Introduction to Science

2 Moderately unfamiliar Assumptions About AY-Qaeda Introduction to Homeland Security Research Paper August 17, 2013 Mr.. William R Did Lori 2 moderately unfamiliar assumptions about al-Qaeda Abstract From intellectuals to policy-makers alike. All of the extraordinary output on the subject of al-Qaeda, has recently led to a number of far-reaching theories about the group which remain startlingly unexplored.The two assumptions, this paper examines and reveals each one's foundational role in assertions as well as debates about leaked, despite the relatively unexplored status of each. These 2 assumptions relate to: (1) the role of the internet in actual terrorist activity; and (2) the association between combating a global â€Å"AY-Qaeda and combating al-Qaeda In Iraq†. Introduction Miller's ever-burgeoning bookish literature which anyone familiar with terrorism would recognize, quickly titled the ‘Six rather unusual propositions about terrorism'.Is what my research paper pl ays off. In 2005, Miller's astute and incisive piece brought to the forefront six unfamiliar assumptions about terrorism that should already have spawned discussion among intellectuals In the field, but ad not, until his work provocatively presented those propositions. In a similar stratum, this research paper focuses on 2 rather unfamiliar theories about al-Qaeda which I think demand far greater research, attention, and debate than Miller's had received thus far.It Is my Intention to focus these reflections on some Insufficiently explored theories regarding particularly al-Qaeda. However, most of the theories relate more broadly to terrorism concerning Issues In general. What Is meant here by the phrase moderately unfamiliar assumptions ? By ‘ unfamiliar this dialogue reposes that the thinking explored here prowl beneath many of the affirmations made by intellectuals on al-Qaeda. This coupled with getting beneath many of the affirmations frequently put forward by political ty pes (politicians and policy-makers).Humbly, this Is not to Imply that these particular assumptions are shared universally: in fact, many of the theories are really opposing pairs of, dichotomous conjectures, Witt those partisan to one side to a certain debate embracing that conjecture while their opponents reciprocate the other. Centrally the point is that these outright and racial foundational notions concerning al-Qaeda, are for many assertions made by those addressing key issues and debating in the field.By ‘ assumptions these reflections suggest that Miller's six assumptions have been given inadequate attention in terrorism scholarship and dialogue. Not saying that these assumptions have been converted into the bases for other claims because they have been considered so obviously true and were taken for granted, or so indispensable research as to be automatically accepted for any scholarship whatsoever to continue. Contrarily, these assumptions engross some complex, incons equential matters.This being said too often they have been accepted and neglected in favor of important research in other directions. What I hope to achieve with this paper is to draw attention to them, and in doing so, persuade their investigation through due diligent research and in depth analyses. Far too often these assumptions have not been totally ignored, but they have been left moderately unexplored. In addition, they also have been taken as the basis for other claims and assertions.For this reason, this research paper investigates 2 of the six assumptions, n an attempt to reveal what is habitually taken for granted in many conversations about al-Qaeda. This coupled with the consequent penalty for assertions made about counterterrorism and terrorism. In addition, proposals for how each assumption could be explored more completely and systematically are offered. This research paper then concludes by making a note of social science, and that it may never offer perfect answers on issues such as those brought up earlier.Moreover, headway towards a more scrupulous and more researched deliberation on these matters would represent significant progress. Assumption 1: The role of the internet The first moderately unfamiliar assumption requiring in depth research concerns the function of the internet in the dynamics of al-Qaeda, and its product of terrorism. Generally it has become normal to refer with awe to the purportedly amplified central – role that the internet has assumed in the progression of terrorist activities regarding al-Qaeda and its cells .As for the most part, in a thorough discussion, Atman (2006) suggesting that it ‘is no embellishment to say that the Internet is the solitary most significant factor in transforming mostly local Jihad concerns and actions into the truly universal network that al Qaeda has developed into today', and culminating in the claim that ‘al Qaeda is hastily becoming the foremost web- directed guerrilla network in the world' (up. 124, 149). Atman and others who trenchantly talked about the position of the internet in al-Qaeda progression collects evidence of vast amounts of Jihads online activity to craft their case.Chat rooms, emails and Web sites all bristle with Jihads discussion, dissemination, and debate, providing resources vital to individuals studying al-Qaeda. However, the real mentality of such virtual movement to al-Qaeda and its acts of terrorism remains a relatively unexplored theory in these intellectual accounts of the internet transformation role for al-Qaeda. Some questions some, are internet-based communications in tact bringing together factions who would not otherwise have met?Or question two dose it Just simply provides an easier, less costly, and more rapid platform for terrorist or radical type exchanges that nevertheless would likely have otherwise taken place? Thirdly, do the social networks acknowledged by Seaman (2008, esp.. up. 109-123) being facilitate d ND amplified through use of the internet, or is the primary meaner of face-to-face contact still the way in which definite terrorist goings-on come about? Lastly, is virtual training materials replacing actual physical terrorist training camps.Or dose those found guilty of the 7 July 2005 bombings in London, demonstrate connections to ‘conventional', physical training camps and are they still a key element of terrorist activity? Moreover, dose a rather simplistic, but nevertheless helpful, similarity underscores the point and again asks this question. If an unfamiliar person were to investigate my wan communications, they would surely find an enormous amount of correspondence taking place over the internet, mostly through emails and research. They might be coaxed to conclude that such correspondence would not be taking place if I were lacking access to the internet.Now a conclusion such as this is not inevitably warranted however, as many of the very same correspondence that I currently converse through emails are the very same I would communicate if the internet didn't exist. Instead I would use phone calls, letters, and face to face letters, meetings. So, my use of the internet definitely would exhibit an advancement in my earns of communication, the real effect if truth be told would be a displacement of associations and communication that would on the other hand occurred otherwise. So that meaner that the substantive effect would, in reality, be far slighter than it first appeared.Scholarly Works such as that of â€Å"Limit already have begun to suggest that at least somewhat similar phenomenon may characterize the role of the internet in radical Salamis discussions and activity. † [1] â€Å"Limit (outwitted a doubt, the internet has played an important and significant role in spreading al-Qaeda ideology and usage, especially as images and videos from Iraq have disseminated quickly and widely around the country, and indeed, around the world . But the oft-asserted and oft-bemoaned link between the role of the internet and actual terrorist activity remains undocumented, unclear – and a sixth rather unexplored assumption.Research must continue in the direction provided by Bunt (2003), Wingman (AAA, Bibb), and others, and evolve further still from an analysis of what terrorists try to accomplish over the internet to what in fact the actual effects and consequences of such virtual activities are. † Assumption 2: The relationship between fighting ‘AY-Qaeda in Iraq' and fighting al- Qaeda globally On November 16, 2002 in a notoriously proclaiming speech President George W. Bush stated that â€Å"We're taking the fight to the terrorists abroad, so we don't have to face them here at home. [3] This bold statement that he and several of his constituents have repeated numerous times since. In response, pundits , scholars, and critical politicians, like Simon and Benjamin (2005, up. 192-193), have retorted that such a notorious proclamation coupled with the conception of the threat faced in Iraq by Americans and its allies alike, is deeply misguided. Several of these critics push and take it a step turner still, declaring Nat t there is little to no correlation between now America fares in Iraq as well as how a global counterterrorism campaign in opposition to al-Qaeda would proceed.The dichotomy of these opposing views constitutes some relatively unexplored yet significant opposing assumptions. Of course Bush and his constituents reciprocated several arguments in their favor as well fore example: â€Å"not only that killing or capturing terrorists in Iraq prevents them room ever getting to American shores,†[3] also, and probably more convincingly, â€Å"that dealing â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq† a visible defeat will turn the tide of global support against the group. [3] Supporters of these views in particular are later fond that invoking Osama bin Alden's own claim that â€Å"w hen people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse. † This statement by Bin Laden was used to the advantage of Bush which meet that, for those who supported his comments, meet that success in Iraq holds the the key and potential of becoming a success globally in slowing the momentum spawned by al-Qaeda in recent years. By saying this the assumption of the right is that crushing ‘AY-Qaeda in Iraq' can and will contribute to crushing al-Qaeda globally.Conversely, Left wingers (Bush's critics) uphold that there was little to no al-Qaeda presence in Iraq before the American invasion in 2003 coupled with the notion that America's expensive and gory efforts in Iraq are in fact, purely a distraction of capital and attention from the global operation against the terrorist group that actually attacked the US on 11 September 2001. The left wingers in general focused on the first and weakest of Bush's two main arguments.The Intel into Iraqis show that terrorist cells in Iraq are in fact mostly Iraqis as opposed to outsiders who were not affianced in terrorist actions before America entered Iraq. Consecutively, critics assert that even dealing â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq† a evident defeat will yield little to hinder al-Qaeda globally. This assumption in this regard by left wingers is that even a comprehensive defeat of â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq† would offer an immaterial role to America's global counterterrorism efforts. So the question is which one these partisan assumptions â€Å"if either† are correct.This is enormously the meat of today's debate/research concerning forward momentum in Iraq. The dichotomy of opposing assumptions sadly, and shockingly, had been given virtually no attention by intellectuals at the time. Scrupulously, the question of whether an observer crushing of ‘AY-Qaeda in Iraq' would persuade Shadiest and potential Shadiest worldwide hadn't been the subject matter of almost all d etailed research at the time. Cook's (2003) intuitive paper entitled, â€Å"The recovery of radical Islam in the wake of the defeat of the Taliban,† spelled out the type of research that could be a necessary modeled.In that paper, Cook traces Jihads debates and proclamations to reveal the ways in which America's notable but incomplete defeat of the Taliban in late 2001 was hastily rationalized and explained away by Shadiest globally. This left them with little if no impression helpful to America's counterterrorism efforts. [10] Some would say that what is needed for success in Iraq is a parallel study, tracing Jihads debates since 2003 coupled with investigating whether the evident success or failure of â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq† shows to have had any impact on generating or dampening though undoubtedly more difficult concern for al-Qaeda globally.Also it is by no meaner definitive as to the probable results of future developments in Iraq, such a study of the past ten yea rs would provide enormous input to ongoing debates coupled Witt laying the dauntlessly tort evaluating, in a grounded and intellectual manner, the inferences that success by the US against â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq† either will or will not yield useful effects against al- Qaeda on a broader scale. In addition, exploring another prospectively intuitive approach to these dichotomies of assumption could emulate Shannon and Tennis's (2007) fascinating â€Å"Militant Islam and the futile fight for the reputation†. 27] Just as these intellectual types examine past manifestations of American determination in order to evaluate whether militant Psalmists ever truly rework their opinion of the US as wish-washy, current and future research can and should explore whether defeats in one ring for worldwide terrorist groups in reality have any impact on the drive of such groups globally. Research down both these positions, and in other directions additionally one hopes, would fall short of providing any definitive answers as to the connection between the war against â€Å"AY-Qaeda in Iraq†and the war against al-Qaeda globally.

Anana

Study Guide Note about the purpose of this Study Guide: This study guide is to help you be aware of the information you'll need to know to earn an A* on the Unit Exam for my class. I have also noted the related objectives that may be tested on during the Cambridge Exam at the end of the year. Cambridge Themes and Key Questions Addressed: Theme 1 : Government and the People 1754-2000 Key Question 1: How did Americans develop the U. S. Political system during the period from 1754 to 1865? Why did relations between the British and the colonists deteriorate before 1776?How was the Constitution created? The writings of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Tom Paine The Revolutionary War: political and military leadership, military events, and their consequences 1775-83 Theme 2: Who Are Americans? Key Question 1: How far did the economic, social, and political status of Native Americans change from 1754 to 2000? Theme 4: America and the World 1754-2010 Key Question 1: How were the borders of the nation defined by 1853? How important was the role of France in shaping the borders of U. S. A.? To what extent were war and diplomacy with Brittany important in defining U.S. Borders? VOCABULARY: Duties/Tariffs Import Export Revenue Martyr Tyrant/Tyranny Autocratic Militia Direct Tax Indirect Tax Loyalists Patriots Aristocracy Monarchy (and hereditary monarchy) Effigy Boycott Tar & Feathering Mercantilism: forerunner to imperialism; colonies help a mother country become self-sufficient and wealthy; idea that no great nation can exist without colonies; economic nationalism; limit imports from other countries but encourage exports to other countries.

Uop Mkt 421: Marketing Plan Phase I

Marketing Plan Phase I MKT 421 April 14, 2013 Lisa Cox Marketing Plan Phase I Organizational Overview â€Å"Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone (Apple, 2013). This mission statement provides a quick overview of Apple and how the company has become a well-known name in many homes and businesses around the world. The main company store is located in Cupertino, California, but the service does not stop there. There are 390 retail stores open around the world (Campbell, 2012), and the internet has provided Apple with the ability to fulfill the supply and demand of its products to anyone, anywhere. The ability to provide products to individuals all over the world is important to a company with many different product lines.Apple provides consumers with a variety of products that range from iPods, iTunes, iMacs (laptops and desktops), iPads (tablets), iPhones, Apple TV, iCloud (virtual storage), and many other accessories and applications for all of these product lines (Apple, 2013). However, the one product Apple has yet to release is the iTooth, a wireless ear piece for talking on the phone, listening to music, and several other tasks. New Product Description The iTooth headset features extremely compact and light-weight construction, voice activated calling and answering, fast recharge, wideband audio and dual Noise Blackout microphones.The headset is compatible with all iPhone’s and other Apple products and provides additional support for advanced Bluetooth features such as call waiting and voice-activated dialing. Just pair the iTooth with your Apple devices and enjoy the rewards that are in store. Since the iTooth is voice activated there is no need to push a button anymore, to answer the phone just simply speaks what you want it to do and the iTooth will do everything for you. When you connect the iTooth to your Apple device you are going to have a secure connection.No need to worry about the device losing your connection to the iTooth. We are introducing the new Importance of Marketing If any business is to be successful, it must announce or make known its product to the potential buyers. After all, Gillette, the founder of the Gillette razor empire was fond of saying â€Å"All business is 90% advertising. † With Apple it is no different. For us to be successful, consumers must know about our product, its advantages over competition and what makes Apple different from other companies that are in the same marketplace.Essentially, marketing for Apple allows o ur name to be constantly on the consumers’ minds, to be associated with high quality, innovative products that are cool and hip. If the marketing strategy is executed properly, chances are that will be reflected with higher sales for Apple. Essentially, marketing develops a strategy that directs a company’s resources to expand its products, and is thus fundamental in the company’s success. That is exactly what is happening with the introduction of the Bluetooth for Apple.By introducing this new product, all the while marketing it in conjunction with our existing products, most notable the iPhone, we anticipate our sales to increase accordingly. Additionally, we expect to increase our customer base with the Bluetooth technology. To get the full effect of marketing, Apple will incorporate a yearly, all-encompassing plan for the entire business, with special focus the Bluetooth technology. Basically, marketing will expose all our potential customers to our new prod uct, which will give Apple an opportunity to be successful and proceed in further product development and introduction.Additionally, with solid marketing strategy, Apple will continue to solidify itself as a strong brand name that is easily recognizable and reputable, all the while being associate with innovative technology and the cool factor. SWOTT Analysis Strengths One strength of the iTooth Headset is that it is an apple product so it is already considered socially and publically acceptable to consumers. There are several features that will help with the success of its launch: -It is Lightweight, for a comfort fit. It will not feel heavy or cause discomfort to the consumer. Voice activated dialing to allow users to speak to device to make phone calls and answer them too! -Supports call waiting and voice-activated dials for added benefit. – Fast recharge so you do not have to wait a long time to recharge your iTooth, it will help safe time. -Wideband audio is to allow you several feet away from your mobile device. This will allow you to walk and talk around your home or work office. You can be hands free to perform some of the other tasks you need hands for. -Dual noise blackout microphones allows for clearer conversations. You will only hear you and your caller’s conversations.It can slice out decibels of background noise. -It is compatible with all Apple iPhones. Weaknesses A weakness the iTooth may have is that not everyone is well versed in the use of the voice activation feature on phones today so it will be a little more difficult to get those challenging consumers to get used to answering the phone without using a button. Voice activated answering is going to need a little getting used to since it is a new feature process. -Voice activated answering, not everyone may understand or know how to do this function, especially those who are mobile and technically challenged. Secure connection when connecting an iPhone to the iTooth may not b e as secure as the user hopes, if they are challenged technically. Opportunities An opportunity I see in the devices would be the voice answering function. Being it is a new feature, there is a possibility another person’s voice that is nearby may interfere or answer your phone call for you. How is the organization going to reassure the consumer that it is specifically the owner (users) voice that is going to answer the call and not someone else? -Voice activated answering may be difficult to answer at first when trying to use the function for the first time.There may be a learning curve associated with it. -Phone losing connection to iTooth. What is the guarantee this will not happen? Threats There are other competitors who are also launching the same time of product and provide similar functionality. We need to make sure that we are marketing or show off all the pluses this product can do so we do not lose consumers to other competitors. -What will make this product stay ou t from other competitors? Marketing Research Approach To complete its marketing research Apple will employ various kinds of marketing research.From market research surveys and focus groups, to individual interviews, observation, and field tests. The essential statistics required are how much money Apple customers are prepared to pay for iTooth. Based that information our marketing strategy will be composed. The surveys will be to the point and clear-cut; that way we can study sample groups that symbolize the ideal market. The bigger the model, the more trustworthy our outcome will be. This will permit us to present the public with models of the product based on what the study groups liked.In-person surveys are very useful, but however they are expensive. Our marketing tactics are detailed with day to day course of action. This decision is necessary to achieve the desired marketing approach. The new Apple Bluetooth will seek to increase sales by introducing the new products in the ma rket; the buyer base will grow when customers buy this new product. At the same time, old customers will be drawn to iTooth, as they see new ground-breaking features in the most recent product. This also will add to the sales, which will ultimately boost Apple’s profitability.Another way of increasing sales is to go after the â€Å"occasion shopper†, especially during the holidays. Marketing research is any well thought-out attempt to collect data in relation to market and customers. It is an extremely important component of the overall business approach. The expression is frequently interchanged with marketing research; though, specialist practitioners may want to draw a difference, in that advertising analysis is concerned particularly in relation to marketing procedures, whereas market research is worried specially with advertising.Market research is another key aspect. The marketing research provides a business an clear image of what kind of new creations and produ ct could fetch revenue. For merchandise and services already obtainable, marketing research will be able to tell Apple if they are meeting their customers’ wishes and anticipations. By researching the response to a detailed inquiry, Apple will be able to gain knowledge whether they should alter their marketing plan or tweak their delivery technique in order to satisfy customer demand and wishes.Apple’s customers are the most important element on advertising plan of a business and general public wants are to be studied in great detail. After all, if the customers are not satisfied, there will be no profits. These marketing plains ought to begin with a gaze at the important â€Å"customers â€Å"and their desires. When Apple starts research into the potential customers, the demographics that they will concern themselves with the most will be disposable income. Most of this data is available online, especially through various government websites.Additionally most of thi s data is fresh, as it uses the 2010 census to arrive at the necessary data. Quite often, the Department of Commerce will also have quite a bit of useful info that Apple desires in order to pinpoint its ideal customers. References Apple. (2013). Apple History. Retrieved from http://www. apple-history. com/faq#faq_1500 Apple. (2013). Product Images and Info. Retrieved from http://www. apple. com/pr/products Campbell, M. (2012). Apple to open up to 35 new retail stores in 2013. Retrieved from http://www. appleinsider. com/articles/12/10/31/up-to-35-new-apple-stores-set-to-open-in-2013

Consequences of Talent management processes in relation to SABIC Term Paper

Consequences of Talent management processes in relation to SABIC Company - Term Paper Example Vice President Fahad Al-Sheaibi said at an International Conference of Arab Society for Human Resources Management (ASHRM) that the company employees now require global leadership skills. This is due to the complexity and multiplicity of the modern business environment, as well as employee diversities (Baporikar, 2013). He further said that getting the best of their employees and leveraging their cultural experience as they embrace their diversity is a major source of the Company’s competitive advantage. On SABIC, Al-Sheaibi said that the company has adopted a precise and sophisticated talent management strategy that seeks first to identify the easy steps the organization can take to focus on those challenges (Baqutayan, 2014). SABIC, therefore, must gradually implement a global approach to performance appraisal via the Talent Review Process. SABIC has identified four priorities necessary for achieving this as enshrined in its vision 2025. These include focusing on the organizational culture and leadership as the key to driving the much-needed changes within internal and external business environment (McDonnell, Hickey & Gunnigle, 2011). The second priority is to ensure that every staff member have the relevant skills and knowledge needed to perform the task to the best of their abilities. Third is to realize that the company’s recruitment is not only aimed at the present market but for future market needs. Lastly is to ensure that the Huma Resource team if fully equipped with the relevant requirements to meet its objectives (Alrasheedi, 2012). He further emphasized that attracting the right people with technical excellence and ability to join the organization is very critical for the realization of their vision. These qualities are what get a candidate through an interview door since SABIC recognizes the fact tha t most people work to make a difference not only for paychecks. SABIC also offers Career Development Programmes as an important part of the employee

Vehicle Routing Software Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vehicle Routing Software - Assignment Example These are several factors that are considered by clients when installing the vehicle routing system; durability, efficiency, installation and maintenance cost and detailed data. This software helps in; There are several software companies that offer vehicle routing service with both similar and different features .Some of the key features of vehicle routing software’s are constraint programming platform ,ability to tackle large and complex species problems, precise modeling ,operation research derived routing algorithm and immediate tangible benefits Appian is transport management software used for truck routing, logistic support analysis and designs. It is the easiest way to make fleet location and routing accessible to both the company and clients. It updates schedules automatically based on the real time GPS feed .It is able to mage easily territory overlaps quick return on investments. It allows incorporation Microsoft excel software. In apian there is resource scheduling and fleet sizing optimization software that provide crucial information for fleet scheduling, strategic growth plan and eliminating unnecessary cost. MJC2 is vendor that offers powerful planning and optimization solutions. It has advanced planning and scheduling software that is capable of providing automated scheduling and optimizing the operation with minimal manual intervention. This software is user friendly and has powerful scheduling control functionality. It also has e- enabled scheduler that allows web scheduling to be online and able to corporate databases and legacy system. It’s able to address the scheduling of very large distribution operation in real time and provide strategic supply chain management. Some other extra benefits are ability to quickly update round because demand varies, better utilization of resources and long term planning powers The vendor has product for real time routing and

Health care marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

Health care marketing - Essay Example only use products that appeal to me because of their quality, durability, and features that I value or I need rather than those that others value or need. The most popular mode of data collection in marketing is questionnaire. Using questionnaire as a means of data collection provides the researchers with the opportunity to collect data from the research participants without having to personally interact with every research participant individually, and collect the information, because interviewing is a very time consuming process and is governed by different kinds of biases. On the other hand, questionnaires can be easily filled by the research participants, particularly when they are brief and the statements are short and clear in their meaning. In marketing research, researchers can use a variety of questionnaires; audiences may be motivated to send answers to a particular email address in a lucky draw scheme advertised on television or the marketers can collect data by asking customers to fill questionnaires on

Leadership and management 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership and management 2 - Essay Example Purpose and Requirements of Commissioning for GP Consortia in the NHS The purpose and requirements of commissioning of GP Consortia in NHS is as follows: 1. The main objective of GP Consortia Commissioning is to ensure that the design and structure of the health system is unique and innovative and different (Doctors.net.uk, 2011). 2. The Commissioning calls for the designing a healthcare system, which would revolve around the needs and requirements of the patients (Doctors.net.uk, 2011). 3. It also ensures that the NHS resources are properly utilized. Principles and Practice of Commissioning in the NHS Commissioning in the NHS is considered a method and approach, which concentrates on delivering healthcare facilities and services to the general population. Furthermore, the approach is based on the needs and requirements of the patient. The process of commissioning is considered to be â€Å"complex process with responsibilities ranging from assessing population needs, prioritizing he alth outcomes, procuring products and services, and managing service providers† (Department of Health Website, 2011).  Ã‚  In simple terms, commission in the NHS is considered to be the procedure and a methodology, which concentrates on delivery of healthcare resources to the general public. The principles of Commissioning in the NHS are as follows: 1. ... 5. â€Å"Using commissioning not just to retain existing services or commission new ones but, where necessary, to decommission services which are inefficient, ineffective, inequitable or unsustainable† (GP Commissioning Consortia, 2010). 6. Striving for constant and ongoing improvement and enhancement in the healthcare system. 7. Ensuring that performance of the healthcare system is enhanced and improved. Commissioning Process in the NHS The first step is to understand the process of commissioning in the NHS. The Commissioning process in the NHS calls for identification and recognition of the intended healthcare outcomes. Furthermore, it calls for meeting the needs and demands of the general public along with proper utilization of resources and priorities (Department of Health Website, 2011). For this purpose, it is essential to identify the needs and requirements of the public. Healthcare providers are considered to be the main providers of information and knowledge in the st age of understanding. Based on their perspective, services and facilities are designed in accordance to the need and requirements of the public. After the identification of needs and requirements, it is essential to make an assessment. The process of assessment concentrates on delivering services in an effective manner, opting for the best and sustainable option (GP Commissioning Consortia, 2010). The next step calls for the implementation of the commissioning strategies and ensuring that the resources are utilized in a proper way. After the implementation of commissioning strategies, it is essential to review and report the intended outcomes. How a Medical Practice can become Part of a Practice

The Quality Improvement Program in the X-rays Department Research Paper

The Quality Improvement Program in the X-rays Department - Research Paper Example Various hospitals today use X-rays to diagnose different diseases among the patients. However, there is still a need for improvement in this area in order to ensure that the quality of health is improved. As such, this project paper seeks to assess the quality improvement program that can be implemented in the X-ray department in Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The paper starts by defining the project and this is followed by an outline of the data collection methods that can be implemented in order to outline the organizational aspect of the program as well as its implementation details with regards to performance measures used, health core frequency of data collection, data analysis, and reporting mechanisms Basically, epidemiology is a sector in the medical field that specifically deals with diagnosing as well as controlling of diseases. Of notable concern is the fact that the term disease can be said to have a wide connotation to the healthcare practitioners such as the nurses and doctors compared to ordinary people who often think that it only refers to an infection on the body. Most patients have little knowledge about the nature of their illnesses as well as their cure or control. On the other hand, it can be noted that the quality of healthcare services offered can only be enhanced through the use of sophisticated equipment such as x-rays. Colmer (3) posts to the effect that without a high order of technical competence and anatomical knowledge in surgeon and nurse alike, no operation could be a success. Usually, many people from different disciplines are involved in the delivery of healthcare and treatment of patients. However, before a treatment is administered to a patient, it can the noted that a diagnosis of the disease has to be carried out. In some instances, some illnesses cannot be diagnosed by a naked eye and this is where x-rays are needed.

Multiprocessing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Multiprocessing - Assignment Example The symmetrical architecture allows the idle processor to process the information and does not allow the busy processor to process the information or task. Symmetrical multiprocessing architecture is often known to be rapid and most commonly utilized architecture regarding the multiprocessing. If one processor in the symmetrical multiprocessing architecture fails the other processors remain intact and the processing continues (Hagersten & Hill, 2001). Master slave multiprocessing architecture makes one of the processor to dominate all the other processors. The information is first received by the master processor that assigns the task to the other processor or resend the information to the idle processor. The master slave multiprocessing architecture is a bit more complex as compared to the symmetrical architecture. If the master processor fails, the entire processing system fails. All tasks are assigned by the master processor to the other processors in the master slave processing architecture (Lyonnard, Yoo, Baghdadi & Jerraya, 2001). In the symmetrical multiprocessing architecture, the Random Access Memory (RAM) remains the same for all the processors in the architecture. The RAM remains dedicated to one processor at one time, which is involved on the processing phenomenon. The system maintains the priority of certain tasks makes the RAM dedicated to the most valued and important tasks. In the similar manner all the processors in the symmetrical multiprocessing architecture share the memory, input and output devices, interrupts systems and other relevant system resources (Lyonnard, Yoo, Baghdadi & Jerraya, 2001). On the other hand, in the master slave multiprocessing architecture, inputs and outputs, memory, etc is directly controlled by the master processor. Common examples of the symmetrical multiprocessing architectures are the dual core processors made by Intel and other companies (Hagersten & Hill, 2001). Hyper threading is often associated

Relationships with Government Regulators and Policymakers Essay Example for Free

Relationships with Government Regulators and Policymakers Essay No, I did not believe that Merck acted in a socially responsible and ethical manner with regard to Vioxx. Vioxx is a prescription medicine used to relieve signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults and painful menstrual cycle and Merck was one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical firms. Corporate social responsibility means that a corporation should act in a way that enhances society and its inhabitants and be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment. I didn’t believe Merck acted in a socially responsible and ethical manner with regard to Vioxx is because Merck had long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most ethical and socially responsible of the major drug companies. Drug development and testing Merck was renowned for its research labs, which had a decades-long record of achievement, turning out one innovation after another, including drugs for cholesterol, hypertension, tuberculosis and other. In product development and testing, scientists know Vioxx there are serious health risks and the drug may have side effects such as cardiovascular complications but scientists think that the lives that could have potentially been and now know that the effects of the medication can improve then change and it can minimize the harmful side effects. During the development and testing phase for Vioxx has many issues regarding the safety of the drug were questioned due to the many cases of heart attacks and strokes resulting from the medication but also have people think heart attacks and strokes were common and they had multiple causes, including genetic predisposition, smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyles. Marketing and advertising This was new in the pharmaceutical industry as it was the first time the FDA were allowed to advertise to consumers and the advertising technique of Vioxx that was used was thru direct-to-consumer. Merck used an Olympic figure skater as the primary character within their commercials and telling viewers that she would â€Å"not let arthritis stop me.† The drug companies defended DTC ads, saying they informed consumers of newly available therapies and encouraged people to seek medical treatment so consumers then would request this medication, making doctors feel obliged to prescribe. Drug company focused most of their marketing efforts on prescribing physicians and as a result of this fiasco, implications for big pharmaceutical firms like Merck are clear, they have take more time to conduct more clinical studies and assess the health risks associated with the drugs even if it means a delay in the entry of the drug into the market. Relationships with government regulators and policymakers Vioxx were regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and work of FDA is whether or not to approve a new drug. Some evidence suggested that the morale of FDA staff charged with evaluating the safety of new medicine had been hurt by relentless pressure to bring drugs to market quickly. The government and policymakers received large sums of money from the development company during the advertising phase and market introduction. The Agency has not had an opportunity to review the data from the study that was stopped in the depth that Merck has, but agrees with the company that there appear to be significant safety concerns for patients, particularly those taking the drug chronically and FDA plans to work closely with Merck to coordinate the withdrawal of this product from the US market. Handling of the recall Merck announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx. From the published evidence of Vioxx is crystal clear risk of heart attack, as early as in the late 1990s, the company should be aware of risk awareness and the companys internal documents confirmed the the companys awareness of the risks. Yet Merck continued not only to sell the drug, but to market it heavily and as a first line choice, not merely for those thought to be at higher risk of stomach bleeding. Merck decisions and judgments of certain problems with Vioxxs launch can be faulted. They are either ignored or dismissed early signs of an increased risk of heart attack, whether it is in their own research and other post, trying to get to market faster. This proved to be deadly further studies in line with the concerns, and lead ultimately to lead to another wrong decision to recall the drug from the market and Merck would have hoped for, instead they lost the market of customers who would still have taken Vioxx in spite of the risks.

Principles of social control theory

Principles of social control theory Social Control Theories. Many criminological theories always explain why do people commit crime, or to find out what are the most influential factors motivate people commit crime and violate the social norms. Instead, social control theories have been already assumed humans are potentially committing crime. Moreover, the social control or social bond theory is emphasizing why a person do not be a criminal. In social control theorists assumptions, individuals have the capacity to violate the laws rather than obey the laws. Law-abiding behaviors are not the nature of human beings. People choose to commit crime because the forces or constrains of society is not strongest enough. It portrays people are standing in the dilemma between deviance and conformity. It shows the tension of everyone either commit deviant act or accepts the norms. Therefore, social control theorists propose a few elements to pull people back from the side of deviance, especially relationship, commitments, values, norms, and beliefs. Famil y and peer group become a crucial agencies that affect peoples conduct. Albert J Reiss The understanding of those early control theorists arguments are very important because they presented a framework or some basic propositions within the many theories of delinquency and crime. Each social control theorist had also been done an empirical study of their findings to support their point of views. Starting from an article wrote by Albert J Reiss (1951), his argument might be reproduced from Freuds concept of ego or superego mainly. He aims at noticing the prediction of probation revocation among juvenile offenders. He thought youths have a lower personal controls that might more likely to become juvenile delinquency. That is, those younger people lack of ability to refrain from desiring their needs when having conflict with the rules or norms of the society. Nevertheless, his explanation of juvenile delinquency is weak when discussing the relationship between probation revocation and school performance as truancy. Jackson Toby In 1957, Jackson Toby, a second social control theorist, offered a new concept called stake in conformity which as the fundamental mechanism to affect delinquents comportment. He also agreed that people are intrinsically and temptingly rupturing the laws, especially all youths. Some of them are having a high risk of the violation of laws due to this temptation. He believes students perform well in school not only they are being punished by school, but also endanger their future chances of success. Under the special academic-oriented circumstance, if the society allows students having a better career path when they got an excellent school result; therefore, some students who do poorly in school might have a great chance of committing crime because they seems lose lesser things than others. Apart from the academic result of an individual is an influential factor, peer support for deviant act could lead those youths with low stakes in conformity as well. However, even youths have low st ake in conformity, they are not become delinquents when lacking of peer support. F. Ivan Nye In 1958, Nye then concentrated on the issue of family relationship. He though that family is a single most crucial root of social control for adolescents. He divided diffent forms of control such as direct control, internal control, and indirect control. Direct control means the obvious restriction or punishments of a person. Internal control refered to a inward monitor or consciences. Indirect control linked to affectional or emotional identification with parents, noncriminals or legal codes. He stated that if all the above controls are sufficient, then those adolescents are more conform the rules of society. Nyes study had been tested by an empircal experiment. However, his experiment had been challenged by Toby already. First, altough Nye called the sample group as most delinquent, but many criminologist called them nondelinquents. Due to the sample group was selected in high school which was not included any youths age 15 or younger, and any youths age 16 with dropped out of scho ol. Furthermore, the questions being asked in questionnaires were too trivial such as taking things worth less than $2, and damaging public or private property. Therefore, Nye cannot recognize the strongly relationship between family bonding and serious delinquent behaviours. Walter C. Reckless In 1961, another social control theorist called Reckless, who proposed a containment theory. The main concept is that all individuals are influenced by different forces such as social pressure, social pulls, biological/ psychological pushes. Those forces are driving people to commit deviant act. However, these forces are againsted by both external and inner containments. For instance, social pressure can be defined as living conditions, family conflict, minority group, status, and lack of opportunities. Then the term social pulls is refered to the accepted norm of all individuals from their companions, criminal subculture, mass media and so on. Biological or psychological pushes can be easily linked to how those biological and psychological factors affect people fail to conform the norms of society, such as restlessness, inner tension, aggressiveness and so on. On the contrary, external containment is talking about the surroundings of a person. For instance, how parents or support gr oups promote right moral values, discipline, enforce the sense of identity and so on. Moreover, inner containment are those invisible stuffs which internalized our self-control; that related to how the goals/ abilities of a person against to commit crime. David Matza Travis Hirschi Matzas Delinquency and Drift (1964) and Hirschis Causes of Delinquency (1969) also advoacted two famous concepts in the later development of control theories. Alternatively, Matza has been already protraried the image of drifter. Emphasizing how social conditions shape people become a drifter. (However, he did not mention about what kinds of constraints and control that keep youngsters from drifting.) In Hirschis theory, he proposed four main social bonds that could determine ones involvement in delinquency, namely attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Attachment contains the interpersoanl and emotional bonds among others, especially parents and teachers. Commitment refers to how youths make use of the time, energy, effort expended in traditional path of success, such as saving money for the future and abtaining a high academic qualification. Involvement means the degree of ones involvement in those conventional activities, such as school, recreation, and family. Due to so ciety will share common moral values normally, therefore, beliefs of a person are very important. People might more easily commit criminal act if these moral values are absent or weakened. In short, Hirschis social bond theory emphasized all people are potential criminals, however, people will conform the norm or obey the law because they do not want to destroy the bondings with others. Criticisms There are few criticisms on social control theory. First, according to the assumption of it, social control theorists assumed human are potential law-violators. What if the youths commit crime just because they are fun? Another issuse is that such theories cannot be explained the causes of gang delinquency and adult criminality. Furthermore, most studies were referring the involvement of trivial offenses of nondelinquent youths. Hirschi also confessed that delinquents actually active in conventional events, which rejected his original theory (Vold Bernard, 1986). Social Learning perspectives Edwin Sutherland Differential Association Theory was the most direct and clear theory that proposed by Edwin Sutherland in 1947 from social learning perspectives. In 1978, Sutherland and Cressey consisted nine propositions of Differential Association Theory: 1. Criminal behaviour is learned 2. Criminla behaviour is learned in interaction with other persons in a process 3. The principal part of the learning of criminal behaviour occurs within intimate personal groups 4. When criminal behaviour is learned, the learning includes techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple; the specific direction of the motives, drives, rationlization, and attitudes 5. The specific directions of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favourable or unfavourable 6. The person becomes delinquent because of an excess of favourable definitions to violation of law over unfavourable definitions to law-violation 7. Differential association may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. 8. Process of learning criminal behaviour by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms involved in any other learning 9. While criminal act is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those general needs and values (Sutherland Cressey, 1978, pp.80-82.) Here will be discussed each propositions respectively. First, it is clearly stated that criminal act is not inborn which is learned. Then, Sutherland provided how people learned to become delinquent which is learned in interaction with others, especially family, friends, and colleagues. Also, techniques of commiting crime are needed which are sometimes quite complicated/simple such as how to unlock a safe or steal a car on the street. Moral justifications also crucial that make people think their acts are reasonable. For example, a poor person steal foods in supermarket because they do not have money to buy enough foods to their sons. Therefore, they will justify they act as make sense. Fifth, it refers to the views of legal codes from an individiuals. The person may not want to obey the law because such laws are just controlling him/her, and killing his/her free will. The favourable definitions of law violation and the unfavourable definitions of law violation are two sides on the b alance that lead a person commit crime if the favourable definitions of law violation is excess. Moreover, how often are criminal contacts made, how long do the contacts last, and how significant to the individual are the criminal contacts are always being considered. Sutherland (1978) also though that there will be greater the chance to commit crime if people have been contacted criminals since early childhood. Role modeling or direct teaching is another way to learn the criminal acts. In chinese words, that means one who mixes with vermilion will turn red, one who touches pitch shall be defiled therewith; which implies good companions have good influence while bad ones have bad influence. Law-violation behaviours cannot be explained by fulfilling those general needs becauses those criminal acts are illogical. In brief, he emphasized the the significance of personal contact, and all individuals are follower. Criticisms There will be discussed a few main critiques of this theory. Differential association theory neglected that why some youths seems exposed to delinquent definitions, but finally they choose to stop the delinquent acts. Another major criticism is the problem of the principle differential association, which assumes criminal behaviours to be rational and systematics. However, this theory is very hard to illustrate the acts of those psychopathic killing or serial rapists (Sigel, 2009). Also, delinquents might seek like-minded peers rather than follow others which drafted another relationship between deviant peers and criminality.

NIC: The Unsung Hero :: essays research papers fc

NIC: The Unsung Hero The Network Interface Card, or NIC for short, is the most important peripheral when it comes to operating on a network. Many people think the most important item in a network is the cabling, or maybe the network software, or even the computer or server being used. While each of these items is important they are worthless without a Network Interface Card, for successful network operation. The NIC has taken most of the legwork out of the way we do business. No more does Bob, in the Production Department, have to save a file on a floppy disk just to hand carry it two floors up to Sue, in the Accounting Department. The NIC makes it possible to send the file across the network, saving precious production time, so Bob can work on other matters. The importance of the NIC can be described in terms of what it is, what types there are, and system compatibility. So, what is a NIC? Simply put it is the physical interface between the computer and the network cable. The NIC performs many vital functions that are transparent to the user, in order to send and receive data. 1) It prepares data to be sent over the network by converting the computer, parallel data into serial data. 2) It advertises its address to the rest of the network, to distinguish itself from other cards on the network. 3) It carries on an electronic dialog with the receiving NIC about such things as the maximum size of the data to be sent, the time intervals between data chunks, and how much data each card can hold before it overflows, to name a few (Microsoft 76). All NICs operate pretty much the same way, but it is important to know about the different types of NICs. NICs come in two basic varieties: those designated for servers and those designated for desktops (Harvey 104). The application of the network being used will dictate what type of NIC to use. Server NICs generally come with onboard processors and memory. For a heavily trafficked server, multiple port cards allow for additional connections to a server, saving expansion slot space (Harvey 105). The desktop NIC is more of a bare bones type of card. It does not require an onboard processor and memory, unless it is for a user that moves a lot of data (i.

Spotted Horses vs. Mule in the Yard :: essays research papers

'Spotted Horses'; Vs. 'Mule in the Yard';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William Faulkner wrote two short stories, which are alike in many aspects. 'Spotted Horses'; and 'Mule in the Yard'; are short stories that both involve comic animal chases and financial transactions. Even though the stories are written by the same author, have similar characteristics, and share similar plot features, they are entirely different stories. The stories are both examples of interpretive literature, however 'Spotted Horses'; is a more interpretive short story than 'Mule in the Yard because 'Spotted Horses'; fits Perrine's profile of interpretive literature, and 'Mule in the Yard'; seems to replicate Perrine's profile of escape literature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to Laurence Perrine in his seventh edition of Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense he states the definition of interpretive literature is 'Literature written to deepen and broaden and sharpen our awareness of life.'; Interpretive literature is not candy coated. It allows its readers to experience the trials and tribulations of life. By using graphically realistic plots and endings, which are consistent to those in real life, interpretive literature achieves a higher literary value than escape literature. Interpretive literature allows its reader too step out of the fantasy world they might be living in and focus on what the world is really about. One might say an interpretive story provides insight to understanding. Not only understanding of ourselves, but our neighbors, friends, family or anyone else we might encounter.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Escape literature is the complete opposite of interpretive literature. Escape literature is written purely for entertainment. Escape literature takes it's reader out of the real world and into a fantasy world where everything works and happens just like we want it to. This is a world where the ending always has closure. Escapist authors hardly ever end on a bad note. They want the reader to leave the pages of their story satisfied, and having a sense of contentment. Perrine's example of escape literature is Cinderella. Cinderella's life goes from rags to riches in one night. She marries a prince and lives happily ever after. According to Perrine the most common expectations of escape literature readers are the sympathetic heroes or heroines, the suspenseful plot which one exciting event proceeds another, the resolved happy outcome, and the theme. Escape literature themes confirm the reader's previous opinions of the world. Readers of escape literature read for ple asure not to gather knowledge on how to survive in the real world.

Ecstasy Abuse :: essays research papers fc

Ecstasy Abuse For many people the drug of choice would be marijuana, but in recent years that trend has been changing. The drug of choice for today’s young adults is MDMA or ecstasy. Unlike marijuana which has long term affects, ecstasy can kill a person with one hit. It is a very dangerous drug, and is spreading like wildfire in the United States. Most teenagers take the drug without knowing the side affects such as depression and brain damage (theantidrug.com). With more people trying the drug everyday, it is becoming harder for law enforcement to keep up with them. Law enforcement, parents and kids need to do something about this rising drug problem before it is too late. There are numerous solutions that can curb the use of this drug, and other solutions that can put the drug to good use.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ecstasy first became popular in European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. A large portion of the ecstasy that is sold in the U.S. comes from these two countries (www.dea.gov). Although efforts have been made to stop the flow of this drug to America, large amounts are still coming into the U.S. America needs to take stronger measures to stop this epidemic sweeping our nation. A measure that can be taken to stop this drug from spreading would be to form an international organization that would fight to keep ecstasy and other drugs off the streets. America would have to work together with countries such as Canada and Mexico. International control of this drug would benefit greatly, but local law enforcement could help stop this drug as well. The police can take part by educating kids about the harmful affects of ecstasy and how kids can say no to drugs. These measures and others can help America curb this drug in the years to come. But preventing the us e of this drug doesn’t stop at the law enforcement level, parents and kids can take part in stopping the use of this drug. According to the DARE program, the best way to keep kids from doing drugs is to monitor them (dare.com). Monitoring kids can allow parents to assure the safety of their child. Parents also have to know who their child’s friends are and what their plans are. If a child says they are going to a rave, there is a high possibility that they will try or will be offered ecstasy.

Marketing Mix Essay

â€Å"Marketing Mix† is a set of strategy marketing tools that a firm mingles and pursues its marketing objective in the target market. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.51) The main purpose of marketing is satisfies the needs of consumers. This concept was introduced by Harvard University Professor Neil Borden first adopted in 1964. (Neil Borden, 1964) It is the basis for the development of corporate marketing strategy in order to guarantee and satisfaction consumer needs and wants. In addition, it is also a trick for corporate against a strong competitor to rational allocation of corporate marketing budget costs and avoids the market failure. In the early 1950s, Professor McCarthy inference if a firm wants to develop marketing activities should be controlled factors grouped into four categories which are product, price, place and promotion. (McCarthy, 1960) The emergence of the marketing mix means that the concept of market operators to complete the transformation of old and new regulations read, the development of new ideas – marketing concept. The marketing concept is the core of the target customers’ needs as the centre, the implementation of the marketing mix focusing on the overall market to obtain profits and achieve corporate marketing objectives. For example, the marketers will use the tools to adapt the consumer differ from that of a traditional and new technology product which is telegraph and Apple. The telegraph is a kind of communication services in the early 19th century invention, is the earliest use of electricity to communicate. The telegraph has greatly accelerated the flow of messages, is one of the important inventions of the industrial society. Early telegraph communications in the land, and later used the submarine cable to carry out long-distance service. To the early 20th century, began to use the radio sent telegram to the telegraph business basically have been able to reach most of the region on Earth. Telegraph is mainly used as a pass text messages. (Robert, 2012) Apple’s was established in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the core business is electronic technology products. The most famous product is the MacBook, iPod music player, iTunes Store, iPhone and the iPad Tablet PC. It is known for innovation in high-tech enterprise. When they introduced  iphone4 and iPad, it is shook the entire world, because it delivers the latest advanced and progressive in the smart phone to the people. Coupled with the advances of the Internet, people can communicate with each other in the quickest and shortest possible time. (Shane, 2010, p.2) When the telegraph was invented was shook the world; Apple technology developed was also shook the world. However, two products were invented at different times, so the marketing mix will be also different. Marketing Mix Tools Product Product is anything that can be offered to the market/consumer in order to satisfy their needs and wants. The types of product divide into tangible (physical goods) and intangible (services). (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) The telegraph was provided service to send the message from place to place and the Apple Company was provided physical goods to consumer e.g. IPhone and MacBook. According the MarketingTeacher theory, the core level of the two products is same. The reasons that both products shocked the world are the great inventions and consumers really want to buy for communications. 19th century, the augmented product are limited because the technology is not so developed, the telegraph service will be hampered, such as, Malaysia sent a telegram to the British have to spend more on time. Moreover, this service is difficult to guarantee that service failure in the middle or cannot reach. (Marketingteacher, 2012) However, at that time, the telegraph is the most advanced ways of communication. The telegraph introduced was successful to meet the consumers’ expectations. The Telegraph can do is keep the research becomes more convenient such as e-mail developed. With the advancement of the Internet, using IPhone to send information may only need a few of seconds or minutes. Advanced technology has been sufficient to attract and influence customers to buy e.g. Internet-ready communications device complete with email, web browsing, maps, application and more Apple has been able to become the largest electronics company because the brand-strategy decision. According Kotler and Keller theory, a company has 4 choices when it comes to brand strategy. Apple’s continuous  with line extension in recent years, such as the IPhone 3 development to the iPhone 4s. In addition, they also focus on brand extension e.g. IPod music player, MacBook, and IPad. (Kotler and Keller, 2011, p.260-261) Constant innovation will affect consumers become more eager to get better items. Apple’s was stimulated the certain product by implementing new design, operability, and user-friendly features. (Shane, 2010, p.13-19) Price Price is the amount of money paid by consumers in order to obtain goods and services. It is the most flexible marketing mix tools compared to the other three P because it can be changed according to certain situations. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.290) For example, price can change to low when serve a familiar customer. The era of the telegraph, telegraph monopoly by one company and demand more than supply. The absence of competitors, the level of prices is actually not greater impact on consumer decision-making. (Anonymous, 2010) In fact, the telegraph has reached maturity which mean successfully to maximize profit and maintain the market share, but in the end cannot be avoided the market penetration by new technology such as telephone and fax. Nowadays, the harvest strategies for the telegraph were still processing, but it become the history and use less service. â€Å"Apple also plans to continue lowering product prices, despite the fact that doing so would affect the company’s gross margins unfavourably.† (Shane, 2010, p.19) This obviously shows Apple considering the current trend. There are a lot of competitors, the price must be reduced, and consumers will give priority to their own economic situation and needs. For example, the MacBook is very expensive, but other brands have the same technology, but the price is low, then the Apple will lose in price. In fact, there are many factors to help Apple successful, such as, iPhone does not have the driving force without internet, or, people do not have high purchasing power in less advanced country, Place Place refers to urban and suburban whereby goods and services are made available to customer. (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) Location is also very important tactic, if the telegraph company established beside garbage,  this is impossible there are business opportunities. Apple’s successful because it expands the market size of the company’s product to every urban in the world’s. They have a priority to brand honor, low price, and then choose a high population place, coupled with a reasonable promotion, the consumer is difficult to reject the attractive of the good opportunity to satisfy the needs and wants. For example, consumers can buy the iPhone in every city. Even if Apple was provide a good product, but there are other factors to affect the sales volume such as PEST. For example, in Malaysia, the government set the minimum salary is not high; economic downturn; the extremists are not satisfied with phone radiation; or higher scientific and technological discovery. The contrary, the telegraph machine may be a country only a few units, if consumer want to send a message, he must go very far in order to be sent information. However, they share the invention to the world, thus affecting the entire market. Countries can use the telegraph to the purchase of advanced equipment from foreign countries, is very fast compared to letters. Communications make it easier for the world to develop their own countries, such as London and New York. At the same time, the inventions of telegraph available share to other inventors in order to research and development other invention, such as telephone and Internet. Promotion Promotion is a planned effort of an organization to communicate the company offerings to customer as well as trade members, it is also known as marketing communications. (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) As competition, Apple’s combinations of more promotional tools (promotion mix) (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.290) used to provide information and services to consumers, such as advertising the new type of iPhone 4s, or, remind the iPad product still available on market. And, sales promotion which is the package promotion provided by the middle man. For example, Maxis communicate company launched buy in low price with two 2 year contract for using Maxis service line. (Maxis 2012) In opposite, the telegraph was invented, may be placed on billboards to inform the existence of the telegraph service. Or, they may in publish in the newspaper to post the benefits of the telegraph.  Today it is impossible to see the telegraph promotional, because the telegraph has reached decline stage in product life-cycle. The promotion is a very important tool to reach consumers, providers must be given attractive and priorities guideline to consumers, in order to achieve market comparative advantages Conclusion Conclusion, if the company has long existed in the market, consideration must be given to 4p will not stop the service to the consumers. Second, companies must avoid all factors that influence consumer decisions making and continuous research and development in order to avoid be eliminated by new technology. ————————————————- Question 2 (Part 2) a)  My name is â€Å"Apple† is a red with white strips of fruit plants. Apple flesh has a wealth of minerals and vitamins, the most commonly people used fruit. My flesh contains vitamin C and B, carotene, riboflavin, pyridoxine, dietary fibre and vitamin B complex, and so on Nutrition. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant which helps the body to develop and increase the resistance, and cleared from the body of the harmful free radicals. Dietary fibre can helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibres also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. (Nutrition-and-you, 2012) In addition, my skin is yellow, green and red, yellow and red where the flesh is sweet, while the blue is sweet with a tart. Planting apple will not be very difficult, farmer only need the seeds of apple and buried in the soil to take care of, in the end can grow a new generation of â€Å"me†. People’s market, consumer can buy me with 0.2 pounds per unit. However, not every country of the soil can be cultivated apple, in some countries, the weather was too hot, or too cold, there are not suitable to  grow a sweet and delicious apple e.g. Arabia and Egypt. (Rutuja Jathar, 2011) My apple peel is rich in antioxidant function, so it gives me more durable. Businesses are regarded me long-distance transported to other countries, and keep fresh selling out. My fleshes bring a lot of benefit; therefore, businesses have to use my benefits to earn profit in the market. Some marketers edit my appearance as a billboard to let people know the benefits; some lecturer launch courses to teach people why eat apple; some even speak â€Å"An apple a day keeps the doctor away.†, let people every days put me into their mouth. But I am very happy, because it can provide nutrition to the people, and also to give business opportunities to the businesses. b) The 21st century, as the people’s lifestyle changes, healthy is the future trends. Marketers were took my benefits packed into the marketing mix to make a profit e.g. health care products. In fact, the benefits also allow employers to solve some problems, that is, reduce the employee’s work attitude. Some unemployed tradesmen are quite willing to interview, but less than enthusiastic about taking a job. In fact, every company’s marketing strategy will directly affect the employees’ attitude, such as the company’s tactics cannot growth the profit, so will make employee lose fighting spirit. My marketing mix, it is undeniable that can help many employees. First, according to the Matt Michel theory, the visibility and benefits of the product is to improve the company’s sales. Sales will be able to enhance the employee’s salary, which is the best reason to convince the employees. If the company is not profitable, the employee is no longer rescued by the employer. The employee will be particularly concerned about the ability to obtain better benefits, such as salary increase, allowances, and so on. Secondly, although the price is just one ringgit an apple, but this price is a very big influence to the market. Some people believe that the price of one ringgit is difficult to obtain more profit, but the global populations are more than 6.9 billion, if one person to eat an apple a day, if an apple earns 0.01 pounds, the employer successful to earn 69million. If the employer with a high brand image, employee can be proud to work in the  company. Thirdly, apple can sell all over the world can affect the employment rate. Some places cannot grow apples, but the employer can transfer the apple to the country with the advance of technology e.g. keep fresh and air transportation. The finally is promotion. â€Å"An apple a day keeps the doctor away’, I believe everyone knows the proverb. There is no doubt that it was enough to affect the consumers of existing and next generation, and only need the proverb advertising to remind the consumers to buy it. Apple’s low has been reached maturity, unless it was confirmed that the Apple bringing harmful, otherwise the employee will agree that the business opportunity of apple will not be end. (Matt Michel, 2010) c)  Admittedly, I have many benefits but also have a negative side. Apple skin can protect the pulp of fresh, but if it loses the apple skin, the pulp will become no nutrition and broken just in ten minutes, so consumers must be finish it in short time. Of course, the solution is placed the flesh in the water contains antioxidant, so apple can maintain and extend the nutrition of the flesh, but this is only a temporary solution, it is best to immediately eat. Apple is a natural plant items, Apple can improve people’s health, which is the largest business opportunities. Consumer only can use the existing technology to maintain the nutrition of apple such as plastic fresh wrap. Reference Part 1 reference Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong, 2006. Principles of Marketing 14th edition, p.51-290, Pearson Education Limited, Prentice Hall, USA. Borden, Neil H. (1964), â€Å"The Concept of the Marketing Mix,† Journal of Advertising Research, 4 (2), 2-7. Robert McNamara, unknown year (2012 copyright). The Invention of the Telegraph Changed Communication Forever: A Communication Revolution Wired the World In the 19th Century, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://history1800s.about.com/od/inventioninnovation/a/telegraph01.htm [accessed date 03th May 2012] Shane R. Mittan, 2010. APPLE: A Case Study Analysis, 28th Jan, Western Michigan University, West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, Philip Kotler, Veronica Wong, John Saunders, Gary Armstrong, 2005. Principles of Marketing, 4th European Edition, p.34-36, Pearson Education Limited, Mateu-Cromo Artes Graficas, Spain. Anonymous, 2010, History of the U.S Telegraph Industry, online, 01th Feb, available from World Wide Web: http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/nonnenmacher.industry.telegraphic.us [accessed date on 03th May 2012] Marketingteacher, 2012, Three Levels of a Product, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://marketingteacher.com/lesson-store/lesson-three-levels-of-a-product.html# [Accessed date on 04th May 2012] Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller, 2011. Marketing Management, 14th Edition, Pearson Education Limited, 18th Feb, p.260-261, Prentice Hall, USA. Maxis, 2012. iPhone 4S: iVALUE PLANS, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/iphone/rates.asp [accessed date on 04th May 2012] IOANNIS KOMNINOS, 2002, Product Life Cycle Management, online, n.d, source from URENIO, available from World Wide Web: http://www.urenio.org/tools/en/Product_Life_Cycle_Management.pdf [accessed date on 04th May 2012] Part 2 References Rutuja Jathar, 2011. Apple Trees Planting: Location, online, 20th September, available from World Wide Web: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/apple-trees-planting.html [accessed date on 07th May 2012] nutrition-and-you, 2012. Apple fruit nutrition facts, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/apple-fruit.html [accessed date on 07th May 2012] Matt Michel, 2010. tilize a marketing mix to recruit employees, online, 1st Nov, available from World Wide Web: http://contractormag.com/columns/michel/utilize-marketing-mix-1110 [accessed date on 07th May 2012]

Assignment on Cell Phone Essay

â€Å"Watson, come here: I want you.† This was the first message ever transmitted from one place to another, through a device called Telephone. Alexander Graham bell the American genius along with his assistant Thomas Watson invented this machine in 1876. It was March 10, 1876, an important day for the human civilization when this great machine was invented and it was the first step towards developing the means of communication. Since then we have come across a long way. Various means were added to the means of communication. Today, telephone is a part of our everyday life. Besides telephone, mobile phones are playing a great role to communicate massages from one place to another. It has become an integral part of life in all over the world. Today, telecommunication is one the major part of life. Nowadays, phone is not only using for making calls, among many other functions it’s used for text messaging, multimedia messaging and also even to connect us to the internet. Due to its various functionality it has a greater impact not only in the economy as well as in the society. Bangladesh is talking like never before. The phenomenal growth of the telecom industry over the last two decades has considerable changed the way people interact. The impact is seen among all spheres of people in Bangladesh. But the most significant impact is seen among the young users of cell phone. Telecommunications allows better access to services that enhance a society’s health and wellbeing such as healthcare and social services. Amongst the many implications of research is that poor and rural populations benefit most from mobile telephony because they are least likely to have alternatives. In view of this, the cross subsidies in Bangladesh from mobile to fixed users, from the poor to the rich, are especially damaging. There are a number of ways that mobile services can promote cohesion in families and society. For example, a cheap mobile service allows families and communities to remain as a coherent unit when family members are away for long periods. In cases where a family member is abroad either temporarily or permanently it allows the family unit to remain intact as well as generating inbound international call revenues. Due to intense competition among the operators, every company is trying to provide cheap call rate which is benefiting the users. Young people are benefitting most in this regard since they lack income sources. A cheap mobile service keeps them in touch with families and relatives thus strengthening social bodings. But every coin has two faces. The telecommunication companies in our country have been inclined towards introducing new and alternative packages for young people like Djuice & Bondhu by Grameenphone, Desh by Banglalink, Shorol by Robi and many more. The question arises why companies are so aggressively coming up with such packages without the social mobilization to check the mindset of youth. How they are facilitating their users by such packages which offer lower call rate at midnight. Except on very urgent occasions ordinarily no one would like to talk after midnight. In our youth segment the majority is student community that is spell bounded by these packages. They are losing their essence of their studies. They are derailing and deviating themselves. They are getting away for their goals, destinies and motives. Their minds are becoming stagnant and static. Creativity and innovation is blocked by the consistent telephonic conversations spread over the whole of night. They are losing their interest towards the interactions and sociality. Alienation is increasing within small community or groups of people. In home young hardly get time to spend with their parents. In one room of hostels all four members are strangers to one another. They never try to tie up the relation because they don’t have a pinch of time. By talking whole night with opposite sex, they are getting psychologically weak and pressured. There are more other physical disorders also experiencing by the youth due to spending the precious time which is needed for compulsory rest, relaxation, relief and mental health. Due to spending whole nights over phone the absenteeism is skyrocketing in every profession. They are going far and far away from the hold of families. They tell lies and have false communication with their parents thus seriously jeopardizing the social relationship. They are deceiving the decisions, trust and expectations of their parents. They are traveling towards the lone parent family system in which one is not accountable to anyone and he is the only decision maker. Suck kind of behavior is leading towards the social fragmentation and terrible decline of moral values in which respect is core one. Even their mental approach is revolving around sexual satisfaction. Other emotions and sentiments are pushed oblivion, they are forgetting that there are so many matters that need their kind attention. Which are making them socially challenged. The mobile companies have every right to work out innovative packages offering greater value of money to their customers. But they should not making profits by compromising on the interest of young generation. Youth spend a huge amount of money on mobile cellular services annually. Major amounts of their disposable income are going to the mobile telecom companies. In the name of competition companies are aggressively promoting their offerings without considering the welfare of the youth. Therefore, we all have to realize the worth and well being of our youth.

A Visual Interpretation of Lautrec’s “At the Moulin Rogue”

The painting â€Å"At the Moulin Rouge† by Lautrec gives me a feeling of gaudiness and activity as I look at it.   It shows the diverse kinds of activities done in the Moulin Rogue; however, it seems to lack the glamour and fanciness of a typical night club.Even the faces of the women, who I assume are hospitality girls, as is normal in a nightclub, lack luster, instead they are painted using pale colors; the blue hints on the face of the woman on the right even leads me to think that the woman is sickly.Noticeable also are the expressions in the faces of the people.   As opposed to the excitement that would be expected in the faces of people who go our partying in the evening, the faces in the painting seem to show a certain level of dissatisfaction, misery, or boredom.   Even the smile of the woman on the right side seems to be forced.The dominance of earth colors and faded hues in the painting give the viewer a feeling of tiredness and gloom.   The colors seem to ma ke the painting drab instead of what it is supposed to be as a painting of a club where people frequent in the evenings for drinks.   These are not the kinds of colors that one would normally see in a night club – even so, if it is set during an early period where people would most likely be more flamboyant as compared to party-goers of today.There is also a lack of light in the painting; despite the consideration that this is a night club and it opens in the evenings, it is strange that the light sources in the painting seem to be diffused or faded.   The colors and the lighting in the painting give me an overall feeling of monotony and blandness, like when you taste a piece of cake and it is not as sweet as expected despite the visual appearance of the cake.If I was to take notice of composition in the painting, the elements are quite scattered, perhaps to give the viewer a feeling of activity.   However, there are certain portions of the painting where sight is drawn towards, like the central portion which shows a group of people gathered around a table and looking down on the table, probably at cards (for gambling), and the lady at the right side of the painting.These elements of the composition that grab my sight were probably put there to emphasize what these elements denote.As mentioned earlier, the feeling that I get when I see the face of the lady is one of illness and a forced sense of joy, so the painter must have wanted the viewer to feel these emotions which is why he emphasized the element in the first place by putting it in a composition hotspot.   The central table also has the same effect of drawing the viewer towards that area of the painting, which shows, as well the pale faces of the people and the pensive moods that they are in.There is a dominance of curved lines in the picture as clearly shown by the backrest of the chair, the borders of the dresses of the ladies, and the outlines of the glasses and the bottles; this parti cular dominance of curved lines gives the painting a sluggish feel.As would normally be done, curved lines are usually used to invoke grace and softness, but in the painting these lines, in combination with the other elements somehow convey the feeling of lethargy to the viewer – that although there is activity in the Moulin Rogue, the people participating in the activity seem to be tired of what they are doing, or perhaps tired of something else which is why they waste their time in a pub.It also gives me the feeling that the people in the painting have been doing what they are supposedly doing in the painting for many, many times, repeatedly, and have grown exhausted of it.In terms of contrast, the painting is apparently, intentionally blurry and grainy, again making the viewer strain hard enough when looking into the painting.This gives me an added feeling of tiredness around the eyes, effectively conveying the physical equivalent of the abstract emotions that the painting would like to convey.   The different textures in the painting again, give me a feeling of activity, the movements, and the brushstrokes all show the repletion of activity in the painting.   So, although I feel that the painting   is about activity in the pub, it sends out a different message.A detail to note in the painting is the sporadic clean and sharp lines on the gentlemen’s top hats.   This sets the men apart from the women, giving the viewer a sense of aggressiveness when viewing the men in the painting in particular; however, even with this particular feature, notice again that the rims of these top hats are down turned, again giving the viewer the same feeling of tiredness from the painting.The piece, is also, in a way imbalanced, drawing the viewers sight to the right side and the center areas of the painting in particular; but perhaps the artist intended this to be to give the viewer a feeling of drowsiness or disorder; the feeling that one would get from intoxication, which also, by the way, is achieved by the bluntness in contrast, the graininess, and the noise in the painting.Overall, the elements of color, lines, balance, contrast, and texture in the painting contribute to its general feel.   Art is always intentional and the emotions that it convey to a viewer are quite likely, the same emotions that the artist wanted to convey in the first place.Strictly speaking though, a painting of a night club or a pub would contain a diversity of bright psychedelic colors if the norm was to be followed.   However, because perhaps the painter wanted to convey a sense of irony in the painting, the artist succeeded in using the elements of art to achieve this effect.

The Return: Midnight Chapter 10

Damon was making his way up the beautiful rose-covered trel is below the window of the bedchamber of M. le Princess Jessalyn D'Aubigne, a very wealthy, beautiful, and much-admired girl who had the bluest blood of any vampire in the Dark Dimension, according to the books he'd bought. In fact, he'd listened to the locals and it was rumored that Sage himself had changed her two years ago, and had given her this bijoux castle to live in. Delicate gem that it appeared, though, the little castle had already presented Damon with several problems. There had been that razor-wire fence, on which he ripped his leather jacket; an unusual y dexterous and stubborn guard whom it had real y been a pity to strangle; an inner moat that had almost taken him unawares; and a few dogs that he had treated with the Saber-tranquilizer routine – using Mrs. Flowers's sleeping powder, which he'd brought with him from Earth. It would have been easier to poison them, but Jessalyn was reputed to have a very soft heart for animals and he needed her for at least three days. That should be long enough to make him a vampire – if they did nothing else during those days. Now, as he pul ed himself silently up the trel is, he mental y added long rose thorns to the list of inconveniences. He also rehearsed his first speech to Jessalyn. She had been – was – would forever be – eighteen. But it was a young eighteen, since she had only two years'experience at being a vampire. He comforted himself with this as he climbed silently into a window. Still silently, moving slowly in case the princess had guardian animals in her bedchamber, Damon parted layer after layer of filmy, translucent black curtains that kept the blood-red light of the sun from shining into the chamber. His boots sank into the thick pile of a black rug. Making it out of the enfolding curtains, Damon saw that the entire chamber was decorated in a simple theme by a master of contrast. Jet-black and off-black. black. He liked it a lot. There was an enormous bed with more bil owing filmy black curtains almost encasing it. The only way to approach it was from the foot, where the diaphanous curtains were thinner. Standing there in the cathedral-like silence of the great chamber, Damon looked at the slight figure under the black silk sheets, among dozens of smal throw pil ows. She was a jewel like the castle. Delicate bones. A look of utter innocence as she slept. An ethereal river of fine, scarlet hair spil ing about her. He could see individual hairs straying on the black sheets. She looked a little like Bonnie. Damon was pleased. He pul ed out the same knife he had put to Elena's throat, and just for a moment hesitated – but no, this was no time to be thinking of Elena's golden warmth. Everything depended on this fragile-shouldered child in front of him. He put the point of the knife to his chest, deliberately placing it wide of his heart in case some blood had to be spil ed†¦and coughed. Nothing happened. The princess, who was wearing a black negligee that showed frail-looking arms as fine and pale as porcelain, went on sleeping. Damon noticed that the nails on her smal fingers were lacquered the exact scarlet of her hair. The two large pil ar candles set in tal black stands were giving off an enticing perfume, as wel as being clocks – the farther down they burned, the easier to tel time. The lighting was perfect – everything was perfect – except that Jessalyn was stil asleep. Damon coughed again, loudly – and bumped the bed. The princess woke, starting up and simultaneously bringing two sheathed blades out of her hair. â€Å"Who is it? Is someone there?†She was looking in every direction but the right one. â€Å"It's only me, your highness.†Damon pitched his voice low, but fraught with unrequited need. â€Å"You don't have to be afraid,†he added, now that she'd at last gotten the right direction and seen him. He knelt by the foot of her bed. He'd miscalculated a bit. The bed was so large and high that his chest and the knife were far below Jessalyn's line of sight. â€Å"Here I wil take my life,†he announced, very loudly to make sure that Jessalyn was keeping up with the program. After a moment or two the princess's head popped up over the foot of the bed. She balanced herself with hands spread wide and narrow shoulders hunched close to her. At this distance he could see that her eyes were green – a complicated green consisting of many different rings and speckles. At first she just hissed at him and lifted her knives held in hands whose fingers were tipped with nails of scarlet. Damon bore with her. She would learn in time that al this wasn't real y necessary; that in fact it had gone out of fashion in the real world decades ago and was only kept alive by pulp fiction and old movies. â€Å"Here at your feet I slay myself,†he said again, to make sure she didn't miss a syl able, or the entire point, for that matter. â€Å"You – yourself?†She was suspicious. â€Å"Who are you? How did you get here? Why would you do such a thing?† â€Å"I got here through the road of my madness. I did it out of what I know is madness I can no longer live with.† â€Å"What madness? And are you going to do it now?†the princess asked with interest. â€Å"Because if you're not, I'l have to cal my guards and – wait a minute,†she interrupted herself. She grabbed his knife before he could stop her and licked it. â€Å"This is a metal blade,†she told him, tossing it back. â€Å"I know.†Damon let his head fal so that hair curtained his eyes and said painful y: â€Å"I am†¦a human, your highness.† He was covertly watching through his lashes and he saw that Jessalyn brightened up. â€Å"I thought you were just some weak, useless vampire,†she said absently. â€Å"But now that I look at you†¦Ã¢â‚¬ A rose petal of a pink tongue came out and licked her lips. â€Å"There's no point in wasting the good stuff, is there?† She was like Bonnie. She said exactly what she thought, when she thought it. Something inside Damon wanted to laugh. He stood again, looking at the girl on the bed with al the fire and passion of which he was capable – and felt that it wasn't enough. Thinking about the real Bonnie, alone and unhappy, was†¦wel , passion-quenching. But what else could he do? Suddenly he knew what he could do. Before, when he'd stopped himself from thinking of Elena, he had cut off any genuine passion or desire. But he was doing this for Elena, as much as for himself. Elena couldn't be his Princess of Darkness if he couldn't be her Prince. This time, when he looked down at M. le Princess, it was differently. He could feel the atmosphere change. â€Å"Highness, I have no right even to speak to you,†he said, deliberately putting one booted foot on the metal scrol work that formed the frame of the bed. â€Å"You know as wel as I that you can kil me with a single blow†¦say, here† – pointing to a spot on his jaw – â€Å"but you have already slain me – â€Å" Jessalyn looked confused, but waited. † – with love. I fel in love with you the moment I saw you. You could break my neck, or – as I would say if I were permitted to touch your perfumed white hand – you could curl those fingers around my throat and strangle me. I beg you to do it.† Jessalyn was beginning to look puzzled but excited. Blushing, she held out one smal hand to Damon, but clearly without any intention of strangling him. â€Å"Please, you must,†Damon said earnestly, never taking his eyes off hers. â€Å"That is the only thing I ask of you: that you kil me yourself instead of cal ing your guards so that the last sight I see wil be your beautiful face.† â€Å"You're il ,†Jessalyn decided, stil looking flustered. â€Å"There have been other unbalanced minds who have made their way past the first wal of my castle – although never to my chambers. I'l give you to the doctors so that they can make you wel .† â€Å"Please,†said Damon, who had forged his way through the last of the filmy black hangings and was now looming over the sitting princess. â€Å"Grant me instant death, rather than leaving me to die a little each day. You don't know what I've done. I can't stop dreaming of you. I've fol owed you from shop to shop when you went out. I am already dying now as you ravish me with your nobility and radiance, knowing that I am no more than the paving stones you walk on. No doctor can change that.† Jessalyn was clearly considering. Obviously, no one had ever talked to her like this. Her green eyes fixed on his lips, the lower of which was stil bleeding. Damon gave an indifferent little laugh and said, â€Å"One of your guards caught me and very properly tried to kil me before I could reach you and disturb your sleep. I'm afraid I had to kil him to get here,†he said, standing between one pil ar candle and the girl on the bed so that his shadow was thrown over her. Jessalyn's eyes widened in approval even as the rest of her seemed more fragile than ever. â€Å"It's stil bleeding,†she whispered. â€Å"I could – â€Å" â€Å"You can do anything you want,†Damon encouraged her with a wry quirk of a smile on his lips. It was true. She could. â€Å"Then come here.†She thumped a place by the nearest pil ow on the bed. â€Å"What are you cal ed?† â€Å"Damon,†he said as he stripped off his jacket and lay down, chin propped on one elbow, with the air of one not unused to such things. â€Å"Just that? Damon?† â€Å"You can cut it stil shorter. I am nothing but Shame now,†he replied, taking another minute to think of Elena and to hold Jessalyn's eyes hypnotical y. â€Å"I was a vampire – a powerful and proud one – on Earth – but I was tricked by a kitsune†¦Ã¢â‚¬ He told her a garbled version of Stefan's story, omitting Elena or any nonsense about wanting to be human. He said that when he managed to escape the prison that had taken his vampire self, he decided to end his own human life. But at that moment, he had seen Princess Jessalyn and thought that, serving her, he would be happy with his sorry lot. Alas, he said, it only fed his disgraceful feelings for her highness. â€Å"Now my madness has driven me to actual y accost you in your own chambers. Make an example of me, your highness, that wil cause other evildoers to tremble. Burn me, have me flogged and quartered, put my head on a pike to cause those who might do you il to cast themselves into a fire first.†He was now in bed with her, leaning back a little to expose his bare throat. â€Å"Don't be sil y,†Jessalyn said, with a little catch in her voice. â€Å"Even the meanest of my servants wants to live.† â€Å"Perhaps the ones that never see you do. Scul ions, stable boys – but I cannot live, knowing that I can never have you.† The princess looked Damon over, blushed, gazed for a moment into his eyes†¦and then she bit him. â€Å"I'l get Stefan to go down to the root cel ar,†Elena said to Meredith, who was angrily thumbing tears out of her eyes. â€Å"You know we can't do that. With the police right here in the house – â€Å" â€Å"Then I'll do it – â€Å" â€Å"You can't! You know you can't, Elena, or you wouldn't have come to me!† Elena looked at her friend closely. â€Å"Meredith, you've been donating blood al along,†she whispered. â€Å"You never seemed even slightly bothered†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He only took a tiny bit – always less from me than anyone. And always from my arm. I just pretended I was having blood drawn at the doctor's. No problem. It wasn't even bad with Damon back in the Dark Dimension.† â€Å"But now†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Elena blinked. â€Å"Now – what?† â€Å"Now,†Meredith said with a faraway expression, â€Å"Stefan knows that I'm a hunter-slayer. That I even have a fighting stave. And now I have to†¦to submit to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena had gooseflesh. She felt as if the distance from her to Meredith in the room was getting larger. â€Å"A hunter-slayer?†she said, bewildered. â€Å"And what's a fighting stave?† â€Å"There's no time to explain now! Oh, Elena†¦Ã¢â‚¬  If Plan A was Meredith and Plan B was Matt, there was real y no choice. Plan C had to be Elena herself. Her blood was much stronger than anyone else's anyway, so ful of Power that Stefan would only need a – â€Å"No!†Meredith whispered right in Elena's ear, somehow managing to hiss a word without a single sibilant. â€Å"They're coming down the stairs. We have to find Stefan now! Can you tel him to meet me in the little bedroom behind the parlor?† â€Å"Yes, but – â€Å" â€Å"Do it!† And I stil don't know what a fighting stave is, Elena thought, al owing Meredith to take her arms and propel her toward the bedroom. But I know what a â€Å"hunter-slayer†sounds like, and I definitely don't like it. And that weapon – it makes a stake look like a plastic picnic knife. Stil , she sent to Stefan, who was fol owing the sheriffs downstairs: Meredith is going to donate as much blood as you need to Influence them. There's no time to argue. Come here fast and for God's sake look cheerful and reassuring. Stefan didn't sound cooperative. I can't take enough from her for our minds to touch. It might – Elena lost her temper. She was frightened; she was suspicious of one of her two best friends – a horrible feeling – and she was desperate. She needed Stefan to do just as she said. Get here fast! was al she projected, but she had the feeling that she'd hit him with al of the feelings ful force, because he suddenly turned concerned and gentle. I will, love, he said simply. While the female police officer was searching the kitchen and the male the living room, Stefan stepped into the smal first-floor guest room, with its single rumpled bed. The lamps were turned off but with his night vision he could see Elena and Meredith perfectly wel by the curtains. Meredith was holding herself as stiffly as an acrophobic bungee jumper. Take all you need without permanently harming her – and try to put her to sleep, too. And don't invade her mind too deeply – I'll take care of it. You'd better get out in the hallway, let them see at least one of us, love, Stefan replied soundlessly. Elena was obviously simultaneously frightened for and defensive about her friend and had sped right into micromanagement mode. While this was usual y a good thing, if there was one thing Stefan knew about – even if it was the only thing he knew – it was taking blood. â€Å"I want to ask for peace between our families,†he said, reaching one hand toward Meredith. She hesitated and Stefan, even trying his hardest, could not help but hearing her thoughts, like smal , scuttling creatures at the base of her mind. What was she committing herself to? In what sense did he mean family? It's really just a formality, he told her, trying to gain ground on another front: her acceptance of the touch of his thoughts to hers. Never mind it. â€Å"No,†Meredith said. â€Å"It's important. I want to trust you, Stefan. Only you, but†¦I didn't get the stave until after Klaus was dead.† He thought swiftly. â€Å"Then you didn't know what you were – â€Å" â€Å"No. I knew. But my parents were never active. It was Grandpa who told me about the stave.† Stefan felt a surge of unexpected pleasure. â€Å"So your grandfather's better now?† â€Å"No†¦sort of.†Meredith's thoughts were confusing. His voice changed, she was thinking. Stefan was truly happy that Grandpa's better. Even most humans wouldn't care – not really. â€Å"Of course I care,†Stefan said. â€Å"For one thing, he helped save al our lives – and the town. For another, he's a very brave man – he must have been – to survive an attack by an Old One.† Suddenly, Meredith's cold hand was around his wrist and words were tumbling from her lips in a rush that Stefan could barely understand. But her thoughts stood bright and clear under those words, and through them he got the meaning. â€Å"Al I can know about what happened when I was very young is what I've been told. My parents told me things. My parents changed my birthday – they actual y changed the day we celebrate my birthday on – because a vampire attacked my grandpa, and then my grandpa tried to kil me. They've always said that. But how do they know? They weren't there – that's part of what they say. And what's more likely, that my grandpa attacked me or that the vampire did?†She stopped, panting, trembling al over like a white-tailed doe caught in the forest. Caught, and thinking she was doomed, and unable to run. Stefan put out a hand that he deliberately made warm around Meredith's cold one. â€Å"I won't attack you,†he said simply. â€Å"And I won't disturb any old memories. Good enough?† Meredith nodded. After her cathartic story Stefan knew she wanted as few words as possible. â€Å"Don't be afraid,†he murmured, just as he had thought the soothing phrase into the mind of many an animal he'd chased through the Old Wood. It's all right. There's no reason to fear me. She couldn't help being afraid, but Stefan soothed her as he soothed the forest animals, drawing her into the darkest shadow of the room, calming her with soft words even as his canines screamed at him to bite. He had to fold down the side of her blouse to expose her long, olive-skinned column of neck, and as he did the calming words turned into soft endearments and the kind of reassuring noises he would use to comfort a baby. And at last, when Meredith's breathing had slowed and evened and her eyes had drifted shut, he used the greatest of care to slide his aching fangs into her artery. Meredith barely quivered. Everything was softness as he easily skimmed over the surface of her mind, too, seeing only what he already knew about her: her life with Elena and Bonnie and Caroline. Parties and school, plans and ambitions. Picnics. A swimming hole. Laughter. Tranquility that spread out like a great pool. The need for calm, for control. Al this stretching back as far as she could remember†¦ The farthest depths that she could remember were here at the center†¦where there was a sudden plunging dip. Stefan had promised himself he would not go deeply into her mind, but he was being pul ed, helpless, being dragged down by the whirlpool. The waters closed over his head and he was drawn at tremendous speed to the very depths of a second pool, this one not composed of tranquility, but of rage and fear. And then he saw what had happened, what was happening, what would forever be happening – there at Meredith's stil center.