Monday, December 30, 2019

A Scientific Explanation of Stem Cells and Stem Cell Research

In general, a cell can be defined as a stem cell if two basic criteria are met. First, stem cell is capable of self renewal for indefinite period throughout life while maintaining undifferentiated state, i.e., the cell can divide and produce two identical daughter cells and thereby maintains the stem cell pool. Second, stem cell possesses capacity for differentiate into specialised and functional progeny under the right conditions, or given the right signals. It may divide asymmetrically to yield an identical cell and a daughter cell that acquires a particular cell type’s properties, such as morphology, phenotype and functional physiology that classified it belongs to a particular tissue (Burns and Zon 2002; Preston et al. 2003). Stem†¦show more content†¦Multipotent stem cell, on the other hand, can be derived from various adult organs and differentiate into lineages restricted cells of their germ (e.g. haemopoietic stem cell and mesenchymal stem cells). Finally, the derivative of differentiated multipotent stem cell-unipotent progenitor cell. This cell is already committed to tissue specific differentiation (e.g. myeloid progenitor and lymphoid progenitor). There is also a population of cell found within a tumour that presented characteristics similar to normal stem cell. This tumour initiating cell was first described by Bonnet and Dick in human acute myeloid leukaemia when they sort out a subpopulation of CD34+/CD38- leukaemic cell subpopulation which are capable of initiating tumours when implanted in NOD/SCID mice (Bonnet and Dick 1997). This had prompted further research into other types of cancer. Cancer stem cell (CSC) had recently been identified in various solid tumours, including breast (Hennessy et al. 2009), brain (Oka et al. 2009), pancreas (Dembinski and Krauss 2009), colon (OBrien et al. 2007), ovary (Zhang et al. 2008), and prostate (Lang et al. 2009). Similar to normal stem cell, CSC capable to self-renewal; possesses high differentiation capacity; able to escape from apoptosis. However, the physiology of CSC is uncontrollable. With understanding of CSC biology, it willShow MoreRelatedStem Cells And The Human Body1421 W ords   |  6 Pages Stem Cells Raven Carr Governor State University Stem Cells The human body is full of hundreds of special types of cells that are essential for ones every day health. These special cells are accountable for keeping our bodies going daily for instance making our brains think, hearts beat and, restoring our skin cells as they shed off. Stem cells are the provider for the development of new cells. â€Å"Stem cells have the amazing potential to expand into many different cell types in the body during earlyRead MoreEthical Concerns Of Stem Cell Research1508 Words   |  7 Pagesof Stem Cell Research This day in age disease, infection, disorders and mysterious syndromes are more present now than ever. */***You forget to wash your hands after using the restroom? You just spread viruses like E.Coli and put someone s life in danger*/***. But in a world full of diseases that are seemingly becoming harsher and more resistant to conventional treatments, answers to the latest ailments are popping up in the form of miniscule pieces biological tissue called stem cells. Stem cellsRead MoreThe Debate Of Stem Cell Technology Essay1441 Words   |  6 Pagestopic of stem cell technology. Stem cells are nonspecialized cells that have the ability to divide for an indefinite length of time and develop into a variety of cell types. This process primarily occurs early in a person’s life while they are still growing. Stem cells are also used regularly in some organs to repair damaged or worn out tissue. Stem cells have been found to have many more clinical uses in recent years, though. Stem cells have been the subject of much research in the scientific communityRead MoreAdult Stem Cells1234 Words   |  5 PagesAssignment 2: Biology and Technology in the Real World Addresses course outcomes 2 and 3: †¢ use knowledge of biological principles to ask relevant questions about the natural world †¢ make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations 1. Select one of the following topics below. 2. Find articles related to the topic. 3. Write two pages, double spaced, excluding references. You must read the articles that you find and summarize the information they containRead More Embryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells in Research Essay1615 Words   |  7 PagesEmbryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells in Research    Why is the mainstream media significantly downplaying exciting scientific discoveries with adult stem cells? This essay hopes to adequately answer that question. Heres the scoop: As originally reported late last year in the medical journal Blood, Dr. Catherine M. Verfaillie and other researchers at the Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, have discovered a way to coax an adult cell found in the bone marrow to exhibit many of the attributesRead MoreThe Hijacking Of Science And The Abortion Debate1597 Words   |  7 Pagesand medications like Plan B work before conception begins (Sneed, 2014.) Gynecologists, doctors and biologists all agree that conception does not begin until sperm fertilizes an egg and the egg becomes implanted in uterine tissue. Despite this explanation from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) the Supreme Court ignored real science in favor of Hobby Lobby’s religious views. One objection to abortion is that it causes pain and suffering to the fetus. Science has alsoRead MoreScience Is An Empirical Science2247 Words   |  9 PagesScience is a vast system that organizes knowledge that can be tested for explanations and extrapolations about the universe. Science also embodies knowledge itself, in means to rationally explain and apply such erudition. The subject of ‘science’ is far too broad; however, it can be divided into 3 main branches or fields: natural sciences (studies phenomena), formal sciences (mathematics and logic based), and social sciences (human behavior). Natural science is an empirical science, which meansRead MoreStem Cell Research And Genetic Testing2544 Words   |  11 Pagestechnology and research can help to understand biological concepts better, they can have negative drawbacks on the subject experimented on and the group involved around it. This creates a difficult triangle of choice between what will be best for sci ence, what will the US law allow, and what is morally right in science research and technology. Two controversial topics in bioethics include stem cell research and genetic testing, whether it be on humans or animals. Stem cell research involves the creationRead MoreMolecular Physiology And Developmental Biology962 Words   |  4 PagesDevelopmental Biology from Vanderbilt University. She studied how the pancreas precursor cells are led by a cascade of transcription factors during development to become insulin-producing beta cells, while using transgenic mice and immunofluorescence microscopy to examine the topic. Her current studies resulted in the discovery that the steroid hormone ecdysone, which directly controls Drosophila germline stem cell activity. These studies expanded her ability to design experiments significant for explainingRead MoreThe Basic Properties Of Stem Cells1937 Words   |  8 Pagesexplaining what stem cells are, the different types, what they can be used for, when they will be able to be used, and where more information can be found. The site explain s stem cells as being distinguishable from other cells in two ways. They are unspecialized cells capable of regeneration through cell division, and they can form different organ- and tissue- specific cells under certain conditions. After explaining the basic properties of stem cells they explain the three types of stem cells and what

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Empiricism and Experience - 1575 Words

Empiricism Empiricism by nature is the belief that there is no knowledge without experience. How can one know what something tastes like if they have never tasted it? For example, would someone know that an apple is red if they have never actually have seen one. Someone can tell you an apple is red, but, if you never have seen one, can you really be sure? Empiricists use three anchor points in which they derive their opinions from. The first of these points is; the only source of genuine knowledge is sense experience. An easier way to understand this is to compare the mind to a clean sponge. As the sponge touches things, it takes with it, a piece of everything it touches. Without this, the sponge would remain clean and be void of†¦show more content†¦The second epistemological question is; does reason provide us with knowledge of the world independently of experience? John Locke says the answer to this question is no. He uses arguments discussed in the third anchor point of empiricism to support this idea. Locke does not believe that reason alone can provide knowledge because we do not possess innate knowledge that we are not aware of. To best describe this Locke proposes this model: Suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper, void of all characters, without any ideas; how comes it to be furnished? When man has painte d on it with endless variety, how does it have all the materials of reason and knowledge to this question I answer, in one word, from experience. In that all our knowledge is founded, and from that, it ultimately drives itself (p94). Therefore, without these experiences Locke believes that we would not possess the concept of reason and because of that reason alone cannot provide us knowledge of the world. Berkeleys answer to the second question is no as well. He believed that it was only through experience and not reason that we have any knowledge of reality. Since our experiences differ from each individual, reality too will differ for each individual. These ideas as he calls them are the concrete contents of our minds. These ideas are provided through experience and not reason. Therefore, we can not posses knowledge through our reasoning because that reasoning would be basedShow MoreRelatedEmpiricism Is The Theory That Experience1202 Words   |  5 PagesEmpiricism is the theory that experience, rather than reason, is the source of knowledge, and in this sense it is opposed to rationalism. This general thesis can receive different emphases and refinements; therefore, philosophers who have been labeled empiricists are united generally and may differ in various ways. The Empiricist Revolution helped facilitate discussion on real world, political problems. Since this revolution, p hilosophers and political theorists have developed two different ideasRead MoreThe Phenomenology Of Perception By Maurice Merleau Ponty Essay1325 Words   |  6 Pagesissues of both empiricism and intellectualism to explain his existential analysis of Being. Merleau-Ponty establishes against empiricism and intellectualism, the primary and complex ambiguity of our lived and embodied experience, and our inexhaustibility of being-in-the-world. In his critiques of these classical forms of intellectualism and empiricism, he identifies both what works for his phenomenological account and what doesn’t work. This essay will explain these critiques of empiricism and intellectualismRead MoreEmpiricism Vs. Positivist Theory Of Knowledge1053 Words   |  5 Pagesfound in epistemology is the theory of empiricism. Empiricism is the belief that knowledge is gained through experience, that there is no such thing as â€Å"innate knowledge,† or knowledge that one is born with. Empiric ism stands in stark contrast to the rationalist theory, the belief that humans possess innate knowledge, and that one can have knowledge, without sensory information or experience, through reason. In this paper I will evaluate the theory of empiricism, comparing it to rationalism and discussingRead MoreAn Essay About Natural Attitude and Preconceptions 1388 Words   |  6 Pagescertain fundamental axioms, ideas or assumptions are often taken for granted. To understand what natural attitude and preconceptions are, consider yourself as somebody who has never been influenced by any external conception – no knowledge and no experience. You have never been shown the correct way to perceive something or do anything. Imagine what your world would be like. For this, consider an example: Consider a person who has no concept of a particular object, say a book. The person has no ideaRead MoreThe Feminist Philosophy Of Science Essay1712 Words   |  7 Pagesknowledge within the scientific community, and means to rectify this. There are three main distinctions of feminist philosophy of science - feminist empiricism, standpoint theory, and postmodernism. I am to be comparing and contrasting two of the three, specifically feminist standpoint theory and empiricism. I shall argue that standpoint theory and empiricism are both legitimate methods for feminist epistemology, yet standpoint theory is a more applicable and plausible method for the analysis of scienceRead More Poes Fall of The House of Usher Essay: Beyond Empiricism and Transcendentalism1482 Words   |  6 PagesBeyond Empiricism and Transcendentalism in House of Usher      Ã‚   When Edgar Allan Poe wrote The Fall of the House of Usher, two factors greatly influenced his writing. A first influence was John Lockes idea of Empiricism, which was the idea that all knowledge was gained by experiences, exclusively through the senses. A second vital influence was Transcendentalism, which was a reaction to Empiricism.   While John Locke believed that reality or truth was constituted by the material world andRead MoreEmpiricism and Rationalism Essay1020 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"dependent upon sense experience†. (Markie, 2008, section 1.2) Yet, philosophical empiricism is defined in such an absolute way; which causes philosophical empiricism to be an inaccurate philosophical position from which to address all aspects of human life. Philosophical empiricism is defined as â€Å"the belief that all human knowledge arises from sense experience.† (Nash, 1999, page 254) Yet, medical empiricism is so far to the other extreme as to be insulting , while this empiricism is still said toRead MoreRen?ï ¿ ½ Descartes And Immanuel Kants Theory Of Knowledge905 Words   |  4 PagesIn 18th century Europe, philosophers widely sought after knowledge. More specifically, they sought after the knowledge of how knowledge might be found. Two main philosophies stood in opposition: rationalism and empiricism (Sproul 117). Immanuel Kant, a revolutionary philosopher from East Prussia, endeavored to create a synthesis of the two philosophies (119). This synthesis illustrated a process by which knowledge might be obtained through both ways illustrated in the two philosophies. This synthesisRead MoreEssay on Rationalism vs. Empiricism: The Argument for Empricism855 Words   |  4 Pagesrationalism and empiricism. These two, very different, schools of thought attempt to answer the philosophical question of how knowledge is acquired. While rationalists believe that this process occurs solely in our minds, empiricists argue that it is, instead, through sensory experience. After reading and understanding each argument it is clear that empiricism is the most relative explanatory position in epistemology. To begin with the question of rationalism versus empiricism, it is importantRead MoreEmpiricism, Positivism, And Positivism Essay1421 Words   |  6 Pageskinds of investigation in the world. We also refer it as â€Å"empiricism†, the scientific way we gain our knowledge from experience. Empiricism is also a view that all kinds of knowledge come from, not just scientific knowledge. Scientific thinking and investigation have the same basic pattern as everyday thinking and investigation. (Godfrey-Smith, 9) Again, we call it â€Å"empiricism† in terms of philosophical way, but in earliest form, the â€Å"empiricism† was referred as â€Å"logical positivism†. Logical Positivism

Saturday, December 14, 2019

The Twilight Saga 5 Midnight Sun 12. Complications Free Essays

string(40) " lack of light meant little to my eyes\." â€Å"Complications,† Jacob read. â€Å"I don’t like the sound of that.† â€Å"I’m sure it’s not as bad as it sounds,† Bella shrugged. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 12. Complications or any similar topic only for you Order Now Bella and I walked silently to biology. I was trying to focus myself on the moment, on the girl beside me, on what was real and solid, on anything that would keep Alice’s deceitful, meaningless visions out of my head. â€Å"It’s not meaningless,† Jacob muttered, â€Å"don’t underestimate it.† We passed Angela Weber, lingering on the sidewalk, discussing an assignment with a boy from her Trigonometry class. I scanned her thoughts perfunctorily, expecting more disappointment, only to be surprised by their wistful tenor. Ah, so there was something Angela wanted. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something that could be easily gift-wrapped. â€Å"She must like the guy,† Bella said. â€Å"This should be interesting,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"It will only work if the guy likes her back though,† Bella said. â€Å"But Angela is cool†¦ who wouldn’t like her,† Jacob said. I felt strangely comforted for a moment, hearing Angela’s hopeless yearning. A sense of kinship that Angela would never know about passed through me, and I was, in that second, at one with the kind human girl. â€Å"What does he mean by that†¦ your yearning isn’t hopeless, Edward!† Bella huffed. It was oddly consoling to know that I wasn’t the only one living out a tragic love story. Heartbreak was everywhere. â€Å"Argh,† Bella groaned. â€Å"Only if you keep thinking that way.† In the next second, I was abruptly and thoroughly irritated. Because Angela’s story didn’t have to be tragic. She was human and he was human and the difference that seemed so insurmountable in her head was ridiculous, truly ridiculous compared to my own situation. There was no point in her broken heart. What a wasteful sadness, when there was no valid reason for her not to be with the one she wanted. â€Å"Yeah, wasteful,† Bella muttered, thinking that Edward’s was wasteful too, though he did have more of a reason to be so cautious. Why shouldn’t she have what she wanted? Why shouldn’t this one story have a happy ending? I wanted to give her a gift Well, I would give her what she wanted. Knowing what I did of human nature, it probably wouldn’t even be very difficult. I sifted through the consciousness of the boy beside her, the object of her affections, and he did not seem unwilling, he was just stymied by the same difficulty she was. Hopeless and resigned, the way she was. â€Å"Come on, people, have faith in yourselves,† Jacob said. Bella, however, was thoughtful. She wondered if this was a mirror of how she and Edward felt†¦ both of them not fully realizing what they other felt. She was sure that her book self couldn’t have known how much he loved her†¦ there was no possible way for her to know that. And she could see clearly that Edward didn’t understand how much she lo†¦ er†¦ however she felt about him. She stopped that train of thought as something else seemed to go through her. She was wondering how strongly did she feel about this guy that she had yet to meet†¦ and she longed for that meeting to happen already. Jacob started reading then, drawing her concentration back to the book. All I would have to do was plant the suggestion The plan formed easily, the script wrote itself without effort on my part. I would need Emmett’s helpgetting him to go along with this was the only real difficulty. Human nature was so much easier to manipulate than vampire nature. â€Å"You’ve got to watch out for this guy, Bells, he’s definitely a speciesist,† Jacob said. â€Å"Whatever,† Bella rolled her eyes. I was pleased with my solution, with my gift for Angela. It was a nice diversion from my own problems. Would that mine were as easily fixed. My mood was slightly improved as Bella and I took our seats. Maybe I should be more positive. Maybe there was some solution out there for us that was escaping me, the way Angela’s obvious solution was so invisible to her. Not likely But why waste time with hopelessness? I didn’t have time to waste when it came to Bella. Each second mattered. Mr. Banner entered pulling an ancient TV and VCR. He was skipping through a section he wasn’t particularly interested ingenetic disordersby showing a movie for the next three days. Lorenzo’s Oil was not a very cheerful piece, but that didn’t stop the excitement in the room. No notes, no test-able material. Three free days. The humans exulted. â€Å"It sounds kind of boring to me,† Bella mumbled and Jacob looked at her oddly. It didn’t matter to me, either way. I hadn’t been planning on paying any attention to anything but Bella. I did not pull my chair away from hers today, to give myself space to breathe. Instead, I sat close beside her like any normal human would. Closer than we sat inside my car, close enough that the left side of my body felt submerged in the heat from her skin. â€Å"I get it! She’s hot!† Jacob said and laughed when Bella blushed and glared at him. It was a strange experience, both enjoyable and nerve-racking, but I preferred this to sitting across the table from her. It was more than I was used to, and yet I quickly realized that it was not enough. I was not satisfied. Being this close to her only made me want to be closer still. The pull was stronger the closer I got. I had accused her of being a magnet for danger. Right now, it felt like that was the literal truth. Bella rolled her eyes but chuckled at this. I was danger, and, with every inch I allowed myself nearer to her, her attraction grew in force. And then Mr. Banner turned the lights out. It was odd how much of a difference this made, considering that the lack of light meant little to my eyes. You read "The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 12. Complications" in category "Essay examples" I could still see just as perfectly as before. Every detail of the room was clear. â€Å"That’s cool,† Jacob said. â€Å"I wish I could see in the dark like that.† So why the sudden shock of electricity in the air, in this dark that was not dark to me? â€Å"Shock of electricity?† Bella raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about and why did that make her think of the first time he touched her in the second chapter (the first time he talked to her in the books)? Was it because I knew that I was the only one who could see clearly? That both Bella and I were invisible to the others? Like we were alone, just the two of us, hidden in the dark room, sitting so close beside one another My hand moved toward her without my permission. Just to touch her hand, to hold it in the darkness. Would that be such a horrific mistake? If my skin bothered her, she only had to pull away I yanked my hand back, folded my arms tightly across my chest and clenched my hands closed. No mistakes. I’d promised myself that I would make no mistakes, no matter how minimal they seemed. If I held her hand, I would only want moreanother insignificant touch, another move closer to her. I could feel that. A new kind of desire was growing in me, working to override my self-control. Jacob and Bella were thinking the complete opposite thing here. No mistakes. Bella folded her arms securely across her own chest, and her hands balled up into fists, just like mine. â€Å"You feeling this too, aren’t you?† Jacob questioned, â€Å"and I know it didn’t happen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yeah, I think I am feeling this,† Bella answer before he could say any more. â€Å"I wonder what it means.† â€Å"It seems like you’re calling to each other somehow,† Jacob said, and then he bit his lip. It seemed like some kind of instinctual reaction that went way beyond human†¦ whatever that means. What are you thinking? I was dying to whisper the words to her, but the room was too quiet to get away with even a whispered conversation. The movie began, lightening the darkness just a bit. Bella glanced up at me. She noted the rigid way I held my bodyjust like hersand smiled. Her lips parted slightly, and her eyes seemed full of warm invitations. Or perhaps I was seeing what I wanted to see. I smiled back; her breathing caught with a low gasp and she looked quickly away. That made it worse. I didn’t know her thoughts, but I was suddenly positive that I had been right before, and that she wanted me to touch her. She felt this dangerous desire just as I did. Between her body and mine, the electricity hummed. Bella blushed, still not sure what this all meant, but had a good idea. She was also wondering what would happen if he did touch her. She didn’t move all through the hour, holding her stiff, controlled pose as I held mine. Occasionally she would peek at me again, and the humming current would jolt through me with a sudden shock. â€Å"Um†¦ stop looking at him,† Jacob said. â€Å"I doubt I can help it,† Bella said. â€Å"Besides, he’s looking at me nonstop†¦ I should be allowed to look too.† The hour passedslowly, and yet not slowly enough. This was so new, I could have sat like this with her for days, just to experience the feeling fully. â€Å"So the electricity was pleasant,† Jacob said. â€Å"Apparently,† Bella said evenly, but she was still blushing. I had a dozen different arguments with myself while the minutes passed, rationality struggling with desire as I tried to justify touching her. Finally, Mr. Banner turned the lights on again. In the bright fluorescent light, the atmosphere of the room returned to normal. Bella sighed and stretched, flexing her fingers in front of her. It must have been uncomfortable for her to hold that position for so long. It was easier for mestillness came naturally. â€Å"So now you’re trying to mimic the vampires,† Jacob said shaking his head, trying to laugh. â€Å"Well, they are the coolest thing around,† Bella smiled when he made a face at that. I chuckled at the relieved expression on her face. â€Å"Well, that was interesting.† â€Å"Umm,† she murmured, clearly understanding what I referred to, but making no comment. What I wouldn’t give to hear what she was thinking right now. â€Å"I would like to know that too,† Bella said. â€Å"I wouldn’t have guessed that by your smug expression,† Jacob chuckled. I sighed. No amount of wishing was going to help with that. Both Bella and Jacob were chuckling at that. â€Å"Shall we?† I asked, standing. She made a face and got unsteadily to her feet, her hands splayed out as if she were afraid she was going to fall. I could offer her my hand. Or I could place that hand underneath her elbowjust lightlyand steady her. Surely that wouldn’t be such a horrible infraction No mistakes. â€Å"How would that be a mistake?† Bella questioned. â€Å"Even with hearing his thoughts, I can’t really understand most of his thinking,† Jacob shrugged. â€Å"Though it’s clear that he’s afraid of touching you.† She was very quiet as we walked toward the gym. The crease was in evidence between her eyes, a sign that she was deep in thought. I, too, was thinking deeply. One touch of her skin wouldn’t hurt her, my selfish side contended. I could easily moderate the pressure of my hand. It wasn’t exactly difficult, as long as I was firmly in control of myself. My tactile sense was better developed than a human’s; I could juggle a dozen crystal goblets without breaking any of them; I could stroke a soap bubble without popping it. As long as I was firmly in control â€Å"And you’re always in control, so it will be fine,† Bella said. â€Å"He’s not always in control†¦ we’ve seen him out of control,† Jacob said anxiously. Bella just frowned at that and Jacob read on. Bella was like a soap bubblefragile and ephemeral. Temporary. How long would I be able to justify my presence in her life? How much time did I have? Would I have another chance like this chance, like this moment, like this second? She would not always be within my arm’s reach Bella turned to face me at the gym’s door, and her eyes widened at the expression on my face. She didn’t speak. I looked at myself in the reflection of her eyes and saw the conflict raging in my own. I watched my face change as my better side lost the argument. â€Å"Who’s to say what the better said is, Edward?† Bella mumbled to herself but Jacob heard. My hand lifted without a conscious command for it to do so. As gently as if she were made of the thinnest glass, as if she were fragile as a bubble, my fingers stroked the warm skin that covered her cheekbone. It heated under my touch, and I could feel the pulse of blood speed beneath her transparent skin. Enough, I ordered, though my hand was aching to shape itself to the side of her face. Enough. â€Å"He doesn’t sound too controlled now,† Jacob muttered. â€Å"He’s touch is gentle†¦ it’s not hurting me,† Bella said. â€Å"But his mind doesn’t seem to have control over his actions,† Jacob countered. â€Å"His instincts do.† â€Å"And what instinct is he following now?† Bella raised her eyebrows. â€Å"It’s not to hurt me.† â€Å"Right,† Jacob mumbled, â€Å"but there still is an instinct in him that wants to hurt you†¦ don’t forget that.† â€Å"I won’t,† Bella sighed. â€Å"But that isn’t the only instinct he has towards me now.† It was difficult to pull my hand back, to stop myself from moving closer to her than I already was. A thousand different possibilities ran through my mind in an instanta thousand different ways to touch her. The tip of my finger tracing the shape of her lips. My palm cupping under her chin. Pulling the clip from her hair and letting it spill out across my hand. My arms winding around her waist, holding her against the length of my body. Enough. I forced myself to turn, to move away from her. My body moved stiffly unwilling. I let my mind linger behind to watch her as I walked swiftly away, almost running from the temptation. I caught Mike Newton’s thoughtsthey were the loudestwhile he watched Bella walk past him in oblivion, her eyes unfocused and her cheeks red. He glowered and suddenly my name was mingled with curses in his head; I couldn’t help grinning slightly in response. â€Å"Too bad Mikey,† Jacob said, trying to chuckle again. My hand was tingling. I flexed it and then curled it into a fist, but it continued to sting painlessly. No, I hadn’t hurt herbut touching her had still been a mistake. It felt like firelike the thirsting burn of my throat had spread throughout my entire body. The next time I was close to her, would I be able to stop myself from touching her again? And if I touched her once, would I be able to stop at that? â€Å"Yes,† Bella answered, there was no doubt in her, though Jacob wasn’t totally convinced. No more mistakes. That was it. Savor the memory, Edward, I told myself grimly, and keep your hands to yourself. That, or I would have to force myself to leavesomehow. Because I couldn’t allow myself near her if I insisted on making errors. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my thoughts. Emmett caught up to me outside the English building. â€Å"Hey, Edward.† He’s looking better. Weird, but better. Happy. â€Å"Ah†¦ and him being happy is weird,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"Hey, Em.† Did I look happy? I supposed, despite the chaos in my head, I felt that way. Way to keep your mouth shut, kid. Rosalie wants to rip your tongue out. â€Å"I like to see her try†¦ and then get beaten down,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"That’s not very nice,† Bella glared at him and he shrugged. I sighed. â€Å"Sorry I left you to deal with that. Are you angry with me?† â€Å"Naw. Rose’ll get over it. It was bound to happen anyway.† With what Alice sees coming â€Å"Don’t mention that,† Jacob flinched. Alice’s visions were not what I wanted to think about right now. I stared forward, my teeth locking together. As I searched for a distraction, I caught sight of Ben Cheney entering the Spanish room ahead of us. Ahhere was my chance to give Angela Weber her gift. â€Å"Ben Cheney,† Bella mumbled and got out her year book to look at him. He was cute enough, though not her type at all. Still she studied the picture, if Angela and Ben liked each other she wanted them to be together in this reality, too. She thought that things might be different now that she knew what Edward was thinking about her, so she might have to be the one to help Ben and Angela out†¦ argh†¦ that wasn’t really her strong point. Oh well, it will have to happen someway. I stopped walking and caught Emmett’s arm. â€Å"Hold on a second.† What’s up? â€Å"I know I don’t deserve it, but would you do me a favor anyway?† â€Å"What is it?† he asked, curious. Under my breathand at a speed that would have made the words incomprehensible to a human no matter how loud they’d been spokenI explained to him what I wanted. He stared at me blankly when I was done, his thoughts as blank as his face. â€Å"That sound interesting,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"So?† I prompted. â€Å"Will you help me do it?† It took him a minute to respond. â€Å"But, why?† â€Å"C’mon, Emmett. Why not?† Who are you and what have you done with my brother? Bella and Jacob both chuckled at this. â€Å"Aren’t you the one who complains that school is always the same? This is something a little different, isn’t it? Consider it an experimentan experiment in human nature.† He stared at me for another moment before he caved. â€Å"Well, it is different, I’ll give you that Okay, fine.† Emmett snorted and then shrugged. â€Å"I’ll help you.† I grinned at him, feeling more enthusiastic about my plan now that he was on board. Rosalie was a pain, but I would always owe her one for choosing Emmett; no one had a better brother than mine. â€Å"Aw,† Jacob said in teasing voice but Bella smiled at what Edward had just said. Emmett didn’t need to practice. I whispered his lines to him once under my breath as we walked into the classroom. Ben was already in his seat behind mine, assembling his homework to hand in. Emmett and I both sat and did the same thing. The classroom was not quiet yet; the murmur of subdued conversation would continue until Mrs. Goff called for attention. She was in no hurry, appraising the quizzes from the last class. â€Å"So,† Emmett said, his voice louder than necessaryif he were really speaking only to me. â€Å"Did you ask Angela Weber out yet?† â€Å"Oh†¦ I get it,† Jacob said laughing. â€Å"This should work.† The sound of papers rustling behind me came to an abrupt stop as Ben froze, his attention suddenly riveted on our conversation. Angela? They’re talking about Angela? â€Å"Hm†¦ it definitely makes it easy that Edward knows what he’s thinking,† Bella muttered. Good. I had his interest. â€Å"No,† I said, shaking my head slowly to appear regretful. â€Å"Why not?† Emmett improvised. â€Å"Are you chicken?† I grimaced at him. â€Å"No. I heard that she was interested in someone else.† Edward Cullen was going to ask Angela out? But No. I don’t like that. I don’t want him near her. He’snot right for her. Notsafe. â€Å"You got that right,† Jacob chuckled and Bella glared at him. â€Å"What? You want him to go out with Angela?† â€Å"Don’t be ridiculous,† Bella rolled her eyes and Jacob laughed louder. I hadn’t anticipated the chivalry, the protective instinct. I’d been working for jealousy. But whatever worked. â€Å"You’re going to let that stop you?† Emmett asked scornfully, improvising again. Jacob laughed even more at that. â€Å"Not up for the competition?† I glared at him, but made use of what he gave me. â€Å"Look, I guess she really likes this Ben person. I’m not going to try to convince her otherwise. There are other girls.† The reaction in the chair behind me was electric. â€Å"Who?† Emmett asked, back to the script. â€Å"My lab partner said it was some kid named Cheney. I’m not sure I know who he is.† â€Å"That’s rude†¦ the guy’s right behind you,† Jacob muttered. â€Å"Um†¦ Jake, that’s the point,† Bella said. â€Å"I know,† Jacob rolled his eyes. â€Å"I’m just saying it makes him sound like a stuck up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Whatever,† Bella rolled her eyes. I bit back my smile. Only the haughty Cullens could get away with pretending not to know every student at this tiny school. Ben’s head was whirling with shock. Me? Over Edward Cullen? But why would she like me? â€Å"Edward,† Emmett muttered in a lower tone, rolling his eyes toward the boy. â€Å"He’s right behind you,† he mouthed, so obviously that the human could easily read the words. â€Å"Oh,† I muttered back. Jacob and Bella were laughing at this again. I turned in my seat and glanced once at the boy behind me. For a second, the black eyes behind the glasses were frightened, but then he stiffened and squared his narrow shoulders, affronted by my clearly disparaging evaluation. His chin shot out and an angry flush darkened his golden-brown skin. â€Å"Huh,† I said arrogantly as I turned back to Emmett. He thinks he’s better than me. But Angela doesn’t. I’ll show him â€Å"Well, there’s that problem solved,† Jacob chuckled. Perfect. â€Å"Didn’t you say she was taking Yorkie to the dance, though?† Emmett asked, snorting as he said the name of the boy that many scorned for his awkwardness. â€Å"That was a group decision apparently.† I wanted to be sure that Ben was clear on this. â€Å"Angela’s shy. If Bwell, if a guy doesn’t have the nerve to ask her out, she’d never ask him.† â€Å"You like shy girls,† Emmett said, back to improvisation. Quiet girls. Girls likehmm, I don’t know. Maybe Bella Swan? Jacob laughed at this line of teasing as Bella blushed. I grinned at him. â€Å"Exactly.† Then I returned to the performance. â€Å"Maybe Angela will get tired of waiting. Maybe I’ll ask her to the prom.† No, you won’t, Ben thought, straightening up in his chair. So what if she’s so much taller than me? â€Å"Oh†¦ it’s because he’s short†¦ poor guy,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"I suppose that’s not a problem you have to deal with,† Bella said, Jacob seemed pretty tall for his age. â€Å"Not at all,† Jacob said. â€Å"I think I might even have grown an inch since yesterday.† â€Å"Sure you did, Jake,† Bella rolled her eyes. If she doesn’t care, then neither do I. She’s the nicest, smartest, prettiest girl in this school and she wants me. I liked this Ben. He seemed bright and well-meaning. Maybe even worthy of a girl like Angela. â€Å"Well, it looks like there’re three humans that he might think highly of,† Jacob chuckled. I gave Emmett a thumbs up under the desk as Mrs. Goff stood and greeted the class. Okay, I’ll admit itthat was sort of fun, Emmett thought. I smiled to myself, pleased that I’d been able to shape one love story’s happy ending. I was positive that Ben would follow through, and Angela would receive my anonymous gift. My debt was repaid. How silly humans were, to let a six inch height differential confound their happiness. â€Å"That is a pretty big difference,† Jacob said. â€Å"That guy must be a midget.† â€Å"Jake!† Bella reprimanded him. â€Å"Sorry,† Jacob sighed. My success put me in a good mood. I smiled again as I settled into my chair and prepared to be entertained. After all, as Bella had pointed out at lunch, I’d never seen her in action in her gym class before. â€Å"No,† Bella groaned and Jacob laughed in anticipation. Mike’s thoughts were the easiest to pinpoint in the babble of voices that swarmed through the gym. His mind had gotten far too familiar over the last few weeks. With a sigh, I resigned myself to listening through him. At least I could be sure that he would be paying attention to Bella. I was just in time to hear him offer to be her badminton partner; as he made the suggestion, other partnerings ran through his mind. My smile faded, my teeth clenched together, and I had to remind myself that murdering Mike Newton was not a permissible option. â€Å"Hm†¦ I’m not so sure about that,† Jacob laughed. â€Å"It’s not,† Bella said firmly. â€Å"Thanks, Mikeyou don’t have to do this, you know.† â€Å"Don’t worry, I’ll keep out of your way.† They grinned at each other, and flashes of numerous accidentsalways in some way connected to Bellaflashed through Mike’s head. Jacob started chuckling and Bella groaned. Mike played alone at first, while Bella hesitated on the back half of the court, holding her racket gingerly, as if it was some kind of weapon. Then Coach Clapp ambled by and ordered Mike to let Bella play. â€Å"Why?† Bella moaned, didn’t the coach understand yet? Uh oh, Mike thought as Bella moved forward with a sigh, holding her racquet at an awkward angle. Jennifer Ford served the birdie directly toward Bella with a smug twist to her thoughts. Mike saw Bella lurch toward it, swinging the racket yards wide of her target, and he rushed in to try to save the volley. I watched the trajectory of Bella’s racquet with alarm. Sure enough, it hit the taut net and sprung back at her, clipping her forehead before it spun out to strike Mike’s arm with a resounding thwack. Jacob was howling with laughed and Bella turned bright red and held her head in her hands. That was a new all time low for her. â€Å"You really are awful,† Jacob choked out some time later. â€Å"Yeah, yeah, now can you continue reading,† Bella tried to sound as if this wasn’t bothering her, but she was still red and her voice was too weak to pull that off. Ow. Ow. Ungh. That’s going to leave a bruise. â€Å"Good,† Jacob said, his dying laughter starting again. Bella was kneading her forehead. It was hard to stay in my seat where I belonged, knowing she was hurt. But what could I do, if I were there? And it didn’t seem to be serious I hesitated, watching. If she intended to continue to try to play, I was going to have to manufacture an excuse to pull her out of class. â€Å"Overreaction,† Bella rolled her eyes. The coach laughed. â€Å"Sorry, Newton.† That girl’s the worst jinx I’ve ever seen. Shouldn’t inflict her on the others More laughter for Jacob, but Bella was pleased that the coach seemed to get it better now. He turned his back deliberately and moved to watch another game so that Bella could return to her former spectator’s role. Ow, Mike thought again, massaging his arm. He turned to Bella. â€Å"Are you okay?† â€Å"Yeah, are you?† she asked sheepishly, blushing. â€Å"I think I’ll make it.† Don’t want to sound like a crybaby. But, man, that hurts! â€Å"Crybaby,† Jacob laughed. Mike swung his arm in a circle, wincing. â€Å"I’ll just stay back here,† Bella said, embarrassment and chagrin on her face rather than pain. Maybe Mike had got the worst of it. I certainly hoped that was the case. At least she wasn’t playing anymore. She held her racquet so carefully behind her back, her eyes wide with remorse I had to disguise my laugh as coughing. What’s funny? Emmett wanted to know. â€Å"You know†¦ if you were in Emmett’s Gym class, I bet he would have liked you from the first day,† Jacob teased. â€Å"Shut up,† Bella hissed at him. â€Å"Tell you later,† I muttered. Bella didn’t venture into the game again. The coach ignored her and let Mike play alone. I breezed through the quiz at the end of the hour, and Mrs. Goff let me go early. I was listening intently to Mike as I walked across the campus. He’d decided to confront Bella about me. Jessica swears they’re dating. Why? Why did he have to pick her? He didn’t recognize the real phenomenonthat she’d picked me. â€Å"Don’t go overboard with that,† Bella rolled her eyes, it was more of a phenomenon that he had picked her after a hundred years after all. â€Å"So.† â€Å"So what?† she wondered. â€Å"You and Cullen, huh?† You and the freak. I guess, if a rich guy is that important to you†¦ Bella was glaring at the book, she didn’t like this assumption at all, but what was really getting to her was how very wrong Mike was†¦ Edward was so much more than just a rich guy. I gritted my teeth at his degrading assumption. â€Å"That’s none of your business, Mike.† Defensive. So it’s true. Crap. â€Å"I don’t like it.† â€Å"You don’t have to,† she snapped. Why can’t she see what a circus sideshow he is? Like they all are. Bella was glaring more at the book than before, not liking his way of thinking at all. The way he stares at her. It gives me chills to watch. â€Å"He looks at you likelike you’re something to eat.† Bella and Jacob both tensed a little at that†¦ it wasn’t good that Mike was able to notice that. I cringed, waiting for her response. Her face turned bright red, and her lips pressed together like she was holding her breath. Then, suddenly, a giggle burst through her lips. â€Å"You laughed?† Jacob looked at her incredulously. â€Å"Um†¦ the irony of that must have gotten to me,† Bella said. â€Å"I’m sure it was a nervous laugh if that makes you feel any better.† â€Å"It doesn’t,† Jacob said and then started reading again. Now she’s laughing at me. Great. Mike turned, thoughts sullen, and wandered off to change. I leaned against the gym wall and tried to compose myself. How could she have laughed at Mike’s accusationso entirely on target that I began to worry that Forks was becoming too aware Why would she laugh at the suggestion that I could kill her, when she knew that it was entirely true? Where was the humor in that? What was wrong with her? â€Å"Nothing’s wrong with me,† Bella huffed. â€Å"I beg to differ,† Jacob chuckled, though he was giving her an odd look, too. Did she have morbid sense of humor? That didn’t fit with my idea of her character, but how could I be sure? Or maybe my daydream of the giddy angel was true in the one respect, in that she had no sense of fear at all. Bravethat was one word for it. â€Å"I’m not brave,† Bella mumbled. Others might say stupid, â€Å"So I guess you’re stupid then,† Jacob chuckled and Bella glared at him. but I knew how bright she was. No matter what the reason, though, this lack of fear or twisted sense of humor wasn’t good for her. Was it this strange lack that put her in danger so constantly? Maybe she would always need me here Just like that, my mood was soaring. If I could just discipline myself, make myself safe, then perhaps it would be right for me to stay with her. When she walked through the gym doors, her shoulders were stiff and her lower lip was between her teeth againa sign of anxiety. But as soon as her eyes met mine, her rigid shoulders relaxed and a wide smile spread across her face. It was an oddly peaceful expression. She walked right to my side without hesitation, only stopping when she was so close that her body heat crashed over me like a tidal wave. â€Å"Hi,† she whispered. The happiness I felt in this moment was, again, without precedent. â€Å"Hello,† I said, and thenbecause with my mood suddenly so light I couldn’t resist teasing herI added, â€Å"How was gym?† â€Å"Argh†¦ did he have to mention that?† Bella groaned. â€Å"Yep,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"Besides, isn’t it better that you know he’s watching you†¦ not as creepy that way at least.† â€Å"Whatever,† Bella shrugged. Her smile wavered. â€Å"Fine.† She was a poor liar. â€Å"True,† Jacob and Bella both said. â€Å"Really?† I asked, about to press the issueI was still concerned about her head; was she in painbut then Mike Newton’s thoughts we so loud they broke my concentration. I hate him. I wish he would die. I hope he drives that shiny car right off a cliff. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone? Stick to his own kindto the freaks. â€Å"What does he mean, his own kind?† Jacob asked. â€Å"He doesn’t know that Edward is a vampire.† â€Å"I suppose he means rich?† Bella said slowly, not sure of the answer herself. â€Å"That or he instinctively knows that Edward is different.† â€Å"What?† Bella demanded. My eyes refocused on her face. She looked at Mike’s retreating back, and then at me again. â€Å"Newton’s getting on my nerves,† I admitted. Her mouth fell open, and her smile disappeared. She must have forgotten that I’d had the power to watch through her calamitous last hour, or hoped that I hadn’t utilized it. â€Å"More likely the latter,† Bella said, after all he had demonstrated that gift quite well during their last few encounters. â€Å"You weren’t listening again?† â€Å"How’s your head?† â€Å"You’re unbelievable!† she said through her teeth, and then she turned away from me and stalked furiously toward the parking lot. Her skin flushed dark redshe was embarrassed. â€Å"You got that right,† Jacob said. â€Å"Well, no one asked him to watch me in Gym,† Bella grumbled, her clumsiness was always a sore spot for her. I kept pace with her, hoping that her anger would pass soon. She was usually quick to forgive me. â€Å"You were the one who mentioned how I’d never seen you in Gym,† I explained. â€Å"It made me curious.† She didn’t answer; her eyebrows pulled together. She came to a sudden halt in the parking lot when she realized that the way to my car was blocked by a crowd of male students. I wonder how fast they’ve gone in this thing Look at the SMG shift paddles. I’ve never seen those outside of a magazine Nice side grills Sure wish I had sixty thousand dollars laying around â€Å"Um†¦ Jacob do you want me to leave,† Bella chuckled as Jacob was practically drooling at the description of the car. â€Å"No, but I want you to get me into the Cullen garage sometime in the future,† Jacob said. â€Å"You do realize that’s Rosalie’s car†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bella said smirking. â€Å"Argh,† Jacob groaned. â€Å"Why did you have to remind me of that?† This was exactly why it was better for Rosalie to only use her car out of town. I wound through the throng of lustful boys to my car; after a second of hesitation, Bella followed suit. â€Å"Ostentatious,† I muttered as she climbed in. â€Å"What kind of car is that?† she wondered. â€Å"An M3.† She frowned. â€Å"I don’t speak Car and Driver.† â€Å"Come on, Bella!† Jacob groaned. â€Å"You should know that at least.† â€Å"Sorry,† Bella shrugged, chuckling at his behavior. â€Å"It’s a BMW.† I rolled my eyes and then focused on backing out without running anyone down. I had to lock eyes with a few boys that didn’t seem willing to move out of my way. A half-second meeting my gaze seemed to be enough to convince them. â€Å"Is that car really that special?† Bella rolled her eyes. Jacob just stared at her incredulously. â€Å"I guess it is,† Bella mumbled. â€Å"Are you still angry?† I asked her. Her frown had relaxed. â€Å"Definitely,† she answered curtly. I sighed. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up. Oh well. I could try to make amends, I supposed. â€Å"Will you forgive me if I apologize?† She thought about that for a moment. â€Å"Maybeif you mean it,† she decided. â€Å"And if you promise not to do it again.† â€Å"Don’t hold your breath,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"I know†¦ that’s never going to happen,† Bella chuckled too. I wasn’t going to lie to her, and there was no way I was agreeing to that. Perhaps if I offered her a different exchange. â€Å"How about if I mean it, and I agree to let you drive this Saturday?† I cringed internally at the thought. â€Å"Oh†¦ that works,† Bella said. The furrow popped into existence between her eyes as she considered the new bargain. â€Å"Deal,† she said after a moment of thought. Now for my apology I’d never tried to dazzle Bella on purpose before, but now seemed like a good time. â€Å"Oh great,† Bella mumbled, blushing already. The thought of him actually trying to dazzle her was too much for her. I stared deep into her eyes as I drove away from the school, wondering if I was doing it right. I used my most persuasive tone. â€Å"Then I’m very sorry I upset you.† Her heartbeat thudded louder than before, and the rhythm was abruptly staccato. Her eyes widened, looking a little stunned. I half-smiled. It seemed like I’d gotten it right. Of course, I was having a bit of difficulty looking away from her eyes, too. Equally dazzled. It was a good thing I had this road memorized. â€Å"What?† Bella said, snapping out of her daze†¦ she liked thinking of them both being dazzled by each other†¦ but still, â€Å"He’s not even looking at the road!† â€Å"But he has it memorized†¦ that’s just as good,† Jacob laughed at her expression. â€Å"That is not good at all!† Bella snapped, note to self, no dazzling in the car†¦ um†¦ while it’s moving at least. â€Å"And I’ll be on your doorstep bright and early Saturday morning,† I added, finishing the agreement. She blinked swiftly, shaking her head as if to clear it. â€Å"Um,† she said, â€Å"it doesn’t help with the Charlie situation if an unexplained Volvo is left in the driveway.† â€Å"He’s not going to take his car,† Bella said, how little she understood him in this book. Ah, how little she still knew me. â€Å"I wasn’t intending to bring a car.† Bella blinked at that and then smiled, it was nice knowing they could think alike. â€Å"How† she started to ask. I interrupted her. The answer would be hard to explain without a demonstration, and now was hardly the time. â€Å"Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there, no car.† She put her head on one side, and looked for a second like she was going to press for more, but then she seemed to change her mind. â€Å"Is it later yet?† she asked, reminding me of our unfinished conversation in the cafeteria today; she’d let go of one difficult question just to return another that was more unappealing. â€Å"Yeah, isn’t that nice of her,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"I suppose it is later,† I agreed unwillingly. I parked in front of her house, tensing as I tried to think of how to explainwithout making my monstrous nature too evident, without frightening her again. Or was that wrong? To minimalize my darkness? She waited with the same politely interested mask she’d worn at lunch. If I’d been less anxious, her preposterous calm would have made me laugh. â€Å"And you still want to know why you can’t see me hunt?† I asked. â€Å"Well, mostly I was wondering about your reaction,† she said. â€Å"Did I frighten you?† I asked, positive that she would deny it. â€Å"No.† I tried not to smile, and failed. â€Å"I apologize for scaring you.† And then my smile vanished with the momentary humor. â€Å"It was just the very thought of you being therewhile we hunted.† Jacob shivered at that. â€Å"That would be bad?† The mental picture was too muchBella, so vulnerable in the empty darkness; myself, out of control I tried to banish it from my head. â€Å"Well, you don’t have to send it our way,† Jacob snapped. â€Å"Extremely.† â€Å"Because† I took a deep breath, concentrating for one moment on the burning thirst. Feeling it, managing it, proving my dominion over it. It would never control me againI willed that to be true. I would be safe for her. I stared at the welcome clouds without seeing them, wishing I could believe that my determination would make any difference if I were hunting when I crossed her scent. â€Å"When we huntwe give ourselves over to our senses,† I told her, thinking through each word before I spoke it. â€Å"Govern less with our minds. Especially our sense of smell. If you were anywhere near me when I lost control that way† Jacob and Bella both shivered at that. No, she could definitely never see him hunt. I shook my head in agony at the thought of what wouldnot what could, but what wouldsurely happen then. I listened to the spike in her heartbeat, and then turned, restless, to read her eyes. Bella’s face was composed, her eyes grave. Her mouth was pursed just slightly in what I guessed was concern. But concern for what? Her own safety? Or my anguish? I continued to stare at her, trying to translate her ambiguous expression into sure fact. â€Å"Your anguish, I’m sure,† Jacob mumbled. â€Å"She puts others before herself.† â€Å"You don’t have to make it sound like a bad thing,† Bella sighed. She gazed back. Her eyes grew wider after a moment, and her pupils dilated, though the light had not changed. My breathing accelerated, and suddenly the quiet in the car seemed to be humming, just like in the darkened biology room this afternoon. The pulsing current raced between us again, and my desire to touch her was, briefly, stronger even than the demands of my thirst. â€Å"Um†¦ this really is pretty freaky,† Jacob muttered and Bella rolled her eyes, curious to know what this really meant. The throbbing electricity made it feel like I had a pulse again. My body sang with it. Like I was human. More than anything in the world, I wanted to feel the heat of her lips against mine. For one second, I struggled desperately to find the strength, the control, to able to put my mouth so close to her skin Bella froze in place†¦ waiting in anticipation†¦ heart hammering. Jacob shifted uncomfortably and was wary about how dangerous that would be. She sucked in a ragged breath, and only then did I realize that when I had started breathing faster, she had stopped breathing altogether. I closed my eyes, trying to break the connection between us. No more mistakes. Bella sighed sadly. Bella’s existence was tied to a thousand delicately balanced chemical processes, all so easily disrupted. The rhythmic expansion of her lungs, the flow of oxygen, was life or death to her. The fluttering cadence of her fragile heart could be stopped by so many stupid accidents or illnesses orby me. I did not believe that any member of my family would hesitate if he or she were offered a chance backif he or she could trade immortality for mortality again. Any one of us would stand in fire for it. Burn for as many days or centuries as were necessary. â€Å"But you can’t go back,† Bella said sadly, which meant that if they were ever going to be equal she would have to change†¦ Most of our kind prized immortality above anything else. There were even humans who craved this, who searched in dark places for those who could give them the blackest of gifts Not us. Not my family. We would trade anything to be human. â€Å"Right,† Jacob said, and he believed what Edward was saying, it really did explain why they did what they did. But none of us had ever been as desperate for a way back as I was now. I stared at the microscopic pits and flaws in the windshield, like there was some solution hidden in the glass. The electricity had not faded, and I had to concentrate to keep my hands on the wheel. My right hand began to sting without pain again, from when I’d touched her before. â€Å"Bella, I think you should go inside now.† She obeyed at once, without comment, getting out of the car and shutting the door behind herself. Did she feel the potential for disaster as clearly as I did? â€Å"Um†¦ I’m sure I felt the electricity†¦ and noticed that you don’t want to touch me,† Bella sighed, â€Å"I’m probably just following your lead.† Did it hurt her to leave, as it hurt me to let her go? The only solace was that I would see her soon. Sooner than she would see me. I smiled at that, then rolled the window down and leaned across to speak to her one more timeit was safer now, with the heat of her body outside the car. She turned to see what I wanted, curious. Still curious, though she’d asked me so many questions today. â€Å"Oh there’re so many more questions I have for you,† Bella said. My own curiosity was entirely unsatisfied; answering her questions today had only revealed my secrets â€Å"It looks like he’s thinking the same thing,† Jacob chuckled. I’d gotten little from her but my own conjectures. That wasn’t fair. â€Å"Oh, Bella?† â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Tomorrow it’s my turn.† Her forehead puckered. â€Å"Your turn to what?† â€Å"Ask the questions.† Tomorrow, when we were in a safer place, surrounded by witnesses, I would get my own answers. I grinned at the thought, and then I turned away because she made no move to leave. Even with her outside of the car, the echo of the electricity zinged in the air. I wanted to get out, too, to walk her to her door as an excuse to stay beside her No more mistakes. I hit the gas, and then sighed as she disappeared behind me. It seemed like I was always running toward Bella or running away from her, never staying in place. I would have to find some way to hold my ground if we were ever going to have any peace. â€Å"Well, that’s most definitely true,† Bella said. â€Å"I wonder what he’s going to ask me.† â€Å"Well, it looks like you’re going to have to wait a long time to figure out,† Jacob said putting the book down. â€Å"Why?† Bella said looking at the clock, it was nine. â€Å"We still have some time.† â€Å"That’s not why,† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"It’s because that was the end of the book.† â€Å"What?† Bella said. â€Å"That can’t be the end†¦ there so much more†¦ I don’t know what happens!† â€Å"Sorry, Bells, that’s it,† Jacob shrugged. â€Å"Is there at note or anything like that?† Bella asked, picking up the book and noticing a small note and read: I’m sorry that this was all that I could give you, but this was all I could write before you got to school. But there is no need to worry; your story goes on for a long time after this. Bella frowned as she read this, how could this person end the book here but promise that there is a lot more for her to find out? â€Å"Who is this SM person?† â€Å"Um†¦ I’m not sure, but it’s the person that left me the note in the first place,† Jacob said. â€Å"Yeah, I figured,† Bella rolled her eyes. â€Å"So†¦ um†¦ what do we do now?† Jacob asked. â€Å"I’m not sure,† Bella said. â€Å"But you’re planning on meeting this Edward guy for real, aren’t you,† Jacob said. â€Å"Of course,† Bella looked at him suspiciously. He had promised at one time that he wouldn’t let that happen. She hoped he had changed his mind because there was no way she would allow that. â€Å"And how do you plan on meeting him at first?† Jacob questioned. â€Å"Um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bella said, she didn’t think of that but he was right†¦ the first meeting really was something that she had to think about†¦ Edward was, after all going to be deathly attracted to her. â€Å"I suppose we’ll just have to think of something.† How to cite The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 12. Complications, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

Essay on The referred Steel Company

Question: Write an essay onThe referred Steel Company. Answer: The referred Steel Company is a small scale manufacturing company. The owner manager and some of the employees are active in the company. There are about 65 people, with full time, permanent as well as unskilled people. The company is segmented into two departments, one is the sales team, and other is the manufacturing team. The divisional director divided the employees into four groups each with a team leader for more efficiency of the company. Implementation of the formal statement and the formal rule were formulated by the division director to manage the individual team and individual management of the teams. Finally, the divisional director formulated a new staff forum through which the employees could raise their issues of concern (Patel et al. 2012). The director expected that the employees would do the certain jobs by which they could increase the manufacturing rate. After one year of implementation of new management rules, the divisional director reviewed the situation. After realization he was disappointed enough for less and nil productivity of the employees. Discussion: Individual performances for the improvement: Employees at Steel Co. were not fully committed to their work. Freeze in payment further worsened the situation. The effort of bonus schemes by division of work among different team also failed. Despite implementing a forum for concerns of employee, they were not able to enhance performance of employees. The need is for the implementation of specific HR strategy that allows goals to be integrated through performance management in each employee. The human resource manager should be vested with the responsibility of recruiting the employee with greater skills. Senior leader has the duty in allotting responsibilities to the employees and other staffs of the company. The responsibilities of the business leaders include definite factors such as plan; do; check; and act. This PDCA cycle or the plan-do-check act increases the service for the improvement of the company. Different staffs of the company have to undergo the PDCA cycle or the plan-do-check act. Here they have to take definite re sponsibilities of their own. As a result contribute to the betterment of the company. The primary posts follow the PDCA cycle or the plan-do-check act, and follow strategic factors such as: business leaders, process owner, operational manager, process operator, and team leader. HR managers should align employee development plan with business goals. They need to have a face-to-face discussion with each team to determine their expectation and aspirations in career. They should identify what skills employee needs to progress in their career and accordingly develop an action plan. Mentoring skill is important to influence and inspire employees. They should consider investing in employees betterment to achieve better profitability and reputation.(Akyildiz et al. 2015) Importance of performance management in improving employee development and communications: Steel Co. was failing in its business because of poor performance and little profit in a market with increased competition and difficult trading conditions. It forced the owner to freeze all employees salary for three years and removing all additional pay schemes. This was not a clever step by the owner as it naturally lead to resentment among employees. He should learn ways of implementing performance management system in his organization. Performance management process is important in evaluating individual performance and optimizing productivity. It involves aligning employees daily objective with business objectives. It gives visibility and clarity to performance expectations. It is an approach to documenting individual performance and enhancing growth in career. The major focus is on looking after employees concern. But all these approach was missing in Steel Co. The owner had an autocratic style of leadership. He never viewed employee as an asset to the company, but rather he imposed decisions on them. He regarded them as a cost to business and so he invetsed little on them. This might be the factor for least employee engagement. In the case study, the Steel Company had less frequent communication between the employees and the leaders. Therefore, the surprising decrease in the job skills of the employees came into focus. Communicating clear goals and expectations to the employees is necessary in performance management. (Lee et al. 2014). The majority of the employees want to be a part of the compelling future. The productivity level matters the most in establishing and maintaining a definite stand point of a company. Sharing of the information through every level of the company influences the management and the job skills. Employees are to be informed with respective information to keep communication hopeful and trust. Effective practices in performance management system include: Communicating clear performance expectation to employees. Linking performance to reward system. Setting influential career path for employees. Delivering reward and payment scheme in a fair manner. The primary reason for adapting performance management system in organization is that it has enabled them creating link between strategic business goals and daily activities. The atmosphere in the organization should be such that employee feels a sense of belonging in the organization. They should not just be limited to shift timings. They should be willing to contribute more and more for the betterment of the company. This will become possible when employees grievances are addressed properly. Performance management gives options for technology based solution where information is effectively disseminated among all employees. It helps to maintain corporate competencies and fill skill gaps among employees. It helps in identification of appropriate training and development plan for workforce (Den Hartog et al. 2013). The divisional director of the respective Steel Company only had the interest in formulating few management plans and job skills for the employees. He did not focus on the innovation and encouragement for the employees. Encouragements serve as the major and the primary factor for acquiring the work and utilize the entire job processing from the employees. Integrated management systems: There was a significant gap in communication between owner and employees at Steel Co. Despite creation of employee forum, the performance of employees did not improve. Performance management is the key to improving communication in organization. The integrated management system is critical to modifying an organization's real-time analysis of the performance and provides insights of the decisions across the enterprise. It optimizes the work performances, and improves the demand planning in operational areas such as sales, marketing, and production. The Steel Company had two sections, the first is the sales department and the second is the production department (Jiang et al. 2012). Therefore, the integrated management system is the central aspect to managing the ethical values, customer probability, external reporting, and meeting the integration to achieve technical advancements. However, no matter how sound the strategy or advanced the technology is, solutions that do not prioritize integration fail to meet expectations. The approaches which are to be focused on the industrial domains are energy, retail, manufacturing, and distribution. Other factors are the high-tech duty, manufacturing, production, and construction, transportation, and consumer production sectors (Asif et al. 2013). Effectiveness to financial reward: Even after Divisional Directors effort of implementing bonus schemes and staff forum for raising employee voice, he could not bring change in performance management. When asked from employees about bonus scheme, they revealed that it did not have substantial impact on their standard of living. Thus a better way of linking reward to performance was needed to enhance employee engagement and commitment at Steel Co. Performance based reward culture is a tool for achieving success as it helps to unlock hidden potential of employees. It motivates them to perform in a better way. Appropriate performance based reward system leads to clearer goal alignment, reducing employee turnover rate, greater financial savings and more productivity. When employees efforts are appreciated and rewarded, they get more focused in their job. It is an efficient way of effective performance management in organization. Talent management and succession planning is possible by aligning employee objective to busine ss goals. Regular performance appraisal, recognizing employees effort and giving them support to further develop their skills helps in building a strong relationship with owners of organization. Well-structured organization has access to all necessary information to reward employees for exceptional performance. They track employee performance against defined goals and reward them accordingly. Performance based reward culture is also beneficial in saving money on unnecessary activities which has no direct impact on success of organization. Retaining more employees means reduced expenditure in advertising and recruitment process to fill back vacant positions (Van Dooren et al., 2015). Conclusion: According to the case study, it can be concluded that several factors are responsible for the improvement in the job skills. The communication and the innovations proved to be the best aspect which helps the company reach the epitome of success. The respective Steel Company, which was discussed in the case study, showed that the leaders and the employees had no connections and there was a lack of good communicative relationship. These elements are the basic factors for establishing a company. Moreover achieving the desired results from the productivity of the company also depends on this. The salary structure which was delivered to the employees did not hold the interests of the employees and therefore the director could not get the desired results out of the employees. It can also be concluded that producing different financial plans build up a good company with high productivity results. But the leaders of the company should hold up the plans which demonstrate the good future of th e employees. High salary and bonus scales with no mental satisfaction and no disciplines would decrease the job productivity at the end of the season. The Divisional Director, who imposed the staff management facts, would ensure the work efficiency of the staffs and the production scales of the company. Reference Akyildiz, B., Kadaifci, C. and Topcu, I., 2015. A decision framework proposal for customer order prioritization: A case study for a structural steel company.International Journal of Production Economics,169, pp.21-30. Anitha, J., 2014. Determinants of employee engagement and their impact on employee performance.International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management. Asif, M., Searcy, C., Zutshi, A. and Fisscher, O.A., 2013. An integrated management systems approach to corporate social responsibility.Journal of cleaner production,56, pp.7-17. Den Hartog, D.N., Boon, C., Verburg, R.M. and Croon, M.A., 2013. HRM, Communication, Satisfaction, and Perceived Performance A Cross-Level Test.Journal of Management,39(6), pp.1637-1665. Foster, E.C., 2014. Human resource management. InSoftware Engineering(pp. 253-269). Apress. Jiang, K., Lepak, D.P., Hu, J. and Baer, J.C., 2012. How does human resource management influence organizational outcomes? A meta-analytic investigation of mediating mechanisms.Academy of management Journal,55(6), pp.1264-1294. Lee, J., Elbashir, M.Z., Mahama, H. and Sutton, S.G., 2014. Enablers of top management team support for integrated management control systems innovations.International Journal of Accounting Information Systems,15(1), pp.1-25. Meinska, I., Lapia, I. and Mazais, J., 2015. Integrated management systems towards sustainable and socially responsible organisation.Total Quality Management Business Excellence,26(5-6), pp.469-481. Ofstead, C.L., Sherman, B.W., Wetzler, H.P., Langlay, A.M.D., Mueller, N.J., Ward, J.M., Ritter, D.R. and Poland, G.A., 2013. Effectiveness of worksite interventions to increase influenza vaccination rates among employees and families.Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,55(2), pp.156-163. Patel, H., Pettitt, M. and Wilson, J.R., 2012. Factors of collaborative working: A framework for a collaboration model.Applied ergonomics,43(1), pp.1-26. Purce, J., 2014. The impact of corporate strategy on human resource management.New Perspectives on Human Resource Management (Routledge Revivals),67. Rafferty, A.E., Jimmieson, N.L. and Armenakis, A.A., 2013. Change readiness a multilevel review.Journal of Management,39(1), pp.110-135. Van Dooren, W., Bouckaert, G. and Halligan, J., 2015.Performance management in the public sector. Routledge.

Friday, November 29, 2019

The Relationship between Drugs and Crime

Introduction The perception that drug use is associated with crime has reigned not only among sociology researchers but it has also been perpetuated by the media. In addition to social problems, drug use has been associated with harms that are suffered by users. Whereas there is truth in these views, an elaborate look into these views reveal that these associations are mainly a making (more so with specific drugs like heroin) as there is no direction of causality. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship between Drugs and Crime specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In essence the society, through the media and government policies, has come to criminalise drug users and therefore it has become de facto that drug users are criminals. This paper critically examines the views that criminalisation of drug use leads to greater social problems and harms to individuals. The central viewpoint is that it is not an abso lute truth that drug use is not an obvious cause of crime. Certain drugs such as heroin have been historically labelled and associated with crime and therefore concerns of crime associated heroin is deeply rooted in a historical belief that an evidential matter. Carnwath and Smith (2002) point out that there was a widespread use of heroin among male youths belonging to America’s lower class members who dwelt in cities during as the 20th century set in. Unfortunately, individuals who usually consumed heroin were already harbouring antisocial tendencies such as prostitution and gambling. On such grounds, it became very easy to create a community of de facto criminals. One of the ungrounded notions was that heroin use would influence men to rape yet the truth is that heroin use leads to low libido (Carnwath Smith, 2002). Historically, the association between heroin use and crime has been explained by psychiatrists citing heroin as an addictive substance that leads to impaired reasoning (Carnwath Smith, 2002). Whereas such an explanation does not shed enough light into this relationship, modern reasoning that heroin and crime are related due to an economic reasoning has not been satisfactory either. This is more due to the fact that researchers fail to consider poly-drug use among criminals thus the contribution of heroin may be exaggerated. When examining the relationship between drug use and crime, it is important to establish the direction of causality. This is one of the aspects that both researchers and the media fail to do. Stuart (2008) highlights that media as well as governments paint disproportionately the use of certain drugs as the cause of crimes. For instance, stereotyping heroin users and crack cocaine consumers as risk individuals in terms of crime eventually perpetuates criminal tendencies among such communities since this group of people feel barred from the society. Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if w e can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Whereas this is an aspect of drug use leading to crime, Carnwath Smith (2002) report that already formed criminals also tend to go for drugs such as heroin thus ruling out drug use as the absolute cause factor for criminal behaviour. Even in cases where alcohol is well known to cause violence as cited by Winlow and Hall (2006), this relationship is weak since most alcohol users view that violence is an inevitable part of drinking and is its done as â€Å"part of the show† (p. 96). Conclusion In conclusion, it is not easy to absolutely say that drug use leads to crime. There is failure to look at the many factors that may be involved in this relationship some of which include historical labelling of drug users as criminals and disproportional reporting by the media. It is important to examine the direction of causality before making any conclusion on drug use and crime relationship and also think of crime (such as violence among alcohol users) as an accepted culture by those who drink. Bibliography Carnwarth, T. and Smith, I. (2002). Ripping and running: Drug use and crime. In Heroin Century, London: Routledge. Taylor, S. (2008). Outside the outsiders: Media representations of drug use. Probation Journal, 55(4): 369-387. Winlow, S. Hall, S. (2006) Alcohol, violence and the drudgery of seeking pleasure. In Violent Night: Urban Leisure and Contemporary Culture, Oxford, Berg Press, pp. 93-114.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship between Drugs and Crime specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on The Relationship between Drugs and Crime was written and submitted by user Joe W. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Report on successful academic piece of writing The WritePass Journal

Report on successful academic piece of writing Introduction Report on successful academic piece of writing IntroductionReferences taken from:-Related Introduction This report is aimed to improve the potential of academic writing and skills for students who are writing report on academic lesson or any other academic subjects. There are many Academic writing styles Skills. This report offers useful improving tool for writing Academic piece of writing skills for a successful Piece of academic writing and also develop academic writing and gather knowledge on academic writing for a successful presentation and to build a perfect report. There are few many good writing skills and techniques for developing academic writing skills. Academic writing for a successful presentation can also be said how to write an essay properly. This report or essay will give a demo to the approaches for developing academic writing skills and to know the various steps in the whole process. The approach enables students to engage in academic piece of writing and also allows you to identify your own self identity about your writing and to see the progress towards a finished successful and perfect academic piece of writing. The piece of writing focuses on the following important and beneficial points which are highlighted below: Identifying and resolving the problems faced during the writing. Giving knowledge to know familiar English language structure also helping in required fields needed. Addressing the important points to enhance and improve the academic piece of writing, book notes should be used for writing academic articles. Essays and exams are the main practical test for assessing student’s progress. As a result of these approaches the students can improve their skills and knowledge and try to improve the performance which will result in increasing and raising the level of the student’s confidence. A teacher can also help the student by drawing attention to the different styles of speaking and also different types of writing and improving them to write successful academic piece of writing. There are many writing styles in a language such as english.This also helps in writing reports successfully and also writing styles, writing lessons will be improved. Improving and Developing Academic Writing Skills: A student can help in improving writing skills by attempting on writing and focusing on the other skills areas. Some of them are as follows and the important ones are highlighted below. For Example When a student is reading a passage, he should focus on the text or the argument or focus in the grammar section. A teacher can also help the student by drawing attention to the different styles of speaking and also different types of writing and improving them to write successful academic piece of writing. There are many writing styles in a language such as English. These   also helps in writing reports successfully and also writing styles, writing lessons will be improved. Academic piece of successful writing helps in writing, using new vocabularies paraphrasing, referencing, paragraph building and against plagiarism. Also includes summarizing, proof writing, cohesion and coherence all these things should be taken in to consideration while writing a Academic piece of successful writing. And another most important point to remember is that after writing an Academic piece of successful writing a student should always check correct his own piece of writing. These are the following important points which should be carefully examined before preparing a successful Piece of academic writing. If these points are not carefully or properly assessed, it’s impossible to make a successful Piece of academic writing. Successful Piece of academic writing requires knowledge in academic. The most important points which are required or very important while writing a successful Piece of academic writing, they are as follows:- Cohesion and coherence Paraphrasing and Summarising Proof Reading Plagiarism Referencing Now all the important points which are essential for writing a successful Piece of academic writing are explained below:-   Cohesion and coherence Cohesion and coherence are very essential skills for students. Cohesion means connection between one word to another by both logically and grammatically. It includes use of synonyms, tenses, verb etc. Coherence means linking arguments and ideas, paragraphs and sentences each other’s its can be easy to understand. Cohesion is the bond that joins a piece of writing together it holds together sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. Paraphrasing and Summarising Paraphrasing and Summarising is the rewriting texts from original texts to own words. Summary is basically one fourth of the writer views and in this views we select main and essential idea. Paraphrasing maintained meaning and quality of the writer views and it may be same length and extended to original words. It makes sure our views generate sense and reader can understood it. Proof Reading Proof Reading is the focussing on mistakes of grammatical, punctuation and spelling. It’s the essential part for editing; we should always care about proofread after revision. Proof readers find different into original source to document. Plagiarism Plagiarism is the serious crime .It involve copying someone else words, wrong information about the source and changing in some words such put the synonym but copying the sentence. It’s a dishonesty our work therefore avoid the plagiarism. Avoid Plagiarism Always use quotation marks if use writer’s words and should acknowledge every source. When summarise any topic firstly reading the source and always express own ideas. Modify the original source using proper paraphrase. Referencing – Referencing is indicated what source used in topic .There are two parts of referencing- text References and Bibliography of the references. In texts references included writer name, date of publication, or mention website. It is used for acknowledgment and given credit to author. Bibliography is the end list and it is the photocopied material which searching our source. These are the following important points which should be carefully examined before preparing a successful Piece of academic writing. To conclude we must take care of all the points and also should be carefully examined before starting to prepare a successful Piece of academic writing. We should also take help of academic styles, reading books also helps in preparing a perfect report. All the findings and knowledge gathered from other academic writing should be acknowledged with proper referencing. If we take care of all these essential points we can ultimately make a proper academic piece of writing. References taken from:- 1. studymore.org.uk/gloess.htm.  Ã‚   2. slideshare.net/malomaths/academic-writing-dit-summary

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Chinese Nationalists and Chinese Communists in China in the 1920s Essay

Chinese Nationalists and Chinese Communists in China in the 1920s - Essay Example In his article, Analysis of the Classes in Chinese Society, Mao Tse-tung argues that the lower classes of Chinese society will provide the main support for the communist revolution because they have low economic status and are victims of the capitalist exploitation of international imperialism. According to Mao, the origin of massive class disparity in China is the imperial capitalism which places most of the national resources in the hands of a small elite group and leaves the majority of the population, which comprises of peasants and low-level workers, economically deprived and struggling excessively in their efforts to earn a living. Mao believes that these struggling classes are the real friends of the revolution because they stand to benefit tremendously in a system whereby national resources are equitably distributed to all citizens (Tse-tung, Marxists.org).Thesis: Mao’s argument on economic disparity between classes in Chinese society illustrates the reason for the con stant conflict between the Chinese Nationalists and Chinese Communists in the 1920s. Mao’s argument plays a significant role when considering the differences between the Chinese Nationalists and Chinese Communists in China in the 1920s. The policies of the Nationalists tended to lean towards western ideals of capitalism and international imperialism. These policies favored the high classes of Chinese society at the expense of the lower classes. The high classes benefited from this system because they owned capital which they could use for productive purposes. They kept the proceeds from these productive purposes all to themselves, paying peasant workers small wages and overworking them. On the other hand, the Communists recognized that resources are limited, and not everyone in the society can acquire significant resources that will enable them to live comfortably. Therefore, they believed that the government should have sole control of all resources and distribute them equal ly to all members of the society (Ebrey, Walthall and Palais, 427). These massive ideological differences pitted the Communists against the Nationalists in the struggle to establish control over the divided country. It quickly became apparent to the Communists that they would have to drive the Nationalists from power for them to be able to spread the ideals of the revolution. Regime change and complete overhaul of the old system would have to take place if the communist revolution were to achieve success. Consequently, the Communists were a direct threat to the survival of the Nationalist government and to its grip on power and influence. As a result, the Nationalists realized that they would have to stem communist ideals from spreading throughout China in order to prevent the Communists from acquiring enough support to mount a revolution (Ebrey, Walthall and Palais, 431). Throughout the 1920s, there was conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists. The Communists were attem pting to grow their movement whereas the Nationalists were bent on preventing from them from gaining a foothold among rural Chinese peasants and urban dwellers. For example, the Communist Party gained a massive following among members of the General Labor Union of Shanghai. This following enabled the Communist Party to influence the GLU to call for a general strike on March 1921. Consequently over six hundred thousand workers seized the city and demanded a return of foreign concessions. Soldiers and members of the Green Gang loyal to Chiang Kaishek of the Nationalist Party immediately mounted a response, shooting and killing an estimated 5,000 union members and also attacked the union headquarters. This terror did not end with Shanghai. It quickly spread to other Chinese cities whereby soldiers of the Nationalist government destroyed bases of the Communist Party (Ebrey, Walthall and Palais, 427). These events demonstrated the fear that the Nationalists had over the Communists gainin g

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Holywood Studio System Between 1940s and 1960s Essay

Holywood Studio System Between 1940s and 1960s - Essay Example This was because there was discovery of the telescope, a cure for arthritis and even new advancements in astronomy. 2 With all these factors going so well for America; Hollywood home, one would presume that there would be greater opportunities for the studio system. However, this did not happen. 3 The main reasons were that there was a shift from cinema to television4, there was also politics involved and also other managerial and technological reasons came into play. 5 Details of these factors shall be examined below. In the wake of the country's economic boom, many people could now afford to purchase their own television sets. 6This meant that there was no need for any of them to go to the movies. By the year 1946, cinema attendance had diminished by a whooping 20 million consumers. 7 The studio that felt the highest pinch was the leader at that time; MGM. Before the decline in the Hollywood studio system, most studios were producing about eighteen billion dollars in revenue. However, after the popularisation of television, most studios were now making a mere four billion dollars. 8 There were also other political reasons that affected the Hollywood Studio system in the late forties. Prior to the decline, most studio owners or movie producers had exclusive rights to movie theatres. The five major studios in Hollywood (Fox, Warner's, Paramount, RKO and Lowe's) 9 had the ability to control distribution of their movies through these vested interests in movie theatres. However, The US Justice Department felt that that monopoly was going against the rules of free market and fair competition. 10Therefore, the Attorney General serving at that time gave a notice to the five major studios to appear in court. They were charged with conspiracy in the theatre industry. They were not supposed to control distribution as stated by the government and they were expected to let go of their vested interests in theatres During their appearances in court, top studio executives agreed to surrender their vested interests in the distribution sector and just after a short while all the big five studios gave up their rights to the movie theatres. 11Most of theses theatres were then sold to other vested interests. Consequently, studio producers had very little revenue to give their actors. Before selling away their theatres, most studios would contract actors for a period of seven years. But after the decline of theatres and studios, it was difficult to make such contracts anymore. Most studios started getting into deficits and they started closing down. 12These results came into play during the sixties. Eventually, the legacy of the Hollywood Studio system came to an end during those fateful years. Rise of independent movie producers During the 1960s more and more movie producers would choose locations that were outside Hollywood. They would prefer other countries such as England, Rome and Pinewood. Consequently, most of the equipments needed in studios were exported to the outdoors. This seriously affected the studio system as movie producers no longer considered the studio system as the norm. 13 The situation was made worse by increased competition from some independent movie producers. These movie producers were affiliated to their own movie producing companies and made the Hollywood studio system seem traditional. The

Monday, November 18, 2019

Workplace Saftey Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Workplace Saftey - Case Study Example Assessment of risks in the operational department in a bank involves assessing the various risks including their effects, establishing possible alternative ways of avoiding the risk, making the decision on the best strategy to mitigate the risk and implementing the risk controls adopted by the firm. By the time a bank makes decision on the mitigation measures, the management has accepted the occurrence of the risks and is not trying to reduce the effects on the firm. In one of the banks, the management assessed the risks affecting its operations department by beginning by assessing the issue at hand. This was followed by balancing resources in establishing possible solutions and balancing resources in establishing the solutions. Thereafter, the management communicated the risks and intended intentions by its actions. A debrief that involved taking of action and monitoring responses followed. Task 2: WHS Harmonization a. Objectives of Harmonisation The main objective of the harmonizat ion of the act was to ensure that the entire country has one law that governs work place safety for all employees. In addition, the regulations are to ensure safe working conditions for the entire country and commonwealth countries. The states had to maintain their jurisdiction over because employees work in the states and it would be easier for them to handle workplace safety issues rather than the federal government. b. Features of a WHS act The act is about setting a good working environment regarding health and safety of employees in organizations. The changes that were made to the act were several and were made in different section of the law as outlined below. In section four, a new definition of â€Å"engage in conduct† was given as the means of doing an act while the corresponding jurisdiction was provided as â€Å"A jurisdiction may extend the operation of a provision that applies to a corresponding WHS law to specified laws of the jurisdiction. This should be dealt with separately in the provision or regulations under the provision† (Safework Australia 2) In section 7, the jurisdiction note was omitted and replaced by anew jurisdiction note that sought to alter section 7(1). In some sections such as sections 8(2), 20(1)a, 22(5), 28(d), 36 and 52(3) among others, articles and prepositions were added to alter the meanings of the constituents of the law. In section 98, merely was replaced by only while clause 110 was omitted and replaced by another clause outlining discriminatory conduct, its proof, avoiding discrimination and jurisdiction over misconduct (Safework Australia 3). c. Implications of WHS act for i) Organizations The implications of the act on organization are that firms should establish a healthy and safe working environment. All working environments in Australia and other commonwealth countries are to comply with the act failure to which they will be sued. The organization is responsible for initiating the necessary changes regarding a safe and healthy working environment for its employees. ii) Managers/supervisors The managements of companies are responsible for implementing the policies stipulated in the act regarding provision of a healthy and safe working environment. The act stipulates what is called a safe and healthy working environment. What is reasonably practicable in relation to duty to ensure safety and health means what is to be done reasonably to ensure health and safety of employees. The managers and supervisors in an organization are to provide the practicable duty of care in any form of business. Proper inspection of premises should be undertaken frequently by the management to ensure that a proper