Financial Literacy in the Philippines Essay

Money. That word enough is enough to turn the heads of almost any one in this world today. It’s not a hidden fact or a myth, or an exaggeration that money indeed makes the world go round today. In legal matters, money is the only reasonable way to amend some matters. In a cynical point of view, you could say that money is the law. In these times of corporate international booming, there’s no exaggeration that money holds your life today. Financial literacy is the knowledge that is the answer to these times of finance emphasized earth. But what is financial literacy? Financial literacy is, according to Wikipedia, â€Å"the ability of a person to understand how money works†. It is basically how one is skilled at handling financial matters, and how one is informed of insurances, investing and over-all money management. Knowing this term, then I am asked, Am I financially literate? As a young adult, it is necessary that one knows how to manage money. Especially that I go to school everyday, riding public transportation, eating out; One can say that isn’t everyone financially literate because they know how to budget their money after all? If it’s that easy, then I could say I am, but it isn’t. I’m not financially literate. As far as my money goes, I only know a little about saving. In fact, I don’t even own a real bank account in this age of 20. I know very little about insurances, investments, let alone the stock market. I only save money so I can spend it on going out with my friends, not for, as they say, the rainy days. Bank accounts are the only thing I know about and as far as I’m concerned it’s just about them keeping my money secured. I’m supposed to be a little embarrassed, but then I look around my community and see I’m not the only one. No, in this country, I’m one of the majority that is not. Why am I not? Why are most of us not financially literate in this world where money is a crucial necessity? I’ve read one article in the internet by Randell Tiongson entitled â€Å"Pinoys and Financial Literacy†. The article tackled how us Filipinos are not as financially literate as we think and the fact that most Filipinos give very little attention to actually be more knowledgeable in handling finances. In contrast though, it states that little by little, we are getting better; but still we have a long way to go to being called a financially stable country. I learned that most Filipinos have the same mind set as I have. We think having a bank account is already financial security. I think I am one of the population that is generally very clueless. Looking at other countries, they have these programs where they actually give seminars and lectures on being financially literate; to them the booming money world can only be survived through education. All I see in our country today are seminars about bank accounts and piggy banks. Where is the education that us Filipinos need in this world of financial dependence? We may turn our eyes from it, but money is a concrete fact of living. All my life I’ve been taught that saving money is the best thing you can do to your money; budget and management. But those are all kids stuff. I’m actually now worried that I am not well informed. One of the reasons I am not financially literate is definitely because of poor education on these matters. No one really taught me the words ‘investing’, or ‘insurance’ or ‘the stock market’ in school. Well maybe in definition, but I never came across how-to’s and guide to how to use these terms in the practical world. I think I would be scolded that I’m asking to be spoon-fed but, to be frank, this country never really made me grow up with concerns about financial literacy. And I am even one of those people with a good education†¦ how about our co-citizens with even less? Another reason is probably how our traditions and culture never really had a chance to understand these legal matters formally. Unlike other countries, we are generally the most traditional ones. We held our religions close, believing that everything happens in God’s time, if it’s safe to say, I think we are relying in Him too much. They didn’t talk about life insurances in the bible. We tend to believe that whatever happens, it happens on God’s will. Religion has been our security for ages. And I think that is why my own parents doesn’t have too much of a clue in investments issues. And as their child, how am I supposed to have a grasp in this area. No matter how I am accused of having enough resources because of the internet, it’s still not enough to carry a curiosity on finance matters. Because as tradition was, in this country, if you have a bank account, you’re saved. My family isn’t really one of those homes where everyone’s so money-savvy. I think it’s also because we’re a young family, with me as the eldest child. So I think I should be the one starting, learning about financial literacy. And this goes, with my last reason: Families with low financial status tend to not to be exposed in these opportunities. We’re not exactly in the higher middle class which many people may think because I’m studying in Mapua. We’re extremely in the middle middle class and as I have observed in television and the internet, those who already have the money are the ones only given the chance to be literate financially. It isn’t a theory that you need money for education, though there are other ways to stay informed but this is the truth. Most people in this country are lower middle class and could you even imagine the opportunities given to their level? It’s just concerning. Money-education for only those who already have money, or the promise of it. And I think that should be the one of the main concerns of this country. In conclusion, the main reason is our own country’s lack of financial literacy education. Resources: https://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Financial_literacy , http://www. investopedia. com/terms/f/financial-literacy. asp ,http://www. randelltiongson. com/? s=financial+literacy+in+the+philippines , http://www. getsmarteraboutmoney. ca/en/managing-your-money/planning/investing-basics/Pages/what-is-financial-literacy. aspx.

Why I must Be Careful

As I sit and type, while I can think of a million reasons why I need to be more careful and not speed, there are two reasons that seem to stick out at the top of my head. The first reason is, I need to be more careful because I could cause harm to myself and second, and more importantly, to someone else. Causing harm to me can lead to a whole lot of heartache for my family. It would further prove that everything my Mom and Dad were telling me is no joke. They love me and want me to grow up to become a functional and successful young man in today’s society.Causing harm to someone else could also lead to a lot of heartache for my family as well as someone else’s family. It could also lead to death. Speeding is defined as â€Å"exceeding the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, or racing† and is a dangerous driving behavior. Despite progress in other areas, such as increased seat belt usage and fewer drunken driving deaths, speeding continues to be a major factor in about one-third of traffic fatalities.Speeding is an offense that’s not only dangerous to the one committing the crime, but also to all those that are surrounding the offender. There are signs posted on the side of the road for a reason. They control the traffic flow and keep accidents to a minimum. Going over these regulated speed zones is dangerous because if there is an obstacle that suddenly appears and you’re going too fast to avoid it then that is an equation for disaster. You could damage your vehicle or worse, harm yourself or somebody else.To help enforce the speeding laws the police department assigns districts to the policemen and women to help catch and correct people who end up trying to break the law whether it be intentional or not. Speeding is a crime that when it is being broken is dangerous to more than one party. That may be the reason why it’s taken so seriously and is enforced at a higher degree. When driving an automobile t here are more problems than just going over the speed limit. There are wide varieties of situations that you must be aware of before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle.You must not only be cautious of yourself but also everyone who occupies the roadways. You never know what can happen. There are too many uncertainties when it comes to the mixing of different people and their vehicles. You never know what kind of obstacles you will be faced with when you enter a public roadway. To help compensate for these uncertainties one must take extreme caution. Always be aware of your surroundings at all times. You must learn to keep your head on a swivel and eyes always on the road. When driving through any type of speed zone you should be extremely precautious.Especially in a school zone, due to children going and leaving school as well as all cars that could possibly be lined up waiting to pick up and drop off their children. When it comes to yours and others safety you must take as many precautions as necessary to keep everyone safe. If you were to ask the average American to recite the speed limits that are placed on the various types of roads such as freeways, back roads, residential streets, you would be surprised to discover how many can’t answer this seemingly simple question.There are many factors that are often overlooked, but there are cases when drivers get caught speeding. The quickest route from point A to point B is a straight line but while driving a vehicle that is rarely an available path. So to make up for that some people, even I decide to speed. But with speeding come a lot of risks and dangers. Drivers usually speed because they are in a rush, they are not paying attention to their driving, and they do not think the laws applies to them, they do not think their driving is dangerous, or they just don’t think they will get caught speeding.This is ugly, but it is the truth. No matter the excuse speeding is still against the law, so if you’re caught speeding, like I was, then you will be punished accordingly. In my case I was caught doing a high rate of speed. I was so far over the speed limit that it’s no longer classified as a ticket. My ticket was pushed up as a Super Speeder. A Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at seventy-five miles per hour or more on a two-lane road or at eighty-five mph and above on any road of highway in the State of Georgia.I was going eighty-three mph in a fifty mph zone. When I was summoned to court I was told that even if I paid the One Hundred ninety dollar ticket, my license would still be revoked so I need to go to court and take my punishment. When I went before the judge, I displayed my extreme remorse for what I had done as well as my Mother. She even told the judge she had taken the keys and probably won’t get them back until graduation. I cannot be more grateful for the judge giving me the task of completing an essay on â€Å"Why I should Be More Careful.†I expressed my gratitude and remorse for my dastardly deed by typing this essay instead of having my license revoked, paying an extremely large ticket, or possibly going to jail. I would like to believe the judge showed me lenience because it was my first and last traffic violation as well as the innate good in me. This was an ordeal that could have been easily avoided by simply going the posted speed limit. I can honestly say that I have learned my lesson and hopefully anyone reading this essay will think twice before going over the speed limit.I have seen the error of my ways. In my mind, I subconsciously down played the dangers of speeding. I was also shocked to see the amount of people who actually speed on a regular basis. People speed on a regular basis is out of impatience. Rarely does anyone have a valid reason as to why they speed, but then again not everyone gets caught, but if you are unlucky enough to get caught then you could face a plethora of conse quences, so it’s best to keep yourself and other people safe by obeying the traffic laws and following the posted speed signs along the side of the road.In conclusion, this is my essay on why I should be more careful and why speeding is irrational and why it is just better to do the posted speed limit and obey all traffic laws. Once again, I am grateful for this opportunity to show my remorse for breaking the law and I will not speed again and I will be more careful. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay.

Narrative Example Essay

T ‘was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly in the East. Birds chirping, sweetly singing on the branches of a trees. Warm smiles of my neighbors, together with the refreshing smell of cold breeze joined the atmosphere. Everything was so perfect. BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZZZZZ. My alarm clock rang. What?! I’m so late for my class. Blame that stupid dream. Hurriedly, I forcefully took a bath on cold waters. Within 15 minutes, I was all set. I arrived at school very late. When I entered the class, a male friend of mine smiled at me. To show some respect, I flashed my not-so-cool grin and sank to my seat. Bored enough, I took my phone out. A text message from someone anonymous surprised me. It said, â€Å"Meet me at the canteen at exactly 9 A.M. Refer to the School clock†. I glanced at the clock, yawned and dozed off to sleep. See more: how to start a narrative essay for college I completely forgot about the text. Zzzzzzz. Seconds, minutes, hours flew fast by. My typical day ended somewhat nothing has been accomplished. I loved it. Entering our house, my phone rang. A friend was calling. A male voice from the other line was talking , telling me to go with him on the hospital because there was an emergency. I hurriedly went out the house and went with him. As we walked, thoughts engulfed me, the hospital was our neighbour and we went to ride in a car. How strange. Upon entering the car, my friends shouted â€Å"VICTIM† and laughed so hard. Okay, that was a set-up! I was so pissed off. Grrrrhhh! They brought me to Waterworld Resort. Entering the gates, the Ensemble played a soft romantic music. A waiter signalled me to come so I followed him. Later, I saw a guy holding a white rose. I studied him carefully only to be surprised that the guy was my crush. I saw him flashed his pearly whites on me. Wondering, I went and asked him, â€Å" What’s this?† Instead of answering, he motioned me to come with him. We walked on the garden and talked. I talked, he talked, we talked. I smiled, he laughed. Food trips and more talks†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ It’s so sad but I have to bid him goodbye . Before I walked away from him, he hugged me so tight in front of my friends and whispered his three magical words, â€Å"I love you†. I was so shocked. I don’t know how would I react so I just smiled and nod. I can’t talk that night. I felt like my mind is somewhere over there, away from me. It was so romantic. It was so memorable. Dated with love, February 28, 2010. More dates followed and he courted me. We became young lovers and until now, we are still together.

Calorie restriction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Calorie restriction - Essay Example This understanding stemmed from direct experiences of the early homo-sapiens. Large-animal kills led to abundant food supply and consumption immediately after the kill and a period of fasting or restriction in food consumption after the food from the kill was exhausted. The period of restricted food consumption ended when the next large-animal kill occurred. This cycle of abundant food consumption and restricted food consumption led to the observation that abundant food consumption led to lethargy, while restricted food consumption provided the benefits of heightened alertness. Eating is a pleasurable experience and desisting from eating not an regimen to follow. Yet, at a time when alertness was critical to the hunting of food and protecting the members of the community, restricted food consumption was practiced among hunters and soldiers, so that their alertness was heightened increasing the chances of a successful hunt for the hunters and success in warding of attacks from the ene mies in the case of the soldiers (Mehta & Roth, 2009). The next step in the understanding of the benefits from restricted food consumption, prior to modern science, came from the spread of the early religions and the religious practices that called for fasting. Asceticism comprising of hard rigors including fasting became an extreme form of religious practice. Mehta & Roth, 2009, p.29, quoting Robert Thurman, define asceticism as â€Å"the impulse in human beings to attempt consciously to improve control over their habitual life processes, with a view to bettering their situation at least in a relative, and, if possible, in an ultimate way†. Remnants of asceticism as a religious practice continue even today among the general populace. Fasting is a continued practice among the followers of several religious faiths in the modern world. For example, the Muslims fast for forty days from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, while the Christians observe restricted food consumption dur ing the Lenten period. Prior to the development of modern science, it was religion that provided a systematic means for humans to exert control over their human condition. It was also possible through established religions to communicate the observations, insights, and explanations throughout the populace and spanning generations. For instance, Ayurveda, the popular branch of cultural medicine practiced in India is steeped in such religious observations, insights and explanations, a part of it dealing with the quantum and quality of foods consumed Calorie restriction as a part of modern medical science has become more relevant in the modern world because of the abundance of food and the economic capacity to purchase and consume large quantities of food. Overeating and consumption of rich foods has become more the norm in daily life than a part of feasting during festive days of the yesteryears. As a consequence of the poor eating habits conditions and diseases associated with it lik e obesity and diabetes type 2, high serum cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease have become a bane of society. The beneficial impact of calorie restriction as a medical intervention on these conditions and diseases thus become more relevant to modern society than ever before (Delaney & Walford,

Hezbollah and its history Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

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Reported earnings or actual earnings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Reported earnings or actual earnings - Essay Example Companies employ accountants to make financial reports. Thus, from the perspective of accounting, what can we say on the situation? Are accountants being used by banks to misstate company profits? On a related point, how do we assess the â€Å"earning management techniques† with regard to their potential to be used by companies to understate company profits? In relation to the said issues, what do the professional ethics for accountants require for accounting professionals on the matter? What are some of the relevant literature on the issue? II. Literature review Some of the relevant materials on the subject matter being addressed by this work were the works of Mitre and Rodrigue (2002), Turner and Wheatley (2003), Laux (2003), and Lev (2003). Mitra and Rodrigue (2002, p. 185) defined earnings management as management’s â€Å"intentional and opportunistic manipulation of financial reports for personal gain†. According to Mitra and Rodriguqe (2002, p. ... 185) clarified that earnings management does not always a negative connotation because management may have implemented an earnings management to provide a conservative or more realistic earning figures based on the GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Mitra and Rodrigue explained (2002, p. 185) that opportunistic behaviour arise from earnings management because it is empirically difficult to differentiate earnings management that is opportunistic from what is done in the interest of a conservative portrayal of the company situation. The Mitra and Rodrigue (2002, p. 185) assessment is that management or researchers â€Å"generally take an opportunistic perspective† in view of the difficulty of separating legitimate from what is illegitimate in earnings management. Turner and Wheatley (2003, p. 61) acknowledged that current accounting principles, auditing standards, and SEC reporting regulations allow managers to implement an â€Å"inappropriate earnings management †. To support their claim, the authors identified 34 companies that published financial misstatements but which also corrected the misstatements a year later (Turner and Wheatley 2003, p. 61). According to the authors, management subsequent â€Å"correction† of â€Å"astute control over the creation of a misstatement† benefits a company just as a misstatement may have been deliberately made in the interest of the company. The authors narrated that the Financial Executives Research Foundation reported that the number of companies restating published financial statements due to an error were higher than earlier figures: the figure of 464 for the 3-year period 1998-2000 for the United States was higher than the earlier 10-year period (Turner and Wheatley 2003, p. 61). Turner and

Network Systems and Technology Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Network Systems and Technology - Coursework Example Our IT strategy executes by defining the topology of the network. The topology will define the structure of the entire network along with preferred cable to be used. Secondly, hardware specification of all departmental workstations and will be carried out along with the cost . After defining the specification, we will address network devices along with switch and router deployment. Moreover, we will define all the associated servers that will play a vital role in synchronizing data with remote offices in this scenario. Furthermore, a proposed network diagram will be represented for each site i.e. site 1 and site 2. Sub netting will play a dominant role in breaking down global IP addresses into local IP addresses for each node on the network. For the WAN architecture, we will discuss the technologies, protocols and services that will be used for connecting these sites together. Moreover, for maintaining and monitoring the network, we will discuss network security features that will be implemented in this proposed network. The RADIUS access server will provide synchronization of data between both sites operating on a Virtual Private Network. In addition, Domain name Service will also be discussed. Introduction Organizations associated with health care needs to acquire up to date technological trends in delivering patient care at the optimal level. Medical information systems developed for supporting health care, facilitate organizations to align with best practices and quality and to make these health organizations successful in the market. However, acquiring and maintaining computer networks can be a difficult task along with its alignment with the goals and objectives of the organization. Moreover, along with the alignment with organizational objectives, involvement of all stakeholders in the implementation of a network is vital for understanding the purpose and benefits. Likewise, customization of network design is a requirement for supporting organizational g oals and objectives, which can be a complex task. 1Network Architecture 1.1Topology We will apply star topology, as the network design will follow a centralized server / client architecture. Star topology will provide centralized administration and configuration of all the nodes on the network. Moreover, star topology initiates low broadcasts on the network, consequently, consuming low bandwidth and at the same time making the network capacity on optimal levels. 1.2 Workstations The minimum hardware specification of the workstations that will be installed in the current scenario are: System Specification Processor Intel Dual Core E5400 2.7GHZ (2MB cache – 800MHZ FSB) Motherboard Intel DG41RQ (LGA775-SND+AGP+GIGA LAN-800MHZ FSB) Memory 1GB DDRII (800 Bus) Hard drive 320GB 3.5" SATA-II 7200RPM Optical drive DVD Drive 16 X Chassis Thermal HT Support 1.3 Network devices Network devices are the objects for any network. The network functionality relies on the network devices .The d ependability of the network

Managing Human Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing Human Resources - Essay Example Since I'm holding the position of Human Resources Director for National Lewis and Clark Corporation (NL&C) I had to check the employee's responsibilities. I always had to be in contact with my colleagues and subordinates. The Human Resource department is the heart and soul of any organization or company or firm. After joining the company I noticed that though the company has implemented the salary-sharing plan, the salary was much lesser when compared to national averages. Furthermore they hired candidates who were less experienced and less trained to higher positions. I later found that due to lawsuits filed against them by previous employees, to fill those positions they hires the inexperienced candidates. The employees should work as team and there should be no place for jealousy and complacency. HRM would involve going beyond an agreement to add 'women's issues' to the research agenda, to recognition of the gendered character of employment relations and of work itself. The employees of the company were facing many difficulties. Due to accidents and some ailing factors employees were unable to perform up to the mark. I suggested the company to follow the rules of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the

Sustainability Law (Take home exam) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sustainability Law (Take home exam) - Essay Example This so because their actions contravened the provisions of these Articles, which requires that no person should pollute any waters in way that would make the waters harmful, poisonous or noxious to animals health, human beings, aquatic life, wildlife, birds, fish, or vegetation; or in a way that the poison, toxins, or pollutants become detrimental to any meaningful use of the said waters. It is clear that after 6 months of BBAD and Heisenberg fracking operation, Block the gas community group was able to determine that the waters in the local streams such as the Connedagain River, which drains its waters into the Murray Darling system had been contaminated; its salinity had greatly increased as a result of chemical contamination, which appeared to be related to BBAD’s extraction of deep ground water and the chemical used for fracking. Further, these contaminants seems to exceed the inland waters standards set by the Queensland Environmental Protection Authority (Department of Employment 2010); which contravenes the provisions of Article 39 sub-section (2)(a)(i)(ii) and sub-section (b). (b) Do the Landers have any common law remedies that could assist them to stop the project and/or to obtain full compensation for the losses they have sustained? There are a number of common law remedies that the Landers could use to seek legal redress in order to stop BBAD’s project all together and obtain compensation for any losses they have incurred. First, Common law considers the environment as an ecosystem of property with entitlement, where ownership is a must (Bates 2013). Thus, whether land is publicly or publicly owned, the owner has the right to do anything he/she likes with it; that is to say, if the owner chooses not to look after the environment, then that is his own problem. However, in the case where landowners’ activities are considered to infringe on the rights of the neighbouring land; then common law takes note and considers what is happe ning to the environment and to protect the property rights of the owner. In this particular case, the activities of BBAD had infringed on the rights of the Landers; the water table in their land had dropped by close to a metre, thus affecting the drinking water that their cattle depended on. Further, the contamination of the Green Acres waters means that the Landers can no longer sell their beef at a premium price. Further, water, considered by common law as a non-static resource (Bates 2013), means that BBAD although have the property ownership right to do as they see fit with the mining site, have no such right with regards to water. Thus, the Landers can rely on this remedy and argue that BBAD exploitation degradation of the waters in Green Acres unreasonably affected the Lander’s enjoyment of their property. It should be noted however, that the common law has never regarded and does not regard harm to the environment, prima facie, as being worthy of remedy under common la w. The Landers, however, can seek compensation under the common action in nuisance, which as has already been mentioned, common law considers to be an infringement on the property rights of the land owner, although not a breach of duty. Usually, these remedies are sought through trespass or nuisance actions, which are forms of civil wrong or tort, under which there is compensation for any injury or loss, and an injunction to stop all together, such injurious and unlawful activities (Meiners & Morriss 2000). Thus, its

Causes and effects of child labor during and after the industrial Essay

Causes and effects of child labor during and after the industrial revolution - Essay Example Unfortunately, these families would be disappointed to discover that life was not as attractive as they had hoped; jobs required long working hours and were not paying well. As a result, every family member had to work just so the family would be above the poverty line. Conditions for children who had to work were very harsh; workdays would be as long as 14 hours with few breaks. In the factories, the conditions were very dangerous with injuries and deaths. The machines were very fast and could easily catch ones limbs. Moreover, the factory environment was toxic and polluted which often lead to illnesses and chronic diseases and conditions. The rural areas were not any better for the children; children would spend long hours harvesting crops with extreme temperatures. Children who worked had the disadvantage of not going to school (Grier 2009). Indeed the state of affairs during the Industrial revolution was sad for

Cover letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Cover letter - Essay Example I have worked as volunteer teacher in Saudi Educational Center in St John from March 2011 to June 2011 and from October 2011 to June 2012, where I was involved in the assessment of students’ abilities. My performance in this post has been lauded through securing first place among 3000 teachers in Dawadmi province as well as being first among the 7 teachers in my institution. During my stint as a teacher I have been able to motivate creativity in children and to encourage them to explore. Under the direction of the APSEA provincial supervisor, and consultation with the educational interpreter consultant and itinerant teacher, the successful applicant will provide educational support services by modeling sign language; facilitate communication between the student and their peers; also prepares and provides educational support services and materials, including tutoring, for a student who is deaf and communicates using sign

Rabbit Proof Fence - Help to Study Essay Example for Free

Rabbit Proof Fence Help to Study Essay While watching the movie, take notes and think about the following questions: 1. What is the history and context of the film? When is it set? In what genre is it? Is it based on a true story, a book? Is it fictional? True story. 2. How did the cameraman use specific angles, lighting and music in the film to indicate different moods? What did you notice about the camera angels as the girls became more threatened, for example? What happened to the music when the girls were trying to escape? The music is trying to sound like native music but with a modern feature. 3. What is the fence designed for? How does the fence function as a symbol? Why is the film titled rabbit-proof fence? 4. Very early on in the film, we see the eagle, Molly’s totem, her spirit bird. Her mother tells her the eagle will look after her. When does the bird appear again in the film and why? 5. Discuss Mr. Neville’s theory of eugenics. What were his policies and official duties? Is he a villain or is he a misguided idealist? Why are half-caste children seen as a problem? Think about Neville’s attitude toward the girls? Does it change over the course of the film? Give examples of words and actions that indicate this change. 6. The three children are not experienced actors. Do you find them convincing? Give your reasons. 7. What do you think are some of the film’s key themes and issues? Are these issues/themes effectively communicated through the film? 8. Finally, did you enjoy the movie? Either way, find examples and use descriptions to state your opinion.

The Effects Of The Hawthorne Experiments Commerce Essay

The Effects Of The Hawthorne Experiments Commerce Essay The Hawthorne experiments were conducted at Western Electrics Hawthorne plant in Illinois, running from 1924 through 1932. These experiments were intended to examine how people would react to certain conditions such as light, heat, and humidity. These variables were altered and produced both expected and unexpected results. Further trials embarked as Professor George Elton Mayo brought an academic research team into the factory, which were among the most extensive social science studies ever conducted. These investigations have been heavily criticized for merely serving the interest of management. However, these accusations can be argued. The Hawthorne investigations did not only have enormous influence on the human factors to management but also on the development of industrial psychology and sociology. Some maintain their opinion that the human relations approach is misinterpreted, leading to major failures. The Hawthorne studies were initially undertaken to investigate the relationship between physical work conditions and employers productivity. But the experiments represented revolutionary work in the field of management and lead to the creation of the human relations movement. These studies broke the boundaries of the management theory of the time, Taylorism. Scientific management, developed by Frederick W. Taylor, was a concentration exclusively on the physical aspects of work, ignoring the psychological needs and capabilities of the worker. Taylors view of management became inadequate due to the findings of the Hawthorne researchers, who revealed that the physical work environment was one of the only many aspects which influence employee productivity. This style of management became known as authoritarian. The human relations school was concerned with the human aspect of work, meaning that interpersonal relations, especially the feelings within working groups were of importance. Gro up harmony, satisfaction of individual needs, and the care for people were vital. By the individual worker being able to participate and involved in the decision making related positively to the productivity. In other words, this represents a democratic way of leadership. Nonetheless, particular studies also point out that productivity is sometimes positively connected to the authoritarian style. Showing that certain people do prefer to be controlled and directed. The primary experiment for the Hawthorne studies was to examine the connection between the illumination intensity and employee productivity. It showed that as the lightning improved in the experimental room, production increased. But production also rose in the control room. Followed by a slight amount of light in the experimental room, production was still rising, while there was constant illumination in the control room However, the results by 1927 were so confusing, that Elton Mayo and an academic research team were invited to continue a variety of inquiries on productivity and the motivation of worker. The next experiment that took place from 1927 to 1933 was the Relay assembly test room. This engaged a small group of female staff taken to work in a Relay assembly room, away from the regular workforce, varying the number and lengths of breaks and working days. The women were cautiously studied and a total of thirteen periods with different rest pauses, hours of work, and breaks for refreshment were conducted. The result of this phase showed that regardless the changes, there was almost no persistent increase in output. This became known as the Hawthorne Effect. This effect refers to the tendency that people act differently when being observed during a research. The results were influenced by this reaction of the small group of women due to the observation of the researchers. The women were not motivated by the improvements of their working conditions or money, but a reason was that working in a group had increased their output. However, in the group work the productivity rose by 15 percent and management made rest breaks more common. Psychologists were especially interested in this particular study. They found it phenomenal that peoples attitudes changed as they were being watched since it seemed more important than changes to the physical work conditions. The Interviewing programme took place from 1928 until 1930. In this period of time 21,000 employees were interviewed. Interviewers began through asking highly structured questions on work and its conditions and then about non-related work issues, e.g. on family and social issues. The friendlier, the more interest the supervisors showed in the individual worker, and the less harsh discipline existed, the more increases in productivity and morale became significant. The researchers learned a great deal about the staffs attitude towards their job. This findings reveal that workers actually lacked social support and that placing individuals in groups had a positive effect. A famous psychologist, Rensis Likert, contended that organizations should be managed as a collection of groups, rather than individuals. The Bank wiring observations room experiments commenced in 1931 until 1932. This test was conducted without any alteration in the working condition. A group of fourteen workers were taken from the production line and observed for six months. Each employee had three different jobs but worked together in order to produce one output. During this time, the group developed its own procedures to defend its own interests. Productivity remained constant and was unaffected by work payments. The group had developed informal rules of behaviour and determined what was a fair days payment for a fair days work. The workers were afraid that if they produced considerably more output, that the daily unit output would be replaced by an increase of expected output. These results show that the social forces were far more important for the worker than the controls and regulations of the organization. Again stressing the meaning for the worker to belong to a group and not be isolated. Communication from t he superior to the employee would eliminate such misunderstandings. The Hawthorne studies did contribute an immense amount to management and served them enormously as we have seen from the various experiments discussed. It was a revolutionary research project at that point of time and discovered a whole new era in the human relations movement. Nevertheless, the Hawthorne reports did affect psychology and sociology. It affected especially the industrial psychology, meaning the observation of specific human behavior. Especially, the Hawthorne effect was in the interest of the psychologists and it became one of the best-known psychological results. The effect has been generalized to every kind of psychological study. However, recently the Hawthorne effect has been reanalyzed and considering it to be a myth. There is no solid evidence that the workers in the relay room felt better in response to personal attention by supervisors and the participation in a new programme. Criticisms always exist with each single new discovery; someone will always have something to declare. It is up to the manager to know how to handle its business. However, it may be true that Mayos conclusions of human relations movement cannot always be applied. Some organizations need more direction and a specific structure for their employees. Finding a midpoint with both the Taylorism and Mayonism would be an effective way of leadership. Further criticisms pronounce that the Hawthorne studies cannot be seen as an accurate research paper. They insist that there was a lack of adequate control in the study. There were rumours that Elton Mayo did not appear, accurately controlled the variables of the experiment, nor noted them down correctly. Supposedly, changes in the number of participants, misinterpretations, and inaccurate history of work circumstances during the study, provided false results. Adair said: In the first 15 experimental psychology textbooks I examined with reference to Hawthorne, not one had described the studies accurately Yet, these factors are minor when considering the real contributions the Hawthorne studies have brought to management and psychology. These are determents that exist but not make the study any less valuable to knowledge. Another ideological critique argues that the studies showed a pro-management bias in favour of manipulating the workforce. However, the key view of management at th at time was Taylorism, which entirely ignored the human element. No matter how many critiques and debates there are about the faults of the Hawthorne studies, the contributions well over take all assumptions. The discovery that physical work conditions were not the prime importance of the worker but also social factors was a break through. The main conclusions that can be drawn from Elton Mayos experiments are it is essential that work is a group activity, the necessity of recognition, need for security, and job satisfaction. Organizations are social systems, not just technical economic systems. It was proven that management requires social skills and not just technical skills. Only giving the employee specific instructions and demands will give the worker the wrong impression. It is necessary to have some contact in order to achieve knowledge of what is going on between the workers. This knowledge can effectively improve the bosss management skill and through this contact earn the necessary respect. Since, the Hawthorne studies are not methodologically precise, it does not reduce the importance of their findings. They were revolutionary, no one before had noticed that human relations were that important to organizational output. Humans were seen as machines until the studies came along. Then the well being of employee s became of significant and changed the way managerial style. In conclusion, it has become evident that there are various approaches to organizational efficiency. The first significant method was scientific management, where the main focus was on the physical aspect of work, also on the individual worker and not group work. Taylor furthermore ignored the importance of other rewards than money, such as achievement and job satisfaction. As the Hawthorne studies were conducted and moved away from Taylorism, which indicated a paradigm shift, redefining the field of management research. It had broken the traditional theory of Taylor and no study had ever had such an impact on management as the Hawthorne investigations. Elton Mayo was known as the main supporter of the human relations movement in management. He stated that in order to motivate people, meaning increase in output and efficiency, the individual worker has to believe that their corporation cares about them, is concerned, and willing to listen. The emotional and social sides were major at tributes of organizational behavior. These studies did have an enormous amount of influence on management but also on sociology and psychology. In spite of all criticisms, the Hawthorne studies still contributed a significant amount and redefined management. It also brought one of the most important results to psychology. Lloyd, Baird S., Post James E., Mahon, John F. Management, Functions and Responsibilities New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 1990. P. 22 Huczynski Andrzej Buchanan David Organizational Behaviour, Fourth edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall Europe, 2001p. 281 Henderson, George Human Relations Issues in Management Westport: Quorum Books, 1996.p. 24 ibid p. 33 Huczynski Andrzej Buchanan David Organizational Behaviour, Fourth edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall Europe, 2001. p. 280 Warner, Malcolm, ed. International Encyclopedia of Business and Management Volume 2, England: Routledge, 1996. p. 1737. Kakabadse Andrew, Ludlow Ron Vinnicombe Susan Working in Organizations, London: Penguin Books, 1978.P. 191 ibid p. 191 ibid p. 192 Huczynski Andrzej Buchanan David Organizational Behaviour, Fourth edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall Europe, 2001 p. 282-283 ibid p. 283 Warner, Malcolm, ed. International Encyclopedia of Business and Management Volume 2, England: Routledge, 1996. p. 1793 ibid p. 1793 Huczynski Andrzej Buchanan David Organizational Behaviour, Fourth edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall Europe, 2001. p. 289 Warner, Malcolm, ed. International Encyclopedia of Business and Management Volume 2, England: Routledge, 1996. p. 1793 Leahley, Thomas Hardy, A History of Modern Psychology, Second edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. 1994. p. 364 ibid p. 367 Warner, Malcolm, ed. International Encyclopedia of Business and Management Volume 2, England: Routledge, 1996. p. 1740 ibid p. 1741 ibid p. 1740

Educate People On Pusher Syndrome

Educate People On Pusher Syndrome The brain is a very complex organ. Everything we do or think takes place in a very confined, small space. Any injury that occurs in the brain can affect the whole body. Pusher syndrome is a disorder following right or left brain damage. Pusher syndrome occurs when the patient pushes away from the nonhemiparetic side.2 Pusher syndrome is observed in about 10 percent of acute stroke patients that has hemiparesis.10 Typically, pusher syndrome occurs in strokes, but may also occur in trauma, tumors, or other kinds of brain damage.11 Pusher syndrome usually occurs when the posterolateral portion of the thalamus, that is located deep within the cerebral hemispheres beneath the cortex and is the relay center for sensory and motor mechanisms and the suprathalamic white matter is involved.1,12,13 The damage is caused by higher pressure, swelling, and other secondary pathologies.10 Pusher syndrome is usually caused by a hemorrhagic stroke rather than a cerebral infarction.10 A posterior thalam ic hemorrhage causes bigger lesions than thalamic infarctions, which frequently leads to pusher syndrome.7 Stroke Since pusher syndrome is usually the result of a stroke, it is important to know some basic facts about strokes. One of the most common causes of death in the United States is due to a stroke.14 The long term cause of disability is also due to a stroke.15 Strokes can cause an increased dependence for many survivors.16 A stroke is one of the most expensive and life changing syndromes keeping people from fully participating in their lives.17 Stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to the brain and it causes sudden severe neurologic loss of function. Hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes are major risk factors for having a stroke.5 The age of people having strokes are starting to decrease.17 There are two different classifications of stroke, which are hemorrhage and ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes are caused by thrombosis, embolism, or systemic hypoperfusion, while hemorrhage strokes are caused by intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. A thrombotic stroke is caused when a disease causes a thrombus and reduces blood flow distally. An embolic stroke is caused when debris breaks off and travels elsewhere to block arterial access to a particular region of the brain. Intracerebral hemorrhage stroke is usually from small arteries bleeding directly into the brain. This bleeding causes a localized hematoma that spreads along white matter pathways. The accumulation of blood can occur within minutes or hours. The hematoma grows until the pressure increases to its limit or until the hemorrhage decompresses by emptying into the ventricular system or into the cerebrospinal fluid on the surface of the brain. Subarachnoid hemorrhage stroke is usually caused by a rupture of arteri al aneurysms that are located at the base of the brain. Subarachnoid hemorrhage strokes can be also caused by bleeding from vascular formations that lie near the pial surface of the brain. Ischemic cerebral infarctions are responsible for 80 percent of strokes and brain hemorrhage is responsible for 20 percent of strokes.18 Strokes can cause many neurological deficits. Those deficits include deficits in motor control, abnormal synergistic patterns of movement, muscle weakness, sensory deficits, and a loss of range of motion.14 People having symptoms of a stroke should have a MRI or CT scan within 24 hours of onset.19 Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face on one side of body, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing, sudden difficulty with walking, dizziness, loss of balance, and sudden headaches.5 Characteristics of Pusher Syndrome Pusher syndrome is characterized by pushing toward the hemiparetic side. A patient with pusher syndrome strongly resists the vertical upright position. They align their longitudinal axis of their bodies with what they perceive as vertical, which is toward their hemiparetic side.3 A patient with pusher syndrome usually tilts their body 20 degrees to their hemiparetic side.4 Pushing varies in severity and increases with postural challenges. In sitting, the patient leans toward the weaker side. In standing, the patient has a high risk for falls because they are unbalanced and the hemiparetic lower extremity cannot support the weight of their body. The patient shows no fear of pushing to the weak side.5 These patients actually show fear of falling toward their nonparetic side and that is why they push toward the hemiplegic side.20 Normally, a patient with a stroke increases their weight bearing on their stronger side, so this syndrome is opposite of the expected tendencyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s.5 Pusher syndrome is more prominent when patients are upright rather than lying down.21 Patients with pusher syndrome has paresis of the contralesional extremities more frequently and more severe than patients without pusher syndrome13 These patients also have an unstable gait because they continuously fall to their paretic side. The inability to bear weight on the paretic lower extremity also causes gait disturbances. Part of the underlining mechanism of pusher syndrome is the mismatch between the visual vertical and tilted orientation of the body.14 Diagnosing Pusher Syndrome To diagnose pusher syndrome, the Standardized Scale of Contraversive Pushing (SCP) is used on the same day of the MRI acquisition. The SCP analyzes three different areas. The first area to be assessed is symmetry of spontaneous body posture. The next is the use of the nonparetic arm or leg to increase pushing force by abduction and extension of extremities. Last is the resistance to passive correction of posture. These tests are determined when the patient is sitting with feet on the ground and standing. For a patient to be diagnosed with pusher syndrome, all three analyzed areas have to be present and with a score of at least one with respect to their spontaneous postures and at least a score of one with respect to the use of the nonparetic arm and leg to increase pushing force by abduction and extension. Also the patient has to show a resistance to the correction of the posture.6 The SCP is a simple and fast test but it is not suitable when symptoms are slight and only show up in d ynamic activities like walking. Another way to diagnose pusher syndrome is a four-point scale that assesses the presence of pusher syndrome by examining different postures. If a patient does not have pusher syndrome they will receive a score of zero. If pusher syndrome is only present in standing, the patient receives a score of one. If pusher syndrome is also present in sitting the patient receives a score of two. If pusher syndrome is also present while lying down the patient receives a score of three.7 Treatment of Pusher Syndrome Physical therapy is a very important part of recovery for a patient with pusher syndrome. Patients with hemiplegia and pusher syndrome will be admitted to inpatient rehabilitation more frequently than patients with less severe symptoms.7 Pusher syndrome causes impairments on postural balance.8 One of the first goals of physical therapy should be to demonstrate and align posture.2 Visual cues may be helpful for patients to try to align their body axis to the earth vertical.14 The therapist can sit next to their less involved side or have the patient sit against a wall with their less involved side and tell the patient to lean toward the therapist or against the wall. To help with sitting posture, physical therapy can include sitting on a therapy ball to promote symmetry and sitting. While the patient is on the ball, the weaker lower extremity should cross over the stronger lower extremity. To help get the weak lower extremity out of flexion, which is often the position of the weaker l ower extremity; the patient can wear an air splint or a leg splint. The therapists can actually tap directly over the quadriceps muscle to promote extension. A modified plantigrade position is a great position to begin early standing. In this position, the therapists can focus on using the weaker lower extremity to work on unilateral support. The weaker upper extremity may also be in a position of flexion, so an air splint can be used to promote extension of that upper extremity. A patient can stand in a corner or doorway to promote symmetrical standing. The therapist should block the stronger extremities from moving into abduction and extension and pushing. The therapist should provide constant feedback about body orientation and have the patient practice correcting orientation and weight shifting.5 When a patient begins gait training, the therapist can lower the height of the assistive device so the patient has to bear weight on the uninvolved side.22 If a patient requires transfe rring, they should be transferred to their weaker side. Transferring this way is much more convenient since the patient is already pushing in that direction. Also, since pusher syndrome is the result of a stroke, the treatment of a patient with a stroke should also be discussed. The level of the patient with a stroke must be part of consideration when a patient begins therapy. There are many tests to measure the independence in activities of daily living. These tests include the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the Barthel Index (BI).23 A therapist will examine the patient and make a decision on the level that the patient is on in order to see which direction to begin therapy. Another scale that needs to be evaluated for a patient with a stroke is the Brunnstrom stages of recovery. This scale rates the patient in the progression of the typical characteristics of stroke behaviors. This scale goes through seven stages of recovery. The stages begin with stage one as the patient is flaccid, stage two as the patient begins to develop spasticity, stage three as spasticity i s at its greatest, stage four and five as the spasticity decreases, stage six as spasticity is completely gone and stage seven as the patient is back to normal function. The therapist should also be aware of synergy patterns and help the patient to work out of these patterns.22 The stages of motor control and the stages of developmental posture are very important aspects of therapy for stroke patients. A therapist should be aware of these sequences and follow them in the treatment of a stroke patient.5 After a patient suffers a stroke, balance ability can be improved by physical therapy interventions. After a stroke, early impaired balance is strongly associated with future function and recovery.15 The Bobath concept of Neuromuscular Developmental Treatment (NDT) is one of the many tools that therapist can use to deal with individual deficits and opportunities for stroke survivors. NDT is especially useful for those patients with a good prognosis for recovery. Bobath explained that a patient suffering from hemiplegia should be active while the therapist assists them in moving by using key points of control and reflex inhibiting reflexes.9 The key points of control are head, shoulders, hips, or distal extremities. The shoulder and pelvic girdle is the most important points to influence postural alignment. A therapist would apply manual contact to the shoulder and pelvis to influence muscle tone distribution and distal movements. The distal key points are the elbows, hands, knees, an d feet. The distal key points affect the movement of the trunk. Once a patientsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ tone is manageable, the therapist superimposes normal movements and posture. When a therapist superimposes normal movement and posture, it is done within the context of a functional activity. NDT is a great way to inhibit abnormal postural reflex activity and movements and facilitate normal patterns. Normal motor patterns include head and trunk control, upper extremity support, and balance reaction. NDT is also a good approach to align posture.22 Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is reported as being the most effective protocol for achieving the greatest increase in range of motion.24 PNF is also used to increase strength, flexibility, and range of motion. By increasing these things and integrating these gains, the patient can establish head and trunk control, iniate and maintain movements, control shifts in the center of gravity, and control their pelvis and trunk while the extremities move. PNF is unique diagonal patterns of movement. Most movements do not occur only in the cardinal plane but also occur as triplanar. PNF patterns simulate the demands incurred during functional movements.22 Another good approach to physical therapy is to strengthen the weak muscles. Tone is another issue that must be addressed in physical therapy in a patient with a stroke and pusher syndrome. Patients can either have low tone (flaccid) or high tone (spastic). Low tone can be corrected by using facilitory techniques, and high tone can be corrected by using inhibitory techniques.5 Some facilitory techniques include quick stretching, tapping, vibration, approximation, and weight bearing. Some inhibitory techniques include slow, rhythmic rotation, weight bearing, prolonged icing, and static stretch.22 Occupational and Speech Therapy Occupational therapy is also required to expand rehabilitation to address participation in work, family, and community life.17 Upper extremity weakness also needs to be strengthened by the occupational therapist to perform activities of daily living.25 Although speech therapy may not be needed to treat pusher syndrome patients specifically, the injuries that result in this condition will require speech therapy, such as stroke or brain injury. Speech therapy may be needed to address aphasia, global or expressive. Prognosis of Pusher Syndrome Even though progress of a patient with pusher syndrome is based on a patient by patient case, they usually have good results. With effective training, the potential for minimizing the impact of pusher syndrome is good. Motor learning strategies are also very effective in reducing the effects of pusher syndrome and enhancing recovery.5 The functional recovery process may be very slow and require a longer stay in the hospital but usually a patient with pusher syndrome makes a full recovery. Recovery is usually completed by six months after the stroke.7 Conclusion Pusher syndrome can be a very devastating symptom after a hemorrhagic stroke. Ten percent of acute stroke patients suffer from pusher syndrome. A patient with pusher syndrome can have greater challenges with function and mobility. They have difficulties with standing and sitting as they push to their hemiparetic side and resist correction of posture. The Standardized Scale of Contraversive pushing (SCP) and a four-point scale are two ways to diagnose a patient with pusher syndrome. The treatment of pusher syndrome is dependent on physical therapy. Initially, correcting posture is the main focus of therapy. Then balance, strengthening weak muscles, and correcting abnormal movements are the focus of therapy. Neuromuscular Developmental Treatment (NDT) and proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) are great tools that help with physical therapy. Patients with pusher syndrome may have a slower recovery and a longer hospital stay, but usually make a full recovery within six months.

Bristol-Myers Squibb :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb is a worldwide health and personal care company with major businesses in medicines, beauty care, nutritionals, and medical devices. BMS is a leader in innovative therapies for cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases, central nervous system and dermatalogical disorders, and cncer. They are also leaders in consumer medicine, orthopaedic devices, ostomy care, wound management, nutritional supplements, infant formulas, and hair and skin care products.Some of the very well known products manufactured by Bristol-Myers Sqibb are Bufferin, Excederin, Enfamil, Clairol, and Sea Breeze. Another large part of BMS is their research and development of new pharmecutical products. Their annual budget for research and development is in excess of one billion dollars. Bristol-Myers Squibb is the product of a merger between Bristol-Myers and Squibb Company in 1989. Bristol-Myers was originally Clinton Pharmecuticals, a failing drug manufacturing firm. In 1887 William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers invested five thousand dollars in the company and on December 13, 1887 became president and vice president respectively. In 1898 the name was changed from Clinton Pharmecutical Company to Bristol,Myers Company. In 1899, after Myers's death, the comma was replaced by a hyphen. In 1856 Edward Robinson Squibb founded a pharmecutical company in Brooklyn, New York. In 1895 the company became E.R. Squibb & Sons when Squibb passed most of the responsibility to his sons. The company was then sold to Lowell M. Palmer and Theodore Weiker in 1905. Then in 1989 came the merger of Bristol-Myers and Sqibb creating, what was then, the second largest pharmecutical enterprise in the world. Bristol-Myers Squibb currently employs over 57,000 people in more than 60 countries around the world. A highly diversified corporation, BMS has career opportunities in a variety of business and technical fields. For a descriptive list of current openings, as well as contact names and addresses, consult Bristol-Myers Squibb's employment page at www.bms.com/joinus. Recruiting also takes place on over 50 college campuses in the U.S. and at various job fairs and conferences. The CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb is Charles A. Heimbold. Heimbold earned his B.A. at Villanova University(1954), his I.L.B at The University of Pennsylvania(1960), and his L.L.M at New York University(1965).

Computers Predicting the outcomes of cutting DNA :: Biology

The focus of this study is the interaction between DNA and I-Msol, an endonuclease. An endonuclease is a protein that cuts DNA at a certain sequence with a certain length; I-Msol cuts DNA at approximately 20-24 base pairs and is highly specific in what sequence it is designed to cut. The interaction between DNA and an endonuclease like I-Msol is difficult to determine just by looking at the amino acid sequence of the protein. The difficulty arises because of the many molecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions are affected by how the protein specifically interacts with the DNA, 3-dimensionally. The best method of understanding these complexities is to create model that considers all these dynamics of the DNA/protein interaction. Thus, a I-Msol/DNA model was created in silico to study the areas of contact between the two macromolecules as well as what happened when changes were made to the base pairs of the DNA. In summary: * It is impossible to predict DNA and protein interaction by looking at the amino acid sequence * hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions alter amino acid sequence * I-Msol is a endonuclease, which cuts DNA around 20-24 base pairs with high specificity * Preliminary testing resulted in determining many of areas of contact between I-Msol and the DNA molecule * The researches made base pair substitutions that affected the interaction of the protein with the DNA Results After the protein-DNA contacts were redesigned, then, in this complex, the amino acids that were likely to cause disruption were changed. These amino acids were categorized on affinity for the designed protein for the new site and the decrease in affinity for the original wild type I-Msol enzyme As from the table, the largest predicted change came from the -6C*G, + 6 C*G, because this automatically prevents direct hydrogen bonding. Different amino acids had different disruption predictions. Using a formula, the binding energies were calculated by using the value of the wild type and then subtracting the facilitate comparison. A difference map represented certain values such as electron density for the new amino acids. A gel electrophoretic shift was done to observe the binding specificity. As the experiment indicates the experimental changes in binding affinities differed from the predicted ones. The results indicate that the future looks very bright for medicine and biochemistry as the redesign of the of DNA complexes is predicted to allow us to make mass breakthroughs in the future.

Why is it Justifiable to Describe TCD’s Exam Hall

Architecture Essay Why is it Justifiable to describe Tad's Exam Hall as ‘classical? Michele Fox-Bell Submission Date: 7th December, 2012 â€Å"Classicism' a revival of or return to the principles of Greek or Roman art and architecture. Although most phases of medieval and later European art have to some extent been influenced by antiquity, the term ‘classicism' is generally reserved for the styles more consciously indebted to Greece and Rome. â€Å"l In this essay I will discuss why the Examination Hall in Trinity College Dublin can be considered a classical building.In the first century BC, the Roman architect Marcus Vitreous wrote his ten books of architecture. In these books, De Architecture, he detailed the Greek and Tuscan orders as a reference point for future architects. In 1563, Giaconda dad Avignon wrote his treatise, The Five Orders of Architecture, which was considered to be a guide for architects and builders throughout Europe. During the Renaissance, Andrea Palladian (1508-1580), wrote the The Four Books of Architecture, these books encompassed the classical architecture of Greece and Rome. It is from these roots that the Neo-Classical architects developed their approach to design, considering its form and function for both private and civic buildings throughout the 17th century. The Examination Hall in Trinity College, Dublin, stands in Parliament Square. Designed by the architect Sir William Chambers, but realized by Christopher Myers, and completed in 1785. Entering the college through the classical portico of the West Front of Trinity College, one emerges into a beautiful, elegant and enormous space consisting of two squares, Parliament Square, a cobblestones quadrangle, and Library square, which is set with lawns and trees.With the Campanile at the axis teen the two, to the left of this is the Chapel (1787-98), Dining Hall (1760-5), and the Graduates memorial building (1892), at the back of the square stands the Rubrics (1690), t he square is completed by the Library (1712-33) on the right, and the Examination Hall (1777-86). 1. Flemings Honor,H and Vesper, N. (1999) Architecture and Landscape Architecture The stylistic composition of the Exam Hall is Neo classical after the Roman style. In contrast to the West Front, with its festoons and garlands, it could be considered austere.Facing across the main quadrangle towards the Chapel, these two buildings error each other. Both are large single vaulted chambers with an apse, and a temple front portico in the tetra style, the columns being of the Corinthian order, supporting a pediment with unadorned tympanum, this mirroring was a device used in classical architecture to try to achieve balance, majesty, space and calm. The roof of the portico is of groin vaults springing from the imposts of Corinthian pilasters on the inside and the front columns.There are three principle registers, the ground floor, the piano mobile and the upper or attic level. There are five bays on the front elevation. The fenestration is typical, neoclassical, symmetrical distribution; the windows on the ground floor are round headed in keeping with the three arches in the portico, and the three arched windows above the entrance. On the piano mobile the windows are large, rectangular, with a pediment above, and console brackets and festoons below, the sills united with continuous including.The attic windows are smaller, and square with a lintel above them. The walls of the building are made from ashlars granite, with channeled rustication on the ground floor, giving the building a fortified and secure effect. The portico and three central bays are made from Portland stone, a sign of the illustrious economic climate during the last half of the 18th century (Portland stone was expensive and had to be imported from Dorset at some considerable cost). The longitude elevation of the exam hall consists of seven bays; the central window on the piano Mobile has a pediment.Agai n the fenestration is symmetrical, with square windows on the attic floor, above each window is a lintel, on the ground floor the ashlars granite is channel rusticated, and the rectangular windows again have lintels above them. An undecorated transfigures spans the building between the ground floor and the piano mobile. Central to the ground floor is a door with block rustication surrounding the entrance. A balustrade runs along the parapet on the roof. Behind the balustrade on the roof, semi-circular windows run the length of the building including the three semi-circular windows on the south facing elevation, which is where the apse is.The apse has three bays, the attic level contains the aforementioned semi-circular windows, the piano mobile contains three large rectangular, round headed windows which are framed with a keystone surrounded y five vigorous either side of it. Inside is an ‘aphasia hall with a three-bay arcaded vestibule and gallery above'2, the hall is lit nat urally by the semi-circular windows on the clerestory, the round headed windows in the gallery and by the large round headed windows in the hemispherical semi-dome apse. The interior is stunning with decorative Damascus style stockroom, by Michael Stapleton.The epicenter elegance of the incommoding which adorn the frieze and wrap around the interior, carrying garlands and scrolls, are delicately rendered and utterly beautiful. This ornament covers the panels of the elliptical groin-vaulted ceiling, along with roundels and husk-garland ovals. The hall also contains the Baldwin Monument of 1781 by Christopher Whetstones, a gilded Organ case by Lancelot Pease, 1684, and a gilt wooden chandelier. 3 The examination Hall follows the rule of three, or tripartite organization of classical architecture.The Temple front elevation combines the astrolabe/base, the portico/middle, and untreatable/roof. Within this combination, the column has a base, a shaft and a capital. The untreatable has an architrave, frieze and cornice. Considering the villas n northern Italy which were following the architecture of antiquity, the classical style, Villa Memo in Fanfold, Villa Escherichia, at Financially in Veneto, or the Villa Copra â€Å"La Rotunda† in Vaccine, which inspired thousands of buildings in Europe and further, all these examples have in common their inspiration, The Pantheon, in Rome.Andrea Palladian, who published his treatise â€Å"l Equator Libra Deliberateness's† in 1570, was the architect responsible for all these inspirational buildings. â€Å"In his early thirties, Paladin's talent was recognized by classical humanist scholar, Count Ignoring Transition, who introduced him to the study of architecture in Rome, focusing on the study of classics, and Vitreous principles of architecture strengthening his fluency in the classical architectural language, demonstrated by his sensible use of symmetry and classical orders in his work†4 2. Casey, C. (200 5) The Buildings of Ireland, Dublin (pig. 97) 3. Ibid. (pig. 397) Chaw,R and Alt,R (2012) Sir William Chambers, ( Treatise on Civic Architecture 1759), designed the 4. Examination Hall in 1785. Influenced by continental neoclassicism and the works of Vitreous, and Palladian, Chambers had already designed the Casino at Marino, built or the Earl of Charleston. The Examination Hall was built by Christopher Myers, (1777-1786). William Chambers influenced a small group of architects including James Agenda, who went on to finish the Four Courts, amongst many other civic buildings around Dublin, which was preceded by the Examination Hall. In conclusion, it is Justifiable to describe the Examination Hall in Trinity College as classical, since the architectural language used in the design and building of it comply with the classical principles set down in the works of Vitreous, Albert', Avignon and Palladian. The temple front elevation and fenestration treatment on the says are of the same s tyle as many of the Palladian villas built in the sass's, which in turn took the Pantheon and many other temples in Rome as their inspiration.The economic climate in Dublin in the 18th century mirrored the prolific wealth of Italy in the 16th century providing a fertile atmosphere for civic architecture. The reputation of the patron, architect and builder for supplying such civic magnificence was enhanced and profitable. The need for wealthy patrons and thriving governments to illustrate their success and status through the creation of majestic buildings lead directly to a reintroduction of the classical era.The Examination Hall was used as a public building, as a theatre and a forum for the many guilds in the city, its function was to facilitate these gatherings whilst communicating through the design and creation of majestic structures the affluent society that was Georgian Dublin. The Examination Hall has a restrained noble simplicity, free from ornamentation. It is defined and s olid, it occupies its space in a dignified grandiose manner, it appears level-headed, principled and steadfast. The roots of the Examination Hall belong firmly in the classicism which began with Vitreous and spanned Brucellosis, Albert', ND Donated.

Spirit Bound Chapter Fourteen

THE LAST TIME TATIANA HAD wanted to yell at me, she'd simply taken me to one of her private sitting rooms. It had made for a weird atmosphere, like we were at teatime–except people didn't usually scream at other people during teatime. I had no reason to believe this would be any different†¦ until I noticed my escort was leading me to the main business buildings of the Court, the places where all royal governing was conducted. Shit. This was more serious than I'd thought. And indeed, when I was finally ushered into the room where Tatiana waited†¦ well, I nearly came to a standstill and couldn't enter. Only a slight touch on my back from one of the guardians with me kept me moving forward. The place was packed. I didn't know for sure which room I was in. The Moroi actually kept a bona fide throne room for their king or queen, but I didn't think this was it. This room was still heavily decorated, conveying an old-world royal feel, with painstakingly carved floral molding and shining gold candleholders on the walls. There were actually lit candles in them too. Their light reflected off the metallic decorations in the room. Everything glittered, and I felt like I'd stumbled into a stage production. And really, I might as well have. Because after a moment's surveying, I realized where I was. The people in the room were split. Twelve of them sat at a long table on a dais at what was clearly meant to be the focal point of the room. Tatiana herself sat at the middle of the table, with six Moroi on one side and five Moroi on the other. The other side of the room was simply set with rows of chairs–still elaborate and padded with satin cushions–which were also filled with Moroi. The audience. The people sitting on either side of Tatiana were the tip-off. They were older Moroi, but ones who carried a regal air. Eleven Moroi for the eleven acting royal families. Lissa was not eighteen–though she was about to be, I realized with a start–and therefore had no spot yet. Someone was sitting in for Priscilla Voda. I was looking at the Council, the princes and princesses of the Moroi world. The oldest member of each family claimed the royal title and an advisory spot beside Tatiana. Sometimes the eldest waived the spot and gave it to someone the family felt was more capable, but the selectee was almost always at least forty-five. The Council elected the Moroi king or queen, a position held until death or retirement. In rare circumstances, with enough backing from the royal families, a monarch could be forcibly removed from office. Each prince or princess on the Council was in turn advised by a family council, and glancing back at the audience, I recognized clusters of family members sitting together: Ivashkovs, Lazars, Badicas†¦ The very back rows appeared to be observers. Tasha and Adrian sat together, and I knew for a fact they weren't members of the Royal Council or family councils. Still, seeing them set me at ease a little. I remained near the entrance to the room, shifting uneasily from foot to foot, wondering what was in store. I hadn't just earned public humiliation; I'd apparently earned it in front of the most important Moroi in the world. Wonderful. A gangly Moroi with patchy white hair stepped forward, around the side of the long table, and cleared his throat. Immediately, the hum of conversation died. Silence filled the room. â€Å"This session of the Moroi Royal Council is now in order,† he declared. â€Å"Her Royal Majesty, Tatiana Marina Ivashkov, is presiding.† He gave a slight bow in her direction and then discretely backed off to the side of the room, standing near some guardians who lined the walls like decorations themselves. Tatiana always dressed up at the parties I saw her at, but for a formal event like this, she was really channeling the queen look. Her dress was long-sleeved navy silk, and a glittering crown of blue and white stones sat atop her elaborately braided hair. In a beauty pageant, I would have written such gems off as rhinestones. On her, I didn't question for a moment that they were real sapphires and diamonds. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. She was also using her royal voice, resonant and impressive, filling the room. â€Å"We will be continuing our conversation from yesterday.† Wait†¦ what? They'd been discussing me yesterday too? I noticed then that I'd wrapped my arms around myself in a sort of protective stance and immediately dropped them. I didn't want to look weak, no matter what they had in store for me. â€Å"Today we will be hearing testimony from a newly made guardian.† Tatiana's sharp gaze fell on me. The whole room's did. â€Å"Rosemarie Hathaway, will you please come forward?† I did, keeping my head high and posture confident. I didn't exactly know where to stand, so I picked the middle of the room, directly facing Tatiana. If I was going to be paraded in public, I wished someone would have tipped me off to wear guardian black and white. Whatever. I'd show no fear, even in jeans and a T-shirt. I gave a small, proper bow and then met her eyes directly, bracing for what was to come. â€Å"Will you please state your name?† she asked. She'd already done it for me, but I still said, â€Å"Rosemarie Hathaway.† â€Å"How old are you?† â€Å"Eighteen?† â€Å"And how long have you been eighteen?† â€Å"A few months.† She waited a couple moments to let it sink in, as though this were important information. â€Å"Miss Hathaway, we understand that around that time, you withdrew from St. Vladimir's Academy. Is this correct?† That's what this was about? Not the Vegas trip with Lissa? â€Å"Yes.† I offered no more info. Oh God. I hoped she didn't get into Dimitri. She shouldn't have known about my relationship with him, but there was no telling what information could spread around here. â€Å"You went to Russia to hunt Strigoi.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"As a type of personal revenge following the attack at St. Vladimir ‘s?† â€Å"Er†¦ yes.† No one said anything, but my response definitely caused a stir in the room. People shifted uneasily and glanced at their neighbors. Strigoi always inspired fear, and someone actively seeking them out was still an unusual concept among us. Oddly, Tatiana seemed very pleased by this confirmation. Was it going to be used as more ammunition against me? â€Å"We would assume then,† she continued, â€Å"that you are one of those who believe in direct strikes against the Strigoi?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Many had different reactions to the terrible attack at St. Vladimir's,† she said. â€Å"You aren't the only dhampir who wanted to strike back against the Strigoi–though you were certainly the youngest.† I hadn't known about others going on vigilante sprees–well, aside from some reckless dhampirs in Russia. If that was the story about my trip she was willing to believe, that was fine with me. â€Å"We have reports from both guardians and Alchemists in Russia that you were successful.† This was the first time I'd heard the Alchemists mentioned in public, but of course they'd be a common topic among the Council. â€Å"Can you tell me how many you killed?† â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stared in surprise. â€Å"I'm not sure, Your Majesty. At least†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I racked my brain. â€Å"Seven.† It might have been more. She thought so too. â€Å"That might be a modest estimate compared to what our sources say,† she noted grandly. â€Å"Nonetheless, still an impressive number. Did you perform the kills by yourself?† â€Å"Sometimes I did. Sometimes I had help. There were†¦ some other dhampirs I worked with once in a while.† Technically, I'd had Strigoi help as well, but I wasn't going to mention that. â€Å"They were close to your age?† â€Å"Yes.† Tatiana said no more, and as though receiving a cue, a woman beside her spoke up. I believed she was the Conta princess. â€Å"When did you kill your first Strigoi?† I frowned. â€Å"Last December.† â€Å"And you were seventeen?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Did you perform that kill yourself?† â€Å"Well†¦ mostly. A couple friends helped with distraction.† I hoped they weren't going to push for more details. My first kill had occurred when Mason had died, and aside from the events surrounding Dimitri, that memory tormented me the most. But Princess Conta didn't want too many other details. She and the others–who soon joined in the questioning–mostly wanted to know about my kills. They were slightly interested in knowing when other dhampirs had helped me–but didn't want to go into when I'd had Moroi help. They also glossed over my disciplinary record, which I found baffling. The rest of my academic details were mentioned–my exceptional combat grades, how I'd been one of the best when Lissa and I had run away our sophomore year and how quickly I'd made up for lost time to become top in my class again (at least as far as fighting went). They talked also about how I'd protected Lissa whenever we were out in the world alone and finally concluded with my exceptional trial scores. â€Å"Thank you, Guardian Hathaway. You may leave.† Tatiana's dismissive voice left no room for doubt. She wanted me out of there. I was only too eager to comply, giving another bow, and then scurrying out. I cast a quick glance at Tasha and Adrian as I did, and the queen's voice rang out as I cleared the door, â€Å"That concludes our session today. We will convene again tomorrow.† I wasn't surprised when Adrian caught up with me a few minutes later. Hans hadn't ordered me to come back and work after the session, so I had decided to read that as freedom. â€Å"Okay,† I said, slipping my hand into Adrian's. â€Å"Enlighten me with your royal political wisdom. What was that all about?† â€Å"No clue. I'm the last person to ask about political stuff,† he said. â€Å"I don't even go to those things, but Tasha found me at the last minute and said to come with her. I guess she got a tip-off you'd be there–but she was just as confused.† Neither of us had said anything, but I realized I was leading him toward one of the buildings that housed commerce–restaurants, shops, etc. I was starving all of a sudden. â€Å"I got the impression this was part of something they'd already been talking about–she mentioned their last session.† â€Å"It was closed. Like tomorrow's. No one knows what they're discussing.† â€Å"Then why make this one public?† It didn't seem fair that the queen and Council could pick and choose what they shared with others. Everything should have been public. He frowned. â€Å"Probably because they're going to hold a vote soon, and that'll be public. If your testimony plays some role, then the Council may want to make sure other Moroi witnessed it–so that everyone understands the decision when it comes.† He paused. â€Å"But what do I know? I'm no politician.† â€Å"Makes it sound like it's already decided,† I grumbled. â€Å"Why have a vote at all? And why would I have anything to do with government?† He opened the door to a small cafe that sold light lunch food–burgers and sandwiches. Adrian had been raised with fancy restaurants and gourmet food. I think he preferred that, but he also knew I didn't like always being on display or being reminded that I was with a royal from an elite family. I appreciated that he'd known I'd just want something ordinary today. Nonetheless, our being together earned us a few curious glances and whispers from the diner's patrons. At the school, we'd been a source of speculation, but here at Court? We were a main-stage attraction. Images were important at Court, and most dhampir-Moroi relationships were carried out in secret. Us being so open–especially considering Adrian's connections–was scandalous and shocking, and people weren't always discreet with their reactions. I'd heard all sorts of things since returning to Court. One woman had called me shameless. Another had speculated aloud why Tatiana hadn't simply â€Å"dealt with me.† Fortunately, most of our audience was content to stare today, making them easy to ignore. There was a small line of thought on Adrian's forehead as we sat down at a table. â€Å"Maybe they're voting to make you Lissa's guardian after all.† I was so astonished that I couldn't say anything for several seconds when the waitress suddenly appeared. I finally stammered out my order and then stared at Adrian with wide eyes. â€Å"Seriously?† The session had been an examination of my skills, after all. It made sense. Except†¦ â€Å"No. The Council wouldn't go to the trouble of holding sessions for one guardian assignment.† My hopes fell. Adrian gave a shrug of acknowledgment. â€Å"True. But this isn't an ordinary guardian assignment. Lissa's the last of her line. Everyone–including my aunt–has a special interest in her. Giving her someone like you who's†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I gave him a dangerous look as he grasped for a word. â€Å"†¦ Controversial could upset some people.† â€Å"And that's why they actually wanted me there to describe what I've done. To convince people in person that I'm competent.† Even as I spoke the words, I still didn't dare believe them. It was too good to be true. â€Å"I just can't imagine it, seeing as I seem to be in so much trouble with the guardians.† â€Å"I don't know,† he said. â€Å"It's just a guess. Who knows? Maybe they do think the Las Vegas thing was just a harmless prank.† There was a bitter tone in his voice over that. â€Å"And I told you that Aunt Tatiana was coming around to you. Maybe she wants you as Lissa's guardian now but needs to make a public display to justify it.† That was a startling thought. â€Å"But if I do get to come with Lissa, what are you going to do? Get respectable and come to college too?† â€Å"I don't know,† he said, green eyes thoughtful as he sipped his drink. â€Å"Maybe I will.† That was also unexpected, and my conversation with his mother returned to my mind. What if I was Lissa's guardian in college and he was with us for the next four years? I was fairly certain Daniella had thought we'd be splitting up this summer. I'd thought so too†¦ and was surprised to feel how relieved I was that I might get to stay with him. Dimitri always left my heart full of pain and longing, but I still wanted Adrian in my life. I grinned at him and rested my hand on his. â€Å"I'm not sure what I'd do with you if you were respectable.† He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. â€Å"I've got some suggestions,† he told me. I didn't know if it was his words or the feel of his mouth on my skin that sent shivers through me. I was about to ask what those suggestions were when our interlude was interrupted†¦ by Hans. â€Å"Hathaway,† he said, one eyebrow arched as he stood over us. â€Å"You and I have some very different ideas about the definition of ‘punishment.'† He had a point. In my mind, punishment involved easy things like lashings and starvation. Not filing. Instead, I replied, â€Å"You didn't tell me to come back after I saw the queen.† He gave me an exasperated look. â€Å"I also didn't tell you to go off on a playdate. Come on. Back to the vaults.† â€Å"But I have a BLT coming!† â€Å"You'll get your lunch break in another couple hours like the rest of us.† I tried to repress my outrage. They hadn't been feeding me bread crusts and water during my work detail, but the food hadn't tasted much better. Just then, the waitress returned with our food. I grabbed the sandwich before she even set the plates down and wrapped it in a napkin. â€Å"Can I take it to go?† â€Å"If you can eat it before we get back.† His voice was skeptical, seeing as the vault was pretty close. Clearly, he was underestimating my ability to consume food. In spite of Hans's disapproving expression, I gave Adrian a kiss goodbye and a look that told him maybe we'd continue our conversation. He gave me a happy, knowing smile that I only saw for a second before Hans ordered me away. True to my expectations, I managed to get the sandwich down before we arrived back at the guardians' building, though I did feel a little nauseous for the next half hour or so. My lunchtime was almost dinnertime for Lissa, out in the human world. Returning to my miserable punishment, I cheered up a little at the joy running through her via our bond. She'd spent the whole day on her campus tour of Lehigh, and it was everything she'd hoped it could be. She loved it all. She loved the beautiful buildings, the grounds, the dorms†¦ and especially the classes. A glimpse at the course catalog opened up a world of subjects that even St. Vladimir's superior education hadn't offered us. She wanted to see and do everything that the school had to offer. And even though she wished I was there, she was still excited about the fact that it was her birthday. Priscilla had given her some elaborate jewelry and had promised a fancy dinner that night. It wasn't exactly the type of celebration Lissa had hoped for, but the thrill of her eighteenth birthday was still intoxicating–particularly as she looked around at the dream school she'd be attending soon. I confess, I felt a pang of jealousy. Despite Adrian's theory about why the queen had called me in today, I knew–as did Lissa–that the odds of me going to college with her were still probably nonexistent. Some petty part of me couldn't understand how Lissa could therefore be excited about it if I wasn't going to be along. Childish of me, I know. I didn't have long to sulk, though, because once all the touring was done, Lissa's entourage returned to the hotel. Priscilla told them they could clean up for an hour or so before heading to dinner. For Lissa, this meant more fighting-practice time. My brooding mood immediately turned irate. Things got worse when I realized that earlier in the day, Serena had told Grant about Lissa and Christian's desire to defend themselves. He apparently thought that it was a good idea too. It would figure. Lissa had two progressive guardians. Why couldn't she have gotten some stodgy, old-school person who would be horrified at the thought of a Moroi even thinking about fighting off a Strigoi? So, while I sat helpless and unable to smack sense into any of them, Lissa and Christian now had two instructors. Not only did this mean more learning opportunities, it also meant Serena had a competent partner to demonstrate certain moves with. She and Grant sparred, explaining maneuvers while Lissa and Christian watched wide-eyed. Fortunately (well, not for Lissa), she and I soon noticed something. The guardians didn't know the true reason Lissa was interested in fighting. They had no idea–how could they have?–that she wanted to go hunt and stake a Strigoi in the feeble hope of bringing him back to life. They thought she just wanted to learn basic defense, something that seemed very sensible to them. So that was what they taught. Grant and Serena also made Lissa and Christian practice on each other. I suspected there were a couple reasons for this. One was that Lissa and Christian didn't have the skill to do much damage to each other. The second reason was that it amused the guardians. It did not amuse Lissa and Christian. There was still so much tension between them, both sexual and angry, that they resented being in such close contact. Grant and Serena stopped the two Moroi from doing any more face punching, but simple dodges often meant brushing against each other, fingers sliding against skin in the heat of the action. Every once in a while, the guardians would have someone play Strigoi–putting Lissa or Christian on the offensive. The two Moroi welcomed this to a certain extent; after all, direct attacks were what they wanted to learn. But, when Christian (playing Strigoi) lunged at Lissa and pushed her into a wall, learning offense suddenly didn't seem like such a good idea to her. The maneuver pressed them right up to each other, his arms holding hers. She could smell him and feel him and was overwhelmed by the fantasy of him just holding her there and kissing her. â€Å"I think you two should go back to basic defense,† said Grant, interrupting her traitorous feelings. He sounded like he was more worried about them hurting each other than the possibility that they might start making out. It took Lissa and Christian a moment to even register his words, let alone part from each other. When they did, both avoided eye contact and returned to the couch. The guardians launched into more examples of how to avoid an attacker. Lissa and Christian had seen this so many times that they knew the lesson by heart, and their earlier attraction gave way to frustration. Lissa was too polite to say anything, but after fifteen minutes of Serena and Grant showing how to block with your arms and dodge someone reaching for you, Christian finally spoke. â€Å"How do you stake a Strigoi?† Serena froze at Christian's words. â€Å"Did you say stake?† Rather than being shocked, Grant chuckled. â€Å"I don't think that's anything you need to worry about. You want to focus on getting away from a Strigoi, not getting closer.† Lissa and Christian exchanged an uneasy look. â€Å"I helped kill Strigoi before,† Christian pointed out. â€Å"I used fire at the school's attack. Are you saying that's not okay? That I shouldn't have done it?† Now Serena and Grant traded glances. Ha, I thought. Those two weren't as progressive as I thought. They were coming from a defense point of view, not offense. â€Å"Of course you should have,† said Grant at last. â€Å"What you did was amazing. And in a similar situation? Sure. You wouldn't want to be helpless. But that's the point–you have your fire. If it came down to you fighting a Strigoi, your magic's going to be the way to go. You already know how to use it–and it'll keep you safely out of their range.† â€Å"What about me?† asked Lissa. â€Å"I don't have any kind of magic like that.† â€Å"You'll never get close enough to a Strigoi for it to be a problem,† said Serena fiercely. â€Å"We won't let you.† â€Å"Besides,† added Grant with amusement, â€Å"it's not like we just go around handing out stakes.† I would have given anything for them to go take a look in her suitcase right then. Lissa bit her lip and refused to make eye contact with Christian again, for fear of giving away their intentions. This was not going according to their crazy plan. Christian again took the lead. â€Å"Can you at least demo it?† he asked, trying–and succeeding–to look like someone just seeking the sensational and exciting. â€Å"Is it hard to do? It seems like all you have to do is aim and hit.† Grant snorted. â€Å"Hardly. There's a bit more to it than that.† Lissa leaned forward, clasping her hands together as she followed Christian's lead. â€Å"Well, then don't worry about teaching us. Just show us.† â€Å"Yeah. Let's see.† Christian shifted restlessly beside her. As he did, their arms brushed, and instantly they moved apart. â€Å"It's not a game,† Grant said. Nonetheless, he walked over to his coat and produced his stake. Serena stared incredulously. â€Å"What are you going to do?† she asked. â€Å"Stake me?† He gave that small chuckle of his and searched the room with his sharp eyes. â€Å"Of course not. Ah. There we are.† He walked over to a small armchair that had a decorative pillow. He lifted it up and tested its width. It was fat and thickly filled with some sort of dense stuffing. He returned to Lissa and gestured for her to stand. To everyone's astonishment, he handed her his stake. Locking his body into a rigid position, he gripped the pillow hard between his hands and extended it out a couple feet in front of him. â€Å"Go ahead,† he said. â€Å"Aim and hit it.† â€Å"Are you crazy?† asked Serena. â€Å"Don't worry,† he said. â€Å"Princess Voda can afford the incidentals. I'm proving a point. Strike the pillow.† Lissa hesitated only a few more moments. An excitement that seemed unusually intense filled her. I knew she'd been anxious to learn this, but her desire for it seemed higher than before. Gritting her teeth, she stepped forward and awkwardly tried to impale the pillow with her stake. She was cautious–fearing she'd hurt Grant–but there was no need for her to worry. She didn't even budge him, and all she managed with the stake was a slight snagging of the fabric on the surface. She tried a few more times but achieved little more. Christian, being who he was, said, â€Å"That's all you can do?† Glaring, she handed him the stake. â€Å"You do better.† Christian stood, snarky smile disappearing as he studied the pillow critically and sized up his blow. As he did, Lissa glanced around and saw the humor in the guardians' eyes. Even Serena had relaxed. They were making their point, proving staking wasn't an easy thing to learn. I was glad, and my opinion of them rose. Christian finally made his move. He did actually pierce the fabric, but the pillow and its stuffing proved too much to break through. And again, Grant wasn't shaken at all. After more failed attempts, Christian sat down again and handed the stake back. It was kind of fun to see Christian's cocky attitude shot down a little. Even Lissa enjoyed it, despite her own frustration over how difficult this was becoming. â€Å"The stuffing's got too much resistance,† Christian complained. Grant handed his stake to Serena. â€Å"What, and you think a Strigoi's body is going to be easier to get through? With muscles and ribs in the way?† Grant got back into his position, and without hesitation, Serena struck with the stake. Its point burst through the other side of the pillow, coming to a halt just in front of Grant's chest as tiny fluffy pieces of stuffing drifted to the ground. She jerked it out and handed it to him like it had been the simplest thing in the world. Both Christian and Lissa stared in amazement. â€Å"Let me try again,† he said. By the time Priscilla called them to dinner, there wasn't a pillow in that hotel room left untouched. Boy, she was going to be surprised when she got the bill. Lissa and Christian hacked away with the stake while the guardians looked on with a superior air, confident their message was being delivered. Staking Strigoi was not easy. Lissa was finally getting it. She realized that in some ways, piercing a pillow–or a Strigoi–wasn't even about understanding the principle. Sure, she'd heard me talk about lining your shot up to get to the heart and miss the ribs, but this was more than knowledge. A lot of it was strength–strength she physically didn't have yet. Serena, though seemingly petite, had spent years building up her muscle and could get that stake through practically anything. One hour-long lesson wouldn't give Lissa that kind of strength, and she whispered as much to Christian when the group went out to dinner. â€Å"You're quitting already?† he asked, voice equally low as they rode in the backseat of an SUV. Grant, Serena, and a third guardian were there too, but they were deep in discussion. â€Å"No!† Lissa hissed back. â€Å"But I've got to, like, train before I can do it.† â€Å"Like lift weights?† â€Å"I†¦ I don't know.† The others were still talking to each other, but Lissa's topic was too dangerous for her to risk them hearing. She leaned close to Christian, unnerved yet again at how his closeness and familiarity affected her. Swallowing, she tried to keep her face impassive and stick to the topic. â€Å"But I'm just not strong enough. It's physically impossible.† â€Å"Sounds like you're giving up.† â€Å"Hey! You didn't make it through any of the pillows either.† He flushed slightly. â€Å"I almost got through that green one.† â€Å"There was hardly anything in it!† â€Å"I just need more practice.† â€Å"You don't need to do anything,† she shot back, fighting to keep her voice quiet through her anger. â€Å"This isn't your fight. It's mine.† â€Å"Hey,† he snapped, eyes glittering like pale blue diamonds, â€Å"you're crazy if you think I'm going to just let you go and risk–â€Å" He cut himself off and actually bit his lip, as though will alone wasn't enough to stop him from talking. Lissa stared at him, and both of us began wondering how he would have finished. What wouldn't he risk? Her putting herself in danger? That was my guess. Even without talk, he spoke volumes with his expression. Through Lissa's eyes, I saw him drinking in her features and trying to hide his emotions. At last, he jerked away and broke that intimate space between them, getting as far from her as he could. â€Å"Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't care.† Neither of them spoke after that, and since it was lunchtime for me, I returned to my own reality and welcomed a filing break–only to be informed by Hans that I had to keep working. â€Å"Come on! Isn't it lunchtime? You have to feed me,† I exclaimed. â€Å"That's just beyond cruel. At least throw me some crumbs.† â€Å"I did feed you. Or, well, you fed yourself when you inhaled that sandwich. You wanted your lunch break then. You got it. Now you keep working.† I slammed my fists against the endless piles of paper before me. â€Å"Can't I at least do something else? Paint buildings? Haul rocks?† â€Å"I'm afraid not.† A smile twisted the corners of his lips. â€Å"There's a lot of filing we need done.† â€Å"How long? How long are you going to punish me?† Hans shrugged. â€Å"Until someone tells me to stop.† He left me alone again, and I leaned back in my chair, forcibly trying not to flip the table in front of me over. I thought it would make me feel momentarily better, but it also meant I'd have to redo the work I'd done. With a sigh, I returned to my task. Lissa was at dinner when I tuned back into her later. It might have technically been in honor of her birthday, but really, it was all royal conversation with Priscilla. That was no way to spend a birthday, I decided. I'd have to make this up to her whenever I earned freedom. We'd have a real party, and I'd be able to give her my birthday present: gorgeous leather boots that Adrian had helped me acquire back at school. Being in Christian's head might have been more interesting, but since that wasn't an option, I returned to my own and mulled over my earlier talk with Adrian. Was this punishment finally going to end? Was an official royal decree going to put me and Lissa together at last, despite the guardians' normal policy? Trying to figure it out was like being on a hamster wheel. A lot of work. No progress. But it got me through the dinner conversation, and before I knew it, Lissa's group was getting up and heading for the restaurant's door. It was dark out now, and Lissa couldn't help but feel the weirdness of being on a human schedule. Back at school or the Court, this would be the middle of the day. Instead, they were now heading back to their hotel and would be going to bed. Well, probably not right away. I had no doubt that if Lissa and Christian could get over their current huff, they'd be back to stabbing more pillows. As much as I wanted those two dating again, I couldn't help but think they were a lot safer apart. Or maybe not. The group had hung out at the restaurant far past the normal dinner hour, so the lot was mostly empty as they walked across it. The guardians hadn't exactly parked in the back, but they weren't near the main entrance either. They had, however, made a point of parking next to one of the street lamps illuminating the lot. Except it wasn't lit now. The light had been broken. Grant and Priscilla's guardian noticed it right away. It was the kind of little detail we were trained to notice: anything unusual, anything that might have changed. In a flash, the two of them had stakes out and were flanking the Moroi. It only took seconds for Serena and the guardian assigned to Christian to follow suit. That was something else we were trained to do. Be on guard. React. Follow your colleagues. They were fast. All of them were fast. But it didn't matter. Because suddenly, there were Strigoi everywhere. I'm not entirely sure where they came from. Maybe they'd been behind the cars or on the parking lot's edges. If I'd had a bird-eye's view of the situation or been there myself with my â€Å"nausea alarm,† I might have had a better sense of it all. But I was watching the scene through Lissa's eyes, and the guardians were going out of their way to block her from the Strigoi who seemed to have appeared out of thin air as far as she was concerned. Most of the actions were a blur to her. Her bodyguards were shoving her around, trying to keep her safe as white, red-eyed faces popped up everywhere. She saw it all through a fear-filled haze. But before long, both of us could see people dying. Serena, just as fast and strong as she'd been in the hotel room, staked a male Strigoi cleanly through the heart. Then, in return, a female Strigoi leapt at Priscilla's guardian and broke his neck. Lissa was distantly aware of Christian's arm around her, pressing her against the SUV and shielding her with his own body. The remaining guardians were also still forming a protective ring as best they could, but they were distracted. Their circle was faltering–and they were dropping. One by one, the Strigoi killed the guardians. It wasn't for lack of skill on the guardians' part. They were simply outnumbered. One Strigoi tore out Grant's throat with her teeth. Serena was backhanded hard against the asphalt, landing facedown and not moving. And, horror of horrors, the Strigoi didn't seem to be sparing Moroi either. Lissa–pushing so hard against the SUV that it seemed as though she might become one with it–stared wide-eyed as one Strigoi swiftly and efficiently ripped into Priscilla's neck, pausing to drink her blood. The Moroi woman didn't even have time to register surprise, but at least there had been no real suffering. The endorphins dimmed the pain as the blood and life were drained from her body. Lissa's emotions shifted into something beyond fear, something that hardly felt like anything at all. She was in shock. Numbed. And with a cold, hard certainty, she knew that her death was coming and accepted it. Her hand found Christian's, squeezing it tightly, and turning toward him, she took small comfort in knowing the last sight she would see in life was the beautiful, crystalline blue of his eyes. From the look on his face, his thoughts were along similar themes. There was warmth in his eyes, warmth and love and– Total and complete astonishment. His eyes widened, focusing on something just behind Lissa. At that same moment, a hand grabbed Lissa's shoulder and whipped her around. This is it, a small voice inside her whispered. This is where I die. Then, she understood Christian's astonishment. She was facing Dimitri. Like me, she had that surreal sense of it being Dimitri yet not being Dimitri. So many of his features were the same†¦ and yet so many were different. She tried to say something, anything, but while the words formed on her lips, she just couldn't manage to get them out. Intense heat suddenly flared behind her, and a brilliant light lit Dimitri's pale features. Neither Lissa nor I needed to see Christian to know he had produced a ball of fire with his magic. Either the shock of seeing Dimitri or fear for Lissa had spurred Christian into action. Dimitri squinted slightly at the light, but then a cruel smile twisted his lips, and the hand resting on her shoulder slid up to her neck. â€Å"Put it out,† said Dimitri. â€Å"Put it out or she dies.† Lissa finally found her voice, even with her air cut off. â€Å"Don't listen to him,† she gasped out. â€Å"He's going to kill us anyway.† But behind her, the heat died. Shadows fell across Dimitri's face once again. Christian wouldn't risk her, even though she was right. It hardly seemed to matter. â€Å"Actually,† said Dimitri, voice pleasant amid the grim scene, â€Å"I'd rather you two stay alive. At least for a little while longer.† I felt Lissa's face move to a frown. I wouldn't have been surprised if Christian's did too, judging from the confusion in his voice. He couldn't even manage a snarky comment. He could only ask the obvious: â€Å"Why?† Dimitri's eyes gleamed. â€Å"Because I need you to be bait for Rose.†