Challange of Moral Education Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Challange of Moral Education - Term Paper Example In addition, I have always wanted to have an impact on my students and other learners since teaching to me is more of just a professional but an opportunity to serve different interests and direct people on the right paths to success. This is my main philosophical belief and motivation as a professional in the field of education. As the learners discover the best ways to attain moral standards, they are in turn able to present themselves in class in a suitable condition for grasping the contents of learning. Secondly, I believe in honesty and this value has motivated me to present the best I can to my students. Honesty is a religious virtue that is based on presentation of facts and situations they way they are without making alterations or intentionally making misrepresentations for personal interests. I believe that by being honest first to myself and then to the students, I am able to build a free learning environment, which is important for the whole process. During the learning process, evaluation of learners is always a critical component for the attainment of learning objectives. As a result, my next motivation is on stressing on merit rather than favoritism and biasness. For learners to get a real picture of the progress they are making in the learning process, it is important to provide them with the most sincere and standardized feedback as much as possible. Stressing on merit also helps in evaluating my effectiveness in the various modules. Subsequently, another of my motivations as a public educator is based on the principle of fairness to all regardless of their social, cultural and religious backgrounds. This is because looking at the divisions humans have in their quest for identity may blind our decisions. It is therefore common to... This paper approves that learning is an important developmental process in the life of any individual regardless of their religious, social or cultural standing in the society. Moral values are often overlooked in the learning process despite the numerous opportunities and advantages to do so. This project is therefore an important initiative of ensuring that the value system is promoted in the learning environment I am and shall be engaged with. My core philosophies and beliefs are based on issues that are critical for the success of learners even beyond the actual schooling or learning process. As a result, my advocacy in this area is pegged on the future of learners. It Says that organizations that support ethics and morality in education will also be partnered with, where possible, especially in provision of information to the learners. All these measures will therefore be employed to ensure that the challenges are eliminated. Thia essay come to the conclusion that , it is important for curriculum developers to ensure that moral and ethical standards are promoted even in the development of appropriate content for learners. To the extent of improving the learners’ attitude and belief system, the effective implementation of this program may be essential for the overall improvement of learners’ performance. This project is therefore an alternative to ensuring that there is a constant and gradual change in the learning process as well as among learners from different backgrounds.

The strength of opposition to impact the New Deal in the period 1933-1937 Essay Example for Free

The strength of opposition to impact the New Deal in the period 1933-1937 Essay The New Deal had serious competition, which was fundamental towards the New Deal particularly in the period of 1933-1937 in numerous ways. There were alternatives which factored towards helping the economy providing radical yet simplistic reforms, several pressure groups also hindered the success of the New Deal, it was scrutinized by both sides of the political spectrum where Hugh Brogan claims the Left for not doing enough1 this is true, certain left wing activists such as Francis Townsend2, Father Coughlin3 and Huey Long4 did not enhance their potential to cause everlasting impact. He also claims the right for doing too much5 this can be interpreted differently, but I partially agree that the Liberty League tried to prevent the success of the New Deal as business leaders were not going to help him6 this suggests the Right aimed to hinder rather than help the New Deal. The strength of opposition had potential to cause serious impact, this varied as some more than others contributed. It is unclear how opposition enforced certain policies, but they certainly cause change to some extent, where many were able to prosper, as it was clear that society needs reform7. Politically there was enough opposition to create severe importance however there were also other schemes that contributed to impacting the New Deal, but I believe due to the New Deals success in the beginning created no opportunity for oppositional groups to contribute any significance, no matter how strong they were to influence the New Deal. From the Left, many activists had their own ideologies and beliefs, many like Huey Long, Francis Townsend and Father Coughlin believed the New Deal were not going far enough which Coughlin envisaged, yet he initially stated the New Deal is Christs Deal8 however he turned against the New Deal because Roosevelt failed to carry on his radical reforms, which should not be underestimated as Roosevelt was afraid of Coughlins influence9 his sheer strength alone was enough to cause change, he had influenced 40 million Americans listening to his radio sermons, this was more popular than FDRs fireside chats10 his significance was minor however he did prove to be a threat, but It is evident that Coughlin could not of done much to impact the New Deal because it seems his polices were vague11 his inconsistency of ideologies proved to be his downfall, when attacking the New Deal he believed it was a communist conspiracy, yet he too fought for similar polices which I believe worsened his credibilit y, overall his authority and strength did impact the economy, his significance undoubtedly was there yet lost popularity consequently losing his radio program, but he was too radical to have any importance towards the New Deal his radical style seemed to alienate his audience12 this again was another reason why he could not generate enough support to overwhelm the New Deal, numerous historians such as . Evidently Townsend was different from conventional opponents of the New Deal, he wanted to improve the New Deal13 this was successful as he implemented many ways that prolonged the New Deal becoming more effective. Clearly suggests that Townsends ideas influenced Roosevelts thinking of the New Deal14 Pennington believed that Townsend proved to be beneficial, similar to Coughlin he too had support of 5 million members, but in my view he was inadequate, yes he helped pass through the Social Security Act, which incorporated the Old Age Revolving Pensions however it was not received by elderly people15 which undermines his impact of the New Deal. His significance is questionable, but he provided alternatives that contributed towards helping the economy. Lastly from the left, and definitely perceived to be the biggest threat to the New Deal was Huey Long, like Coughlin was an early supporter of the New Deal16, he was otherwise known as the Kingfish17 who consisted the characteristics of intelligent, avaricious and cynical18 he too was a strident critic19 of the New Deal, he pinpointed certain aspects which help provide solutions towards the economy. He proved to be influential which his Share Our Wealth Scheme showing creative methods of financing public works in Louisiana20 I believe it is considered to appeal to mainly the poor, but Roosevelt acknowledged this, I assume Roosevelt used Longs ideas compared to Townsend and Coughlin as he proved that policies actually worked thus most of his policies would have been employed in the New Deal. However he too seemed inadequate, as, he was not offered a federal post21 which suggests his contribution to the New Deal would have been minute. His significance in Louisiana was successful however it is questionable if his ideas would be embraced on a national level; I firmly believe his policies would not have been favorable, as it is evident because the 1936 election provided a strong belief in capitalism with 27 million Americans behind Roosevelt also it was suggested that it was highly improbable22 that he would of beaten Roosevelt in 1936 election this highlights his weaknesses when facing the New Deal, was not able to generate enough support which was also another problem with many opponents of the New Deal. Certainly from the Left they had much in common23 they all disliked Roosevelt, this was stated by Badger which I to some extent agree yet it is deemed that they all addressed the real problems and the real Deals failings which supports the assertion of opposition being beneficial, highlighting the failures of the New Deal, clearly Roosevelt would have been aware of this, it is thought of the Left advocating simple solutions24 however their solutions did not bring the results25, it was possible for Long to Capitalize support from Coughlin and Townsend, crushing Roosevelt and the New Deal the picture source26 strengthens Badgers assertion that the New Deal was often flawed because of the cost but as the New Deal provided many Left wing polices, it only enhanced the New Deal evidently showing more organisation and impact covering most aspects of America thus shunning any credit from opposition, it is evidently shown resulting from the second New Deal with the Social Security Act, Rural electrification27 and also National Labour Relations Act consequently quietening opposition of the New Deal. It is clear that they were too radical to go beyond the New Deal; it must also be considered that the New Deal created 6 million Jobs, yet 11 million were still unemployed, this was where the Left incorporated their radical views, yet they were often flawed which prevented their success. The Left did have more significance compared to the right as certain movements and parties helped the New Deal in many aspects, which Clements pinpointed Governor Floyd B Olson of Minnesota, led the Farmer-Labour Party introducing many radical economic reforms but similar to Long, they both died which their policies died with them as well. Picture Source 128 portrays Roosevelts success of the New Deal by focusing on the forgotten man, where he utters Yes, You Remembered Me29 this clearly indicates all opposition were all insufficient to help, clearly his success preventing opposition to generate any momentum to play down the New Deal, also Amity Shales suggests opposition proved shrill and marginal he also claims that from the Liberty League to Father Coughlin proved to have no such impact, but I believe he underestimated the potential that they created, they could of generated a superior strength, during the period of political change, during a period where Hitler was able to be dictator of Germany, opposition, especially from the Left could easily of overhauled Roosevelt and the New Deal. Certainly there were creative ways of tackling the Depression; however the New Deal was superior during a time of confusion and despair. The New Deal from face value looked turn things around, and certainly they provided stability and prosperity. Establishing authority in which opposition found hard to compete with. All opposition clearly impacted the New Deal in some way, but I truly believe that the Republican Party proved to be the biggest threat of all, as they created different ways of restraining the new Deal success, they also link with the Supreme Court surprisingly the most significant opposition came within Roosevelts government, as it was mostly dominated by republican judges, they were striking down some of the New Deals Measures30 they clearly impacted the New Deal, however unlike the Left it did not necessarily benefit New Dealers, it can be seen as restraining the success of the New Deal as they declared 11 out of 16 of the alphabet agencies were unconstitutional31. Roosevelt believed the Supreme Court hindered rather than help the New Deal, Roosevelt tried to use a notion of court packing32 where judges over 70 should retire, however this backfired, arguably worsening his reputation, which reflected towards the New Deal badly, also considered to be the darkest moment33 of FDRs campaign, yet it is suggested that Roosevelt responded with compromise34 based on the context of the supreme court it clearly shows no compromise towards the Republican judges but its impact is shown however their contribution was . Roosevelt did handle his opponents effectively, it is claimed that FDR would take the fire out of opposing arguments35 by cooperation, which he successfully did with Townsend and Long, however there were times where he failed to understand the strength of opposition when it comes towards the Supreme Court, he was ambitious to limit their power however he did underestimate the strength In which they condemned Roosevelts actions. The strongest opposition from the Left would be Huey Long, yet from the right it would be the Liberty League, In conclusion opposition to the New Deal was significant; they demonstrated a variety of alternatives which challenged the New Deal. Both sides of opposition certainly contributed to influence the New Deal, but I believe Bibliography 1) Kathryn Cooper 2) Anthony Badger 3) Clements 4) The Roosevelts Presence 5) Joanne de Pennington 6) The New Deal-Americas Response to the New Deal 7) The USA 1917-45 Doug and Susan Willoughby 8) Franklin D Roosevelt Profiles in Power Patrick Renshaw 9) The presidency of Franklin D Roosevelt by George Mc Jimsey 10) The forgotten Man- Amity Shlaes-picture source 11) The survival of Democracy Alonzo L Hamby 12) The Limits of Liberty- American History 13) Hugh Brogan, The penguin History of the United States of America 14) Chris Rone AQA history USA 15) The FDR years On Roosevelt and his Legacy. 1 Hugh Brogan The penguin History Of United History of United States America p560 2 Francis Townsend focused on boosting the economy by raising pensions over 60s 3 Charles Coughlin a Canadian priest who broadcasted popular sermons 4 Huey Long, Governor of Louisiana, Launched Share Our Wealth Campaign 5 Hugh Brogan The penguin History Of United History of United States America p560 6 Hugh Brogan The penguin History Of United History of United States America p560 7 Joanne de Pennington p128-129 8 Susan and Doug Willoughby p139 9 Peter Clements prosperity Depression and the New Deal the USA 1890-1954 p146-150 10 Susan and Doug Willoughby p139 11 The Era of Franklin D.Roosevelt, 1932-1945: A Brief History with Documents 12 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 13 Susan and Doug Willoughby p139 14 Joanne de Pennington p128-129 15 Susan and Doug Willoughby p139 16 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 17 He was called the Kingfish from the radio show of Amos and Andy 18 The survival of Democracy-Alonzo L. Hamby FDR and the world in crisis p262-263 19 The survival of Democracy-Alonzo L. Hamby FDR and the world in crisis p262-263 20 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 21 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 22 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/New_Deal_opposition.htm 23 Anthony Badger The New Deal p292-294 24 Anthony Badger The New Deal p292-294 25 Anthony Badger The New Deal p292-294 26 http://resources.dynamic-learning.co.uk/Titles/MWH_2/e2de78b5-0012-4643-933a-ef 27 Joanne De Penningtonp128-129 28 The Forgotten Man- Amity Shales Picture Source 29 The Forgotten Man- Amity Shales Picture Source 30 Limits of Liberty American History 1607-1980 p462-463 31 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/New_Deal_opposition.htm 32 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 33 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 34 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm 35 http://www.dtman.com/steve_private/school/newdeal.htm

archimedes :: essays research papers

Archimedes Archimedes lived during 287? - 212 B.C. The nationality of Archimedes is Greek in which he was born in Syracuse, Sicily. (World 605). Archimedes attended a school in Alexandria, Egypt. He was trained by such greats as Conon and Eratosthenes. (Math 22) The area of work that Archimedes was knows for is his work in Geometry and astronomy because his father was an astronomer. Archimedes is also known for Hydrostatics, static mechanics, pycnometry and he is called the â€Å"father of integral calculus.† (MCS 1). His mathematical contributions are endless and are still used to this day. First there is his method of finding Pi, the ratio between the diameter and circumference of a circle. This was greatly needed in his times for builders dealing with large works of art. He also computed the area of a segment of a parabola. By using triangles he found them to be the pieces of Geometry. There is the Archimedean spiral that is still used in Egypt to drain and fill farmland with water. It is a tube with a spiral screw that is turned and then the water enter the chambers and comes out the other side. Other remarkable works are the Sandreckoner that is where he starts a number system capable of expressing numbers up to 8x1016. He says this method can be used to count all the grains of sand in the world. He was also known for his invention of the catapult, which helped the Greeks with there Roman problems. (Math 24). Thing that helped and hindered Archimedes in mathematical greatness are concededly dealt with wars. Such as the Rome and Carthage war when the Romans decide to invade Syracuse. Archimedes used his math knowledge to come up with catapults and a large grappling hooks, that where hooked to a lever that in turn lifted the ships out of the water and dropped them. One of the most different things that he did that dealt with the war was when they attack, Archimedes had the Greek men hold up special shaped shields that were focused on the ships and when the sun hit the shields the ships went up in flames this is also a myth that no one knows the truth to. This in turn helped and hinder him it made him come up with new ideas but he had no time to deal with other thing of non-war activities (Gap 7)

Crime and Social Issues Essay

Many crime problems in my area which are creating difficulties for peoples day by day. I have seen many crimes have been done in my area. * Snatching * Drugs dealing * Shop lifting * Stabbing * Gang fighting * Theft and robbed * The area where I live is ok; I have been robbed for my money a couple of times – nothing too bad. But my friends live in a really bad estate. There’s always stuff going on there. People are shot and stabbed all the time. * It all starts with people getting rude with each other. One person is rude to someone else, and then the victim goes and gets their gang for revenge. Sometimes it’s just two gangs fighting and punching each other. But on this estate, it’s nearly always killing. Guns and knives are everywhere. * It’s always worse when the gang hires someone else to do the killing. They only give a description of the person they want taken care of. So the hit man hasn’t even seen the guy he’s going to shoot before. Sometimes they shoot the wrong person. Then, if the person who was killed by mistake was in a gang, their gang goes and gets revenge. So it never ends. * I’m most worried about knife crime, because you can get knives anywhere – from the kitchen, shops and people from round the estates. My friend’s big brother was stabbed in the chest with a knife, because he was involved in some bad stuff. * In my school it’s not so bad because they check us for weapons. The only weapons we’re allowed are compasses. * I’m not so afraid of gangs, because they don’t have a reason to go after me. But my friends Dad got involved in drugs. Now he’s got some gangs after him because of some trouble that happened. * When I visit my mates on the estate, I feel more protected than afraid, because I know my friends and their brothers are looking out for me. People there recognise me now, so I know even the drug dealers would look after me on their patches. They know I’m not causing any trouble. But I’d be very; very afraid for my life there if no-one was looking out for me. Snatching: About 10 houses in front of me was this young lady walking by a car parked along the grass patch outside one of the terrace houses. As she was reaching the rear end of this clean decent looking Silver Proton Waja, I noticed the engine started and the left rear passenger doors window was being wound down. Suddenly a man emerged out of the rear passenger doors window his entire torso! And making a grab of this ladies handbag!!!! As this man emerged from the cars window, the Silver Proton Waja was pulling out of its parking position slowly not in a hurry with the man from within just dragging the lady and her handbag along until she gave it up!! Then they drove off slowly no hurry!!! Conclusion: My report about crime problem in my area which I have describe in my report, we should do safety every time and inform to police about any crime or suspicious activities in area or any surrounding area.

Promoting Population Health Essay

Every Woman Matters is a program through the Nebraska Department of Health which is state run and federally funded. This program focuses on decreasing barriers to preventive breast and cervical cancer screenings in low-income women. They so this by raising public awareness and make these screenings more accessable and affordable to eligible women (Backer, Geske, McIlvain, Dodendorf, & Minier, 2005). Reduced cost or no cost clinical breast exams, mammograms, and Pap smear test are provided through this program. The EWM program has attempted to provide their services to physician practices to assist in the development of the program. The practices are expected to follow the GAPS model to implement this change. This includes: â€Å"goal setting, assessing existing routines, planning the modification of routines, and providing support for these improvements (Backer et al., 2005, p402). In order for this to be successful, they need to alter physician and practice behaviors. The practices resources, willingness to change, and the ability of staff to fully cooperate or work as a team should have been evaluated before the attempt to implement EWM program into each practice. It seems the practices chosen to implement the Every Woman Matters program already had its own issues or barrier for implementation to be fully possible. Some of the problems that were faced were: one practice was only focused on generating income, some were hospital owned which added barriers to approval, enthusiasm was not shared by all staff, staff was disgruntled or overextended, limited resources, resistance from staff, no active leader, prevention not being priority, and the loss of interest or elimination of goals after the first few months (Backer et al., 2005). Each practice  involved had at least one of these issues present resulting in the Every Woman Matters program not being effective in meeting its goals. Prevention Programs Two prevention programs that advocate for early screening are The North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program (NC-BCSP) and the Esperanza y vida health education program. Both of these programs are focused on women’s health screenings and treatment and they go about it the same way, influencing and supporting through social networks and offering culturally tailored interventions. The North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program focuses on African American women over 50 years old. They use a social ecological theory which targets several levels of the community from individuals and social networks to institutions and policymakers. They believe that providing â€Å"linkages† will develop communities that will endure after the research project ends (Altpeter, Earp, & Schopler, 1998). Social workers and others are used as â€Å"coaches or teachers† to develop the community participants’ skills. They help organize local efforts and provide technical assist ance or training. Social workers also identify and integrate the needs of underserved constituents into service planning to aim to improve service delivery. Three interventions are used in developing the program, Outreach, InReach, and Access. Outreach targets individual women and community nerworks to which they belong, building on the capacity of local leadership to advocate and promote breast cancer screening. This includes having agency-based community outreach specialists, county-based community advisory groups and a network of volunteers that span the projects 5-county region. The focus is to enhance awareness, generate community support, and introduce Lay Health Advisors that run focus groups. InReach enhances service delivery by restructuring clinic policies and procedures to increase efficiency of previous services that are delivered, provider education on breast cancer topics, help agencies implement community outreach efforts customized to older African American women. Key players of InReach are health care providers including private practice physicians, radiology centers, county health departments and federally funded rural health centers (Altpeter et al, 1998). â€Å"Program Champions† will advocate with the medical community and agencies for community wide screening,  referral, and follow-up plans. Access promotes accessible, equitable care by overcoming institutional barriers (cost, transportation, mammogram quality assurance) that prevent low income African American women from getting screenings. Key players are state and local agencies that are responsible for financing or delivering needed services. Radiology centers improve units or increase the quality of mammograms, the development of linkages, decrease in prices with creative use of federal or state financing with innovative plans such as â€Å"free weeks†. Promotion of ongoing availability in local health agencies of breast cancer screening activities. The NC-BCSP focuses on institutionalizing health promotion programs by establishing relationships with local health departments, rural health clinics, radiology centers, and physicians to ensure the program â€Å"me shed† with the current systems already in place in local organizations. This is important in fitting a â€Å"niche† within an organization to ensure longevity and uncover existing grassroot linkages that can fimly establish a comprehensive system of accessible, available, and affordable breast cancer screening and treatment options. Institutionalization depends on infrastructure development, community linkages at multiple levels and monitoring and providing feedback. What I find most importand in the NC-BCSP is the way they use community members to make this program work. Program Champions who have influence at the policy level and Project Coordinators who are older black women from the community. Lay Health Advisors who will gain professional knowledge and skills have existing ties within the community and social networks will initiate behavioral change. Natural helpers from within targeted communities are recruited and trained women who others turned to for advice, support, and assistance in the past. The Esperanza y vida is a peer-led health education program addressing the decreased rate of breast and cervical cancer screening and treatments in the Latina community. Sudarsan (2011 p 194) states â€Å"Individuals can not be considered separately from their social environment and background.†, which they prove by influencing and supporting Latina individuals through social networks and neighborhoods and communities. This programs’ interventions reflect the community’s priorities and culture. Culturally appropriate information and resources are provided to increase patient knowledge for self care and to decrease obstacles to health care. By offering culturally tailored  interventions, they increase the rates of screening. In their program, they use three different locations to account for geographic, ethnic, and community diversity. Along with education regarding breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment, the Esperanza y Vida program addresses fears , concerns, and perceptions that negatively impact understandings. They also evaluate pre and post-program knowledge, testing attendance to increased screening adherence. Using ARS, an audience response system which uses Power Point questions and responses are recorded anonymously using a wireless keypad, increasing the probability of participants answering honestly. The program found differences between locations indicating varying familiarity with technology and literacy, resulting in low comfort levels. Esperanza y Vida accommodates Latino perspectives on family, religion, gender roles, and provides navigation into screening. The group settings are community-based locations, faith-based locations, or in womens’private homes. These â€Å"safe† locations are more appealing to undocumented Latinas, increasing the rate of participation. Learning by reflecting on access to various local agencies, and community structure variations. Trained peer volunteers are utilized, these are breast or cervical cancer survivors who share their persona l stories and stress the importance of early detection and regular screenings. Men are also encoursaged to attend because in Latino families the men tend to have more control over resources and decision making, promoting the health of female family members. Program sites are obtained by program coordinators who work with Community Advisory Boards, volunteers, and local community and faith-based organizations. Outreach includes providing potential sites with program details including program content, time and space needed to conduct the educational program. All participants of Esperanza y vida complete questioneers which include demographics, years in the US, current participation in screenings, pre-intervention knowledge surveys (evaluating baseline knowledge and attitudes) and post-intervention survey with the same questions (to measure any changes and success of the program) (Sudarsan, Jandorf, Erwin, 2011). The staff also tracks site setting, language the program is taught in, the type of program. The language the programs are taught in relate to the host and participants requests which reflects language preference in that specific region. Implementing Esperanza y Vida in diverse locations with  geographic considerations and variations and ethnic variables will assist in expanding the program across the US. Adaptation of the same intervention at different geographic sites will provide information to diverse populations. Cultural competence of the program has potential to decrease health disparities in Latinas (and soon other groups) in the US. The ability to recruit and educate diverse subgroups of the Latino population with success in enhancing knowledge about breast and cervical cancer screening and treatments. This program is malleable to different community needs which makes it stand out among others with similar focus. Strategies If I was the nurse leader in charge of developing a follow-up to the Every Woman Matters program, the strategies I would propose for creating a more effective prevention program would include: first, choosing practices that were financially stable, who worked well together, and where all staff was in agreement to promote change. References Altpeter, M., Earp, J., & Schopler, J. (1998). Promoting breast cancer screening in rural, African American communities: the â€Å"science and art† of community health promotion. Health & Social Work, 23(2), 104-115. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=1998053486&scope=site Backer, E. L., Geske, J. A., McIlvain, H. E., Dodendorf, D. M., & Minier, W. C. (2005). Improving female preventive health care delivery through practice change: An Every Woman Matters study.Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 18(5), 401–408. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Carroll, J. K., Humiston, S. G., Meldrum, S. C., Salamone, C. M., Jean-Pierre, P., Epstein, R. M., and Fiscella, K. (2009). Patients’ experiences with navigation for cancer care. Patient Education and Counseling 80, 241-247. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.10.024 Leeman, J., Moore, A., Teal, R., Barrett, N., Leighton, A., & Ste ckler, A. (2013). Promoting Community Practitioners’ Use of Evidence-Based Approaches to Increase Breast Cancer Screening. Public Health Nursing, 30(4), 323-331. doi:10.1111/phn.12021 Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2012167333&site=ehost-live Meredith, S. M. (2013).

Financial Meltdown of 2008

Financial Meltdown of 2008 Introduction The 2007-2008 financial crisis has considered to be the most threatening and largest economic recession since the times of the Great Depression.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Financial Meltdown of 2008 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It caused destruction of international monetary system and became the precursor of European debt crisis. The total failure of financial institution was also another serious risk that the financial crisis created. Stock markets and housing marketing also experienced hardships, leading to foreclosures and evictions. One of the major reasons for the collapses includes the crash of the housing bubble in the United States, the phenomenon that undermined sub-prime mortgages. The financial crisis was also determined by a sophisticated interaction of reforms encouraging home ownership and over-evaluation of the credit market. In the documentaries Inside the Meltdown an d Breaking the Bank, the attention is given to the role of the housing bubble in creating the financial recession and breakdown of the leading financial institutions. Specifically, Inside the Meltdown focuses on the previous cases of credit market pitfalls that were not considered properly (Frontline 2013a). What is more threatening is that most of the financial experts did not attain much importance to the dramatically declined figures. As a result, the crisis has changed entirely the financial system, but the news has spread immediately about the impossibility of the business companies and financial institutions to estimate the actual damages that the consequences of house bubbling caused to the economic system. In Breaking the Bank, the focus is made on participants and victims of the crash of the financial system and credit market (Frontline 2013b). While discussing personalities, such as Merrill Lynch who was in charge of a privilege position, the documentary pays attention to his high competence and professionalism that, however, did not help him avert the crisis. The financial meltdown of 2008 could be a great lesson for the leading financial institutions, as well as for those who are interested in sub-prime mortgages. Consumers, therefore, should examine carefully opportunities and threats that this venture could provide to them.Advertising Looking for critical writing on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These documentaries are beneficial for financial experts who should reconsider their credit policy and develop powerful structures and coping mechanisms to deal with economic recessions effectively. In the pursuit of money, simple decisions and fast methods for gaining profit are not always the solutions. Analysis of political and economic backgrounds is also necessary for the financial institutions to evaluate the capacity of the world economy, as well as restructure the crediting system. The documentaries succinctly represent a one-dimensional outlook on the predetermined conditions of the financial crisis. Interviews with the people from Wall Street, business managers, and chief executive officers have provided a broader insight into the case. At this point, it is necessary to search for additional statistics about the crisis to justify the events described in the documentary. Additionally, analysis of personal attitudes and perceptions is another important stance that could be considered while watching the films. In conclusion, it should be stressed that the burst out of the house bubbling has become the precursor of financial crisis, leading to the breakdown of the world’s leading financial institutions and banks. In the documentaries under analysis, emphasis is placed on the political, economic, and psychological aspects of the crisis of the credit market, as well as attitudes and perceptions on the part of specialists and victims o f the economic recession. References Frontline. (2013a). Breaking the Bank. PBS Video. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-breaking-the-bank/ Frontline. (2013b) Inside the Meltdown. PBS Video. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-inside-the-meltdown/Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Financial Meltdown of 2008 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

saliva cortisol essays

saliva cortisol essays An increased amount of cortisol is released in response to a stressor which lasts longer than a few minutes this is released through a system called the hypothalomic-pituatry-adrenal axis (HPA axis). HPA axis is the combined system of corticopin-releasing hormone (CRH) adrenocorticotropohic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol release. Cortisol release is controlled by the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) which is positioned in the hypothalamus it is here that CRH is released when the person is put under stress this in turn causes the release of ACTH by acting on the pituitary gland this ACTH then causes the adrenal cortex to release cortisol. Cortisol is usually released in approximately fifteen minute bursts this occurs as CRH and ACTH are only released in pulses not a prolonged release over time this results in the level of cortisol dips between these pulses. Cortisol itself has roughly a half life of 100 minutes in blood. A prolonged burst of ACTH can cause the adrenal cortex to increase in size so that it can cope with the extra production of cortisol where as the opposite occurs if there is a decrease in the long term production of ACTH. The level of cortisol in the body is kept at safe levels by a process of negative and positive feedback throughout the brain. A certain amount of cortisol is always found in the bloodstream. Much like other things cortisol also has a circadian rhythm controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus the bodys internal clock. Cortisol peaks are found in the morning at approximately eight to ten oclock with the lowest amounts of cortisol being found in the evening before bedtime. This is due to the suprachiasmatic nucleus sending messages to the paraventricular nucleus approximately every hour causing CRH to be released resulting in the release of cortisol as described earlier. Abnormal circadian rhythms have been found in people with illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, se...

Major General Darius N. Couch - Civil War

Major General Darius N. Couch - Civil War Darius Couch - Early Life Career: The son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Couch, Darius Nash Couch was born in Southeast, NY on July 23, 1822.   Raised in the area, he received his education locally and ultimately decided upon pursuing a military career.   Applying to the US Military Academy, Couch received an appointment in 1842.   Arriving at West Point, his classmates included George B. McClellan, Thomas Stonewall Jackson, George Stoneman, Jesse Reno, and George Pickett.   An above average student, Couch graduated four years later ranked 13th in a class of 59.   Commissioned as a brevet second lieutenant on July 1, 1846, he was ordered to join the 4th US Artillery. Darius Couch - Mexico Interwar Years: As the United States was engaged in the Mexican-American War, Couch soon found himself serving in Major General Zachary Taylors army in northern Mexico.   Seeing action at the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847, he earned a brevet promotion to first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct.   Remaining in the region for the remainder of the conflict, Couch received orders to return north for garrison duty at Fortress Monroe in 1848.   Sent to Fort Pickens in Pensacola, FL the following year, he took part in operations against the Seminoles before resuming garrison duty.   As the early 1850s passed, Couch moved through assignments in New York, Missouri, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.    Possessing an interest in the natural world, Couch took a leave of absence from the US Army in 1853 and conducted an expedition to northern Mexico to collect specimens for the recently-established Smithsonian Institution.   During this time, he discovered new species of kingbird and spadefoot toad which were named in his honor.   In 1854, Couch married Mary C. Crocker and returned to military service.   Remaining in uniform for another year, he resigned his commission to become a merchant in New York City.   In 1857, Couch moved to Taunton, MA where he assumed a position at his in-laws copper fabrication firm. Darius Couch - The Civil War Begins: Employed in Taunton when the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter beginning the Civil War, Couch quickly volunteered his services to the Union cause.   Appointed to command the 7th Massachusetts Infantry with the rank of colonel on June 15, 1861, he then led the regiment south and aided in constructing defenses around Washington, DC.   In August, Couch was promoted to brigadier general and that fall received a brigade in McClellans newly-formed Army of the Potomac.   Training his men through the winter, he was further elevated in early 1862 when he took command of a division in Brigadier General Erasmus D. Keyes IV Corps.   Moving south in the spring, Couchs division landed on the Peninsula and in early April served in the Siege of Yorktown. Darius Couch - On the Peninsula: With the Confederate withdrawal from Yorktown on May 4, Couchs men took part in the pursuit and played a key role in halting an attack by Brigadier General James Longstreet at the Battle of Williamsburg.   Moving towards Richmond as the month progressed, Couch and IV Corps came under heavy assault on May 31 at the Battle of Seven Pines.   This saw them briefly forced back before repelling Major General D.H. Hills Confederates.   In late June, as General Robert E. Lee commenced his Seven Days Battles, Couchs division retreated as McClellan withdrew east.   In the course of the fighting, his men took part in the Union defense of Malvern Hill on July 1.   With the failure of the campaign, Couchs division was detached from IV Corps and sent north. Darius Couch - Fredericksburg: During this time, Couch suffered from increasingly ill health.   This led him submit a letter of resignation to McClellan.   Unwilling to lose a gifted officer, the Union commander did not forward Couchs letter and instead had him promoted to major general to date from July 4.   While his division did not participate in the Second Battle of Manassas, Couch led his troops into the field in early September during the Maryland Campaign.   This saw them support VI Corps attack at Cramptons Gap during the Battle of South Mountain on September 14.   Three days later, the division moved towards Antietam but did not take part in the fighting.   In the wake of the battle, McClellan was relieved of command and replaced with Major General Ambrose Burnside.   Reorganizing the Army of the Potomac, Burnside placed Couch in command of II Corps on November 14.   This formation was in turn assigned to Major General Edwin V. Sumners Right Grand Division.   Marching south towards Fredericksburg, II Corps divisions were led by Brigadier Generals Winfield S. Hancock, Oliver O. Howard, and William H. French.   On December 12, a brigade from Couchs corps was dispatched across the Rappahannock to sweep the Confederates from Fredericksburg and allow Union engineers to construct bridges across the river.   The next day, as the Battle of Fredericksburg commenced, II Corps received orders to assault the formidable Confederate position on Maryes Heights.   Though Couch vehemently opposed the attack feeling that it would like be repulsed with heavy losses, Burnside insisted that II Corps move forward. Advancing early that afternoon, Couchs predictions proved accurate as each division was repelled in turn and the corps sustained over 4,000 casualties.          Darius Couch - Chancellorsville: Following the disaster at Fredericksburg, President Abraham Lincoln replaced Burnside with Major General Joseph Hooker.   This saw another reorganization of the army that left Couch in command of II Corps and made him the senior corps commander in the Army of the Potomac.   For the spring of 1863, Hooker intended to leave a force at Fredericksburg to hold Lee in place while he swung the army north and west to approach the enemy from behind.   Moving out in late April, the army was across the Rappahannock and moving east on May 1.   Largely held in reserve, Couch became concerned about Hookers performance when his superior appeared to lose his nerve that evening and elected to shift to the defensive after the opening actions of the Battle of Chancellorsville.    On May 2, the Union situation worsened when a devastating attack by Jackson routed Hookers right flank.   Holding his section of the line, Couchs frustrations grew the following morning when Hooker was rendered unconscious and possibly sustained a concussion when a shell hit a column he was leaning against.   Though unfit for command after awakening, Hooker refused to turn full command of the army over to Couch and instead timidly played out the battles final stages before ordering a retreat north.   Quarreling with Hooker in the weeks after the battle, Couch requested reassignment and left II Corps on May 22.   Darius Couch - Gettysburg Campaign: Given command of the newly-created Department of the Susquehanna on June 9, Couch quickly worked to organize troops to oppose Lees invasion of Pennsylvania.   Utilizing forces largely comprised of emergency militia, he ordered fortifications built to protect Harrisburg and dispatched men to slow the Confederate advance.   Skirmishing with Lieutenant General Richard Ewell and Major General J.E.B. Stuarts forces at Sporting Hill and Carlisle respectively, Couchs men helped ensure that the Confederates stayed on the west bank of the Susquehanna in the days prior to the Battle of Gettysburg.   In the wake of the Union victory in early July, Couchs troops aided in the pursuit of Lee as the Army of Northern Virginia sought to escape south.   Remaining in Pennsylvania for most of 1864, Couch saw action that July when he responded to Brigadier General John McCauslands burning of Chambersburg, PA.          Darius Couch - Tennessee the Carolinas: In December, Couch received command of a division in Major General John Schofields XXIII Corps in Tennessee.   Attached to Major General George H. Thomas Army of the Cumberland, he took part in the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16.   In the course of the fighting on the first day, Couchs men aided in shattering the Confederate left and played a role in driving them from the field a day later.   Remaining with his division for the rest of the war, Couch saw service during the Carolinas Campaign in the final weeks of the conflict.   Resigning from the army in late May, Couch returned to Massachusetts where he unsuccessfully ran for governor.   Darius Couch - Later Life: Named the customs inspector for the Port of Boston in 1866, Couch only briefly held the post as the Senate did not confirm his appointment.   Returning to business, he accepted the presidency of the (West) Virginia Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1867.   Four years later, Couch moved to Connecticut to serve as the quartermaster-general of the states militia.   Later adding the position of adjutant general, he remained with the militia until 1884.   Spending his final years in Norwalk, CT, Couch died there on February 12, 1897.   His remains were interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Taunton.   Ã‚   Selected Sources Blue Gray Trail: Darius CouchUS Army History: Chancellorsville Staff RideAztec Club: Darius Couch

Despite the rhetoric of employee engagement, organisations still want Essay - 1

Despite the rhetoric of employee engagement, organisations still want to exert tighter control - Essay Example Despite the positive results of employee engagement, the organisations exert tighter control on the employees so as to make them more disciplined and increase the productivity (Brief & Weiss 2002). Taylorism or scientific management aims at simplifying and optimizing the jobs so as to increase the productivity of the employees. The theory depicts that the employees and managers should cooperate so as to maintain a good relation (Parker 2005). According to Frederick Taylor, the workers are motivated by the money so they should be offered fair day’s pay and he also mentioned that if the workers failed to achieve the goal for the day he/she does not deserve to be paid as high as a productive worker. Taylorism highlighted efficiency and does not concentrate on the employee welfare. The theory detailed that few workers are efficient compared to other hence they should be motivated with higher incentives. The main purpose of the essay is to highlight the reason why organisations exert tighter control on the employees despite positive result of employee engagement in light of Taylorism. In the past few decades, employee engagement has gained prominence due to its successful results in organizations. A number of researchers are executed on this topic in order to understand whether it has helped in developing good relationship between employees and managers. According to Holbeche & Springett (2003), employee engagement is defined as the combination of different commitments, which are made by the employees to the organization; it also aims at adding value for assisting the colleagues. However, Schmidt (2004) has defined employee engagement as the relationship between satisfaction and commitment in job. Here, satisfaction refers to the emotional or attitudinal elements wherein, commitment indicates motivational and physical elements of the individuals. He

Political socialization autobigraphy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Political socialization autobigraphy - Essay Example Roosevelt’s New Deal program aimed to stop the depression and start building the state’s economy. 2. What is the party of my parents? As our family belongs to the Republican Party, the party itself is generally conservative, but the "Religious Right" is much more of a populist. The name of the party was adopted during a state convention held in Jackson, MI on July 6, 1854. â€Å"The Republican Party name was christened in an editorial written by New York newspaper magnate Horace Greeley. Greeley printed in June 1854: "We should not care much whether those thus united (against slavery) were designated 'Whig,' 'Free Democrat' or something else; though we think some simple name like 'Republican' would more fitly designate those who had united to restore the Union to its true mission of champion and promulgator of Liberty rather than propagandist of slavery† (USHistory.Org, 2010). 3. Were your parents ever politically active? My parents were not politically active be cause they are overseas with the navy during the Gulf War. Since it was the country that my parents were fighting for, they did not have second thoughts when they joined the navy during the gulf war. Patriotism always comes first before anything else. As the song goes, America is the â€Å"land of the free and the home of the brave.† When one is asked to fight for his country, though his life would be at risk and he will be away from his family, there is no greater honor than to fight for the land where one is born and raised. It is not a personal honor yet it is a pride of the family and legacy which will be left to the future generations. It would not just be in this lifetime that people would be thankful for him for the courage that he has shown. His name would be part of the history of the country for which he fought for. 4. Did you ever discuss politics or public policy with your parents? No, I do not really discuss political or public policy with my parents. One reason why children are not discussing politics with their parents is to avoid any misunderstandings. Another reason is that others are simply not interested due to the fact that there are too many conflicts which can bring about stress to the public specifically in relation to the political affiliations of people. There are still quite a handful of clans who thinks differently towards people who belong to the other political group. 5. Who are the 3 people that are good influence on values beliefs and opinions? The members of my family especially my parents are considered to be the most influential people in my life. They set good examples in terms of how I should make decisions in the different aspects of my life. 6. What other events can you remember that influenced your values and beliefs? There have been too many events that happened in this lifetime. Though there would be one way or another that it influenced me, it still isn’t enough to change my dispositions and beliefs or op inions towards certain issues. I have been brought up to be a responsible adult by my parents. Therefore, I would make decisions based on what I know and what is given during a specific time. 7. From what sources do you currently get your information about politics? The government has been transparent with news that concerns the people. There are still those traditional ways that the information is disseminated just like the newspaper, radio and TV. Though for them to reach out to the youth there are some

Micro12isa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Micro12isa - Essay Example This shows the boom period in which the minimum wage is increased because of which restaurants owners have to pay more to their waiters as well as it increases the cost of meals and would result in increase in unemployment. The demand and supply curve in the above graph show the impact of the taxes imposed by government on price and quantity demanded. In the above graph the Pe and Qe are the equilibrium price and quantity demanded respectively. Suppose the government imposed tax on any good and the amount of this tax is shared by both producers and the consumers as well. Supply curve shifts from S to S1 because of this tax as the producer desires to sell the good at higher prices in order to decrease the tax’s effect on him and this result in the increase in the price of the good from â€Å"Pe† to â€Å"Pt† as well as decrease in the quantity demanded â€Å"Qe† to â€Å"Qt.† Therefore from the graph we can conclude that if government imposes on any good it would result in decrease in the producer’s revenue, raises prices for consumers, and decreases the quantity of the good available in the market. Now let suppose the government put a tax on this product and also the demand curve is perfectly elastic then the supply curve shifts leftward that is the producer will decrease the supply of product because of which the producer’s surplus decreases and he will have to pay the tax. This we can in the graph given below. Apparently the producers seem to have little costs due to the drug being illegal so the trading does not include any taxation. However the usual cost includes cost of production, transportation, legal actions that may be taken at any step by law enforcing agencies in case of being caught. In case the contrabands are made legal, governments will impose taxation and duties on their trading due to their harmful effects. Such duties will decline the producer surplus and the part of their

Environmental Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Environmental Economics - Essay Example A crisis that is brought about by the accelerated and possible irrevocably impacts of the human activities on the nature agitate for cooperative responses by the intercontinental institutions, governments and the whole populace as well. Governance has therefore, been in the forefront to try and meet the crisis brought about by the environmental problems in the world by their efforts to pool their various experiences and knowledge of the concerned agents and institutions (Gaikwad, 2011). But it should be understood that, the augmenting scales and the gravities of the environmental concerns that are in terms of climatic changes, depletion of biological diversity and deprivation of the ecosystem service threatens to block and likely attempt by various stakeholders including global markets and all the international corporations to reach a solution (Tata Motors, 2012). This aspect has therefore, played a major role in restricting some possible prospects of the economic progress in most re gions and countries The environmental protection actions still remain inadequate in the warning face of the scientific community. The essential reforms indicate a sluggish process that necessitates a lot of diplomatic negotiations, time, energy and above everything money. An extremely serious environmental crisis has demonstrated its in capabilities in the generation of the unanimous reaction from all countries (Gaikwad, 2011). The persistence divisions among the global markets have played a major role in slowing down the advancement towards a suitable organized international environmental governance. Nature pays no attention on the social and the political obstructions and more so various environmental aspects which are meant for change that includes contamination and climatic changes that are indifferent to both borders and states. The international nature of the rooming environmental crisis tends to revoke out the outcomes of all the measures put in place unilaterally by any nati onal body or a particular institution. This therefore, raises a greater need to formulate and apply lasting means for the inter-sector collaboration derived from a holistic perspective of sustainability. A feature of cooperation is needed between the actors and the organizations who are working on the environmental problems (Srinivas, 1999). Along the Montreal protocol to eliminate materials that diminish the ozone layer, it was identified that the stratospheric ozone layer act as shelter in the atmosphere which protects lives on planet earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Scientists therefore, observed that, the ozone layer was getting thinner every now and then. The Nations that are UN recognized have endorsed a treaty and are forging ahead to ban the production of the substances that destroy the ozone layer while also coming up with other ozone friendly options (US Environmental

Dracula Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dracula - Essay Example In Gothic text, the fight between the forces of good and bad often dominates the intrigue. (Craft 1984) In Dracula, that conflict is principally based on the fate of its female characters, Lucy and Mina. Neither Mina nor Lucy is an intense character. Both symbolize the Victorian models of female desirable qualities. The two types of women portrayed in the novel are in stark contrast to each other: Lucy and Mina symbolize purity and goodness, while the three brides of Dracula in the castle characterize sleaze and sin. Dracula intimidates womanly good features, as the seductive voluptuous sisters confirm his knack to change the women into passionately sex demanding â€Å"devils of the Pit.† By the time Dracula reaches England and starts working his evil magic on Lucy, one understands that the imminent battle between the good and the bad will center on feminine sexuality. Both Lucy and Mina appear to be bookish versions of old times virtues personified. The two women are faithful, pure and untouched by the world’s evils, and are totally dedicated to their men. However, Dracula tries to transform the two women and reverse their natures by turning them into voluptuous women having unapologetically open sexual desires. Both Lucy and Mina encounter Dracula and experience such transformation. However Lucy falls most dreadfully under Dracula’s spell. Even though Lucy’s letters acknowledge the male fantasy of supremacy: Her letters also disclose that she fantasized sexually active life unlike most women of Victorian era. She is not just a ‘desired’ woman who gets three marriage proposals on the same day but also the one who desires more sex in her life. Lucy writes: Although she immediately retracts from such words but that appears normal on her part since sex was considered ‘dirty’ during those time. She had the desires to experience life outside the restrictions of conservative morality. Dracula’s depiction of women makes the story

Environmental Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Environmental Economics - Essay Example A crisis that is brought about by the accelerated and possible irrevocably impacts of the human activities on the nature agitate for cooperative responses by the intercontinental institutions, governments and the whole populace as well. Governance has therefore, been in the forefront to try and meet the crisis brought about by the environmental problems in the world by their efforts to pool their various experiences and knowledge of the concerned agents and institutions (Gaikwad, 2011). But it should be understood that, the augmenting scales and the gravities of the environmental concerns that are in terms of climatic changes, depletion of biological diversity and deprivation of the ecosystem service threatens to block and likely attempt by various stakeholders including global markets and all the international corporations to reach a solution (Tata Motors, 2012). This aspect has therefore, played a major role in restricting some possible prospects of the economic progress in most re gions and countries The environmental protection actions still remain inadequate in the warning face of the scientific community. The essential reforms indicate a sluggish process that necessitates a lot of diplomatic negotiations, time, energy and above everything money. An extremely serious environmental crisis has demonstrated its in capabilities in the generation of the unanimous reaction from all countries (Gaikwad, 2011). The persistence divisions among the global markets have played a major role in slowing down the advancement towards a suitable organized international environmental governance. Nature pays no attention on the social and the political obstructions and more so various environmental aspects which are meant for change that includes contamination and climatic changes that are indifferent to both borders and states. The international nature of the rooming environmental crisis tends to revoke out the outcomes of all the measures put in place unilaterally by any nati onal body or a particular institution. This therefore, raises a greater need to formulate and apply lasting means for the inter-sector collaboration derived from a holistic perspective of sustainability. A feature of cooperation is needed between the actors and the organizations who are working on the environmental problems (Srinivas, 1999). Along the Montreal protocol to eliminate materials that diminish the ozone layer, it was identified that the stratospheric ozone layer act as shelter in the atmosphere which protects lives on planet earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Scientists therefore, observed that, the ozone layer was getting thinner every now and then. The Nations that are UN recognized have endorsed a treaty and are forging ahead to ban the production of the substances that destroy the ozone layer while also coming up with other ozone friendly options (US Environmental

Extream leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Extream leader - Essay Example Their main traits are their tenacity, positive attitude and humility. They welcome other people’s opinion and views. They are capable of turnaround strategy through sheer force of will, flexibility and desire to find the solution. McDonald’s, Apple, Citibank, Amazon etc. have extreme leaders at the helm. These companies not only have leadership position in the industry but their innovative ideas and subsequent high growth have made indelible mark in the corporate world. Leaders like, Ray Croc of McDonald’s, Steve Job of Apple, Charles Prince of Citibank and Jeffery Bezos of Amazon, have all been extraordinary in their vision which they had the guts to transform into success. They were all dynamic leaders who accepted challenges and saw opportunities in adversity. They relentlessly pursued and brought their company to the pinnacle of success despite adverse circumstances. Moreover, they were leaders who shared their vision with the workers and appreciated their input. Indeed, these traits are rare and therefore make them the most sought after leaders for companies who want to make a distinct place in the highly volatile

Amoled Technology Essay Example for Free

Amoled Technology Essay Since 2001, funded by national and european programs, the Institute is developing new research lines focused on molecular magnets, molecular opto-electronic devices, molecular machines and supraand supermolecular structures with long lived electron transfer processes. The IcMol has employed more than 100 scientific researchers and is based at the Valencia University Campus. The Institute presents the most advanced systems for the preparation and characterization of organic light emitting diodes, organic solar cells and other molecule based opto-electronic devices. Main tasks in the project are the following: †¢ Preparation of p and n type solution processable charge injection layers †¢ Wet processing of optically or electronically active small molecules †¢ Hybrid and standard device preparation and characterization www. uv. es www. icmol. es Appendix 5:CombOLED Project, Partners Leti Leti is a CEA laboratory located in Grenoble which is one of the main European applied research centres in electronics. More than 85% of its activity is devoted to research that is conducted with outside partners. We are a partner to the industrial world, with 200 collaborators and 350 contracts a year. Leti has led to the creation of almost 30 start-ups in high-technology, including Soitec, the world leader in Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI). We files some 180 patents a year and manage a portfolio of 1,000 inventions protected by patents. Our main areas of activity are as follows: †¢Micro-and nano-technologies for microelectronics, †¢ Technologies, design and integration of microsystems, †¢ Imaging technologies, †¢ Micro- and nano-technologies for biology and health, †¢ Communication technologies and nomad objects. Leti is endowed with an annual budget of 174 Mâ‚ ¬ and employs 1,000 people with, in addition, more than 500 external collaborators (postgraduates, research partners and industrialists). We have 11,000m? of clean rooms, an equipment portfolio worth 200 Mâ‚ ¬ and we invest more than 40 Mâ‚ ¬ a year on new equipment. Leti is one of the main forces behind Minatec ®, Europe’s premier Centre of Excellence in Microand Nano-technologies. In the future Minatec ® is destined to bring together more than 4,000 researchers, industrialists and teaching staff in Grenoble. www-leti. cea. fr Appendix 5:CombOLED Project, Partners PPML PPML is one of the first European companies that are investing in OLED applications. PPML was born in 2005 with the aim to become the excellence in manufacturing OLED based solutions. Having collected a wide database of feasible applications, PPML is currently working in the deployment of some prototypes and general demonstrator in partnership with OSRAM-OS and with the aim to launch the first solutions in parallel with OLED introduction into the lighting market. PPML will contribute to CombOLED project leading the dissemination activities in order to accelerate OLED penetration to the final users. For this reason, PPML will lead a wide dissemination campaign through known channels like the organization of a specific Design Contest and special Workshops with the major European Design School. www. ppml. it Appendix 5:CombOLED Project, Partners Schreiner Group Innovation, Quality, Performance and Enthusiasm are the values of Schreiner Group based in Oberschleissheim near Munich. The family-owned business develops, designs and produces high-tech products. As certified system suppliers and development partners, seven specialized divisions offer a comprehensive range of innovative products and customized solutions. Schreiner ProTech delivers individual solutions for self-adhesive markings and functional components for engineering industries. Schreiner MediPharm focuses on self-adhesive products for medical technology and pharmaceuticals. Schreiner ProSecure offers a wide range of counterfeit-proof solutions for authenticity and value protection. Schreiner LogiData specializes in data carriers, transponders and complete systems based on RFID technology. Schreiner VarioLight develops and produces printed electronics, in particular high-grade electroluminescent lamps with electronic power supply and control components. Schreiner Systems offers complete solutions from consulting support and development of specifications, to delivery and installation of hard- and software, all the way to after-sales service. Schreiner Labels designs and produces labels for product marking and advertising. Schreiner Groups experience in printing electronic devices stems from various products including antennas, capacitive sensors and electroluminescent lamps.

Advantages Of Mixed Economy To Hilton Kuching Marketing Essay

Advantages Of Mixed Economy To Hilton Kuching Marketing Essay In this assignment we have chosen Hilton Hotel, Kuching as our research and analysis. Hilton Kuching is located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, which is at the center of the city. From Kuching International Airport, it usually takes 25 minutes to arrive Hilton. Surround the hotel; there are variety of shops such as the 24-hours convenience shop 7-11, the coffee shop, the lounge, bistro and shopping mall. It is very convenient for the guests who wish to have different kind of activities during their stay at the accommodation. Hilton Kuching provides guests with different types of facilities and services. For the business convenience, Hilton Hotel provide the guest with business center which is well equipped with the internet access, express mail, printer, photocopying service and etc. They also provide the businessman with the meeting room in order to allow the businessman meet with their client. Apart from that, the hotel also provides some service to the family who come for vacation. The service is such as the babysitting service, the family package offer, the cribs and the playground. For the other convenient of the guest, the hotel has provide the guest with the other service such as the concierge desk, the barber shop, the lounge, the safety deposit box, the guest recreation desk and the multi-lingual staff. During the time of the guests stay, Hilton Hotel provide the places for them to have their outdoor activities such as the swimming pool and the tennis court. For the food and beverage service, Hilton Hotel provides the restaurant where they serve different types of cuisine. For example, the Waterfront Restaurant that serves the guest in buffet style. They are opened for the breakfast, lunch and dinner. For the Toh Yuen Restaurant, they serve Chinese cuisine. The guests can have their meal their during the lunch and dinner time. Sometime, the Chinese will held the wedding at that restaurant. Apart from that, the hotel also provides the guests with fine-dining service at the Steakhouse. They serve the western food for the guests and the well known dish that recommended by the chef is the steak and sirloin. These are the 3 main restaurants that located in the establishment. Apart from these 3, there are other lunge and bistro such as the Senso bar where the guests can taste the variety of cocktails, the Cafà © Cino where is full with the aroma of coffee and serve the freshly baked bread. They also provide the wireless service to the guests. Lastly, the Hilton Hotel provides the guest with 7 types of room with different room rates. The room type is such as the King Deluxe Plus, King Guestroom Plus, King Hilton Guestroom, Twin Guestroom Plus, Twin Hilton Guestroom, Suites and the King Executive Suite. Every different type of room will have their own room rate and the highest rate is the King Executive Suite. The Hilton Hotel is experiencing a mixed economy in Kuching which means that the economic system that combined the private and states enterprise. Hilton Hotel does not have the full control on their establishment. The mixed economy which is experienced by the Hilton Hotel brings them the advantage and disadvantage. We will look into the details of what advantages and disadvantages has bring to the hotel in the coming pages. Executive Summary In this assignment, we have chosen Hilton Hotel, Kuching as our research and discussion. Hilton Kuching has experienced a mixed economy in Kuching. Mixed economy is an economic system that combines the private and the state enterprises. It is the common form of national economic organization, somewhere between the command economy and a market economy. The degree of government intervention is the basis of most political division in countries using this system. The objective of this assignment is to enable us to know more about the economy that experienced by the Hilton Kuching which is mixed economy. It also enables us to understand the advantages and disadvantages for Hilton Kuching to have mixed economy. Through this assignment, we will be able to understand the details of mixed economy but not the surface only. It also helps us to improve our knowledge and look into detail of the economic world. Nowadays, teenagers do not concern about the economy of particular country and with this assignment, we have the opportunities to look into the articles and the news of mixed economy. It helps us to improve our knowledge on the economic field. As a conclusion, this assignment can guide our concentration to a new environment and new field which is economic environment and this will help us a lot in our future. Advantages of Mixed Economy to Hilton Kuching Hilton Kuching is experiencing a mixed economy and this has brought them few advantages. We will look into detail on how the advantages influence the hotels operation. The first advantage of the mixed economy to Hilton Hotel is that the business can make their decision by their own is some areas. They do not need to follow exactly what the government has stated down. They have their own rights in making decision. For example, the top management of Hilton Kuching can choose to have a foreigner as their manager and in charge in the particular department. Apart from that, the food and beverage department can also import the ingredients for their food from the other country. It is such as some of the seafood that the restaurant needs to import from Japan or Korea. The second advantage is that the government has limited control which is good for the structure. Sometime, due to the regulation that has been set by the government, the public need to accept it but with the mixed economy, the operation has much more freedom in controlling and running their operation. They are able to have their own idea as long as they do not have any illegal act. At the same time, they are able to get the help from the government. The third advantage is that Hilton can get the active government support and direction in their operation while at the same time; they can have their own idea and doing what they wish to do. They can have their own plan; own mission, own vision and also their own target on how they want to achieve the target that has been set. For example, when they are having financial problem such as the problem in turnover, they can get the support and help from the government in order to help operation to overcome the problem. The fourth advantage is that all national resources are utilized under the mixed economy. This is because both public and private sectors work hard to bring out more production and this can helps a lot in the growth of economy of Hilton Hotel. The production can be in the term of promotion, which the government helps to top up their sales of room, in the term of producing food and beverage and etc. The fifth advantage for Hilton Hotel to have mixed economy is that by the using of mixed economy, the both parties are able to strengthen their relation and create a more stable condition of the operation. They help each other in growing up on the economy where as the Hilton will help to grow the economy of Kuching while the government will help to grow the economy of Hilton by helping them to earn more profit. So these are the advantages of the mixed economy bring to the Hilton Hotel, Kuching. Disadvantages of Mixed Economy to Hilton Kuching After looking into the advantages of mixed economy for Hilton Kuching, we will look into the disadvantage of mixed economy for Hilton Kuching and how it influences the operation of the Hilton Kuching. The first disadvantage of the mixed economy for Hilton Hotel, Kuching is that the government intervention in this system to protect the economy will cause the limitation of production because government is responsible for some of the production in this operation. The varieties of products tend to be limited and controlled. For example, due to Malaysia is an Islamic country, Muslim occupying most of the population in Malaysia, the Waterfront Restaurant of Hilton Kuching is required to be Halal which they serve the food without any pork. This can decrease the mobility of the business in preparing the food because without serving pork, they might loss most of their guests who like to eat pork. Pork can be served in variety ways and most of the Chinese love to eat pork. Without serving pork, the restaurant might loss most of their Chinese guests and this can cause them loss an amount of profit. The second advantage is that minor decisions from the business and consumer have to follow the governments policies. With the intervention of government, the operation has a limitation in setting their policies which is such as the example that has been given above. The hotel is required not to serve the pork in their main dining restaurant which is Waterfront Restaurant. apart from that, most of the administrative policies are also based on the governments decision such as the working hour of the staffs, the type of uniform that the staffs should wear and the design of the room. The uniform of the Waterfront Restaurant is based on the Malay costume while for the design of the room, there will be an arrow which shows the direction for the Muslims prayer. Due to this intervention, every room is requested to have the arrow on top pf the ceiling. The third disadvantage is that mixed economy tends to encourage more states monopolies, higher and higher tax and dominant the public finance, making the government the overwhelmingly large economic player as compared to the corporate or the individual entities. Sometime the operation are not in control of the taxes that the guests need to pay and for those guests who do not understand the procedures, they may feel that the charges for the tax is unnecessary and somehow the charges is too much. As we all know that, every guest who stays in the hotel room will need to pay the 5% of government tax and 10% of service tax. The fourth disadvantage is that mixed economy system often turns into the closed economies hindering the international trade and the globalization and depriving citizens from the benefits of an interdependent world economics. This might be due to some regulation of the government and in order not to disobey the regulation; the operation has to stop the particular plans. For example, Hilton Hotel is a well known hotel which they can actually have a more attractive and fashionable design, but due to the intervention of government; they have a limited idea on the design of building because they need the approval from the government. This has cause many limitation to the management of the establishment. For example, the interior design of the hotel. The design is allowed to be more fashionable and attractive but due to the intervention of the government which they might need to save cost for the materials, they will change the design to a more simple design which is acceptable for the pu blic and affordable to them. This can reduce the ambience of the whole establishment and the guest has loss their opportunities to experience a better environment which is like the western country. The fifth disadvantage is that mixed economy system has a natural tendency to move further and further away from the reliance on the competitive market. With the help of the government, the operation does not need to worry about their profit because they can get the support from the government. The government will always held their function at the hotel which provides the government staffs with the accommodation. The example of the activities is such as the workshop or some particular course to improve the skill of government staffs. It is such as the computer course which is prepared for the clerk who working with the government. Summary As a conclusion, we have discussed about the advantage and disadvantage of the mixed economy to the Hilton Hotel, Kuching and how these two elements influence the hotel. As we all know, Hilton Hotel should maintain their strength and improve their weaknesses which can be found out in the research that we have done. For the advantage, we know that the main advantage is the Hilton are able to cooperate with the government in order to improve their performance while for the disadvantage, we know that there are some limitation in running the operation. For example, the limitation of the production. Hilton Kuching should find a solution to overcome the weaknesses and also the problem that cause by the mixed economy in order to ensure their establishment can maintain their present guest and attract more guests to have a nice stay at Hilton Hotel, Kuching.

East Asian Economic Crisis :: essays papers

East Asian Economic Crisis A large economic downturn in East Asia threatens to end its nearly 30 year run of high growth rates. The crisis has caused Asian currencies to fall 50-60%, stock markets to decline 40%, banks to close, and property values to drop. The crisis was brought on by currency devaluations, bad banking practices, high foreign debt,loose government regulation, and corruption. Due to East Asia's large impact on the world economy, the panic in Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and other Asian countries has prompted other countries to worry about the affect on their own economies and offer aid to the financially troubled nations (Sanger 1). The East Asian crisis has affected almost all of the Asian nations, but the three hardest hit countries are Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea. The panic began in Thailand in May of 1997 when speculators, worried about Thailand's slowing economy, exces sive debt, and political instability devalued the baht as they fled for market-driven currencies like the American dollar. Indonesia's economy soon fell soon after when the rupiah hit a record low against the U.S. dollar. Indonesia is plagued by more than $70 billion worth of bad debts and a corrupt and inefficient government. Thailand and Indonesia also suffer from being overbuilt during real estate booms that Reven2 were the result of huge influxes of cash by optimistic foreign investors. South Korea faltered under the weight of its huge foreign debt, decreasing exports, and weakening currency (Lochhead 4-5). Other major countries touched by the crisis are Japan, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Japan's economy is burdened by $300 billion in bad bank loans and a recession. Chinese banks may carry bad banks loans of up to $1 trillion. The banks lend 66% of China's investment capital to state-run industries that only produce 12% of China's industrial output (Manning 2). Malaysia and the Philippines are both faced with devalued currencies and lowered stock markets (Lochhead 5). The implications of the Asian financial crisis are many. A declining Asian economy will reduce demand for U.S. and other countries' exports. The devalued currencies of East Asia will make Asian imports seen cheap and will lead to increased American imports, thus increasing our trade deficit (Lochhead 2). A worldwide banking emergency could result if the embattled Asian economies failed to pay back their loans to the U.S. and other countries (Duffy 2). If the Asian economies fall further, in a desire to raise cash, they might sell the hundreds of billion dollars of U.S. treasuries they now own, leading to higher interest rates and an American recession (Lacayo 2).

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 87-92

CHAPTER 87 The fireplace in Chateau Villette's drawing room was cold, but Collet paced before it nonetheless as he read the faxes from Interpol. Not at all what he expected. Andre Vernet, according to official records, was a model citizen. No police record – not even a parking ticket. Educated at prep school and the Sorbonne, he had a cum laude degree in international finance. Interpol said Vernet's name appeared in the newspapers from time to time, but always in a positive light. Apparently the man had helped design the security parameters that kept the Depository Bank of Zurich a leader in the ultramodern world of electronic security. Vernet's credit card records showed a penchant for art books, expensive wine, and classical CD's – mostly Brahms – which he apparently enjoyed on an exceptionally high-end stereo system he had purchased several years ago. Zero, Collet sighed. The only red flag tonight from Interpol had been a set of fingerprints that apparently belonged to Teabing's servant. The chief PTS examiner was reading the report in a comfortable chair across the room. Collet looked over. â€Å"Anything?† The examiner shrugged. â€Å"Prints belong to Remy Legaludec. Wanted for petty crime. Nothing serious. Looks like he got kicked out of university for rewiring phone jacks to get free service†¦ later did some petty theft. Breaking and entering. Skipped out on a hospital bill once for an emergency tracheotomy.† He glanced up, chuckling. â€Å"Peanut allergy.† Collet nodded, recalling a police investigation into a restaurant that had failed to notate on its menu that the chili recipe contained peanut oil. An unsuspecting patron had died of anaphylactic shock at the table after a single bite. â€Å"Legaludec is probably a live-in here to avoid getting picked up.† The examiner looked amused. â€Å"His lucky night.† Collet sighed. â€Å"All right, you better forward this info to Captain Fache.† The examiner headed off just as another PTS agent burst into the living room. â€Å"Lieutenant! We found something in the barn.† From the anxious look on the agent's face, Collet could only guess. â€Å"A body.† â€Å"No, sir. Something more†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He hesitated. â€Å"Unexpected.† Rubbing his eyes, Collet followed the agent out to the barn. As they entered the musty, cavernous space, the agent motioned toward the center of the room, where a wooden ladder now ascended high into the rafters, propped against the ledge of a hayloft suspended high above them. â€Å"That ladder wasn't there earlier,† Collet said.† No, sir. I set that up. We were dusting for prints near the Rolls when I saw the ladder lying on the floor. I wouldn't have given it a second thought except the rungs were worn and muddy. This ladder gets regular use. The height of the hayloft matched the ladder, so I raised it and climbed up to have a look.† Collet's eyes climbed the ladder's steep incline to the soaring hayloft. Someone goes up thereregularly? From down here, the loft appeared to be a deserted platform, and yet admittedly most of it was invisible from this line of sight. A senior PTS agent appeared at the top of the ladder, looking down. â€Å"You'll definitely want to see this, Lieutenant,† he said, waving Collet up with a latex-gloved hand. Nodding tiredly, Collet walked over to the base of the old ladder and grasped the bottom rungs. The ladder was an antique tapered design and narrowed as Collet ascended. As he neared the top, Collet almost lost his footing on a thin rung. The barn below him spun. Alert now, he moved on, finally reaching the top. The agent above him reached out, offering his wrist. Collet grabbed it and made the awkward transition onto the platform. â€Å"It's over there,† the PTS agent said, pointing deep into the immaculately clean loft. â€Å"Only one set of prints up here. We'll have an ID shortly.† Collet squinted through the dim light toward the far wall. What the hell? Nestled against the far wall sat an elaborate computer workstation – two tower CPUs, a flat-screen video monitor with speakers, an array of hard drives, and a multichannel audio console that appeared to have its own filtered power supply. Why in the world would anyone work all the way up here? Collet moved toward the gear. â€Å"Have you examined the system?† â€Å"It's a listening post.† Collet spun. â€Å"Surveillance?† The agent nodded. â€Å"Very advanced surveillance.† He motioned to a long project table strewn with electronic parts, manuals, tools, wires, soldering irons, and other electronic components. â€Å"Someone clearly knows what he's doing. A lot of this gear is as sophisticated as our own equipment. Miniature microphones, photoelectric recharging cells, high-capacity RAM chips. He's even got some of those new nano drives.† Collet was impressed. â€Å"Here's a complete system,† the agent said, handing Collet an assembly not much larger than a pocket calculator. Dangling off the contraption was a foot-long wire with a stamp-sized piece of wafer-thin foil stuck on the end. â€Å"The base is a high-capacity hard disk audio recording system with rechargeable battery. That strip of foil at the end of the wire is a combination microphone and photoelectric recharging cell.† Collet knew them well. These foil-like, photocell microphones had been an enormous breakthrough a few years back. Now, a hard disk recorder could be affixed behind a lamp, for example, with its foil microphone molded into the contour of the base and dyed to match. As long as the microphone was positioned such that it received a few hours of sunlight per day, the photo cells would keep recharging the system. Bugs like this one could listen indefinitely. â€Å"Reception method?† Collet asked. The agent signaled to an insulated wire that ran out of the back of the computer, up the wall, through a hole in the barn roof. â€Å"Simple radio wave. Small antenna on the roof.† Collet knew these recording systems were generally placed in offices, were voice-activated to save hard disk space, and recorded snippets of conversation during the day, transmitting compressed audio files at night to avoid detection. After transmitting, the hard drive erased itself and prepared to do it all over again the next day. Collet's gaze moved now to a shelf on which were stacked several hundred audio cassettes, all labeled with dates and numbers. Someone has been very busy.He turned back to the agent. â€Å"Doyou have any idea what target is being bugged?† â€Å"Well, Lieutenant,† the agent said, walking to the computer and launching a piece of software. â€Å"It's the strangest thing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  CHAPTER 88 Langdon felt utterly spent as he and Sophie hurdled a turnstile at the Temple tube station and dashed deep into the grimy labyrinth of tunnels and platforms. The guilt ripped through him. I involved Leigh, and now he's in enormous danger. Remy's involvement had been a shock, and yet it made sense. Whoever was pursuing the Grail had recruited someone on the inside. They went to Teabing's for the same reason I did.Throughout history, those who held knowledge of the Grail had always been magnets for thieves and scholars alike. The fact that Teabing had been a target all along should have made Langdon feel less guilty about involving him. It did not. We need to find Leigh and help him.Immediately. Langdon followed Sophie to the westbound District and Circle Line platform, where she hurried to a pay phone to call the police, despite Remy's warning to the contrary. Langdon sat on a grungy bench nearby, feeling remorseful. â€Å"The best way to help Leigh,† Sophie reiterated as she dialed,† is to involve the London authorities immediately. Trust me.† Langdon had not initially agreed with this idea, but as they had hatched their plan, Sophie's logic began to make sense. Teabing was safe at the moment. Even if Remy and the others knew where the knight's tomb was located, they still might need Teabing's help deciphering the orb reference. What worried Langdon was what would happen after the Grail map had been found. Leigh willbecome a huge liability. If Langdon were to have any chance of helping Leigh, or of ever seeing the keystone again, it was essential that he find the tomb first. Unfortunately, Remy has a big head start. Slowing Remy down had become Sophie's task. Finding the right tomb had become Langdon's. Sophie would make Remy and Silas fugitives of the London police, forcing them into hiding or, better yet, catching them. Langdon's plan was less certain – to take the tube to nearby King's College, which was renowned for its electronic theological database. The ultimate research tool, Langdon had heard. Instant answers to any religious historical question.He wondered what the database would have to say about† a knight a Pope interred.† He stood up and paced, wishing the train would hurry. At the pay phone, Sophie's call finally connected to the London police. â€Å"Snow Hill Division,† the dispatcher said. â€Å"How may I direct your call?† â€Å"I'm reporting a kidnapping.† Sophie knew to be concise.† Name please?† Sophie paused. â€Å"Agent Sophie Neveu with the French Judicial Police.† The title had the desired effect. â€Å"Right away, ma'am. Let me get a detective on the line for you.† As the call went through, Sophie began wondering if the police would even believe her description of Teabing's captors. A man in a tuxedo.How much easier to identify could a suspect be? Even if Remy changed clothes, he was partnered with an albino monk. Impossible to miss.Moreover, they had a hostage and could not take public transportation. She wondered how many Jaguar stretch limos there could be in London. Sophie's connection to the detective seemed to be taking forever. Come on! She could hear the line clicking and buzzing, as if she was being transferred. Fifteen seconds passed. Finally a man came on the line. â€Å"Agent Neveu?† Stunned, Sophie registered the gruff tone immediately. â€Å"Agent Neveu,† Bezu Fache demanded. â€Å"Where the hell are you?† Sophie was speechless. Captain Fache had apparently requested the London police dispatcher alert him if Sophie called in. â€Å"Listen,† Fache said, speaking to her in terse French. â€Å"I made a terrible mistake tonight. Robert Langdon is innocent. All charges against him have been dropped. Even so, both of you are in danger. You need to come in.† Sophie's jaw fell slack. She had no idea how to respond. Fache was not a man who apologized for anything. â€Å"You did not tell me,† Fache continued,† that Jacques Sauniere was your grandfather. I fully intend to overlook your insubordination last night on account of the emotional stress you must be under. At the moment, however, you and Langdon need to go to the nearest London police headquarters for refuge.† He knows I'm in London? What else does Fache know? Sophie heard what sounded like drilling or machinery in the background. She also heard an odd clicking on the line. â€Å"Are you tracing this call, Captain?† Fache's voice was firm now. â€Å"You and I need to cooperate, Agent Neveu. We both have a lot to lose here. This is damage control. I made errors in judgment last night, and if those errors result in the deaths of an American professor and a DCPJ cryptologist, my career will be over. I've been trying to pull you back into safety for the last several hours.† A warm wind was now pushing through the station as a train approached with a low rumble. Sophie had every intention of being on it. Langdon apparently had the same idea; he was gathering himself together and moving toward her now. â€Å"The man you want is Remy Legaludec,† Sophie said. â€Å"He is Teabing's servant. He just kidnapped Teabing inside the Temple Church and – â€Å" â€Å"Agent Neveu!† Fache bellowed as the train thundered into the station. â€Å"This is not something to discuss on an open line. You and Langdon will come in now. For your own well-being! That is a direct order!† Sophie hung up and dashed with Langdon onto the train. CHAPTER 89 The immaculate cabin of Teabing's Hawker was now covered with steel shavings and smelled of compressed air and propane. Bezu Fache had sent everyone away and sat alone with his drink and the heavy wooden box found in Teabing's safe. Running his finger across the inlaid Rose, he lifted the ornate lid. Inside he found a stone cylinder with lettered dials. The five dials were arranged to spell SOFIA. Fache stared at the word a long moment and then lifted the cylinder from its padded resting place and examined every inch. Then, pulling slowly on the ends, Fache slid off one of the end caps. The cylinder was empty. Fache set it back in the box and gazed absently out the jet's window at the hangar, pondering his brief conversation with Sophie, as well as the information he'd received from PTS in Chateau Villette. The sound of his phone shook him from his daydream. It was the DCPJ switchboard. The dispatcher was apologetic. The president of the Depository Bank of Zurich had been calling repeatedly, and although he had been told several times that the captain was in London on business, he just kept calling. Begrudgingly Fache told the operator to forward the call. â€Å"Monsieur Vernet,† Fache said, before the man could even speak,† I am sorry I did not call you earlier. I have been busy. As promised, the name of your bank has not appeared in the media. So what precisely is your concern?† Vernet's voice was anxious as he told Fache how Langdon and Sophie had extracted a small wooden box from the bank and then persuaded Vernet to help them escape. â€Å"Then when I heard on the radio that they were criminals,† Vernet said, â€Å"I pulled over and demanded the box back, but they attacked me and stole the truck.† â€Å"You are concerned for a wooden box,† Fache said, eyeing the Rose inlay on the cover and again gently opening the lid to reveal the white cylinder. â€Å"Can you tell me what was in the box?† â€Å"The contents are immaterial,† Vernet fired back. â€Å"I am concerned with the reputation of my bank. We have never had a robbery. Ever.It will ruin us if I cannot recover this property on behalf of my client.† â€Å"You said Agent Neveu and Robert Langdon had a password and a key. What makes you say they stole the box?† â€Å"They murdered people tonight. Including Sophie Neveu's grandfather. The key and password were obviously ill-gotten.† â€Å"Mr. Vernet, my men have done some checking into your background and your interests. You are obviously a man of great culture and refinement. I would imagine you are a man of honor, as well. As am I. That said, I give you my word as commanding officer of the Police Judiciaire that your box, along with your bank's reputation, are in the safest of hands.† CHAPTER 90 High in the hayloft at Chateau Villette, Collet stared at the computer monitor in amazement. â€Å"This system is eavesdropping on all these locations?† â€Å"Yes,† the agent said. â€Å"It looks like data has been collected for over a year now.† Collet read the list again, speechless. COLBERT SOSTAQUE – Chairman of the Conseil Constitutionnel JEAN CHAFFeE – Curator, Musee du Jeu de Paume EDOUARD DESROCHERS – Senior Archivist, Mitterrand Library JACQUES SAUNIeRE – Curator, Musee du Louvre MICHEL BRETON – Head of DAS (French Intelligence) The agent pointed to the screen. â€Å"Number four is of obvious concern.† Collet nodded blankly. He had noticed it immediately. Jacques Sauniere was being bugged.He looked at the rest of the list again. How could anyone possibly manage to bug these prominent people?† Have you heard any of the audio files?† â€Å"A few. Here's one of the most recent.† The agent clicked a few computer keys. The speakers crackled to life. â€Å"Capitaine, un agent du Departement de Cryptographie est arrive.† Collet could not believe his ears. â€Å"That's me! That's my voice!† He recalled sitting at Sauniere's desk and radioing Fache in the Grand Gallery to alert him of Sophie Neveu's arrival. The agent nodded. â€Å"A lot of our Louvre investigation tonight would have been audible if someone had been interested.† â€Å"Have you sent anyone in to sweep for the bug?† â€Å"No need. I know exactly where it is.† The agent went to a pile of old notes and blueprints on the worktable. He selected a page and handed it to Collet. â€Å"Look familiar?† Collet was amazed. He was holding a photocopy of an ancient schematic diagram, which depicted a rudimentary machine. He was unable to read the handwritten Italian labels, and yet he knew what he was looking at. A model for a fully articulated medieval French knight. The knight sitting on Sauniere's desk! Collet's eyes moved to the margins, where someone had scribbled notes on the photocopy in red felt-tipped marker. The notes were in French and appeared to be ideas outlining how best to insert a listening device into the knight. CHAPTER 91 Silas sat in the passenger seat of the parked Jaguar limousine near the Temple Church. His hands felt damp on the keystone as he waited for Remy to finish tying and gagging Teabing in back with the rope they had found in the trunk. Finally, Remy climbed out of the rear of the limo, walked around, and slid into the driver's seat beside Silas. â€Å"Secure?† Silas asked. Remy chuckled, shaking off the rain and glancing over his shoulder through the open partition at the crumpled form of Leigh Teabing, who was barely visible in the shadows in the rear. â€Å"He's not going anywhere.† Silas could hear Teabing's muffled cries and realized Remy had used some of the old duct tape to gag him. â€Å"Ferme ta gueule!† Remy shouted over his shoulder at Teabing. Reaching to a control panel on the elaborate dash, Remy pressed a button. An opaque partition raised behind them, sealing off the back. Teabing disappeared, and his voice was silenced. Remy glanced at Silas. â€Å"I've been listening to his miserable whimpering long enough.† Minutes later, as the Jaguar stretch limo powered through the streets, Silas's cell phone rang. TheTeacher.He answered excitedly. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"Silas,† the Teacher's familiar French accent said, â€Å"I am relieved to hear your voice. This means you are safe.† Silas was equally comforted to hear the Teacher. It had been hours, and the operation had veered wildly off course. Now, at last, it seemed to be back on track. â€Å"I have the keystone.† â€Å"This is superb news,† the Teacher told him. â€Å"Is Remy with you?† Silas was surprised to hear the Teacher use Remy's name. â€Å"Yes. Remy freed me.† â€Å"As I ordered him to do. I am only sorry you had to endure captivity for so long.† â€Å"Physical discomfort has no meaning. The important thing is that the keystone is ours.† â€Å"Yes. I need it delivered to me at once. Time is of the essence.† Silas was eager to meet the Teacher face-to-face at last. â€Å"Yes, sir, I would be honored.† â€Å"Silas, I would like Remy to bring it to me.† Remy? Silas was crestfallen. After everything Silas had done for the Teacher, he had believed hewould be the one to hand over the prize. The Teacher favors Remy? â€Å"I sense your disappointment,† the Teacher said,† which tells me you do not understand my meaning.† He lowered his voice to a whisper. â€Å"You must believe that I would much prefer to receive the keystone from you – a man of God rather than a criminal – but Remy must be dealt with. He disobeyed my orders and made a grave mistake that has put our entire mission at risk.† Silas felt a chill and glanced over at Remy. Kidnapping Teabing had not been part of the plan, and deciding what to do with him posed a new problem. â€Å"You and I are men of God,† the Teacher whispered. â€Å"We cannot be deterred from our goal.† There was an ominous pause on the line. â€Å"For this reason alone, I will ask Remy to bring me the keystone. Do you understand?† Silas sensed anger in the Teacher's voice and was surprised the man was not more understanding. Showing his face could not be avoided, Silas thought. Remy did what he had to do.He saved the keystone. â€Å"I understand,† Silas managed. â€Å"Good. For your own safety, you need to get off the street immediately. The police will be looking for the limousine soon, and I do not want you caught. Opus Dei has a residence in London, no?† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"And you are welcome there?† â€Å"As a brother.† â€Å"Then go there and stay out of sight. I will call you the moment I am in possession of the keystone and have attended to my current problem.† â€Å"You are in London?† â€Å"Do as I say, and everything will be fine.† â€Å"Yes, sir.† The Teacher heaved a sigh, as if what he now had to do was profoundly regrettable. â€Å"It's time I speak to Remy.† Silas handed Remy the phone, sensing it might be the last call Remy Legaludec ever took. As Remy took the phone, he knew this poor, twisted monk had no idea what fate awaited him now that he had served his purpose. The Teacher used you, Silas.And your bishop is a pawn. Remy still marveled at the Teacher's powers of persuasion. Bishop Aringarosa had trusted everything. He had been blinded by his own desperation. Aringarosa was far too eager to believe. Although Remy did not particularly like the Teacher, he felt pride at having gained the man's trust and helped him so substantially. I have earned my payday. â€Å"Listen carefully,† the Teacher said. â€Å"Take Silas to the Opus Dei residence hall and drop him off a few streets away. Then drive to St. James's Park. It is adjacent to Parliament and Big Ben. You can park the limousine on Horse Guards Parade. We'll talk there.† With that, the connection went dead. CHAPTER 92 King's College, established by King George IV in 1829, houses its Department of Theology and Religious Studies adjacent to Parliament on property granted by the Crown. King's College Religion Department boasts not only 150 years' experience in teaching and research, but the 1982 establishment of the Research Institute in Systematic Theology, which possesses one of the most complete and electronically advanced religious research libraries in the world. Langdon still felt shaky as he and Sophie came in from the rain and entered the library. The primary research room was as Teabing had described it – a dramatic octagonal chamber dominated by an enormous round table around which King Arthur and his knights might have been comfortable were it not for the presence of twelve flat-screen computer workstations. On the far side of the room, a reference librarian was just pouring a pot of tea and settling in for her day of work. â€Å"Lovely morning,† she said in a cheerful British accent, leaving the tea and walking over. â€Å"May I help you?† â€Å"Thank you, yes,† Langdon replied. â€Å"My name is – Robert Langdon.† She gave a pleasant smile. â€Å"I know who you are.† For an instant, he feared Fache had put him on English television as well, but the librarian's smile suggested otherwise. Langdon still had not gotten used to these moments of unexpected celebrity. Then again, if anyone on earth were going to recognize his face, it would be a librarian in a Religious Studies reference facility. â€Å"Pamela Gettum,† the librarian said, offering her hand. She had a genial, erudite face and a pleasingly fluid voice. The horn-rimmed glasses hanging around her neck were thick. â€Å"A pleasure,† Langdon said. â€Å"This is my friend Sophie Neveu.† The two women greeted one another, and Gettum turned immediately back to Langdon. â€Å"I didn't know you were coming.† â€Å"Neither did we. If it's not too much trouble, we could really use your help finding some information.† Gettum shifted, looking uncertain. â€Å"Normally our services are by petition and appointment only, unless of course you're the guest of someone at the college?† Langdon shook his head. â€Å"I'm afraid we've come unannounced. A friend of mine speaks very highly of you. Sir Leigh Teabing?† Langdon felt a pang of gloom as he said the name. â€Å"The British Royal Historian.† Gettum brightened now, laughing. â€Å"Heavens, yes. What a character. Fanatical! Every time he comes in, it's always the same search strings. Grail. Grail. Grail. I swear that man will die before he gives up on that quest.† She winked. â€Å"Time and money afford one such lovely luxuries, wouldn't you say? A regular Don Quixote, that one.† â€Å"Is there any chance you can help us?† Sophie asked. â€Å"It's quite important.† Gettum glanced around the deserted library and then winked at them both. â€Å"Well, I can't very well claim I'm too busy, now can I? As long as you sign in, I can't imagine anyone being too upset. What did you have in mind?† â€Å"We're trying to find a tomb in London.† Gettum looked dubious. â€Å"We've got about twenty thousand of them. Can you be a little more specific?† â€Å"It's the tomb of a knight.We don't have a name.† â€Å"A knight. That tightens the net substantially. Much less common.† â€Å"We don't have much information about the knight we're looking for,† Sophie said,† but this is what we know.† She produced a slip of paper on which she had written only the first two lines of the poem. Hesitant to show the entire poem to an outsider, Langdon and Sophie had decided to share just the first two lines, those that identified the knight. Compartmentalized cryptography, Sophie had called it. When an intelligence agency intercepted a code containing sensitive data, cryptographers each worked on a discrete section of the code. This way, when they broke it, no single cryptographer possessed the entire deciphered message. In this case, the precaution was probably excessive; even if this librarian saw the entire poem, identified the knight's tomb, and knew what orb was missing, the information was useless without the cryptex. Gettum sensed an urgency in the eyes of this famed American scholar, almost as if his finding this tomb quickly were a matter of critical importance. The green-eyed woman accompanying him also seemed anxious. Puzzled, Gettum put on her glasses and examined the paper they had just handed her. In London lies a knight a Pope interred. His labor's fruit a Holy wrath incurred. She glanced at her guests. â€Å"What is this? Some kind of Harvard scavenger hunt?† Langdon's laugh sounded forced. â€Å"Yeah, something like that.† Gettum paused, feeling she was not getting the whole story. Nonetheless, she felt intrigued and found herself pondering the verse carefully. â€Å"According to this rhyme, a knight did something that incurred displeasure with God, and yet a Pope was kind enough to bury him in London.† Langdon nodded. â€Å"Does it ring any bells?† Gettum moved toward one of the workstations. â€Å"Not offhand, but let's see what we can pull up in the database.† Over the past two decades, King's College Research Institute in Systematic Theology had used optical character recognition software in unison with linguistic translation devices to digitize and catalog an enormous collection of texts – encyclopedias of religion, religious biographies, sacred scriptures in dozens of languages, histories, Vatican letters, diaries of clerics, anything at all that qualified as writings on human spirituality. Because the massive collection was now in the form of bits and bytes rather than physical pages, the data was infinitely more accessible. Settling into one of the workstations, Gettum eyed the slip of paper and began typing. â€Å"To begin, we'll run a straight Boolean with a few obvious keywords and see what happens.† â€Å"Thank you.† Gettum typed in a few words: LONDON, KNIGHT, POPE As she clicked the SEARCH button, she could feel the hum of the massive mainframe downstairs scanning data at a rate of 500 MB/sec. â€Å"I'm asking the system to show us any documents whose complete text contains all three of these keywords. We'll get more hits than we want, but it's a good place to start.† The screen was already showing the first of the hits now. Painting the Pope. The Collected Portraits of Sir Joshua Reynolds. London University Press. Gettum shook her head. â€Å"Obviously not what you're looking for.† She scrolled to the next hit. The London Writings of Alexander Pope by G. Wilson Knight. Again she shook her head. As the system churned on, the hits came up more quickly than usual. Dozens of texts appeared, many of them referencing the eighteenth-century British writer Alexander Pope, whose counter religious, mock-epic poetry apparently contained plenty of references to knights and London. Gettum shot a quick glance to the numeric field at the bottom of the screen. This computer, by calculating the current number of hits and multiplying by the percentage of the database left to search, provided a rough guess of how much information would be found. This particular search looked like it was going to return an obscenely large amount of data. Estimated number of total hits: 2, 692 â€Å"We need to refine the parameters further,† Gettum said, stopping the search. â€Å"Is this all the information you have regarding the tomb? There's nothing else to go on?† Langdon glanced at Sophie Neveu, looking uncertain. This is no scavenger hunt, Gettum sensed. She had heard the whisperings of Robert Langdon's experience in Rome last year. This American had been granted access to the most secure library on earth – the Vatican Secret Archives. She wondered what kinds of secrets Langdon might have learned inside and if his current desperate hunt for a mysterious London tomb might relate to information he had gained within the Vatican. Gettum had been a librarian long enough to know the most common reason people came to London to look for knights. The Grail. Gettum smiled and adjusted her glasses. â€Å"You are friends with Leigh Teabing, you are in England, and you are looking for a knight.† She folded her hands. â€Å"I can only assume you are on a Grail quest.† Langdon and Sophie exchanged startled looks. Gettum laughed. â€Å"My friends, this library is a base camp for Grail seekers. Leigh Teabing among them. I wish I had a shilling for every time I'd run searches for the Rose, Mary Magdalene, Sangreal, Merovingian, Priory of Sion, et cetera, et cetera. Everyone loves a conspiracy.† She took off her glasses and eyed them. â€Å"I need more information.† In the silence, Gettum sensed her guests' desire for discretion was quickly being outweighed by their eagerness for a fast result. â€Å"Here,† Sophie Neveu blurted. â€Å"This is everything we know.† Borrowing a pen from Langdon, she wrote two more lines on the slip of paper and handed it to Gettum. You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. It speaks of Rosy flesh and seeded womb. Gettum gave an inward smile. The Grail indeed, she thought, noting the references to the Rose and her seeded womb. â€Å"I can help you,† she said, looking up from the slip of paper. â€Å"Might I ask where this verse came from? And why you are seeking an orb?† â€Å"You might ask,† Langdon said, with a friendly smile,† but it's a long story and we have very little time.† â€Å"Sounds like a polite way of saying â€Å"mind your own business.†Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We would be forever in your debt, Pamela,† Langdon said, â€Å"if you could find out who this knight is and where he is buried.† â€Å"Very well,† Gettum said, typing again. â€Å"I'll play along. If this is a Grail-related issue, we should cross-reference against Grail keywords. I'll add a proximity parameter and remove the title weighting. That will limit our hits only to those instances of textual keywords that occur near aGrail-related word.† Search for: KNIGHT, LONDON, POPE, TOMB Within 100 word proximity of: GRAIL, ROSE, SANGREAL, CHALICE â€Å"How long will this take?† Sophie asked. â€Å"A few hundred terabytes with multiple cross-referencing fields?† Gettum's eyes glimmered as she clicked the SEARCH key. â€Å"A mere fifteen minutes.† Langdon and Sophie said nothing, but Gettum sensed this sounded like an eternity to them. â€Å"Tea?† Gettum asked, standing and walking toward the pot she had made earlier. â€Å"Leigh always loves my tea.†