Thursday, August 27, 2020

K3 Bahan Kimia Free Essays

Diss. ETHNo. 17186 Decision-production Framework for Chemical Process Design Including Different Stages of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Assessment An exposition submitted to ETH Zurich for the Doctor of Sciences qualification (Dr. We will compose a custom exposition test on K3 Bahan Kimia or then again any comparative subject just for you Request Now of ETH sc. Zurich) introduced by HlROKAZU SUGIYAMA Master of Engineering, The University of Tokyo brought into the world 30. 09. 1978 resident of Japan acknowledged on the proposal of Prof. Dr. Konrad Hungerbuhler, inspector Prof. Dr. Masahiko Prof. Dr. Alexander Hirao, co-inspector Wokaun, co-analyst 2007 Acknowledgment This theory is the consequence of right around four years of examination at the Safety and Environmental Innovation bunch at ETH Zurich. During this time, numerous awesome individuals furnished me with logical and individual help. thankfulness to I might want to communicate my sincerest Konrad Hungerbuhler for allowing me the chance to lead this proposal work at his gathering. He guided my exploration with an even measure of basic and imaginative, expansive and top to bottom to remarks. My most profound appreciation additionally has a place my work with Ulrich Fischer who was generally committed in directing was so valuable thoughts, extraordinary environment eagerness and immovable our authority, what's more significant for the incredible in process gathering. My unique much gratitude goes to Masahiko Hirao who gave the other basic column from Japan I was under the global and multicultural coordinated effort system. The open door given I am to lead portions of this task to at his gathering is a lot of refreshing. an additionally especially appreciative as Alexander Wokaun for his benevolent acknowledgment to be on second commentator of the proposal well as imaginative remarks this work. The money related help from Nagai Foundation Tokyo enormously is thankfully recognized. this work of CIBA Numerous individuals from industry added to by giving Specialty me bits of knowledge from mechanical practice. I might want to express gratitude toward Gerhard Giger Chemicals for the Go Inoue huge image of modern procedure advancement, Koichi Nagai, Kunihiko Shigematsu, and Hisanori Watanabe of Sumitomo Chemicals, Hermann Siegelt and Dirk Sarcinelli of Degussa for explicit encounters on MMA creation procedures, and Karl Straessle of Zurich am Financial Services for know-how of mechanical risk appraisal. I Iwao Matsumoto of JEEL for his IDEF additionally extremely thankful to skill, and Yoshio Kumagae of PreFEED for his important remarks on process plan heuristics. My exploration further benefitted enormously from Volker Hoffmann at ETH Zurich for any scholastic scientists. Uncommon much gratitude goes to Tetsuo giving at his economy-arranged viewpoints, Institute of Fuchino, Atsushi Aoyama and Yuji Naka Tokyo Technology for empowering the course of coordinated procedure plan, of and all individuals from Hirao for Laboratory particularly working-time Yasunori Kikuchi at the University Tokyo s haring euphoric and innovative at whatever point I returned there. During my work I had a steady help from ETH Chemistry Library I might want to communicate my to access to different sorts of written works, and representatively thankfulness Engelbert Zass for his eager assistance. working I had a most superb time in the imaginative and am healthy air of the Safety and Environmental Technology Group. generally appreciative to Elena Antonijuan, Isaac Kweku Adu, Andrea Bumann and Thomas Albrecht for their astounding presentation in ace proposals as well as post-ace database ventures. My exceptional a much gratitude goes to Shailesh Shah who set up the EHS prepared as impeccable data premise of this work. An abundance of thanks I need to provide for Ramon, Laurent, Fabio W, Fabio V, Georg, Valerie, Annette, Maximilian and Stefano who made my beginning stage at ETH extraordinary and simple, and in like manner to Matthias, Heike, Judith, David, Harald and Roland who shared the workplace G136 yet additionally the high points and low points of examination with me. I am especially incredible appreciative to Prisca for her IT well disposed assistance in every single authoritative issue and to Erol for his and investigating. My extraordinary thankfulness has a place encounters and conversations as Andrej M, Levente Andrej S who shared numerous individuals from the procedure gathering, additionally to Christian, Martin, Stefanie and Matthew who helped I might want to me through their natural skill. what's more, beyond a reasonable doubt thank all individuals from our gathering for all the radiant days evenings including SOLA, bicycle visits, ski-ends of the week, and Toggele. ove, bolster My most profound thankfulness and appreciation is saved for and their my folks, for all their steady confidence in me. Zurich, May 2007 Hirokazu Sugiyama Abstract as of late, synthetic a center organizations have received the idea of feasible im provement as business esteem. The premise of different dynamic in their whole business has been reached out to cover angles, particularly non-fiscal issues, the notwithstanding monetary exhibition. supportability This theory From the perspective of substance building, enormous test is to incorporate measures early an in procedure plan for as structure destinations. rocess presents structure of concoction plan, which joins multi target thought monetary, and ecological, wellbeing and security (EHS) various viewpoints in dynamic over plan stages. With an attention on the early plan concurring stage, to four phases, Process Chemistry as an I/II and Conceptual Design I/II, demonstrating are characterized the accessible data reason for procedure and appraisal. For each characterized to economy, stage, proper demonstrating strategies and assessment pointers with deference lifethe cycle ecological effects, EHS danger and specialized viewpoints are chosen. Put together at with respect to ass essment esults, multi target dynamic is performed methodicallly the each stage. A contextual analysis on methyl methacrylate (MMA) creation study, which procedures is applied all through courses this theory. This case extraordinarily offers 17 likely amalgamation and different sorts of synthetic compounds in the response organize, is applied for showing the structure. Beginning with 17 a potential amalgamation courses, streamlined mediocre courses are killed bit by bit and at is the last stage flowsheet of the course with the best multi target case execution delivered. watching Another piece of the assessment study alidates choices made inside the structure over by profile of six courses when various stages. Most courses are accurately chosen at before courses. cause configuration stages are contrasted are with the definite evaluation consequences of each of the six Several variables recognized that to accessible in detail just at later stages, and which huge updates the outcomes. A mong these are the size of vitality utilization, EHS speculation cost, the measure of loss of important of materials, and the money related and a ramifications recently thought about substances. For these boundaries there is estimates need to have better gauges as intermediary lready at prior stages. Two imagine a scenario in which examinations are introduced to analyze how the appraisal results are change when the diverse procedure alternatives or assessment settings considered. One examination researches l effect of determining process choices at the nitty gritty theoretical structure stage, I. e. the thorough flowsheeting stage, economy and the impact of picking various arrangements in assessment for the measures of The MMA case life-cycle ecological effects. choices concentrate quantitatively uncovers that, among various sorts of procedure and assessment settings, determining options in response science, e. . combination way, has the most critical effect. This outcome affirms th e significance designs of dependable intermediary markers for various determining obscure perspectives, e. g. point by point process blend ways, in early structure stages. the As the second piece of the appraisal consider the possibility that investigation, Several and effect of strategy determination can on the EHS results is introduced. straightforward strategies that The be applied in the early stages are analyzed subjectively on quantitatively. appraisal results change altogether depending The generally speaking the peril assessment technique in the applied in every one of the EHS angles. scope, iscrepancy scientific outcome originates from the distinctions in the way viewed as mass boundaries, plan, and particularly own that procedure no data is dealt with. Nonetheless, every strategy has its value of one foundation and there is exceptional or technique an over the other in any of the EHS perspectives. The proper effortlessness can degree just of detail of strategy considering early structure stages where it be applied is the trademark that isolates the techniques. At long last, the created system is fills in as spoken to by utilizing an a normalized movement demonstrating use method, IDEFO, empowers the which of diagram f the plan of action. The equivalent of IDEFO The depiction complex exercises in detail and at the time straightforwardly. movement model is characterized for the four I to configuration arranges as of the system, I. e. from Process Chemistry Conceptual Design II, the exercises to which fitting case guidelines and are assets are given by as a task chief. Discoveries in the from the examinations remembered for this movement model, realize that how will generally be misused plan. customary monetary standards with In synopsis, this paper exhibits how to coordinate non-regular condition, wellbeing and security measures in ecision-production over various the phases of procedure plan. This systematization will bolster substance industry to expe rience perspective change towards supportability in creating forms. 11 Zusammenfassung Wahrend der letzten als Jahre cap pass on chemische Die Industrie Basis hide das pass on Konzept der nachhaltigen Entwicklung Kerngeschaft eingefuhrt. um Entscheidungsfindung besonders im gesamten Geschaftsbetrieb wurde finanzielle verschiedene zu Aspekte erweitert, nicht̢  Gesichtspunkte des wurden zusatzlich cave okonomischen Kriterien erfasst. Aus der kick the bucket grosse von Perspektive Chemieingenieurwesens liegt in Herausforderung ahr

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Why Study History Essay Example For Students

Why Study History Essay History: Discipline, Foundation, Mold, and ComfortThe Primary Reason for Studying History: It Civilizes Us. Innate in the meaning of history as a control is the idea that history is a teaching operator on human conduct. The reason for discipline is association, especially self-association, and it is just through the perspective of history that we can see obviously how to sort out ourselves as cultivated creatures. This association is reflected by national and sub national groupings, strict, legitimate, and business codes, and our relations with others (both relational and universal), among others. Where history has recorded the affiliations and disintegrations among the people groups of the earth, notwithstanding their disclosures, from fire to the web, from the wheel to the rocket, these accounts have sorted out and control people through the mind boggling past a few thousand years of our turn of events. We will compose a custom paper on Why Study History explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now Extra Reasons to Study History: Understanding and Improving Ourselves and Our World There are obviously other convincing motivations to examine history, as identified by Peter Stearns. The first, and ostensibly generally significant, as per Stearns is that history gives a premise to comprehension, and in a perfect world, living calmly, among various people groups, in spite of the fact that the facts confirm that this information is additionally used to take up arms. Through his contention on the chronicled investigation of liquor addiction, Stearns additionally infers that it helps increment our comprehension of social wonders inside our own general public. The delight of reading history for the good of its own is another explanation Stearns addresses, which is ostensibly valid for all orders. History is an apparatus, also, for creating ourselves, as residents, laborers, basic scholars, and good creatures as indicated by Stearns. And keeping in mind that Stearns doesn't state it uneq uivocally, the aggregate of his thinking recommends the end that George Santayana came to longer than a century back, Those who can't recollect the past are sentenced to rehash it. A Final Reason to Study History: ComfortFinally, notwithstanding the utilization of history as a control, and for the numerous reasons Stearns recommends, there is another basic nature of history which serves a less pragmatic however basic reason. History is ameliorating. History grounds us in dubious occasions, times of fast change and change. The stressed breathe easy in light of the warm shroud of the past; the belittled approach history to retaliate for them. Notwithstanding how much or minimal an individual is aware of this order, every piece of information continues us with the acknowledgment that as terrible as things seem to be, they have likely been as awful or more terrible before. History, truly, has unlimited purposes, some solid and essential, some less in this way, yet paying little mind to our motivation for contemplating history, it is continually fulfilling. ReferencesStearns, Peter. (1998). ? American Historical Association. Recovered January 14, 2009 from http://www.historians.org/bars/free/WhyStudyHistory.htmSantayana, George. (1905). The basic version of crafted by George Santayana. Recovered January 14, 2009 from http://www.iupui.edu/~santedit/gsantayanaquotes.html

Friday, August 21, 2020

Easy Process Analysis Essay Topics

Easy Process Analysis Essay TopicsEasy process analysis essay topics are vital to any assignment. Students must identify the student's interest and the problems that he or she faces. While doing this, students should also think about the tools and techniques they will use in order to find answers to the questions that they have.The following easy process analysis essay topics should be able to provide the right level of help for students. The process involves learning how the student defines problems and solutions. It is also important to understand the student's strengths and weaknesses. By studying these aspects of the assignments, the student can do well on the topic that he or she is studying.The easy process analysis essay topics should be able to include subjects such as choosing a topic, thinking about research methods, developing an outline, analyzing data, writing the essay, and lastly composing the content. These are just some of the more common subjects that students study when doing homework or reviewing coursework. Even though these types of topics are easier to focus on, students still need to learn more than the basics in order to properly finish their assignments.The writer should also know the best time to be talking to the student about his or her weaknesses and strengths. With a good understanding of what the student is doing wrong, it will make it easier for the student to finish the assignments. The same goes for when the student feels he or she is making the right points.It is necessary for students to know what sources they are going to use in order to come up with different types of essays. This will help them in researching and prepare the material they need. The content should also be able to be taught in many ways.Easy process analysis essay topics should include all of the above elements in order to make the process fun and interesting. It is important for students to be able to work efficiently and effectively so that they can pass their assignments without fail. With proper planning and preparation, students can be sure that they will be able to successfully complete their projects on time.In order to succeed in completing the projects, students need to be prepared with the easy process analysis essay topics. As long as the student follows the tips above, he or she will be able to get the job done without having any problems. The student will be able to make sure that he or she gets every aspect of the assignment done in time.In conclusion, the easy process analysis essay topics should include plenty of preparation. By knowing which methods of writing will work best for the student, it will make the process easier to accomplish. Since the writing part is the most difficult, it is important to prepare well in advance of the assignment so that the student will be able to finish on time.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Is The War On Drugs - 1252 Words

The topic I will be discussing is the War on Drugs. I will discuss the War on Drugs in relation to mass incarceration and to what consequences the War on drugs has caused among people and society itself. I have always been interested by the War on Drugs. However, slowly realizing, I only knew so much about the issue. As I further researched I learned what the term, â€Å"War on Drugs† really means. The â€Å"War on Drugs† is about the prohibition of drugs in society. Therefore, I strongly believe that the Drug War is a very controversial issue in our society today. Not only does the Drug War affect our neighborhoods and society in which we live in, but it also has effects on incarceration rates and crime, racial disparity, and employment. We have been fighting the War on Drugs since 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse as â€Å"public enemy number one† after receiving a report from two Congressmen that an astonishing number of Vietnam veterans were addicted to heroin. The height of the Drug War was in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. (Nixon and the Generation Gap). The War on Drugs caused a significant increase to the United State prison population from the 1980s to the 1990s. U.S. prisons were filled with about 5.5% of non-violent drug offenders in 1980 to about 7.6% in the 1990s (Benson, Escalating the War on Drugs Causes and Unintended Consequences, p296). As we know now, the War on Drugs is a very complex issue in our society today. The drug war has its very ownShow MoreRelatedThe Drug War On Drugs1378 Words   |  6 Pagesnon-violent drug charges. These people’s lives are now forever changed because of a mistake they made. This mistake is continually made every single day and Americans are being punished in extreme ways for a non violent crime. The United States needs to decimalize all drugs because the drug war is costly, causes high incarceration rates, and isn’t effective as European drug solutions. In the 20th century, the United States government led a major renewed surge in drug prohibition called the War on DrugsRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs Essay972 Words   |  4 PagesThe war on drugs have been a critical issue that has repeatedly held a great debate topic. It was in the 1906 when the first act against drug was put into effect with the Pure Food and Drug Act which required all over-the-counter medication to have label of its ingredients. Under President Nixon the first executive branch office to coordinate drug policy was formed and the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act was put into place. Two years following that the Drug Enforcement AgencyRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1486 Words   |  6 PagesThe War on Drugs Despite an estimated $1 trillion spent by the United States on the â€Å"War on Drugs†, statistics from the US Department of Justice (2010) has confirmed that the usage of drugs has not changed over the past 10 years. Approximately $350 billion is spent per year on the â€Å"war on drugs†, only $7 billion is spent on prevention programs by the federal government. The war on drugs is more heavily focused on how to control crime, instead of how to prevent it. Not only is the war on drugs costlyRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs Essay1549 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Drug has been a serious issue in our society and criminal justice institutes due to many problems associated, including the violence, negative health benefits, social disorganization, and other negative consequences. The police agencies have adopted a policy called â€Å"The War on Drugs†, as a response to the rising drug problems. The War on Drugs has popularized variety policies and practices that significantly increased the overall number of drug arrests, and other drug related offenses(TheRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1199 Words   |  5 PagesThere was so much information on this topic of the War on Drugs that I am still wrapping my mind around it. It went into such detail about the war on drugs that are never talked about. We always hear â€Å"just say no.† I know that drugs are a very big problem in our society and even the whole world but I never knew to what extent it really was. I found it very interesting how Johann Hari interviewed these people who were in the middle of the drug war and their stories. It really opened my eyes to whatRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs808 Words   |  4 PagesWhose interests are advanced by sustaining the war on drugs? Police seems to gain a lot by sustaining the â€Å"war on drug†. Drugs are a significant force in police deviance, with as many as half of all convictions in police corruption cases involving drug-related crimes. Corruption in law enforcement, courts, and corrections can be explained through egoism selfish desires for personal gain. In other cases, however, corruption might be better understood as stemming from socially hedonistic incentives;Read MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1821 Words   |  8 PagesThe war on drugs is a long going battle and it has created many issues all around the world and as of today the highest prison population can be found in the United States due to drug charges. About half of the inmates with in federal and state prisons can be found on drug convictions. Those charges can range from possession of an illicit substance to drug trafficking that surprisingly continues to be an issue in federal and state prisons. How can United States put an end to t he war on drugs? Read MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs2027 Words   |  9 Pagesincreased federal spending in an attempt to curb the number of drug users and the sale and importation of illicit narcotics the war on drugs began in earnest. The war on drugs has also played a major role in politics as well as having a significant impact on the economy. While there are many arguments in favor for the war on drugs and an equal number of arguments against it I will attempt to show an unbiased look at the war on drugs and drug prohibition and how it has affected society as a whole. SinceRead MoreWar On Drugs And Drugs1952 Words   |  8 PagesWar on Drugs The war on drugs has come a long way without any remarkable success. America has been dealing with the drug menace for many years to a point that four of its presidents have declared the war on drugs part of their main agenda. Sadly, it has been a lost war in various perspectives. Drug abuse continues to be a daily topic with drug abusers flooding not only the American society but also many countries’ hospitals, prisons and courts. The drug trade has continued to cause violent crimesRead MoreThe Drug War On Drugs Essay2030 Words   |  9 Pagesthe â€Å"War on Drugs† sought to control the sale and use of psychoactive drugs as well as promote access to treatment for those who abuse and misuse these substances (Bagley, 1988; Elkins, 1990). Policies implemented prohibited the possession and distribution of narcotics (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, heroin); the punitive policies, which often resulted in hefty fines and prison sentences for violators, ultimately prompted the emer gence of a black market, more potent and lethal drugs, synthetic drugs as well

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Health Organization s Given Definition Of Health

Every single person in this world is different. We all obtain our own unique qualities. The differences in our health vary from one person to the other. With that being said, each of us distinctly has specific beliefs when it comes to our own personal health and wellness. It mostly depends on one’s own choices, culture, religious beliefs as well as the way they are raised. Our own practices greatly affect and determine our personal health and well-being. Health is a concept that pertains to the state of one’s entire well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), â€Å"health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity† (Potter Perry, 2014, p. 2). In other words, the holistic view of a person’s life is taken into consideration when determining one’s health. I definitely agree with the World Health Organization’s given definition of health. The reason being is because whenever I personally define a healthy person, I think of their well-being as a whole. I believe a person is not only considered healthy based on the fact that they do not obtain any diseases or illnesses, but it includes their social and mental wellness as well. If a person is missing at least one of the three components listed, it can surely affect their holistic wellness as it ruins the whole balance. For example, imagine a person who is in a great s hape physically and mentally, but is not socially active at all. He or she willShow MoreRelatedProfit vs Non Profit Hospitals1004 Words   |  5 Pages Profit vs. Non Profit Healthcare Organizations Prepared By: Milton Flores Table of Contents I. Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 II. Definition of Non Profit Health Care Organization†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 III. Definition of Profit Health Care Organization†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 IV. Issues facing Non Profit and Profit Health Care Organizations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 V. Options to improve operations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreDefinition Of Health Care Quality1657 Words   |  7 PagesThe definition of health care quality has changed significantly over the years. Depending on who is asked (doctor, patient, nurse etc.), the definition can vary; however there are always some similarities. There are two definitions expressed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) that I believe adequately express my view on health care quality. One definition is from the Institute of Medicine that states health care quality is â€Å"safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficientRead MoreAbnormality Definition Essay1013 Words   |  5 Pagesinfrequency; deviation of ideal mental health. When somebody isn’t coping with the demands and activities of everyday life, they are deemed to be failing to function adequately. Daily activities include: regularly showering, communicating with people, maintaining a job. According to Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) cited by McLeod, S. A. (2014) some characteristics of this definition are, suffering, maladaptive and violating moral/social standards. This definition can be quite effective as it can beRead MoreAccreditation Essay1063 Words   |  5 PagesProgram – This accreditation program was established in 1975. Organizations accredited by this program are free standing ambulatory care organizations like surgical, medical/dental and diagnostic/therapeutic services in a variety of settings like, ambulatory surgery centers, military clinics, recovery care/short stay, sleep centers, teleradiology, telemedicine diagnostics, etc. Currently there are approximately 1,900 such organizations. In addition there is the Primary Care Home Medical CertificationRead MoreCritical Reflection Of The Healthy People Healthy Places Reading Material And Consists Of Three Sections1342 Words   |  6 Pagesand consists of three sections. It includes the definition of terms like health inequality and how does it relates to health equity. The first section states the importance of health inequalities and the necessity for a solution to decrease the health inequality gaps. Firstly, the term health inequality has a very broad definition and can be defined as the variations in health status or in the distribution of social determinants (Anonymous, 2012). Health inequality is also described as a condition whichRead MoreThe Managed Health Care System1678 Words   |  7 PagesThe managed health care system is a complex process that must align financial incentives and goals. Therefore, managed care is thought of as a complex puzzle that once one piece is moved it will affect the outcomes of the rest of the system (Boyd Finamn, 2010). As a result, it is essential that the managed care organization have the ability to align its financial incentives with the goals of all parties involved, such as the providers who deliver healthcare services and the health insurance planRead MorePregnancy And Its Effects On Children1444 Words   |  6 Pagesabortion annually (Negedu, 2011). pregnancies are either mistimed or unwanted among ad olescents. Studies in the past have Indicated that, lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health knowledge may possibly represent a key factor preventing the complete elimination of unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe induced abortion among adolescent girls in Nigeria. According to Ipas(2005) unplanned pregnancies are the result of various factors, including lack of knowledge about menstruation and pregnancy,Read MoreThe Code Of Ethics For Nurses1082 Words   |  5 Pages2015). Ethical issues related to electronic health records (EHRs) are extremely beneficial to clinicians, patients and an organization. This is because it not only increases access to health care, but it does reduce costs, improves the quality of health and care provided. The EHR is accurate to an extent, however its positive effects on productivity, should not underestimate the negative effects that ensues from using EMR. There are some Electronic health records that create conflict among severalRead MoreHealth Information Technology And The Health Care Industry Essay1458 Words   |  6 PagesHealth information technology, also known as H.I.T, is an area of IT that involves the development and maintenance of information for the health care industry. This technology allows for healthcare information systems to be automated and interoperable, which leads to improved medical care, lower costs and increased efficiency. Some H.I.T. professions include: clinical data analyst, CMIO and nursing informaticist. A clinical data analyst develops, designs and manages data tracking systems and evaluatesRead MoreNormality and Human Behavior1674 Words   |  7 Pagesmuch defence and controversy. In contrast, this topic is spoken about with great â€Å"hush† because it is seen as a taboo in society; due to the sensitive issue of an individuals expected behaviour. On the other hand, the topic of â€Å"abnormal† is often given a similar light to the idea of being â€Å"normal†. Many psychologist have tried to explain one of these labels often using the starting point of normality, then any behaviour that deviates away from this is seen as abnormal. However, as many psychologist

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Management Information and Decision Support System

Question: Discuss about the Management Information and Decision Support System. Answer: Introduction Businesses today are heavily dependent on information technology and unlike before when it was used to gain a competitive advantage, its now used as the sole foundational component. This dependency creates a lot of risks as stated by Nicholas Carr (2003), who view is justified and to some extent true. According to Carr, businesses are investing more than 50 percent of their expenditures on information technology as a strategy to beat the competition. Furthermore, these statistics are supported by Microsoft findings in 2012 that predicted that companies would increase their technology spendings by 50 percent by 2015. On one hand, there are some technologies that enterprises cannot survive without, for instance, electricity and access to the internet. These technologies create the relevant conditions or environments to conduct business. However, enterprises are today focusing on other extensive technologies to enhance business such as big data, management information system and even annual replacement of technological devices e.g. PC. To some extent, these investments are way overboard beyond the returns observed. Furthermore, many enterprises today use similar IT components to conduct business which makes these technologies ubiquitous and not as innovative ventures. Nevertheless, where do the companies draw the line? What is the sound or optimum IT investment needed to succeed? This paper handles these questions by analysing the relevance of information technology in businesses today. Furthermore, the analysis will focus on the article written by Nicholas Carr (2003) supported by the relevant scholarly materials. Importance of Management Information systems (MIS) MIS are integrated systems that provide information to businesses in order to support the operations done by the management personnel. In essence, these systems are used to analyse organisations information in order to make better decisions. Similar to Simon and March work in the 1950s that employed the concepts of organisational behavioural tactics, these systems at the heart of operation use a combination of human behaviour and that of an organisation. Therefore, through the said system decisions are either programmed to fit a common repetitive routine or are designed to fit a unique structure after a thorough analysis of the data at hand. These processes help organisations make better decisions because they are centred on facts and not assumptions. Furthermore, forecasting, an integral concept for business success is also facilitated by MIS because the management can predict the future through the records they have of the past. For instance, a manufacturing company can predict the number of customers in the coming season e.g. winter based on the records of the previous year (Asemin, Safari 2011). A variety of MIS systems exist today including; decision support systems, knowledge management systems, and functional business systems among others. Yes, it is true most of these technologies are redundant and will possibly be applied by many other organisations, however, their benefits out way their expenditures. Moreover, with the modern state of events vendors of these systems have developed strategies to increase their earning such as annual licences that force users to make annual payments (Carr, 2015). However, consider the business opportunities presented, for instance, the functional business systems which comprise of finance, accounting, sales and marketing systems help monitor business operations (Al-Mamry, Shamsuddin Aziati, 2014). An organisations management can keep a watchful eye on business activities and develop adequate records for auditing purposes. Moreover, human resource system can organise and distribute manpower to the locations they are needed further increa sing an enterprises efficiency. Now, another company may have the same system but that does not make it ubiquitous instead it makes it a survival tactic a contrast to Nicholas Carr views. Basic IT concepts and Business Based on the article presented by Nicholas Carr, technologies can be classified into two groups; functional and proprietary. Functional technologies like information technology are only of value if they are shared, which makes sense when technologies like the internet and the World Wide Web are considered. However, according to him, these technologies are beneficial if they are restricted to a few thus guarantying a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, the basic concepts of IT, be it software, hardware or the internet focus on globalisation where different economies are connected to create an extended marketplace. Therefore, through the advancement in IT, (a functional technology), organisations have a bigger market to conduct their businesses (Varley, 2006). In addition to this, computer systems facilitated by the hardware and the supporting software systems enhance the services or products offered by organisations. Moreover, recent studies reveal that there are over 1.25 billion Windows PCs in the world. This number only caters for one brand of computers and thus signifies their importance not only to business but also to the way of life. As an IT concept, computers are designed to improve the way of life however the modern application reveals a much deeper role for business, that of survival (Rosoff, 2011). Furthermore, the same systems act as a foundation for the internet and the worldwide web whereas a central hub of information is found. The internet is an interconnection of networks that serves as a communication medium between different computer users. On the other hand, the worldwide web is the service or system used to access the internet. These two concepts integrate so many devices and people in the world which later is used t o support their applications in organisations while conducting business in a market environment. Business Intelligence and database systems One of the most outstanding remarks of the Nicholas Carr article is that of IT spending and financial performance, where he addresses a lack of connection between the two thus emphasising his point that IT does not matter. However, consider the importance of business intelligence and its associated components of database systems. In general, BI is a tool used to analyse gathered data from multiple locations in order to make better decisions. Therefore, as a concept, it will encapsulate the facilities of information system and database system including items like data warehouses (Chugh, 2013). Due to the increased market competition, organisations cannot depend on the overall market information available instead they are forced to develop their own systems that shed light on the current state of affairs and future of the marketplace. This means business intelligence produce justifiable results through strategic procedures. Moreover, their importance is also necessitated by the complex ity of the new environment and technologies. Our current society is filled with information, analysing such data for business relevance requires adequate structures and elaborate techniques. BI will integrate large data facilities such as database systems and warehouses to accurately interpret data to produce quality market intelligence. Furthermore, these facilities enhance data collection methods, process execution and reporting which in the end leads to better problem-solving techniques. In addition to this, risk assessments are done conveniently based on the right decisions that are accompanied by the correct actions. A quick review of BI systems reveals an elaborate structure that encompasses database systems (warehouses as well) with information systems (IS) to make better decisions (Al-ma'aitah, 2013). These IS system will include the previously discussed systems such as MIS, human resource systems, finance and accounting systems. E-commerce and associated trends A revolutionary technology that facilitates the trade of goods and services through the digital medium (internet). Many organisations in the past, particularly those that were business minded were caught off guard by this technology as they awaited to see its feasibility as suggested by Nicholas Carr. In the end, new businesses emerged that have now surpassed traditional businesses. Nevertheless, when conducting business through e-commerce several models can be used and are determined by an enterprise's requirements such as the services or the recipients (Sinha, Choudhary Mishra, 2012). At an enterprise level, four business models stand out; business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C), consumer to consumer (C2C) and consumer to business (C2B) models. B2B models will comprise of a product supplier and retailer where the supplier will provide the services or goods to an intermediary buyer who then sells to the final consumer. B2C, as the name suggest, will have the business itself selling products to the final consumer. C2C model will have consumers selling their own products to other consumers through a digital platform, e.g. selling used household items online. Finally, the C2B model where a website will host multiple organisation with similar services and based on the user requirements, a consumer will choose the most appropriate. For instance, different insurance companies offering the same services online (Tutorial point, 2017). E-commerce like any other technological advancement is ever changing and its application will depend on the immediate requirements as better services are always provided. Moreover, recent trends suggest an increase in online retail facilities that will see shipping cost decreased thus enable e-tailers to conduct international business through their established websites. In other ventures, e-commerce is shifting to include mobile shipping services where smartphone and other handheld devices are proposed to take over markets. These devices increase mobility and flexibility which guarantees a higher customer satisfaction rate. Moreover, mobile business improves customer engagement a valuable insight to businesses today (Parmar, 2017). Ethical issues and threats Information technology is a dynamic and diverse subject that has greatly changed the way of life. Its advantages overwhelm the disadvantages and are now a compulsory requirement for business, however, with these benefits come the associated risks and concerns. At the heart of these concerns are ethical issues more so those that deal with information privacy and security. Formal education will focus on the technical capabilities of technology without highlighting the misuse and abilities of these technical skills. Hackers, for instance, will exploit the innocence of users to gain access to privileged information thus wrongly benefit from it. Moreover, consider the countless violations made by governments and other organisations who access unauthorised information just because they can. To them it may seem as a security protocol, however, access without authorization is still a crime (Shinder, 2005). In addition to this consider other minor incidences like a company that monitors its e mployees information to manage their activities or a person who accesses a colleagues email account. Technically, these acts are not legal violations as they occur within an open network where zero authentication or authorization is given. Cybercrime and computer crimes are other threats seen today where illegal activities such as fraud, embezzlement and harassment are done using computers. These criminal activities are in most cases facilitated using malware infections or sabotage that will focus on a systems weakness. Furthermore, research done by the likes of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) suggest that nearly all business today (85 percent) are victims of cybercriminal acts. SO, why is this? According to research, large organisations will house a wide range of resources that are attractive to cybercriminals. On the other hand, small businesses will have minimal security measures because of limited resources thus attract the attacks (Williams, 2017). Moreover, with the availability of resources comes to the cases of piracy, where owners are robbed of their intellectual property such as inventions and designs. IT enables organisations and individuals to imitate products and services which violate the copyri ght laws among many others (Britz, 1996). Emerging Technological Trends (MIS) Innovation is the key to business success and no other component offers this outcome like technology especially information technology where support systems such as MIS are constantly changing to increase their benefits. Business analysis is easily performed using MIS systems which translate to better decisions. Therefore, with advancements such as cloud computing that offer computing services via the internet, the cost of MIS applications will decrease which will increase productivity and eventually the market competition. As a concept, cloud computing reduces the cost of IT infrastructure by enabling an organization to lease services that are too expensive to implement. Moreover, it promotes virtualization which in itself helps organisations to use minimal storage devices, for instance, using a common server in different departments (Khanduja, 2015). Secondly, the latest trends in mobile business and applications enhance the feasibility of management systems such as MIS where customer data is easily available through the services offered via the handheld devices. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is increased through the services offered by mobile applications which reduce the investments made in MIS systems. In addition to this, the business analytics are improved by the enhanced systems that are designed to handle the modern data requirements (MSG, 2017). Conclusion Nicholas Carr remarks perceive information technology as an irrelevant business strategy because its no longer innovative but ubiquitous in nature. Moreover, he advocates for reduced and delayed investments in IT systems in order to achieve maximum financial returns. First, his sentiments are completely wrong more so his overall assessment that sees IT as an irrelevant venture. For one, information technology is the backbone of businesses today, in fact, no organisation can survive let alone thrive without adopting a modern technological outlook. Consider the benefits of business intelligence, information management and database systems. These technologies help organisations make better decisions an important item of business success. In addition to this, consider other minor technological components that facilitate business today such as computers, the internet, printers and even electrical power. At best, all organisations will have these facilities regardless of their size or even location. These minor IT items are then used by organisations to execute their activities which translate to efficient services offered to the customers (end users). However, modern investments do call for strategic procedures where enterprises can plan the financial investments they make in IT. For instance, its not logical to have annual replacements of devices if the existing ones are in good working conditions. Through such intelligent decisions, the overall operational costs can be lowered increasing the revenues obtained. In conclusion, the value of information technology surpasses the financial losses observed which clearly refutes the claims suggested by Carrs article. References Al-Ma'aitah. M. (2013). The Role of Business Intelligence Tools in Decision making Process. International Journal of Computer Applications, 73(13). Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.402.8414rep=rep1type=pdf Al-Mamary. Y, Shamsuddin. A Aziati. N. (2014). The Role of Different Types of Information Systems In Business Organizations: A Review. International Journal of Research (IJR), 1(7). Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://paul-hadrien.info/The%20Role%20of%20Different%20Types%20of%20Information.pdf Asemi. A, Safari. A Zavareh. A. (2011). The Role of Management Information System (MIS) and Decision Support System (DSS) for Managers Decision Making Process. International Journal of Business and Management, 6(7). Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijbm/article/download/8940/7938 Bhaskar. P, Sinha. N, Choudhary. B Mishra. S. (2012). E-business and E-commerce-its emerging trends. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.bioinfopublication.org/files/articles/2_1_2_JIS.pdf Britz. J. (1996). Technology as a threat to privacy: Ethical challenges to information profession. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://web.simmons.edu/~chen/nit/NIT%2796/96-025-Britz.html Carr. N. (2003). IT doesnt matter. Harvard business review. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https:// www.nicholascarr.com/?page_id=99 Chugh. R. (2013). Why Business Intelligence? Significance of Business Intelligence Tools and Integrating BI Governance with Corporate Governance. Research gate. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273861123_Why_Business_Intelligence_Significance_of_Business_Intelligence_Tools_and_Integrating_BI_Governance_with_Corporate_Governance Khanduja. J. (2015). Five Emerging Trends of Information Technology in 2015. Quality Assurance and Project Management. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/quality-assurance/five-emerging-trends-of-information-technology-in-2015/ MSG. (2017). Emerging Trends in Information Technology. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.managementstudyguide.com/emerging-trends-in-information-technology.htm Parmar. D. (2017). 4 E-commerce Trends That Will Rule the Market in 2017. Target marketing. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.targetmarketingmag.com/article/4-e-commerce-trends-that-will-rule-the-market-2017/all/ Rosoff. M. (2011). Right Now, There Are 1.25 Billion Windows PCs Worldwide. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.businessinsider.com/right-now-there-are-125-billion-windows-pcs-worldwide-2011-12?IR=T Shinder. D. (2005). Ethical issues for IT security professionals. Computer world. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2557944/security0/ethical-issues-for-it-security-professionals.html Simpson. K. (2014). 18 Revealing Statistics About Small Business and Technology. Canvas. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.gocanvas.com/content/blog/post/18-revealing-statistics-about-small-business-and-technology Tutorial points. (2017). E-Commerce - Business Models. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/e_commerce/e_commerce_business_models.htm Varley. D. (2016). ICDL module 1: Concepts of information technology. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://www.it.uom.gr/teaching/open/eng/Module1_eng.pdf Williams. R. (2017). Ethical Dilemma in the Use of Information Technology. Chron. Retrieved 16 March, 2017, from: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/ethical-dilemma-use-information-technology-18366.html

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Out of touch with the public

Table of Contents Introduction The executive The judiciary The Legislature References Introduction A significant number of Americans feel that their government is out of touch with them. Below is a look at the different branches of government and how they affect the perceptions of the public about government involvement with issues affecting them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Out of touch with the public specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The executive Many American presidents have been accused of being ‘out of touch’ with the public. According to Towle (2004), this can be explained by a combination of factors key among them fickle public opinions, failure to meet the expectations of the public and choosing to â€Å"do the right things over the popular things† (p. 4). Image problems on the president’s part are also to blame for the unflattering perception that the public has on him . Once the public start thinking that the president is unresponsive to their needs, then it becomes an entire government issue because the whole administration will be judged from the same light. According to Towle (2004), the strained relationship that exist between contemporary presidents and the public mainly happens because administrators in the president’s office treat public opinion with contempt and in the process alienates the president from useful pointers that may give him a better understanding of the people. Without a clear understanding of the public opinion, then the president stands no chance at relating well with the public. But what exactly is public opinion? Towle (2004) argues that public opinion at any given time is the prevailing temporary common will of the people, which covers perceived attitudes about the government’s role, government legitimacy, perceptions about roles played by the citizenry in the prevailing political order and perceptions ab out good governance and right policies. When the public feels the presidency is out of touch with their needs on governance and social issues, then they usually conclude that he is indeed out of touch with the public. George W Bush is an example who failed to understand the public and hence was seen as being out-of-touch with Americans. The judiciary Unlike the legislature and the executive, the judiciary only comes into contact with the public on issues relating to law enforcement and the maintenance of law and order. Yet, it is unsettling that the judiciary is often perceived as the branch of government that is most isolated from the realities presented in the society. The public usually believe that ‘law has its owners’ usually leaves constitutional matters to the experts. When it comes to issues of crime and punishment, the public believes that only a judge who understands the community and the values where a crime was committed can make a good judgment (Baynes, 200 7). Among the most cited reasons why the judiciary seems to be out of touch with the public is the lack of diversity therein and the restricted access that people have to the legal profession.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Being a diverse nation, most people expect that the diversity would be reflected in the courts. Where diversity lacks, Baynes (2007) observes that the public will mostly lose confidence in judiciary’s decision-making. A perfect example is New York State where a majority of judges are white and hence the people of color lack the confidence that they would get justice in the court systems in the state. The Legislature While the legislature is made up of the senate and congress, it is the former that receives the most bashing from the public. According to Hibbing Theiss-Morse (1995), while most congress men get elected on a promise of better gover nance and change, they soon start complaining about the hectic pace in congress, demands from people they represent, demands from interest groups, the divided legislative process and the intrusive media among other things. This usually happens when the congressmen cannot meet the promises made to their electorate as fast as they would want to. With the country slowly reeling out of the recession, the major disappointment with congress among the people seems to be its inability to pass laws that would make the economy better (Pascal, 2010). Congressmen also lack the ability to prioritize the problems facing the country and hence fail to accord them the necessary urgency. References Baynes, L.M. (2007). Public Forum: A lasting Blue print for Judicial Diversity. Web. Hibbing, J. R Theiss-Moire, E. (1995). Congress as public enemy: Public attitudes toward American political institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pascal, M. (2010). Washington DC is out of touch with realit y. The Moderate voice. Web. Towle, M. J. (2004). Out of Touch: the presidency and public opinion. Texas: AM University Press.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Out of touch with the public specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Out of touch with the public was written and submitted by user Kash Flores 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. 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Monday, March 9, 2020

Free Essays on Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitarist in rock history, revolutionized the sound of rock. In 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience rocked the nation with their first album, Are You Experienced?. Hendrix's life was cut short by the tragedy of drugs in 1970, when he was only twenty seven years old. In these three years the sound of rock changed greatly, and Hendrix fs guitar playing was a major influence. Jimi was born in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942. As a young boy, whenever the chance came, Jimi would try to play along with his R & B records. However, music was not his life long dream. At first, the army was. In the late 1950 fs, Hendrix enlisted in the 101st Airborne Division. After sustaining a back injury during a jump, he received a medical discharge. After his army career came to an abrupt end, he decided to go into the music field. By this time he had become an accomplished guitarist, and was soon to become known as the greatest guitarist ever (Stambler, pg. 290). However, he did not start out at the top. Jimi started out playing as part of the back-up for small time R & B groups. It did not take long before his work was in demand with some of the best known artists in the field, such as B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Solomon Burke, Jackie Wilson, Littler Richard, Wilson Pickett, and King Curtis (Clifford, pg. 181). Using the name Jimmy James, he toured with a bunch of R & B shows, including six months as a member of James Brown fs Famous Flames (Stambler, pg. 290). At the Cafe Wha! in New York, in 1966, Hendrix decided to try singing. Jimi lucked out when a man by the name of Charles  gChas h Chandler from Eric Burdon's Animals heard him at the club and thought he was sensational. When Chas heard him again later that year, he talked Jimi into moving to England where he would really get the chance to start his career (Stambler, pg. 290). Along with Chas, Hendr... Free Essays on Jimi Hendrix Free Essays on Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix The life of Jimi Hendrix is one that many people know. It was a short, inspiring, and happy life. Although his lifestyle wasn’t virtuous, his music was. He inspired music groups, such as the Beetles (McDermott 7). John Allen Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942,in Seattle, Washington. His lifestyle at a young age wasn’t good. His mother Lucille, was still a teen and his father Al, was a serviceman and they did not live together during their relationship. Jimi didn’t see his father until the age of three when his father was discharged from the army in 1945. Jimi was placed in the care of a family in Berkley, California. When Al found what had happened he traveled to Berkley retrieve his son and brought him back to Seattle. When this happened a new life began. As Jimi grew up he developed a great love for music. He received his first guitar in the summer of 1958. It was a five-dollar second-hand acoustic guitar, and in 1959 Al bought Jimi an electric guitar. In 1961 he enlisted in the United States army and in ’62 earned the "Screaming Eagles" patch for the paratroop division. He was stationed at Fort Campbell. While there he met Billy Cox, and they formed The King Casuals. After being discharged from the army, he landed in New York City. There he met Fayne Pridgeon, a major fixture in the music industry(McDermott 8). Fayne introduced him into the major music industry. Fayne got him some gigs and helped spread his name. He was a back-up guitarists and played with many of the great musicians of that time. He played for The Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and B.B King. But this wasn’t enough for Jimi. He wanted more. He wanted to be the leader and not the follower. In effort to start a major music career he left for England and said this, "It’s me, Dad. I’m in England. I’ve met some people and they’re going to make me a big star. We changed my name to J-I-M-I." In London ... Free Essays on Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitarist in rock history, revolutionized the sound of rock. In 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience rocked the nation with their first album, Are You Experienced?. Hendrix's life was cut short by the tragedy of drugs in 1970, when he was only twenty seven years old. In these three years the sound of rock changed greatly, and Hendrix fs guitar playing was a major influence. Jimi was born in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942. As a young boy, whenever the chance came, Jimi would try to play along with his R & B records. However, music was not his life long dream. At first, the army was. In the late 1950 fs, Hendrix enlisted in the 101st Airborne Division. After sustaining a back injury during a jump, he received a medical discharge. After his army career came to an abrupt end, he decided to go into the music field. By this time he had become an accomplished guitarist, and was soon to become known as the greatest guitarist ever (Stambler, pg. 290). However, he did not start out at the top. Jimi started out playing as part of the back-up for small time R & B groups. It did not take long before his work was in demand with some of the best known artists in the field, such as B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Solomon Burke, Jackie Wilson, Littler Richard, Wilson Pickett, and King Curtis (Clifford, pg. 181). Using the name Jimmy James, he toured with a bunch of R & B shows, including six months as a member of James Brown fs Famous Flames (Stambler, pg. 290). At the Cafe Wha! in New York, in 1966, Hendrix decided to try singing. Jimi lucked out when a man by the name of Charles  gChas h Chandler from Eric Burdon's Animals heard him at the club and thought he was sensational. When Chas heard him again later that year, he talked Jimi into moving to England where he would really get the chance to start his career (Stambler, pg. 290). Along with Chas, Hendr...

Friday, February 21, 2020

Lean Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Lean Management - Essay Example This may further impact on growing economic aspirations of developed and developing countries, which will require fewer resources that create less environmental pollution and greenhouse gases. At the same time, these improvements in production and logistics have given consumers a growing range of higher quality products at lower prices through many different sales channels. Federal Express' originally thought of delivering packages within 24-hours and they did. In 1983, Lens Crafters followed suit by assembling eyeglasses in one hour. Dell computers maintains it market share and profit level even when the competition is very stiff by made-to-order computers in a very short time. What is common in all of these entities The answer is Lean and its application in their respective organization. Add nothing but value (Eliminate Waste). In Lean, it is a primary task to determine what adds value and what activities add value to a product. Then, one will be able to determine the essentials of an activity and reduce or eliminate waste. Unfortunately in any organization, nobody wants to admit that his or her job is sometimes just waste. Breakthroughs are recognized upon recognition of waste. If an activity or cost does not add value, then it should be considered as waste or if an activity; or cost can be forgone with, then it is waste. Taiichi Ohno, the executive of Toyota Production System identified several sources of waste in a manufacturing industry: Overproduction, Inventory, Extra Processing Steps, Motion, Defects, Waiting, and Transportation. Center on the people who add value. Organizations would not admit that their own people are waste at times, unless they are asked which of their employees or system adds value to their output. Unless they can identify areas where people become the value-adding system in the work place, they will not know which is essential and which is waste. The criteria to determine the people who do the work that add value: Resources, Information, Process Design Authority, and Organizational Energy. Usually in a manufacturing entity, the design of tasks is divided to the unskilled worker doing the routine tasks (manual) and the managers doing the production tasks like planning, forecasting and so on. When problems arise, the task of solving lies on the managers and not on the frontline workers who knew what went wrong. This is due to the fact that these workers are not tasked, encouraged and even involved on these matters of production dilemma. They simply asked to keep or maintain the production quota. Womack (1990) stated that a truly lean organization transfers the maximum number of tasks and responsibilities to the workers who add value and place a system for detecting or recognizing defects. In this way, it empowers people to add value to their work. It reorients human resources to become a flow of value and not a functional expert. In the production of Toyota cars, the management figured out how to reduce multiple stamping and create a

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Population environment debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Population environment debate - Essay Example Several researchers and theorists believe that the resources provided by the natural environment are decreasing and measures need to take place to counter the constant increase in population. Julian Lincoln Simon is against this notion and believes that resources are not becoming scarce and are being generated in abundance (Simon 578) . She believes that the increase in prices of resources provides individuals such as farmers and manufacturers to produce more and to create new discoveries and participate in the act of recycling which results in the creation of substitute goods. This means that resources are not becoming scarce; instead they are being replaced with substitutes which counter the issue of shortage created due to increase in population. Researchers such as Ben Wattenberg state that population growth has negatively impacted the environment but now the growth rate is declining and will eventually come to an end (Wattenberg, 2012). Due to this he believes that the problem of shortage of environmental resources will be countered and there will be enough resources for human beings. According to him the population growth of certain developed nations such as Europe has come to a stand still and the population growth of areas such as Asian nations have declined drastically. In response to Wattenberg, Kenneth Hill states that although population growth rate has declined, still the boom in population is not over and will continue to rise (Slate Magazine, 2012). Hill points out various issues in calculating the population rate and points out that several people are not even counted among the population of a nation. Hill sates that problems such as increase in rate of immigration and decrease in the rate of infant mortality an d increase in the number of old aged people is an alarming point for US. One of the major elements in the debate of population and environment is that those

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Disney Animation And Child Development

Disney Animation And Child Development Disney animated films captivate the imagination of an abundance of people with mesmerizing music, charismatic characters, and vivid visuals. My grandmother, who had lived in poverty through most of her childhood, loved the Disney animated films as a child, because they were an escape from reality and gave her the hope of a better future. Because Disney animation played an important role in my grandmothers childhood, she replicated these memories with her children and grandchildren through watching Walt Disney animated films. Although I was too young to remember my first experiences with the Disney animated films, the first experience Disney animated film that I can draw from memory is the, The Little Mermaid. As a child, I fell in love with the appealing characters and the enchanting music from the movie. The protagonist Ariel was engaging to me as a child because she was curious and yearned to learn about a world enigmatic to hers. The animation of The Little Mermaid is vibrant and displays captivating soundtrack. The plot consists of a mermaid who is fascinated with the human world and finds herself in love with Prince Eric whom she saves from shipwreck. Ariels father, King Triton, is very protective of his daughter and is concerned about her curiosity for the human world. In order to be with the one she loves, Ariel turns to the sea witch, Ursula, who casts a spell upon her to become human. The conditions for Ariel to remain a human are that she must get a true loves kiss from Prince Eric within three days, and that if she does not, she will forever be unable to use her voice again. In the end, Prince Eric is tricked into falling in love with Ursula and Ariel must to fight off Ursula in order to save the kingdom and those she loves. King Triton apologizes for being too protective of Ariel and allows her to live happily ever after with Prince Eric. Disneys The Little Mermaid plot contains friendships, curiosity, consequences from rashness, persistence, and the dangers of being overprotective. Today, Disney animation plays an active role in my life because the movies are relative to loving ones family, embracing creativity and curiosity, and an inspiration. Disney animated films have given me countless memories that I cherish with both friends and family. I want to pass on the same happy memories I had with my grandmother by making a special time to watch Disneys movies with my younger family members. Recently, my three-year-old cousin Addy and I watched Disney-Pixars Brave. Towards end where the protagonist, Merida, hugs both of her parents, Addy asked me if the princess loves her mommy and daddy? I told her yes, of course she does! She replied I love my mommy and daddy too! Although my cousin may never remember that moment, its a moment that I will always remember. Walt Disney Animated Studios embraces positive childhood development through their films. The Disney animated movies focus on a variety of topics that can inspire children to question, love and imagine. Although these films may be viewed only as entertainment to some people, to others it is a useful tool to educate children about supplemental life lessons through an engaging medium. Disney animated films focuses on inspiring children to be inquisitive, as questioning and wonder is essential in the learning process. Disney implements the idea of being analytical and curious through characters that are naturally inquisitive with a strong desire to learn. For example, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, is a girl with an investigative personality and whose hobby is reading. Another character is Alice from Alice in Wonderland who falls down a rabbit hole and lands in a world that only becomes curious and curiouser the longer she is in Wonderland. Examples of Disneys implementation of creati vity are through audio-visual effects in the 1940 film Fantasia. Fantasias core idea throughout the film is to encourage one to use their imagination to create simple music, shapes, and colors to then become a wonderfully complex story inspired by orchestrated music. Creativity plays a key role in the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons. Lewis, young inventor, uses his imagination, creativity, curiosity, and dedication of achieving his goal of in becoming a successful inventor. Another attribute Disney animated studios incorporates into their storylines is the importance of loving one another. Teaching young children the significant and diverse meanings of love is essential in a childs development. Many Disney animated films teach the significance of loving ones friends, families, and community. Whether it is love for a friend, or love for ones dreams and wishes, love plays an essential role in each of Disneys animated movies. Examples of different forms of love include the 1940 film, Pinocchio. Pinocchio is puppet who is loved by his creator, Geppetto. A fairy magically turns Pinocchio into a real boy and Geppetto loves Pinocchio like his own son. In The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh loves all of his friends in the One-Hundred Acres Wood and they all work together with the challenges they face. In Pocahontas, the Native American princess makes the decision to be with her love John Smith, and tries to protect her community from fightin g the English invaders and to come to peaceful terms. The Princess and the Frog is a story about loving and embracing ones dreams in life. Tiana, the main character, wishes to fulfill her and her late fathers dream of owning a restaurant and works hard to make her dreams come true. Although Disney animation promotes healthy child development and essential skills required for learning and growing, there are some who believe the films may play a negative role in a childs development. Those critics typically believe that Disney movies are too unrealistic and have plots which center on anti-feminism, promoting materialism and foster laziness. As Walt Disney had once said, All cartoon characters and fables must be exaggeration, caricatures. It is the very nature of fantasy and fable. For one to expect realism in a childs story is unrealistic within itself. Many of the Disney animated films are adaptations of stories from folk tales and other forms of previous literature. The Grimm Brothers first written down the folk stories of Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid is an adaptation of the story by Hans Christian Anderson. Therefore, many of the plots behind popular Disney stories are not created by Disney, but are instead Disney animate d studios own interpretations of these stories that are more family orientated than the original stories themselves. Some feminists argue that the Disney princesses set an unrealistic goal of how women should behave and look. They also believe that it teaches young girls that a Prince Charming figure exists. However, many Disney princesses do have character traits outside the traditional, stereotypical female role. In Disneys animated film, Mulan, Mulan breaks away from the traditional customs of her culture of becoming a stereotypical Chinese wife that serves her husband, and instead disguises herself as a male soldier to protect her father and fight for her country. Mulan does fall in love in the movie with Captain Li Shang, who she originally detests. However, the film illustrates that Li Shang is not flawless. Although some soldiers joke around with Li Shang by calling him a pretty boy, Li Shang proves that he is inquisitive, a good leader, and logical. Some believe that the Dis ney princess films contain unrealistic expectations of beauty, and insists that the Disney princesses have a damaging impact on a girls expectations and self-esteem. However, they are not taking into consideration of the importance of the viewers age. Many toddlers and young children still do not have the cognitive ability to grasp the concept of an animated character to be setting the standards of beauty. Then once they are old enough to understand that society has already placed a standard for beauty, they are also old enough to understand that the princesses are animated characters and are not real expectations for living people. Some also argue that Disney animated films encourage children to be materialistic. However, while Disney does sell a multitude of products, it is not the corporations responsibility to parent children. It is instead the sole responsibility of a childs parents to teach against materialism. Thirdly, the idea that Disney animated films promotes the unrealistic dream of lifes problems magically disappearing and that working hard can be avoided is untrue. Many of the Disney animated characters work hard in the stories. Although Cinderella had a Fairy Godmother assist her in escaping from her evil stepmother and step-sisters, one can translate that into a real world scenario that works hard in life, and had a lucky break with someone being able to help them achieve a better life. In the animated film, The Princess and the Frog, Tiana must works hard to make a living and saves money to open up a restaurant she has always wanted. Disney animated films had inspired me during my childhood years to express my creativity and imagination. Disney animated films encourage children to be curious, imaginative and creative, as well as encourage children to love in a variety of ways to promote healthy childhood development. Many of the Disney animated films are adaptations from folk and fairy tales, as well as other novels throughout literary history. Although some may not support children viewing Disney animated films due to their own interpretations of the films and what they believe the films portray, it is ultimately the parents role to teach their children important life lessons and how to interpret the movies. It is only the Disney Animation Studios to entertain both children and adults; their films do promote a multitude of encouraging messages that can translate a child to incorporate being imaginative, curious, and loving into their own lives. In conclusion, Disney animated films promote healthy childhood devel opment. Parents and educators should properly incorporate these films for home entertainment and for education through encouraging children to use their creativity and focusing on the morals of the story. Work Cited Walt Disney Quotes. Walt Disney Quotes. Just Disney, Web. 22 Jan. 2013.

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Transformational Leadership Practices of National Board Certified S

Introduction According to Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (American Association of School Librarians, 2009), â€Å"The school library media program is built by professionals who model leadership and best practice for the school community† (p. 45). This leadership role is a new one for school librarians; earlier guidelines documents (AASL, 1988; AASL, 1998) embedded leadership activities within the roles of information specialist, instructional consultant or partner, teacher, and program administrator. These earlier guidelines were aligned with the larger educational culture, in which school librarians have rarely been regarded as leaders by their colleagues, administrators, or themselves (Hartzell, 2002; Ishizuka, Minkel, & St. Lifer, 2002; McCracken, 2001). Perhaps because of this perception, few researchers have studied the activities of school librarians who act as leaders. The purpose of Empowering Learners (AASL, 2009) is to define â€Å"the future direction of school library media programs† (p. 5). Both Empowering Learners and its predecessors (AASL, 1988; AASL, 1998) serve as guidelines for exemplary school library media programs, providing a mission and vision for the program and identifying and describing the roles of the school library media coordinator (SLMC). The mission of the program is â€Å"to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information† (AASL, 2009, p. 8) and to support this mission the SLMC must take on multiple roles. The original guidelines document, Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (AASL, 1988) defined these roles as information specialist, teacher, and instructional consultant. The 1998 version of the guidelines (AASL... ...ndards as classroom teachers, but the SLMC standards are currently under revision and will parallel the teaching standards closely, including a leadership component (R. White, personal communication, October 8, 2010). School library media coordinators must demonstrate leadership to meet the expectations of their national professional organization, to achieve advanced teaching credentials, and even, in North Carolina, to maintain their professional positions. Since the release of Empowering Learners (AASL, 2009), no research has examined the extent to which librarians are able to carry out the leadership practices it identifies. In this climate, however, it is important to know how school library leaders behave and to what extent they implement these practices, both to evaluate the standards and to provide examples for leadership development for school librarians.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-seven

I WOULD HAVE GAPED IF I were there, both from the shock of seeing Sydney and at the sight of a human on Court grounds. Humans, actually, because there were two others with her, a man and a woman. The man was young, only a little older than Sydney, with deep brown hair and eyes. The woman was older and wore the tough, seasoned look I associated with Alberta. This woman was dark-skinned, but I could still see the golden tattoo she and the other humans had. All Alchemists. And it was obvious these Alchemists were not happy. That older woman was putting on a good show, but her darting eyes made it clear she wanted to be somewhere– anywhere–else. Sydney and the guy didn't hide their fear at all. Sydney might have gotten used to me and Dimitri, but she and her associates had just walked into a den of evil, as far as they were probably concerned. The Alchemists weren't alone in their discomfort. As soon as they'd entered, the guardians no longer regarded Eddie as the room's threat. Their eyes were all on the humans, scrutinizing them as though they were Strigoi. My friends seemed more curious than afraid. Lissa and I had lived among humans, but Christian and Adrian had had very little exposure, other than feeders. Seeing the Alchemists on â€Å"our turf' added an extra element of intrigue. I was certainly astonished to see Sydney there so quickly. Or was it quickly? Hours had passed since we'd escaped Jill's house. Not enough time to drive to Court but certainly enough to fly. Sydney hadn't changed clothes since I'd last seen her, and there were shadows under her eyes. I had a feeling she'd been grilled to no end since her capture. The mystery was, why bring the Alchemists here to the meeting about Eddie killing the unknown Moroi? There were two completely different issues at stake. Lissa was thinking the same thing. â€Å"Who are these guys?' she asked, although she had a pretty good idea who Sydney was. She'd heard enough description from me. Sydney gave Lissa a once-over, and I suspected she had guessed Lissa's identity as well. â€Å"Alchemists,' said Hans gruffly. â€Å"You know what that means?' Lissa and my friends nodded. â€Å"What do they have to do with Eddie and that guy who attacked me?' she asked. â€Å"Maybe something. Maybe nothing.' Hans shrugged. â€Å"But I know there's something strange going on, something you're all involved in, and I need to figure out what. She'– Hans pointed at Sydney–‘was with Hathaway in Detroit, and I still have trouble believing none of you know anything about it.' Adrian crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, the perfect picture of indifference. â€Å"Keep believing that, but I don't know any of these people. Don't Alchemists hate us? Why are they here?' Adrian, ironically, was the only one of my friends who knew I hadn't been in West Virginia, but you'd never tell from his demeanor. â€Å"Because we have an escaped murderess to deal with and needed to question her accomplice in person,' was Hans's crisp response. A denial of my guilt was on Lissa's lips, but the older Alchemist jumped in first. â€Å"You have no proof that Miss Sage was an â€Å"accomplice' to your criminal. And I still think it's ridiculous that you wouldn't let us do our own questioning and leave it at that.' â€Å"In any other situation, we would, Miss Stanton,' replied Hans. Ice was forming between the two of them. â€Å"But this one, as you can imagine, is a bit more serious than most. Our queen was murdered.' Tension ramped up even more between the guardians and the Alchemists. Their working relationship was not a happy one, I realized. It also occurred to me that even if Sydney's superiors thought she'd committed some crime, they would never admit as much to my people–which meant Hans's paranoia wasn't entirely unfounded. When none of the Alchemists responded, Hans seemed to read this as approval to begin interrogating Sydney. â€Å"Do you know these three?' He gestured to my friends, and Sydney shook her head. â€Å"Ever communicated with them?' â€Å"No.' He paused, as though hoping she'd change her answer. She didn't. â€Å"Then how did you get involved with Hathaway?' She studied him intently, fear in her brown eyes. I wasn't sure if it was because of him exactly. Really, she had a lot of things to be nervous about right now, like being here at all and the eventual punishment the Alchemists would dole out. Then, of course, there was Abe. Technically, he was the reason she had gotten ensnared in this mess. All she had to do was tell on him, say he'd blackmailed her. It'd get her off the hook–but incur his wrath. Sydney swallowed and forced a defiant look. â€Å"I met Rose in Siberia.' â€Å"Yes, yes,' said Hans. â€Å"But how did you end up helping her escape here?' â€Å"I had nothing to do with her escaping this place!' said Sydney. It was a half-truth, I supposed. â€Å"She contacted me a few days ago and asked for help to get to a house near Detroit. She claimed she was innocent and that this would help prove it.' â€Å"The Alchemists knew by then she was a fugitive,' pointed out Hans. â€Å"Everyone had orders to look out for her. You could have turned her in.' â€Å"When I first met Rose, she didn't seem like the murdering type–I mean, aside from killing Strigoi. Which isn't murder at all, really.' Sydney threw in a little Alchemist disdain. It was a nice touch. â€Å"So, when she said she was innocent and could prove it, I decided to help her. I gave her a ride.' â€Å"We already asked her about this,' Stanton said irritably. â€Å"And we already told you that we did. What she did was foolish–a naive lapse in judgment. It's something for us to deal with, not you. You worry about your murdering fiend.' Her words were light, like they were going to take Sydney home and chastise a naughty child. I doubted it would be that simple. â€Å"Who were the people with her?' asked Hans, ignoring Stanton. Sydney's contempt grew. â€Å"One was that guy †¦ Dimitri Belikov. The one you think was â€Å"cured.' I don't know who the others were. Two guys and a woman. They never introduced us.' It was a well-done lie, her faked disgust about Dimitri masking her knowledge of the rest of our associates. Lissa leaned forward eagerly, speaking just before Hans could. â€Å"What was in Detroit? How was Rose going to clear herself? Especially with Jill?' Hans didn't look happy about the interruption, but I knew he had to be curious about Jill and Detroit as well. He said nothing, perhaps hoping someone might slip and reveal a key piece of knowledge. Sydney, however, continued playing distant and cold. â€Å"I have no idea. That Jill girl didn't seem to know either. Rose just said we had to get to her, so I helped her.' â€Å"Blindly?' asked Hans. â€Å"You really expect me to believe that you just trusted her like that?' â€Å"She's my–‘ Sydney bit her lip on what I suspected was â€Å"friend.' She turned her professional mode back on. â€Å"There was something believable about her, and I figured it'd be a waste of resources if the Alchemists had been helping you hunt the wrong murderer. If I decided she was guilty, I could always turn her in. And I thought †¦ I thought if I was the one who solved this, I'd get the credit and a promotion.' That was a good, good lie. An ambitious girl trying to improve her career on the sly? Very good. Well, not to everyone. Hans shook his head. â€Å"I don't believe any of you.' The guy Alchemist took a step forward that made every guardian tense to jump him. â€Å"If she says that's the way it happened, then that's the way it happened.' He had the same fierceness and mistrust that Stanton had, but there seemed to be more. A sort of protectiveness toward Sydney that was as personal as professional. Lissa picked up on it too. â€Å"Easy, Ian,' said Stanton, still keeping her eyes on Hans. Her composure reminded me more and more of Alberta. She couldn't be at ease with a roomful of guardians but wasn't showing it. â€Å"It doesn't matter if you believe her or not. The point remains: Miss Sage answered your questions. We're finished.' â€Å"Do Jill's parents know anything?' asked Lissa. She was still in shock at all of these developments–not to mention worried about me being out of my safe mountain town– but this mysterious shot at clearing my name was powerful. She couldn't let it go. Sydney turned to Lissa, and I could practically read the Alchemist's thoughts. She knew how close Lissa and I were and would have liked to give Lissa some sort of comfort. There was no way, though, that Sydney could do that with these people in the room. She also had to be aware of the fact that I myself hadn't told Lissa anything about Jill. â€Å"No,' said Sydney. â€Å"We just went there, and Rose said Jill had to come with her. The Mastranos don't know why. And then–and then Rose did take her. Or Jill went with her. I'm not sure what happened. It all turned to chaos.' Neither the Alchemists nor guardians disputed me taking Jill, which made me think it was a story they'd gotten–and accepted–from both Jill's parents and Sydney. It had just enough truth to be plausible–and explain Jill's disappearance. It didn't mention the Dragomir secret, however, which Emily was probably more than happy to keep quiet for now. â€Å"There,' said Stanton. â€Å"This is exactly what we told you before. We need to leave now.' She turned toward the door, but guardians blocked the way. â€Å"Impossible,' said Hans. â€Å"This is a serious matter, and Miss Sage is the only link we have to a murder–a royal murder. And a kidnapping.' Stanton scoffed, and I remembered Sydney once saying the Alchemists thought the Moroi royalty system was silly. â€Å"She doesn't seem to be of much more use to you. But don't worry–we'll be holding her. Contact us if you have more questions.' â€Å"Unacceptable,' said Hans. â€Å"She stays here.' Ian, the other Alchemist, joined the argument, moving protectively in front of Sydney. â€Å"We're not leaving one of our own here!' Again, I had that funny feeling about him. A crush, that was it. He had a crush on her and was treating this as more than just business. Stanton gave him a look that said she would handle this matter. He fell silent. â€Å"You can all stay here, then,' said Hans. â€Å"Makes no difference to me. We'll get you rooms.' â€Å"That is unacceptable.' From there, she and Hans got into a raging argument. I didn't think it would come to blows, but the other guardians had closed in slightly as a precaution. Ian's eyes darted between Stanton and Sydney, but he didn't get into the fray. Once, his gaze passed over the table Hans leaned against, and Ian suddenly did a double take at the photograph. It was only a brief pause, a slight widening of the eyes †¦ but Lissa caught it. She took a step toward Ian and Sydney. One of the guardians glanced at the movement, deemed Lissa safe, and returned to watching Stanton. â€Å"You know him,' Lissa murmured, keeping her voice below the shouts. In fact, it was a little too low because she got blank looks from Sydney and Ian. Their ears couldn't hear what a Moroi or dhampir could have. Lissa glanced uneasily around, not wanting to attract attention. She raised her volume slightly. â€Å"You know him. The guy in the picture.' Ian stared at Lissa, a bit of wonder and wariness on his face. He undoubtedly bore that same standoffish attitude toward vampires, but her words had caught him off guard. And, even if she was an evil creature of the night, she was a very pretty one. â€Å"Ian,' said Sydney softly. â€Å"What is it?' There was a note of urging in her voice, one that inadvertently played upon his crush, I think. He opened his mouth to speak, but then, the â€Å"conversation' among the others wrapped up. Sydney again became the center of attention, and Ian turned away from Lissa. The compromise Stanton and Hans had reached was exactly that–a compromise. Neither was happy with it. There was a small town less than forty-five minutes away from Court, and the Alchemists would stay there–with several guardians on hand. It sounded like a house arrest to me, and Stanton's expression seemed to agree. I think she only consented because it was a human town. Before he'd let everyone go, Hans questioned my friends a final time, his eyes studying every face carefully. â€Å"And none of you–none of you–know this Alchemist girl or have been in contact with her? Or know about her involvement with Hathaway?' Again, Lissa and the others denied it, and again, Hans had no choice but to grudgingly accept the responses. Everyone moved toward the door, but Hans wouldn't let Eddie leave. â€Å"Not you, Castile. You're staying here until other matters are settled.' Lissa gasped. â€Å"What? But he–‘ â€Å"Don't worry about it,' said Eddie with a small smile. â€Å"Everything'll be okay. Just look after yourself.' Lissa hesitated, despite Christian tugging her arm to go. Although all accounts said Eddie had defended Lissa's life, he'd still killed a Moroi. That wouldn't be taken lightly. The guardians had to be 100 percent convinced he'd had no other choice before they'd release him. Seeing the strong, calm look on his face, Lissa knew he was prepared to handle whatever came. â€Å"Thank you,' she said, walking past him. â€Å"Thank you for saving me.' His answer was a slight nod, and Lissa stepped into the hallway–to find herself in more chaos. â€Å"Where are they? I insist on–ah.' My friends and the Alchemists had been heading toward the exit while a group of guardians escorted them. Meanwhile, someone had entered the hall and was now being stopped and challenged by the guardians. It was Abe. He took in every piece of the bizarre scenario in less than a heartbeat, his eyes passing over Sydney and the Alchemists as though he'd never seen them before. Through Lissa's eyes, I saw Sydney blanch, but nobody else noticed. Abe smiled at Lissa and sidled up to walk out with her. â€Å"There you are. They want you for the last monarch test.' â€Å"And they sent you?' asked Christian skeptically. â€Å"Well, I volunteered,' replied Abe. â€Å"I'd heard there was some, er, excitement. Murder, fanatical religious humans, interrogations. All things I'm interested in, you know.' Lissa rolled her eyes but said nothing until the whole group emerged from the building. The Alchemists and their unwelcome escort went one way while Lissa and our friends went the other. Lissa longed to glance at Sydney and Ian–I did too–but knew it was best to keep moving forward and follow Abe's lead, particularly since some of those guardians were watching more than just the Alchemists. As soon as Lissa's group was far enough away from the authorities, Abe's amiable smile vanished, and he turned on my friends. â€Å"What the hell happened? I've heard all sorts of crazy stories. Someone said you were dead.' â€Å"Nearly,' said Lissa. She told him about the attack, expressing her fear over Eddie. â€Å"He'll be fine,' said Abe dismissively. â€Å"They have nothing to hold him on. The worst he'll get is a mark on his record.' Lissa was relieved by Abe's easy assurance, but I still felt guilty. Thanks to me, Eddie's record was already marred. His sterling reputation was declining on a daily basis. â€Å"That was Sydney Sage,' said Lissa. â€Å"I thought they were all in West Virginia. Why isn't she with Rose?' â€Å"That,' said Abe darkly, â€Å"is an excellent question.' â€Å"Because they were apparently kidnapping Jill Mastrano in Detroit,' said Christian. â€Å"Which is weird. But not the craziest thing I can think of Rose doing.' I appreciated the support. Abe got a recap of this new development too, at least as much as my friends knew of it–which was only a fraction of the whole story. Abe picked up immediately that he'd been played, and it was obvious from his angry expression that he didn't like being kept in the dark. Welcome to the club, old man, I thought with small satisfaction. I hadn't forgotten how no one had filled me in on the escape plan. My smugness was short-lived because I was worried about what would happen to Sydney, now that Abe was on to her. â€Å"That girl was lying to me,' he growled. â€Å"Every day, all these reports about how quiet and boring it was in West Virginia. I wonder if they even made it to that town. I have to go talk to her.' â€Å"Good luck,' said Adrian, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it. Apparently, in my absence, the dating contract he'd jokingly made up that said he would â€Å"cut back' on his vices didn't apply. â€Å"I don't think her cronies or the guardians are going to let you near her.' â€Å"Oh, I'll get to her,' said Abe. â€Å"She's got a lot of answers. If she hid them from those other idiots, then good for her. But she's going to tell me.' A sudden thought sparked into Lissa's mind. â€Å"You have to talk to Ian. That guy with the Alchemists. He knows the man in the picture–er, I mean, the guy Eddie killed.' â€Å"You're certain?' asked Abe. â€Å"Yes,' said Adrian, surprising them all. â€Å"Ian definitely had a reaction. He's also got a crush on that Sydney girl.' â€Å"I saw that too,' said Lissa. â€Å"She seems kind of uptight.' Adrian frowned. â€Å"But maybe their kind go for that.' â€Å"That crush might actually be useful,' mused Abe. â€Å"You women don't know the power you wield. Have you seen that guardian your aunt's dating? Ethan Moore?' â€Å"Yes,' groaned Christian. â€Å"Don't remind me.' â€Å"Tasha is pretty hot, though,' noted Adrian. â€Å"That is not cool,' said Christian. â€Å"Don't get so huffy,' said Abe. â€Å"Ethan's a palace guard. He was there the night of the murder–which could be very useful to us if she can keep him interested.' Christian shook his head. â€Å"Those guards already testified. It won't matter. Ethan's told what he knows.' â€Å"I'm not so sure,' said Abe. â€Å"There are always things that occur off the official record, and I'm positive the guards were all debriefed with strict orders on what to reveal and not to reveal. Your aunt might be charming enough to find out something for us.' Abe sighed, still looking very unhappy at the sudden upsetting of his orderly plans. â€Å"If only Sydney had been charming enough to talk her way out of that interrogation so that I could go interrogate her. Now I've got to break through those Alchemists and the guardians to get to her and figure out where Rose is. Oh, and you do actually have to go to your test, princess.' â€Å"I thought that was just a line you used to find me,' Lissa said. â€Å"No, they want you.' He gave her directions to the test. It was in the building she'd had the second test in. â€Å"All of you go together and then get a guardian to walk you back. Don't leave your room until Janine or Tad come by.' Tad was one of Abe's henchmen. â€Å"No more surprise attacks.' Lissa wanted to argue that she most certainly wasn't going to put herself under house arrest but decided it was best to just let Abe go for now. He hurried off, still radiating agitation, and she and the guys turned toward the testing site. â€Å"Boy, is he pissed,' said Adrian. â€Å"Do you blame him?' asked Christian. â€Å"He just lost membership in the evil mastermind club. His brilliant plan fell apart, and now his daughter's missing when he thought she was somewhere safe.' Adrian stayed pointedly silent. â€Å"I hope she's okay,' sighed Lissa, a knot forming in her stomach. â€Å"And what in the world does Jill have to do with any of this?' Nobody had an answer for that one. When they reached the testing site, Lissa found a situation almost identical to before. Lots of spectators lining the hall. Guardians blocking the door. More people than ever were cheering her name as she approached, some who were â€Å"common' Moroi and others who were royals whose candidates were out of the running. A number of nominees hadn't passed the fear test, so those families had switched their loyalties. Again, Lissa was ushered into the room alone. Her heart began to pound when she saw the same old woman. Were more terrible images to come? Lissa couldn't see the chalice, but that was no guarantee of safety. There was no extra chair, so Lissa simply stood in front of the old woman. â€Å"Hello,' Lissa said respectfully. â€Å"It's nice to see you again.' The woman grinned, showing those missing teeth. â€Å"I doubt that, but you say it very convincingly. You have politics in your blood.' â€Å"Thank †¦ you †¦' said Lissa, unsure if she'd been complimented or not. â€Å"What would you like me to do for this test?' â€Å"Just listen. That's all. It's an easy one.' A twinkle in the woman's eye made Lissa think this would not be easy. â€Å"All you have to do is answer a question for me. Answer correctly, and you're through to the vote. And won't that be entertaining.' The old woman seemed to say those last words more to herself than Lissa. â€Å"Okay,' said Lissa uneasily. â€Å"I'm ready.' The woman sized Lissa up and seemed to like what she saw. â€Å"Here it is then: What must a queen possess in order to truly rule her people?' Lissa's mind went blank for a moment, and then a jumble of words popped into her head. Integrity? Wisdom? Sanity? â€Å"No, no, don't answer,' said the old woman, watching Lissa carefully. â€Å"Not yet. You have until tomorrow, at this same time, to think about it. Come back with the right answer, and you'll have passed the trials. And †¦' She winked. â€Å"It goes without saying you won't talk to anyone about this.' Lissa nodded, rubbing the small tattooed spot on her arm. She'd get no help with the answer from anyone else. Lissa left the room, turning the question over and over in her mind. There were too many answers to a question like that, she thought. Any of them could– Movement in my reality instantly snapped me out of her head. I half expected Sonya to come bursting into our tent, but no, that wasn't what had caught my attention. It was a much smaller motion †¦ and something infinitely more powerful. Dimitri was in my arms.