What Are The Charges Against Socrates - 1019 Words

Maria Suleman Professor Nathan Poage Introduction to philosophy PHIL 1301 30 October 2015 What are the charges against Socrates as recorded in the Apology. Is he guilty of them? Why or why not? The Apology is assumed to be the most realistic account that has been conserved of Socrates defense of himself as it was presented before the Athenian Council. It is in essential agreement with the references to the trial that occur in Plato s other dialogs. We may determine that Apology is not written by Socrates and only contains the words of Socrates that were memorized by Plato, since he was present at the time of the trial. However, we know that Socrates was Plato’s teacher and had been admired by him a lot. We should bear in mind that Plato’s views about Socrates’s trial could be biased. But on the other hand it is quite possible that Socrates defense of himself was even convincing than what has been reported by Plato. The charges against Socrates were brought by two type of accusers, the older and ancient ones and the later brought by Anytus, Meletus and others who were present at the time of trial. We’ll discuss all the charges one by one and wha t did Socrates say in his defense. The first charge that he summed up in his speech was â€Å"Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath, and made the worse appear the better† (Plato 18). Socrates defended these accusations by saying that they were based entirely on falsehoods, andShow MoreRelatedSocrates Method of Cross-Examine Essay example1392 Words   |  6 Pagesargue that Socrates does not typically benefit those that he cross-examines, but that his activity is nonetheless useful and justified. I will argue that Socrates’ cross-examinations are justified and useful because it is a divine mission and because it develops critical thinking skills. I will argue my thesis by first, using The Apology and Euthyphro dialogues to show the usefulness and justification of Socrates’ elenchus. Second, I will suggest objections to the reasons why Socrates’ elenchus isRead MoreA Just Man Should Fear No Death in the Apology by Plato Essay825 Word s   |  4 Pagesby Plato, and relates Socrates’ defense at his trial on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates argues that he is innocent of both charges. His defense is ultimately unsuccessful, and he is convicted and sentenced to death. Socrates concludes the Apology by arguing that a just man should have no fear of death. Socrates defends himself against the charges brought against him by his prosecutor Meletus in two ways. One way consists of a description of Socrates’ motivation and methodRead MoreAn Unexamined Life Of Socrates1199 Words   |  5 Pages An Unexamined Life Lyndsey Emry PHIL 1381-17 Introduction to Philosophy Professor Bannister When studying Socrates, you the reader must come up with your point of view and take what Socrates is trying to teach into your own approach. You must also think why Socrates choose the words he choose. Socrates careful choice of words give much color to his quote, â€Å"an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live.† The word examined for example has many definitions, including: toRead MoreThe Charges Against Socrates Essay640 Words   |  3 PagesThe Charges Against Socrates The charges against Socrates were brought upon him by a man names Meletus. Meletus was a young man that Socrates did not know very well. These charges brought on by Meletus caused the indictment of Socrates. One of the charges in the affidavit written by Meletus against Socrates is that he is corrupting the youth. Another charge that is brought upon Socrates is that of he is making up new Gods and disregarding the old Gods the Athenians believe in. TheseRead MoreSocrates : Not Guilty1610 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates: Not Guilty Intro (138) In 399 BC, when he was seventy years old, Socrates was called into court by three men: Meletus, a poet, Anytus, a politician, and Lycon, an orator. The specific charges were impiety (namely that he did not believe in the gods of Athens, and instead had introduced new gods), and corruption of the youth of the city. The account of Socrates’ trial is preserved in the Apology by Plato, a dialogue that ought not to be considered a verbatim report of Socrates’ defenseRead MoreEssay about Four Charges Brought Agains Socrates in the Apology by Plato1029 Words   |  5 Pagesessay I will talk about four charges that were brought against Socrates in the work Apology by Plato. After describing the charge I will then go on to talk about why I think each of them are completely fake. There were four charges that were brought against Socrates. They were that he argued the weaker claim over the stronger claim, that he argue the physical over the metaphysical, that he was against the gods and that he was corrupting the youth. All of these charges are completely and utterly fakeRead More Argument in the Apology Essay897 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosopher Plato is whether, notorious speaker and philosopher Socrates is corrupting the youth by preaching ungodly theories and teaching them unlawful ideas that do harm to individuals and society. In his words Socrates quoted the prosecution’s accusation against him: â€Å"Socrates is guilty of corrupting the minds of the young, and of believing in supernatural things of his own invention instead of the gods recognized by the state.† 1 Further Socrates consistently introduces tediously compiled number of examplesRead MoreEssay on Platos Apology932 Words   |  4 Pagesof seventy, Socrates found himself fighting against an indictment of impiety. He was unsuccessful at trial in the year 399 B.C. The charges were corrupting the youth of Athens, not believing in the traditional gods in whom the city believed, and finally, that he believed in other new divinities. In Platos Apology, Socrates defends himself against these charges. He claims that the jurors opinions are biased because they had probably all seen Aristophanes comedy The Clouds. The Socrates portrayedRead MoreApology Paper1168 Words   |  5 PagesRichard March 15, 2013 Apology Paper In Apology by Plato, Socrates, who is convicted and sentenced to death by the jury of Athenian citizens, not only pleads his innocence, but also expresses his opinion on democracy. The speeches and dialogues Socrates makes in this book raises a question for the reader whether the jury of Athenian citizens is justified in convicting Socrates and condemning him to death. Although Socrates believes that he is innocent, the jury has justification. It is myRead MoreSocrates Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesSocrates Socrates spent his time questioning people about things like virtue, justice, piety and truth. The people Socrates questioned are the people that condemned him to death. Socrates was sentenced to death because people did not like him and they wanted to shut him up for good. There was not any real evidence against Socrates to prove the accusations against him. Socrates was condemned for three major reasons: he told important people exactly what he thought of them, he questioned ideas

Fraud Orchestrated By Three Senior Executives Of Fair...

SUMMARY OF KEY FACTS. This case involved a fraud orchestrated by three senior executives of Fair Finance Company (Fair) which had its headquarters at Akron Ohio. This fraud occurred from at least 2005 through November 2009 the defendants involved were the three senior executives –Timothy S. Durham, Chief Executive Officer, James F. Cochran, Chairman, and Rick D. Snow, Chief Financial Officer. These executives defrauded their investors by raising approximately $230 million from at least 5,200 investors through the sale of investment certificates by making materially false and misleading misrepresentations and omissions concerning, among other and returns, and the use of investor proceeds to purchase discounted consumer receivables. (SEC litigation release 2012) In 2002, two of the defendants Durham and Cochran acquired Fair finance company a successful finance company that earned profits by using proceeds from investors to purchase discounted consumer receivables. After the acquisition of Fair by the defendants, they changed the business model by using a steadily increased amount of investor’s proceeds to finance the unprofitable and failing business controlled by the Durham and Cochran under the disguise of loans –related party transaction or advances, to make interest payment to investors for the benefits of themselves, their families and friends. (SEC litigation release 2012) Fair Holdings’ accountants soon began questioning its financial statements, raising numerousShow MoreRelatedAccounting Fraud at Worldcom8726 Words   |  35 PagesKIRON Accounting Fraud at WorldCom WorldCom could not have failed as a result of the actions of a limited number of individuals. Rather, there was a broad breakdown of the system of internal controls, corporate governance and individual responsibility, all of which worked together to create a culture in which few persons took responsibility until it was too late. — Richard Thornburgh, former U.S. attorney general1 On July 21, 2002, WorldCom Group, a telecommunications company with more than $30Read MoreAudit Cases14211 Words   |  57 Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 A Day in the Life of Brent Dorsey Staff Auditor Professional Pressures 59 63 65 71 79 3.2 Nathan Johnson’s Rental Car Reimbursement Solving Ethical Dilemmas–Should He Pocket the Cash? 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Section three explores the measures taken by governments to prevent a reoccurrence of a financial crisis Section four discusses FDI and mergers and acquisitions. 2.2 Financial Crisis/Global Economic Recession As defined by Eichengreen and Portes (1987) a financialRead MoreConsumer Behavior Towards Online Shopping18477 Words   |  74 Pagesgroups to analyse their behaviour towards online shopping amp; future of e-shopping in the city amp; India. At present e-commerce is an emerging market segment which is growing rapidly. Our main focus here is on e-shopping as many multinational companies are entering this market segment rapidly in past few years. Since online retailing is a new retailing medium and online consumer behavior is diverse from traditional consumer behavior, we aim to identify what influences the online consumer, i.eRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 PagesMISTAKES AND SUCCESSES 30TH ANNIVERSARY Robert F. 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(â€Å"McGraw-Hill†) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompileRead MoreRetail Management30153 Words   |  121 Pagesgrowth of unorganized retail sector is pegged at 6 percent.[4] The Retail Business in India is currently at the point of inflection. Rapid change with investments to the tune of US $ 25 billion is being planned by several Indian and multinational companies in the next 5 years. It is a huge industry in terms of size and according to management consulting firm Technopak Advisors Pvt. Ltd., it is valued at about US $ 350 billion. Organized retail is expected to garner about 16-18 percent of the total

Input Controls Free Essays

Input Controls When we talk about input controls, what are we really talking about? Input control includes the necessary measures to ensure that data is correct, complete, and secure. A system analyst must focus on input control during every phrase of input design, starting with source documents that promote data accuracy and quality. (Shelly Rosenblatt, (2012)). We will write a custom essay sample on Input Controls or any similar topic only for you Order Now Input controls can help the flow of data in a database to be the same format and easy to understand. Without input controls there can be data integrity errors that could occur and cause information to be incorrect in the database. There are advantages and disadvantages to restricting user interfaces to limit a person ability of typing in too much information or maybe not enough information. Although there are many different types of input controls in this paper there will be only four of them that are addressed in this paper; this would include input mask, validation rules, source documents and batch input. First let’s talk about input mask. Input mask is an appearance that helps to characterize what type of contact is allowed in a given field on a template. The main purpose behind the input mask is to keep the data entry process somewhat the same and decrease the chances for incorrect data to be entered into the field. The input field entry can be configured to allow automatic field input as a way of saving time and resources. Input mask is created doing the process of computer programming. The fields on the template are recognized with specific control values. The values make it impossible to enter data that is not compatible with the values. An example of that would be when a field that contains an input mask that only allows letters will automatically reject the input of numbers and another one would be automatically converting the input into an adequate format an example of that would be when the input mask requires that the date field on the template specifies a format that is structured as date/month/year. Even if you enter the date into the field follows a month/date/year format, the input system reads the entered data and automatically converts it into the proper form. Input mask is a type of tool which had been developed for the purpose of telling the person that what sort of things need to be provided as an input so that the desired output can be achieved. The input mask basically acts as developer software. The text box is the tool where the input needs to be entered. The input mask can also act as a template or a simple format and this basically differs from situation to situation. In this transcription errors are the one which needs to be reduced and this is done through the way of data integrity which is one of the most basic features of the input mask. Validation rule is a criterion used in the process of data validation, carried out after the data has been encoded onto an input medium and involves a data vet or validation program. This is distinct from formal verification, where the operation of a program is determined to be that which was intended, and that meets the purpose. This method is to check that data fall the correct parameters defined by the systems analyst. A judgment as to whether data is official which is possible made by the validation program, but it cannot ensure the entire accurateness. This can only be achieved through the use of all the clerical and computer controls built into the system at the design stage. The difference between data authority and correctness can be illustrated with a trivial example. An example of validations rules is when a user cannot misspell a customer name if it is not entered, or is entered automatically based on the user enter the customer ID. (Shelly Rosenblatt, (2012)). There are at least eight different types of data validation rules; a sequence check, existence check, data type check, range check, reasonableness check, validity check, combination check and batch controls. Source documents is a form used to request and collect input data, trigger or authorize an input action, and provide a record of the original transaction. Source documents generally are paper based. Some examples of source documents would be cash receipt, cancelled check, invoice sent or received, credit memo for a customer refund and employee time sheet. At a bare minimum, each source document should include the date, the amount, and a description of the transaction. When practical, beyond these minimum requirements source documents should contain the name and address of the other party of the transaction. When a source document does not exist, for example, when a cash receipt is not provided by a vendor or is absent, a document should be generated as soon as possible after the operation, using other documents such as bank statements to support the information on the generated source document. Once a transaction has been journalized, the source document should be filed and made retrievable so that connections can be verified should the need arise at a later date. Batch input is a process when data entry is performed on a specified time schedule, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or longer. An example of this would be when a payroll department collects time cards at the end of the week and enters the data as a batch. Some advantages of batch input are collection and entering can be done off-line, entering data can be done by trained personnel, processing can be done very quickly and can be done during non-peak times. Now for some of the disadvantages are, data collection usually has to be a centralized activity, data entry usually needs to be done by specially trained personnel. The processing activity is delayed; hence the possibility exists for data to be considered old or untimely when it finally gets processed. Since processing is usually done during off-hours, input errors detected during processing would not get corrected until the next regularly scheduled processing of input data. The off-hours computer operator may have to call the systems analyst or programmer if the program malfunctions. Below you will see a design for a web-based input for making a hotel reservation which will be using many of the concepts that are mentioned in the paper when talking about input controls. We will look at it in phases. Information gathering Phase 1 – Search and evaluation Input stay requirements – including location (city) and proposed dates of stay Compare and evaluate results – user may view multiple hotel / room / rate combinations Decide – user decides which hotel / room / rate combination meets their requirements Reservation making Phase 2 – Selection Select hotel, room and rate – the user selects the hotel / room / rate they wish to book Select additional rooms and rates – the user adds additional rooms if required Phase 3 – Checkout Input guest details – such as name, address, email address etc. Input payment details – such as credit card details or other payment method Confirm reservation Standard booking processes Screen 1Screen 2Screen 3 Screen 2 Screen 3 Enter search criteria: †¢ Dates †¢ City name [SUBMIT] Display hotels: Hotel 1 [SELECT] Hotel 2 [SELECT] Hotel 3 [SELECT] Display and select rates: Hotel 1 Rate 1 [SELECT] Rate 2 [SELECT] Rate 3 Figure 1: Three-stage screen flow Figure 2: Selection of hotel – ‘Screen 2’ example from Opodo. co. uk Figure 3: Selection of rate – ‘Screen 3’ example from Trip. com Screen 1Screen 2 Enter search criteria: †¢ City †¢ Dates [SUBMIT] Display hotels: Hotel 1 Rate 1 [SELECT] Rate 2 [SELECT] Rate 3 [SELECT] Hotel 2 Rate 1 [SELECT] Rate 2 [SELECT] Rate 3 [SELECT] Hotel 3 Rate 1 [SELECT] Rate 2 [SELECT] Rate 3 [SELECT] Figure 4: Two-stage screen flow Figure 5: Selection of rate and hotel – ‘Screen 2’ example from Expedia. co. uk TABLE 1: Search and evaluation styles Search and evaluation style Travel agency Hotel only Hotel chain Total A Select hotel on screen 2 Select rate on screen 3 10 13 6 29 B Select hotel and rate together on one screen 6 17 2 25 Other -132033 Table 1 demonstrates that for travel agencies and hotel-only websites, there is an even split between using style A and style B. The table also shows that hotel chains generally use other search and evaluation styles. References Amas. syr. edu. 8 Dec 2011. Application Self Evaluation. Retrieved 9 Feb 2012 from http://amas. syr. edu/AMAS/display. cfm? content_ID=%23%28%28%25! %0A Noyes, Brian. 2010 June. Enforcing Complex Business Data Rules with WPF. Retrieved on 9 Feb 2012 from http://msdn. microsoft. com/en-us/magazine/ff714593. aspx Shelly, G. B. , Rosenblatt, H. J. (2012). System Analysis and Design (9th ed. ). Boston: Thomson Course Technology. How to cite Input Controls, Papers Input Controls Free Essays | | |Input Controls | | | | | Many company’s do their best to protect data entry of the company, clients, consumers, and employees. The user interfaces consist of process-control which allows screen command from user in the system. Input controls will ensure that the data entered is safe, secure, complete and accurate. We will write a custom essay sample on Input Controls or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"Data can be entered into a computer application from either manual online input or by scheduled  automated processing. The  input control reviewer should determine the adequacy of both manual and automated controls over data input to ensure that data is input accurately with optimum use of computerized validation and editing and that error handling procedures facilitate the timely and accurate resubmission of all corrected data† ( Application Self Evaluation. , September 25, 2012). The four types of input controls are audit trails, encryption, password security, and data security. An audit trail takes the source of the data from the each system, and record it once entered. In most businesses they have an audit group that records everything within the system. It can also reconstruct events after problems have occurred, monitor the system or problem, and prevent unauthorized access. â€Å"A company might also use an audit trail to provide a basis for account reconciliation, to provide a historical report to plan and support budgets, and to provide a record of sales in case of a tax audit† (Rouse, M. , n. d. ). Audit trails is broken into many parts such as individual accountability, reconstruction of events, problem monitoring and intrusion detection. Individual accountability consists of action from the user that is monitor and tracked, which in turn gives them accountability of their own actions. This pushes the users into following policies and procedures set by the company and if taken advantage of the user will then be accountable for their actions. When there is a problem they will reconstruct the events by assess the amount of damages in the review report to pinpoint how, when, and they the particular problem occurred. When it comes to problem monitoring audit trail would use monitoring and tracking software in order to find the problem that occurred online. the results will be presented to the IT department real-time and helps to detect system problems, such as hardware failure, over utilization of resources and network outages. Intrusion detection detects any unauthorized access or use of any system and the audit trail will record the data. That data is then effectively research in order to aid intrusion detection. Encryption is the most effective and efficient type of input controls. When you see that your data is secured, and protected this mean that it is encrypted. Encryption is broken up into two main functions such as symmetric and asymmetric. Both are great encryptions tools but the difference is in how they encrypt data. Symmetric encrypt and decrypt data with the same key whereas asymmetric encrypt and decrypt data with different keys. When we talk about keys we are referring to private keys and public keys. The public key is freely distributed and private key is then we have password security input control which is a vital component on any network. Many industry use one of the many types of encryption to be able run on their network it will depend on the policies and procedures that are set. Password must be secured in many ways such as they will need to be in a certain length, and a combination of characters. Most company’s make users change password every 30 to 60 days or more. It all depends on the policies and procedures they have set. From the user stand point it is tedious to continue changing your password all the time. The best way to ease the pain from the user is the have to be properly educated on why passwords have to be so complex and why they have to be change within a certain timeframe. Another input control is data security these are procedures that protect the system from data loss. Data security ensures the company’s privacy of information is being protected. Audit trail stored the files and reports, then data security protect those files from unauthorized access. Data security is ran on a regular basis by the IT team, which is sometimes called maintenance on the network to be able to backup, store, secured and protect all data. If the data input controls were not in place the integrity of those errors can render any system to malfunction. If the system malfunction this could lead to disk crash, computer failures, and sensitive information would not be secured. Therefore, if sensitive information is not protected then anyone within the company will have access to it. If the system starts to malfunction and the network is down this can cause the whole company to lose data and financial lose. In order to minimize such errors from developing most business would backup information on a regular basis. They can use of error detections and correction software by there IT department to rapidly defend against any issues. Companies can use validation rules to reduce the number of error and improve data quality. Whereas data recovery utilities can restore data loses and damages. Most companies will follow and policies and procedures to makes sure business needs are met. The input controls provided by graphical user interfaces (GUIs) constrain input values to help meet database integrity and validation rules. Sometimes, however, the only data available to be entered is considered invalid. Similarly, there are other times when the data to be entered is valid but is known to be inaccurate† (Flexible Input Controls, n. d). User interface design is the way data is communicated between one or more systems and how the user interacts with such system. This user interface must understand the user principles and human interactions. This is why the user interface is an essential component of system development lifecycle. Input mask is an effective way to prevent errors and data entries. The advantages of restricting users within the user interfaces are only allowing them to access to certain information. Therefore the user will not change any configurations or settings within the user interface. They will not allowing them to access personal information other than their own. A disadvantage of not having restrictions is that the system is not protected. Users are gaining access to personal and sensitive information. [pic] References Rouse, M. (n. d. ). What is audit trail? – Definition from WhatIs. com. CIO information, news and tips – SearchCIO. com. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from http://searchcio. techtarget. com/definition/audit-trail Flexible Input Controls for Humane User Interfaces | Usability, etc.. (n. d. ). Usability, etc. | Making things easier to use and understand. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from http://usabilityetc. com/articles/flexible-input-controls/ Application Self Evaluation. (2012, September 25). AMAS Website. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://amas. syr. edu/AMAS/display. cfm? content_ID=%23((%25! %0A How to cite Input Controls, Essay examples

Comparison of Maria Winkelmann and Laura Bassi free essay sample

Although women have made great contributions in science, only a few were credited for their work. Many of these women faced a wide variety of challenges that inhibited their contributions to the science community. Others were unable to attain positions they were interested in, as women were often strongly criticized in the academic fields. Although criticism lessened in the 20th century, both the 17th and 18th centuries proved to be extremely difficult for women in science. For most women during this time, the only education they received was from private tutors if they were able to afford it. While this is a good way to begin an education, women were constantly discouraged from attending private universities. Both Maria Winkelmann and Laura Bassi were some of the first women in science to be acknowledged for their accomplishments in science and set foundations for future women to peruse an education in science. Although women constituted roughly 14% of Germany’s astronomers, only a few such as Maria Winkelmann directed and published their own work. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison of Maria Winkelmann and Laura Bassi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Because most women were not regarded as legitimate scientists during the early 16th century, the apprentice system was one of the only ways for women to train in sciences such as astronomy. Maria was born in 1670 at Panitzch and was the daughter of a Lutheran minister. She was well off and was educated privately by her father and after his death, her uncle. Maria Winkelmann was very proficient in the arts and sciences from an early age, and she was especially interested in astronomy. She received even more special training in astronomy from Christoph Arnold who lived in the neighboring town. Maria Winkelmann achieved her nobility after marrying Gottfried Kirch, a prominent German astronomer, and used its benefits towards her advantage. In 1710, Maria Winkelmann petitioned the Academy of Sciences for a position as calendar maker. During an observation in 1702, she discovered an unknown comet. This alone should have secured her a position in the astronomical community, but her status as a woman did not change. In the 1930s, F. H. Weiss published her original report of this comet after sighting it again. The report of a new comet was sent immediately to the king, and it was sent in Kirch’s name, not Maria Winkelmann’s. Although she should have received full credit for the discovery, she did not have a full understanding of Latin, the current language of the scientific community in Germany. Her previous publications was in her mother language, German. Maria Winkelmann worked hard to gain acknowledgment, and frequently wrote letters to the director of the academy, Leibniz, who later presented her to the Prussian court where she explained her sighting of sunspots. Through her meeting with the Prussian court, she gained a lot of followers who praised her for her contribution to the astronomical community. Through this she released two pamphlets in 1709 and 17011 which increased her fame. Maria Winkelmann’s husband died in 1710, leaving an open spot to appoint a new astronomer. Despite her immense qualifications, Maria Winkelmann did not appear once in the deliberations. This was mainly due to the fact that all of the other candidates had degrees, which she was lacking. She argued for a position as assistant calendar maker, which sparked a conversation with the director of the academy about the precedent it may be setting in hiring women. This caused her rejection, as the academy did not want to have a reputation for hiring women. After continually appealing, she received a final rejection without any specific reason. She was cautioned to retire into the background, and let the other astronomers talk to guests asking about the observatory. Laura Bassi’s case was a little different from Maria Winkelmann’s. Bassi was the only woman in the eighteenth century whose circumstances allowed her an opportunity to engage in the scientific activities of her male counterparts. Laura Bassi lived from 1711 until 1778. She was fortunate enough to receive an education privately, being the daughter of a lawyer, from Gaetano Tacconi. Tacconi was a professor at the University of Bologna and a member of the Institute academy. She excelled in her academics, and was fluent in Latin, Cartesian, and Newtonian philosophy and earned a title as a, â€Å"monster in philosophy. † The Tacconi family eventually allowed a select group of professors to hear Bassi dispute privately among various scientific studies. News of her disputes spread and she eventually engaged in a public dispute with five university professors. After receiving her degree at the University of Bologna, she was offered a permanent role in the academic city, and her duties were those as a lecturer restrictively. Unlike Winkelmann, she received a university degree and was the second woman ever to do so. She was also the first woman ever to be offered an official teaching position at any university in Europe. She attended the University of Bologna and after graduation, introduced newer teaching techniques in the university’s curriculum. She became the first woman in Italy to teach Newtonian natural philosophy. In 1749 she presented a dissertation on the problem of gravity and in 1763 she presented another on infrangibility at the institute. In 1757 she published a paper on hydraulics that worked out certain theorems that were posed by Newton. Along with her husband, Giuseppe Veratti, she made the University of Bologna a center for experimental research in electricity. Maria Winelmann faced many challenges in her persuit of scientific achievments. Although she had many, she was unable to receive credit for her astounding discoveries strictly because she was not a male. Although she did not always receive recognition, her activities in the field of science served as a benchmark for future women scientist such as Laura Bassi. Bassi, having lived slightly after Maria Winklemann, encountered less problems publishing her own work and receiving recognition. Her special circumstances allowed her to participate in public debates and had special leverage in the University of Bologna. Because she was one of the first women ever to receive a university degree, Bassi served as a benchmark to install women in Italy’s university system as well as install new teaching techniques in the University of Bologna’s curriculum.

To His Coy Mistress By Marvell Essays (634 words) -

To His Coy Mistress By Marvell Andrew Marvell in ?To His Coy Mistress,? presents an argument of love to readers. The argument comes from the speaker, a man to a woman, or to we the audience. The first half of the poem is the speaker trying to woo her. Then the speaker says that they are running out of time and death is upon them. Marvell's argument begins with if we had all the time in the world then we could take the time to love: Had we but world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were no crime. We would sit down, and think which way to walk, and pass our long love's day. (1-4) Then he tries to prove to this shy woman the amount of time he would spend admiring her. He says that he would love her from the beginning of time until Judgment Day: Love you ten years before the Flood, and you should, if you please, refuse till the conversion of the Jews. (8-9) He has a large, slow growing nature of affection, and he will spend all of his years admiring all the parts of her body: My vegetable love should grow vaster than empires, and more slow; and hundred years should go to praise thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze; two hundred to adore each breast, but thirty thousand to the rest; an age at least to every part, and the last age should show your heart. (11-18) He says that the length of time is all right due to her beauty: For, lady, you deserve this state, nor would I love at lower rate. (19) The argument now changes to its darker side. Marvell uses metaphors to say that time is passing by quickly and death awaits them: Time's winged chariot hurrying near; and yonder all before us lie deserts of vast eternity. (22-24) He makes reference to a grave and a burial service saying that it is an unsuitable place for lovers to embrace: Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound my echoing song; then worms shall try that long-preserved virginity, and your quaint honor turn to dust, and into ashes all my lust: the grave's is a fine a private place, but none, I think, do there embrace. (26-32) The final part of the poem gives reference to sex. He speaks of the youthful freshness of her skin and of her passion. Next he uses a metaphor, which can be translated into pouncing upon each other: And now like enormous birds of prey, rather at once our time devour than languish in his slow-chapped power. (38-40) He is seemingly telling her what he wants, asking if he can enter into her womb: Let us roll all our strength and all our sweetness up into a ball, and tear our pleasures with rough strife thorough the iron gates of life: thus, though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run. (41-46) The sun represents time, and man cannot move the sun, therefore, he cannot make time stand still proving mans inability to live forever. The last line states that they can make whatever they want out of life, or make their own sun run. He went from trying to get her in his bed by displaying his utmost admiration of her, to death is right around the corner. Marvell was saying that you cannot cheat death or time, all you can do is make the most of it. He uses the word ?Now? to make a point that life is now. Ironically, Marvell gave the image of light and the image of brightness, with his use of the sun and the ?instant fires,? to give a luster and to show the idea of her giving up her shyness or coyness. This contrasted with the darkness, and essential remorse that life is not eternal, which is the key to getting what he wants from her.

Our Friends the Frog Populations Essays

Our Friends the Frog Populations Essays Our Friends the Frog Populations Paper Our Friends the Frog Populations Paper Over the past few years there has been a decline in frog populations. Only now are people starting to care about what’s going on. You may be surprised, but there really are many reasons to save this special species. But before we can save them we need to understand more about them, and what the cause of their depletion at such an alarming rate is. Some people may ask â€Å"Who cares about frogs? † Well, one of the reasons is that they are an important part of our ecology. They prey on insects and other pests, keeping them from overpopulating and ruining various habitats. They are also an important source of food to other animals such as birds, snakes, and other mammals. If you take them out of the food chain you could cause serious imbalance in the ecosystem and therefore cause the decline in other populations of other organisms. This circle of life is precious and fragile, and must be preserved. It has been said that frogs are a measure of the environment’s health. Frogs are natural survivors. They lived through the last two extinction episodes including, the end of the dinosaur era. So something is terribly wrong for them to be dying off now. It is similar to the practice of keeping canaries in a mineshaft. If the shaft or world starts getting polluted then the canaries or frogs will start dying off, therefore sen! ding a warning signal. Like a shock wave it will ripple across the world leaving a disturbance throughout its path. Who’s to say that we might someday be next (Gibbons 1)? Another reason to care for frogs is for biomedical research. Just like lab rats, they are tested for the use of many chemicals, disease research, and plain anatomy and physiology lessons, not to mention to gain knowledge of their population decline. If they were to suddenly vanish, we would not be completely sure of the cause. Hopefully, we can find out the reasons why they’re dying. Maybe then we can correct the problem and save the frogs as well as the environment (*http:www. open. ac. uh/daptf/DAPTF. Matter. html*). One of the suspected causes of frog depletion is water contamination by toxic chemicals such as thallium, iron, and manganese. A Canadian survey of coal miners and coal generating stations showed that water samples contained very high concentrations of thallium and manganese. And from that study it was concluded that these chemicals are strong environmental pollutants. Many of the primary pollutant effects are wetland loss and degradation (National Water Research Institute). Between the mid-1970’s and the mid-1980’s, approximately 4. 4 million acres of inland freshwater wetlands and about 71,000 acres of coastal wetlands were destroyed. You can just imagine how many species of frogs were destroyed within a decade (Dahl and Johnson). Take for example Kentucky and Ohio. They have lost more than 80 percent of their original wetlands, and California has lost nearly 99 percent of its original wetlands. That is just tragic, that a state has nearly lost all of their wetlands.! And that is only one state. The problem could grow and go national, even worldwide. Now seriousness of this issue starts to hit home (USEPA 1995). Other causes that have been observed are that of non-native plants and animals. I remember seeing an animal introduced into a different habitat, to which that animal had no predators. An animal will thrive to become an overpopulated species and destroy the environment. It is possible. Take for example, the water hyacinth. This species is known for its ability to extract nutrients from water. It is possible for a water hyacinth to rapidly fill a wetland and become a threat to water quality (National Water Research Institute). Carp that were introduced into recreational fishing areas increased the turbidity of the water. This ran other species, such as frogs, out of the water (Mitsch and Bosselinh 1993). Viruses, another cause, are always killers when they become wide spread. In 1989, a researcher at Townsville James Coon University collected local frogs for general research. Within days, for no visible reason, they all started dying off. When they started their detective work, they found the killer to be a highly infectious virus. It was the Bahle Virus. Researchers could not find a source, because by the time they picked up a dead frog the virus had been long dead as well. They tested how long the virus took to kill, and found that from the day of injection, it took 7 days for them to die. They would then tend to become anemic and waste away (Mitchell, Campbell, and Jones). It seems that the biggest problem yet, is the overpopulation of human beings. We are slowly destroying many habitats, along with the animals that belong in those habitats. As we grow in size we tend to destroy environments to make room for more people. They could be classified as non-native predators. But unlike other predators, we pollute our own environment at the same time creating new disease (USEPA 1994). Maybe the frogs are an indication of our global health. It happens slowly at first, with only a little useless frog, but the little useless frog isn’t the issue here. It’s what we are going to do about the frog. Are we going to let him go no questions asked? Or are we going to further investigate this issue and see what can be learned from it. If we let things disappear this easily, we might as well start planning a different kind of lifestyle. One without the pleasures of being able to see first hand the creatures of this planet, and one with over population! to the point of extinction of all life (Mitchell, Campbell, and Jones).

Major case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Major - Case Study Example These are creating problems in daily civic life. The objective of the study is to find out the issues that are affecting the social, political and environmental life in capital region. Moreover the study will help to take appropriate stems and implementation of strategies in order to overcome those problems. Problem statement The national capital commission’s command is to increase the pride of the Canadians and to build a healthy relationship between the people of Canada and their capital. According to the research report of Ipsos Reid which is conducted among the general Canadians, new Canadians and the youths of Canada with respect to the culture, heritage and capital of Canada, few issues have came out which are identified accordingly. Among the general public of Canada, few of the respondents feel that Canada is environmentally safe country. Moreover, according to them Canada has less current resources. The capital is suffering from the inadequate activities of the munici pality. They have failed to set the same objectives across the Ottawa riverside. Lack of effective marketing and communication has failed to support many events in capital. Moreover, the global financial crisis that occurred in 2008 and the economic recession created the funding challenges. The drastic change in political climate has resulted unstable political environment in capital. As the other nearby cities of capital across Canada are setting up a big example regarding national role models. The budget and timing constraints increases the unpredicted sustainment and deployment in terms of capital brand (Rajan, 2011, p.171). Data Analysis The purpose of the research work is to find the situation of civic life in the capital region of Canada. The research is being conducted among the General Canadian, new Canadian and the youths in capital. The secondary data analysis is being conducted for the research work. According to the survey it is feasible that many of the general Canadian and new Canadian thinks that the environment is not safe enough as the pollution level is increasing day by day. Moreover according to the data analysis it is identified that capital region of Canada is facing problems like insufficient public transportation system, inadequate drinking water supply, lack of funding of government in order to develop different aspects of capital region. Key Decision Criteria Though Canada is one of the developed countries in worldwide and the capital region is one of the developed and modern cities, few environmental, political and social issues are affecting the civic life of the people. According to the survey respondents like General Canadian and new Canadian; the social, political and environment of capital region is not safe enough. Civic life is getting affected by the inadequate government services. The increasing of air and water pollution is rapidly increasing the green house effect in capital’s environment. Lack of government subsidi es, marketing communication and funding is creating problems to organize the cultural events that is affecting the social and cultural balance of capital region. The decisions should be taken by implementing actions and appropriate steps in order to make the civic environment healthy. Alternative Analysis Capital region in Canada is facing huge transportation

The value and meaning of the arts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The value and meaning of the arts - Essay Example Modern artists reflect upon different incidents, political incidents, and other happenings. For example, in the 1980s, neo expressionism was created by German Expressionist artists like Emil Nolde, Max Beckmann, George Grosz, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, etc. In this style, recognizable objects were painted or sculpted in an abstract manner. Bold colors and depictions of violence were also common. These artists reflected the turmoil of that period. The government needs to support art and culture in order to help it move on to the next step of advancement. If the government had not backed up artists of the neo expressionism era, it would not have been accepted into the world of art. For example, After World War II, Nolde was honored and received the German Order of Merit, West Germany's highest civilian decoration. Emil Nolde, The Prophet, woodcut, 1912 Art has always evolved with time and different variations and new styles have come up. The works of iconic artists of the different periods have always been affected by the happenings, social and economic situations of the respective times. Presently, the most popular style of art is post modernism. Post-modernism is a general sense of the state of the western society, culture and modern art. In the special sense it is a political-scientific-artistic direction that is opposed to the institutions, methods, concepts and basic assumptions of modernity and aims to resolve and overcome it. Post modernism has social consequences. In the modern age, the Meta narratives or social institutions that legitimize political practices, ethics and ways of thinking, are lost in the postmodern era. This consensus dissolves into a multitude of mutually incompatible truth and justice concepts. At the same time takes a tolerant awareness of differences, diversity and plurality, and thus, has the ability to endure the inconsistency of language games. Marcel Duchamp, Fountain, 1917. Photograph by Alfred Steiglitz Not only artists but there a re many non-profit organizations like orchestras, museums, dance troupes, theaters, opera companies who are badly need for money. Huge amount of money needed for each and every dance troupe or opera company to promote their talent. Non-profit organizations are mainly dependent on the money they receive from public and government. They provide the services that we need in order to live nicely in our lives. People cannot live only with their jobs and their busy daily work schedule. They need some recreational activities to some extent for entertainment and these non-profit organizations help us to entertain but they do not get the amount of money they deserve. There are many cases where people do not need to pay a single penny to enjoy an opera show or to enter a museum. Most of the museums across UK or any other country are free for public but they spend a huge cost to maintain the buildings and the things kept inside the museum. There are many examples of shut down of museums as a r esult of insufficient funds. So, federal government should try to arrange some kinds of grant money for these non-profit organizations. One thing government must keep in mind that an individual is an important part of society because a number of individual make a society and the

Assigment 4 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Assigment 4 - Assignment Example Living in a motel room is a constant reminder to these kids that they do not have a proper home. The kids have to face tortures of not having a home and not having enough money. In the documentary, a girl gets sick in the stomach, and his father could not visit her because he did not have the gas money. When these children look at other happy kids going to Disney Land, it has a damaging impact on their socio-emotional development. They would grow up hating society and the system. These children are vulnerable to negative thoughts. They are also constantly reminded of their poor life quality. Fireworks at Disney Land compared to their small space in a cheap motel room. Luxurious food services in part of the city while they have barely enough to survive. Physically, they might be weaker and undernourished compared to other children. One girl in the documentary gets sick, and her father cannot come to take care of her for he does not have money to pay for bus or buy gas. Under such dire circumstances it is highly likely for these children to be angry, depressed, frustrated and sad. These emotions greatly hamper the cognitive abilities. They might also be uninterested in their school and homework because they have many problems to face on daily basis. Moreover, their socio-emotional de velopment is also under the threat from hostile neighborhood. These kids have to spend a lot of time on the streets where there are drug dealers, gangs and thugs. The first solution is to raise the minimum wage. If working parents cannot afford an acceptable lifestyle despite working then there is something wrong with the money system. Second, the necessary facilities like school, food and medicine should be free. This approach is idealistic but possible. Healthcare and education should not be an industry. Companies would open pharmacies and clinics to make money. It is the government’s job to think of the poor people

Bronchial Colonization in Pulmonary Resection Patients

Bronchial Colonization in Pulmonary Resection Patients Bronchial colonization profile of patients undergoing lung resection and its impact on infectious complications in the postoperative period. Is it necessary to evaluate the collection method and risk of contamination? Abstract: Introduction: The pattern of bronchial colonization in patients requiring pulmonary resections is little described in the literature. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the profile of bronchial colonization in patients undergoing lung resection in a general hospital through the collection of the resected specimen only. The secondary objective is to evaluate prognostic factors of infectious complications after lung resection, including the colonization of the lower airways. Methods: This was a prospective study that included all consecutive patients undergoing lung resection for noninfectious disease and without signs of acute respiratory infections. Intraoperative bronchial or lung parenchyma culture of the resected specimen was collected by the surgeon still under completely sterile conditions. A patient was considered colonized if the quantitative endobronchial culture was positive at 48h with a predominant microorganism exceeding a cutoff value of 104 colony-forming units. Results: Negative cultures were found in 81.4% of patients. Colonization with predominant bacteria (at least 104 cfu/mL) was identified in 18.6%. The rate of infectious complications was 24.42%. The incidence of postoperative pneumonia (POP) was 20.9%. POP developed at a median of 4 days after surgery. Three patients developed empyema, and of the three, 2 had both POP and empyema. None of the studied factors was associated with postoperative infectious complications Conclusion: We conclude there is colonization of the lower airways in patients undergoing lung resection in our institution. This finding, as well as the other analyzed factors, did not result in increased POP risk in this sample. The intraoperative collection method employed in this study should be further evaluated in larger studies. Introduction The lungs of healthy humans have traditionally been considered to be sterile when examined by culture-based techniques (1). In patients with lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, colonization of the lower airways (LAWs) has been well documented and associated to these diseases [2-5]. Regarding the subgroup of patients with lung diseases requiring thoracic surgeries, very few studies have described the profile of colonization of LAWs. And to the best of our knowledge, there has been no description of this subject in a Latin American country (3,6-8). However, the colonization of LAW has been associated with the risk of postoperative pneumonia (POP). Schussler et al., in a study with 507 patients and Bede et al., showed that there is significant association between bacteria in the lower airways and risk of POP [3,9], being an independent risk factor in the multivariate analysis. A study was carried out including all consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary resections for noninfectious diseases to investigate the profile of LAW colonization. The secondary objective is to evaluate prognostic factors of infectious complications after lung resection, including LAW colonization. Materials and Methods This prospective study consecutively included all patients submitted to lung resection for noninfectious diseases, without signs of acute respiratory infections. Patients presenting at the date of admission for planned surgery with clinical and radiological signs of pulmonary infection (fever greater than 37.7 °C, purulent sputum) were excluded from this study in cases of urgency surgery. Except for the urgencies, patients were treated with antibiotics and submitted to surgery at least 7 days after antibiotic discontinuation. Patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis were also excluded. The study was approved by the ethics committee of our institution under protocol number 209146141. All data on patient characteristics, results of microbiological studies, treatment procedures and outcome (POP) were prospectively collected through our database. We studied the following risk factors for POP: age, gender, surgical risk classification of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), cancer patients and the presence of bacteria in the lower airways. All patients were intubated with a double-lumen endobronchial tube to undergo single-lung ventilation. Bronchial or pulmonary parenchyma culture of the resected specimen was collected by the surgeon still under completely sterile conditions. A patient was considered colonized if a 48-hour culture was positive with the presence of a microorganism. A policy of early extubation was systematically employed. Decisions concerning intensive care unit (ICU) admission after resection were established based on type of resection, predicted postoperative lung function and associated comorbidities. Postoperative analgesia was achieved through one of the following methods: use of epidural catheter intermittently or intermittent intravenous analgesia with morphine and dipyrone. A regular physical therapy program was started on the day of the surgery. Oral feeding was started on Postoperative Day 1. Patients received antibiotic prophylaxis with second-generation cephalosporin (cefazolin, 2.0 g at anesthesia induction and postoperatively, 3 g/24 h for 24 h) except in cases of known or suspected allergy, or if a different type of prophylaxis was indicated [4,10]. Lung resections were performed according to standard techniques. The type of resection was recorded. The diagnoses were established by anatomopathological analysis of the resected lung specimens. Patients were assessed twice a day. Chest roentgenograms were performed postoperatively once a day during the chest drainage period. POP definition was (1) abnormal radiographic findings (new or changing radiographic infiltrates that persisted after physical therapy or bronchoaspiration) and (2) fever greater than 37.8 oC or dyspnea, and (3) one of the following criteria: a new rise in C-reactive protein level, WBC count in the previous 24 h (with WBC count > 12109/L) [3] or an increase and modification of the expectorate. All postoperative pulmonary complications were secondarily reviewed by a clinician and a thoracic surgeon. Infections occurring within one month of surgery or during in-hospital surgical stay were recorded. Wound infection was defined as a reddened, painful, and indurated wound, not necessarily associated with bacterial isolation. Empyema was defined as the presence of purulent fluid in the pleural drainage or as the isolation of pathogens from the pleural cavity. Results are expressed as percentages and means  ± standard deviation (SD). The correlation between the studied variables and postoperative infection was performed by logistic regression analysis. Data processing and analysis were performed using the statistical software MedCalc, release 12.7.0.0. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The risk factors found to be predictive of POP at univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate regression analysis, to identify independent variables. Results Between June 15, 2012, and December 15, 2013, 86 patients undergoing lung resections in our department were included in the study. Three patients were excluded from the study due to preexisting infections at the time of surgery (infectious interstitial lung disease) and six due to a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Antibiotic prophylaxis with drugs other than cefazolin was employed in three patients due to known allergy to penicillin/cephalosporins or because of coexistent cardiac valve disease. Demographic data on the remaining 86 patients, type of diseases and surgical procedures are shown in Table 1. Cancer patients comprised 53.4% of the sample. Among them, primary lung tumors (non-small cell lung cancer) were treated through major lung resection (lobectomy or pneumonectomy). Pulmonary metastases were treated through segmentectomy. Also regarding cancer patients, some patients were submitted to segmentectomy for diagnosis of interstitial infiltrate, which showed to be lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Among the benign diseases, lobectomy and pneumonectomy were used in all patients with bronchiectasis. Segmentectomy was used for interstitial lung diseases and benign nodules that included patients with scar tissue and inflammatory nodules, in addition to hamartomas. Regarding the length of preoperative hospital length of stay, 52% of patients were admitted 1 (one) day prior to surgery (Figure 1). Negative cultures were obtained in 70 of 86 (81.4%) patients. Colonization with predominant bacteria was identified in 16 of 86 cases (18.6%). Colonization by pathogenic bacteria occurred in 10.4% of all patients (9/86). Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli species represented the most frequently involved microorganisms (Table 2). Gram-negative bacteria were obtained from cultures in nine cases. None of the patients had polymicrobial colonization. The complication rate was 24.4% (21/86). The incidence of POP was 20.9% (18 /86). POP developed at a median of 4 (1-9) days after surgery. Empyema developed in 3 patients, and of the three, 2 had both POP and empyema. Patients with POP frequently required mechanical ventilation (40.2%), and in-hospital mortality was 22%. Of the 16 colonized patients, 4 (25%) had POP, whereas among non-colonized patients, POP occurred in 14 of 70 cases (20%) (Figure 2). For all variables analyzed separately, the p value was greater than 0.05 and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) included the number 1, indicating that no variable significantly influenced POP incidence, according to the available sample. Still, some alternatives were used aiming to identify some underlying statistical relevance, such as stratifying age ranges, transforming age into a categorical variable or considering the minimum value of p as 0.1, so that the variable would be subsequently analyzed in a multivariate model. However, no statistically significant impact was identified for any variable (Tables 3). Multivariate analysis was not performed due to the negative results of the univariate analysis. Discussion The colonization of LAW in patients undergoing thoracic surgery is scarcely mentioned in the literature. It is known that patients with some lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have atypical pulmonary flora [11-18], but patients submitted to lung resection usually include a much wider range of diseases. The study of this profile in different institutions is important to better understand the predominant bacterial flora and whether there is or not impact on the risk of infectious complications and whether antibiotic prophylaxis needs to be reviewed. Some studies have shown that LAW colonization increases the risk of POP (2,8,9). Other studies even suggest that, as it influences the risk of POP, LAW colonization would require a change in antibiotic prophylaxis in thoracic surgery (3,7). However, it is necessary to evaluate the collection method and risk of contamination of the collected samples. Our study described a heterogeneous flora, with many non-pathogenic microorganisms, but with an incidence (18.6%) that is comparable to that found in other studies. Yamada et al., in their study with 626 patients and Schussler et al., who assessed 478 patients in 2008, found 12.8% and 14.7% of LAW colonization, respectively (3,8). Belda et al. and Ionas et al. reported 83% and 41% of LAW colonization, respectively [9,6]. However, to the best of our knowledge, our study is the first that used the culture collection method performed by the surgeon, while still under completely sterile conditions in all patients. Previously, Ionas et al. used this technique, but in combination with protected specimen brush (PSB) through bronchoscopy in 41 patients (6). On the other hand, all studies used bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or PSB as collection method (2,3,6,8,9). Schussler et al. reported that they initially attempted to collect cultures from the resected specimens in the first 30 patients, bu t as culture results were negative, they gave up on the method, although it appears to be a more reliable result (2). It is also noteworthy that our study involved patients with different lung diseases and this fact may have influenced the incidence of bacteria in LAWs, unlike previous studies that were carried out in patients with the same disease, most with early-stage lung cancer. According to the literature, BAL is influenced by factors such as: the collected volume, when less than 100 mL, can increase contamination by mucus and airway cells; smokers and patients with COPD may have decreased volume of the recovered fluid. This method has sensitivity and specificity values ranging between 42-93% and 45-100%, respectively [19]. In addition to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), the PSB method is a procedure with greater specificity, due to lower chance of sample contamination caused by the bronchoscope passage through regions such as the oral mucosa or contact with tracheal and bronchial secretions, compared to unprotected BAL [20]. On the other hand, the risk of sample contamination exists and operational costs are not feasible in most Latin American institutions. We understand that intraoperative collection eliminates the risk of contamination from other airway areas and the sterile conditions of the environment and operating team also warrants that the chance of c ontamination during material handling is also minimal. We found no association between bronchial colonization and POP, perhaps because there were few patients with pathogenic bacteria (10.4%). Yamada et al. also found no association between LAW colonization and POP in their study (8). Belda et al. described 35.8% of patients colonized with pathogenic bacteria. Schusller et al., in 2006, first reported an incidence of 22.8% of LAW colonization by pathogenic bacteria (9,2). These studies showed an association between LAW colonization and POP. However, once again, differently from our study, they collected culture samples through PSB and BAL, increasing the chance of contamination with the upper airways and thus, possibly increasing the number of patients with positive culture and pathogens. Consequently, our results might represent the actual bacterial flora of LAWs more accurately. Another interesting factor is that Schussler et al. found a correlation between the colonizing bacteria and the causative agent of POP in only 5 of 50 patients and this finding was not statistically significant. Ionas et al. and Yamada et al. also found the same result regarding this correlation between colonizing bacteria and bacterial agent identified in patients who developed POP (3,6,8). The incidence of POP was relatively high (20.9%), but compatible with literature data. Radu et al. described seventy-six cases (24.4%) of pulmonary resections that were complicated by postoperative pulmonary infections (7). Belda et al. described POP in 31% of the patients (9). Regarding mortality in patients with POP, the literature shows mixed results, with a mortality rate of up to 40% (2, 21). Possibly, the higher mortality is associated with the profile of operated patients. Belda et al. reported 13% of deaths in patients submitted to pulmonary resections only for early-stage primary lung cancer (9). Our study showed a mortality rate of 22% in individuals with POP. However, our sample included patients with metastatic cancer and severe inflammatory diseases. Our study has some limitations. Ours is a small sample and, therefore, we believe that other studied factors did not influence the risk of infection. Moreover, we did not isolate microorganisms during the postoperative period in patients who developed POP, to be compared with LAW cultures collected during surgery. The analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis was not performed, because LAW colonization did not appear as a risk factor for POP. In the last decade, culture-independent DNA-based techniques have demonstrated that much more complex microbial communities reside in the lower airways, where bacterial culture has failed to reliably demonstrate resident bacteria. (22). Unfortunately, these techniques are not yet available in our institution. We conclude that lower-airway colonization is found in patients undergoing lung resection in our institution. This finding, as well as the other analyzed factors, did not result in increased POP risk in this sample. The intraoperative collection method employed in this study should be further evaluated in larger studies to define the risk of POP associated with LAW colonization. Table 1 – Preoperative clinical status and surgical procedures performed Table 2 – Colonization profile of lower airways Table 3 – Univariate analysis to identify possible risk factors for postoperative pneumonia. Figure 1. Number of preoperative in-hospital length of stay. Figure 2. Incidence of postoperative pneumonia (POP).

Essay example --

The Republic by Plato talks about justice and what it means to be a just person. When having a conversation with Glaucon about justice, the ring of Gyges is brought up to prove a theory about people and the social contracts that make up our society. The legend of the Ring of Gyges tells the story of a man who was a shepherd but when an earthquake revealed a body of a skeleton of a giant from the past he was giving an opportunity to change his status. He stole the ring and discovered that by twisting it in a certain way he could become invisible. The thief would then sneak in to the castle and convince the queen to help murder her husband, and the thief took the throne. With the common knowledge of the thief and the ring Glaucon poses a question about what a supposedly good and decent individual finding the ring would do with the power of invisibility. Socrates believes that a just person would not even put the ring on, directly contradicting Glaucon. There would be no reason to be moral because the impulses would be too overwhelming. Glaucon argues that if someone had a ring which made him invisible, then that person would be foolish not to use it for personal advantage. Hence, Glaucon is arguing for ethical egoism.He acknowledges that "all who practice it [justice] do so unwillingly, as something necessary, not as something good." (358c) He explains that the only reason that people act the way they do is because they are afraid of the consequences that they could face if they get caught. The common conception of justice in Plato's day was a social one, which involved the following of laws and conventions. Glaucon states that, for most people, "what the law commands they call lawful and just." (359) The laws of the time were ... ...e is still striving to find that knowledge. One of the most famous doctrines associated with Socrates is the virtue is knowledge. It comes up time and time again in Plato’s books The Apology and The Republic as an aspiration to help lead the most just life. In the case of the ring of Gyges internal harmony has to be achieved so that the just person would not even want to touch the ring because putting on the ring means that the appetite part of the soul is overpowering the knowledge and spirit in the internal soul. The kind of intellectuality that the Sophists were applying to the practical affairs of life Socrates thought should be applied to the moral life. One could not be virtuous without first knowing what virtue is. Once one has attained the knowledge of virtue, then, according to Socrates, one cannot help but be virtuous since no one does wrong voluntarily. Essay example -- The Republic by Plato talks about justice and what it means to be a just person. When having a conversation with Glaucon about justice, the ring of Gyges is brought up to prove a theory about people and the social contracts that make up our society. The legend of the Ring of Gyges tells the story of a man who was a shepherd but when an earthquake revealed a body of a skeleton of a giant from the past he was giving an opportunity to change his status. He stole the ring and discovered that by twisting it in a certain way he could become invisible. The thief would then sneak in to the castle and convince the queen to help murder her husband, and the thief took the throne. With the common knowledge of the thief and the ring Glaucon poses a question about what a supposedly good and decent individual finding the ring would do with the power of invisibility. Socrates believes that a just person would not even put the ring on, directly contradicting Glaucon. There would be no reason to be moral because the impulses would be too overwhelming. Glaucon argues that if someone had a ring which made him invisible, then that person would be foolish not to use it for personal advantage. Hence, Glaucon is arguing for ethical egoism.He acknowledges that "all who practice it [justice] do so unwillingly, as something necessary, not as something good." (358c) He explains that the only reason that people act the way they do is because they are afraid of the consequences that they could face if they get caught. The common conception of justice in Plato's day was a social one, which involved the following of laws and conventions. Glaucon states that, for most people, "what the law commands they call lawful and just." (359) The laws of the time were ... ...e is still striving to find that knowledge. One of the most famous doctrines associated with Socrates is the virtue is knowledge. It comes up time and time again in Plato’s books The Apology and The Republic as an aspiration to help lead the most just life. In the case of the ring of Gyges internal harmony has to be achieved so that the just person would not even want to touch the ring because putting on the ring means that the appetite part of the soul is overpowering the knowledge and spirit in the internal soul. The kind of intellectuality that the Sophists were applying to the practical affairs of life Socrates thought should be applied to the moral life. One could not be virtuous without first knowing what virtue is. Once one has attained the knowledge of virtue, then, according to Socrates, one cannot help but be virtuous since no one does wrong voluntarily.

Consumer Awareness

Definition Consumer awareness is making the consumer aware of His/Her rights. Consumer awareness it a marketing term. It means that  consumers note or are aware of  Ã‚  products or services, its characteristics and the other marketing P's (place  to buy, price,and promotion). Usually commercials and ads increase consumer awareness, as well  as â€Å"word of mouth†(a comment from someone you know about a product or service). 1 Need : we need it so we  will not be misled by producers,it explains if what we  buy is worth toour money.. nd not harmful to us and to environment . Many people are ignorant of  their rights to get protected against the exploitation by somany others. So when there is a  forum for such redress of grievances there seems to beno such exploitation by many; and becomes a rare one. So in order to get a clear pictureof the level of exploitation of  consumers, the awareness is required.2. Role of producers proper labeling, full information, hea lth warnings, handling information, expiration date,etc. eep to requirements, norms, standards label  products according requirements,  providing true facts They have to produce  and deliver the goods/services of right qualityat right price at right time at right place  at right quantity with right faceIf they are providing a service they should carry it out with due skill and care. They mustalso make sure that any materials they provide as part of this service are fit for the purpose. It is also illegal for a supplier to cut off, or threaten to cut off, supply to areseller (wholesale or retail) because they have been  discounting goods or advertisingdiscounts below prices set  by the supplier.Some of the common methods of exploitation are 1. Under weight and under  measurements –not measured or weighed correctly2. Substandard Quality  Ã¢â‚¬â€œdefective home  appliances and medicines beyond expirydate3. High prices—charging above the retail price4. Du plicate  Articles—selling fake items in the name of the original5. Adulteration and Impurity—is done  to get  higher  profits6. Lack of safety  Devices—absence of inbuilt  safe guards in appliances7. Artificial  Scarcity—hoarding and black  marketing8. False and  Incomplete Information—misleading information on quality, durability,and safety. . Unsatisfactory after sales Service—high cost items like electronics and carsrequire constant and regular service. 10. Rough behavior and Undue conditions—harassment in getting LPG connection or  a telephone connection.. Factors causing exploitation of Consumers. 1. Limited Information—providing full and correct information will help in thechoice2. Limited Supplies—when goods and services are in short supply then price shootsup3. Limited Competition. —single producer may manipulate the market in terms of  Ã‚  price and stocks. 4. Low Literacy. —i lliteracy leads to exploitation.Hence Consumer Awareness isessential. Rise  of  consumer Awareness Kautilya was one of the earliest to write in  his Arthashastra about the need for Consumer  awareness and protection. With the growth of private sector there is a greater need  for  discipline and regulation of the market. Consumers must be aware of the sale and  purchase of goods, the health and security aspects also. Ensuring the safety of food itemssold in the market is essential these days. Legal measures for consumer safety and consumer awareness must be uniform, andtransparent in terms of prices, quality of goods, and  stocks.Consumers must have thetools to combat malpractices and protect their rights. Rights and Duties of Consumers As codified under the Indian Laws the  Consumers have the following Rights 1. Right  to  Safety—to  protect against  hazardous goods2. Right  to be  Informed—about price,  quality, purity3. Right to Choose —access to a variety  of goods and services at competitive prices. 4. Right to be Heard—consumers interest and welfare  must be taken care of  5. Right to seek Redressal—protection against unfair trade practicesand settlinggenuine grievances. 6. Right to Consumer Education. Kowledge about goods  and issues related toconsumers. Duties 1. Get a bill  for every important purchase and also the  Warranty card2. Check the ISI mark or  Agmark on the goods3. Form  consumer awareness groups4. Make a complaint on genuine grievances. 5. Consumers must know to exercise their rights. Consumer protection Measure 1. Legislation concerning Consumer Rights. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 provides for consumer disputes redressal at the stateand national level. With the help of this law the agencies  can solve grievances in aspeedy, simple  and inexpensive  manner.A separate department of  consumer affairs wasset up at the state and  central government. A  three tier system of consumer courts at the  National, State and District levels were set up. These agencies have done good work byhandling lakhs of cases. 2. Public Distribution System .To protect the poor from price  rise and black marketing the government  food security tothe poor by supplying essentials through the ration or Fair price shops. 3. Standardisation of Products .These are done to assure the  quality of products.The ISI stamp on goods is placed  by theBureau of Indian standards. This caters to industrial and consumer goods. These goodscan be  trusted to confirm to  specific standards. Agmark is meant for Agricultural  products. At the International level the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) locatedin Geneva sets common standards. The FAO and WHO provide food standards. 4. Legal formalities for filing a complaint .The complaint can be  written on plain paper. The supporting documents like the warrantycard must be  attached. A lawyer is not required. We can argue our case

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 12. TIME

â€Å"I HAVE FORESEEN . . . ,† ALICE BEGAN IN AN OMINOUS tone. Edward threw an elbow toward her ribs, which she neatly dodged. â€Å"Fine,† she grumbled. â€Å"Edward is making me do this. But I did foresee that you would be more difficult if I surprised you.† We were walking to the car after school, and I was completely clueless as to what she was talking about. â€Å"In English?† I requested. â€Å"Don't be a baby about this. No tantrums.† â€Å"Now I'm scared.† â€Å"So you're – I mean we're – having a graduation party. It's no big thing. Nothing to freak out over. But I saw that you would freak out if I tried to make it a surprise party† – she danced out of the way as Edward reached over to muss her hair – â€Å"and Edward said I had to tell you. But it's nothing. Promise.† I sighed heavily. â€Å"Is there any point in arguing?† â€Å"None at all.† â€Å"Okay, Alice. I'll be there. And I'll hate every minute of it. Promise.† â€Å"That's the spirit! By the way, I love my gift. You shouldn't have.† â€Å"Alice, I didn't!† â€Å"Oh, I know that. But you will.† I racked my brains in panic, trying to remember what I'd ever decided to get her for graduation that she might have seen. â€Å"Amazing,† Edward muttered. â€Å"How can someone so tiny be so annoying?† Alice laughed. â€Å"It's a talent.† â€Å"Couldn't you have waited a few weeks to tell me about this?† I asked petulantly. â€Å"Now I'll just be stressed that much longer.† Alice frowned at me. â€Å"Bella,† she said slowly. â€Å"Do you know what day it is?† â€Å"Monday?† She rolled her eyes. â€Å"Yes. It is Monday . . . the fourth.† She grabbed my elbow, spun me halfway around, and pointed toward a big yellow poster taped to the gym door. There, in sharp black letters, was the date of graduation. Exactly one week from today. â€Å"It's the fourth? Of June? Are you sure?† Neither one answered. Alice just shook her head sadly, feigning disappointment, and Edward's eyebrows lifted. â€Å"It can't be! How did that happen?† I tried to count backwards in my head, but I couldn't figure out where the days had gone. I felt like someone had kicked my legs out from under me. The weeks of stress, of worry . . . somehow in the middle of all my obsessing over the time, my time had disappeared. My space for sorting through it all, for making plans, had vanished. I was out of time. And I wasn't ready. I didn't know how to do this. How to say goodbye to Charlie and Rene . . . to Jacob . . . to being human. I knew exactly what I wanted, but I was suddenly terrified of getting it. In theory, I was anxious, even eager to trade mortality for immortality. After all, it was the key to staying with Edward forever. And then there was the fact that I was being hunted by known and unknown parties. I'd rather not sit around, helpless and delicious, waiting for one of them to catch up with me. In theory, that all made sense. In practice . . . being human was all I knew. The future beyond that was a big, dark abyss that I couldn't know until I leaped into it. This simple knowledge, today's date – which was so obvious that I must have been subconsciously repressing it – made the deadline I'd been impatiently counting down toward feel like a date with the firing squad. In a vague way, I was aware of Edward holding the car door for me, of Alice chattering from the backseat, of the rain hammering against the windshield. Edward seemed to realize I was only there in body; he didn't try to pull me out of my abstraction. Or maybe he did, and I was past noticing. We ended up at my house, where Edward led me to the sofa and pulled me down next to him. I stared out the window, into the liquid gray haze, and tried to find where my resolve had gone. Why was I panicking now? I'd known the deadline was coming. Why should it frighten me that it was here? I don't know how long he let me stare out the window in silence. But the rain was disappearing into darkness when it was finally too much for him. He put his cold hands on either side of my face and fixed his golden eyes on mine. â€Å"Would you please tell me what you are thinking? Before I go mad?† What could I say to him? That I was a coward? I searched for words. â€Å"Your lips are white. Talk, Bella.† I exhaled in a big gust. How long had I been holding my breath? â€Å"The date took me off guard,† I whispered. â€Å"That's all.† He waited, his face full of worry and skepticism. I tried to explain. â€Å"I'm not sure what to do . . . what to tell Charlie . . . what to say . . . how to . . .† My voice trailed off. â€Å"This isn't about the party?† I frowned. â€Å"No. But thanks for reminding me.† The rain was louder as he read my face. â€Å"You're not ready,† he whispered. â€Å"I am,† I lied immediately, a reflex reaction. I could tell he saw through it, so I took a deep breath, and told the truth. â€Å"I have to be.† â€Å"You don't have to be anything.† I could feel the panic surfacing in my eyes as I mouthed the reasons. â€Å"Victoria, Jane, Caius, whoever was in my room . . . !† â€Å"All the more reason to wait.† â€Å"That doesn't make any sense, Edward!† He pressed his hands more tightly to my face and spoke with slow deliberation. â€Å"Bella. Not one of us had a choice. You've seen what it's done . . . to Rosalie especially. We've all struggled, trying to reconcile ourselves with something we had no control over. I won't let it be that way for you. You will have a choice.† â€Å"I've already made my choice.† â€Å"You aren't going through with this because a sword is hanging over your head. We will take care of the problems, and I will take care of you,† he vowed. â€Å"When we're through it, and there is nothing forcing your hand, then you can decide to join me, if you still want to. But not because you're afraid. You won't be forced into this.† â€Å"Carlisle promised,† I mumbled, contrary out of habit. â€Å"After graduation.† â€Å"Not until you're ready,† he said in a sure voice. â€Å"And definitely not while you feel threatened.† I didn't answer. I didn't have it in me to argue; I couldn't seem to find my commitment at the moment. â€Å"There.† He kissed my forehead. â€Å"Nothing to worry about.† I laughed a shaky laugh. â€Å"Nothing but impending doom.† â€Å"Trust me.† â€Å"I do.† He was still watching my face, waiting for me to relax. â€Å"Can I ask you something?† I said. â€Å"Anything.† I hesitated, biting my lip, and then asked a different question than the one I was worried about. â€Å"What am I getting Alice for graduation?† He snickered. â€Å"It looked like you were getting us both concert tickets -â€Å" â€Å"That's right!† I was so relieved, I almost smiled. â€Å"The concert in Tacoma. I saw an ad in the paper last week, and I thought it would be something you'd like, since you said it was a good CD.† â€Å"It's a great idea. Thank you.† â€Å"I hope it's not sold out.† â€Å"It's the thought that counts. I ought to know.† I sighed. â€Å"There's something else you meant to ask,† he said. I frowned. â€Å"You're good.† â€Å"I have lots of practice reading your face. Ask me.† I closed my eyes and leaned into him, hiding my face against his chest. â€Å"You don't want me to be a vampire.† â€Å"No, I don't,† he said softly, and then he waited for more. â€Å"That's not a question,† he prompted after a moment. â€Å"Well . . . I was worrying about . . . why you feel that way.† â€Å"Worrying?† He picked out the word with surprise. â€Å"Would you tell me why? The whole truth, not sparing my feelings?† He hesitated for a minute. â€Å"If I answer your question, will you then explain your question?† I nodded, my face still hidden. He took a deep breath before he answered. â€Å"You could do so much better, Bella. I know that you believe I have a soul, but I'm not entirely convinced on that point, and to risk yours . . .† He shook his head slowly. â€Å"For me to allow this – to let you become what I am just so that I'll never have to lose you – is the most selfish act I can imagine. I want it more than anything, for myself. But for you, I want so much more. Giving in – it feels criminal. It's the most selfish thing I'll ever do, even if I live forever. â€Å"If there were any way for me to become human for you – no matter what the price was, I would pay it.† I sat very still, absorbing this. Edward thought he was being selfish. I felt the smile slowly spread across my face. â€Å"So . . . it's not that you're afraid you won't . . . like me as much when I'm different – when I'm not soft and warm and I don't smell the same? You really do want to keep me, no matter how I turn out?† He exhaled sharply. â€Å"You were worried I wouldn't like you?† he demanded. Then, before I could answer, he was laughing. â€Å"Bella, for a fairly intuitive person, you can be so obtuse!† I knew he would think it silly, but I was relieved. If he really wanted me, I could get through the rest . . . somehow. Selfish suddenly seemed like a beautiful word. â€Å"I don't think you realize how much easier it will be for me, Bella,† he said, the echo of his humor still there in his voice, â€Å"when I don't have to concentrate all the time on not killing you. Certainly, there are things I'll miss. This for one . . .† He stared into my eyes as he stroked my cheek, and I felt the blood rush up to color my skin. He laughed gently. â€Å"And the sound of your heart,† he continued, more serious but still smiling a little. â€Å"It's the most significant sound in my world. I'm so attuned to it now, I swear I could pick it out from miles away. But neither of these things matter. This,† he said, taking my face in his hands. â€Å"You. That's what I'm keeping. You'll always be my Bella, you'll just be a little more durable.† I sighed and let my eyes close in contentment, resting there in his hands. â€Å"Now will you answer a question for me? The whole truth, not sparing my feelings?† he asked. â€Å"Of course,† I answered at once, my eyes opening wide with surprise. What would he want to know? He spoke the words slowly. â€Å"You don't want to be my wife.† My heart stopped, and then broke into a sprint. A cold sweat dewed on the back of my neck and my hands turned to ice. He waited, watching and listening to my reaction. â€Å"That's not a question,† I finally whispered. He looked down, his lashes casting long shadows across his cheekbones, and dropped his hands from my face to pick up my frozen left hand. He played with my fingers while he spoke. â€Å"I was worrying about why you felt that way.† I tried to swallow. â€Å"That's not a question, either,† I whispered. â€Å"Please, Bella?† â€Å"The truth?† I asked, only mouthing the words. â€Å"Of course. I can take it, whatever it is.† I took a deep breath. â€Å"You're going to laugh at me.† His eyes flashed up to mine, shocked. â€Å"Laugh? I cannot imagine that.† â€Å"You'll see,† I muttered, and then I sighed. My face went from white to scarlet in a sudden blaze of chagrin. â€Å"Okay, fine! I'm sure this will sound like some big joke to you, but really! It's just so . . . so . . . so embarrassing!† I confessed, and I hid my face against his chest again. There was a brief pause. â€Å"I'm not following you.† I tilted my head back and glared at him, embarrassment making me lash out, belligerent. â€Å"I'm not that girl, Edward. The one who gets married right out of high school like some small-town hick who got knocked up by her boyfriend! Do you know what people would think? Do you realize what century this is? People don't just get married at eighteen! Not smart people, not responsible, mature people! I wasn't going to be that girl! That's not who I am. . . .† I trailed off, losing steam. Edward's face was impossible to read as he thought through my answer. â€Å"That's all?† he finally asked. I blinked. â€Å"Isn't that enough?† â€Å"It's not that you were . . . more eager for immortality itself than for just me?† And then, though I'd predicted that he would laugh, I was suddenly the one having hysterics. â€Å"Edward!† I gasped out between the paroxysms of giggles. â€Å"And here . . . I always . . . thought that . . . you were . . . so much . . . smarter than me!† He took me in his arms, and I could feel that he was laughing with me. â€Å"Edward,† I said, managing to speak more clearly with a little effort, â€Å"there's no point to forever without you. I wouldn't want one day without you.† â€Å"Well, that's a relief,† he said. â€Å"Still . . . it doesn't change anything.† â€Å"It's nice to understand, though. And I do understand your perspective, Bella, truly I do. But I'd like it very much if you'd try to consider mine.† I'd sobered up by then, so I nodded and struggled to keep the frown off my face. His liquid gold eyes turned hypnotic as they held mine. â€Å"You see, Bella, I was always that boy. In my world, I was already a man. I wasn't looking for love – no, I was far too eager to be a soldier for that; I thought of nothing but the idealized glory of the war that they were selling prospective draftees then – but if I had found . . .† He paused, cocking his head to the side. â€Å"I was going to say if I had found someone, but that won't do. If I had found you, there isn't a doubt in my mind how I would have proceeded. I was that boy, who would have – as soon as I discovered that you were what I was looking for – gotten down on one knee and endeavored to secure your hand. I would have wanted you for eternity, even when the word didn't have quite the same connotations.† He smiled his crooked smile at me. I stared at him with my eyes frozen wide. â€Å"Breathe, Bella,† he reminded me, smiling. I breathed. â€Å"Can you see my side, Bella, even a little bit?† And for one second, I could. I saw myself in a long skirt and a high-necked lace blouse with my hair piled up on my head. I saw Edward looking dashing in a light suit with a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand, sitting beside me on a porch swing. I shook my head and swallowed. I was just having Anne of Green Gables flashbacks. â€Å"The thing is, Edward,† I said in a shaky voice, avoiding the question, â€Å"in my mind, marriage and eternity are not mutually exclusive or mutually inclusive concepts. And since we're living in my world for the moment, maybe we should go with the times, if you know what I mean.† â€Å"But on the other hand,† he countered, â€Å"you will soon be leaving time behind you altogether. So why should the transitory customs of one local culture affect the decision so much?† I pursed my lips. â€Å"When in Rome?† He laughed at me. â€Å"You don't have to say yes or no today, Bella. It's good to understand both sides, though, don't you think?† â€Å"So your condition . . . ?† â€Å"Is still in effect. I do see your point, Bella, but if you want me to change you myself. . . .† â€Å"Dum, dum, dah-dum,† I hummed under my breath. I was going for the wedding march, but it sort of sounded like a dirge. Time continued to move too fast. That night flew by dreamlessly, and then it was morning and graduation was staring me in the face. I had a pile of studying to do for my finals that I knew I wouldn't get halfway through in the few days I had left. When I came down for breakfast, Charlie was already gone. He'd left the paper on the table, and that reminded me that I had some shopping to do. I hoped the ad for the concert was still running; I needed the phone number to get the stupid tickets. It didn't seem like much of a gift now that all the surprise was gone. Of course, trying to surprise Alice wasn't the brightest plan to begin with. I meant to flip right back to the entertainment section, but the thick black headline caught my attention. I felt a thrill of fear as I leaned closer to read the front-page story. SEATTLE TERRORIZED BY SLAYINGS It's been less than a decade since the city of Seattle was the hunting ground for the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history. Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was convicted of the murders of 48 women. And now a beleaguered Seattle must face the possibility that it could be harboring an even more horrifying monster at this very moment. The police are not calling the recent rash of homicides and disappearances the work of a serial killer. Not yet, at least. They are reluctant to believe so much carnage could be the work of one individual. This killer – if, in fact, it is one person – would then be responsible for 39 linked homicides and disappearances within the last three months alone. In comparison, Ridgway's 48- count murder spree was scattered over a 21-year period. If these deaths can be linked to one man, then this is the most violent rampage of serial murder in American history. The police are leaning instead toward the theory that gang activity is involved. This theory is supported by the sheer number of victims, and by the fact that there seems to be no pattern in the choice of victims. From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, the targets of serial killings are usually connected by similarities in age, gender, race, or a combination of the three. The victims of this crime wave range in age from 15-year-old honor student Amanda Reed, to 67-year-old retired postman Omar Jenks. The linked deaths include a nearly even 18 women and 21 men. The victims are racially diverse: Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians. The selection appears random. The motive seems to be killing for no other reason than to kill. So why even consider the idea of a serial killer? There are enough similarities in the modus operandi to rule out unrelated crimes. Every victim discovered has been burned to the extent that dental records were necessary for identification. The use of some kind of accelerant, like gasoline or alcohol, seems to be indicated in the conflagrations; however, no traces of any accelerant have yet been found. All of the bodies have been carelessly dumped with no attempt at concealment. More gruesome yet, most of the remains show evidence of brutal violence – bones crushed and snapped by some kind of tremendous pressure – which medical examiners believe occurred before the time of death, though these conclusions are difficult to be sure of, considering the state of the evidence. Another similarity that points to the possibility of a serial: every crime is perfectly clean of evidence, aside from the remains themselves. Not a fingerprint, not a tire tread mark nor a foreign hair is left behind. There have been no sightings of any suspect in the disappearances. Then there are the disappearances themselves – hardly low profile by any means. None of the victims are what could be viewed as easy targets. None are runaways or the homeless, who vanish so easily and are seldom reported missing. Victims have vanished from their homes, from a fourth- story apartment, from a health club, from a wedding reception. Perhaps the most astounding: 30- year-old amateur boxer Robert Walsh entered a movie theater with a date; a few minutes into the movie, the woman realized that he was not in his seat. His body was found only three hours later when fire fighters were called to the scene of a burning trash Dumpster, twenty miles away. Another pattern is present in the slayings: all of the victims disappeared at night. And the most alarming pattern? Acceleration. Six of the homicides were committed in the first month, 11 in the second. Twenty-two have occurred in the last 10 days alone. And the police are no closer to finding the responsible party than they were after the first charred body was discovered. The evidence is conflicting, the pieces horrifying. A vicious new gang or a wildly active serial killer? Or something else the police haven't yet conceived of? Only one conclusion is indisputable: something hideous is stalking Seattle. It took me three tries to read the last sentence, and I realized the problem was my shaking hands. â€Å"Bella?† Focused as I was, Edward's voice, though quiet and not totally unexpected, made me gasp and whirl. He was leaning in the doorway, his eyebrows pulled together. Then he was suddenly at my side, taking my hand. â€Å"Did I startle you? I'm sorry. I did knock. . . .† â€Å"No, no,† I said quickly. â€Å"Have you seen this?† I pointed to the paper. A frown creased his forehead. â€Å"I hadn't seen today's news yet. But I knew it was getting worse. We're going to have to do something . . . quickly.† I didn't like that. I hated any of them taking chances, and whatever or whoever was in Seattle was truly beginning to frighten me. But the idea of the Volturi coming was just as scary. â€Å"What does Alice say?† â€Å"That's the problem.† His frown hardened. â€Å"She can't see anything . . . though we've made up our minds half a dozen times to check it out. She's starting to lose confidence. She feels like she's missing too much these days, that something's wrong. That maybe her vision is slipping away.† My eyes were wide. â€Å"Can that happen?† â€Å"Who knows? No one's ever done a study . . . but I really doubt it. These things tend to intensify over time. Look at Aro and Jane.† â€Å"Then what's wrong?† â€Å"Self-fulfilling prophecy, I think. We keep waiting for Alice to see something so we can go . . . and she doesn't see anything because we won't really go until she does. So she can't see us there. Maybe we'll have to do it blind.† I shuddered. â€Å"No.† â€Å"Did you have a strong desire to attend class today? We're only a couple of days from finals; they won't be giving us anything new.† â€Å"I think I can live without school for a day. What are we doing?† â€Å"I want to talk to Jasper.† Jasper, again. It was strange. In the Cullen family, Jasper was always a little on the fringe, part of things but never the center of them. It was my unspoken assumption that he was only there for Alice. I had the sense that he would follow Alice anywhere, but that this lifestyle was not his first choice. The fact that he was less committed to it than the others was probably why he had more difficulty keeping it up. At any rate, I'd never seen Edward feel dependent on Jasper. I wondered again what he'd meant about Jasper's expertise. I really didn't know much about Jasper's history, just that he had come from somewhere in the south before Alice found him. For some reason, Edward had always shied away from any questions about his newest brother. And I'd always been too intimidated by the tall, blond vampire who looked like a brooding movie star to ask him outright. When we got to the house, we found Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper watching the news intently, though the sound was so low that it was unintelligible to me. Alice was perched on the bottom step of the grand staircase, her face in her hands and her expression discouraged. As we walked in, Emmett ambled through the kitchen door, seeming perfectly at ease. Nothing ever bothered Emmett. â€Å"Hey, Edward. Ditching, Bella?† He grinned at me. â€Å"We both are,† Edward reminded him. Emmett laughed. â€Å"Yes, but it's her first time through high school. She might miss something.† Edward rolled his eyes, but otherwise ignored his favorite brother. He tossed the paper to Carlisle. â€Å"Did you see that they're considering a serial killer now?† he asked. Carlisle sighed. â€Å"They've had two specialists debating that possibility on CNN all morning.† â€Å"We can't let this go on.† â€Å"Let's go now,† Emmett said with sudden enthusiasm. â€Å"I'm dead bored.† A hiss echoed down the stairway from upstairs. â€Å"She's such a pessimist,† Emmett muttered to himself. Edward agreed with Emmett. â€Å"We'll have to go sometime.† Rosalie appeared at the top of the stairs and descended slowly. Her face was smooth, expressionless. Carlisle was shaking his head. â€Å"I'm concerned. We've never involved ourselves in this kind of thing before. It's not our business. We aren't the Volturi.† â€Å"I don't want the Volturi to have to come here,† Edward said. â€Å"It gives us so much less reaction time.† â€Å"And all those innocent humans in Seattle,† Esme murmured. â€Å"It's not right to let them die this way.† â€Å"I know,† Carlisle sighed. â€Å"Oh,† Edward said sharply, turning his head slightly to look at Jasper. â€Å"I didn't think of that. I see. You're right, that has to be it. Well, that changes everything.† I wasn't the only one who stared at him in confusion, but I might have been the only one who didn't look slightly annoyed. â€Å"I think you'd better explain to the others,† Edward said to Jasper. â€Å"What could be the purpose of this?† Edward started to pace, staring at the floor, lost in thought. I hadn't seen her get up, but Alice was there beside me. â€Å"What is he rambling about?† she asked Jasper. â€Å"What are you thinking?† Jasper didn't seem to enjoy the spotlight. He hesitated, reading every face in the circle – for everyone had moved in to hear what he would say – and then his eyes paused on my face. â€Å"You're confused,† he said to me, his deep voice very quiet. There was no question in his assumption. Jasper knew what I was feeling, what everyone was feeling. â€Å"We're all confused,† Emmett grumbled. â€Å"You can afford the time to be patient,† Jasper told him. â€Å"Bella should understand this, too. She's one of us now.† His words took me by surprise. As little as I'd had to do with Jasper, especially since my last birthday when he'd tried to kill me, I hadn't realize that he thought of me that way. â€Å"How much do you know about me, Bella?† Jasper asked. Emmett sighed theatrically, and plopped down on the couch to wait with exaggerated impatience. â€Å"Not much,† I admitted. Jasper stared at Edward, who looked up to meet his gaze. â€Å"No,† Edward answered his thought. â€Å"I'm sure you can understand why I haven't told her that story. But I suppose she needs to hear it now.† Jasper nodded thoughtfully, and then started to roll up the arm of his ivory sweater. I watched, curious and confused, trying to figure out what he was doing. He held his wrist under the edge of the lampshade beside him, close to the light of the naked bulb, and traced his finger across a raised crescent mark on the pale skin. It took me a minute to understand why the shape looked strangely familiar. â€Å"Oh,† I breathed as realization hit. â€Å"Jasper, you have a scar exactly like mine.† I held out my hand, the silvery crescent more prominent against my cream skin than against his alabaster. Jasper smiled faintly. â€Å"I have a lot of scars like yours, Bella.† Jasper's face was unreadable as he pushed the sleeve of his thin sweater higher up his arm. At first my eyes could not make sense of the texture that was layered thickly across the skin. Curved half-moons crisscrossed in a feathery pattern that was only visible, white on white as it was, because the bright glow of the lamp beside him threw the slightly raised design into relief, with shallow shadows outlining the shapes. And then I grasped that the pattern was made of individual crescents like the one on his wrist . . . the one on my hand. I looked back at my own small, solitary scar – and remembered how I'd received it. I stared at the shape of James's teeth, embossed forever on my skin. And then I gasped, staring up at him. â€Å"Jasper, what happened to you?†