Joint Problems Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Health And Social Care Essay

Patellofemoral articulation jobs are the most common overuse hurt of the lower appendage, and altered femoral or hep rotary motion may plays a major function in patellofemoral hurting Patellofemoral hurting syndrome ( PFPS ) is the 2nd most common musculoskeletal ailment presented to physical therapists ( Witvrouw et al, 1996. Hilyard, 1990 ) . Studies has shown Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome to be the most common individual diagnosing among smugglers and in athleticss medical specialty centres. Eleven per centum of musculoskeletal ailments in the office scenes are caused by anterior articulatio genus hurting ( which most normally consequences from PFPS, constitutes 16-25 % of all hurts in smugglers ) . The term PFPS is frequently used interchangeably with â€Å" anterior articulatio genus hurting † or â€Å" smuggler ‘s articulatio genus † . Patellofemoral hurting syndrome can be defined as retropatellar or peripatellar hurting ensuing from physical and biomechanical alterations in the patellofemoral articulation. It should be distinguished from chondromalacia, which is existent fraying and harm to the underlying patellar gristle. Patients with patellofemoral hurting syndrome have anterior articulatio genus hurting that typically occurs with activity and frequently worsens when they are falling stairss or hills. It can besides be exacerbated by activities such as go uping stepss, crouching, kneeling, drawn-out posing ( Doucette and Goble, 1992 ) . The oncoming of the symptom is normally insidious ( Arroll et al, 1997: Hilyard, 1990 ) . One or both articulatio genuss can be affected. Many factors are involved in complex interactions that influence the patellofemoral articulation and the exact aetiology and pathophysiology of PFPS is frequently puzzling ( Fulkerson and Hungerford, 1990 ; Finestone et Al, 1993 ) . Many theories have been proposed to explicate the etiology of the patellofemoral hurting. These include mechanical, muscular and over use theories. There is consensus that malalignment and maltracking of the kneecap are major characteristics of PFPS ( Maclntyre and Robertson,1992: Gerrard, 1989 ) . The patellar maltracking consequences in unnatural joint emphasis and subsequent articular gristle ware ( Powers: 1998 ) . Lateral trailing of the kneecap has been listed as a major subscriber to malalignment which consequences in unnatural joint compaction and later patellar hurting. It is normally theorized that maltracking is the consequence of vastus medialis ( VM ) weakening comparative to the vastus lateralis ( VL ) , ensuing in sidelong trailing of kneecap ( Mc Conell, 1986 ) . Weak hip muscular structure is besides thought to lend to unnatural trailing of kneecap. Ireland et Al found that adult females with PFPS are 26 % weaker hip abduction and 36 % weaker in hip internal rotary motion compared with healthy controls. Such failing may do an addition in both varus force vector at the articulatio genus a combination that may farther ease median trailing of kneecap. Lower appendage malalignment ( caused by abnormalcies such as an increased standing ‘Q ‘ angle, pes planus or subtalar pronation ) frequently has been implicated as a cause of PFPS. Most patients with PFPS respond favorably to conservative intercession. These include quadriceps beef uping, patellar tape, patellar brace, stretching, soft tissue mobilisation. With the most common intervention being quadriceps beef uping utilizing weight bearing and non weight bearing exercisings, weight bearing exercisings are more functional than non weight bearing exercisings because they require multijoint motion, easing a functional form of musculus enlisting and stimulate proprioceptors. In an attempt to supply immediate decrease to trouble, Mc Conell proposed utilizing tape to modify patellar orientation and normalise patellar trailing. When handling patients with patellofemoral hurting who demonstrate deficiency of control of hip abduction and external rotary motion during weight bearing activities such as walking and falling stepss, one end may to be to optimise musculus map to command these gestures, as such motion can ensue in knee varus, an addition in dynamic ‘Q ‘ angle and greater median forces moving on the kneecap. Hence, it would look sensible to endeavor for optimum map of hip muscular structure.1.2 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDYDespite its prevalence, nevertheless the etiology and specific intervention of this hurting syndrome remain obscure and controversial. The premiss behind most intervention attacks is that Patellofemoral hurting syndromes is the consequence of malalignment and/or unnatural patellar trailing. Interventions are frequently focused locally and typically include quadriceps beef uping, patellar tape, patellar brace and soft tissue mobilisation. Based on the old researches, we theorized that the exercisings stressing neuromuscular control of both the quadriceps and hip median rotators may profit patients diagnosed with PFPS. Therefore, the intent of this survey was to look into the effects of hip median rotators and quadriceps beef uping plan in patients with patellofemoral hurting syndrome.Need AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:Need of the survey:To cut down hurting To better scope of gesture To better functional activityAims:To find the effectivity of median rotator musle and quadriceps beef uping in patellofemoral hurting To find the effectivity of quadriceps beef uping in patellofemoral hurting To compare the effectivity of quadriceps beef uping and median rotator musculus beef uping exercising in patellofemoral hurting1.3 HYPOTHESISThe void hypothesis for this survey could be stated as â€Å" There Is No Significant Difference In Reduction Of Pain between the group having Hip Medial Rotator and Quadriceps Muscle Strengthening when compared with Quadriceps Muscle Strengthening entirely in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain † .REVIEW OF LITERATURECibulka MT, Threlkeld-Watkins J. , 2005 has reported that patellofemoral hurting is the commonest of all the overexploitation hurts of the lower limb. Major cause for this is considered to be altered femoral rotary motion. Powers CM. , 2003 has demonstrated that patellar maltracking and malalignment are the commonest triggering factors for kneecap femoral hurting. Mascal CL, Landel R, Powers C 2003 has concluded in their survey that musces of hip, bole and pelvic girdle are affected in patellofemoral hurting syndrome and hence intercessions directed towards these muscular structure should be included in the rehabilitation protocol. Bellamy N, Buchanan WW, Goldsmith CH, Campbell J, Stitt LW 1988 has published a survey on WOMAC graduated table reasoning that WOMAC is the most dependable and valid graduated table for measuring arthritis. Braten M, Terjesen T, Rossvoll I 1992 has demonstrated that ultrasound analysis of hip in anterior articulatio genus hurting reveals femoral rotary motion in most of the patients. i Sameer A.Dixit, M.D. , et al Management of patellofemoral hurting syndrome shown that physical therapy is effectual in handling PFPS. i La Brier K, O ‘ Neill D.B, Patellofemoral syndrome, current constructs. This survey indicate that patellofemoral hurting syndrome is normally treated cautiously, surveies indicate that 60 % to 89 % of articulatio genuss will react favorably to conservative intervention. The exercising plan include Iliotibial set, hamstring and gastrocnemius stretching, progressive opposition straight leg elevation and hip adduction beef uping performed 2 times/ twenty-four hours until symptoms subside and the 3 times /week, thenceforth. i Heintjes, Berger MY, Bierma- Zeinstra SM, Exercise therapy for patellofemoral hurting syndrome stated that the exercising therapy is more effectual in handling PFPS. There is strong grounds that unfastened and closed kinetic concatenation exercising are every bit effectual. i Hudson Z, Daruthy E. Iliotibial set stringency and patellofemoral hurting syndrome. A instance – control survey show that the topics showing with PFPS do hold a tighter ITB. i Fagan V, Delahunt E, Patellofemoral pain syndrome- a reappraisal of the associated neuromuscular shortages and current intervention options stated that â€Å" Physiotherapy intervention programmes look to be an efficacious method of bettering quads instability. i Power et, Al, ( 1997 ) , patient performed free walking, fast walking, go uping and falling walking with and without patellar taping. Taping determined patient ‘s hurting reduced ( VAS ) 50 % during exacerbating activity. i Ernst GP, Kawaguchi. J, Saliba E. Effect of Patellar Taping on articulatio genus dynamicss of patients with patellofemoral hurting syndrome, suggests that patellar taping compared with no tape may better the articulatio genus extensor minute and power during weight bearing activities such as sidelong measure – up exercising and perpendicular leap. i Cristina mare Nunes cabral, Amellia Pasqual Marques, Effect of a closed kinetic concatenation exercising protocol on patellofemoral syndrome rehabilitation. The consequences of T he study allow the suggestion that the proposed quadriceps femoris beef uping exercisings with ROM control should be prescribed for PFPS patients since they improve knee functional degree. i Avraham.F, Aviv.S et al. , The efficaciousness of intervention of different intercession plans for patellofemoral hurting syndrome. The survey with a sum of 30 back-to-back patients ( average age 35 old ages ) diagnosed with PFPS indiscriminately allocated into 3 groups. Group I – Conventional Rehabilitation plan included quadriceps beef uping and TENS, Group II- Hip oriented rehabilitation plan included stretching, hip external rotator strengthening and TENS. Group III-A combination of 2 plans. At terminal of test all groups show important betterment in VAS and PFJES ( P & lt ; 0.0001 ) ; these betterment did non vary significantly between the 3 groups. All the groups show a similar good consequence. i Tyler TF, Nicholas SJ, Mullaney MJ. The function of hip musculus map in the intervention of patellofemoral hurting syndrome. This survey concluded that betterments in hip flexure strength combined with increased iliotibial set and iliopsoas flexibleness were associated with first-class consequences in patients with patellofemoral hurting syndrome. i Harmonizing to Muir KR ( 1999 ) . a individual plan of place quadriceps can significantly better ego reported articulatio genus hurting and map. i Cheng GL et Al in their survey conducted for four hebdomads intervention period, concluded that both TENS and isometric groups had important decrease in articulatio genus hurting. i Sheila O ‘ Reilly made a survey on 192 work forces and adult females with articulatio genus hurting. They were enrolled in a plan consisting of isometric and isosmotic exercisings of the quadriceps or thigh, utilizing a opposition set and they had important lessening in hurting ( 22.5 % ) and betterment in physical map ( 17.4 % ) . She besides stated that beef uping musculuss around an creaky articulation could back up the joint and cut down hurting. i Lam PL, NG QY, Activation of the quadriceps musculus during semi crouching with different hip and knee place in patients with anterior articulatio genus hurting, the survey shows that there was comparatively more activation of vastus medialis oblique than vastus lateralis at 40A ° of semi knee bend with hip medially rotated by 30A ° . i Herrington L. AL – Sherhi.A, A controlled test of weight bearing versus non weight bearing exercisings for patellofemoral hurting. This survey demonstrates that both weight – bearing and non weight bearing exercisings can significantly better subjective and clinical results in patients with PFPS. i Ng GY, Cheng JM, The effects of patellar taping on hurting and neuromuscular public presentation in topics with patellofemoral hurting syndrome. This survey states that there was a important lessening in anterior articulatio genus hurting ( P & lt ; 0.001 ) and vastus medialis obliques to vastus lateralis activity ratio ( P – 0.05 ) during individual legged standing after patellar tape. i Mark overington, BHSc ( Physio ) , Damain Gooddard, BhSc ( Physio ) . , A Critical assessment and literature review on the consequence of patellar tape, is patellar taping effectual in the patellofemoral hurting syndrome? This critical analysis has shown that patellar taping lessenings pain in the short term, may be utile as an adjunct to physiotherapy in long term i T.K. Amell, J.P. Stothart, S. Kumar, The effectivity of functional pes orthoses as a intervention for patellofemoral emphasis syndrome: A clients position. The consequences shows that orthotic usage is believed to be effectual in commanding the symptoms of PFPS. i Michael T. Gross, PT. Ph.D. , Jody L. Foxworth, PT, MS, OCS, The Role of pes orthoses as an intercession for patellofemoral hurting. The mechanism for pes orthoses holding a positive consequence on hurting and map for these patients. i Dr. Robert Topp assessed the hurting, map, abilities, knee joint proprioception, pace features and quadriceps strength of 135 participants utilizing randomized isometric strength preparation group and a dynamic strength preparation group for 16 hebdomad regimen and concluded that regular strength preparation could detain the oncoming of this painful disease and demand for surgery i Van Berr et Al, ( 1999 ) found that aerophilic exercising was more effectual than opposition exercising in cut downing hurting. There was modest betterment in disablement degree for patients randomized to aerobic exercising. i Michelle C. Boilig, MS, ATC. , et al. , Outcomes of a weight bearing rehabilitation plan for patients diagnosed with patellofemoral hurting syndrome. Subjects diagnosed with PFPS responded favorably and rapidly to a curative exercising plan that incorporated quadriceps and his muscular structure strengthening. i Catherine L. Mascal PT, B.Sc. , Robert Landel, DPT, OSC, Christopher power, PT, Ph..D. Management of Patellofemoral hurting Targeting the Hip, Pelvis and Trunk Muscle map: instance study. This instance study present 2 patients with PFP who demonstrated unnatural kinematics at the hip and who respond favourably to an exercising plan specifically aiming to Hip, Pelvis and trunk muscular structure.3.MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY3.1 METHODOLOGY3.1.1.STUDY DesignThe survey was conducted in the format of experimental pre-test, station trial survey design.3.1.2STUDY SettingThe survey was conducted in the section of physical medical specialty and rehabilitation, Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore-641044 under the supervising of usher incharge, College Of Physiotherapy, SRIPMS, Coimbatore.3.1.3SAMPLING20 Subject who fulfilled the undermentioned criterias were selected through simple random sampling and assigned to two groups of 10 each.CRITERIA FOR SAMPLE SELECTION.I ) Inclusion standardsi Age be tween 25-35 old ages i Both males and females i Unilateral patellofemoral hurting syndrome and median rotator musculus weekness. i Anterior or retropatellar articulatio genus hurting reported during at least two of the undermentioned activities: rise and falling step, skiping and running, crouching, kneeling, and prolonged posing. i Insidious oncoming of symptoms non related to injuries. i Pain with compaction of kneecap. i Pain on tactual exploration of patellar aspects.two ) Exclusion CriteriaSymptoms nowadays for less than two months No history of old articulatio genus hurting Metallic element implants Fleshiness Diabetess Peripheral vascular disease Self reported clinical grounds of other articulatio genus pathology. Such as intra articular pathology, peripatellar tendonitis or bursitis, fold, disruptions or subluxations etc. Current important hurt impacting other lower appendage articulations. Subjects with any of the above said conditions were excluded from survey.Procedure:1. Group A:Subjects were treated with Hip median rotator and quadriceps beef uping exercisings and stretching.2. Group B:Subjects were treated with lone quadriceps beef uping exercisings and stretching. Both group received the place programme of stretching and beef uping exercisings ( SEE APPENDIX – Four )STUDY DURATIONThis survey is proposed to be carried out for the period of 6 monthsTREATMENT DURATIONGroup A:5 sets of 12 repeats per twenty-four hours 3 yearss per hebdomad for 4 hebdomadsGroup B:5 sets of 12 repeats per twenty-four hours 3 yearss per hebdomad for 4 hebdomadsParametersSubjective hurting strength during activities of day-to-day life measured with ocular parallel graduated table ( VAS ) . Functional activities measured with western Lake Ontario andmcmaster universities osteoarthritis index ( womac )3.2MATERIALS USEDOrthopedic rating chart Thera set Strengthening sofa Inch tape3.3 Statistical ToolThe consequences of the survey were analysed utilizing independent ‘t ‘ trial T = S = = Mean difference of the first group = Mean difference of the 2nd group = Number of samples in first group = Number of samples in 2nd group S = Combined criterion divergenceTREATMENT TECHNIQUESExercise FOR PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROMEStrengthening Exercises:1 ] Hip internal rotators beef upingthis exercising is performed with the patient standing in the exercising machine. Initially 5 sets of 12 repeats get downing with 9kg is done and later opposition is increased harmonizing to musculus weariness and hurting.2 ] Quadriceps Strengthening:A ] Isometricss: Position yourself as shown above. Keep your right leg straight for 10-20 seconds and so loosen up. Make the exercisings 5-10 times. B ] Straight Leg Raising: Position yourself as shown above. Raise your right leg several inches and keep it up for 5-10 seconds. Then lower your leg to the floor easy over a few seconds. Do the exercisings 5-10 times.3 ] Partial Knee bends:Stand with pess, shoulder width apart and toes somewhat turned out. Bend articulatio genuss from traveling in forepart toes. Squat every bit low as tolerable, intermission at lowest deepness and raise to get downing place. It can besides be done with back support on wall and with ball between 2 articulatio genuss.4 ] Step Up:Stand sideways with involved leg next to 3-6 † measure. Place involved pes on measure and easy raise organic structure weight with involved leg. Slowly lower organic structure back to get down place gently touching heel on land, so repetition by easy raising organic structure with involved leg. Repeat as by increasing repeat. Increase measure 2-3 † with repeat.Stretching Exercise1a ) Iliotibial Band Buttock Stretch: ( Right side ) .Position yourself as shown in the image. Writhe your bole to the right and utilize your left arm to â€Å" force † your right leg. You should experience the stretch in your right thigh. ( Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds. Do the exercising 5 to 10 times ) .B ) Iliotibial Band Stretch: ( Left Side )Position yourself as shown below, with your right leg crossed in forepart of your left leg. Keep your custodies together and travel them toward the floor. You should experience a stretch in the outer portion of your left thigh. ( Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds. Do the exercising 5 to 10 times. )2 ) . Hamstrings stretch:Liing in back and back uping thigh behind articulatio genus, easy straighten articulatio genus until a stretch is felt in the dorsum of the thigh. Keep it for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat it for 5 to 10 times. The thigh may besides be supported on a wall.3 ) Quadriceps Stretch:Position with one manus on the wall and the other on the pes of the side to be stretched and the articulatio genus is flexed. Keep it for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat it for 5 to 10 times. Can be performed with hip flexure and extension.4 ) Calf Stretch:Position against a wall with heel on the land to experience back of the leg stretch. Keep for 10 to 20 seconds. Do the exercisings 6 to 10 times.5 ) Hip And Buttock Stretch: ( Left Side )Position left over right leg and manus is placed over left articulatio genus draw the articulatio genus somewhat towards the patient while sitting up directly. Keep the place for 20 seconds and so rest for several seconds. Do the exercising for 6 times.6 ] Hip Adductor Stretch:Position in supine prevarication, with hip and articulatio genus flexure, and inquire the patient to kidnap the leg until the stretch felt. Keep it fo r 10-20 seconds, repetition it for 5-10 times.7 ] Hip external rotators Stretch:Gentle stretching of the hip in the way of median rotary motion is done with the patient in prone prevarication. Stretching is done with the hip in impersonal and knee flexed to 90 grade. The stretch force is held for 30 seconds and repeated for 3 times.4. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSISGROUP – A ( VAS )S.NoPRE – TrialPOST -TESTDifference7 2 5 6 1 5 5 2 3 8 3 5 4 1 3 5 1 4 7 2 5 8 3 5 5 1 4 6 1 5 Mean 6.1 1.7 4.4GROUP – B ( VAS )S.NoPRE – TrialPOST -TESTDifference7 3 4 5 2 3 7 4 3 8 4 4 6 3 3 5 2 3 7 3 4 7 3 4 5 3 2 5 1 4 Mean 6.2 2.8 3.4VesselGroupMEAN VALUECALULATED â€Å" T † ValueTable â€Å" T † ValuePRE – TrialPOST -TESTSouth dakotaA 6.1 1.7 1.46 2.888 0.01 Bacillus 6.2 2.8 1.33GROUP – A ( WOMAC )S.NoPRE – TrialPOST -TESTDifference35 27 8 37 27 10 41 31 10 39 30 9 42 33 9 35 28 7 43 35 8 40 31 11 35 26 9 38 31 7Mean38.6 29.9 8.8GROUP – B ( WOMAC )S.NoPRE – TrialPOST -TESTDifference38 29 9 40 32 8 38 31 7 40 33 7 42 35 7 36 30 6 40 31 9 30 22 8 35 28 7 40 34 6Mean37.9 30.5 7.4WOMACGroupMEAN VALUECALWLATD â€Å" T † ValueTable â€Å" T † ValuePRE – TrialPOST -TESTSouth dakotaA38.6 29.9 1.32 2.606 0.05Bacillus37.9 30.5 1.07DiscussionThis survey was done to happen out the effectivity of hip median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping in patients with patello femoral hurting syndrome. Twenty patients who had PFPS for continuance of atleast two months participated in this survey. They were indiscriminately allocated to one of the two intervention groups. Group I received hep median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping plan and Group II received merely Knee quadriceps musculus beef uping plan. Patients were evaluated after two months of intervention and all patients completed the survey. The statistical analysis performed between Group I and Group II showed the undermentioned result. VAS mark showed the average betterment of 3.4 and 4.4 of hip median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping group severally. The statistical analysis performed between Group I and Group II showed the undermentioned result. WOMAC mark showed the average betterment of 7.4 and 8.8 of median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping group severally. The independent ‘t ‘ trial was performed to analyze the consequences. For VAS the deliberate ‘t ‘ value is 5.84 which is more than the table value of 2.101 in conformity to the degree of significance of 0.05, at 18 grades of freedom. The result is considered to be important prefering the rejection of void hypothesis. For WOMAC the calculated't ‘ value is 2.606 which is more than the table value 2.101. The result is considered to be important prefering the rejection of void hypothesis Therefore, â€Å" There is a important difference in decrease of hurting on utilizing hep median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping patients with PFPS. The consequences showed important decrease in hurting degree with both rehabilitation plan but the hip median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping showed greater diagnostic recovery than the knee quadriceps beef uping. Hence, based on the ‘t ‘ value, it is clear that there is a important difference between two beef uping programmes. A restriction of our survey is that merely one-sided patello fermoral hurting syndrome was taken for the survey.DecisionBased on the consequences of our survey, it is clear that hip median rotator and quadriceps musculus beef uping howed greater diagnostic recovery than the knee quadriceps beef uping plan entirely. This suggests that the implicit in cause of patellofemoral hurting in certain persons may non be restricted to the patellofemoral articulation. From this survey it is suggested that hip median rotator and quadriceps musculus strengthening is more good to patients with patellofemoral hurting syndrome. Since it is a clip edge survey, survey with the larger sample size and long term follow- up can be done in hereafter.

My Favourite Book Essay

Recently I`ve read a very interesting book that impressed me greatly. It was the novel by Vera Kryzhanovskaya â€Å"Hellish charms†. Russian writer and spiritualist Vera Kryzhanovskaya was the first woman writer of science fiction in the world, and the first professional science fiction writer in Russia. She was born June 2, 1857 .Her Father was from an old noble family of the Tambov Province. In the 1880s and 90s she lived in Western Europe. Since childhood Kryzhanovskaya was interested in ancient history and the occult, she even performed as a medium at sessions. Kryzhanovskaya`s Husband was a well known spiritualist S.V. Semenov. Following the spiritualists` tradition, Kryzhanovskaya stated that her novels had been dictated by the spirit of English poet John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester , who believed that a soul stayed on earth even after death . She wrote in French and then her works were translated into Russian. The main theme of her novels is the struggle of the divine and satanic forces, the dependence of man`s hidden forces and the forces of universe, the secrets of the primordial matter †¦ Reincarnation`s consciousness` and soul`s secrets , the writer has already disclosed in the historical novels (â€Å"The Queen Hatasu†, for example). â€Å"Hellish charms† is one of the novels, where the ritual of bewitching is described. The headline reveals the main theme and idea of the novel. The story is about a girl who wanted to marry the man with good fortune and because of it she had to resort to black magic.It`s about love, sins and mistakes, about forgiveness. The book electrifies the reader, mystical experiences and psychology do not give an opportunity to relax. The moral of the story is represented very clearly: you can not  build your happiness on the misfortune of others, regardless of other people’s desires. Each undertaken sin may be the first step on way to hell, and not everybody can turn away from that road. The book is written in a very simple way, the sentences are mostly short, without large clauses and nominative constructions. The author worries about every character and describes all their sufferings and other feelings very brightly. The main characters are: Kira Nagorskaya, a pretty blond girl of twenty with a good figure , large dark eyes with long thick eyelashes and wonderful complexion; Alexey Basargin – a wealthy young man, who took a fancy to Kira especially her coquetry and beauty. He became a frequent guest in Kira`s place. Kira considered him to be a wonderful match. Maleynen – an old witch, who helped Kira to bewitch Alexey and made him to fall in love with her. She was a skinny tall woman with deep hollow eyes that strangely sparkled. Marquise Kervadek – Alexey`s best friend, a tall, slender young man with black curly hair and pointed beard. He is a very passionate character and didn`t hide his admiration from Kira. Shepsu – an unusual character, Circassian, who lived alone in a mountain hut. The only man, who was able to save Kira from her curse. The story took place in Russia in the 18th century. A young woman Kira Nagorskaya who got used to luxury, after running through her father`s fortune, decided to marry someone didn`t matter young or old , beautiful or ugly, tall or short, someone who was able to give her a social status and wealth. But one day in a house of one of her old friends she got acquainted with Alexey Basargin a young man ,who has already worked in Ministry. She liked him and even thought not to cheat on him, at least for a while, when they would marry. Alexey became a frequent guest in Kira`s place and she was ready to celebrate the victory but suddenly he disappeared. There were rumors that he was going to marry another girl, Kira felt miserable and angry. She couldn`t believe it. Than she got to know about an old woman, a witch called Maleynen, and decided to ask her for help. But this decision  took an unexpected turn for her. Basargin made her a proposal and she married him. In the course of time she began to feel disgust and irritation to him. She also fell in love with Alexey`s best friend Marquise Kervadek but tried to hidÃ'Æ' her feelings. She knew that if she would like to divorce with Basargin, the charms would make him kill her. She couldn`t fight against her feelings and went to Maleynen again to ruin the first spell. But it has worked strangely and Alexey perished and his spirit began to pursue Kira. Kervadek and Kira try to find the solution, Marquise takes Kira away to Germany, Italy, France but the ghost chases them. At least they find the man called Shepsu, the only one who can save her. He was a young Circassian, who lived alone in a mountain hut in the Caucasus. Having held all the rituals Shepsu was able to conquer the evil spirit of Basargin. At last the curse was ruined. In conclusion, I personally would like to advise this novel and not just this one but the others too. In my opinion it was one of the best books I`ve ever read, it`s plot has swallowed me completely. Most of all I liked it`s moral : Love can neither be bought nor sold.

IBM: Using Strategy to Build a “Smarter Planet” Essay

1) Pick a company (or a brand, institute, city or government†¦.) which can be a client of IBM and describe three (3) specific benefits the Smarter Planet initiative can provide to the organization. Wal-Mart; (i) By managing and organizing Wal-Mart’s huge database through database management which will be help keep better track of inventory levels, merchandise assortment and product pricing. (ii) Help Wal-Mart better analyze buying behavior through implementation of smart systems. (iii) Increased efficiency and better customer service. 2) Conduct a SWOT analysis for IBM’s Smarter Planet initiative. Strengths; (i) An Internationally recognized company with a very good reputation. (ii) Known for its revolutionary and innovative inventions like the hard disk drive and the ATM. Weaknesses; (i) Pressure to perform and deliver on what IBM has set out to accomplish through the smarter planet initiative. (ii) Because of IBM’s size and considering how long it’s been in business, the company will find it very challenging to make big changes such as a total change from their current commodity-based business to customizable businesses. Opportunities; (i) Growth of markets in developed and third world countries. (ii) Business analytics and optimization. Threats; (i) A strongly competitive industry with very well-known companies like HP and Dell who also cater to large organizations for almost similar purposes. (ii) Shifting from a commodity-based to customizable businesses will be very challenging. 3) What relevant trends to consider for the next three to five years? Customer Trends; (i) The desire for customers to work more efficiently. (ii) The desire for customers to stay updated and connected across technologies. Environmental Trends; (i) Fewer trade barriers. (ii) Growth of developing countries. 4) (a) How can IBM communicate its strategy to companies, cities, and governments? List 3 ways (i) By making Information such as industry reports, statistics and videos available on their website that describes the strategy. (ii) Through a â€Å"Letter from the Chairman† by Sam Palmisano, which shows how the Smarter Planet initiative represented an infusion of intelligence into the way the world actually works. (iii) By using print and television advertising campaigns to communicate IBM’s ability to make the world â€Å"smarter.† (b) How is Watson a part of the communication strategy? Watson is a very strong communication tool. Its exposure on shows like Jeopardy! are a great way to deliver its message about their strategy. 5) What are the benefits of the Smarter Planet initiative to; (a) Society; (i) Help cites, industries and organizations make smarter decisions, the result of which would help cut costs, reduce waste and increase productivity which would in turn making them more profitable and sustainable. (ii) IBM believes that through this initiative, any person or organization â€Å"can now become digitally aware, networked and intelligent.† (b) IBM; (i) Close customer interactions which facilitate better relationships. (ii) Successful implementation of smart solutions will lead to brand loyalty and ultimately increased revenue. (c) How should IBM measure the results of the Smarter Planet Strategy? IBM should measure the results based on how successful the Smarter Planet Strategy has been on an organization after its implementation. For example, by using IBM’s smart solutions to analyze its data, the Memphis Police Department reduced crime by 28 percent. Here we can clearly see that the strategy turned out to be very successful, hence, a great result for IBM.

Project Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Project Plan - Assignment Example Similarly, other team work based units can implement this system to control the team work process. Likewise, Teamworker will help students to do their projects well; because they do not need to utilize a number of different web based platforms (i.e. Facebook, Google Drive, DropBox etc) as a means of accomplishing a given task. Likewise, it promotes the overall efficiency and productivity of each member; as students no longer need to schedule a block of time in which they will all meet at a given geographic location and discuss the progress of their project. Teamworker is a web-based project that teams of up to six students to gain access to a platform that can facilitate the learning process and provide a level of oversight to those educators that seek to monitor it; prior to delivering a final grade. The benefits of such a platform are innumerable; however, perhaps the most important benefit has to do with the fact that the educators finally have a reliable means of measurement with regard to which team members did what and which team members did not pull their own weight for the project at hand. In terms of actual details that the portal requires, these are inclusive of team name/number, attribution of supervisors and/or tutors’ name as well required population of the project title, and finally a short description of the problem that the project seeks to address; in 100 words or less. After signing up, the team will receive an account number and password. Then, they will have access to their team page and update the team information or upload their assignments together with their meeting minutes. Moreover, as students can share their project files online, they can access the files easily and communicate with other members from only one website. A team can only have privileges and permissions to their only team pages; restricting their operations on the site to only their own team’s content. Yet, the tutors and supervisors can

Change mangement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change mangement - Essay Example Joyce assembled a group with enough power to lead the change effort. She did this by increasing the number of staff and assigned a group of the staff members whose sole function was to carry out activities that facilitated change of management. She also encouraged teamwork within the groups. Joyce created a vision to help direct the change effort. This was done by laying out policies that indicated clear visions and goals that initiated change. She also improved on the initial strategies while developing new strategies for achieving that vision. She uses every possible channels and resources to communicate the new vision and strategies. By so doing, this process instilled new behaviors by the example of the Guiding Coalition. People issues were at the heart of change. Emotional and behavioral issues were identified, addressed, and discussed as they are emerged. This step is meant to remove obstacles that hinder change. Joyce changed systems and structures that undermine the vision of Qantas Airlines. She encouraged risk-taking and, activities, and actions that enabled achievement of the company’s visions and goals Joyce had to plan for visible performance improvements and facilitated the creation of those improvements. She also recognized and rewarded employees involved in the improvements by giving incentive, bonuses, and promotions. At this point, she used increased credibility to change systems, structures and policies that dont fit the vision. Joyce hired, promoted, and developed employees who could implement the vision. She Reinvigorate the process with new projects, themes, and change agents Finally, she had to articulate the connections between the new behaviors and organizational success and develop the means to ensure leadership development and succession. All this was embodied by Involving staff from all levels in the change. Involvement creates commitment and ownership. Identify informal leaders at every level

UK business school Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

UK business school - Research Proposal Example The availability of resources that are pre-requisite for the setting up of a business institution; the most important factor being the availability and the quality of the instructors that are present to teach at these institutions. The most critical factor amongst many for the business institutions is the great emphasis on quality. Most organizations are dwindled in their quest for excellence in the face of increasing consumer base which leads to greater revenues; therefore, to be focused on the emphasis on quality is certainly a great factor contributing to the success of these institutions as they have been able to successfully prevent applying trade-offs that are detrimental to the level of quality of the institution, which has in turn helped them maintain a level of quality; favorable effects of which have been experienced throughout the institution. Other success factors are favorable external conditions such helpful government policies, peaceful communal conditions etc; all of which conspire together to provide a supportive base for these institutions. ... the face of increasing consumer base which leads to greater revenues; therefore, to be focused on the emphasis on quality is certainly a great factor contributing to the success of these institutions as they have been able to successfully prevent applying trade-offs that are detrimental to the level of quality of the institution, which has in turn helped them maintain a level of quality; favorable effects of which have been experienced throughout the institution. Other success factors are favorable external conditions such helpful government policies, peaceful communal conditions etc; all of which conspire together to provide a supportive base for these institutions. (RAPIDBI, 2008) These success factors are likely to remain in the future as the emphasis on quality is an ingredient of success which is not contingent upon time; it remains a critical success factor at any point in time. In addition, the conditions in the UK can be expected to remain stable in the future so we can expec t no new occurrence of negative externalities to arise in the future. The Norwich Business School certainly holds a significant position in the industry of UK business institutions and that is largely due to rich educational experience that is promulgated by the institutions and the wide range of degrees that offered that in this business institution. With 600 undergraduate students and 180 post graduate students and operating in the Social Sciences market place, one can see that The Norwich Business School is certainly a big player in its specific market and, hence, it must be given due credit as being a major player with regards to the current market place. In addition, the future outlook of the organization looks fine as the university is multi-disciplinary and also has a School of

Research Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assignment - Research Paper Example Therefore, arguments that Information technology has lost its strategic value are baseless. According to Carr, companies were investing too much of their resources on IT (Carr, 2003). He therefore argued that it’s the high time that they turn their focus on risks rather than competitive advantage. However, this is not the case. After the entry of information technology, there was a boom as each company wanted to align itself effectively in the market. At the same time, globalization intensified as a result of liberalization of markets, efficient flow of information, and integration of economies. Consequently, companies were expanding their markets and operations in order to expand their sources of revenues. Therefore, they needed the necessary IT to enable them to monitor and manage various operations by the subsidiaries. This increased the demand. However, over the years, companies have reduced their spending on IT and have now focused on improving the existing infrastructure. Therefore, it is not right to argue that the value of information technology has diminish ed. On the contrary, new firms still invest heavily on IT. Nevertheless, with time they reduced this spending spree and focus on training and equipping their subordinates with the necessary skills to enable them maximize the returns through the use of IT. Carr argues that the greatest IT risk is overspending (Carr, 2003). He states that this puts the company at a cost disadvantage. However, this is not the case with the changes being experienced in the market. Initially, there were only few firms in the market. However, with the increasing levels of liberalization, multinational companies have entered different markets across the world in order to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with concentrating on a single market. Research indicates that these companies

Economics is, essentially the science of decision making. Do you agree Essay

Economics is, essentially the science of decision making. Do you agree or disagree Please explain and support your position - Essay Example The following discussion strengthens the hypothesis that economics is essentially the science of decision-making. Economics helps people to understand the production process, how goods and services can be exchanged, and the different consumption patterns in an economic system. In this case, economics plays a crucial role of helping individuals, and organizations to identify the goods and services that they can produce in the most profitable manner. It also enlightens them on the best markets to exchange their commodities, thus maximizing their returns. In relation to consumption, economics provides consumers with the ability to differentiate the consumption patterns that can make them live a stable life as opposed to consumption patterns that may impose strains on their lives. Therefore, economics plays a major role in the decision making process as it dictates what to do at given periods through provision of analytical data. The government also utilizes economic concepts when dealing with issues related to public finance and the concepts allow the government to set certain prices in the nation, and determine the spending of the government. Economics also contribute significantly to setting prices as it deals with the forces of demand and supply. Therefore, economics aids in the decision making process as it allows different entities to fix prices based on several considerations, that involves statistical relationships. Given that we live in a world of scarce resources, people strive to find ways that can help them utilize such resources in an efficient manner. Economics, which aims at studying human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses teaches individuals to cope. It helps individuals to make good use of scarce resources, thus increasing their wealth, and welfare. This emanates from the fact that economics increases the ability of individuals to make wise

Sheila Bair's Bank Shot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sheila Bair's Bank Shot - Essay Example She sounded the warning bell on an impending crisis, she lead FDIC in managing troubled financial institutions and provided one of the most significant arguments in the policy reform at the aftermath. From Nocera’s perspective, Bair’s position on FDIC’s role on regulation and several policies in the financial industry has been effective and correct, but often left unheeded and unappreciated. Two of the most significant of these is: 1) her insistence on greater regulation long before policymakers and experts started to preach it; and, 2) her position that banks in trouble are not necessarily needed to be bailed out. The article, hence, underscore the importance of listening to this lady in the context of averting possible reoccurrence of similar crisis in the future. Charles Kindleberger’s theory and analyses of financial crises are descriptive and it provided the general basis for Nocera’s agreement with Bair’s position on regulation and the 2008 financial crisis. Kindleberger’s model describes an exogenous shock to the system also called as displacement. The causes of such displacement are varied and could provide diverse degree of crisis severity. The tendency to speculate as well as the inevitable complacency that comes with a stable and growing financial economy on the part of regulatory bodies are crucial elements in aggravating such displacement. These run parallel with actions taken by Bair before the 2008 crisis struck. She has started warning about the explosive growth of subprime mortgages, demonstrating traces of the principles behind the Kindleberger model on financial crises. One of the most important contributions by Bair, which could enhance the Kindleberger’s model, is in the area of crisis cont rol. One of her most forceful positions was that banks do not necessarily need to be bailed out in order to stop the onslaught of the financial crisis. This is contained in her position on the larger issue about the too-big-to-fail financial institutions. For instance, Bair vehemently opposed the federal government’s rescue of Bearn Stearns. The article’s focus on FDIC inevitably tied it with the theme of lender-of-last resort. The organization is mandated to rescue and manage failed financial institutions and regulate banks’ soundness, among other functions by virtue of its mandate to safeguard the interests of depositors and of consumers. With Bair at the helm of FDIC during the financial crisis of 2008, these functions had been highlighted and that the manner by which the organization is and should function as a lender of last resort has been clearly defined. Bair’s traditionalist position has played a significant part, particularly in reinforcing FDIC ’s power and influence today, which in the early years of her tenure as chairperson, appeared to have been largely symbolic, with weak regulatory power, clipped by the federal government, with low budget allocation. In my opinion, Bair’s position on the financial crisis is sound, with particular emphasis on the crisis management and the reforms that should take place afterwards. For example, if a huge financial institution fails, the government could further aggravate the economic landscape by infusing more funds that come from taxpayer’s money. The too-big-to-fail policy does not make sense in the long-term. First, failing financial institutions mean bad management, structure and practices. Rescuing them is more painful than having the market start over with another better managed institution rather than dumping money and implementing reforms that may never really be effective considering the sheer size of the institution. In addition, it seems to be unfair to

The Black Cat and The Tell-tale heart by Edgar Allan Poe Essay Example for Free

The Black Cat and The Tell-tale heart by Edgar Allan Poe Essay Compare the two nineteenth century horror stories The Black Cat and The Tell-tale heart by Edgar Allan Poe, showing how Poe uses a range of techniques to make his stories dramatic and effective. Edgar Allan Poe was an American author who wrote The Black Cat and The Tell-tale Heart. The Black Cat written in 1845 depicts a supposedly animal loving man who becomes addicted to alcohol which eventually gets out of control and he ends up killing his cat and wife. The Tell-tale Heart was written in 1950 after Poes wifes death in 1847, portrays a madman who becomes paranoid about an old mans vulture like eye and similarly to The Black Cat he kills the old man. In both stories Poe uses a variety of techniques to convey his dramatic version of the gothic horror genre. He uses repetition through the rule of three, punctuation and simple sentences, settings and pathetic fallacy, the main homodiegetic narrator and innocent side characters as well as some significant supernatural events. These all help achieve the effective, dramatic gothic horror story. Another technique used by Poe is repetition including the use of the rule of 3. In the tell tale heart the pace of the story quickens when Poe used the repetition in the rule of three. Louder! Louder! Louder! this is said repeatedly at the end to insinuate the narrators panic and quickening velocity. This technique also works with the slow build of tension at the beginning of the story and the haste filled confession at the end. In an early paragraph the narrator describes himself to possess sagacity and throughout the story he praises his actions and reassures himself and the reader, how calmly I can tell you the whole story but towards the end he begins to lose control over his calmness and starts shouting (showing signs of madness). In the black cat Poe uses repetition in anaphora sentences I experienced a sentiment half of horror, half of remorse this gives a different thrilling and effective use of the narrators need to reiterate his emotions in an order, I think this can be linked to my previous mention of his possible OCD. Another technique Poe uses to make his stories dramatic and effective is the setting and pathetic fallacy. In the Black Cat Poe sets the beginning of the story as bright and sunny to portray a much happier, normal life and during the darkening times, the weather changes to dark, dangerous ad sombre. One night, returning home, much intoxicated, this supports the idea that Poe has used weather set the tone of the scene. During the deaths in the Black Cat the setting appears quite gloomy and dark like when the wife is killed in the cellar. In the Tell tale heart the narrator says that Every day at midnight which helps develop the idea that the time of day i.e. very dark, cooler which could affect the response from the reader. Poe also takes the setting (inside the old mans bedroom) as a tool to create that odd difference with the mad narrator and his fairly normal life. The way in which Poe takes the bedroom which is where people would often feel safe and uses it as the base for the murder should evoke an emotional response of unease from the reader. He has managed to turn a safe place into a sinister and dangerous place. This makes his stories dramatic and effective by exploring different aspects of normal every days lives and making them creepy and weird. This fits in with the Gothic genre by invoking terror and featuring terrifying experiences in a place where the reader should feel safe. Overall Poe uses a variety of techniques to create an effective and dramatic story which can make the reader feel un-easy. His use of the narrator, other characters, punctuation, repetition and the setting fulfil all the elements to create a dramatic and effective gothic horror story.

The criminal justice system in the United Kingdom

The criminal justice system in the United Kingdom Introduction: Justice is a human rights and law reform organization based in the United Kingdom. It is the British section of the International Commission of Jurists, the international human rights organization of lawyers devoted to the legal protection of human rights worldwide. Consequently, members of JUSTICE are predominantly barristers and solicitors, judges, legal academics, and law students. The main areas of Justices work are: Human rights Criminal justice European Union (EU) law The rule of the law The word fair is defined by Merriam-Websters Dictionary (2009) as marked by impartiality and honesty, free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism. Related words include just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, and objective, all of which mean free from favor toward either or any side. One additional term that is important for understanding fairness is desert. Desert refers to getting what you deserve, as in reward or punishment. The Criminal Justice System of England and Wales: The Criminal Justice System (CJS) is one of the major public services in the country, with over 400,000 staff across six agencies which work together to deliver criminal justice. The core agencies are the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, the National Offender Management Service (which covers prisons and probation) and the Youth Justice Board (which oversees Youth Offending Teams). Some services and initiatives within the CJS are run by a number of voluntary groups such as Victim Support and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO). The substantive aspect of the law reflects the what of the law, in that laws are created to define certain behaviors as crimes and to provide punishments for violations of those laws. Two main goals of Criminal Justice System: One goal of the criminal justice system is to reduce crime. Reducing crime can be achieved through reactive means, such as responding to a call for service, making an arrest, obtaining a criminal conviction, and carrying out the punishment imposed by the court, or through proactive means, such as eliminating the conditions that produce criminality. Another goal of criminal justice system is justice. They have to assure that they give justice to everyone without any discrimination. Justice should be above everything. Favorism should be eliminated from the root. Is criminal justice system fair? Before you decide whether the system is fit for purpose you have to decide what that purpose is. There is too much pressure on the criminal justice system because it is supposed to solve societys ills. But it is not the answer to everything; it cant be used to cope with the mentally ill, the homeless and problem teenagers. Thats not what it is designed for; it can never be fit for that purpose. Politicians have created a panic about crime so the public now fear there wont be enough space in prison for all the people who are guilty of offences. They have trapped themselves in a debate where they tell the public there is nothing wrong with the system, then enact more criminal laws to change it. One of the greatest challenges facing the criminal justice system is the need to balance the rights of accused criminals against societys interest in imposing punishments on those convicted of crimes. That is one view. An opposite view is the problem of wrongful convictions. A spate of wrongful convictions in Canada has resulted in judges in some jurisdictions being sent on a 3-day course on avoiding wrongful convictions. Why have these convictions occurred? Four factors have been identified: Overconfident eyewitnesses Bogus prosecution experts Lying jailhouse informants (who frequently invent confessions) Overzealous prosecutors or inept lawyers who jeopardize the right to trial of the accused. An additional factor in wrongful convictions is the tendency, particularly in high profile cases, of the press, police, and publicity-seeking public figures, to convict the accused prior to trial. As expected, comments on both sides of the debate are plentiful. Some of the critics of Sir John Stevens (head of the  Metropolitan Police Service from 2000 until 2005) suggest that social action is the best approach in cutting crime, so that the issue of criminal justice never comes up, since crimes will not be committed. Job creation is an excellent example of that approach. The problem, of course, is that organized and even disorganized, that is random crime is not affected by job creation. Gangs terrorizing neighborhoods are not impressed by flower-planting and make-work programs. The issue of the criminal justice system is therefore not addressed. Crimes will still occur and the criminal justice system will still have its problems. The other view, dealing with wrongful convictions, is equally as serious. When people sit, wrongly convicted, for 15 years, major miscarriages of justice occur. Another factor influencing the system is public opinion. The courts have a difficult balance to achieve while the courts should not be controlled by public sentiment, neither should they lose the confidence of the population. Let us look now at another country, the United States of America. When the former President, Mr. Bush, was Governor of Texas, that State had an incredible record of executions. Yet I didnt see crime, or more the fear of crime, decrease. The streets of Texas cities are empty even at midday due to concerns with crime. We have seen this situation in Houston and Dallas. You cannot find people out at night walking around. Instead, they live, if they can afford it, in gated communities. Now it is equally true that Texas has a strong gun culture. However, no one doubts that hardened criminals in any jurisdiction can obtain the firepower they want. Equally, liberal approaches to crime, such as that of Mr. Lionel Jospins government in France, have resulted in the police unwilling to enter certain neighborhoods and uncontrolled street gangs burning automobiles and Lorries. Do you notice something interesting with these examples? Whether the criminal justice system is restrictive or permissive, gang violence is rampant since the public order establishment (not just the police) have not addressed the situation by eliminating the gangs. Is that the answer? Would that return order and public confidence? Should the goal of the criminal justice system be the conviction of the guilty? Or fair trials for all? Or the elimination or reduction of crime? Equally, if fair trials are the goal, and crime still dominates, there will be no public satisfaction or confidence. Reform of Criminal Justice System: The Justice for All public service agreement (PSA 24) outlines a program of reforms for reducing crime and re-offending, and providing justice. This section sets out these programs against the main priority areas. Efficiency and effectiveness Making the system/process more efficient and effective at bringing offences to justice is a priority for the Criminal Justice System. This section covers the programs aiming to support this goal. Bichard 7 Business information strategy Cross-CJS alignment Exchange links Postal charging and requisitions Prisons to Court Video Links PROGRESS Secure eMail Virtual Courts Public confidence: The Criminal Justice System working effectively requires that people in local communities feel confident that it is fair, effective and meets local needs. This section covers the programs aiming to ensure local communities are informed about its performance, consulted and engaged about their priorities. Adult Conditional Cautions Community Engagement with the CJS Youth Crime Action Plan Victim and witness satisfaction: The Criminal Justice System exists to allow victims to seek redress. This section covers the programs aiming to help improve victims and witnesses satisfaction with the service provided by the CJS. Victims Pledge Witness Charter Race disproportional: The Criminal Justice System needs to be fair to all regardless of their background or situation. This section covers the programs aiming to help identify and address any unjustified disproportional with regard to race throughout the criminal justice process. Minimum Data Set Asset recovery The Criminal Justice System is concerned with seizing assets acquired by convicted criminals through their activities. This section covers the programs aiming to support the recovery of assets from criminals. Content will be available shortly. Compliance and enforcement: Ensuring that offenders and defendants comply with sentences and orders of the Criminal Justice System is integral to delivering an effective and efficient justice system that inspires public confidence and trust. This section covers programs aiming to produce an improved way of measuring compliance and enforcement performance. Compliance and enforcement measure. WORD COUNT:

Hagia Sophia: Architecture Description

Hagia Sophia: Architecture Description Basilicas were used for commerce, as public meeting places and for courts of law. The Hagia Sophia was built as the Byzantine Emperor, Justinians personal imperial church. It was built in the hopes of competing with the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The Forum was built from a vast stoa-lined piazza measuring 660 by 390 feet (200x120m) with exedrae on two sides. The main entrance to the forum is on the southern side, a triumphal arch surmounted by a statue of Trajan in a six-horse chariot. The Basilica Ulpia lies at the north end of the piazza, which was cobbled with rectangular blocks of white marble and decorated by a large equestrian statue of Trajan. On either side of the piazza are markets, also housed by the exedrae. Justinians basilica was at once the culminating architectural achievement of late antiquity and the first masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Its influence, both architecturally and liturgically, was widespread and enduring in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Cathol ic, and Muslim worlds alike. The largest columns are of granite, about 19 or 20 meters high and at least 1.5 meters in diameter; the largest weigh well over 70 tons apiece. Under Justinians orders, eight Corinthian columns were disassembled from Baalbek, Lebanon and shipped to Constantinople for the construction of Hagia Sophia. The vast interior has a complex structure. The nave is covered by a central dome which has a maximum diameter of 31.24meters (102ft6in) and a height from floor level of 55.6meters (182ft5in), about one fourth smaller and greater, respectively, than the dome of the Pantheon. The dome seems rendered weightless by the unbroken arcade of 40 arched windows under it, which help flood the colorful interior with light. Due to consecutive repairs in the course of its history, the dome has lost its perfect circular base and has become somewhat elliptical with a diameter varying between 31.24m (102ft6in) and 30.86m (101ft3in). The dome is carried on pendentives — four concave triangular sections of masonry which solve the problem of setting the circular base of a dome on a rectangular base.[15] At Hagia Sophia the weight of the dome passes through the pendentives to four massive piers at the corners. Between them the dome seems to float upon four great arches. These were reinforced with buttresses during Ottoman times, under the guidance of the architect Mimar Sinan. At the western (entrance) and eastern (liturgical) ends, the arched openings are extended by half domes carried on smaller semi-domed exedras. Thus a hierarchy of dome-headed elements builds up to create a vast oblong interior crowned by the main dome, a sequence unexampled in antiquity. Despite all these measures, the weight of the dome remained a problem, which was solved by adding buttresses from the outside. All interior surfaces are sheathed with polychrome marbles, green and white with purple porphyry and gold mosaics, encrusted upon the brick. This sheathing camouflaged the large pillars, giving them, at the same time, a brighter aspect. On the exterior, simple stuccoed walls reveal the clarity of massed vaults and domes. The yellow and red color of the exterior was added by the architect Fossati during the restorations in the 19th century. Looking at the plan of Trajans Basilica, there seems to be good balance and symmetry in the design. The plan shows that the structure was huge, holding thousands of people if needed. The Hagia Sophia, while a large building in its right, to me still looks smaller and less grand because of its closed dome. Trajans basilica was open, giving it an even more open and expanse feeling. Hagia Sophia is also very symmetrical in design. In both cases, these structures were fully functional as community meeting places or religious places of worship. They reflected the wealth and power of their emperors who commissioned their construction. Each structure is huge and larger than life in their design: the Hagia Sophia was adorned with gold and beautiful mosaics on its interior walls while the Trajans Forum was large, open and had several statues and monuments built inside to honor Trajan. Wikipedia contributors. Trajans Forum. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Apr. 2010. Web. 10 May. 2010. Wikipedia contributors. Hagia Sophia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 May. 2010. Web. 10 May. 2010.

English Literature Poems :: English Literature

English Literature Poems Compare the methods that ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’ employs to highlight the importance of cultural identity with another poem? I have chosen to compare ‘Presents’ and ‘Hurricane’ as both poems highlight the importance of cultural identity in society. Both poets ‘Alvi’ and ‘Nicholas’ employ many different and similar methods to illustrate the importance of cultural identity. The poem ‘Presents’ is about the writer herself at a younger age feeling insecure as she is of dual heritage (mixed race) ‘in my English Grandmother’s dining - room. In the poem the poet begins to conflict with herself as she believes that she is not of one set race ‘I was there of no fixed nationality’. Throughout the poem the poet begins to show her insecurity as she begins to respond to the presents her aunties bought her from her native land negatively ‘I could never be as lovely as those clothes’. A t the end of the poem the Alvi is unable to resolve her problem as she finishes the poem feeling rather down saying ‘I was there of no fixed nationality’. The poem ‘Hurricane’ is rather similar in the way that it is again autobiographical. In the poem the writer is also in conflict with herself as she has left her motherland Guyana to move to England. At first the poet dreaded England but as soon as there was news of a Hurricane she began to feel much at home as hurricanes happen often in the southern equator. The writer shows her relationship with the hurricane by referring to it as her ‘sweeping a back home cousin’. At the end of the poem the writer resolves her problem which is her conflict with herself as she misses her homeland ‘Come to let me know that the earth is the earth’. The similarities of the poems are that they both involve the same situation which is conflict with another culture. Both poems ‘Presents’ and ‘Hurricane’ are autobiographical as ‘I’ is used which is a first person pronoun. Even though the poem ‘Presents’ begins with the third person pronoun ‘They’ however the poet uses many first person references such as ‘me’, ‘I’, and ‘My’. The poem Hurricane also uses third person references such as ‘her’ which is employed to distance the character. ‘Presents’ is structured to show the conflict of the characters culture and identity. In each paragraph each sentence is aligned differently however in ‘Hurricane’ it is structured differently. In ‘Hurricane’ the poem is structured to show to build up the climax. The first stanza shows the emotional detachment of the author to the hurricane.

Code Of Professional Ethics By American Institute Of Certified Public E

Code of Professional Ethics by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Introduction "A code of professional ethics is a voluntary assumption of self discipline above and beyond the requirements of the law. The Code of Ethical Conduct serves the highly practical purpose to notify the public that the profession will protect the public interest" (Carey, Doherty: p 3). When people need a doctor, a lawyer or a certified public accountant, they seek someone whom they can trust to do a good job, not for himself but for them. People assume that the hired professional is qualified since they cannot appraise him. They must take it on faith that he is competent. That is why professionals are distinguished from businesses and why there is a need for ethical regulations. The Code of Professional Ethics The Code of Professional Ethics for public accountants was developed by the American Institute of Public Accountant and includes four different categories. The first, Concepts of Professional Ethics, establishes major requirements for CPAs in different areas of their day-to-day professional activities. The main parts of the Code are: Independence, Integrity and Objectivity in the practice of public accounting, Competence and technical standards, Responsibilities to clients, Responsibilities to colleagues and Other responsibilities and Practices. Independence has always been the fundamental concept to the accounting profession. In fact it is the most essential to the practice of all professions. The financial reports produced by CPAs would be of little value to the public unless CPAs maintain their independence. Independence has always been associated with integrity and objectivity. Since faults on financial statements may be the result of either a honest mistake or a lack of integrity it is imperative to associate the notion of independence with the objectivity and integrity. As part of the requirements by the Code of ethics, CPA should avoid any relationships that may result in the CPA's becoming dependent on the particular client. Such relationships include financial interests and client management. It is very important that the opinion of the CPA reflects the results of operating decisions taken by the client and not any underlying ideas which may be the case if a CPA takes part in the decision making process of the company. Another important ... ... of particular cases given under Ethics Rulings. In addition to the standards described above, state CPA institutions and other government establish their own ethical standards. Conclusion Professional ethics is concerned with human behaviour and human relations. As human society becomes more complicated, so do the codes of professional conduct. The purpose of the rules is to attract and increase public confidence and discourage behaviour inconsistent with the image of profession. Public confidence may even be more important to the public accountant than to any other professional because CPAs are concerned not only about their clients but also about those who rely on their reports. The code of ethical conduct provides members of the profession with the rules that were worked out on the historical basis to attract the confidence of the public. Therefore, the rules of ethics are the foundation of public confidence. Works Cited John L. Carey and William O. Doherty. Ethical Standards of the Accounting Profession. New York: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1966 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Code of Professional Ethics. New York: AICPA, 1977

Current Issues in Early Childhood Education Essay

Early childhood education refers to the type of education for children in the early ages, those considered still vulnerable in life. It’s normally considered from the inception of human life to age eight. Other synonyms can be used like early childhood learning, early care and early education but they all mean the same thing as early childhood education. There are so many emerging issues in early childhood education today. This is majorly due to the changes in the cultures, dynamism, political systems and technology. These changes have had a very drastic change in the education of children. Some of these changes include the changes in the resources for use in teaching the children, the change in curriculum, the change in the mode of teaching and the support materials to be used in class. (Booth, 2004) There are different curriculum approaches which have caused different effects in the school systems especially the early childhood curriculum in Alabama. The three common approaches are the traditional approach, the learner centred approach and the critical approach. These approaches have brought about different issues in the school curriculum. These include: (Gibbs, 1992) Â  The Scott Foresman series is a very intensive reading intervention programme. It’s designed for children i.e. Those who cannot comprehend grade-level material and cannot benefit from the strategic intervention of support materials in class. The program is a systematic, researched based and well balanced program that has a great influence on every lesson taught in class. It utilizes the five essential elements of reading which include phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. They form the fundamental instructional design of the lessons. Students are provided strategies and activities that often reinforce the essential components in learning. (Barnett, 1992) The ultimate goal of this series is to ensure that early(Barnett, 1992) childhood teachers across the united states get high quality and well aligned classroom assessments to adequately monitor the learners in development of their skills and achieve the best in the educational objectives. This series is based on the priority skills model which ensures that students receive the right and the best instructional materials at each grade level. Of much emphasis is the early childhood level. This has created a more accurate and effective alignment of state standards. The curriculum in this series was developed by the education experts, who were trained in their coding process, having more independent decisions as to the content and quality of the evaluation process and the state objectives. Test alignment indices for each test grade level were prepared by the technical staff and comprised grading from 0.0 to 0.1 and the possibility of comparisons with other tests. It adapted the handwriting curriculum making it one of the best series in the states. This handwriting curriculum is the innovative, continuous stroke method of teaching children how to write on manuscripts. This has had a positive effect on the form of education because it has caused consistency. (Barnett, 1992) In general the Scott Foresman series fulfils the requirements which are fundamental for an educational programme. These include providing solid support for teachers in the classroom, enabling the learners especially children to learn equally and complying with the State and local curriculum guidelines and frameworks. The Scott Foresmans series however has had failures also. One of the failures is its overemphasis on child student learner and not considering an older person. The resource materials, the curriculum development, the learning criteria and the evaluation process is so much articulated to the child development and the older student has not been considered. The Scott Foresman series helps the teacher to identify only the best children and develop them ignoring the slow learners and the weak students. This is evident in the mode of instruction which gives priority the best learners to excel. The system of learning in Foresman is very rigid and procedural. This does not give room to the learner to have his own research and to utilize other skills of children. The series provide a routine that provide an explicit and systematic format. Reference: Barnett, R. (1992) Learning effect, Great Britain: Open University press. Gibbs, G. (1992) Teaching more students: problems design strategies, Oxford: Polytechnic The oxford Centre for staff Development (1994) Course design for Resource based learning, Oxford: Oxford Brookes. Booth, T. (2004) developing learning, participation and play in the early years of child care, Bristol: Centre for learning and Inclusive education. Education review office (2002) Evaluation review on early childhood services, Wellington: Education Review office.

Punishment vs Discipline Essay

Ashlee Johnson 04/29/10 Punishment vs. Discipline HFS 4213 Children cannot possibly benefit from â€Å"discipline† in the form of punishment. Simply put, punishment is disrespectful treatment of a child that will result short- term cooperation but further behavior problems long-term. No child should have to endure such negative modification methods intended to humiliate them with a goal of teaching appropriate behavior. Sadly, however, some adults think they are doing what is best for the child. But what can a child possibly learn from hearing a parent say, â€Å"If you hit your brother one more time, I’m gonna spank you! † The child interprets that message as â€Å"if I hit him, then you’re going to hit me. † There is no valuable lesson being taught in such a situation. Thankfully, organizations such as NAEYC have set forth guidelines for appropriate teaching techniques for parents and educators to utilize at home and in classrooms. By taking the initiative to research alternatives to punishment, one would see the egative impact this has on children. Anger, aggression, damaged self-esteem, fear, hostility, resentment, and deceitfulness are Just a few of the ways children respond to the emotional, physical, and verbally abusive means of punishment they may experience in an environment of uninformed adults. Even though it may be unintentional, the results can be devastating. There are many ways that discipline can be positive and actually help children learn. Effective child guidance approaches will instill in a child a way of controlling their own behavior. Children should have the power to make choices, and then they will learn from the consequences of their actions. They have a right to be respected and need to learn how to handle their emotions. It is our duty as early childhood educators and parents to allow young children an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding from the experiences we offer them in safe, nurturing environments.

Counterproductive Effects in Rewards and Motivation

When employing, retention and parting signify intricate, long term and multi- layered dealings rather than a Counterproductive Effects in Rewards and Motivation simple market deal, employees and employers will be principally careful to avoid entering the relationship with an inappropriate partner but, in speedily moving economic and industrial environments it is rational that a firm's employment needs will be changing too. In this situation, a guarantee of long-term employment would be extremely expensive if the firm is not able to reallocate workers to new tasks as the requirements rose.So, Counterproductive Effects in Rewards and Motivation for employees, surviving and been considered by the firm as a valued component in these conditions becomes a personal challenge, especially if these employees' performance is compared with others' using subjective evaluation systems based not only in performance and results, but also in perceptions and Image. Human Wealth refers to the knowledge and acquired skills; a person has to upsurge his or her ability to conduct activities with economic value. Human Wealth is most often acquired by knowledge on through teaching by others who already have the necessary skills.It is the factor that differentiates raw labor power from skilled expertise at some task or job and as a crucial determinant of productivity. Today's companies' true strength resides in their Human Capital so, an impulse to improve the human development into the organizations becomes crucial to guarantee its survival in this highly competitive world. It is necessary that top & middle management perform a deep auto critic of their attitudes in order to look, find and sustain that motivation that worries us. It is useful to distinguish between firm-specific and general-purpose (or non-specific) Human Capital.Skills and knowledge that increases the person's productivity when working for any of several different employers represents general-purpose Human Capital, an d normally, a firm is unlikely to help pay this kind of tuition. On the other hand, firm-specific Human Capital, like knowledge of the firm's specific accounting system, machines or procedures. It might seem worthwhile for an employer to invest in worker's firm-specific Human Capital.

Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-seven

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