Bimetallism Definition and Historical Perspective

Bimetallism  is a monetary policy wherein the value of a currency is linked to the value of two metals, usually (but not necessarily) silver and gold. In this system, the value of the two metals would be linked to each other—in other words, the value of silver would be expressed in terms of gold, and  vice versa—and either metal could be used as legal tender.   Paper money  would then be directly convertible to an equivalent amount of either metal—for example, U.S. currency used to explicitly state that the bill was redeemable â€Å"in gold coin payable to the bearer on demand.† Dollars were literally receipts for a quantity of actual metal held by the government, a holdover from the time before paper money was common and standardized. History of Bimetallism From 1792, when the  U.S. Mint was established, until 1900, the United States was a bimetal country, with both silver and gold recognized as legal currency; in fact, you could bring silver or gold to a U.S. mint and have it converted into coins. The U.S. fixed the value of silver to gold as 15:1 (1 ounce of gold was worth 15 ounces of silver; this was later adjusted to 16:1). One problem with  bimetallism  occurs when the face value of a coin is lower than the actual value of the metal it contains. A one-dollar silver coin, for example, might be worth $1.50 on the silver market. These value disparities resulted in a severe silver shortage as people stopped spending silver coins and opted instead to sell them or have them melted down into bullion. In 1853, this shortage of silver prompted the U.S. government to debase its silver coinage—in other words, lowering the amount of silver in the coins. This resulted in more silver coins in circulation. While this stabilized the economy, it also moved the country towards  monometallism  (the use of a single metal in currency)  and the  Gold Standard. Silver was no longer seen as an attractive currency because the coins were not worth their face value. Then, during the  Civil War, hoarding of both gold and silver prompted the United States to temporarily switch to what’s known as â€Å"fiat money.† Fiat money, which is what we use today, is money that the government declares to be legal tender, but thats not backed or convertible to a physical resource like metal.  At this time, the government stopped redeeming paper money for gold or silver. The Debate After the war, the  Coinage Act of 1873  resurrected  the ability to exchange currency for gold—but it eliminated the ability to have silver bullion struck into coins, effectively making the U.S. a Gold Standard country. Supporters of the move (and the Gold Standard) saw stability; instead of having two metals whose value was theoretically linked, but which  in fact fluctuated because foreign countries often valued gold and silver differently than we did, we would have money based on a single metal that the U.S. had plenty of, allowing it to manipulate its market value and keep prices stable. This was controversial for some time, with many arguing that a â€Å"monometal† system limited the amount of money in circulation, making it difficult to obtain loans and deflating prices. This was widely seen by many as benefiting the banks and the rich while hurting farmers and common people, and the solution was seen to be a return to â€Å"free silver†Ã¢â‚¬â€the ability to convert silver into coins, and true bimetallism. A Depression and a  panic in 1893  crippled the U.S. economy and exacerbated the argument over bimetallism, which came to be seen by some as the solution to all of the United States’ economic troubles. The drama peaked  during the  1896 presidential election. At the National Democratic Convention, eventual nominee  William Jennings Bryan  made his famous  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Cross of Gold†Ã‚  speech  arguing for bimetallism. Its success gained him the nomination, but Bryan lost the election to  William McKinley—in part because scientific advances coupled with new sources promised to increase the supply of gold, thus alleviating fears of limited money supplies. The Gold Standard In 1900, President McKinley signed the  Gold Standard Act, which officially made the United States a monometal country, making gold the only metal you could convert paper money into. Silver had lost, and bimetallism was a dead issue in the U.S. The gold standard persisted until 1933, when the  Great Depression  caused people to hoard their gold, thus making the system unstable; President Franklin Delano Roosevelt  ordered all gold and gold certificates to be sold to the government at a fixed price, then Congress changed the laws that required settlement of private and public debts with gold, essentially ending the gold standard here. The currency remained pegged to gold until 1971, when the â€Å"Nixon Shock† made then U.S. currency fiat money once again—as it has remained since.

Analysis Of Pablo Picasso And The Three Dancers - 1201 Words

During heart-breaking times, the despair can sometimes be revealed in the form of dance. Artists often work this art form into their paintings, sculptures, music videos, and drawings, revealing how the power of dance can reflect upon those emotions. Likewise, in the painting Les Trois Danseuses, more commonly known as The Three Dancers, the artist, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) portrays three distorted dancers. The painting was created between Picasso’s Cubism and Classicism periods, in the year of 1925. Picasso exemplified the heart-breaking suicide of his friend, Carlos Casagemas, who had been involved in a triangular love affair illustrated within the painting (Tate para 1). Similarly, within the painting Dancers at the Barre, by the†¦show more content†¦The background appears to be an open balcony window, possibly allowing the dancers to reflect on their experiences. A sense of fresh air, a cleansing of themselves, may also be interpreted, further portraying the dance itself. Although the three dancers appear to be polar opposites, they are brought together through the art of dance, each holding hands and changing their rhythms. The use of scale and shape, variety, repetition, and color aid in exemplifying the underlying theme of tragedy within Picasso’s painting.The image emphasizes the variety of shapes, which causes the concept of chaos to be highlighted. This chaos reveals the different aspects that each of the dancers possesses. A rather prominent variety in shapes and colors provides interest by causing little focus on one specific frame. An array of colors provides for character within each dancer. The leftmost dancer shares colors with the other two, creating a sense of being a part of each. Bold reds, dull pinks, and bright blues cause this dancer to be portrayed as the most chaotic, along with the random patterns and variety of shapes that captivate the dancer’s body. Possibly resembling how hardships and successes can affect an individual. A combination of dark colors and white with jagged, geometric lines, the dancer on the far right appears to resemble the efforts of good and evil; however, in this case, the dark seems to beShow MoreRelatedGuernica a Paint by Pablo Ruiz Picasso1471 Words   |  6 PagesPicasso: Guernica â€Å" I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.† These are the words of the wise Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, a famous and talented artist in the 19th and 20th century. Many have crowned him the most influential artist of his time. Many of his works including Les Demoiselles dAvignon, Ma Jolie, and Girl Before a Mirror have set the tone for many artists to follow after. However, Guernica was one of his most famous of his pieces, painting a nearly perfect emotional picture of whatRead MoreALST3389 Words   |  14 Pageswas where she was most likely to see what interested her most: a collision between old and new. 2      Stein returned to Europe in her twenties, settled in Paris, and quickly became a sort of den mother to the most successful artists and writers and dancers of her age. They were, she recognized, moving right along the fault line that riveted her, the one that separated the classical European way of life, with its balls, carriages, and Victorian sensibilities, from what she spotted around her: the dances

Leadership An argument for advances in its development Free Essays

Civilization and its achievements, like the wheel, hinge on the hub of leadership. The ebb and tide of world empires point to the reins handled or pulled by individuals who exert power and influence. In this country, and even in the rest of the world, the assertions and importance of leadership is re-emphasized in many ways because of the rapidly evolving paradigms that assume a more pervasive role in the society. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership: An argument for advances in its development or any similar topic only for you Order Now   This is the era of organizational revolution. The time is marked with rapid shifts in the demography of our workforce, changing corporate culture, and changing organizations. Organizational forms have become more complex and new forms have been developed (Block, 1981). The management or leadership of people has never been as important and crucial than ever before. Today, it is considered a central figure and the key to productivity and quality especially in a very competitive society. In the light of the rapid shift in today’s organization, the skills required of human resource managers, beginners in the profession and even aspiring students in the discipline, rest on the foundation of knowledge on the whole gamut of human resources management, specifically management theories applied in the setting (Kline Saunders, 1993). The need for a more efficient, economical and equitable management of the people in the industry or organization has never been as pronounced as it is today. This need has never been brought about by factors which inevitably affect not only the established structures and ways of doing things within the personnel area but also by the more meaningful and substantial task of managing the organization’s most important asset – the human capital. Among these factors are: stiffer competition in business; rapid changes in technological, competitive and economic environments; the explosion of technical and managerial knowledge; spiraling wage and benefits cost and so many others. These factors have no doubt been responsible for the emergence of the personnel function as a vital area in the implementation of corporate strategy (Bruffee, 1993). The arguments set forth in this paper spins around the theme of leadership: there have been continued major advancements in the developments of basic leadership theories in the past 200 years.   One of the evidences simply is the theory put forth by Dr. Elliot Jacques, the great Canadian psychologist. Theories abound regarding perspectives of leadership. When Elliot Jacques developed the concept of requisite organization; it served as a unified whole system model for what he deemed effective managerial leadership. Some of the core beliefs in Jacques system, for instance, imply that people are supposed to be compensated on the basis of their individual aptitude or skills and foresight and how long it was before their judgment could be verified. Jacques also thought that where leadership gurus or external consultant like the ODs are concerned, these are only evaluated and equated with alchemy: as such these do not involve real concepts or precise or thorough definitions but rather are considered as rubbish and inauthentic to say the least. Jacques persuasion centers on much of what he calls as â€Å"maximum amount of personal responsibility† and encourages on every part of the organization, or team for that matter, to be stakeholders and thus have a say in the problems at hand. In organizational behavior which is basic to the management of human resource, it points to the inquiry and application of learning about how people, individuals, and groups perform, operate, and work in organizations. It accomplishes this by means of adopting a system approach (Demick Miller, 1993). Explicitly, it infers people-organization affairs in terms of the entire person, group totality, complete organization, and total social structure. Its intention is to put up enhance relations by attaining human goals, organizational purposes, and social goals (Kanter, 1999). In such a milieu, the goals to effect change are influenced by several significant factors which are crucial to the overall results. Hence, there are expected leadership behaviors that maintain momentum during the change process (Demick Miller, 1993). This strategic system model put forth by Jacques is a methodical approach to managing the human capital.   Those who study and make use of that data in exclusive contexts are rightly described as professionals; in them lies the heart and soul of the profession. Industrial-age institutions look for routine and habit accomplished through standardized measures. Complex responsibilities are split into simple steps that are assigned to organizational positions to guarantee that employees are both interchangeable and effortlessly replaced. Bureaucratic hierarchies are likely to esteem proven evaluation of specific aspects of complex managerial tasks. In view of this, the picture of leadership is in reality changing as the image of organizations changes. Analysis ascertains those who require training and what skills or performance improvements are designated. Aims and goals set the restriction for the instructional outline and help attain the appropriate learning outcomes (Kincheloe, 1991 ). Peter Northouse, author of Leadership: Theory and Practice observed the revival of an all-encompassing skills-based model of leadership distinguished by a map for how to reach efficient leadership in organizations (Northouse, 2004). He recommended that the classification of specific skills which can be improved by training has an intuitive appeal: â€Å"When leadership is framed as a set of skills, it becomes a process that people can study and practice to become better at their jobs† (Northouse, 2004). He also suggests that although the skills-based approach claims not to be a trait model, it includes individual attributes that look a great deal like traits. The act of leadership is also an exercise of moral reasoning. In their book Unmasking Administrative Evil, Guy Adams and Danny Balfour caution against elevating the scientific-analytical mindset higher than all other forms of rationality. Even as the rise of â€Å"technical rationality led inevitably to specialized, expert knowledge, the very life blood of the professional,† it also â€Å"spawned unintended consequences in the areas of morals and ethics as the science-based technical rationality undermined normative judgments and relegated ethical considerations to afterthoughts† (Adams Balfour, 2004). Distinguished scholar Ronald Heifetz on the other hand, developed a definition of leadership that takes values into account. He maintains that we should look at leadership as more than a means to organizational effectiveness. Efficiency means getting achievable decisions that execute the goals of the organization. â€Å"This definition has the benefit of being generally applicable, but it provides no real guide to determine the nature or formation of those goals.† (Heifetz, 1994).   Heifetz went on to say that values such as â€Å"liberty, equality, human welfare, justice, and community† are inculcated with first-rate leaders (Heifetz, 1994). It is a necessity then, the infusion of these principles into the leader and from the leader into the organization. Reference: 1. Adams, Guy B. Danny L. Balfour, 2004.   Unmasking Administrative Evil (Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, pp. 31-36. Beckhard, R. 1969. Organization Development: Strategies and Models, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA. John Wiley Sons, Inc. Permissions Department, 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ07030 USA. Block, Peter, Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, University   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Associates, San Diego, CA 1981. Bruffee, Kenneth A. Collaborative Learning: Higher Education, Interdependence, and   Ã‚   the Authority of Knowledge. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1993. Demick, J. and Miller, P., Development in the Workplace, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,   Ã‚  Ã‚   Publishers, New Jersey, 1993. Heifetz, Ronald A., 1994. Leadership Without Easy Answers (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ. Press, pp. 21-22. Northouse, Peter G. 2004. Leadership Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, pp. 35-52. How to cite Leadership: An argument for advances in its development, Essay examples

United States History Essay Research Paper Chief free essay sample

United States History Essay, Research Paper Chief Joseph: When he became head of the Nez Perce Indian folk in the American Northwest in 1871, Joseph led his people in an unsuccessful opposition to white colonists who were impounding land. The folk was ordered to travel. Joseph agreed, but when three of his folk killed a group of colonists, he attempted to get away to Canada with his followings. Safety Valve Thesis: This averment stated that as immigrants came to the eastern United States during the late 19th century and # 8220 ; polluted # 8221 ; American civilization, citizens of the U.S. would hold the West as a # 8220 ; safety valve # 8221 ; to which they could travel in order to regenerate their pure Americanism. Homestead Act, 1862: This act cut up Western public lands into many little retentions for the free husbandmans. It was originally started by Andrew Johnson as the first homestead measure but met strong resistance by Southern Representatives and hence could non be passed until the sezession of the Southern States during the Civil War. Dawes Severality Act, 1887: It was proposed by Henry L. Dawes, and was passed in 1887. It was designed to reform what well-meaning but nescient Whites perceived to be the failings of Indian life # 8211 ; the deficiency of private belongings, the absence of a Christian based faith, the mobile traditions of the Indians, and the general instability in their manner of life # 8212 ; by turning Indians into husbandmans. The chief point of the jurisprudence was to stress handling Indians every bit persons as opposed to members in a folk, or discreteness. Helen Hunt Jackson, A Century of Dishonor: This book, by Jackson, was a discourse refering the predicament of American Indians published in 1881. She gathered information sing American Indians and their lives while functioning on a federal committee look intoing the intervention of Indians. Jackson besides wrote Ramona refering the same subject. TheGrange: During the decennary of the 1870s, U.S. husbandmans were beset with jobs of high costs, debts, and little net incomes. the husbandmans made their grudges known through the Granger Movement. Membership peaked in the mid-1870s. There was small the husbandmans could make refering monetary values. Merely in 1877 did the Supreme Court regulation that provinces could modulate concerns of a public nature. To antagonize unfair concern patterns, the husbandmans were urged to get down co-ops such as grain lifts, creameries, and shops. Farmers Alliance: This confederation was a political organisation created to assist contend railway maltreatments and to take down involvement rates. It called for authorities ordinance of the economic system in order to right their greivanes. It was founded in New York in 1873, and consisted of the Northwest Farmers # 8217 ; Alliance in the North and the National Farmers # 8217 ; Alliance and Independent Union in the South. They failed to unify, nevertheless, and in 1892 gave manner to the Populist party. Billion-Dollar Congress: The first in peacetime to allow about this sum-gave birth to a bumper harvest of expensive legislative babiews. When the Democrats won control of the House two old ages subsequently, they paid Reed the compliment of following some of his reforms for speedier action. Pension Act: Began by the Billion-Dollar Congress, it showered pensions on all Union Civil War veterans who had served for 90 yearss and who were now unable to make manual labour. Between 1891 and 1895 the host of pensionaries was therefore rasied from 676,000 to 970,000, and by the clip Harrison left office in 1893, the one-year measure had shot up from $ 81 million to $ 135 million. Thus was faintly foreshadowed the government-financed public assistance province of the 20th century. Populist Party, 1892: The Populist party, or people # 8217 ; s party, was a party that represented the # 8220 ; common man. # 8221 ; It was created towards the terminal of the 19th century. Some of their ends included making postal nest eggs Bankss, ordaining in-migration limitation, puting a calibrated income revenue enhancement and restricting the presidential term to a individual six-year term. The Populist platform represented positions of husbandmans in the West. The Omaha platform of 1892 nomin ative James Weaver of Iowa for president. James B. Weaver: An United States legislator and outstanding figure during the Populist motion, he served as a congresswoman from 1879 to 1781 and 1885 to 1889. He was the presidential campaigner of the Greenback and People s parties in 1892. Weaver was besides a former civil war general. William Jennings Bryan: Despite the fact that he was defeated three times for the presidential term of the United States, William Jennings Bryan, the chief figure of the Populist party, molded public sentiment as few leaders have done. A Sur prise to the populace, he polled many ballots during the 1896 election, which may hold been a direct consequence of his â€Å"Cross of Gold Speech.† For many old ages he was the leader of the Democratic party, and it was his influence that won the Democratic presidential nomination for Wilson in 1912. Marcus Hanna: He was an industrialist who became convinced that the public assistance of industry, and hence the state, was bound by the lucks of the Republican party. To foster his ends he waged the most expensive political run the state had of all time seen to acquire William McKinley elected president in 1896. He besides served in the Senate. Muckrakers: Those American authors who early in the twentieth century wrote both fiction and nonfiction to expose corruptness in concern and political relations were called the mudslingers. Muckraker was a term foremost used by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. They were given this name because of their inclination to # 8220 ; spread the sludge around. # 8221 ; Lincoln Steffens, The Shame of the Cities: An high American reformist and journalist, Joseph Lincoln Steffens, was a leader of the mudslingers. He wrote a series of articles that documented corruptness in American metropoliss, asseverating that some metropoliss were run by political foremans who remained in power with the aid of powerful business communities. Square Deal: Roosevelt, on a talking circuit against the Northern Securities Company, called for a # 8220 ; square deal. # 8221 ; This progressive construct denounced particular intervention for the big capitalists and is the indispensable component to his trustbusting attitude. This trade embodied the belief that all corporations must function the general public good. Upton Sinclair, The Jungle: Sinclair was an American author and reformist who wrote The Jungle. This book exposed the insanitary working conditions in the stockyards of Chicago, finally taking to an probe of both on the job conditions and the conditions of nutrient. It finally led to the passage of the Pure Food Act. Newlands Reclamation Act, 1902: Roosevelt drafted the Newlands Reclamation Act when he noticed that decennaries of rapid industrial growing had destroyed much of the limited natural resources of the land. It insured that all natural resources would be managed by experts. Funding came from public-land gross revenues and was used to construct irrigation undertakings. Hepburn Act, 1906: The Hepburn Act, in concurrence with the Elkins Act, granted the Interstate Commerce Commission plenty power to modulate the economic system. It allowed the ICC to put cargo rates and, in an effort to cut down the corruptness in the railway industry, to necessitate a unvarying system of accounting by regulated transit companies. Meat Inspection Act: The Meat Inspection Act was passed by Roosevelt as a strong response to Sinclair # 8217 ; s book depicting the conditions of nutrient every bit good as wartime dirts in 1898 refering spoiled transcribed meats. It created rigorous healthful demands for meat, began a quality evaluation system, and provisioned for a federal section to inspect meat. New Freedom # 8211 ; The Democratic Party, to which Wilson belonged, had a past history of 45 ballots without a nomination. To get the better of this stumbling block the Democrats united with the Progressives, running under a via media platform. Wilson s # 8220 ; New Freedom # 8221 ; run was concerned with progressive plans similar to both parties. He did non, nevertheless, support trustbusting in the same manner that Roosevelt did. To him, all large concern was morally evil and should be broken up. Sixteenth Amendment: The Sixteenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, is an obvious index to the Progressive epoch in which it was passed. It authorized the income revenue enhancement thereby leting the Underwood-Simmons Duty of 1913 to take down many duties. This amendment invalidated an earlier Supreme Court determination naming the income revenue enhancement was unconstitutional. Federal Reserve Act: The Federal Reserve Act was a via media designed to stabilise the currency in the US. It split the US into 12 parts with one Federal bank in each part. Commercial Bankss bought stock from this bank. The price reduction rate at which the federal bank lent the money determined the involvement rate. Clayton Antitrust Act: The Clayton Act was designed to clear up the Sherman Antitrust Act in footings of new economic issues that had arisen. Practices such as local price-cutting and monetary value favoritism were made illegal. The right of brotherhoods to strike, boycott, and lookout was besides confirmed. This act would hold been labour s Magna Carta had it been followed, but unfavourable tribunal readings rendered many of its pro-labor subdivisions powerless without farther statute law.

Introduction to the Annotated Bibliography free essay sample

Jay Jarrett Ms. Bonner English 102 26 April 2009 Introduction to the Annotated Bibliography Many may believe that communicating online is a very distinct way of meeting people in their own way. They want to have their own type of comfort zone to prey on people that they don’t even know. In most cases, that’s what happens; they are men that prey on women or little children that they meet online through today’s networks such as Myspace, Facebook, Instant Messaging, and others just like these websites. There are many studies that show interest in Internet Dating and the courtship of dating period. The articles and resources are as follows: 1) The Self- Advertisement Approach to Dating: Male/Female Differences; 2) Attitudes on Dating, Courtship, and Marriage: Perspectives on In Group vs. Out Group Relationships by religious minority and majority adolescents; 3) Redefining Firm Boundaries in the Face of the Internet: Are Firms Really Shrinking? ; 4) The Anthropology of Online Communities; 5) Digital Dating and Virtual Relating: Conceptualizing computer Meditated Romantic Relationships; 6) Online Communication and Adolescent Relationships. We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction to the Annotated Bibliography or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page All are relationship sources which are based on courtship and other ways of communicating towards online dating. But the most part about these sources are the tactics that they speak upon about how dangerous it is to communicate online to someone that you don’t even know. And as follows are the abstract and summaries about each article and the importance it is to know about the history of dating, though the internet was not out much long; there is many cases and dangers of internet dating to go around. Attitudes on Dating, Courtship, and Marriage: Perspectives on In-Group versus Out-Group Relationships by Religious Minority and Majority Adolescents Carol Markstrom-Adams Family Relations, Vol. 40, No. 1 (Jan. , 1991), pp. 91-96 National Council on Family Relations In this recent study, 47 non-Mormon, religious minority high school students and 36 Mormon, religious majority high school students were asked to identify perceived barriers in dating Mormons †¦.. if they were non-Mormon or in dating non-Mormons †¦. f they were Mormon. They also were asked if they advised dating between members of both groups. More barriers in dating were identified by Mormons, in contrast to non-Mormons. Further, the Mormon adolescents expressed greater reluctance in advising dating between Mormons and non-Mormons. Redefining Firm Boundaries in the Face of the Internet: Are Firms Really Shrinking? Author(s): Allan Afuah The Academy of Management Review, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Jan. , 2003), pp. 34-53 Ac ademy of Management Here are presented two models of the exploring impact of the emergence and diffusion of the internet on vertical and horizontal firm boundaries. I argue that the effect of the emergence and diffusion of the internet on a firms boundaries is a function of the firms determinants of costs, moderated by the information dependence of the firms value-adding activities and the organizational technology that underpins the firms primary activities. The Self-Advertisement Approach to Dating: Male-Female Differences Rosemary Bolig, Peter J. Stein and Patrick C. Mckenry Family Relations, Vol. 33, No. 4 (Oct. , 1984), pp. 587-592 National Council on Family Relations There is a type of content analysis that’s performed on profiles or self-advertisements from a magazine for singles to identify categories of exchange used by men and women. Generally, the findings supported the traditional social exchange notion of dating for men but not for women. That is, mens profiles tended to emphasize attractiveness and other expressive qualities of potential audience in exchange for their own work status and attractiveness. Digital Dating and Virtual Relating: Conceptualizing Computer Mediated Romantic Relationships Erich R. Merkle and Rhonda A. Richardson Family Relations, Vol. 49, No. 2 (Apr. , 2000), pp. 187-192 National Council on Family Relations This article reviews Internet history and culture that has contributed to the recent emergence of a subset of romantic interpersonal relationships known as computer mediated relationships. Characteristics of these relationships in comparison to face-to-face relationships are considered. This information may assist family professionals in developing a research agenda for the new millennium, as well as incorporating new content and strategies into family life education and clinical work in the area of interpersonal relationships. Online Communication and Adolescent Relationships Kaveri Subrahmanyam and Patricia Greenfield The Future of Children, Vol. 18, No. 1, Children and Electronic Media (Spring, 2008), pp. 119-146 Princeton University Over the past decade, technology has become increasingly important in the lives of adolescents. As a group, adolescents are heavy users of newer electronic communication forms such as instant messaging, e-mail, and text messaging, as well as communication-oriented Internet sites such as blogs, social networking, and sites for sharing photos and videos. Kaveri Subrahmanyam and Patricia Greenfield examine adolescents relationships with friends, romantic partners, strangers, and their families in the context of their online communication activities. The Anthropology of Online Communities Samuel M. Wilson and Leighton C. Peterson Annual Review of Anthropology, Vol. 31, (2002), pp. 449-467 Annual Reviews Information and communication technologies based on the Internet have enabled the emergence of new sorts of communities and communicative practices-phenomena worthy of the attention of anthropological researchers. Despite early assessments of the revolutionary nature of the Internet and the enormous transformations it would bring about, the changes have been less dramatic and more embedded in existing practices and power relations of everyday life.

Wentworth Institute of Technology Admissions Data

Wentworth Institute of Technology Admissions Data Over two-thirds of those who apply to Wentworth Institute of Technology are accepted. Learn more about what it takes to get into this college. The Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent technical design and engineering college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium. The 31-acre urban campus in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston is within walking distance of many of the citys cultural and recreational offerings as well as several other area colleges and universities. Wentworth has an average class size of 22 students and a student / faculty ratio of 15 to 1. The college offers 20 bachelors degree programs in the fields of engineering and technology; popular programs include architecture, business, and computer science. Wentworths curriculum also includes a large cooperative education program for students to gain professional, paid work experience before they graduate. Students are involved in campus life as well with 20 clubs and organizations active on campus. The Wentworth Leopards compete in the NCAA Division III Commonwealth Coast Conference and Eastern College Athletic Conference. Will you get in if you apply? Calculate your chances of getting in with this free tool from Cappex. Admissions Data (2016) Wentworth Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate: 71Â  percentGPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Wentworth AdmissionsTest Scores: 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 480 / 590SAT Math: 530 / 630SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 21Â  / 28ACT English: 20 / 26ACT Math: 23Â  / 28What these ACT numbers mean Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 4,526 (4,317 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 80 percent Male / 20 percent Female91Â  percent Full-time Costs (2016-17) Tuition and Fees: $33,724Books: $1,500 (why so much?)Room and Board: $13,530Other Expenses: $3,750Total Cost: $52,504 Wentworth Institute of Technology Financial Aid (2015-16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 97Â  percentPercentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 97 percentLoans: 75 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $13,291Loans: $10,152 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors: Architecture, Business, Computer Science, Construction ManagementWhat major is right for you? Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation and Retention Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 84 percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 47Â  percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 65Â  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports: Soccer, Rowing, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Ice Hockey, Track and Field, Cross CountryWomens Sports: Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse If You Like Wentworth, You May Also Like These Schools Rochester Institute of Technology: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphDrexel University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSuffolk University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBoston University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Rhode Island: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Hartford: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSyracuse University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTufts University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMerrimack College: ProfileUniversity of New Haven: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphRoger Williams University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMassachusetts Institute of Technology: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Connecticut: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Wentworth Institute of Technology Mission Statement mission statement from https://wit.edu/about/traditions-vision/mission-vision-values Wentworths core purpose and mission is to empower, inspire and innovate through experiential learning. Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

Post-Independence Power Vacancy and its Consequences Essay

Post-Independence Power Vacancy and its Consequences - Essay Example â€Å"From the very beginning, the 'native problems' of the colonial territories can be traced to the subordination of native authority and the imposition of European rule in its place† (Collins 166). This implies that there were numerous political, cultural and social changes that were put in place to ensure that the European powers would consolidate their rules in the nations they colonized. These systems had long-term repercussions that has had effects on the various political, social and economic trends after independence. Most of these developing countries have histories of armed conflicts, poverty and backwardness and these can be traced to the moves of the European powers that colonized these nations. The imposition of European rule over and above native authority and the subsequent policies of these European colonialists can be said to be the main causes challenges to developing nations. This can issue manifested itself in the form of power vacuums that were created af ter the independence of these nations. The purpose of this research is to examine the power vacancy that was created after colonized nations gained independence and the socio-political problems that ensued afterwards. The research hopes to achieve this end by exploring the following objectives: 1. Analysis of the colonial policies and systems that caused imperial European powers to rule over their colonies. 2. Assessment of the structures and systems of anti-colonial movements that eventually led to the independence of colonized lands. 3. Examination of power vacancies that came up after independence in relation to the Cold War, Ethnic Disharmony and the Third Wave of Democracy In this quest, the Rwandan situation will be examined in the research to help in the conceptualization of the various ideas that will be identified in the research. The Growth of Colonialism Colonialism and the political rule of peoples and nations around the world did not come about in a short period of time . Rather, it evolved over a period of time and has traces to various times and periods in European history. The earliest versions of colonialism of nations around the world by European powers can be traced to the Spaniards. The Spaniards established the Encomienda system which was inhumane but formed the basis of future colonization of nations around the world. According to Mahoney (87) The Spanish Crown's policy in the 1500s was to send soldiers to lands they sought to claim and since Spain had the most advance and effective military at that time, they often defeated the locals. After the locals were defeated, a Spanish government post was established in the area. The Spanish Conquistadors or soldiers and some civilians were given a grant by the Spanish Crown and this gave them the authority to enslave a set of natives and the responsibility of Christianizing these natives who were seen as backward and savage (Mahoney 87). Thus it can be seen that the Spanish expansionist policy es tablished three main things which became significant in the colonization of foreign lands by other European nations: 1. The State use of its military was an essential tool to protect the interest of a state in foreign lands. 2. Natives were savages and they needed to be Christianized 3. The concept of Christianization was the basis for 'civilizing' the savages By the

International Human Resource Management Assignment - 1

International Human Resource Management - Assignment Example With internationalization of business, many experts feel that it will influence the HR practices of a company. The most common way in which business enters into global market are Joint Ventures (JVs), Multi domestic operations (MDOs) and strategic Alliance (SA). Such kind of businesses demands changes in organizational structures, communication across organisation, etc. To handle these issues the organisations need different HR approaches for managing such MNCs. Globalisation of business has affected HR managers more than any other functional heads (Davis, Kerr Von Glinow, 1987, pp. 486-495). Hence with increasing interlink of business across the nations, the HR managers need to give importance to International orientation of the employees. International human resource management is managing worldwide human resources like allocating appropriate resources to utilise their skills effectively. International Human resource management refers to the process of allocating, procuring and eff ectively utilizing the human resources of an international organisation. ... Hence new capabilities and knowledge are needed to be incorporated in the HR practices to make it work. Human resource incurs both cost and revenue to the company (Benson, 1978, pp. 21-37). Many international organisations are facing complications of dealing with many multicultural employees which are becoming an important contributor to their success. This need for human resource specialist is widely acknowledged not only for giant multinational enterprises but also for small enterprises. With economic liberalisation across Europe, reduction in the restriction on the labour movement across the European community, with the advent of new technology has all contributed to the importance of International HRM (Black, 1988, pp. 277-294). Companies now days are trying to invest outside their own country to gain competitive advantage. Due to such strategy they sometimes recruit the local staff or even third-country nationals, like individuals who are neither from home or parent country but from third country. Hence in this case it becomes important for the organisations to look at strategies managing these resources. The HR professional needs to have a deep knowledge of what will be the appropriate environment for such organisation to reach their objectives and goals. The problems faced by Sensortec Sensortec is a UK company set up in 2000 dealing mainly with development and manufacture of electronic sensors. They have their operations spread across three centres, one at Barking, the second at Stansted and another at Docklands. Each operating centre has different functions and hence their workforce supporting the operations is of different skill set. Sensortec is now facing increasing

Impacts of technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Impacts of technology - Essay Example The greatest impact of technology can be experienced in the way we communicate. The rise of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and video blogging sites such as YouTube etc., has made it possible for merging of cultures beyond people from across various continents and enabled a valuable and meaningful exchange of information. It has played a key role in promoting cultural tolerance and greater political participation, empowering the citizens in the process. However despite the varied benefits offered by the information, entertainment and communication technologies, the perils of excessive dependence on such technologies are manifold. One of the greatest challenges faced by users in the digital world includes privacy issues and identity theft. Violation of privacy has been one of the most significant enduring social issues associated with digital and electronic information technologies, globally. The article ‘Is online social club, sharing is the point until it goes too far the authors have highlighted the downside of social networking sites, mostly surrounding privacy issues, mirroring the sentiments of millions of people of this virtual lounge, who feel threatened and vulnerable due to constant threats of being stalked and misuse of their private information (The Washington Post). The key goal of social networking sites is to enable sharing of information and free and faster exchange of information across countries. The paradox however lies in the fact that contrary to the intended benefits of the social media there are increasing reports stating the contrary. The article â€Å"Does the Internet make as lonely?† discusses the potential effects of internet and technology on the society and the manner in which it has managed to alienate people. Social scientists have indicated a drastic rise in reports stating that as more and more

An introduction to European cuisine

An introduction to European cuisine Europe is a continent which is bordered by the Arctic ocean to the north, to the west lies the Atlantic Ocean, the Caucasus mountains and the Caspian sea and Black sea forms the southeast boarders,the Ural mountains and the Ural River is positioned in east of Europe and to the south lies the Mediterranean Sea. Europe stands as the worlds second smallest continent in relation to its size .Population wise Europe is the second biggest continent after Asia. European history is very vast which begins from the Bronze Age with enormous cultural and economic achievements. Ancient Greeks marks the origin of western culture and the Roman Empire spanned the entire continent for several centuries. With the decline of the Roman Empire Europe entered a long period of stasis known as the Dark Ages, which came to end with the rise of Renaissance and New Monarchs, which began the period of exploration, discovery and increase in the scientific knowledge. A large colonial empire was built by the Europe an nation at the 15th century, particularly France, Britain, Spain and Portugal with enormous holding in Asia, Africa and the Americas. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution in Europe at the 18th century, created greater general prosperity and equivalent increase in the population. With the end of World war two and till the end of cold war two major political and economical blocks divided the Europe which was the Capitalistic countries in the Western Europe and the Communist nations in the Eastern Europe. Presently geographic Europe comprises 45 countries. The European climate remains temperate and mild, with cool summers and cold winters. Generally, if we compare different places on the same latitude with places on the same latitude in Europe, we would notice that places in Europe have a more favorable climate than places elsewhere in America, Asia or Africa. If we compare the average January temperatures of Berlin, Calgary and Irkutusk- lying in the Asian region of Russia, we would notice that the temperature in Berlin is about 8 and 22 degrees Celsius higher than temperatures in Calgary and Irkutusk respectively. The main reason for this climate winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Warm winds sweep the whole continent and keep the continent mildly warm. Ocean currents carrying warm waters from the Gulf of Mà ©xico have a major role in this natural phenomenon. Since there is not mountain barrier in Europe, which is large enough to stop these winds from sweeping across the continent, and since most of the continent is within the range of 3 00 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, these currents affect the climatic conditions of the whole continent. Therefore, Europe climate is quite the same throughout the continent. Northern Europe climate, naturally, has longer and cooler winters compared to the southern part of the continent. Winters are colder and longer in the East as compared to the west. Summers are shorter, but hotter in the East as we move towards the west. As far as rainfall is concerned, most parts of Europe receive an annual rainfall of 20-60 inches, with the maximum of it happening towards the West of the mountains (around 80 inches in general). The areas receiving lighter rainfall include the Southern part of Spain, Kazakhstan and northern part of Scandinavia. It is for a reason that Europe fetches the maximum number of tourists in a year- its warm people and great natural beauty, coupled with aesthetic modernity. It is a well known fact that almost each and every country that comes under the European region has major tourist hubs, which attract customers from all over the world. Not only people from other continents, but people from within Europe also travel to the various tourist destinations in Europe. The tourism industry also plays a major role in the economic stability of the European nations, and this is the sole reason as to why the governments have spent a massive amount of time and money in keeping various tourist places in Europe clean and updated. The climatic conditions and the exceptionally well connected airline services make traveling in Europe, a piece of cake. The ancient medieval history, coupled with some great historic monuments, palaces, churches and alleys have made tourist places in Europe a hot favorite among tourists of all age groups, backgrounds and nationalities. France attracts most of the tourist influx in Europe. From the Louvre and the Eiffel tower to the Notre dam Cathedral and the Champs ET Lysà ©e, almost every tourist spot in France, especially in Paris, has become a symbolic of the most visited places of the world. The Arc of Triumph, the Garnier Opera and the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre are some of the other places that can be termed as some of the best tourist places in Europe. Germany and Rome follow France closely when it comes to some of the most visited tourist places in Europe. Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Dà ¼sseldorf attract tourists from all over the world. Business travelers and educational tourists also frequent these places. The Colloseum and the Palazzo Barberini are two of the most famous tourist places in Europe, belonging to Rome. Apart from historic tourist places in Europe, great natural places are also hot favorites among tourists. Regions around the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific top the list of such places. Be it the open landscapes of Hungary, the great mountains in Switzerland or the beautiful beaches of Spain- Europe has everything to sooth a lover of nature. Apart from some great tourist places, the people, food, culture and the festival of Europe beckon one and all to this land, offering a perfect mix of traditions and rebellion. Europe has a great diversity of food reflecting its linguistic-cultural mosaic. In this age of globalisation we are brought to eat food from more and more countries.

I will be analysing the 5 tasks given in the booklet, in this analysis I :: Computer Science

I will be analysing the 5 tasks given in the booklet, in this analysis I will describe the problems given by the school, how I will solve the problem and with what software I will solve the problem. Analysis I will be analysing the 5 tasks given in the booklet, in this analysis I will describe the problems given by the school, how I will solve the problem and with what software I will solve the problem. I will analyse the tasks in the order they where placed in the booklet. Task 1 Programme of events This is the first task and this task is to design a programme of events. Problem: The problem is to design a programme of events. The programme has to be a four-page A5 booklet. On the first page there should be the school crest, two photographs of the school, the day and date of the sport day and the title "Sports Day 2002". We have to produce two A4 sheets that we can use as masters for the inside and outside of the programme. On the middle page we need a list of events with the times of the events added. The events will be in order of times and there will only be track events because the field events would have been done earlier. On the back page I will have a half-page advert from this years sports day sponsors 'Helmcroft Hall'. The size of the advert can be changed to suit the page layout. There should also be a list of last year's record breakers. The list of last year's record breakers and the events should have straight left edge columns with bold heading. The heading for list of events is 'Programme of Events' and for the list of record breakers 'Record sets in 2001'. Solution: To solve the problem my programme of events must it be clear and easy to use. I will design the programme of events on Microsoft Word because it is a word program so it is easy to add and remove text also pictures and images. Another program that can be used is Microsoft Publisher. It might actually be easier to design the programme of events on publisher because Microsoft Publisher was designed for these kinds of tasks. Task 2 Recording Sheets This is the second task and in this task I must design a form of search and two sample-recording sheets for two separate sports activities. Problem:There are three minor projects that make up this task. The first is to design two sample-recording sheets on two separate sports. The second is to design some form of a search to make it easier for

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Eleven

â€Å"Coffee, my dear?† Professor Campbel – James, Elena reminded herself – asked. At her nod, he bounced to his feet and bustled over to the tiny coffeemaker perched on top of a teetering stack of papers. He brought her a cup of coffee, creamed and sugared, and settled down happily in his chair, gazing across his crowded desk at her with an expression of innocent enjoyment. â€Å"I think I have some cookies,† he offered. â€Å"Not homemade, but they're reasonably tasty. No?† Elena shook her head politely and sipped her coffee. â€Å"It's very good,† she said, and smiled at him. It had been a few days since she had told Stefan and Damon she needed to take a break from them. After a much-needed sob session with Bonnie and Meredith, she had done her best to be normal – going to class, having lunch with her friends, keeping up a brave mask. Part of this attempt at normality was coming to James's office hours, so that she could hear more about her parents. Even though they couldn't be there to comfort her, talking about them offered some solace. â€Å"My God!† James cried out. â€Å"You have Elizabeth's face, and then, when you smile, Thomas's dimple comes right out. Just the same as his – on only one side. It gave him a certain raffish charm.† Elena wondered if she should thank James. He was complimenting her, in a way, but the compliments were real y directed toward her parents, and it felt a little presumptuous to be grateful for them. She settled for saying, â€Å"I'm glad you think I look like my parents. I remember thinking when I was little that they were very elegant.† She shrugged. â€Å"I guess al little kids think their parents are beautiful.† â€Å"Well, your mother certainly was,† James said. â€Å"But it's not just your looks. Your voice sounds like hers, and the comments you made in class this week reminded me of things your father would have said. He was very observant.† He delved into his desk drawers and, after a bit of rummaging, pul ed out a tin of butter cookies. â€Å"Sure you won't have one? Ah, Well.† He chose one for himself and took a bite. â€Å"Yes, as I was saying, Elizabeth was extremely lovely. I wouldn't have cal ed Thomas lovely, but he had charm. Maybe that's how he managed to win Elizabeth's heart in the end.† â€Å"Oh.† Elena stirred her coffee absently. â€Å"She dated other guys, then?† It was ridiculous, but she had kind of imagined her parents as always being together. James chuckled. â€Å"She was quite the heartbreaker. I imagine you are, too, dear.† Elena thought unhappily of Stefan's soft, dismayed green eyes. She had never wanted to hurt him. And Matt, who she had dated in high school and who had quietly gone on loving her. He hadn't fal en in love, or even been real y interested in, anyone else since then. Heartbreaker, yeah. James was watching her with bright, inquisitive eyes. â€Å"Not a happy heartbreaker, then?† he said softly. Elena glanced at him in surprise, and he set his coffee cup down with a little clink. He straightened up. â€Å"Elizabeth Morrow,† he said in a brisk businesslike voice, â€Å"was a freshman when I met her. She was always making things, particularly amazing sets and costumes she designed for the theater department. Your father and I were both sophomores at the time – we were in the same fraternity, and close friends – and he couldn't stop talking about this amazing girl. Once I got to know her, I was sucked into her orbit, too.† He smiled. â€Å"Thomas and I each had something special about us: I was academical y gifted, and Thomas could talk anyone into anything. But we were both cultural barbarians. Elizabeth taught us about art, about theater, about the world beyond the smal Southern towns where we'd grown up.† James ate another cookie, absentmindedly licking sugar off his fingers, then sighed deeply. â€Å"I thought we'd be friends forever,† he said. â€Å"But we went in different directions in the end.† â€Å"Why?† Elena asked. â€Å"Did something happen?† His bright eyes shifted away from hers. â€Å"Of course not,† he said dismissively. â€Å"Just life, I suppose. But whenever I walk down the third-floor corridor, I can't help stopping to look at the photograph of us.† He gave a self-conscious laugh, patting his stomach. â€Å"Mostly vanity, I suppose. I recognize my young self more easily than I do the fat old man I see in the mirror now.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† Elena asked, confused. â€Å"The third-floor corridor?† James's mouth made a round O of surprise. â€Å"Of course, you don't know al the col ege traditions yet. The long corridor on the third floor of this building has pictures from al the different periods of Dalcrest's history. Including a nice photo of your parents and yours truly.† â€Å"I'l have to check it out,† Elena said, feeling a little excited. She hadn't seen many pictures of her parents from before they were married. There was a tap on the door, and a smal girl with glasses peeked in. â€Å"Oh, I'm sorry,† she said, and started to withdraw. â€Å"No, no, my dear,† James said jovial y, getting to his feet. â€Å"Elena and I were just chatting about old friends. You and I need to have a serious talk about your senior thesis as soon as possible. Come in, come in.† He gave Elena an absurd little half bow. â€Å"Elena, we'l have to continue this conversation later.† â€Å"Of course,† Elena said, and rose, shaking James's offered hand. â€Å"Speaking of old friends,† he said casual y as she turned to go, â€Å"I met a friend of yours, Dr. Celia Connor, just before the semester started. She mentioned that you were coming here.† Elena whipped back around, staring at him. He had met Celia? Images fil ed Elena's mind: Celia held in Stefan's arms as he traveled faster than any human, desperate to save her life; Celia fending off the phantom in a room ful of flames. How much did James know? What had Celia told him? James smiled blandly back at her. â€Å"But we'l talk later,† he said. After a moment, Elena nodded and stumbled out of his office, her mind racing. The girl who was waiting held the door open for her. In the hal outside, Elena leaned against the wal and took stock for a moment. Would Celia have told James about Stefan and Damon being vampires, or anything about Elena herself? Probably not. Celia had become a friend by the end of their battle with the phantom. She would have kept their secrets. Plus, Celia was a very savvy academic. She wouldn't have told her col eagues anything that might make them think she was crazy, including that she had met actual vampires. Elena shook off the unease she felt from the end of her conversation with James and thought instead of the picture he'd told her about. She climbed the stairs to the third floor to see if she could find it now. It turned out that the â€Å"third-floor corridor† was no problem to find. While the second floor was a maze of turning passageways and faculty offices subdivided from one another, when she stepped out of the stairWellon the third floor she discovered it was a long hal that ran from one end of the building to the other. In contrast to the chatter of people at work on the second floor, the third floor seemed abandoned, silent and dim. Closed doors sat at regular intervals along the hal . Elena peered through the glass on one door, only to see an empty room. Al down the hal , between the doors, hung large photographs. Near the stairWell, where she began looking, they seemed like they were from maybe the turn of the century: young men in side-combed hair and suits, smiling stiffly; girls in high-necked white blouses and long skirts with their hair pul ed up on top of their heads. In one, a row of girls carried garlands of flowers for some forgotten campus occasion. There were photos of boat races and picnics, couples dressed up for dances, team pictures. In one photo, the cast of some student play – maybe from the 1920s or '30s, the girls with shingled flapper cuts, the guys with funny covers over their shoes – laughed hilariously on stage, their mouths frozen open, their hands in the air. A little farther on, a group of young men in army uniforms gazed back at her seriously, jaws firmly set, eyes determined. As she moved on down the hal , the photos changed from black-and-white to color; the clothes got less formal; the hairstyles grew longer, then shorter; messier, then sleeker. Even though most of the people in the photographs looked happy, something about them made Elena feel sad. Maybe it was how fast time seemed to pass in them: al these people had been Elena's age, students like her, with their own fears and joys and heartbreaks, and now they were gone, grown older or even dead. She thought briefly of a bottle tucked deep in her closet at home, containing the water of eternal life she'd accidental y stolen from the Guardians. Was that the answer? She pushed the thought away. It wasn't the answer yet – she knew that – and she'd made the very clear choice not to think about that bottle, not to decide anything, not now. She had time, she had more life to live natural y before she'd want to ask herself that question. The picture James talked about was close to the far end of the hal . In it, her father, her mother, and James were sitting on the grass under a tree in the quad. Her parents were leaning forward in eager conversation, and James – a much thinner version, his face almost unrecognizable beneath a straggly beard – was sitting back and watching them, his expression sharp and amused. Her mother looked amazingly young, her face soft, her eyes wide, her smile big and bright, but she was also somehow exactly the mother Elena remembered. Elena's heart gave a painful but happy throb at the sight of her. Her father was gawkier than the distinguished dad Elena had known – and his pastel-patterned shirt was a fashion disaster of epic proportions – but there was an essential dadness to him that made Elena smile. She noticed the pin on his horrific pastel shirt first. She thought it was a smudge, but then, leaning forward, she made out the shape of a smal , dark blue V. Looking at the other figures, she realized her mother and James were wearing the same pins, her mother's half-obscured by a long golden curl fal ing across it. Weird. She tapped her finger slowly against the glass over the photograph, touching one V and then the others. She would ask James about the pins. Hadn't he mentioned that he and her dad had been in a fraternity? Maybe it had something to do with that. Didn't frat boys â€Å"pin† their girlfriends? Something nudged at the edges of her mind. She'd seen one of these pins somewhere. But she couldn't remember where, so she shrugged it off. Whatever it stood for, it was something she didn't know about her parents, another facet of their lives to be discovered here. She couldn't wait to learn more.

Hower House essays

Hower House essays Hower House is a Victorian Second Empire Italianate Mansion; it was built in 1871 by architect Jacob Snyder. The home belonged originally to John Henry Hower and his wife Susan. The house was occupied by the Howers and there descendants until 1793 when it was donated to the University of Akron by Grace Hower Crawford. The time that was represented by the Hower House was 1871 to around 1973. Some facts I learned were that the fireplaces in the Hower House are actually stone and just appear to be marble or wood. The fireplace that looked like it was wood was very interesting because its impossible to have actually wooden fireplace because it would catch fire. In the era of the Hower House a persons wealth was dependant on how many rooms there house had in it. The Hower House has 28 rooms. Most houses of the era didnt have a closet in the bedrooms because the government counted closets as rooms and taxed people if they had them. The Hower House has a closet in every bedroom bec ause the family was rich enough to afford such amenities. I also learned what an actual Griffin is (and not just someone who goes to Buchtel). A Griffin was a gargoyle like creature that was half eagle and half lion. The house had statues of Griffins that were used as table legs and such. Another fact I learned was that most of the furniture and a decorative pieces in Hower House came from places outside the U.S. The Howers loved to travel and collect goods from all over the globe. My guide also showed me a steep set of stairs that led to the top of the towers. She claimed that on a clear day you could see Cleveland but also added that she never went to the top of the Tower because she wasnt allowed. I thought that was interesting because I knew the house was big but I didnt think it was that big. I learned that people who lived at during this time did basically the same things we do but it was ...

How One Word Transformed a Hollywood Screenwriters Career

How One Word Transformed a Hollywood Screenwriters Career How One Word Transformed a Hollywood Screenwriter's Career With more than 25 produced credits to his name, Stu Krieger is best known as the writer of the animated classic, The Land Before Time. Almost 30 years later, Stu is here to share how moving outside his comfort zone has shaped his career as a writer. This fall, Stu is publishing his debut novel, That One Cigarette.Yes to publishing my novelAfter the talk had been posted to YouTube, I received an email from Publishizer, a company that connects authors with publishers after launching a pre-sale campaign to generate interest in the project. They asked if I’d thought about turning the topic of my Ted talk into a book. I hadn’t, and told them instead about the novel I’d been working on. After my pitch, I was asked if I’d like to work with Publishizer to try and get my book published. I said YES.The next challenge was to find an editor. Publishizer founder Guy Vincent suggested I check out Reedsy. He said he knew several writers who had worked successfully with e ditors through them and asked if I wanted to give the site a look? I said YES. On Reedsy I hired assessment editor Lauren Hughes, who would become the first outside eyes to read and offer a detailed analysis of the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. Her in-depth memo was incredibly positive and encouraging, and her suggestions for improvement were sharp and beneficial. I said YES to her notes and revised the manuscript accordingly.After a successful pre-sale campaign with Publishizer - that resulted in over 300 books sold - I received interest from fifteen publishing houses and signed a deal with Harvard Square Editions. My first novel, That One Cigarette, will be on sale November 24, 2017.All of this is happened because when opportunities arose, I said YES to them. In each instance, I had no idea where the new road would lead, just that I wanted to meet each challenge head-on. Staying engaged in life is a really good way to keep from being dragged under by the inevitab le gravitational pull of aging. Staying engaged in life is a good way to keep from being dragged under by the pull of aging. One of the perks of becoming a professor has been that I’ve learned to listen to the things I tell my students. This â€Å"practicing what you preach† business really has its benefits. Who knew? I am endlessly encouraging my students to be proactive. If you can’t see something as a possibility for you, there’s no way it can happen. I often tell my students that one day I’ll go to court to legally change my name to Professor Nike, because when they come to me with a dream, a goal, a project they’re hoping to pursue, my response is always the same: â€Å"Just do it.†I have no idea how That One Cigarette - a counterfactual history tracing four families from November of 1963 to January of 2009 - will be received. There’s no way to know if it will get some decent reviews or if my readers will enjoy it. What I do know is that when someone asks me if I have a book coming out this fall, I can tell them†¦ YES.Please  share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions for Stu Krieger, in the comments below!That One Cigarette is available for pre-order from Harvard Square Editions.

Define Working Capital Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Define Working Capital - Research Paper Example Creditors that supply raw materials and ask payments after a few days or weeks provide leverage to the organization and reduce its working capital requirement. On the other hand, when the company buys raw materials on cash payments, it needs more working capital to run its business. Similarly, when the company sells its finished goods on cash against delivery, the working capital requirement gets reduced; in contrast, when the company sells its goods on credit and receives payments after a few days or weeks, the firms working capital requirement gets enhanced. Therefore, to get the raw material supply on credit with delayed payments and to sell the goods on cash is the most idealistic strategy to have the minimal requirement of working capital particularly, when the firm is short of working capital funds. The management of working capital is the most crucial aspect for the success of any business and to save the company from liquidity

Democratization in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Democratization in America - Essay Example One had to either be a land proprietor or had a means to pay tax in order to vote. The voting system was not attractive either, there was no use of papers or ballots, likewise features like campaigning for that leadership were not present. Voting was done through shouting or word of mouth. This later came to change in most states. 1830 to 1840 was a period that most states gave permission to whites to vote, so long as they paid taxes and had at one time involved themselves in the militia. When the political atmosphere started getting better most states gave full rights to the whites to vote and by civil war, only one start had the old system. The civil life of the people has not always been the same. Analysis can take place from the 18th century to 21st century courtesy of Michael Schudson in the book, the good citizen. A flash to 18th presents to us a society that was more involved in politics and political knowledge than ever before. During this time, the people had perfected the art of defying leadership and rules of the elites (Schudson, 230-236). In the 19thcentury, politics was at its best, but the people were involved in a more vigorous central role. It was a period that had strong organizations with political undertones. The local organizations focused on attracting the masses through huge meetings that had the characteristics of rewards and entertainment just to attract the masses to buy into the agenda of a party. Politics at this period was not ideology inclusive but popularity has driven (Schudson, 141-142). At the end of the 19th century looking into the beginning of 20th century, the state of things evolved further, this period had moved away from partisan politics that had earlier resigned. These times had two states of affairs, one known as the dominant model and the other as non-dominant. The former harboured reforms, efficiency in management, in-partism in the fourth estate, and a government expertise while the latter harboured and advocated for a citizenry participative approach to the making of policy and political involvement.  Ã‚  

Reading engagement article review Research Paper

Reading engagement article review - Research Paper Example The first article is titled Seven Rules of Engagement: What’s Most Important to Know about Motivation to Read by Linda B. Gambrell. In the article’s introduction, Gambrell argues against the relevance of instruction whose purpose is to provide students with decoding strategies and comprehension skills. She gives substance to her argument by citing a study carried out by the OECD in 2010 under the Program for International Student Assessment, which established that students with a high interest in reading recorded much better performance than children with little interest in reading (Gambrell, 2011). Gambrell simply corroborates what many teachers have already observed in their classrooms, that below grade level and struggling readers usually have little interest in reading activities due to lack of reading motivation. Gambrell, a professor of education at Clemson University in South Carolina, bases her article on research-based sources. She combines credible findings fr om studies carried out by institutions and organizations such as the International Reading Association, to research conducted by individual scholars, including those she carried out in collaboration with other researchers. For example, Essential Reading in Motivation, by Gambrell, Marinak, and Malloy provided the author with deep insights regarding the value of motivation in reading and literacy proficiency. The author goes a step further than most other authors have done when writing about the subject of reading motivation. She not only outlines evidence backing the importance of stimulating student motivation for reading in the classroom, but also provides simple strategies which teachers can use to help boost their students’ reading motivation. As a teacher with classroom experience, I recognize that there are numerous challenges marring the process of stimulating intrinsic motivation among disengaged readers. Teachers mostly learn methods of stimulating reading motivation through interaction with more experienced colleagues. However, they bear knowledge regarding only a handful of methods, of which they are not fully conversant (Guthrie, Wigfield & Von Secker, 2000). Therefore, Gambrell has lessened the burden teachers bear in this respect by outlining seven clearly explained evidence-based rules of boosting student reading engagement. Moreover, Gambrell, provides useful classroom tips of maximizing each of the seven rules of engagement (Gambrell, 2011). The second article that I selected which has high relevance to my case study topic is titled Putting the Fun Back into Fluency Instruction by Mary Ann Cahill and Ann E. Gregory. This article focuses on the value and strategies of using fun activities to enable lower grade students master fluency while reading. The article is not research-based, but derives content from observation of another teacher’s fluency teaching methods during a classroom session. However, the authors cite extensively f rom previous research in order to corroborate the methods applied by Mrs. Victoria in her class (Cahill & Gregory, 2011). I chose this article after noting that Mrs. Victoria’s method of stimulating reading fluency has a high potential for success for a number of reasons. Firstly, she takes time at the beginning of the process to ensure that her students gain a solid understanding of the true meaning of fluency. Mrs. Victoria recognized that merely

Introduction to Game Theory Essay Example for Free

Introduction to Game Theory Essay Nobel Prize Citation, 1994: Game theory is a mathematical method for analysing strategic interaction. Problem What is strategic interaction? (Singapore Management University) Introduction to Game Theory Fall 2012 2 / 18 An Example of a Game | Flat Tire Two SMU students, Al and Bob, very con dent about their midterm exam performance in ECON 206, decided to attend a party the weekend before the nal exam. The party was so good that they overslept the whole Sunday. Instead of taking the nal unprepared on Monday, they pleaded the professor to give them a make-up exam. Their excuse was a at tire without a spare and any help. The professor, surprisingly, agreed. On Tuesday morning, the professor placed them in separated rooms and handed them the test. The test had just one question: Which tire? (Singapore Management University) Introduction to Game Theory Fall 2012 3 / 18 The GPA Rat Race All of you are now enrolled in ECON 206 that will be graded on a curve. No matter how well you do in absolute terms, only 33. 3% of the students will get As, and only 33. 3% of the students will get Bs. Therefore, you must work hard, not just in absolute terms, but relative to how hard your classmates work. All of you are smart enough to recognize this, and after the rst lecture you all hold a secrete meeting where all of you agree not to work too hard. What will happen in the end? (Singapore Management University) Introduction to Game Theory Fall 2012 4 / 18 Why Are Professors So Mean? Many professors have rigid rules not to give makeup exams and NEVER to accept late homework assignments. Students might think the professors are so hardhearted to behave in this way. The truth is. Most professors are actually very kindhearted (for example. ) They are willing to give their students every reasonable break and accept every reasonable excuse But most professors also know that this is a slippery slope (for example, ) | if they set very exible rules, what may happen? (Singapore Management University) Introduction to Game Theory Fall 2012 5 / 18 Another Example | Strategic Interactions vs. Individual Decision Problems Underlying story: two students (Alice and Bob) are taking a course together. There are three e ort levels for each student: work hard (utility = 5), work sometimes (utility = 2), shirk (utility = 0). Consider the following two grade schemes. Grade Scheme A: A students nal grade only depends on her own e ort level | if a student works hard, she will get an A for sure (utility = 10); if she works sometimes, she will get a passing grade (utility = 5); while if the student shirks, she will fail the course for sure (utility = 0). Individual Decision Problem E ort Level Utility Disutility Net Work Hard 10 5 Work Sometimes 5 2 Shirk 0 0 (Singapore Management University)

Medicine Manufacturing: Steps Involved and Types

Medicine Manufacturing: Steps Involved and Types Introduction: There are various types of medicines ranging from veterinary to medicines for human usage. Over the course of time, conscientious and diligent research has been put into improving the quality and effectiveness of medicines. There are hundreds of thousands of medicines available today meant for different ailments but this galore of medicines can be divided into three basic categories Tablets Syrups Gel Every medicine available comprises of two main constituents: Active ingredient and Additives/Excipients. The main remedy is the active ingredient. Whereas, the additives are added to inculcate rigidity, to increase the quantity so that the raw materials can be easily processed and to dissolve certain active ingredients. All human medicines that are produced on industrial scale must go through extensive testing and if its deemed fit for human usage it is produced commercially. There are various standards that are set to test the quality of medicines such as: European directorate for the quality of medicine (EDQM) and U.S pharmacopeial convention (USP). Tablet Manufacturing: In order to make the process more intuitive a specific product (Aspirin) will be discussed. 1. Raw materials: Phenol Sodium hydroxide Carbon dioxide Acetic anhydride Hydrogen Corn starch Water 2. Weighing: The corn starch, the active ingredient, and the lubricant are weighed separately in sterile canisters to determine if the ingredients meet pre-determined specifications for the batch size and dosage amount. 3. Mixing: The corn starch is dispensed into cold purified water, then heated and stirred until a translucent paste forms. The corn starch, the active ingredient, and part of the lubricant are next poured into one sterile canister, and the canister is wheeled to a mixing machine called a Glen Mixer. Mixing blends the ingredients as well as expels air from the mixture. The mixture is then mechanically separated into units, which are generally from 7/8 to 1 inches (2.22 to 2.54 centimeters) in size. These units are called slugs. 4. Dry Screening: Next, small batches of slugs are forced through a mesh screen by a hand-held stainless steel spatula. Large batches in sizable manufacturing outlets are filtered through a machine called a Fitzpatrick mill. The remaining lubricant is added to the mixture, which is blended gently in a rotary granulator and sifter. The lubricant keeps the mixture from sticking to the tablet machine during the compression process. 5. Compression: The mixture is compressed into tablets by a punch machine. On single-punch machines, the mixture is fed into one tablet mold known as dye cavity by a feed shoe, as follows: The feed shoe passes over the dye cavity and releases the mixture. The feed shoe then retracts and scrapes all excess mixture away from the dye cavity. A punch of the size of the dye cavity descends into the dye, compressing the mixture into a tablet. The punch then retracts, while a punch below the dye cavity rises into the cavity and ejects the tablet. The feed shoe returns to fill the dye cavity again, it pushes the compressed tablet from the dye platform. 6. Coating: Tablets may be coated to reduce swallow difficulties or target specific part of the body where the coating will dissolve and take effect. Coating is done by adding desired coating solution to the drum along with the tablets. Blowers are used to rapidly dry the coated tablets and prevent sticking. 7. Testing: The compressed tablets are subjected to a tablet hardness and friability test, as well as a tablet disintegration test. 8. Packaging: The tablets are transferred to an automated bottling assembly line where they are dispensed into clear or color-coated polyethylene or polypropylene plastic bottles or glass bottles. The bottles are topped with cotton packing, sealed with a sheer aluminum top, and then sealed with a plastic and rubber child-proof lid. A sheer, round plastic band is then affixed to the circular edge of the lid. It serves as an additional seal to discourage and detect product tampering. Syrup Manufacturing: 1. General manufacturing procedure: Syrups should be carefully prepared in clean equipment to prevent contamination. Three methods may be used to prepare syrups. Solution with heat Agitation without heat Percolation Although the hot method is quickest, it is not applicable to syrups of volatile ingredients. When using heat, temperature must be carefully controlled to avoid decomposing and darkening the syrup. Syrups may be prepared from sugars other than sucrose (glucose, fructose), non-sugar polyols (sorbitol, glycerin, propylene glycol), or other non-nutritive artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin) when a reduction in calories properties is desired, as with the diabetic patient. The non-nutritive sweeteners do not impart the characteristic viscosity of syrups and require the addition of viscosity adjusters, such as methylcellulose. The polyols, though less sweet than sucrose, have the advantage of providing favorable viscosity, reducing cap-locking (which occurs when sucrose crystallizes), and in some cases acting as co-solvents and preservatives. 2. Cough syrup manufacturing process: Traditional cough mixtures are formulated around a syrup at 60-75% concentration which is made from sucrose, malt dextrin, glucose, invert syrup etc. The remainder is made up of thickening agents, stabilizers and active ingredients. Manufacturers of cough mixtures generally produce their own syrups as this offers greater control of product quality. The manufacturing process must achieve several functions: Dissolving of the sugars to form a syrup Hydration of powdered ingredients Blending ingredients of widely different viscosity Suspension or dissolving of active ingredients The end product must be smooth, agglomerate-free and homogeneous. High Shear mixer is used for mixing. Gel manufacturing Process: 1. Raw materials: Aluminium Acetate, Povidone Iodine, Propylene glycolCremophor RH 40, Lutrol F 127, Cetylstearyl alcohol, Cremophor A 6, Liquid paraffin, Parabene(s), Alpha-Bisabolol, Triethanolamine, Kollidon 30, Benzoyl peroxide, Betamethasone valerate etc. 2. Heating: The temperature should be high enough to ensure the intimate mixing of liquid phase and to prevent the premature crystallization and congealing of its components. Ointments preparation involves separate oil and water phases containing the required ingredients, heating each phase to between 60-70Â °C. 3. Mixing: Mechanical mixers, such as a steel jacketed kettle with agitator are commonly used to prepare semisolid preparations in pharmaceutical industry. The use of mechanical shear or a combination of fusion processes and mixing can be used to facilitate the dispersion or dissolution of the ingredients in the base to form a single-phase ointment. Time, temperature, and mechanical energy input are the three major variables in the manufacturing of semisolid preparations. 4. Emulsification: After the mixing process, the mixer is send to the emulsifier where the immiscible layers are forced to form an emulsion. 5. Cooling: Cooling rate can influence the final product quality. Different cooling rates after melting, mixing, and emulsification steps should be investigated as a process variable. The most important aspect of manufacture is to ensure all ingredients are fully dissolved and well mixed before packing and that the formulations contain suitable effective preservatives. Mixing is continued with cooling until the cream/gel is formed. 6. Packaging: After cooling, the gel is packed. In suspension, mixing of the bulk must be continued during packing to ensure even dispersion of the active ingredients at all times.

Scarface, Directed by Brian De Palma Essay -- Scarface Al Pacino

Scarface, Directed by Brian De Palma Tony Montana has taken just so much shit his whole life. He’s been oppressed and repressed and mocked and called a spic and turned on by his own country (Cuba) that he’s just not going to take any shit anymore. He’ll shoot someone just for pissing him off, which is almost admirable, or at the very least understandable. I’m not advocating violence; all I’m saying is that we all have our limits and if someone treated me the way Tony Montana had been treated his whole life – if they spit on me, and degraded me, and mocked me and doubted any power I might have, I might want to prove them wrong. Of course, it’s a movie, and we know it well; Scarface with Al Pacino as the Cuban immigrant turned drug lord with his mountains of coke and his beautiful but, basically dead, wife, Elvira, living what he believes is the American dream. Elvira, Tony’s wife, played perfectly by Michelle Pfieffer, is beautiful and so cool she’s ice cold, whose only job is to be an ornament, and who comes from somewhere in Baltimore, we’re told, and whose only goal, it seems, is to just be taken care of by all these rich and violent thugs. She doesn’t seem phased by all the guns and underworld thugs that hang around the house, but then, her nose is so packed full of coke that this is not really a surprise. Most of the time, she’s got this false cocaine-calm aloofness that lends itself to comparisons with a mannequin. Her power and her trump is that ultimately, we get the sense that it’s a role she’s chosen – not one that was ever put upon her. That it’s all within her control. Men like Tony Montana are brought to their knees by her cool beauty and icy aloofness. She’s like coke they can’t buy or trade or snort or get enough of, but surely as powerful . But ultimately, she’s just some middle-class chick form Baltimore who was probably really bored and moved to Miami for some excitement. She’s a bitch. As Tony says to her, â€Å"You got a look like you haven’t been fucked in a year.† And it’s true. Maybe she knows her power is in the withholding, but this can only last for so long; a tease works because ultimately, there has to be something at the end of it. If it’s all attitude and cock tease, after a while, that gets boring and the furthest thing from sexy. Something’s gotta give. Tony Montana wants, as he says, â€Å"what’s coming to me,† which is â€Å"t... ...e power of all this seduction so that at the critical moment we can say â€Å"No†. We choose power over fucking and engaging with another human being, and we do this because of fear. Because in this age of psychotherapy, were everything is a fucking issue (pun intended) as if our boyfriend cheating or leaving us would cause a complete breakdown, as it has and does for so many girls today. Girls today, with few exceptions, don’t get back out there like Carole King or Carly Simon and belt out our anger and pain in some healthy way in a song with scathing lyrics. Instead, young women today run for the shelter of pastel pills and their standby bottles of Xanax and Zoloft and frantic calls to their therapists and lock themselves in their Back Bay apartments with their cats because we’re all so fucking fragile. It’s pathetic. Carole King and Carly Simon and so many others went through the same heartache but they didn’t run away; they belted it out in songs like â€Å"You’re so Vain† or â€Å"Total Eclipse of the Heart† (sang by Bonnie Tyler by written by Meatloaf), and Abba and Fleetwood Mac who made a life-style of heartache and fucking – because that is life. These women seem a lot braver to me.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 15

â€Å"Come on, it's okay,† Thea said. She seemed to be aboutPoppy's age, but she had a gentle, sensible air that gaveher authority. â€Å"Sit down. Here.† She set Poppy on ashabby couch and extended her wrist. Poppy stared atthe wrist for an instant and then remembered. James, giving her blood from his arm. Thatwashow to do it. Friendly andcivilized. She could see pale blue veins under the skin. And that sight blasted away the last of her hesitation. Instinct took over and she grabbed Thea's arm. Thenext thing she knew she was drinking. Warm salty-sweetness. -Life. Relief from pain. It was so good that Poppy could almost cry. No wonder vampires hated humans, she thought dimly. Humansdidn't have to hunt for this marvelous stuff; theywere full of it already. But, another part of her mind pointed out, Theawasn't a human. She was a witch. Strange, becauseher blood tasted exactly the same. Poppy's every sense confirmed it. So witches are just humans, but humans with special powers, Poppy thought. Interesting. It took an effort to control herself, to know whento stop. But she did stop. She let go of Thea's wrist and sat back, a little embarrassed, licking her lips andteeth. She didn't want to meet Thea's brown eyes. It was only then that she realized she'd been keeping her thoughts shielded during the entire process.There had been no mental connection as there had been when she shared blood with James. So she'dmastered one vampire power already. Faster than James or Ash had expected. And she felt good now. Energetic enough to do theNetherlands skippy dance. Confident enough to smileat Thea. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. Thea smiled back, as if she found Poppy odd orquaint, but nice. She didn't seem suspicious. â€Å"It'sokay,† she said, flexing her wrist and grimacinggently. For the first time Poppy was able to look aroundher. This room was more like a living room than partof a shop. Besides the couch there was a TV andseveral chairs. At the far end was a large table withcandles and incense burning. â€Å"This is the teaching room,† Thea said. â€Å"Grandmadoes spells here and lets the students hang out.† â€Å"And the other part is a store,† Poppy said, cautiously because she didn't know what she was supposed to know. Thea didn't look surprised. â€Å"Yes. I know you wouldn't thinkthere'd be enough witches around here to keep us in business, but actually they come from all over the country. Grandma's famous. Andher students buy a lot.† Poppy nodded, looking properly impressed. Shedidn't dare ask more questions, but her chilly hearthad warmed just a tiny bit. All Night People weren'tharsh and evil. She had the feeling she could be friends with this girl if given the chance. Maybe she could make it in the Night World after all. â€Å"Well,thanksagain,† she murmured softly. â€Å"Don't mention it. But don't let Ash get you rundown like that, either. He's soirresponsible.† â€Å"You wound me, Thea. You really do,† Ash said.He was standing in the doorway, holding the beadcurtain open with one hand. â€Å"But come to think ofit, I'm feeling a little run down myself†¦.† He raisedhis eyebrows insinuatingly. â€Å"Go jump in Lake Mead, Ash,† Thea said sweetly. Ash looked innocent and yearning. â€Å"Just a littlebite. A nibble. A nip,† he said. â€Å"You have such apretty white throat†¦.† â€Å"Who does?† Blaise said, pushing her way throughthe other half of the bead curtain. Poppy had the feeling she was only speaking to focus attention onherself. She stood in the center of the room andshook back her long black hair with the air of a girlused to attention. â€Å"You both do,† Ash said gallantly. Then he seemed to remember Poppy. â€Å"And, of course, this littledreamer has a pretty white everything.† Blaise, who had been smiling, now looked sour.She stared at Poppy long and hard. With dislikeand something else. Suspicion. Dawning suspicion. Poppy could feelit. Blaise's thoughts were brightand sharp andmalicious,like jagged glass. Then suddenly Blaise smiled again. She looked atAsh. â€Å"I suppose you've come for the party,† she said.†No. What party?† Blaise sighed in a way that emphasized her lowcut blouse. â€Å"The Solstice party, of course. Thierry'sgiving a big one. Everybody willbe there.† Ash looked tempted. In the dim light of the teaching room his eyes gleamed dark. Then he shook hishead. â€Å"No, can't make it. Sorry. I'm going to show Poppythe town.† â€Å"Well, you can do that and still come to the partylater. It won't really get going until after midnight.†Blaise was staring at Ash with an odd insistence. Ashbit his lip, then shook his head again, smiling. â€Å"Well, maybe,† he said. â€Å"I'll see how things go.† Poppy knew he was saying more than that. Someunspoken message seemed to be passing betweenhim and Blaise. But it wasn't telepathic, and Poppy couldn't pick it up. â€Å"Well, have a good time,† Thea said, and gavePoppy a quick smile as Ash piloted her away. Ash peered ahead at the Strip. â€Å"If we hurry wecan watch the volcano erupting,† he said. Poppy gavehim a look, but didn't ask. Instead, she said, â€Å"What's a Solstice party?† â€Å"Summer solstice. The longest day of the year. It'sa holiday for the Night People. Like Groundhog Dayfor humans.† ?Why?† â€Å"Oh, it always has been. It's very magical, youknow. I'd take you to the party, but it would be toodangerous. Thierry's a vampire Elder.† Then he said, â€Å"Here's the volcano.† It was a volcano. In front of a hotel. Waterfallscrashed down its sides, and red lights shone from thecone. Ash double-parked across the street. â€Å"You see, we've got a great view right here,† hesaid. â€Å"All the comforts of home.† The volcano was emitting rumbling sounds. AsPoppy watched in disbelief, a pillar of fire shot outof the top. Real fire. Then the waterfalls caught fire.Red and gold flames spread down the sides of the black rock until the entire lake around the' volcanowas ablaze. â€Å"Inspiring, isn't it?† Ash asked, very close to herear. â€Å"Well-it's†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Thrilling?† Ash inquired. â€Å"Stimulating? Rousing?† His arm was creeping around her, and his voicewas sweetly hypnotic. Poppy didn't say anything. â€Å"You know,† Ash murmured, â€Å"you can see a lotbetter if you get over here. I don't mind crowding.† His arm was urging her gently but inevitably closer. His breath ruffled her hair. Poppy slammed an elbow into his stomach. â€Å"Hey!†Ash yelped-in genuine pain, Poppy thought. Good. He'd dropped his arm and now he was looking ather with aggrieved brown eyes. â€Å"What did you do that for?† â€Å"Because I feltlike it,† Poppy said smartly. She was tingling with new blood and ready for a fight. â€Å"Look,Ash, I don't know what gave you the idea that I'm your date here. But I'm telling you right now thatI'm not. â€Å" Ash tilted his head and smiledpainfully.†You justdon't know me well enough,† he offered. â€Å"When weget to know each other-â€Å" â€Å"No.Never. I'm not interested in other guys. If Ican't have James †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Poppy had to stop and steady her voice. â€Å"There's nobody else I want,† she saidfinally,flatly. â€Å"Nobody.† â€Å"Well, not now, maybe, but-â€Å" â€Å"Never.†She didn't know how to explain. Thenshe had an idea. â€Å"You know the soulmate principle?† Ash opened his mouth and then shut it. Openedit again. â€Å"Oh, no. Not thatgarbage.† â€Å"Yes. James is my soulmate. I'm sorry if it soundsstupid, but it's true.† Ash put a hand to his forehead. Then he started to laugh. â€Å"You're serious.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And that's your final word.† â€Å"Yes.† Ash laughed again, sighed, and cast his eyes upward. â€Å"Okay. Okay. I should have known.† He chuckled in what seemed like self-derision. Poppy was relieved. She'd been afraid he'd be disgruntled and huffy-or mean.Despite his charm, shecould always feel something cold running below thesurface in Ash, like an icy river. But now he seemed perfectly good-humored.†Okay,† he said. â€Å"So if romance isn't on the menu, let's go to the party.† â€Å"I thought you said it was too dangerous.† He waved a hand. â€Å"That was a little fib. To get youalone, you know.† He glanced sideways at her.†Sorry.† Poppy hesitated. She didn't care about a party. Butshe didn't want to be alone with Ash, either. â€Å"Maybe you should just take me back to your cousins' place.† â€Å"They won't bethere,† Ash said. â€Å"I'm sure they've gone to the party by now. Oh, come on, it'll be fun. Give me a chance to make things up to you.† Thin curls of uneasiness were roiling inside Poppy. But Ash looked so penitent and persuasive †¦andwhat other choice did she have? â€Å"Okay,† she said finally. â€Å"For just a little while.†Ash gave a dazzling smile. â€Å"Just a very littlewhile,† he said. â€Å"So they could be anywhere on the Strip,†James said. Thea sighed. â€Å"I'm sorry. I should have known Ashwas up to something. But hijacking your girlfriend†¦Ã¢â‚¬ She lifted her hands in a what-next gesture. â€Å"Forwhat it's worth, she didn't seem very interested inhim. If he's planning to put the moves on her, he'sgoing to get a surprise.† Yes, James thought, and so is she. Poppy was onlyuseful to Ash as long as Ash thought he could playwith her. Once he realized he couldn't†¦ He didn't want to think about what would happenthen. A quick visit to the nearest Elder, he supposed. His heart was pounding, and there was a ringingin his ears. â€Å"Did Blaise go with them?† he asked. â€Å"No, she went to the Solstice party. She tried to get Ash to go, but he said he wanted to show Poppythe town.† Thea paused, raising a finger. â€Å"Waityou might check at the party. Ash said he might stopin later.† James spent a moment forcing himself to breathe.Then he said, verygently, â€Å"And just who is giving this party?† â€Å"Thierry Descouedres. He always has a big one.†Ã¢â‚¬ And he's an Elder.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Nothing. Never mind.† James backed out of theshop. â€Å"Thanks for the help. I'll be in touch.†Ã¢â‚¬ James†¦Ã¢â‚¬ She looked at him helplessly. â€Å"Do youwant to come in and sit down? You don't lookvery well†¦.† â€Å"I'm fine,† James said, already out the door.In the car he said, â€Å"You can get up now.† Phillip emerged from the floor of the backseatwhere he'd been hiding. â€Å"What's happening? Youwere gone a long time.† â€Å"I think I know where Poppy is.†Ã¢â‚¬ You just think?† â€Å"Shut up, Phil.† He didn't have energy for exchanging insults. He was entirely focused on Poppy.†Okay, so where is she?† James spoke precisely. â€Å"She is either now, or shewilll be later, at a party. A very large party, filled with vampires. And at least one Elder. The perfect placeto expose her.† Phil gulped. â€Å"And you think that's what Ash is going to do?† â€Å"I know that's what Ash is going to do.† â€Å"Then we've got to stop him.† â€Å"We may be too late.† The party was strange. Poppy was amazed at howyoung most of the people were. There were a few scattered adults, but far more teenagers. â€Å"Made vampires,† Ash explained obligingly. Poppyremembered what James had said-made vampiresremained forever the age of their death, but lamiacould stop aging anytime. She supposed that meantthat James could get as old as he wanted, while she would be stuck at sixteen eternally. Not that it mattered. If she and James were going to be together,they could both stay young-but apart, maybe he'd want to age. But it was odd to see a guy who looked about nineteen talking earnestly with a little kid wholooked about four. The kid was cute, with shiny black hair and tilted eyes, but there was something at onceinnocent and cruel in his expression. â€Å"Let's see, now that's Circe. A witch of renown.And that's Sekhmet, a shapeshifter. You don't want to get hermad,† Ash said genially.He and Poppy were standing in a little anteroom, looking down a level into the main room of the house. Of the mansion, rather. It was the most opulent private residence Poppy had ever seen–and she'd seen Bel Airand BeverlyHills. â€Å"Okay,† Poppy said, looking in the general?direc tion he was pointing. She saw two tall and lovelygirls, but she had no idea which was which. â€Å"And that's Thierry, our host. He's an Elder.† An Elder? The guy Ash was indicating didn't seemolder than nineteen. He was beautiful, like all thevampires, tall and blond and pensive. Almost sadlooking. â€Å"How old ishe?† â€Å"Oh, I forget. He got bitten by an ancestress ofmine a long time ago. Back when people lived incaves.† Poppy thought he was joking. But maybe not. â€Å"What do the Elders do, exactly?† â€Å"They just make rules. And see that people keepthem.† An odd smile was playing around Ash's lips. He turned to look directly at Poppy. With the black eyes of a snake.That was when Poppy knew. She backed away rapidly. But Ash came after her,just as rapidly. She saw a door on the other side of the anteroom and headed for it. Got through it. Onlyto find herself on a balcony. With her eyes, she measured the distance to the ground. But before she could make another move, Ash had her arm. Don't fight yet, her mind counseled desperately. He's strong. Wait for an opportunity. She made herself relax a fraction and met Ash's dark gaze. â€Å"You brought me here.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"To hand me over.†He smiled.†But why?† Ash threw back his head and laughed. It waslovely, melodious laughter, and it made Poppy sick. â€Å"You're a human,† he said. â€Å"Or you should be. James should never have done what he did.†Poppy's heart was racing, but her mind was oddlyclear. Maybe she'd known all along that this was what he was going to do. Maybe it was even the rightthing to do. If she couldn't be with James and she couldn't be with her family, did the rest really matter? Did she wantto live in the Night World if it wasfull of people like Blaise and Ash? â€Å"So you don't care about James, either,† she said.†You're willing to put him in danger to get rid of me.† Ash considered, then grinned. â€Å"James can takecare of himself,† he said. Which was obviously Ash's entire philosophy. Everybody took care of themselves, and nobody helpedanybody else. â€Å"And Blaise knew, too,† Poppy said. â€Å"She knew what you were going to do and she didn't care.† â€Å"Not much gets past Blaise,† Ash said. He startedto say something else-and Poppy saw her chance. She kicked-hard. And twisted at the same time.Trying to get over the balcony rail. â€Å"Stay here,† James said to Phil before the car had evenstopped. They were in front of a huge white mansionfringed with palm trees. James threw the door open,but took the time to say again, â€Å"Stay here.No matter what happens, don't go in that house. And if somebodybesides me comes up to the car, drive away.† â€Å"But-â€Å" â€Å"Just do it, Phil! Unless you want to find out aboutdeath firsthand-tonight.† James set out at a dead run for the mansion. Hewas too intent to really notice the sound of a cardoor opening behind him. â€Å"And you looked like such a nice girl,† Ash gasped.He had both of Poppy's arms behind her back andwas trying to get out of the range of her feet.†No-no, quit that, now.† He was too strong. There was nothing Poppy coulddo. Inch by inch he was dragging her back into theanteroom. You might as well give up, Poppy's mind told her.It's useless. You're done. She could picture the whole thing: herself being dragged out in front of all of those sleek and handsome Night People and revealed. She could picturetheir pitiless eyes. That pensive-looking guy wouldwalk up to her and his face would change and hewouldn't look pensive anymore. He'd look savage.His teeth would grow. His eyes would go silvery.Then he'd snarl–and strike. And that would be the end of Poppy. Maybe that wasn't the way they did it, maybe theyexecuted criminals some other way in the NightWorld. But it wouldn't be pleasant, whatever it was. And I won't makeiteasyfor you!Poppy thought. Shethought it directly at Ash, throwing all of her angerand grief and betrayal at him. Instinctively. Like akid shouting in a temper tantrum. Except it had an effect shouting usually didn't. Ash flinched. He almost lost his grip on her arms. It was only a momentary weakening, but it wasenough for Poppy's eyes to widen. I hurt him. Ihurthim! She stopped struggling physically in that same instant. She put all her concentration, all her energy,into a mental explosion. A thought-bomb. LET GO OF ME YOU ROTTEN VAMPIRE CREEP! Ash staggered. Poppy did it again, this time makingher thought a fire hose, a high-power jetstreambombardment. LET G000000000000! Ash let go. Then, as Poppy ran out of steam, hetried in afumblingway to reach her again. â€Å"I don't think so,† a voice as cold as steel said.Poppy looked into the anteroom and saw James. Her heart lurched violently. And then, withoutconsciously being aware of moving, she was in hisarms. Oh, James, how did youfind me? All he kept saying was Are you all right? â€Å"Yes,† Poppy said finally, aloud. It was indescribably good to be with him again, to be held by him.Like waking up from a nightmare to see your mothersmiling. She buried her face in his neck. â€Å"You're sure you're all right?† â€Å"Yes. Yes.† â€Å"Good. Then just hang on a moment while I kill this guy and we'll go.† He was absolutely serious. Poppy could feel it in his thoughts, in every muscle and sinew of his body.He wanted to murder Ash. She lifted her head at the sound of Ash's laugh.†Well, it ought to be a good fight, anyway,† Ashsaid. No, Poppy thought. Ash was looking silky and dangerous and in a very bad mood. And even if James could beat him, James was going to get hurt. Evenif she and James fought him together, there was going to be some damage. â€Å"Let's just go,† she said to James. â€Å"Quick.† Sheadded silently, Ithink he wants to keep us around untilsomebody from the party gets here. â€Å"No, no,† Ash said, in gloatingly enthusiastic tones.†Let's settle this like vampires.† â€Å"Let's not,† said a breathless familiar voice. Poppy'shead jerked around. Climbing over the railing of thebalcony, dusty but triumphant, was Phil. â€Å"Don't you everlisten?† James said to him. â€Å"Well, well,† Ash said. â€Å"A human in an Elder'shouse. What arewe going to do about that?† â€Å"Look, buddy,† Phil said, still breathless, brushingoff his hands. â€Å"I don't know who you are or whathorse you rode in on. But that's my sisterthere you're messing with, and I figure I've got the first right to knock your head off.† There was a pause while Poppy, James, and Ash all looked at him. The pause stretched. Poppy wasaware of a sudden, completely inappropriate impulse to laugh. Then she realized that James was fightingdesperately not to crack a smile. Ash just looked Phil up and down, then looked atJames sideways. â€Å"Does this guyunderstandabout vampires?† hesaid. â€Å"Oh, yeah,† James said blandly. â€Å"And he's going to knock my head in?† â€Å"Yeah,† Phil said, and cracked his knuckles. â€Å"What's so surprising about that?† There was another pause.Poppycould feel minute tremors going through James. Choked-back laughter.At last James said, admirably sober, â€Å"Philreally feelsstrongly about his sister.† Ash looked at Philonce more, then at James, andfinally at Poppy. â€Å"Well †¦ there are three of you,† he said. â€Å"Yes, there are,† James said, genuinely sober now. Grim. â€Å"So I guess you do have me at a disadvantage. Allright,I giveup.† He lifted his hands and thendropped them. â€Å"Go on, scram. I won't fight.† â€Å"And you won't tell on us, either,† James said. Itwasn't a request. â€Å"I wasn't going to anyway,† Ash said. He had onhis most innocent and guileless expression. â€Å"I knowyou think I brought Poppy here to expose her, but I really wasn't going to go through with it. I was justhaving fun. The whole thing was just a joke.† â€Å"Oh, sure,† Phil said. â€Å"Don't even bother lying,† James said. But Poppy, oddly, wasn't as certain as they were.She looked at Ash's wide eyes-his wide violeteyes-and felt doubt slosh back and forth inside her. It was hard to read him, as it had been hard allalong. Maybe because he always meant everythinghe said at the time he said it–or maybe because he nevermeant anything he said. No matter which,, he was the most irritating, frustrating, impossible personshe'd ever met. â€Å"Okay, we're going now,† James said. â€Å"We're goingto walk very quietly and calmly right through that littleroom and down the hall, and we're not going to stopfor anything-Phillip.Unless you'd rather go back downthe way you came up,† he added. Phil shook his head. James gathered Poppy in hisarm again, but he paused and looked back at Ash. â€Å"You know, you've never really cared about anyone,† he said. â€Å"But someday you will, and it's goingto hurt. It's going to hurt-a lot.† Ash looked back at him, and Poppy could readnothing in his ever-changing eyes. But just as Jamesturned again, he said, â€Å"I think you're a lousyprophet. But your girlfriend's a good one. You mightwant to ask her about her dreams sometime.† James stopped. He frowned. â€Å"What?† â€Å"And you, little dreamer, you might want to check out your family tree. You have a very loud yell.† He smiled at Poppy engagingly. â€Å"Bye now.† James stayed for another minute or so, just staringat his cousin. Ash gazed serenely back. Poppycounted heartbeats while the two of them stoodmotionless. Then James shook himself slightly and turnedPoppy toward the anteroom. Phil followed right on their heels. They walked out of the house very quietly andvery calmly. No one tried to stop them. But Poppy didn't feel safe until they were on theroad. â€Å"What did he mean with that crack about the family tree?† Phil asked from the backseat. James gave him an odd look, but answered with aquestion. â€Å"Phil, how did you know where to findPoppy in that house? Did you see her on the balcony?† â€Å"No, I just followed the shouting.† Poppy turned around to look at him.James said, â€Å"What shouting?† â€Å"Theshouting. Poppy shouting. ‘Let go of me yourotten vampire creep.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Poppy turned to James. â€Å"Should hehave been ableto hear it? I thought I was just yelling at Ash. Dideverybody at the party hear?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"But, then–â€Å" James cut her off. â€Å"What dream was Ash talkingabout?† â€Å"Just a dream I had,† Poppy said, bewildered. â€Å"Idreamed about him before I actually met him.† James's expression was now verypeculiar. â€Å"Oh,did you?† â€Å"Yes. James, what's this all about? What did hemean, I should check my family tree?† â€Å"He meant that you-and Philaren't human after all. Somewhere among your ancestors there'sa witch.†