Trust and Equity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Trust and Equity - Essay Example Even if the parties mentioned the word trust when transfer the properties to another, the court still needs to look into the true intentions of the parties. For the trust to be valid, the full intentions of the parties should be clearly stated in the trust agreement (see Re Adams and the Kensington Vestry (1884)2. The absence of a clear showing of the true intentions of the parties will negate the validity of the trust. In the case at bar, Sedwick merely told his wife that he is transferring the money to her account in case something goes wrong. The words in case something goes wrong is so vague and there is really no clear showing what Sedwick really wants his wife to with the money. According to the case of Knight v Knight (1840)3, for a valid trust to ensue, mandatory words has to be given directing the trustee as to what to do with the properties entrusted to it. In the case at bar, since there was no clear showing as to what is the true intention of the parties involved, the bequest of the money can arguably be construed as a form of gift (see Milroy v Lord (1862)4. Given these circumstances, the wife can assert her right over the property. On the other hand, Sedwick may still be able to recover the property by claiming that the bequest was incomplete (Jones v Locke (1865)5. According to the court in the case of Milroy v Lord (1862)6, it is necessary for the original owner of the property to perform all acts within his or her powers to divest him/herself of his/her rights over the property or money for the gift to be deemed as complete. The facts of the case show that the creation of the trust is valid. The three requisites of the validity of a trust according to the Knight v Knight (1840)7 are fulfilled. Note that the intention of the parties is clear (Midland Bank v Wyatte (1995)8, the subject matter of the trust is well established (Palmer v Simmonds (1854)9; Boyce v Boyce (1849)10 and the objects of the trust can be clearly determined (Morice v

Operating Systems Essay Example for Free

Operating Systems Essay Interfaces that are graphical in nature are known either as Graphical User Interfaces(GUI) or WIMP interfaces (Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointer). Typically, these types of interfaces are available in multi-programming environments or in applications software that involve a considerable degree of complexity. In a GUI, there are: A window for each open application. Many windows can be open at the same time but only one window can be active at any one time. There may be some way of indicating which one is active (perhaps by making the bar at the top of the active window blue). Menus and icons. Available functions can be selected in one of two ways, either by using pop-up menus or drop-down menus, or clicking on icons. An icon is simply a small picture that represents a specific function- clicking on it selects that function.   A pointing device, usually a mouse but in certain circumstances a graphical tablet and pen can be used. These are used to make selections.   The use of the keyboard to navigate through the application is minimized because it is relatively time-consuming way of working.   Natural language. Natural language interfaces are those that allow the user to communicate in their native language, such as English. It allows the user to instruct the computer without need for a particular syntax. The system needs to be able both to interpret inputs in natural language from the user, and to act upon them, and, also preferably to generate natural language statements in response to user input. Sometimes it is also referred as a conversational interface. The questions are displayed on the VDU and the answers are entered via the keyboard. For example, imagine a user has initiated a save file request. The conversation might be: COMP:Whats the file name? USER: chapter1. txt COMP:what folder? USER: userguide COMP:File already exists. Overwrite? USER:Yes COMP: Done. This kind of interface can be found on data entry terminals and other types of dumb terminals connected to a network where non-experts users are guided through the complex tasks they need to perform by the computer.   Command line Command based interface is one where the user types a series of commands at the keyboard which tell the computer what their intentions are. It is also known as linguistic manipulation. The characteristics of a command based interface are   the user needs to know what commands are available   the user needs to understand the commands Characteristics of a command based interface 1) The system is very much more open than in the other types of interface. Other interfaces restrict the options that the user has available to them. This can be particularly important for the system manager because different users can only be allowed to have access to specific parts of the system. 2) Command based interfaces can only be used by computer literate people because the user need to understand the commands and their uses. 1. Define what is meant by the term operating system. (2) 2. Give two reasons why an operating system is likely to be stored on backing storage rather than in the memory of the computer. (2) 3. Distinguish between a multi-programming and a multi-access operating system. (2) 4. State what is meant by a distributed system, and give an advantage of this type of multi-access system over a simple network of machines. (2) 5. A computer operator takes phone calls from the public who ring up asking whether a particular item in a catalogue is available. The operator needs to type in a series of responses to questions put to the caller, so that the computer can check the file and determine whether there are any of that item available. Design a screen interface that would be suitable for the operator to use. (4) 6. The technician responsible for maintaining the system in question 5, uses a command line interface. a) Explain what is meant by a command line interface. (2) b) Give two advantages and one disadvantage to the technician of using a command line interface rather than a menu based interface. (3) Answers: 1 A. -A (suite of) programs-which run the basic functions of the computer -giving an environment in which to run application software. A question which begins with the word define, leaves very little room for manoeuvre because it is asking for a standard answer. This is not an opportunity to show your prowess by making up an answer that is original- there arent any. Note, also, the fact that three answers have been given. Always try to give one more answer than seems to be required by the question. If you look at a mark scheme for an examination paper, the mark points are listed as a set of bullet points so there is no reason why you should not do the same. This style of answer helps you to write down your thoughts easily without getting confused by the language. The purpose of this examination is not to test your ability with English, rather to test your knowledge of computing. 2 A. A full operating system requires a large amount of storage space that is better utilised in the computer memory for applications Storage of the operating system on backing storage allows for easy upgrading or changing from one system to a different one. Note that the temptation to call the operating system the O. S. has been resisted in the answer. In general, do not use abbreviations in your answers. There are exceptions, where the abbreviation is the accepted form, but your own versions may be ambiguous or, even, not understood by the examiner. If you do need to use an abbreviation, because the term is to be used a number of times, give the term in full with the abbreviation that you want to use in brackets after it. For example, the first time that you use the term operating system write operating system (OS) you can then use OS as often as you like in the rest of your answer. 3. A. A multi-programming operating system is one where the user of the machine is given the impression that they can carry out more than one task at a time. A multi-access operating system is one where it is possible for more than one user to access the system apparently at the same time. Note that there are a large number of points that could have been made about both of these operating systems, but most of them would not answer the question. It is important when answering a question starting with distinguish to choose facts that show a comparison. 4 A. A distributed system is one which uses many storage locations on different machines to store software and files. Access to files can be speeded up because more than one file command can be carried out at a time. When an advantage is asked for it is normal to state in the question, either explicitly or implicitly, with what the comparison should be made. Be careful to give an advantage using this comparison and not a more generalised one. 5 A. Form type interface Catalogue number Space for the description of goods which will be filled in by the computer itself Spaces for computer to produce availability and price Laid out with spaces for input. What is just as important here are the things that would not be on the screen. The question makes it quite clear that there is no ordering going on, so spaces for name and address, or method of payment, are not only going to score no marks, but will probably be penalised because they demonstrate that the candidate has not understood the question. In this type of question it is important to demonstrate that you have taken the situation into account. 6 A. a)-Series of commands typed at a screen prompt -which give specific instructions to the computer. b)Advantages: -Entire system is available to the technician -Access to the particular part of the system required is gained more quickly than using other types of interface. Disadvantage: -The technician needs to know the commands that are available -The technician needs to understand the way the system is designed so that it can be navigated efficiently. Note. The language used in this answer is not the sort of language that a candidate will use in an examination. Dont worry about this. Answers like so that you can get around the system are perfectly acceptable. System Software James Leong Mook Seng.

The Mouse and His Child :: American Literature

The Mouse and His Child, by Russell Hoban, is a melancholy fable about a wind-up pair of tin mice that explore various themes such as hope and perseverance. However, the prevailing lesson taken from this book can be found in the way that Hoban employs his cast of wind-up toys to advocate the importance of the family unit. The story begins with the family together, but it is divided and they go out in separate directions. The father mouse and his child have different views on what to do after the break up of the family. The father's goal of self-winding is a wish for independence, while his child only wishes to bring the family back together. In fact, when the child tells Frog, "I want to find the elephant, I want her to be my mama, and I want the seal to be my sister..." (35), the father is flabbergasted since he was not aware of his child's desire. However, since they are bound together with the father mouse pushing the child along, the father's dream of self-winding/independence takes priority. Hoban cleverly uses the dialogue of the father mouse to show that the family broke up because of differences between the father and mother. In reply to his child's desire to go look for the elephant/mama and the seal/sister, the father says, "I cannot imagine myself being cozy with that elephant." (46) Yet the father humors his child and goes in the direction that they believe may lead them to the seal/sister and elephant/mama saying, "Finding the elephant would be as pointless as looking for her, but since I cannot convince you of that, ... we shall (at least) see something of the world" (47). While the elephant/mama had grown accustom to her royal lifestyle at the dollhouse in the store, she began to be snooty to her family. In replying to why she had been at the store so long she stated, "I'm part of the establishment...and this is my house." (5). It is not until she has been separated from her possessions and the family that she realizes how well off she was when the family was together. When she sees the father and child cutting the tree, she is "completely overwhelmed" (127). Until then she had only thought of herself. She realizes the error of their split as "a world of love and pain was printed on her vision" (128).

Women in Prehistory: Gender in Mycenaean

Womans in Prehistory:Gender in Mycenaean Introduction In the ancient universe, there were societal functions made for different gender as males and females played different functions in the society. Evidence of the archaeological stuffs found in Crete provides information on the functions played by work forces and adult females in Minoan society, particularly to the Mycenaean Greeks. Some research workers, establishing on the grounds of the graphics have suggested that adult females in Mycenaean did non merely play a function of rise uping kids but besides played some other functions. Some research workers have suggested, during the same period, some adult females have more freedom in one civilization than those in other civilizations. Mycenaean Age ( 1600-1100 BC ) The Mycenaean age dates back to the Bronze Age around 1600 BC to 1100 BC. It is presently an archaeological site in Greece found in the Peloponnese, Southern Greece. The archaeological remains found at Mycenaean have great importance in stating about the history of the Mycenaean age and its civilization. The remains found at the castle in Mycenae and the sums of ownership found in the Gravess indicate the prosperity and richness of the Mycenaean civilisation. Before the Mycenaean period, the dominant civilization in Greece was the Minoan. The Mycenaean defeated the Minoan and therefore replacing it in the metropolis of Troy. The Mycenaean civilization was dominant around the chief metropoliss of Mycenae which include Pylos, Tiryns, Athens, Orchomenos, Thebes and Folkseir. The Mycenaean civilization besides was in the ruins of Knossos, one of the large metropoliss in the Minoan period. The combination of the Minoan and Mycenaean led to the coming up of a civilization found in Crete ( Anna 59 ) . The category variegation hapless and the rich during the Mycenaean become more constituted. More wealth was reserved for the male monarch and other royal governments. There was besides a great separation in gender, where the male and female had different functions to play in the society. The Mycenaean exhibited warrior civilization which was one of the functions played by work forces in the Mycenaean. The warriors in Mycenaean were besides prepared for the conflict as a manner of protecting the wealth and cultural hoarded wealths of the metropolis. They were besides great bargainers who maintained contact with other trade spouses like the Europe and the Mediterranean. The grounds of the outstanding constructions built during the Mycenaean period like great castles, Bridgess, abode and grave shows that they were besides great applied scientists ( Paul 75 ) . The History of Gender Structures and Role in the Ancient Greece Minoan civilisation ( ca. 2600–ca. 14,500 BCE ) was the earliest period of Grecian history. The Crete Island had many castles of extremely centralised civilization, whereas the Knossos was the most of import. Archaeological grounds of stuff remains of the Knossos civilization which comprise of pictures on the walls of the castles provide merely guesss and non clear grounds on the constructions of gender and their functions. Many pictures found have shown adult females looking active in public like adult females in athleticss of acrobat where they vault over the dorsums of bulls that are unsafe and besides taking portion in Minoan rites. But their mere presence as seen in the pictures does non precisely say about their function in the society. One can ne'er judge whether the participants in the acrobats were trained slaves, blue young persons or even captives who were fixing to be given as a forfeit. There were besides statues which suggested the Minoan faith chiefly worshipped goddess figures. However, this can non be used to do a decision about the high position of adult females in Minoan ( Chapman 74 ) . The Minoan art of picture besides depicted adult female holding white tegument and work forces with brown tegument. This suggests that the blue adult females in society led an inactive life in shelters and were seldom exposed to the outside universe, whereas work forces experienced the adversities of the outside universe through out-of-door undertakings like war, concern and agribusiness. The invasion of Aegean island and Greece by the Greek-speaking people led to the outgrowth of Mycenaean civilization ( ca. 1600–ca. 1100 BCE. ) by absorbing the Minoan civilization. Many verse forms like the Odyssey and Iliad and myths came from this period. The Mycenaean civilization was dominated by the blue warriors whose position was gained through triumph in the conflict and collection of loot from where they concur. The lives of adult females in Mycenaean were under the control of work forces, that is their hubbies, male parents and sometimes even by their boies. Men literally treated the adult females in Mycenaean below the belt. However, adult females had a opportunity to asseverate themselves through their strong influence on some powerful comparative male ( Shelton 62 ) . The Mycenaean cultured ended and Greece came into a dark age where the society split into single farmsteads and little small towns. The Role of Female in Mycenaean It is apparent that to Mycenaean did non conform to male dominance excessively much as evident in some other country. The archaeological grounds found indicate that adult females took portion in really of import functions in public life in the urban like being officials, decision makers ; they were besides priestesses and took portion in some athleticss that in most instances they are dominated by work forces like overleaping over bull which are unsafe. These athleticss which required a batch of bravery and high acrobatic accomplishments were dominated by both work forces and adult females. In Mycenaean, adult females were presented to be really adept in entrepreneurship and trade plants. They besides held political duties. Archaeological grounds suggests that most priests in Mycenaean were adult females. Despite the fact that most male monarchs in castles in Mycenaean were work forces, it is true that both the Mycenaean and Minoan society were non chiefly patriarchal. Most archaeologists believe that both the Mycenaean and the Minoan were matrilinear due to the grounds of their goddess faith ( Komita 66 ) . Most of the adult females in Mycenaean were non confined to the domestic domain in their operation. There is grounds that some adult females were cooks, Millers, Fullers, weavers, hosts, physicians, vocalists, cellar keepers, terpsichoreans and instrumentalists. In most instances such activities were associated with the temple and the castle which were the primary centres of finance and production in the Mycenaean. There were great workshops in the castles for fabric production, metalwork and other fabrication workshops. Women worked in these castles and therefore played a important function in the economic system of Mycenaean. Womans who worked in these workshops are listed in tabular array B. For case, at the castle of Pylon, there were 1400 adult females working in the castle, which was twice the figure of work forces working in the fabric and vesture workshops, leather workings grain processing every bit good as family attenders in different sorts. The adult females besides held high position occupations in Mycenaean. The adult females in Mycenaean who served as priestesses experienced greater independency in their work and were responsible for some indispensable map in the society. Some adult females in the Mycenaean like the priestesses and other female who held spiritual duties possessed big pieces of land and they were accorded high position in the community. These adult females had greater independency and control over sacred hoarded wealths of the temple as it was recorded that some priestesses donated some bronze from the temple for military intents. Fiscal independency was non merely limited to the priestesses as it was mentioned in the tabular array that one adult female who was non a priest owned and orchard. Harmonizing to the reading of many bookmans of the information in tabular array B, many adult females in the Mycenaean received half as much of what the work forces received for their work. However, other bookmans like Judy Turner and Jon-Christian Billigmeier believe that the grounds in table B indicates equal compensation for both work forces and adult females for their work. Unequal wage between work forces and adult females, nevertheless, did non impact the baronial adult females who were accorded the right to inherit and were besides given big doweries because they had a large part of heritage ( Anna 61 ) . This shows that adult females of the upper category in Mycenaean had power to command their ain wealth and continue it for themselves and those that were to inherit from them. The Role of Pylos and Knossos Women in Mycenaean At least 1200 adult females are approximated to be in the workgroup at Knossos. The lists are similar to those recorded at Pylos, which indicated slave adult females and groups of low position. It is indicated that more than a 1000 adult females of low position worked in the fabric industries in Knossos. However, these women’s functions were non confined in and around the castle merely like in Pylos, but besides worked in many other towns and small towns in Crete. They were under the control of Mycenaean masters. Most of the fabric industries were located far off from some really of import concerns that were organized by the castle. All the cloth production work was assigned to adult females. Most of the slaves during Mycenaean were adult females. There are different sort of cloth production set for the local adult females and that for slaves. The slaves were allowed to be free for the remainder of the twelvemonth after completing the undertaking they were assigned which normally took three to six months. This gave the adult females a opportunity to run into their households and carry out other household functions at place ( Paul 74 ) . Womans in Mycenaean besides had the duty of mediating to the Gods on behalf of their households and on behalf of their metropolis provinces excessively. This was because adult females could talk straight to the Gods, unlike the work forces. Furthermore, they had permeable organic structures which were more unfastened to nonhuman influence. Harmonizing to the Grecian civilization, the female organic structures, peculiarly the uterus were considered to be something dark and unknown and it was potentially unsafe. This made them to be more suited than work forces in doing contact with an facet of deity that were unpredictable ( Komita 67 ) . This thought is besides reflected in the vulnerable nature of adult females during rites like doing forfeits. In order to acquire gods’ attending, they shriek emotional as they greeted the deities. They besides came up with plaints during funerals to convey out their heartache and besides to pacify the dead. Women besides took a function in fixing cadavers for entombment because their organic structures were associated with passage of events in life like birth and decease. Women hence, had great functions to play in spiritual affairs in Mycenaean and that is the ground why most priests in Mycenaean were adult females. The Role of Male in Mycenaean During the Mycenaean period, work forces controlled the greater portion of the belongings in the society than adult females. Work force of all societal position in Mycenaean had control over so many trade goods than adult females. Some of these trade goods under the control of work forces were really owned by adult females. They could entree more trade goods in the society than adult females. For case, adult females in Mycenaean ne'er received alien good from the castles like unctions and spices, metal or metal vass, objects that were made of tusk or horn, Equus caballuss, arms, chariots and armours which had the symbols of the opinion elite. Work forces were shepherds and Shearers of sheep that provided the wool for the fabric industry. The Mycenaean kept so many sheep that provided equal natural stuff for the fabric industry, which was one of the most of import economic activities in Mycenaean. Work force besides took leading functions in Mycenaean civilization. The male monarchs in the castles were all male monarchs and governing authorization places that help the male monarch were taken by work forces. Women’s leading was chiefly limited in spiritual affairs while other leading places and authorization were held by work forces. The male monarch therefore, together with other work forces in the royal circle possessed most of the wealth in the community, making great category differences between the rich and the ( Shelton 63 ) . Work force had besides the duty of protecting the society, the cultural hoarded wealths and the metropoliss. All the warriors were work forces and they formed a really strong ground forces. They were besides readily prepared for the conflict. The warriors fought different conflicts emerging with the triumph and brought place prisoners who became slaves in Mycenaean. However, in about 1100 BCE Mycenaean was burned and destroyed most likely by the invading Dorian. Evidence shows that its being continued as a little metropolis provinces and the walls were non destroyed. 480 BC work forces of Mycenaean were sent to Thermopylae to contend against the Persians. In 479 BC the work forces of Mycenaean were at Plataea and in 470 BC, their neighbours Argos who were really aggressive and had been impersonal in the Persian war took retaliation by beleaguering Mycenaean. In 468 BC, the Argos defeated the Mycenaean warriors and it was destroyed ( Gagarin 94 ) . Most of the concern activities in Mycenaean were carried out by work forces. They were great bargainers who contacted other trade spouses from other states like the Europe and Mediterranean. In Mycenaean, work forces were besides instrumentalists and played really of import functions, particularly in spiritual maps. Most of the grounds found about instrumentalists, showed the male instrumentalists and they played their music in standing places. Apart from artistic representation of instrumentalists, there were besides remains of musical instruments that were found in Gravess of Mycenae where they were placed in the Gravess as valuable goods. From the grounds findings, we can reason that the musical instruments found are already discerned in percussion, air current and stringed instruments. Some of the most of import archaeological findings of musical instruments include the weaponries of tusk that came from Menidi and they had been formed into a duck caput and besides some parts of lyre that were found in the grave of Spatar and Mycenae ( Chadwick 70 ) . Separation in Gender in Mycenaean In Mycenaean though non much, but at that place was a difference between the functions played work forces and adult females and how they were treated in assorted fortunes. The rewards given to adult females and work forces for the work done was non equal despite even when they did a comparatively equal undertaking. For case, in Hittite context work forces were paid higher than adult females for comparatively tantamount labour. Harmonizing to Hittite Law Code in subdivision 158, wages for work forces and adult females who were hired during crop are indicated. Their payment was settled in steps of grain. In a month, a adult male received 10 steps while a adult female received either four or six. Sometimes, the wage for a adult male was 12 boodles of Ag while that for a adult female was six boodles. This is in the ratio of 2:1 for work forces and adult females severally ( Paul 58 ) . Harmonizing to the reading of tabular array B by many bookmans, adult females in Mycenaean received every bit half as much pay for the work they did as what work forces received. However, some bookmans have argued that the grounds from table B indicate an equal ratio of wheat and some other signifiers of payment used during the Mycenaean period for work forces and adult females. Another separation is besides seen in the spiritual affairs in Mycenaean where merely adult females were given the opportunity to take spiritual activities. Their bloody nature was considered to be more suited for reaching the deities unlike work forces. They, hence, led most of the spiritual maps in the society like the offering of forfeits and carry oning burial ceremonials. They besides prayed on behalf of their household and the whole society and interceded to the Gods on behalf of work forces. In the leading sector, there was besides separation where most of the leaders, including the male monarch were male. Women’s leading was merely limited to spiritual affairs. Men dominated most of the royal places in Mycenaean and had all the authorization. Men besides had much control of trade good belongings than adult females. They had entree to more trade goods in the society than adult females. All work forces, irrespective of their societal or economic position had much power over trade goods in the community some of which were owned by adult females. This showed a great lower status in the power of adult females over ownership of belongings ( Chapman 88 ) . Most of the lands in Mycenaean were owned by work forces except for the adult females who were priestesses and some few other adult females who were non priestesses but still owned some land. In this society, gender dealingss were apparent. Womans did presume their ain muliebrity, looking at how they wore their apparels every bit good as presuming a really critical function within their ain society. Some of the adult females still used to move into really important functions in the political relations of this society. This brought rather a passage in the Mycenaean society. Decision Unlike excessively many civilizations and society, it can be observed that the Mycenaean civilization had small differences in the functions played by work forces and adult females. Womans are seen to take portion in activities that would instead be suited for work forces. They perform good in different sectors merely like their male opposite numbers such as in athleticss, in occupations and in cultural and spiritual affairs. Plants cited Paul, A. â€Å" Mycenaean Divinities † . Northridge, CA: California State University. 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2015. Chapman, R. â€Å" Changing Social Relations in the Mediterranean Copper and Bronze Ages † . In Blake, Emma ; Knapp, A. Bernard. The Archaeology of Mediterranean Prehistory. Oxford and Malden: Blackwell Publishing. 2005: pp.77–101. Chadwick, J. â€Å"The Mycenaean World.† Cambridge University Press. 1976. Retrieved April 29 2015. Gagarin, M. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome1. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2010. Shelton, K. â€Å" Living and Dying in and Around Middle Helladic Mycenae † . In Philippa-Touchais, Anna, T. , Voutsaki, S. et Al. : The Grecian Mainland in the Middle Bronze Age ( Bulletin de CorrespondanceHellenique: Supplement, Volume 52 ) . Athinais: Ecolefrancaised’Athenes. 2010: pp.57–65. Komita, N. â€Å"The Grave Circles at Mycenae and the Early Aryansâ€Å" . Research Reports of Ikutoku Technical University, ( A-7 ) , 1982: 59–70.

Diet Pills

Despite the reported side effects in using diet pills its claim continues to be high because many people are eager to take the risk, drug manufacturers have the liability to make the medical community and give alertness to the public the possible side effects of the drugs they create. Due to the hectic life that every people have both men and women who got that curiosity about the shape and size of their bodies, roughly everyone wanted to have a body that would always be a head turner to the opposite sex.The development of our generation admires and adores slimmer bodies, but due to the great impact of advertisement of the producers on diet pills some of them turn to use diet pills instead of sticking to regular exercise and balance diet, such weight loss pills are thought to have stimulants that work like caffeine, which gave the body an effect to raised energy levels and decreases appetite devoid of exercise and deprive anyone who take it from food craving.When a person starts usin g diet pills to try to lose weight, from this person is considered to start to perform an unhealthy weight management which can result to indistinct body image and low self respect which later on will lead to drug abuse. Before attempting to use any diet pills on the market extreme, caution should always be considered before using them, it is true that a little weight will be lost upon using them but the pounds will come back once its usage stop, in the time it is used there should also be a small print recommendation to espouse a little calorie diet and an exercise program.It is more annoying that diet pills have possible unsafe side effects. Before going through the medication the consumer should check with their physicians before using any type of weight loss supplement, but those people who are sure of their health have experienced negative side effects from diet pills. It is also important to consider reading the brand for the active ingredient and make sure on the source of th eir claims and whether they are potentially risky.One of the latest trends in weight loss is the use of carb blockers it contains amylase inhibitors the product is carb-blocking pills, this pills contains molecules of amylase an enzyme produced by the body that functions to break down carbohydrates. It has agreed with theory that carbohydrates should be broken down if not it will be absorbed and will supply calories in the body.Its side effects if carbohydrates are undigested will be diarrhea, gas and bloating. Diet pills works on the side of those brand that is made out of research by manufacturers who made it and spend enough time to have it tested before passing it to the consumers, these producers wanted to make the business more stable and profitable even it takes them a longer time to have their investment returned.But on the case of those diet pills manufacturers, who wanted just to have the profit without the effort, advertise and attract the people to buy the kind of produc t they endorse not putting into consideration if it will be effective or not and will affect the credibility of the brand of other diet pills that take a hard time making their names in the market.This means that a particular diet pills are known to be a scam depends on the credibility of its producers because if they include fraud into their business it is the whole image of any kind and brand that is affected not only the particular product that has committed the scam. Research has proven that any kind of drugs when ingested in the body always has its own advantage and disadvantages and diet pills are not an exception to this, therefore it is accepted that any drug could have it side effects especially when it is not well studied and given enough time to know its effect on humans.The perception of every person on the effect of any diet pills that she used varies from one person to another, that is also one of the reason why such drugs can either give a positive or negative effect on a person it is how on the psychological side that it was accepted which is agreed by the metabolism of the body. Now, we could draw the fact that despite the disadvantages that the diet pills produces and the scam that the other manufacturers have made, still lots of people never stop from using such drugs because it is still the easiest way to lose weight compared to the traditional process that are being used.A research in University of Minnesota has been conducted using 2,500 teen age females for 5 years period of time. Study shows that the use of diet pills among high school girls almost doubled from 7. 5% to 14. 2%. The age of teen age girls that uses diet pills ranges from 19 to 20 years old meaning 20% of females had used diet pills. This study proves that more and more woman is already convincing in using diet pills despite its announced disadvantages.

Film Summary - Dead Poets Society essays

Film Summary - Dead Poets Society essays Sometimes in life people can come along and touch our lives in unexpected ways. This was the case with Mr. Keating and the boys in the movie "Dead Poets Society". He taught the boys so many lessons that they would have never learned from any other teacher. By looking at scenes from the movie, and lines from the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, we can see just how important the lessons were that Keating was trying to teach the boys. Mr. Keating reminded them to seize each day and cherish them dearly. From the very first day that Mr. Keating had walked into the classroom you could already see that he had an original method of teaching. He came into class whistling, and then proceeded to take the boys outside the classroom to read them a poem, and announced that they can call him 'Captain O' Captain'. His first important lesson was "Carpe Diem", which means seize the day. He also told them to "gather the roses while ye may", because one day you are going to die. He then took them to the showcase to show them pictures of former alumni who were once where they were standing, but they are now dead. He was trying to tell them that everyday opportunities await us and we must decide whether to take a chance, or play it safe. He encouraged them to take risks, for nothing is gained without them. This idea is related with something Ralph Waldo Emerson once said : "It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person 'always do what you are afraid to do'". Another great mind, Whitman, once said in the poem, "Song of Myself", "I celebrate myself, and sing myself." I think what they were all trying to say is that you have to love your self, and live for each and every moment while we still can. Besides "Carpe Diem", Keating also taught the boys to "walk their own way." One of the most important lessons that Keating taught the boys was to be an individual no matter what anyone else tells them. This took place in ...

Lascaux Cave Closed essays

Lascaux Cave Closed essays I think that they should keep the caves closed from public access. I believe that prehistoric caves with preserved art that starts to deteriorate due to human disturbances should be closed to preserve the findings for professionals and for future generations. The cave in Lascaux has wall art showing the animal life living around the artists. There are over 1500 pictures of animals and proof of wild life from centuries before. Humans are not depicted naturally; they were drawn more like stick figures. There are also historic treasures hidden for centuries found in the cave everywhere you look. This cave was found by accident and now gives meaning to historical evidence. The Rouffignac Cave, also known as The Cave of the Hundred Mammoths, is still open to the public, but can only be explored by electric train tours. The artwork is threatened by the same causes as the artwork in Lascaux Cave. This prehistoric art is at risk and the cave requires a critical equilibrium. Caves work as a great preservation spot for artifacts. Deterioration can come from natural causes, or animal or human disturbances. Alternate freezing and thawing causes scaling of the rock, or also a form of peeling. Modern day environment changes have caused severe weather causing peeling to occur more rapidly. Increased openings have caused more natural light into the caves, which increases the growth of mosses and other vegetation on the cave walls. Artificial lighting from light fixtures mounted on the cave walls, which causes damage to the cave walls and fades the pictures. If caves are open the air masses circulate more easily, also excess amounts of carbon dioxide would circulate from the air and visitors breath. Carbonic acid dissolves the limestone of the cave walls. Seepage of rainwater mixed with modern day thermal conditions causes calcite on the walls of the caves, which would cover the wall paint...

The Most Common Injuries in a Chemistry Lab

The Most Common Injuries in a Chemistry Lab There are a lot of hazards in a chemistry lab. Youve got chemicals, breakables, and open flames. So, accidents are bound to happen. However, an accident doesnt necessarily have to lead to an injury. Most common injuries can be prevented by minimizing accidents by being careful, wearing proper safety gear, and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency. OSHA keeps track of reported injuries, but most of the time people get hurt, its either not something they admit to or else not a life-threatening event.  What are your biggest risks? Heres an informal look at common injuries. Eye Injuries Your eyes are at risk in the chemistry lab. If you normally wear contacts, you should wear glasses to lessen chemical exposure. Everyone should wear safety goggles. They protect your eyes from chemical splashes and errant shards of glass. People get eye injuries all the time, either because they are lax about wearing protective eyewear, the agent causing the injury gets around the edge of the glasses, or they dont know how to use the eyewash properly. While cuts are more common in the lab, eye injuries are probably the most common serious wounds. Cuts from Glassware You can cut yourself being stupid, trying to force glass tubing through a stopper with the palm of your hand. You can cut yourself breaking glassware or trying to clean up a mess. You can cut yourself on a sharp edge of a piece of chipped glassware. The best way to prevent the injury is to wear gloves, yet even so, this is the most common injury, mainly because few people wear gloves all the time. Also, when you do wear gloves, you lose dexterity, so you may be more clumsy than usual. Chemical Irritation or Burns Its not just the skin on your hands that is at risk from chemical exposure, although this is the most common place to get hurt. You can inhale corrosive or reactive vapors. If youre extra-stupid, you can ingest harmful chemicals by swallowing liquid from a pipette or (more commonly) not cleaning up well enough after lab and contaminating your food with traces of chemicals on your hands or clothing. Goggles and gloves protect your hands and face. A lab coat protects your clothing. Dont forget to wear closed-toe shoes, because spilling acid on your foot is not a pleasant experience. It does happen. Burns from Heat You can burn yourself on a hot plate, accidentally grab a piece of hot glassware, or burn yourself by getting too close to a burner. Dont forget to tie back long hair. Ive seen people set their bangs on fire in a Bunsen burner, so dont lean over a flame, no matter how short your hair is. Mild to Moderate Poisoning Toxicity from chemicals is an overlooked accident because the symptoms may resolve within minutes to days. Yet, some chemicals or their metabolites persist in the body for years, potentially leading to organ damage or cancer. Drinking a liquid accidentally is an obvious source of poisoning, but many volatile compounds are dangerous when inhaled. Some chemicals are absorbed through the skin, so watch spills, too. Tips to Prevent Lab Accidents A little preparation can prevent most accidents. Here are some tips to keep yourself and others safe: Know the safety rules for working in the lab (and follow them). For example, if a certain refrigerator is labeled No Food, dont store your lunch there.Actually use your safety gear. Wear your lab coat and goggles. Keep long hair tied back.Know the meaning of lab safety signs.Label containers of chemicals, even if they only contain water or other non-toxic materials. Its best to put an actual label on a container, because grease pen marks may be wiped off during handling.Make certain safety gear is maintained. Know the schedule for purging the line of an eyewash. Check the ventilation of chemical fume hoods. Keep first aid kits stocked.Quiz yourself to see if youre safe in the lab.Report problems. Whether its faulty equipment or a mild accident, you should always report an issue to your immediate supervisor. If no one knows there is a problem, its unlikely to get fixed.

The family experiencing leukemia and a financial crisis Assignment

The family experiencing leukemia and a financial crisis - Assignment Example Furthermore, she is increasingly under stress of having to balance her role at work and acting as a caregiver for Peter in the hospital (Friedman, Bowden, & Jones, 2002). In addition, Maria is in a psychological and emotional dilemma on how to deal with her 8 year old daughter. Maria’s work and caregiver attention to Peter do not let her have enough time for dealing with her daughter’s emotional stress. Katy, the 8 year old child, is facing an emotional difficulty in coping with her brother’s diagnosis. Accordingly, she is affected by the lack of parental attention and thus acts out in anger both at school and at home. Furthermore, her disability in coping is exhibited by her reluctance to visit her brother in hospital (Pedia, 2012). Foremost, as a solution for Maria’s emotional coping stress, a referral to a support group is necessary. Consequently, she will be able to receive professional emotional support and coping mechanisms pertaining to the stressors resulting from caregiver role and taking care of her sick son (Friedman, Bowden, & Jones, 2002). In addition, Maria equally needs to seek social support from her church. This can be through church members who rotationally volunteer to assist her in household chores such as grocery or taking care of Katy whenever she is at work or at the hospital with Peter. In essence, Maria should be advised to seek the professional help from social workers that can assist her with a homemaker. The main purpose is to obtain a homemaker that can assist her with household chores while she is at work and consequently lower her caregiver stressors. Moreover, Maria needs to be furnished with a list of animal shelters that assist families in financial need by providing free food for their pets (Pedia, 2012). Both parents of Katy need to be advised by family psychiatrist on the need to devote some parental attention time for Katy. Furthermore, in providing parental attention to Katy they need to reassure

SOCIALIZATION ASSIGNMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SOCIALIZATION ASSIGNMENT - Essay Example Recent political upheavals have proved this point. Dictatorship has eventually failed – be it Germany or Libya, people rebelled against such oppression and domination and finally the new government form is a democracy. Freedom of the common man is of extreme importance. This is because society is governed by the culture, values, beliefs and traditions which are followed by persons residing in a particular area or region. Many art and art forms, religions, constitutional and civil rights and laws followed in a particular country are based depending on the culture and norms akin to a particular society. However, modernization in the twentieth century is widely regarded as a westernized system which has increasingly impacted the non – western society. The third world countries have started going for what the people regard as ethically better culture followed by the westerners. Take the case of English. The popularity of this language has spread so much that it is now among one of the official languages in most nations. To conclude, economic changes have spurred a change in the values, beliefs, traditions and rituals that people followed. There is a direct connection between economic development and systematic changes. People hailing from an economically advanced nation are more flexible to changes and their values reflect a change. These people are more tolerant, rational, participatory and trustworthy (Inglehart & Baker 19 –

Report on a mid size business. Soccer scene is the business Essay

Report on a mid size business. Soccer scene is the business - Essay Example It has earned a better reputation because of the technical staff that it has hired over these years which is able to provide the customers with the right thing on the right time. The company excels in possessing all the important things that a shop would have for the fans of the respective sports. The company is not only limited to itself but its strength can also be seen in the press. On several instances the company has been cited in the press which has helped people to know about the store. Soccer Scene is believed to be a developing business which would take over the limits in the coming years. With the quality and expertise that it possesses it can be said that soccer scene might become very successful in the future. In this report the strategies followed by the company would be highlighted along with its current plan of growth and advertisements (Soccer Scene 2010; ECR Newsletter 2006). Situation Analysis SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats The company is dev eloping with the rise in the fans of the football and rugby fans. Currently the company possesses the right expertise and talent required to expand their company in accordance to the needs of the customers. It is creating a brand image which can help them in the future to enhance their promotional activities. The most potent strength of the company is that it has chosen a large audience which can be its customers. It has opened stores in those locations where the sports are commonly seen and hailed. A great part of the population residing in United Kingdom watches the football matches and hence the fans of the sports are more than anywhere in the world. The company uses this as a strength and targets this audience to increase their sales. Furthermore the company is located in specific areas so it is able to attract a large population of fans. The company has some weaknesses which can prove to be a hurdle for it to expand. Currently the company has not created a brand image like othe r brands which exist in the market for a longer time. Soccer Scene is still in its developing stages and hence faces intense competition in the market of sports where already some famous brands exist. Brand loyalty cannot be easily achieved if certain techniques are not employed and this can prove to be a weakness for Soccer Scene. In comparison to other brands it can also be said that it lacks the funds to advertise itself like other brands. It also has limited options as to where it has to choose the audience from as it is located only in some nations. The company has several opportunities which it can avail to make them its strengths. The company can open its outlets in other countries where already some brands exist so it can have a wider market to choose from. It can include other types of goods so that it can attract a wide range of customers which can benefit the business. It can allocate its funds effectively such that intense advertisements are done to create brand loyalty. Furthermore its products can be improved so that it can face the competition in the market. Currently the company is facing many threats in the market which it exists. It faces immense competition from organized brands in the country that it is located. With intense competition it can be impossible for it to expand as its competitors have already created a

Discourse Reflection 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discourse Reflection 1 - Essay Example The reason for this goes beyond the linguistic consideration, also documented by Subbiondo (2005), to consideration of how a student’s cultural and educational backgrounds cause passivity among international students in class. Therefore, the article evaluates the perceptions of silence and reticence among NNS students in group discussions and recommending pedagogical solutions. Jones (1999) acknowledges that Asians constitute the majority of international students in Australasia and the US. As such, the researcher carries out a literature survey from various secondary sources to determine the perception of Asians on silence and reticence in group discussions in class. The findings indicate that teachers in the surveyed institutions consider Asian students as polite and inactive in class and hence find it better dealing with European, American and Australian students. It was also observed that majority of the teachers have little knowledge on non-Western culture which deters communication between Asian students and teachers. On their part, the students were found not to be keen to learn the host culture despite its great influence in defining the academic system. The students from southeast and northeast Asia in the US, New Zealand and Australia consider reticence and silence as crucial for one’s moral disposition and for maintenance of harmony of so cial order. I support this observation because even scholars like Paltridge (2006) document that face and politeness vary among cultures and societies. Therefore, the study recommends the need to provide the NNS students with an understanding of the culture of academic English speaking and equip them with the requisite participatory skills. EFL teachers have to be sensitive in class and attend training for cross-cultural awareness. According to Shemshadsara (2012),

Comparing of World Views Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Comparing of World Views - Essay Example Among some of the worldviews in contemporary society are realism, liberalism and neo-liberalism. The subsequent sections offer an in depth comparison of the worldviews in light of understanding, their impact upon individuals, cultures and nations. Realism Worldview The realist worldview holds a pessimistic ideology of state relations, global politics and peaceful cohesion. According to, Thomas Hobbes, a world renown theorist of classical realism, â€Å"Where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no justice. Force and law are in war with the two cardinal virtues.† Consequently, the realist worldview contends that global politics is a constant fight for power, control and position by the partisan state interests. Thus in the quest for asserting power and influence, realists believe in military strength as a benchmark. In most cases the military strength is put to test and consequently places the threat of warfare and violence on the world (Griffiths, 2012). Fu rthermore, the realist view places responsibility on states as the major factors that influence actions in the world. Moreover, the human rights of individuals are violated over state interests. According to the realist worldview, there exists a lack of higher state authority to maintain order and global peace. As a result, the world is in a constant state of anarchy and states are compelled to maintain a high level of personal protection and defense. States are in constant lookout for ways to bolster their security and boost power. Consequently, the states with greater military capacity foment and assert their strength by intimidating or attacking other states. Thus, according to this worldview, war is not only a possibility, but inevitable. In a nut shell the core tenets of realism are that global politics are defined by power over justice, the struggle for power and the balance of power results to stability. Liberal Worldview The liberal worldview takes on a more positive stance in relation to world politics, the optimism of peace and state relations. According to Dworkin, a renowned liberal theorist, equal concern and respect are the basic tenets that government should apply in governing citizens (Dworkin, 1977). Moreover, John Rawls, a famous liberal political theorist, states that the legal system of any society must ascribe to the principles of justice and fairness. Furthermore, he adds that a liberal society flourishes from the rational decision making of human beings and consequently results to good life (Rawls, 1971). The roots of liberal worldview are attributed to Immanuel Kant’s philosophy book entitled â€Å"Towards Perpetual Peace.† Kant believed that global peace was a reality through Free State federations that promote security and international order. Furthermore, he stated that an independent legislature was fundamental in checking the powers of republican governments. Consequently, the basic tenets of liberal worldview critici ze the realist worldview by emphasizing on cooperation, cohesive existence and peace in the quest for world transformation. Furthermore, the liberal worldview believes in the possibility of global cooperation in contrast to power struggles. Moreover, liberalist worldview disregards anarchy and power struggles that are hypothesized by the realist worldview. The overriding reason forwarded is the interdependence of states that shape the reality of contemporary world politics. Modern day liberal theorist such as Kymlicka, offers a refined political liberal theory in

Discourse Reflection 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discourse Reflection 1 - Essay Example The reason for this goes beyond the linguistic consideration, also documented by Subbiondo (2005), to consideration of how a student’s cultural and educational backgrounds cause passivity among international students in class. Therefore, the article evaluates the perceptions of silence and reticence among NNS students in group discussions and recommending pedagogical solutions. Jones (1999) acknowledges that Asians constitute the majority of international students in Australasia and the US. As such, the researcher carries out a literature survey from various secondary sources to determine the perception of Asians on silence and reticence in group discussions in class. The findings indicate that teachers in the surveyed institutions consider Asian students as polite and inactive in class and hence find it better dealing with European, American and Australian students. It was also observed that majority of the teachers have little knowledge on non-Western culture which deters communication between Asian students and teachers. On their part, the students were found not to be keen to learn the host culture despite its great influence in defining the academic system. The students from southeast and northeast Asia in the US, New Zealand and Australia consider reticence and silence as crucial for one’s moral disposition and for maintenance of harmony of so cial order. I support this observation because even scholars like Paltridge (2006) document that face and politeness vary among cultures and societies. Therefore, the study recommends the need to provide the NNS students with an understanding of the culture of academic English speaking and equip them with the requisite participatory skills. EFL teachers have to be sensitive in class and attend training for cross-cultural awareness. According to Shemshadsara (2012),

Franz Kavka, Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Franz Kavka, - Term Paper Example Kafka, despite reverberating in all his greatness, was always consumed by the fact that death was absolute and approaching him almost all the time. He soon became obsessed with the fact and put forth a number of statements with respect to killing Jews all around him. In one of the articles chosen, it has been mentioned that, â€Å"Sometimes I'd like to stuff all Jews (myself included) into a drawer of a laundry basket-then open it to see if they've suffocated.† (Karra) Even in his works, for example in Metamorphosis, he talks about the emotional death that every man must face during the course of his lifetime. He also tries to show that it is not necessarily a bad thing; and that it is the doom that must fall upon all of mankind eventually. He tries to portray that a person can avoid and be free from death if he is crazy enough to commit suicide. He was sick of society, and on a different level, a little scared as well. This was because he was afraid to publish his works publi cly and have them read and criticized by other people around him. Kafka spent a great amount of time trying to improve the image that he had created for himself around the people he lived with. He was also a hypochondriac, leading him to his infatuation with death subsequently. He feared losing himself in something he did not want to. He thus feared death as much as he welcomed it. Even though he resented Jews and openly wrote and talked about killing them and doing away with all of them including him, he did not foresee the Holocaust which took place soon after his death. The Holocaust had perhaps taken base on his ideas, who knows, because Kafka talked about suffocating Jews and that is exactly what happened in the gas chambers of the concentration and extermination camps set up by Hitler. In Metamorphosis however, Kafka has presented a completely different version of his character Gregor from that of himself. He writes that Gregor is a very socially acceptable man and is trying t o make his own way in life and society. As Gregor is transformed into an insect, or his metamorphosis begins, he begins to see how no one is ready to take him for who he is. An insect is an unwanted bug by everyone, and soon he is kicked out of his own home by his parents and nobody within the society is willing to accept him for who he might be. No one can hear him or understand what he was trying to say either. Much the same way, according to Marx, â€Å"In small numbers, an animal so defenceless as evolving man might struggle along even in conditions of isolation.† Due to this, Gregor dies out of loneliness and isolation as he is not able to survive anymore, and this death is his pathway to freedom and liberation from the clutches and shackles of society that had bound him to surviving according to the needs and desires of other people. (Kafka, Franz) The concept of hunger artists have also been explained in this book as an artist who has been fasting during the time that he has been looking out for people who are interested in his work of art. Soon however, he dies because no one wills to show any interest, and the artist is forced to retreat back to his cage and suffer alone there. Kafka was an absurd man who never enjoyed what he really wrote himself.

Filipino Basketball Player Essay Example for Free

Filipino Basketball Player Essay Allan Caidic Alan Vito Flores Caidic (born June 15, 1963, Pasig City, Philippines) is a retired professional basketball player from the Philippines and is currently an assistant coach of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA. He is considered by many to be the greatest shooter the country has ever produced, thus, earning the moniker the Triggerman . He played college hoops at the University before joining the Philippine Basketball Association in 1987, where he broke several Philippine and PBA all-time records—including the most points scored in a single game (79 points), the most three-point field goals made in a single game (17 triples; breaking his previous record of 15 triples), the most three-point field goals in a career (1,242 triples) and the most consecutive free throws in a row (76). He has played with several PBA teams and won numerous championships. He played for the team including the 1998 Philippine Centennial Team. While in the league, he was considered one of the best three-point shooters in Asia. The vaunted Chinese national basketball team recognized his ability by always reminding their players to be on the lookout for Philippine No. 8, referring to Caidics regular jersey number while playing for the National Team. Renz Patrick T. Narag Grade V- ST Joseph James Yap, Sr. James Carlos Agravante Yap, Sr. (born February 15, 1982 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the Philippine Basketball Association. Yap enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Bacolod Tay Tung High School and then at Iloilo Central Commercial High School, where he sparked his team to three consecutive Iloilo PRISAA titles. He then went on to play at the collegiate level for the UE Red Warriors and helped the team to the Final Four in 2002 after years of absence. However, the Red Warriors lost to the Blue Eagles, the eventual champions. In the following season of UAAP, Yap led the Red Warriors to the Final Four for the second straight time. Eventually in the semifinals series, the Warriors lost to the Far Eastern  UniversityTamaraws. Nevertheless, Yap was named as the Most Valuable Player in 2003. Yap also played for the Philippine Basketball League from 2001 to 2004. He decided to declare his eligibility for the PBA Draft, and was selected with the 2nd overall pick in the 2004 PBA Draft by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. One of the focal points of the Purefoods offense, he is the 2005–2006 and 2009–2010 seasons Most Valuable Player and he is also 2009–2010 Philippine Cup Conference MVP. Yap is also a nine-time PBA South All-Star team starter through 2004 to 2012 and a many-time member of theRP Basketball Team.

TESCO Human Resources Management Company

TESCO Human Resources Management Company TESCO (Tesco translation of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan Tesco translation), a large British supermarket chain. It is currently the UKs largest retailer, is second only to Wal-Mart (USA), Carrefour (France) and Home Depot (USA), the worlds fourth largest supermarket group. TESCO supermarkets first started selling the food, and gradually extended to clothing, electrical appliances, customer financial services, Internet services and telecommunications services. As of February 2006, TESCOs turnover (52 weeks) reached 38.3 billion pounds. à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¢ TESCOs founder Jack Cohen, who in east London since 1919, a market selling food. TESCO The name first appeared in 1924, the first store opened in London in 1929. In 1947, the company listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 1948, the first self-service shops open for business, to date, it remains the city as a TESCO store (Metro) operations. Tesco was founded in 1919, is the UKs leading retailer, is one of the worlds top three retailers. Tesco in the world with more than 2,800 stores and distribution in 12 countries. Per week more than 3,000 million customers around the world to provide quality services. Tesco has become the annual sales of 46.6 billion pounds (about 712.98 billion yuan) of international retail enterprises in the world Fortune 500 ranking No. 59 and topped the Fortune magazine recently released 2006 the worlds most respected food and medicine shops and in 2006 Britains most respected local enterprises list of the first. Tesco for their customers monograph proud, Tesco in the world established the create value for customers to earn their lifelong trust the core concept, and the tireless efforts to provide customers with the necessary goods and services and put ourselves in aged people and others to treat customers and staff values. In 2004, Tesco entered China. Currently, Tescos has developed into a chain of hypermarkets in China with 48 stores, located in North China (including Beijing and Tianjin), East China (including Shanghai) and South China (including Guangzhou) three regions of the large retail chain TESCO first supermarket in 1956, opened in Essex County, said the house is transformed into a cinemas. First major supermarket was built in 1968, the location is West Sussex. In 1974, TESCO began selling gasoline, and in 1979 its annual turnover of over 1 billion pounds. In 1975, the first high-level department store opened. In 1997 the first large store (Extra) opened. In 1995, TESCO released his first card, and then expand its Internet services business. In the 1990s, it expanded its business to Europe, Ireland and East Asia. July 2001, TESCO began online in the United States food retail business. October 2003, began operating telecom services, including mobile phones and home phone services. August 2004, the official operation of broadband services. (B) TESCO strategy in China 1. China Market Research According to retail consultancy Retail Forward estimates made in 2005, the situation view, within the next four years, China is likely to more than Italy and France as the worlds fifth largest retail market. After all, in China is the worlds seventh-largest retail market after the United States, Japan, Britain, Germany, France and Italy. If current development of the country up to 13 million consumers and is growing the middle class is hard to ignore anyone. According to international consulting firm Bain Co. Predicts that by 2010 the number of Chinas middle class families will be based on the current San Francisco fan, overall spending will be more than 5 trillion. Retail Forward company specializes in the retail market Jingjixuejia Badi Luo also concluded that Chinas retail industry in the past five years, the annual growth rate of 7%, 5% higher than the U.S. growth rate. Market prospects can be seen. Tesco is mainly through the acquisition of Taiwans top new Tesco supermarket group officially entered the domestic market. Since then, Tescos operations in China, significantly speeding up. First, the use of the existing sales network Tesco, Tesco quickly completed in Northeast China, North China, East China market, the strategic layout, the shop in Beijing has also been identified and actively build and are expected to be officially opened in 2007 . Six months later, Tesco has started to look into the development of South China, and in April 2005, the official signing of Guangdong, which laid the foundation of its major expansion in South China, the foundation, the next step, Tesco will be mainly into the retail market in Shenzhen, the initial locations have been selected in Shenzhen Nanshan, new stores are also expected to be officially opened in 2007 signs that, Tesco is launching offensive to the Chinese market. In this regard, Tesco has made no secret of their ambitions, Tesco chief executive Lacey has more than once in public, revealed the attempt to catch up with Wal-Mart, Carrefour will. Tescos aim is to do the boss of Chinas retail industry. 2. Main ways Sourcing: Tesco in many countries have established procurement center, which makes Tesco the lowest cost to our customers around the world with cheap goods. In addition, we adopted the cooperation with local suppliers, and they share the Tesco experience in related industries and technologies. China is a can for our shops around the world to provide cheap products sourcing land. Tesco has been in China a lot of purchasing investments. We are sourcing from China worth about 11 billion of products in our stores in all global sales. As our business continues to grow, we expect this number be increased. Distribution: Our warehouse in Shanghai and set up a Commission (DC) and fresh Distribution Center (FFDC). Warehouse and distribution center systems have fresh through strict quality control procedures, advanced equipment and highly trained employees, customers continue to provide quality goods distribution. The logistics and distribution centers also contributed to the environment, so that delivery to each of the number of stores decreased from 100 times a day to only two to three times, thereby reducing traffic congestion. Supermarket operators: In 2004, we have adopted and then Tesco supermarket 25 Ting Hsin International Group to work together to enter the Chinese market. In 2006, we will hold shares from 50% to 90%. We are currently focused on the East China (including Shanghai), North China (including Beijing), South China (including Guangzhou) in these three regions continue to develop our business. In early 2008, we completed all the stores in the countrys image rectification, the existing store was renamed Tesco Tesco. As of the end of May 2008, we have 56 supermarkets in China, hypermarkets, is committed to provide customers with a shopping trip. (C) edge 1. Tescos confidence stems from its main business excels on the Of Tesco, the most proud of is the relationship with customers very well handled, and this is the main source of confidence in Tesco all. Over the years, to provide customers with more quality products and services business growth has been the key to Tesco. Tesco, wrote in the brochure: Our core philosophy is to create enough value for customers, to win the trust of their life. 2. Tesco praised another feature is its promotion of thriving e-commerce Tesco has now become the worlds largest network of supermarket business, its online store orders received each week up to 15 million, need to mobilize 1,000 trucks to placing an in the hands of these goods. Today, Tesco is on its successful experience in promoting e-commerce to open up their markets to any one, I believe the near future, Chinese consumers will also benefit from the crowded supermarket suppressing nausea and narrow the total liberation of the shopping channel out, replaced by a fresh and fast, and highly personalized online orders, the goods sent home immediately. 3. Tesco there is a big difference between its own brand has many Tesco to sell their original is a baked bread and other foods supermarket started, and now it is home to many of the production of goods placed on the supermarket shelves for reference by the customer to buy. So far, Tesco has been gradually introduced in supermarkets in Tesco than 400 own-brand goods in the next five or six years, the number of these proprietary brands are expected to grow to 3,000 species of -4000 species. 4. Tescos other big surprise move is to choose to open up overseas markets in the form of supermarkets As we all know, Tesco began to move out of their own country If we can not, a hypermarket, supermarket are all small and flexible to supermarkets in the form of special in a strange success of the overseas market has become a big unknown. To the Chinese market as an example. China seems all supermarkets are carved out of a mold, we are imitating each other, a high degree of homogeneity. Even so, Tecso still believes he can achieve excellent results. Because Tecso believe that, although models can copy, but the competition between enterprises, the total number of quality is difficult to copy, these unique qualities to become Tescos advantage. Second, human resources management (A) TESCO core concept Advocating people-oriented, our success is inseparable from the customer support and our employees. TESCO only customer satisfaction, goods and services provided, they will care again. Only employees feel their pay can be paid off, they will redouble their efforts to provide customers with even better service. Our philosophy is to create value for customers to earn their lifelong trust. We hope they will become repeat customers, often care for our supermarket. Our values reflected in how we treat our customers and employees: We put ourselves in, appreciate others. (B) Career development In one of the worlds top three retailers TESCO Group, each employee has the full freedom and career development opportunities. We respect each employees personal interests, talents, and enthusiasm. Staff are encouraged to pay their posts beyond the self and progress. The career development of creative ways to help employees to be experts in their fields, and continuously provide customers with more excellent services, but also determine our leading position in the retail business. Put ourselves in, the core values of Reciprocity is TESCO is the company to employees Connaught, to respect every employee, access to competent help, have an interesting work, self-development opportunities. (C) a professional HR team Excellent staff is to ensure that the key to the successful development of TESCO in China, I attract and retain the best talent, the company formed a team of professional human resources. From the head office, regional headquarters until every one of our stores, has a professional HR staff across the country in time for our nearly 18,000 employees service; in terms of functions, our human resources team is divided into recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits , training and development and organizational structure design, and to the company and employees to ensure that we provide more professional and better service. Our recruiting team gathered a group of rich experience in human resources professionals. (Iv) the recruitment and hiring procedures The company will pass a written, interviews and a series of screening and assessment process confirmed that the last hiring of qualified personnel. After being hired by the authorized officer shall report on relevant information to the personnel department to carry coverage for the entry procedures; same time the company will organize orientation for new employees to staff a more accurate understanding of TESCO. Third, the revelation As an international enterprise, not only to communicate with the staff concerned, but the idea of including human resource management, training, assessment leading all-round. As we all know, the international business worlds most powerful contemporary carrier has also been recognized as the competitive ability of a country marked an important symbol. Era of knowledge economy to international enterprises with an unprecedented opportunity for development with the same time bringing more challenges. When a company truly entered the international stage, despite all basic human resource management activity is still retained, but they form a complex. TESCO overall business strategy in order to achieve objectives, to be more effective, access, distribution and use of human resources. 1. Emphasis on human resource management theory of TESCO is emphasis on human resource management theories, guiding it as the basis for human resource management practices. From the economic man, social and self-realization and complicated man hypothesis of human nature to the hierarchy of needs theory, two-factor theory, Expectancy Theory, equity theory, Reinforcement Theory and other incentive theory; from the piecework to employee stock ownership plan ; from the Assessment Center to 360-degree performance appraisal method ; from the human resources theory to the human capital theory, human resources, strategic theory, and so no one does not reflect the United States Theoretical Studies of human resources management attention, and as such, so we can see that both the human resource management theory and practice of human resource management, TESCOs business are in the forefront of the world. 2. Human resource management and corporate culture is consistent Culture is individualism, heroism, and the three characteristics of rationalism. These characteristics reflected in the corporate culture is the pursuit of independence, freedom, the adventure competition, relying on legal regulations, self-centered and so on. TESCO Human Resources Management in the free movement of employees, emphasizing the evaluation capacity, promoted rapidly, encouraging innovation and competitive performance of Deng Deng features are closely linked to its corporate culture. TESCO Enterprises as deeply rooted in human resource management in its corporate culture, soil, therefore, TESCOs corporate human resources management a competitive advantage for their businesses an important guarantee. 3. Human resources management with the times With the political, economic, cultural, etc. continues to evolve, the living environment are constantly changing, to corresponding, TESCO Human Resources Management is also developing with the times and continue to develop. 4. Focus on the country to learn it Although TESCO Human Resources Management in a leading position in the world, but it does not rest on its laurels, but also pay attention to other countries to learn some advanced, its useful. 5. Human resources management strategy become an important component of strategic management Levin and U.S. management scholars Mitchell (Lewin Michell, 1995) pointed out that human resource management with strategy and business strategy can help enterprises to increase the use of market opportunities, improve internal organizational advantages, to help companies achieve their strategic goals. Business strategy can be divided into corporate strategy and business level strategy, TESCO Human resources management strategy is based on corporate strategy and business strategy development and business level consistent basis, through human resources management to improve enterprise performance, enterprise strategic goals, to play the strategic role of human resources management. Human Resource Management is a management function from a purely business into a strategic partnership, human resource management practices of recruitment, motivation, evaluation, compensation, training, etc., have become businesses gain a competitive advantage and achieve overall business objectives and ef fective way. In addition to human resources management of things, taking into account the employees of shareholders, customers, other businesses, governments and other stakeholders, the balance of interests. 6. Open recruitment, scientific election contract by contract before the formation of the employment relationship Enterprise managers and employees are the social and professional, freely mobile, decided to hire or dismissal under the contract. Enterprises and the employment relationship between employees, contract by contract to form the one hand, a clear interest, it also provides more mobility for employees opportunities. Enterprises have vacancies to be advertised publicly, they are considered open and public-oriented recruitment advertising is the most effective means of recruitment advertisements can also open before the election to expand the scope of enterprises, while job-seekers face of all vacancies to compete. Fully embodies the principle of equality. The requirements of business-to-recruit employees in addition attention Zhiweis requirements, also focus on interpersonal skills Hu Zhi Ye Jin Quxin. When companies in the recruitment of employees generally need to experience: (l) advertised; (2) candidates to submit a job application report; (3) According to preliminary data of the app licant and the first test screening; (4) to include those who pass the first test criminal record and the original work of the review; (5) to include those who pass the first test of knowledge, abilities, interests and occupational tests; (6) Interview; (7) to interview those who pass a comprehensive evaluation. Choose the best and a series of steps. (A) the status of human resource management and strategic positioning in the highly International human resource management point of departure in order to match business objectives of the strategic development, first by establishing a common set of corporate management, in line with the interests of all internal and external, are the entire staff agreed with the strategic goals of enterprise development and corporate vision basis. With the economy to the breadth, depth, enterprise demand for high quality talent will become urgent. (B) the development of human resource management was the development of three-dimensional TESCO, the career development of staff is not in the traditional sense to the post of promotion. Through the introduction of constructive human resource management mechanism, and constantly challenging the work of the employees; job enrichment; work rotation; human resources planning. (C) focus on corporate culture and team building TESCO staff of the enterprise culture as the companys valuable asset. Enterprises should cooperate in good faith with the staff to create the companys value, and create staff development opportunities in the enterprise, efforts to train staff of the enterprise sense of belonging, the personal development linked with the fate of the company.

Artificial Intelligence :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Artificial intelligence is the study of how to makes computers do things which, at the moment, people do better. This definition is vague because of its reference to the current state of computer science. Artificial intelligence is a combination of computer science, physiology and philosophy. AI is a broad topic including many different fields, from machine vision to expert systems. AI can be described as the attempt to build machines that think and act like humans, that are able to learn and to use their knowledge to solve problems on their own. The element that is common in the fields of AI is the creation of machines that can â€Å"think†. Artificial intelligence has come a long way form its early roots, driven by dedicated researches. AI really began to fascinate researches with the invention of the computers in 1943. The technology was finally available, or so it seemed to stimulate intelligent behavior. Over the next four decades, despite many stumbli ng blocks, AI has grown from a dozen researches, to thousands of engineers and specialists; and from programs capable of playing checkers, to system designed to diagnose disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The ability to solve any problem no matter how big or small, it measures the intelligence in many different contexts. Intelligent machines cannot really serve any practical purpose unless the computers could cope with the big problem, which people overcome as a matter of routine. AI is a new step that is very helpful to the society. Machines can do jobs that require detailed instructions followed and mental alertness. AI with its learning capabilities can accomplish those tasks but only if the world’s conservatives are ready to change and allow this to be a possibility. There are many capabilities of AI. The more use we get out of the machines he less work is required by us. There would be less injuries and stress to human beings. Human beings learn by trying so we must be prepared to give a chance to AI. There is always that fear if AI is learning based, will machines learn that being rich and successful is a good thing? There are so many things that can g o wrong with a new system so we must be as prepared as we can for this new technology. Research into the areas of learning, of language and of sensory perception has aided scientists in building intelligent machines.

Why do people committ crime

The three classifications I believe then can be placed into are biological, psychological and sociological. I personally think people commit crimes for a variety of reasons: peer pressure, opportunity, greed, poor moral Judgment and character; They fail to see the benefits of adhering to the law conventional social values; The opinion that everyone commits some type of crime; The more that society perceive a particular criminal behavior as reasonable or acceptable, the less likely that It will be considered evil two prime examples are the legalization of marijuana. r prohibition. Is it biological, hereditary is it in our genes? Is it psychological or due to traits in our personality? Is it due to solicitation – do we learn it, from other people? Is it explained by our bonds to society? Is it because of where you were raised; or is it because of imbalances In our society? Does a lack of religious morals have anything to do with It? I have always been fascinated with why people commit crime in our society we can answer who, what, when and where but the last question why usually goes unanswered and drives us mad!The first category Is biological I know most- illogical theories have faded as society becomes more enlightened. I am saying brain damage, bad genetics, poor diet, and gender. Males are the predominate class of criminal offenders due to aggressive behavior that is encouraged in our society. While I believe some crimes are caused by biological imbalances, I believe there has to be a tipping point from society. The opportunity the victim the time and place and an imbalance in the odds which favor success. Like most detectives, I find the study of psychology of criminal behavior fascinating and the most-dangerous kind of rimming.This leads us to the second part of my theory. The second category I will put forward Is psychological. I think this class or reason to commit a crime Is the worst and most dangerous. I place psychopath and sociopaths in this c ategory. I put people who are Impulsive enjoy the power of controlling others these criminals get a rush of adrenaline high. Serial killers and rapist fall Into this category. Most of these people are loners whether it is due to the nature or nurture. I become criminals. The last category on the list is sociological.I think where you grow p and your socioeconomic status, peer pressure and education make a great deal of difference in whether an individual will become a criminal. Gang fall into this category, petty crime I personally think our prison system makes this worse because all it does is make better criminals. I think most criminals start in this class. This leads me to my theory. My theory after a lifetime in criminal Justice and my education in college is very simple old Caesar Baccarat had it right people weigh the good against the bad, in other words, is a crime worth the time. It all boils down to personal choice.

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Hell Breaks Loose A wave of anxiety washed over Jody as she woke up. â€Å"Tommy,† she called. She leaped out of bed and went into the living area, not stopping to turn on the light. â€Å"Tommy?† The loft was quiet. She checked the answering machine: no messages. I'm not going to do this again, she thought. I can't handle another night of worrying. She'd cleaned up the mess from the police search the night before, put lemon oil on the wood, scrubbed out the sinks and the tubs, and watched cable TV until dawn. All the time she thought about what Tommy had said about sharing, about being with someone who could understand what you saw and how you felt. She wanted that. She wanted someone who could run the night with her, someone who could hear the buildings breathe and watch the sidewalks glow with heat just after sundown. But she wanted Tommy. She wanted love. She wanted the blood-high and she wanted sex that touched her heart. She wanted excitement and she wanted security. She wanted to be part of the crowd, but she wanted to be an individual. She wanted to be human, but she wanted the strength, the senses, and the mental acuity of the vampire. She wanted it all. What if I had a choice, she thought, if that medical student could cure me, would I go back to being human? It would mean that Tommy and I could stay together, but he would never know the feeling of being a god, and neither would I. Never again. So I leave; what then? I'm alone. More alone than I've ever been. I hate being alone. She stopped pacing and went to the window. The cop from the night before was out there, sitting in a brown Dodge, watching. The other cop had followed Tommy. â€Å"Tommy, you jerk. Call me.† The cop would know where Tommy was. But how to get him to tell? Seduce him? Use the Vulcan nerve pinch? Sleeper hold? Maybe I should just go up there and knock on the door, Rivera thought. â€Å"Inspector Alphonse Rivera, San Francisco PD. If you have a few minutes, I'd like to talk to you about being dead. How was it? Who did it? Did it piss you off?† He adjusted himself in the car seat and took a sip from his coffee. He was trying to pace his smoking. No more than four cigarettes an hour. He was in his forties now and he couldn't handle the four-pack-a-night stakeouts – going home with his throat raw, his lungs seared, and a vicious ache in his sinuses. He checked his watch to see if enough time had passed since he'd last lit up. Almost. He rolled down the car window and something caught him by the throat, cutting off his breath. He dropped his coffee, feeling the scald in his lap as he reached in his jacket for his gun. Something caught his hand and held it like a bear trap. The hand on his throat relaxed a bit and he sucked in a short breath. He tried to turn his head and the clamp on his throat cut off his breath again. A pretty face came through the window. â€Å"Hi,† Jody said. She loosened her grip on his throat a degree. â€Å"Hi,† Rivera croaked. â€Å"Feel the grip on your wrist?† Rivera felt the bear trap on his wrist tighten, his hand went numb, and his whole arm lit up with pain. â€Å"Yes!† â€Å"Okay,† Jody said. â€Å"I'm pretty sure I can crush your windpipe before you could move, but I wanted you to be sure too. You sure?† Rivera tried to nod. â€Å"Good. Your partner followed Tommy last night. Do you know where they are now?† Again Rivera attempted to nod. On the seat next to him, the cell phone chirped. She released his arm, snatched the gun out of his shoulder holster, flipped off the safety, and pointed it at his head, all before he could draw a single breath. â€Å"Take me there,† she said. Elijah Ben Sapir watched the red dots moving around on the video screen above his face. He had awakened feeling gleeful about killing the fledgling's toy boy, then he saw that his home had been invaded. He was hit with an emotion so rare it took him a while to recognize it. Fear. It had been a long time since he'd been afraid. It felt good. The dots on the screen were moving around on the stern of the boat, scrambling in and out of the main cabin above. Every few seconds a dot would disappear off the screen, then reappear. They were getting in and out of a raft at the stern. The vampire reached up and flipped a series of toggle switches. The big diesels on either side of his vault roared to life. Another toggle and an electric winch began grinding in the anchor. â€Å"Move, move, move!† Tommy shouted into the cabin. â€Å"The engines started.† Barry came through the hatch carrying a bronze statue of a ballerina. Tommy waited at the stern of the yacht with Drew. Troy Lee, Lash, Jeff, Glint, and the Emperor and his troops were already in the raft, trying to find room to move around the paintings and statues. â€Å"Over,† Tommy said, taking the statue from Barry as the squat diver went over the side into the arms of the waiting Animals, almost capsizing the raft. Tommy threw the statue down to the Emperor, who caught it and went to the floor of the raft with its weight. Tommy threw a leg over the railing, and looked back. â€Å"Light it, Drew. Now!† Drew bent and held his lighter to the end of a wax-coated strip of cloth that ran across the stern deck and through the hatch to the main cabin. He watched the flame follow the trail for a few feet, then stood and joined Tommy at the rail. â€Å"It's going.† They went over the rail backward and the Animals obliged them by stepping aside and letting them both hit the floor of the raft unimpeded. The raft lurched and righted itself. Tommy fought for breath to give a command. â€Å"Paddle, men!† the Emperor shouted. The Animals began to beat the water with their paddles. There was a loud clunking noise from the yacht as the transmission engaged and the raft was rocked as the twin screws engaged and began pushing the yacht away from them. â€Å"Rivera,† Rivera said into the cell phone. â€Å"The yacht is moving,† Cavuto said. â€Å"I think I just aided these guys in looting it.† He unzipped a leather case on the car seat, revealing a huge chrome-plated automatic pistol, a Desert Eagle.50-caliber. It fired bullets roughly the weight of a small dog and kicked like a jackhammer. One shot could reduce a cinder block to gravel. â€Å"I'm on my way,† Rivera said. â€Å"What about the girl?† Cavuto slammed a clip into the Desert Eagle, dropped another one into his jacket pocket. â€Å"She's – she'll be fine. I'm at Van Ness and Lombard. I'll be there in about three minutes. Don't call in backup.† â€Å"I'm not – oh Jesus Christ!† â€Å"What?† â€Å"The fucking thing just blew up.† A fountain of flame shot from the stern of the Sanguine II, a second passed, and the rest of the yacht disappeared in a cloud of flame that rose into the sky above her. She had cleared the breakwater and was perhaps three hundred yards out into the bay when the fuse reached Drew's incendiary cocktail. The raft had just made the dock when the explosion went off. Tommy leaped onto the dock and watched the mushroom cloud dissipate. The shock wave rolled in and Tommy reached back to the raft and caught the Emperor before he went into the water. Debris rained down around them. A pool of fire and unexploded diesel fuel spread out across the water, illuminating the whole area with a dancing bright orange. â€Å"Is this a party boat, or what?† Drew shouted. The Animals scrambled out of the raft onto the dock and began handing up the objets d'art. Tommy stood aside and watched the burn. Bummer cowered in the Emperor's arms. â€Å"Do you think we got him?† Jeff handed the Degas ballerina to Troy and looked over his shoulder. â€Å"Fucking A, we got him. Nice mix, Drew.† Drew took a bow and almost went over the edge of the dock. The Emperor said. â€Å"I can't help but think that the explosion may have attracted the attention of the authorities, gentlemen. I would recommend a speedy retreat.† Drew looked at the burning slick. â€Å"I wish I had some acid. This would be great on acid.† Jeff jumped down into the raft and handed up the last painting, the Miro. He looked past Troy Lee, who was wrestling up the heavy frame, and said, â€Å"Whoops.† â€Å"What?† Troy said. Jeff nodded past him and the Animals turned around. Cavuto had a very large, very shiny pistol pointed at them. â€Å"No one move!† They didn't. The spearguns were stacked on the dock. Glint held the shotgun loosely at his side as he prayed. He dropped it. â€Å"Drop it,† Cavuto said. â€Å"I did,† said Clint. â€Å"That's true, he did,† Tommy said. â€Å"And before you asked. He should get extra credit for that.† Cavuto motioned with the pistol. â€Å"Everybody down. On your faces. Now!† The Animals dropped. Lazarus barked. The Emperor stepped forward. â€Å"Officer, these young men have – â€Å" â€Å"Now!† Cavuto screamed. The Emperor dropped to the dock with the Animals. The screens went dark an instant before he was slammed against the side of the vault. He tumbled inside, feeling his flesh burn on the steel with every turn. The vault glowed red with the heat and had filled with smoke from the seared wires and the vampire's clothing. After a few seconds the tumbling stopped. The vampire was jammed into one end of the vault, his face against his knees. His skin was stinging and he tried to will it to heal, but it had been days since he had fed, so the healing came slowly. He located the lid by finding the smashed CRT and radar screens. Salt water sprayed in a fine mist from behind the screens. He pushed on the lid but it didn't move. He felt for the latches and released them, then heaved against the lid with force that would have crumpled a car fender, yet the lid stayed fast. The heat of the explosion had welded it shut. I should have killed him last week, the vampire thought. This is what I get for indulging my pleasures. He reached into the broken CRT, looking for the source of the spraying water, then concentrated his will and went to mist. The transition was slow, weak as he was, but when he had finally lost his solid form he followed the path of the water and wormed his way through the pinhole to the open ocean. The vault lay on the bottom in a hundred and twenty feet of water and as soon as the vampire escaped, the pressure of four atmospheres condensed him to his solid shape. He tried to force himself to mist, failed, then swam toward the orange glow at the surface, thinking, The boy dies first, then a new suit. He broke the surface in the midst of the flame slick, then scissor-kicked hard enough to bring himself completely out of the water and tried to go to mist. His limbs dissolved in the air, their vapor whipped by the flame and standing out white in the rolling black diesel smoke, but he could not hold. He fell back into the water, followed by a vortex of vapor that condensed back to solid form under water. Frustrated and angry, he began the swim around the breakwater toward the yacht club. Cavuto panned the Desert Eagle back and forth across the heads of the prostrated Animals as he moved forward to get their weapons. Lazarus growled and backed away as the big cop approached. Sirens sounded in the distance. Crew members and yacht owners were popping out of the hatches of nearby yachts like curious prairie dogs. â€Å"Inside!† Cavuto shouted, and the yachters ducked for cover. Cavuto heard footsteps on the dock behind him and swung quickly around. The gate guard, looking down the cavelike barrel of the Eagle, stopped as if he'd hit a force field. Cavuto swung back to cover the Animals. Over his shoulder Cavuto said, â€Å"Go back to the gate and call nine-one-one. Tell them to send me some backup.† â€Å"Right,† the guard said. â€Å"All right, scumbags, you're under arrest. And if any of you even twitches, I'll turn you into a red stain. You have the right†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The vampire came out of the water like a wet comet and landed on the dock behind the Animals. He was burned black and his clothes hung in sooty shreds. Cavuto fired without thinking and missed. The vampire looked up long enough to grin at him, then reached down and snatched Tommy by the back of his shirt and yanked him up like a rag doll. Cavuto aimed and fired again. The second shot hit the vampire in the thigh, taking out a three-inch chuck of flesh. The vampire dropped Tommy, turned on Cavuto, and leaped. The third bullet caught the vampire in the abdomen, the impact spraying flesh and spinning him in the air like a football. He landed in a heap at Cavuto's feet. The big cop tried to back away to get another shot off, but before he could aim, the vampire snatched the gun out of his hand, taking most of the skin off his trigger finger. He leaped backward, clawing inside his jacket for his detective special as the vampire tossed the Desert Eagle over his shoulder and climbed to his feet. â€Å"You are a dead man,† he growled. Cavuto watched the gaping wounds in the vampire's leg and stomach pulsing, bubbling, and filling with smoke. He caught the butt of his revolver just as the vampire leaped, his fingers outstretched to drive into Cavuto's chest. Cavuto ducked, heard a hiss and a loud thunk, and looked up, amazed that he was still alive. The vampire had stopped an inch from him. A gleaming spear through his leg had pinned him to the dock. The black kid stood a few yards away, a gas-powered speargun in hand. The vampire wrenched himself around and clawed at the spear. Cavuto yanked out his gun, but with his damaged finger he ended up flinging it off the dock. He heard the sound of tires behind him, then a car coming down the dock. A second spear thunked through the vampire's shoulder. Tommy threw the speargun aside. The Animals were all on their feet. â€Å"Troy, throw me the sword!† Troy Lee picked up the fighting sword from the deck and threw it at Tommy. Tommy sidestepped; the sword whizzed by him and clattered on the dock near Cavuto, who was standing motionless, stunned at almost seeing his own death. â€Å"Handle first, you doofus,† Tommy said as he ran after the sword. The vampire yanked the spear out of his shoulder and reached for the one in his leg. The Emperor picked up his wooden sword from the deck and charged the vampire. Lash caught him by the collar, yanking him aside as Barry fired a third spear, hitting the vampire in the hip. Jeff let go with a blast from the shotgun. The vampire jerked with the impact of the shot and screamed. Tommy dived for the fighting sword at Cavuto's feet. The big cop lifted him to his feet. â€Å"Thanks,† Tommy said. â€Å"You're welcome,† Cavuto said. â€Å"I didn't kill those people.† â€Å"I'm figuring that out,† Cavuto said. A brown car skidded to a stop on the dock. Tommy looked up for an instant, then turned and headed toward the vampire, who was clawing at the spear in his leg. His wounds bubbled and seethed with vapor; his body was trying to heal even as new damage was inflicted on it. Tommy raised the sword over the vampire's head and closed his eyes. â€Å"No!† It was Jody's voice. Tommy opened his eyes. Jody was on her knees, shielding the vampire, who had given up the struggle and was waiting for the final blow. â€Å"No,† Jody said. â€Å"Don't kill him.† Tommy lowered the sword. Jody looked at Jeff, who still held the shotgun. â€Å"No,† she said. Jeff looked at Tommy, who nodded. Jeff lowered the shotgun. â€Å"Kill the fiend, now!† cried the Emperor, still struggling against Lash's hold on his coat. â€Å"No,† Jody said. She pulled the spear out of the vampire's leg and he screamed. She patted his head. â€Å"One more,† she said quietly. She yanked the spear out of his hip and he gasped. Jody propped the vampire up on her lap. The Animals and Cavuto stood watching, not sure what to do. Clint prayed quietly, barely audible over the approaching siren. â€Å"Blood,† the vampire said. He looked into Jody's eyes. â€Å"Yours.† â€Å"Give me that sword, Tommy.† Jody said. He hesitated and raised the sword to strike. â€Å"No!† She covered the vampire with her body. â€Å"But Jody, he's killed people.† â€Å"You don't know anything, Tommy. They were all going to die anyway.† â€Å"Get out of the way.† Jody turned to Cavuto. â€Å"Tell him. All the victims were terminally ill, weren't they?† Cavuto nodded. â€Å"The coroner said that none of them had more than a few months.† Tommy was almost in tears. â€Å"He killed Simon.† â€Å"Simon had AIDS, Tommy.† â€Å"No way. Not Simon. Simon was the animal of the Animals.† â€Å"He was hiding it from you guys. He was scared to death. Now, please, give me the sword.† â€Å"No, get out of the way.† Tommy reared back for the killing blow. He felt a hand on his shoulder, then another one catch his sword arm and pull it down. He looked around to see the Emperor. â€Å"Let him go, son. The measure of a man's power is the depth of his mercy. Give me the sword. The killing is over.† The Emperor worked the sword out of Tommy's grip and handed it to Jody. She took it, ran the blade across her wrist, then held the wound to the vampire's mouth. He took her arm in his hands and drank. Jody looked at Cavuto. â€Å"Your partner is handcuffed to the wheel of the car. Get him and walk away before anyone else gets here. I need the car. I don't want to be followed either.† Cavuto dropped back into cop mode. â€Å"Bullshit.† â€Å"Go get your partner and go. Do you want to explain this?† â€Å"What?† â€Å"All this.† Jody pulled her arm out of the vampire's mouth and gestured around the dock. â€Å"Look, the murders will stop. I promise. We're leaving and we're never coming back. So let it drop. And leave Tommy and these guys alone.† â€Å"Or what?† Cavuto said. Jody cradled the old vampire and lifted him as she stood up. â€Å"Or we'll come back.† She carried the vampire to the cruiser and put him in the back seat and crawled in with him. Rivera was sitting in the front seat. Cavuto came to the side of the car and handed his handcuff key through the window to Rivera. â€Å"I told you,† Rivera said. Cavuto nodded. â€Å"We're fucked, you know? We have to let them go.† Rivera unlocked the handcuffs and got out of the car. He stood next to Cavuto, not sure what to do next. Jody stuck her head out the back window of the cruiser. â€Å"Come on, Tommy, you drive.† Tommy turned to the Emperor, who nodded for him to go, then to the Animals. â€Å"You guys, get that stuff off the dock. In Troy's car. Get out of here. I'll call you at the store tomorrow.† Tommy shrugged, got in the car, and started it. â€Å"What now?† â€Å"To the loft, Tommy. He needs a dark place to heal.† â€Å"I'm not comfortable with this, Jody. I want you to know that. I'd like to know what your relationship is to this guy.† The vampire moaned. â€Å"Drive,† she said. They pulled off the dock, leaving the Animals scrambling around collecting the art and the two policemen staring at them in amazement. She said, â€Å"I love you, Tommy, but I need someone who's like me. Someone who understands. You know how that is, right?† â€Å"So you run off with the first rich older guy that comes along?† â€Å"He's the only one, Tommy.† She stroked the vampire's burned hair. â€Å"I don't have any choice. I hate being alone. And if he died, then I'd never know about what I am.† â€Å"So you two are going away? You're leaving me?† â€Å"I wish I could think of some other way. I'm sorry.† â€Å"I knew you'd break my heart.†