief. â€Å"I'm the same.† Peter's eyes danced. â€Å"Fix your hair. It's a mess.† Shape-shifting is an instinct for a succubus or incubus, practically subconscious. It's like tightening a muscle or taking a deep breath. You barely think about it, send the message from your brain, and it happens. So, I thought about my hair, willing it to smooth out and tidy itself into a ponytail. There was usually a slight tingle when that happened, resulting from the burn of using up a piece of my stored energy. And of course, there was always the tangible evidence-the actual change of my appearance. This time, there was nothing. No tingle. No hair movement. Peter leaned forward. â€Å"Ooh, it did happen to you! You're the same. None of us are working.† â€Å"No,† I said frantically. â€Å"That's not possible.† I tried again, willing my hair to change-to turn a different color, grow short, restyle itself†¦but there was nothing. I tried to shift my clothes, urging my jeans and Henley to become a slip dress. Or maybe a track suit. I even attempted to make my clothes disappear altogether. Nothing happened. Nothing . In pure desperation, I did the unthinkable: I tried to give up the unconscious hold I always maintained in order to keep a form that wasn't my natural one. I let go of all control, allowing my body to shift back to the one I was born with, the one my essence always wanted to return to-the one I fought very, very hard to hide from the world. Nothing happened. I stayed the same. I couldn't shape-shift. It was like having my arm cut off. Until that moment, I didn't realize how much of my self was tied into shape-shifting. As a mortal, the power had been unimaginable. After having it for a millennium and a half, it had become part of me, and its absence was now unbearable. I didn't have to see my face to know I wore pure panic. Peter and Cody were still laughing. I shot up, incredulous. â€Å"This isn't funny,† I cried. â€Å"We have to talk to Jerome. Now. There's something seriously wrong with us!† â€Å"Or right,† suggested Cody. â€Å"Why do you think this is a joke?† â€Å"We don't,† said Peter calmly. Underneath his mirth, I saw the tiniest bit of concern in his eyes, concern he was clearly trying to ignore for now. â€Å"We just think it's cool. You don't think Jerome already knows about this? Whatever it is, they'll fix it soon enough. Nothing we can change.† The tirade I was about to unleash on them was interrupted by more knocking. Just like with the vampires, I sensed no immortal signature. Anyone could have been at my door. Yet, peering out the peephole, I saw Hugh. I let him in, feeling relieved. Hugh would sort this out. He always knew what was going on since he and Jerome maintained such constant communication. Hugh's confidence and typical know-it-all air would fix everything. Instead, he looked miserable. Dejected. He trudged in and dropped onto where I'd just been sitting. He put his elbows on his knees and rested his chin in his hands. â€Å"Hey, Hugh,† said Cody. â€Å"Isn't it a great day?† I knelt down on the floor in front of Hugh, so I could look straight into his eyes. â€Å"Hugh, what's going on?† He simply stared at me, dark eyes mournful and bleak. I'd seen Hugh angry, elated, and exasperated over the years, but I'd never seen him depressed. It would have bothered me, if not for the fact we had a few other things to worry about than his hurt feelings just now. â€Å"Hugh! We've all lost our†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I frowned, not sure what to call it. Powers? That sounded too Justice League. â€Å"†¦abilities.† â€Å"I know,† he said at last. â€Å"So have I.† â€Å"What powers did you even have?† asked Cody, apparently not minding the superhero comparison. â€Å"Multitasking?† teased Peter. â€Å"The ability to balance books and collate?† I shot him a quick glare over my shoulder and then glanced at Cody to explain. â€Å"Imps see souls-everyone's life energy. They can tell whose soul is good and whose is bad.† â€Å"I know that,† said Cody. â€Å"I just thought there was†¦more.† Hugh sighed. â€Å"You can't imagine it, Georgina. Not having that ability now. It's like losing one of my senses. Or going colorblind.† â€Å"I know exactly what you mean,† I told him. â€Å"Not likely. When you can't see energy and souls around living beings, the world is so†¦empty. It's dull.† â€Å"Why did it happen?† I asked gently, trying my best to squelch my own escalating fear. Internally, I was still reeling. My shape-shifting was gone. My immortal signature was gone. The marks that defined me as Georgina Kincaid, succubus, were gone. â€Å"What's going on?† Hugh's eyes were still sad and unfocused, but finally, he looked at me and studied my face, like he'd just noticed me in front of him. â€Å"We get our various gifts and immortality for selling our souls,† he began slowly. â€Å"Those unique abilities-and their side effects-come from our contract with Hell and are filtered through our archdemons. It's what lets them keep track of us. We're†¦connected†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He frowned, grasping at how to best explain the system through which Hell managed its employees. â€Å"I know what you're talking about,† I said. Cedric would know if I crossed into his territory simply because he could sense me when I was close enough. Jerome, so long as he was my supervisor, knew where I was at all times and if I was hurt. He was always aware of me, always tied to me. â€Å"Our†¦powers†¦are transmitted from Hell, through Jerome, to us.† â€Å"Right,† Hugh said. I waited for more, but that seemed to be all he had to say. â€Å"Right what? Why are our abilities gone?† A bit of the normal Hugh exasperation glinted in his eyes. â€Å"Because Jerome is gone.† â€Å"Jerome's gone all the time,† Peter said. â€Å"We can never get a hold of him. We can't get a hold of him now.† Hugh shook his head. â€Å"You aren't getting it. When I say gone, I don't mean hiding from us at a bar. I mean gone . Vanished. Disappeared. Might as well not exist for all intents and purposes. No one knows where he is. Not our side, not the other side. He. Is. Gone.† Dead silence hung around us for what felt like an eternity. And that was saying something. Peter's voice was hard to hear when he finally spoke. â€Å"And as long as he's gone†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"†¦then so are our abilities,† I finished.