Data Warehouses & Data Mining

DATA WAREHOUSES & DATA MINING Term-Paper In Management Support System [pic] Submitted By:Submitted To: Chitransh NamanAnita Ma’am A22-JK903Lecturer 10900100MSS ABSTRACT :- Collection of integrated, subject-oriented, time-variant and non-volatile data in support of managements decision making process. Described as the â€Å"single point of truth†, the â€Å"corporate memory†, the sole historical register of virtually all transactions that occur in the life of an organization.A fundamental concept of a data warehouse is the distinction between data and information. Data is composed of observable and recordable facts that are often found in operational or transactional systems. At Rutgers, these systems include the registrar’s data on students (widely known as the SRDB), human resource and payroll databases, course scheduling data, and data on financial aid. In a data warehouse environment, data only comes to have value to end-users when it is organized and p resented as information.Information is an integrated collection of facts and is used as the basis for decision-making. For example, an academic unit needs to have diachronic information about its extent of instructional output of its different faculty members to gauge if it is becoming more or less reliant on part-time faculty. [pic] INTRODUCTION :- â€Å"The data warehouse is always a physically separate store of data transformed from the application data found in the operational environment†. Data entering the data warehouse comes from operational environment in almost every case.Data warehousing provides architectures and tools for business executives to syste-matically organize ,understand ,and use their data to make stragetic decisions. A large number of organizations have found that data warehouse systems are valuable tools in today’s competive,fast-evolving world. In the last several years ,many firms have spent millions of dollars in building enterprise wide da ta warehouses. Many people feel that with competition mounting in every industry ,data warehousing is the latest must have marketing weapon –a way to keep customers by learning more about their needs.Data warehouses have been defined in many ways,making it difficult to formulate a rigorous definition. Loosely speaking , a data warehouse refers to a database that is maintened separately from an organization,s operational databases. Data warehouse systems allow for integration of a variety of applications systems . They support information processing by providing a solid platform of consolidated historical data for analysis. Data warehousing is a more formalised methodology of these techniques.For example, many sales analysis systems and executive information systems (EIS) get their data from summary files rather then operational transaction files. The method of using summary files instead of operational data is in essence what data warehousing is allabout. Some data warehousin g tools neglect the importance of modelling and building a datawarehouse and focus on the storage and retrieval of data only. These tools might havestrong analytical facilities, but lack the qualities you need to build and maintain a corporatewide data warehouse.These tools belong on the PC rather than the host. Your corporate wide (or division wide) data warehouse needs to be scalable, secure, openand, above all, suitable for publication. NEED OF DATA WAREHOUSE :- Missing data: Decision support requires historical data which operational DBs do not typically maintain Data Consolidation: DS requires consolidation (aggregation, summarization) of data from heterogeneous sources: operational DBs, external sources Data quality: Different sources typically use inconsistent data representations, codes and formats which have to be reconciled. pic] DATA WAREHOUSE ARCHITECTURE :- [pic] Components :- †¢ OPERATIONAL DATA WAREHOUSE ( for the DW is supplied from mainframe operational data he ld in first generation hierarchical and network databases, departmental data held in proprietary file systems, private data held on workstaions and private serves and external systems such as the Internet, commercially available DB, or DB assoicated with and organization’s suppliers or customers †¢ OPERATIONAL DATABASE( is a repository of current and integrated operational data used for analysis.It is often structured and supplied with data in the same way as the data warehouse, but may in fact simply act as a staging area for data to be moved into the warehouse †¢ LOAD MANAGER ( also called the frontend component, it performance all the operations associated with the extraction and loading of data into the warehouse. These operations include simple transformations of the data to prepare the data for entry into the warehouse WAREHOUSE MANAGER ( performs all the operations associated with the management of the data in the warehouse. The operations performed by this c omponent include analysis of data to ensure consistency, transformation and merging of source data, creation of indexes and views, generation of denormalizations and aggregations, and archiving and backing-up data. †¢ QUERY MANAGER( also called backend component, it performs all the operations associated with the management of user queries.The operations performed by this component include directing queries to the appropriate tables and scheduling the execution of queries. . END-USER ACCESS TOOLS( can be categorized into five main groups: data reporting and query tools, application development tools, executive information system (EIS) tools, online analytical processing (OLAP) tools, and data mining tools. DATA MART :- It is a subset of a data warehouse that supports the requirements of particular department or business function.The characteristics that differentiate data marts and data warehouses include: †¢ a data mart focuses on only the requirements of users associated with one department or business function †¢ as data marts contain less data compared with data warehouses, data marts are more easily understood and navigated †¢ data marts do not normally contain detailed operational data, unlike data warehouse. pic] META DATA:- Metadata is about controlling the quality of data entering the data stream. Batch processes can be run to address data degradation or changes to data policy. Metadata policies are enhance by using metadata repositories. IMPORTANCE OF META DATA :- The integration of meta-data, that is †data about data† †¢ Meta-data is used for a variety of purposes and the management of it is a critical issue in achieving a fully integrated data warehouse †¢ The major purpose of meta-data is to show the pathway back to where the data began, so that the warehouse administrators know the history of any item in the warehouse †¢ The meta-data associated with data transformation and loading must describe the source data and any changes that were made to the data †¢ The meta-data associated with data management describes the data as it is stored in the warehouse †¢ The meta-data is required by the query manager to generate appropriate queries, also is associated with the user of queries †¢ The major integration issue is how to synchronize the various types of meta-data use throughout the data warehouse. The challenge is to synchronize meta-data between different products from different vendors using different meta-data stores †¢ Two major standards for meta-data and modeling in the areas of data warehousing and component-based development-MDC(Meta Data Coalition) and OMG(Object Management Group) †¢ a data warehouse requires tools to support the administration and management of such complex enviroment. †¢ for the various types of meta-data and the day-to-day operations of the data warehouse, the administration and management tools must be capable of supportin g those tasks: †¢ monitoring data loading from multiple sources data quality and integrity checks †¢ managing and updating meta-data †¢ monitoring database performance to ensure efficient query response times and resource utilization. [pic] [pic] DATA WAREHOUSING PROCESSES :- The process of extracting data from source systems and bring it into the data warehouse is commonly called ELT, which stands for extraction, transformation, and loading. In addition, after the data warehouse (detailed data) is created, several data warehousing processes that are relevant to implementing and using the data warehouse are needed, which include data summarization, data warehouse maintenance. Extraction in Data Warehouse :-Extraction is the operation of extracting data from a source system for future use in a data warehouseenvironment. This is the first step of the ETL process. After extraction, data can be transformed and loaded into the data warehouse. Extraction process does not ne ed involve complex algebraic database operations, such as join and aggregate functions. Its focus is determining which data needs to be extracted, and bring the data into the data warehouse, specifically, to the staging area. The data has to be extracted normally not only once, but several times in a periodic manner to supply all changed data to the data warehouse and keep it up-to-date.Thus, data extraction is not only used in the process of building the data warehouse, but also in the process of maintaining the data warehouse. Every often, entire documents or tables from the data sources are extracted to the data warehouse or staging area, and the data completely contain whole information from the data sources. There are two kinds of logic extraction methods in data warehousing. Full Extraction :- The data is extracted completely from the data sources. As this extraction reflects all the data currently available on the data source, there is no need to keep track of changes to the data source since the last successful extraction. The source data will be provided as-is and no additional logic information is necessary on the source site. Incremental Extraction :-At a specific point in time, only the data that has changed since a well-defined event back in history will be extracted. The event may be the last time of extraction or a more complex business event like the last sale day of a fiscal period. This information can be either provided by the source data itself, or a change table where an appropriate additional mechanism keeps track of the changes besides the originating transaction. in most case, using the latter method means adding extraction logic to the data source. For the independence of data sources, many data warehouses do not use any change-capture technique as part of the extraction process, instead, use full extraction logic.After full extracting, the entire extracted data from the data sources can be compared with the previous extracted data to identify the changed data. Unfortunately, for many source systems, identifying the recently modified data may be difficult or intrusive to the operation of the data source. Change Data Capture is typically the most challenging technical issue in data extraction. [pic] DATA MINING :- Data Mining is the process of discovering new correlations, patterns, and trends by digging into (mining) large amounts of data stored in warehouses, using artificial intelligence, statistical and mathematical techniques. Data mining can also be defined as the process of extracting knowledge hidden from large volumes of raw data i. e. he nontrivial extraction of implicit, previously unknown, and potentially useful information from data. The alternative name of Data Mining is Knowledge discovery (mining) in databases (KDD), knowledge extraction, data/pattern analysis, etc. The importance of collecting data thai reflect your business or scientific activities to achieve competitive advantage is widely recog nized now. Powerful systems for collecting data and managing it in large databases are in place in all large and mid-range companies. [pic] How Data Mining Works :- While large-scale information technology has been evolving separate transaction and analytical systems, data mining provides the link between the two.Data mining software analyzes relationships and patterns in stored transaction data based on open-ended user queries. Several types of analytical software are available: statistical, machine learning, and neural networks. Generally, any of four types of relationships are sought: Classes: Stored data is used to locate data in predetermined groups. For example, a restaurant chain could mine customer purchase data to determine when customers visit and what they typically order. This information could be used to increase traffic by having daily specials. Clusters: Data items are grouped according to logical relationships or consumer preferences. For example, data can be mined t o identify market segments or consumer affinities.Associations: Data can be mined to identify associations. The beer-diaper example is an example of associative mining. Sequential patterns: Data is mined to anticipate behavior patterns and trends. For example, an otitdoor equipment retailer could predict the likelihood of a backpack being purchased based on a consumer's purchase of sleeping bags and hiking shoes. DATA MINING MODELS :- 1. Predictive Model Prediction a. determining how certain attributes will behave in the future Regression b. mapping of data item to real valued prediction variable Classification c. categorization of data based on combinations of attributes Time Series analysis xamining values of attributes with respect to time 2. Descriptive Model Clustering most closely data clubbed together into clusters Data Summarization extracting representative information about database Association Rules associativity defined between data items to form relationship Sequence Di scovery it is used to determine sequential patterns in data based on time sequence of action [pic] APPLICATIONS OF DATA WAREHOUSE :- Exploiting Data for Business Decisions The value of a decision support system depends on its ability to provide the decision-maker with relevant information that can be acted upon at an appropriate time. This means that the information needs to be: Applicable.The information must be current, pertinent to the field of interest and at the correct level of detail to highlight any potential issues or benefits. Conclusive. The information must be sufficient for the decision-maker to derive actions that will bring benefit to the organisation. Timely. The information must be available in a time frame that allows decisions to be effective. Decision Support through Data Warehousing One approach to creating a decision support system is to implement a data warehouse, which integrates existing sources of data with accessible data analysis techniques. An organisati on’s data sources are typically departmental or functional databases that have evolved to service specific and localised requirements.Integrating such highly focussed resources for decision support at the enterprise level requires the addition of other functional capabilities: Fast query handling. Data sources are normally optimised for data storage and processing, not for their speed of response to queries. Increased data depth. Many business conclusions are based on the comparison of current data with historical data. Data sources are normally focussed on the present and so lack this depth. Business language support. The decision-maker will typically have a background in business or management, not in database programming. It is important that such a person can request information using words and not syntax. [pic]The proliferation of data warehouses is highlighted by the â€Å"customer loyalty† schemes that are now run by many leading retailers and airlines. These sc hemes illustrate the potential of the data warehouse for â€Å"micromarketing† and profitability calculations, but there are other applications of equal value, such as: Stock control Product category management Basket analysis Fraud analysis All of these applications offer a direct payback to the customer by facilitating the identification of areas that require attention. This payback, especially in the fields of fraud analysis and stock control, can be of high and immediate value. APPLICATIONS OF DATA MINING:- †¢ Banking: loan/credit card approval †¢ predict good customers based on old customers †¢ Customer relationship management: identify those who are likely to leave for a competitor. †¢ Targeted marketing: †¢ identify likely responders to promotions †¢ Fraud detection: telecommunications, financial transactions †¢ from an online stream of event identify fraudulent events †¢ Manufacturing and production: †¢ automatically adjust knobs when process parameter changes †¢ Medicine: disease outcome, effectiveness of treatments †¢ analyze patient disease history: find relationship between diseases †¢ Molecular/Pharmaceutical: †¢ identify new drugs †¢ Scientific data analysis: †¢ identify new galaxies by searching for sub clusters †¢ Web site/store design and promotion: find affinity of visitor to pages and modify layout. [pic] CONCLUSION :- What we are seeing is two-fold depending on the retailer's strategy: 1) Most retailers build data warehouses to target specific markets and customer segments. They're trying to know their customers. It all starts with CDI – customer data integration. By starting with CDI, the retailers can build the DW around the customer. 2) On the other side — there are retailers who have no idea who their customers are, or feel they don’t need to†¦. the world is their customer and low prices will keep the worldloyal. They use the ir data warehouse to control inventory and negotiate with suppliers.The future will bring real time data warehouse updates†¦with the ability to give the retailer an minute to minute view of what is going on in a retail location†¦and take action either manually or through a condition triggered by the data warehouse data†¦ The future belongs to those who: 1) Possess knowledge of the Customer and 2) Effectively use that knowledge†¦ REFERENCES :- 1. Mining interesting knowledge from weblogs: a survey – Federico Michele Facca, Pier Luca lanzi. http://software. techrepublic. com. com/abstract. aspx http://en. wikipedia. org/ http://msdn. microsoft. com/ Google Books Google Images Google Search www. seminarprojects. com Self =========================================================

Ele569 2011 Exam Paper

[pic] **** 2011**** ELE569MICROWAVE ELECTRONICSDuration: 2 hours 30 minutes YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO READ THE CONTENTS OF THIS QUESTION PAPER UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY AN INVIGILATOR. Answer FOUR Questions. The Smith Chart is Attached. calculators arE permitted in this examination. Please state on your answer book the name and type of machine used. Complete all rough workings in the answer book and cross through any work which is not to be assessed. mportant note: thE academic Regulations state that possession of unauthorised material at any time when a student is under examination conditions is an ASSESSMENT offence AND CAN LEAD TO EXPULSION FROM THE COLLEGE. Please CHECK NOW TO ENSURE YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY NOTES in your possession. IF YOU HAVE ANY THEN please RAISE YOUR hand AND GIVE them to AN invigilator IMMEDIATELY. EXAM PAPERS CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE EXAM ROOM Examiners: Prof. Y. Hao and Prof. C. G. Parini  © Queen Mary, University of London, 2010 Question 1Answer the fol lowing questions on the Smith Chart and its applications. (a) Starting from the definition of Reflection Coefficient, explain the construction of the Smith Chart. It is NOT necessary to derive the equations for the constant impedance and constant reactance circles. [8 marks] It is a polar plot of the complex reflection coefficient. It is also known as the 1-port scattering parameter s or s11, for reflections from a normalised complex load impedance z = r + jx; [4 marks] [2marks] [2marks] (b)Consider the transmission line circuit below (Figure 1).Use the Smith Chart to find SWR on the line, the return loss, the reflection coefficient at the load, the load admittance, the input impedance to the line, the distance to the first voltage minimum, the distance from the load to the first voltage maximum. [9 marks] 0. 8 Wavelength Z0 =50 ? ZL =70+j40 ? Zin Figure 1 [pic] 1mark for each answer except for last two (2 marks) (c)A load impedance of ZL = 100-j150 ? is to be matched to a 50 ? line using a single shunt-stub tuner. Find two solutions using short-circuited stubs. [8 marks] 2 marks each for the following four answers [pic]Question 2 (a) Consider an arbitary microwave transistor with scattering matrix [S], connected to source and load impedances as shown in Figure 2. [pic] Figure 2 Derive the following equations concerning (in and (out. [pic] [7 Marks] with reference to figure 1, the refelection coefficient seen looking forward the load is [pic] while the reflection coefficient seen looking toward the source is [pic] [1 Marks] in general, the input impedance of the terminated two-port network will be mismatched with a reflection coefficient given by (in, which can be defined by the following analysis.From S parameters definition, [pic] Eliminating V2-, and solving for [pic] [4 Marks] Similarly, (out can be obtained. [2 Marks] (b) In a transistor oscillator, a one-port negative-resistance is effectively created by terminating a potential unstable transistor with a n impedance designed to drive the device in an unstable region as shown in Figure 2. [pic] Figure 2 Assuming that S parameters of the transistor in a common-gate configuration are S11=(2. 18, -35(), S12=(2. 75, 96(), S21=(1. 26, 18(), S22=(0. 52, 155(). Design load and teminating networks using a combination of one-eighth nd a quarter wavelength impedance transformers for a microwave oscillator. Please note that the stability circle can be calculated using the following equations [pic] [18 Marks] †¢ S11 is quite big, which means that the common gate transistor configuration is unstable †¢ The centre and radius of the output stability circle in the (T plane are: CT=(1. 08, 33(), RT=0. 665 [4 Marks] †¢ Since |S11|=2. 18>1, then the stable region is inside the stability circle, this gives large amount of freedom to choose (T plane. †¢ (T is selected as (0. 59, -104().Then an impedance matching network is used to convert ZT into 50Ohm match load †¢ From (T , (in =(3. 96, -2. 4(). It is obtained from [pic] †¢ Zin can be found to be (-84-j1. 9)Ohm, and then ZL(()= -Rin(()-jXin(() †¢ A matching network is chosen to match ZL with 50Ohm load [10 Marks] Based on the following equations, an impedance matching network can be designed (T is selected as (0. 59, -104(), ? T can be found as †¢ Zin can be found to be (-84-j1. 9)Ohm, and then ZL(()= -Rin(()-jXin(()=84+j1. 9 Question 3 Answer the following questions about microwave amplifiers: a)Show that for a unilateral device, where S12=0, the ( -parameter test implies that | S11 | < 1 and |S22 | < 1 for unconditional stability. Where the ( -parameter test is formulated as [pic] [8 marks] [pic] [pic] (b) Use the ( -parameter test to determine which of the following devices are unconditionally stable, and of those, which has greatest stability. [6 Marks] |Device |S11 |S21 |S12 |S22 | |A |0. 80

April Raintree : Storyline Plot Essay

Through out this novel, a lot of tragic and powerful events transpire. They make the reader think quite a bit on what they have just read and after this, you tend to react. These events and occurrences are the main idea behind the story and they continue to constantly grab your attention and you keep you focused on what is going on in the novel. However, too many big impact and negative events take away from the story and it’s traditional role of focusing on one major element through out the book. The reader is ceased of time to actually think about what has just happened, before something else suddenly does. Beatrice Culleton has a liking for an eventful novel and it is definitely noticeable. In the first chapter of this book, we learn that April and her younger sister, Cheryl are taken away their parents, due to a severe alcohol problem. From here in, the negative events start to occur. After April and Cheryl are removed from their family home, they tend to grow independent and look out for each other. Along these lines, they endure many challenges and new experiences. They end up going to endless foster homes during their child hood years. The two of them travel from home to home and are involved in different situations at each. One of the worst environments from both of the girls was at the DeRosier residence. After April begins to form into a mature woman and moves on with her life, she ends up moving to the city of Winnipeg living in the core of downtown. At this point, she begins to see the occasional man every now and then, due to her acquaintances at her law firm office. Just when you thought everything was going good for April, things take a turn for the un-expected. The man who April believed was a wholesome, respectful business associate was nothing more than a cheating coward going behind his wife’s back to see April. Although this is a serious problem, I couldn’t help it laugh when this was mentioned in the novel. The reason being, is how many things can go wrong for April at this point? She’s had a rocky childhood, troubles at work with co-workers, and now this? The second most striking and shocking event that Culleton brought upon the reader was in Chapter 12, when April was raped while in the car. It was not  only bad enough that Cheryl was in the hospital prior to this, due to severe injuries after being beaten, but also now it was April who was in the worse situation. The reader is almost shocked, but at the same time, wondering what is going to happen next. If it was Beatrice Culleton’s intention to place these tragic events in place after each other repeatedly to the keep the reader involved, she did an excellent job. April and Cheryl experienced a string of bad luck and misfortune their whole life, and to read all of this is sometimes unbelievable. That goes to show that the native culture can be treated poorly, and it isn’t right. The final and biggest occurrence in April Raintree is in Chapter 16. Cheryl decided she couldn’t go on with life anymore and committed suicide by jumping off of a bridge. It’s ironic how this happened, seeing as how their mother took her own life by enduring in the same tragic practice. April then moves into a state of mourning with Roger Madison by her side for comfort. Before the reader can make sense of what has just happened, we are told of another detail of Cheryl’s past, her child. Not to mention, finding out about their long lost parents from Cheryl’s many journal entries left underneath her bed in a shoebox after her death. I can give Culleton credit for writing an exciting novel and taking the reader to the final end of the book still trying to get over what they have just read. In conclusion, this story line would have made sense starring more action filled characters and not young native women. Beatrice Culleton throws in negative occurrences way too often, and the story looses its happiness that we once had read while April and Cheryl were only children. The memories of each of the girls writing back and fourth to each other while in the foster homes sounds bliss at this point. It seems so un-real and out of the ordinary that both of the sisters experience all of this during one lifetime. On the positive side however, the author wrote a memorable novel that kept you in tune through out the story. You were provoked to keep on reading more and more, and for some, that rarely is the case while doing a novel study such as this one. One thing that was impressive is how Culleton ended the book off of on a positive note for once. April ends up being the foster mother to her sister’s child, Henry Liberty. With Roger by her side as always, April finally has some happiness in her life.

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

Haiti Development - Research Paper Example Though independent long before, the economy of the country is still in the struggling phase. According to the recent reports, the per capita income of the country in 2009 has been a meager $ 790 that tantamounts to a nominal sum of $ 2 per day per person. Having such poor performance on the economic front, the country has almost 80% of the population below the poverty level while only half the population is believed to be literate. The country is basically an agricultural nation but unlike many of the other nations of the world, agricultural population of Haiti does not have access to the modern means and techniques of agriculture. This is prevalent as while more than 65% of the population is engaged with agriculture, the profession yields even less than 30% of the GDP for the country (Foreign & Common Wealth Office, â€Å"Haiti†). The extreme poor performance of the economy of Haiti has its linked consequences like that of underprivileged human resource development and that of topping the list of corruption. The other prominent demerit of the country has been the concentration of wealth. It is perceived that top 1% of the population controls almost half of the nation’s wealth. The condition of the economy is also depicted by the prime source of earning for the government which has been the external debt for years now. In 2005, a new born baby in Haiti had a liability of US $ 169 (because of external debt) though recently the international bodies like that of IMF and World Bank have written off the external debt (IMF, â€Å"Haiti: Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries — Completion Point Document†). The poor country of Haiti has been further affected by the disastrous environment time and again. Though the country was blessed with deep forest and had rich flora and fauna, the diminishing economy of the nation has resulted in cutting of most of such

The American Labor Sector of Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The American Labor Sector of Today - Essay Example   The movements drew clear lines between the management of the industries and the labor aspects that based on the issues between the two. This was aimed to advocate for the improvement of their working conditions. It is sentiments like these that the screenwriters and the director of the movie â€Å"Norma Rae† shared and sought to evoke among the audience. The movie highlights the processes and trials experienced in the starting of a workers union (Canby). It shows that although the start of worker unions is marred by challenges, their successful formations eventually result in improved labor conditions. The employers victimize the founding figures of trade unions when they start advocating for the rights of the workers. The movie gives a clear illustration of this aspect that is replicated in nearly all scenarios involving the establishment of labor unions. After hearing a speech from Rueben Warshowsky, Norma decides to unionize her workmates. This does not augur well with the managers of the cotton mill, who confront her (Canby). She in turn writes â€Å"UNION† on a piece of cardboard and stands on a table to display it to her workmates. This makes them shut down their machines. The management views this as a threat to their authority and responds by sacking her and sending her to jail (Canby). Although Reuben eventually frees her, the acts bring out the factor of victimization against unionists advocating for workers rights. The movie brings out the aspect of the different family members reaction to one’s involvement in union activities. After hearing Reuben’s speech Norma starts participating in union formation activities. This invokes negative reactions in her husband who feels Norma is not spending enough time with her family (Canby).

Trade Theories assignment How Trade Shaped the World

Trade Theories How Trade Shaped the World - Assignment Example The policies that government made to protect business came in many forms and in varying degrees. State could use their power to finance new business, permit or disable monopolies, impose tariffs, prohibit a wide range of contraband, control labour, and if necessary blockade competing nation. The Europeans, the Asians and the Arabs all recognized the importance of shipping as a means to promote and protect export, though none took it as such an extreme as the European powers. On export power, the mercantilist policies were based on the notion that if a nation could expand its imports of gold by exporting goods, it would thereby deprive its rival nation of gold needed to protect a nation commerce, gold simply bought more protection. The argument persisted in Europe into 18th century until the convincing argument of Adam Smith and David Ricardo demonstrated the values of specialization and comparative economic advantage. A number of factors led to the decline and end of the great period of mercantilism. By 1860, England had dismantled its mercantilist legal structure and risen to power as the undisputed ruler of both the newly industrialized world and its seas. In the modern age, the mercantilist spirit has re-emerged in the form of numerous non-tariff barriers that the free market nation employ to protect very specific industries. The export/import licensing, quarantines, and trading blocs are now manifesting as mercantile protectionism. In many of the closed and semi closed economies of the world e.g. Cuba and China protection of domestic producers is still very strong (Bernstein, 2012) Free trade principles were broadly appealing in an export-driven colonial economy long before publication of Adams Smiths Wealth of Nation revolutionary patriot who mobilized against British imperial trade regulation. Dismantling colonial monopoly would

Trade unions in the workplace can only have a negative impact on Essay

Trade unions in the workplace can only have a negative impact on productivity. Discuss - Essay Example An analysis of the above definitions reveals that a trade union must be: Allen Flanders (1970) says that the major functions of trade unions are ‘Regulation’ which is of government role, whose essence lies in rule making. As Flanders (1970) says â€Å"Union restrain the exercise of managerial authority in deploying, organizing and disciplining the labour force after it has been hired.† Thus trade unions are considered not merely as economic organizations, but also as political institutions directed towards wresting control over managerial authority and moral institutions, which will uplift the weak, and downtrodden and render them the place, the dignity and justice they deserve. Trade unions, everywhere, as organizations undertake a variety of activities termed as economical, political, social psychological, cultural etc. All these activities could be broadly put into three major categories such as collective bargaining or negotiations, industrial action and legal actions. Collective bargaining/ negotiations: Unions as representative of workers organizations bargain with employers or various such issues such as wages, allowances, bonus, hours of work, reinstatement etc. The unions have secure bargaining power by statute and bargaining is done with the presence of the third party. Industrial action: Industrial action implies action like strikes and different methods of protest. These types of industrial actions like striking naturally lead to loss of production and disturbing the industrial peace. Worldwide unions resort to these activities to achieve their goals to safe guard the interest of their members. Legal actions: The unions also involve themselves in the legal actions. First of all unions have interest in getting certain laws enacted by the legislature. The purpose of these labour laws is to enhance the interest of the workers. Then, the unions are also

The Causes of Suicide in the Military Research Paper

The Causes of Suicide in the Military - Research Paper Example (Alvarez) It is evident from the graph that the suicide rate has been almost doubled in 2008 compared to the 2003 statistics. In any case, one thing is for sure; suicide rates among American military personnel are growing rapidly in recent times because of various reasons. Even though military authorities are trying hard to reduce the suicide rates among soldiers, so far they failed to do so because of the complex reasons associated with suicides in military. This paper analyses the causes and effects of suicides in American military. Suicide rates among American military personnel have been more than that among American civilians in recent times. The above fact clearly suggests that there should be some specific reasons to the increased suicide rates among soldiers. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide proposes that three necessary factors are needed to die by suicide: feelings that one does not belong with other people, feelings that one is a burden on others or societ y, and an acquired capability to overcome the fear and pain associated with suicide (Bryan, et al. p.1044). Feelings that one does not belong with other people seems to be the major reason for increasing suicide rates among soldiers. ... Socializing is an essential activity required for each human being to maintain a stable mental health. Military life provides less diversity for socializing activities. It should be noted that in normal life a person’s socializing habits takes place in a diverse environment; socializing with family members, socializing with relatives, socializing with peers, socializing with opposite sex, socializing with friends etc. On the other hand, in military life, socializing is only a one way traffic; socializing between the soldiers and that also only on specific occasions. Thus feelings of loneliness or feelings that one does not belong with other people may increase among soldiers, which may finally develop frustrations and subsequent suicide attempts. Feeling of unworthiness or feeling that one is a burden on others or society is another reason for suicide tendency among soldiers. As mentioned earlier, military life provides only limited opportunities for family life as far as a so ldier is concerned. A soldier may not be able to fulfill his family and social commitments while working in the military. The failure to fulfill these commitments may generate feeling of unworthiness among soldiers. Such feelings can also cause the development of suicide tendency. Acquired capability to overcome the fear and pain associated with suicide is the third major reason for increased suicide rates among military personnel. It should be noted that soldiers are brave people and they are engaged in acts like killing of enemies. In other words, killing or dying is not a fearful act for them. Thus when the feeling of unworthiness develops, soldiers are not hesitant in committing suicide. Army

Critical Perspectives on thechnology and organisation Essay - 1

Critical Perspectives on thechnology and organisation - Essay Example The case study by Scarbrough & Lannon (1989) describes the impact of innovations and technology on the UK banking sector and discusses possible problems and advantages of technology implementation. The authors suggest that innovations and technological change can help to improve knowledge and learning in different service sectors. One reason for this is that once new technical knowledge is acquired, it can usually be embodied in a readily transferable form. The smoothness and slope of the corporate technical learning curve depend on two factors: (1) how well learning about the particular technology is transmitted from site to site and (2) how representative of later sites the first ones that influence developers design decisions are. Scarbrough & Lannon (1989) underline that technology has a great impact on learning and service improvements. It is possible to apply ‘double loop learning’ to the case of the Bank of Scotland to describe learning and knowledge creation infl uenced by technology. â€Å"Double loop learning’ was first developed by Argyris & Schon in their work Theory in Practice: Increasing Professional Effectiveness published in 1974. â€Å"Double loop learning’ can be defined as â€Å"is learning where assumptions about ways of seeing things are challenged and underlying values are changed. Double loop learning, in questioning givens or taken-for-granteds, has the potential to bring about a profound shift in underlying values by cracking their paradigms or ways of seeing the world† (Argyris & Schon 1992, p. 18). Also, ‘Double loop learning’ can be characterized through reflection, particularly with others in dialogue. Applied to the case by Scarbrough & Lannon, it is possible to say that â€Å"double loop learning’ is achieved by means of technology and innovations. Scarbrough & Lannon (1989) state that learning and

Project Statistics Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Statistics Project Example I am satisfied that the sites I used are valid because it is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. a. Boxplot: Figure 2 shows the Side-by-side Boxplot of 2003 and 2013 unemployment rates data. There appears that the state unemployment rates for the year 2003 were higher as compared to the year 2013. b. Scatterplot: Figure 3 shows the Scatterplot of 2003 unemployment rates (predictor variable) and 2013 unemployment rates (response variable). There appears a positive relationship between 2003 and 2013 state unemployment rates. The average state unemployment rate for the year 2003 was 6.31% and varies from the mean by about 1.47%. About half of the state’s unemployment rates were below 6.4%. About one-quarter of the state’s unemployment rates were below 5.4% and about one quarter of the state’s unemployment rates were above 7.4%. The minimum and maximum unemployment rates were 2.7% and 9.3% respectively. The distribution of state unemployment rates for the year 2003 is approximately normal. The average state unemployment rate for the year 2013 was 5.20% and varies from the mean by about 1.02%. About half of the state’s unemployment rates were below 5.0%. About one-quarter of the state’s unemployment rates were below 4.4% and about one quarter of the state’s unemployment rates were above 5.8%. The minimum and maximum unemployment rates were 3.2% and 7.7% respectively. The distribution of state unemployment rates for the year 2013 is approximately normal. There is no outlier for the 2013 state unemployment rates, as all data values lie in-between lower fence (2.3%) and upper fence (9.8 %). The presence of outliers in a data set tells that they are unusual values and can have an effect on the overall mean and standard deviation. The visual analysis of scatterplot suggests a linear model for the data. Below regression analysis shows the Minitab output for the linear regression analysis taking 2003

Review of The End of Education by Neil Postman Research Paper

Review of The End of Education by Neil Postman - Research Paper Example The second god is the god of consumership and Postman argues that its general moral maxim is within the slogan that whoever buys things will inherit goodness and those who do not, evil. In other words, an individual is built by what he or she accumulates. Devotion to the god of consumership begins at an early age and it persists until teenage hood. This god has created a theology that cannot be easily ignored. This is because of the fact that it is based on the notion that an individual’s life becomes worthy when they buy things. The third and the last god is the god of technology. This god is very much related to the god of consumership because it serves as a vehicle to propagate the message of the god of Consumership (Postman, 2010). â€Å"The most appealing idea that the world has yet known† is an example of democracy that the United States has fully embraced since its independence. It can be used to win the global unqualified confidence. Democracy is very appealing such that playing hypocrite towards the beliefs we hold and performing official acts of suppression will stifle our own liberties (Harrison, 2009). On the other hand, schools are meant to sell the American dream to the entire world through democracy. In other words, schools are attempting to see whether a rational, stable, and unified culture can be created from individuals of diverse religions, languages, and traditions. However, the idea is most appealing, and there is need to reassure friends of the United States about the idea. These friends have already created notions that may jeopardize the efforts of the United States to sell its idea of democracy. According to a survey conducted by the Fortune magazine, it is clear that the friends do not want to be influenced by the American culture. Europe thinks that the United States is dragging humanity in the direction of dehumanization. For instance, the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States have one

William Shakespeare and Lady Macbeth Essay Example for Free

William Shakespeare and Lady Macbeth Essay If Renaissance writers sought to accurately portray humanistic ideals and construct true to life portraits using words, then the women of Shakespeares plays embody the apex of this intention. Shakespearean dramas often attribute cunning intellect, calculated control and enigmatic beauty to his female protagonists. In modern reflection, they are revealed as forerunners of contemporary women who aptly proved their ability to rival men in wit and intellect. Rarely powerless or ambivalent, Shakespeares women often drove plots in which they served as the contrivers of the plays central focus. Undoubtedly, the frequently disputed author must have been someone who held education in the highest of esteem; he clearly believed the powers thereof could be used for iniquity or self-betterment. As will be shown, Shakespeare depicts the genius of which women are capable as well of the unspeakable evil in which some of literatures most recognizable females indulged. This dichotomy is perhaps best illustrated in two of Shakespeares most recognizable plays: Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. In the former, Lady Macbeth conceives a massacre of the existing royal family in order to elevate her husband to the throne of Scotland. The second play exemplifies the struggle of a spinster to derail the nuptials of both her sister and herself by warding off but eventually submitting to Petruchios courtship. Both women are delineated by the candor and cleverness of their speech and in due course must face the fate they least desired. However, rarely in any Renaissance play does there exist a woman as remarkably intelligent and beautiful as Portia in The Merchant of Venice. A female protagonist, she almost certainly embodies what the author believed the ideal woman should be. Lady Macbeths manipulative instigation of the central murders in MacBeth illustrates the naked ambition which a woman was capable of. As authoritarian and devious as any of Shakespeares characters, Lady Macbeth symbolizes the ability of ethical weakness corrupted by power to lead to corruption by immorality. A descendent of regal blood both historically and in the play, her education is presumed equal with any other woman of such status in the Renaissance. In order to understand the background of aristocratic ladies in the fifteenth century, it is critical to examine the socio-cultural transformation affecting women throughout Europe. As noted by Margaret L. King in Women of the Renaissance, the course of a changing balance of power, brought on by education being made more widely available to women, resulted in men beginning to respect their wives and look to them as a source of guidance, often in secular and domestic matters. It was with reference to this period that Marie de Guarnay wrote The Equity of Men and Women, in which she questioned the values of an uneducated woman and suggested that only women of culture could have a true sense of themselves. Another noted female writer, Christine de Pizan, wrote The City of Ladies, which was translated into English in 1521, around the time Shakespeare wrote his plays. The most significant of Pizans twenty works, the author detailed the significance of her own education and the instruction of other women. Though only limited education was sought out by commoners, Lady Macbeth would have been part of an elite class whom were fortunate enough to have the benefit of private instruction. Lady Macbeths eloquence hints at her implied learnedness. An articulate woman was a rarity among the working classes and was therefore a valued sign of class supremacy among the aristocracy. In Act I, Lady Macbeths monologue in scene five epitomizes both her ruthlessness and rhetoric: LADY MACBETH. The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, Stop up thaccess and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th effect and it. Come to my womans breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on natures mischief. (Shakespeare, 123) Lady Macbeth employs extended metaphors and caustic diction as she implores masculine courage and clearly defines her unequivocal ambition to overtake the throne by assassination. The sheer contemptuousness of this articulate soliloquy is evidence of an intellectual force who is in fact the dominant partner in her marriage to the future King Macbeth. In concordance, it may be inferred that Lady Macbeth exploits her regal status and intellectual prowess to bring harm unto others and ultimately facilitate her own demise. Her conscience is shown only as she descends into madness and ultimate suicide: LADY MACBETH. Wash your hands, put on your night-gown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquos buried; he cannot come out ons grave DOCTOR. Even so? LADY MACBETH. To bed, to bed; theres a knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand; whats done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed. (Shakespeare, 219) Lady Macbeth amounts to a character utterly devoid of ethics. Though not entirely representative of Shakespeares opinion of educated women, his treatment of Lady Macbeth surely suggests that a womans intellectual ability, when miss-used, has adverse effects on the individual and those surrounding her. From the inception of The Taming of the Shrew, it is clear that Katherina indeed lives up to her reputation as Katherine the Curst (Shakespeare, 95). Baptistas eldest daughter behaves aggressively to the friendliest of acquaintances but she is also psychologically astute and capable of tremendous wit and candor. Though Katherinas feisty demeanor may be at first deceptive, by adding innuendos and complex metaphors to her discourse, Shakespeare alludes to a capable, clever woman beneath her pugnacious nature. Additionally, the author sets forth a counter-plot between Bianca and Lucentio who epitomize what a conventional young couple should be; his handsome looks and charismatic manner pair well with Biancas youthful beauty. Their relationship contrasts strongly with the tempestuous encounters between Petruchio and Katherina. However, Bianca is portrayed throughout as submissive and her role is never one of particular interest; it seems therefore that Shakespeare favors Katherina if only because her persona is the more fascinating to encounter. Bianca, though likely educated and reared similarly to Kate, lacks the gumption and resolve which makes her sister more demanding of her suitors and active in the play. Shakespeares favoritism is further evidenced in the plays title; Katherina is clearly the shrew and therefore the protagonist. In sum, the author has favored a willful woman over her submissive counterpart, validating a womans attempt to control her choice of partner rather than proper obedience. As for the authors inspiration, scholars have suggested that Katherina may have been modeled after his sister, Katherine de Vere of Windsor. If de Veres sister was the inspiration for his shrew, it is evident that he did not remember her fondly! When Edward de Vere was in his adolescence, Katherine attempted to obtain his inheritance and earldom by suing him. If Edward de Vere was in fact the author of the Shakespeare plays (Looney 1920, et alia), it seems his personal partialities may have influenced many of his female protagonists. Katherina is further characterized by the literary elements in her speech; her wit and rapid responses are among the sure signs that she is as clever as the men who surround her and a perfect adversary for Petruchio. Her infrequent victories over male counterparts are nearly always marked by two facets: Katherinas refusal to relinquish her stance and her keen ability to out-quarrel her opponent. In this passage, Katherina attempts to defy the wishes of Petruchio: KATHERINA So may you lose your arms. If you strike me, you are no gentlemen, why then no arms. PETRUCHIO A herald, Kate? O put me in thy books. KATHERINA What is your crest- a coxcomb? PETRUCHIO A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. KATHERINA No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven. PETRUCHIO Nay, come Kate, come; you must not look so sour. KATHERINA It is my fashion when I see a crab. (Shakespeare, 97) Notably, Kates contemptuous remarks and quick-witted responses come as a great surprise to Petruchio, who seems to enjoy their combative exchange. Katherina dispels the notion that ladies must be demure and submissive if they wish to attract the company of a suitor. Perhaps the most telling moment in the play is Katherinas final monologue; it seems this speech has been the subject of more controversy than nearly all others in literature. It has been subjected to scholarly scrutiny, denounced by feminists and continued to awe readers for centuries because it is the most indicative moment of Shakespeares view of femininity. From the feminist movement of the twentieth century, there comes the revisionist theory that Kate has not been tamed at all and her character is a mockery of mens treatment of women. Evidence to support this includes Christopher Slys comments about the play, in which he states that Petruchios actions have taught him how to treat a woman. Since we are aware of Christopher Slys foolishness, it is unlikely that the author aimed for readers to identify with this view. It seems possible that Shakespeare intended to reveal the lingering misogyny of an era in which willful, intelligent women were often dismissed as stepping outside their natural roles. Though it seems avant-garde in the context of the period, this theory suggests that womens submissiveness has been mocked and the play is ultimately successfully feminist. If the final monologue is intended to deceive Petruchio and is a calculated attempt to win back his favor, then Katherinas character is truly revolutionary because she has beguiled the two men who know her best- Petruchio and Baptista- into believing that she yields to their desires. But this interpretation of Petruchio and Katherina demonstrates to why it is believed The Earl of Oxford respected Elizabeth Trentham: she was an intellectually gifted woman who was capable of actively participating in affairs traditionally allocated to men. The alternate theory and more accepted of the two, is that Kate is a broken woman and male supremacy has been achieved. Aside from Kates final monologue, there is evidence throughout the play in favor of a misogynistic interpretation. In particular, Act IV, in which Petruchio and Kate return home from their wedding, is atrocious yet exemplary of brutal tactics used to keep women from taking charge of the household. Throughout the scene, Petruchio makes subtle suggestions that Kate has been transformed by their wedding from her fathers property to his. Furthermore, as Petruchio becomes enraged by the servants, he directly prevents Katherine from relieving her fundamental need of food and sleep. In response to her taming, Kate attributes the following accolades to her husband at the end of Act V: Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee And for thy maintenance; commits his body To painful labor both by sea and land, To watch the night in storms, the day in cold, Whilst thou list warm at home, secure and safe; And craves no other tribute at thy hands  But love, fair looks, and true obedience Too little payment for so great a debt. (Shakespeare, 160) Interpreted by the second view, this speech may be considered an elegy for the vivacious, feisty Katherina that has been replaced by the subservient Kate. She has eschewed every facet of her personality which had been valued so greatly to this point in the play. In a sense, Katherina is representative of the cycle which many aristocratic women faced in the Renaissance: they were educated to be proficient members of society only to be silenced at the hand of a husband they often did not desire. If the speech is not a tongue-in-cheek betrayal, then Katherina has truly been broken by Petruchios incessant cruelty and she represents a victim of the repressive treatment many fifteenth century women endured. Perhaps no examination of Shakespeares treatment of educated women could be complete without deciphering Portias enigmatic mix of beauty and intellect. She is seemingly a series of contradictions: a free sprit abiding by strict rules, feminine but strong and happy to be rid of many of her suitors yet saddened by her inability to control her marital prospects. Portia is a woman of remarkable wealth and patrician social status yet her values are those of every woman. She is clearly the plays protagonist; her humility and capacity to make the situations work in her favor counter Shylocks malignant conduct. The epitome of Portias contribution to the plot can be found in Shakespeares oft discussed court scene. Disguised as Balthasar, she effectively imitates as a man who has been educated through law school. This is the strongest suggestion that Shakespeare intended Portia to be not only learned but also wise; her trial scenes reveal a keen sense of  manipulation which allows Portia to address both parties without apparent bias, though to the reader she hardly seems impartial. In her famous speech, Portia equates the virtue of mercy with the divine and beseeches Shylocks compassion for Antonio: PORTIA. The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain falls from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; It blesseth him that gave and him that takes. Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power,  Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway. (Merchant, 78) Portia is indeed a woman of great articulacy who adapts fluidly to her role as a mediating lawyer. She has used her grace and candor to make a stellar case for Antonios life; this could not have been accomplished without her previous schooling. Balthasar turns the case around entirely: by trials end, Shylock is begging for mercy from Antonio. Portia has indeed floored the courtroom with her arguments and saved the life of her husbands comrade. The protagonist has effectively used her wits and ingenuity to deliver justice into the hands of an innocent man and antagonized Shylocks gluttonous ploy. In the context of womens education, Portia exemplifies that with knowledge, women may be as effective as men. Because she is posing in a traditionally male position, it is significant that Portia prevails in the case and delegates a fair result even for the disagreeable Shylock. Though she is clearly capable of being as effective as any male lawyer, Portia is forbidden to do so unless she poses as a man. Shakespeare is thus providing a strong critique of the limitations of gender roles and satirizing male superiority, a concept quite radical for his time. In a historical context, we are aware of some parallels between these characteristics and the second wife of the Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxfords second wife, Elizabeth Trentham. Though little is known about her background or life with de Vere, from his will and letters certain principles are clear. Elizabeth Trentham did participate in managing of the Earls finances and her letters suggest that she was eloquent and probably of distinguished academic background for a woman of her time. Since it has been said that de Veres married her for love rather than social gain, we may infer that his true preference leaned toward women of capable intellect and practical abilities. Portia certainly exhibits these traits; her ability to speak in court and prevailing love for Bessanio suggest that she is a woman of resolve and strength. The court scenes in The Merchant of Venice are so potent that they have been the subject of noteworthy scholarly debate. In particular, Portias capable trial speeches bear similarities in tone to the pleas Mary Queen of Scots made for her own life in 1587. Significantly, Edward de Vere was a judge at this trial and though clearly his sympathies lay with Elizabeth I, de Vere may have been struck by Marys unaided defense which was palpably an attempt to appeal to the sympathies of her judges. She is said to have broken down in court and unabashedly pleaded with the judges for her life. Though her life was not spared, it has been said that she was effective in arousing pity in the court: Mary defended herself with consummate ability before a tribunal almost entirely prejudiced against her. She was deprived of legal aid, without her papers and in ill health†¦she reached a point of touching eloquence which might have moved the hearts, though it did not convince the intellects, of her august judges. (Looney, 303) Perhaps, the very notion of a woman mounting her own defense at a trial was an idea which struck the Earl of Oxford as worthy of further expansion and like Mary Queen of Scots; he constructed the character of Portia to underscore the significance of mercy as a divine attribute bringing both the giver and receiver closer to God. The women of Shakespeares plays were harbingers of the present; they represented triumph of ability and intellect over rigid gender roles. In Shakespeares time, intelligent women were often viewed as a threat to male superiority; however, it seems their attributes often made them capable of dominating their relationships with men and their cogency proved equal. This idea is further established by the notion that Portia and Katherina may have been based on women from the authors life. Though studying the works of Shakespeare, it becomes clear that women.

Nervous Systems And Sensory Organs

Nervous Systems And Sensory Organs You take a needle and prick your finger, your response is probably to get your finger away from the needlepoint quickly and maybe yell ouch. You take the same needle and poke a protist, sponge, cnidarian, or worm with it and they will all probably exhibit a similar response, at least they will all retreat. But how can this be possible? Protists are unicellular organisms that dont have a system to communicate after coming in contact with a stimulus. Similarly, sponges just sit on a rock all day, they also dont have any nervous functions. Cnidarians on the other hand have a nerve net, but how do they coordinate responses without a brain? All of these questions, along with how body plans relate to nervous system evolution, will be answered as this paper explores the evolution of the nervous system and sense organs from protists to the vertebrates. The Protists The classification of protozoans has been changed a lot through time. Cavalier-Smith (1993) came up with what he called the simplest definition of the kingdom Protozoa. They are eukaryotes, other than those that primitively lack mitochondria and peroxisomes, which lack the shared derived characters that define the higher derived kingdoms of Animalia, Fungi, and Plantae (Cavalier-Smith, 1993). Even though protozoans are simple unicellular organisms, they can still respond to many of the same stimuli higher order organisms respond too. Take for example that science class most students have. You put paramecium under a microscope and try to touch them with a probe, or watch their response to the light from the microscope. Most of the time when the anterior membrane of Paramecium is mechanically stimulated the ciliary power stroke reorients so the cell swims backwards, or retreats (Ogura Machemer, 1980). If the posterior membrane is stimulated the cilia beat towards the rear, causing the organism to move forward (Ogura Machemer, 1980). The light from the microscope can affect both the photoreceptors and thermoreceptors of the protists. The unicellular alga Euglena shows two regions of peak sensitivity to light during photokinesis at 465 nm and then again near 630 nm and during phototaxis 490-500 nm (Leys et al., 2002). Euglena is phototactic and its system consists of locomotory flagellum, an eyespot, and a photoreceptor (Gualtieri, 2001). As the organism moves, the eyespot senses the amount of light that reaches it and therefore pushes the Euglena in the direction of more light (Gualtieri, 2001). But moving towards light also means a change in temperature, especially if the light source is close to the organism. Paramecium cells are themo-sensitive and tend to accumulate at temperatures they were cultured at (Toyoda et al., 2009). They become used to their membrane fluidity at this temperature, and small temperatures changes drastically change this fluidity (Toyoda et al., 2001). If the temperatures change too much the Paramecium will retreat away from the heat in order to survive (Hennessey, Saimi, Kung, 1983). Protists also have chemosensory responses to certain odorants and tastes. Rodgers, Markle, and Hennessey (2008) found G-protein coupled receptors in the Paramecium. They tested whether Paramecium and Tetrahymena could respond to the common higher order organisms odorants and tastants (Rodgers, Markle, Hennessey, 2008). If they are affected by the odorants or tastants they will do an avoiding reaction, which can be seen when the organism is leaving an attractant or enters a repellent (Valentine, Yano, Van Houten, 2008). The Tetrahymena was more sensitive and could detect all of the tastants sampled, while Paramecium only detected four or the ten (Rodgers, Markle, Hennessey, 2008). Since Paramecium feed on bacteria Valentine, Yano, and Van Houten (2008) showed that they are attracted to bacterial metabolites such as, folate, acetate, glutamate, cyclic AMP, Biotin, and Ammonium. So an organism without a nervous system or sense organs has the ability to respond to many of the same env ironmental factors that higher order organisms respond too. Poriferia Similar to the protozoans, sponges lack definite body symmetry and also lack nerves and cell junctions, allowing no communication between cells (Leys et al., 2002). Sponges do respond to both light and mechanical stimuli. Recently, some sponges have been found to respond to light by contracting their cilia (Leys et al., 2002). Most larvae, via their cilia, are sensitive to light near 440 nm and again at 600 nm causing them to respond by straightening and bending (Leys et al., 2002). Although sponges lack neurons they are sedimentary feeders and therefore need ways of dealing with excessive particulates in their feeding currents (Tompkins-MacDonald Leys, 2008). Cellular sponges have the ability to close the openings to their incurrent canals, constrict the size of their intake canals, and even carry out a series of slow contractions that expel unwanted material (Tompkins-MacDonald Leys, 2008). The syncytial tissues of glass sponges allow action potentials initiated at single or mult iple sites to propagate through the entire animal, stopping the feeding current (Tompkins-MacDonald Leys, 2008). When Tompkins-MacDonald and Leys (2008) tested this response they found that by probing the interal body wall, allowing light to touch the outer body wall, or by knocking on the outer body wall pumping was stopped. This shows that a sponge, although not having an nerves or cell junctions can still respond to its environment. Cnidaria and Ctenophora Cnidaria and Ctenophora are the most basally branching lineages with specialized sense organs. The Cnidaria are radially symmetrical and have a nerve net where the sensor and ganglionic neurons and their processes are interspersed among the epithelial cells of both layers (Watanabe, Fujisawa, Holstein, 2009). Sensory structures that form part of epidermis are found in all animal phyla. Cnidarian neurons do not cluster to form a central nervous system or ganglia, which is why the nerve net is considered the simplest nervous system (Sarnat Netsky, 2002). In cnidarians sensory structures consist of naked sensory neurons whose dendrite is formed by a modified cilium (Jacobs et al., 2007). Sensilla are individual sensory neurons, or small groupings of sensory neurons, that typically function in one of the following; light detection, mechanoreception, and chemoreception (Jacobs et al., 2007). Photoreception and chemoreception involve G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and membrane ion c hannels, similar to what was observed in the protists (Jacobs et al., 2007). Jacobs et al. (2007) believes that sense organs and kidneys in bilterians may have evolved from groupings of choanocytes in sponges. Cnidarian sense organs are usually associated with the free swimming form that resembles a jellyfish (Jacobs et al., 2007). Neural regionalization is most evident in the medusozoans that have rhopalia , an eye system with lenses (Watanabe, Fujisawa, Holstein, 2009). Other cnidarians contain simple eyes. A statocyst is a dense array of mechanosensory cells that serve as a touch plate (Jacob et al., 2007). In most cnidarians the rhopalia, sense organ, alternate with tentacles, appendages, similar to how vertebrates have organs associated with appendages (Jacobs et al., 2007). Photoreceptors responsible for contractions in Hydra in response to blue light at 470 nm, are consistent in spectral location and shape with a rhodopsin-based photoreceptive system (Leys et al., 2002). One of the newest findings deal with coral larvae and their exterior cilia being able to detect and respond to underwater sound fields (Vermeij et al., 2010). Vermeij et al. (2010) setup six chambers directed towards underwater speakers playing day and night reef sounds. Free-swimming coral larvae moved predominately towards the speakers independent of chamber orientation (Vermeij et al., 2010). This study was done because fish larvae used it as well. Platyhelminthes The flatworms have true bilateral symmetry (Reuter Gustafsson, 1995). Some flatworms have a nerve net like Cnidarians. Others have a central nervous system that consists of anterior ganglia, the brain, and one or several pairs of longitudinal nerve cords that are connected in a ladder-like configuration (Reuter Gustafsson, 1995). The peripheral nervous system is just a meshwork of nerves that are interconnected to the central nervous system (Reuter Gustafsson, 1995). Platyhelminthes has eyes, a light sensing organ, on the dorsal side of the body composed of two cell types: pigment cells and photoreceptor cells (Inoue et al., 2004). The pigment cells form an eye-cup while the visual neurons are located outside the eye-cup (Inoue et al., 2004). The eyes do not allow Planarians to see distinct images, but allows them to be repulsed by bright light, a condition known as negative phototrophism (Hyde, 2003). Not only does the head bear a pair of eyes, but a also a pair of ear-like lobes called auricles. Auricles have nothing to do with hearing; instead they are involved in mechanoreception, chemoreception, and pressure reception (Hyde, 2003). Nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been established as a genetic and genomic model organism (Zhang, 2008). C. elegans does not have a visual or auditory system so it depends on chemosensation to detect bacteria to feed on (Zhang, 2008). C. elegans has exactly 302 neurons, 32 of which are chemosensory because they have ciliated endings that are directly exposed to their external environment (Troemel et al., 1995). Free-living nematodes use amphids and phasmids as sensory structures to seek food and avoid harmful situations, while parasitic nematodes use amphids to actively or passively see a host (Srinivasan, Durak, Sternberg, 2008). Amphids are either enclosed in the amphid sheath or exposed to the environment (Zhang, 2008). Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides), a larger nematode, contains 298 neurons (Srinivasan, Durak, Sternberg, 2008). Each group of neurons reacts to certain stimuli. For example, some respond to salt (ASE chemosensory neurons), others respond to volatile al dehydes, ketones, and alcohols (AWC olfactory neurons), and yet others respond to chemical, mechanical, and osmotic stimuli (ASH neurons) (Srinivasan, Durak, Sternberg, 2008; Troemel et al., 1995). Mollusks, Annelids, and Arthropods There are three different nervous systems seen in mollusks alone. Bivalves tend to have no cephalization, while slowing moving mollusks have some cephalization, primary to connect senses and motor information while moving through the environment (Gregory, 2006). The cephalopods require complex sense organs and so they are highly cephalized Gregory, 2006). The cephalopods are known for their well-developed eye, that functions almost exactly like the human eye, which is why they such good eye sight (Oceanic Research Group, 2007). Annelids and Arthropods have repeating segments and an anterior brain. Each segment contains its own ganglion, which controls the muscles of that segment (Gregory, 2006). The nerve cord of both phylum runs directly through all of the segments (Gregory, 2006). These two were grouped together because they are very similar in function for being two different phyla. Vertebrates Amphioxous, part of the phylum chordata, are only capable of a few reflexive responses. They do not have the ability to recognize tactile stimuli, so all stimuli are interpreted as a threat and the organism curls away in defense (Sarnat Netsky, 2002). This reaction demonstrates how neurons that feel the stimuli on one side of the body are transmitted and affect motor neurons on the other side of the body (Sarnat Netsky, 2002). The neuron that served this function was known as the decussating interneuron (Sarnat Netsky, 2002). This is the underlying groundwork of the vertebrate nervous systems. Vertebrates have bilateral symmetry, complex sense organs and complex behaviors, requiring a very cephalized, complex nervous system. Vertebrates consist of two nervous systems, the Central and Peripheral. The central nervous system (CNS) contains the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of the nerves running through the body. The CNS has been conservative in its evolution, especially when looking at the senses of the vertebrates (Hodos Butler, 1997). The receptor types are either monopolar or pseudomonopolar neurons, each consist of parallel pathways connecting the receptors to the primary central neurons, which are located inside the sense organs where the stimuli is processed (Hodos Butler, 1997). Nerves are bundles of neurons, without cells bodies (Gregory, 2006). Most nerves contain both sensory and motor abilities (Gregory, 2006). There are both cranial and spinal nerves. There are multiple cranial nerves in all vertebrates, with humans having 12, and they are responsible for both sensory and motor information (Brown, 2003). The nerves are numbered using roman numerals from 1 to 12 (Brown, 2003). Brown (2003) described all of the following cranial nerves. Cranial nerve I is the olfactory nerve and it carries the sense of smell to the olfactory bulb of the brain. Cranial nerve II is the optic nerve and it carries visual information to the brain. Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve and it provides motor ability to the four-extrinisic eye muscles, muscles of the upper eyelid, and intrinsic eye muscles. Cranial nerve IV is the trochlear nerve and it gives motor ability to the superior oblique eye muscle. Cranial nerve V is the trigeminal nerve and it provides sensory info rmation from the face, forehead, nasal cavity, tongue, gums and teeth. Cranial nerve VI is the abducens nerve gives motor ability to the lateral rectus muscle of the extrinisic eye. VII is the Facial nerve that provides humans with facial expressions. VIII is the vestibulocochlear nerve and it innervates the hair cell receptors of the inner ear. IX or the glossopharyngeal nerve moves the pharynx, soft palate, and posterior region of the tongue. X is the vagus nerve, it is the longest nerve, and provides sense transports from the ear to the taste buds to the throat. Cranial nerve XI is the spinal accessory nerve and it is involved in swallowing and powering muscle movement for the upper shoulders, head, and neck. Lastly, XII is the hypoglossal nerve and it moves the muscles of the tongue (Brown, 2003). As you can see the ability for control of all of these senses and movements makes for a very complex nervous, something that was never seen in earlier organisms. The spinal nerves are connected directly to the spinal cord by two roots, the dorsal (strictly sensory) and ventral (strictly motor) (Gregory, 2006). All of the above are seen in the PNS, which is then subdivided into the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System. The Somatic Nervous System is the voluntary system, including all of the nerves that serve the skeletal muscles and exterior sense organs (Gregory, 2006). Reflexes are also seen in this nervous system. Just like in the lower organisms, vertebrates respond to stimuli. Except vertebrates have a much more complex stimulus-reflex system. Remember how a Paramecium came in contact with a stimulus and retreated until adaptation occurred? Vertebrates have the ability to think about coming in contact with a stimulus, they dont have to come in contact with everything they see because they have the somatic nervous system (Gregory, 2006). The other subdivision is the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for actions without conscious control; examples are heart beating and smooth muscle actions (Gregory, 2006). Everything in the PNS needs a place to send its information too and that is why there is the central nervous system. In the more primitive animals the brain, or ganglia, was there to simply send out reflexes to external stimuli (Gregory, 2006). The vertebrates have evolved a very complex brain because they have the ability to respond to reflexes, hold memory, learn, and think (Gregory, 2006). The brain has three divisions, the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain. The important portion when talking about senses is the midbrain because it receives sensory information and sends it to the forebrain to be processed (Gregory, 2006). In fishes and amphibians it is geared towards reflexes associated with visual input (Gregory, 2006). The cerebrum in reptiles, birds, and mammals receives sensory information and coordinates motor responses (Gregory, 2006). There are four lobes the frontal (motor functions), parietal (sensory receptors from skin), occipital (vision), and temporal (hearing and sm elling) (Gregory, 2006). Similar to decussating interneuron in Amphixous, vertebrates have the corpus callosum that contains neurons that cross from one side of the brain to the other, allowing communication between both sides (Gregory, 2006). Conclusion Bioluminescence is when luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin to excited oxyluciferin that then relaxes to produce a visible photon (Akilesh, 2000). The most common colors for bioluminescence are blue and green, although red and violet can be seen as well (Akilesh, 2000). Bioluminescence was developed in order to protect the organism. For example dinoflagellates flash their light during night or dark cycles to distract predators and reveal their predator to higher predators (Akilesh, 2000). Another example is the cookie-cutter shark, whose belly lights up, and is covered during the day by another organ. When the shark swims up in the waters its neck does not have the bioluminescence and so it appears to be a small fish and when bigger predators get close it attacks (Akilesh, 2000). Bioluminescence is seen more in aquatic organisms, probably because it is more beneficial to them in the mercy waters. This paper talked about the different phylum from protists all the way to vertebrates. Protists being unicellular and having no nervous system still had the ability to respond to many different kinds of environmental stimuli. Sponges have no symmetry and they are also able to respond to environmental stimuli, although usually larvae respond to more. Cnidarians have radial symmetry and therefore a corresponding nerve net, which helps them respond to environmental stimuli. Platelyhelminthes are the first to have bilateral symmetry and to go along with that their nervous system extends the length of its body, with centralization in the head, or anterior end. They also have to ganglia at the end of each nerve cord and the nerve cords are connected to allow both sides of the body to move together. The mollusks have a wide range of diversity in their nervous systems, ranging from nerve nets to highly cephalized cephalopods. The segmentation of annelids and arthropods allows each segment to be controlled individually but the nerve cord still runs through each segment. The vertebrates have the most evolved nervous system. This is because they have the ability to respond to stimuli, hold memory, learn, and think. This means that we dont have to come in contact with everything in the environment to understand it. The more complex a body plan becomes the more complex the corresponding nervous system becomes as well. A simple body plan doesnt have the room to house a huge brain, and therefore simple or no nervous systems are seen. Literature Cited Akilesh, S. (2000). Bioluminescence: Natures Bright Idea. Retrieved from: dujs.dartmouth.edu/2000S/06-Biolumen.pdf Brown, W. (2003). Cranial Nerves. Retrieved from http://www.pitt.edu/~anat/Neuro/CranialNerves/CN.htm Cavalier-Smith, T. (1993). Kingdom Protozoa and Its 18 Phyla. Microbiological Reviews, 57(4), 953-994 Gregory, M. (2006) The Nervous System: Organization, Overview of Nervous System in the Animal Kingdom [PDF document] Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: http://faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu/faculty/michael.gregory/files/bio%20102/bio%20102%20lectures/nervous%20system/nervous1.htm Gualtieri, P. (2001). Morphology of photoreceptor systems in microalgae. Micron, 411-426 Hennessey, T.M., Saimi, Y., and Kung, C. (1983). A heat-induced depolarization of Paramecium and its relationship to thermal avoidance behavior. J. Comp. Physiol., 153, 39-46 Hodos, W. and Butler, A.B. (1997). Evolution of Sensory Pathways in Vertebrates. Brain Behav Evol, 50, 189-197 Hyde, K. (2003). Chapter 6: The Flatworms. An Inside View of Animals: Zoology, 3rd ed., 121. Inoue, T., Kumanoto, H., Okamoto, K., Umesono, Y., Sakai, M., Alvarado, A.S., and Agata, K. (2004). Morphological and Functional Recovery of the Planarian Photosensing System during Head Regeneration. Zoological Science, 21, 275-283. Jacobs, D.K., Nakanishi, N., Yuan, D., Camara, A., Nichols, S.A., and Hartenstein, V. (2007). Evolution of sensory structures in basal metazoa. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 47(5), 712-723 Leys, S.P, Cronin, T.W., Degnan, B.M., and Marshall, J.N. (2002). Spectral sensitivity in a sponge larva. J Comp Physiol A, 188, 199-202 Oceanic Reasearch Group. (2007). The Wonders of the sea: The snail and its relatives. Retrieved from http://www.oceanicresearch.org/education/wonders/mollusk.html Ogura, A., and Machemer, H. (1980). Distribution of Mechanoreceptor Channels in the Paramecium surface membrane. J. Comp. Physiol., 135, 233-242 Reuter, M., and Gustafsson, M.K.S. (1995). The flatworm nervous system: Pattern and phylogeny. The Nervous System of Invertebrates: An evolutionary and comparative approach. Pg.25-59. Rodgers, L.F., Markle, K.L, and Hennessey, T.M. (2008). Responses of the Ciliates Tetrahymena and Paramecium to Vertebrate Odorants and Tastants. J. Eukaryot. Mircobiol., 55(1), 27-33. Sarnat, H.B., and Netsky, M.G. (2002). When Does a Ganglion Become a Brain? Evolutionary Origin of the Central Nervous System. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 9(4), 240-253 Srinivasan, J., Durak, O., and Strenberg, P.W. (2008). Evolution of a polymodal sensory response network. BMC Biology, 6(52), 1-15 Thompkins-MacDonald, G.J., and Leys, S.P. (2008). Glass sponges arrest pumping in response to sediment: implications for the physiology of the hexactinellid conduction system. Mar Biol,154,973-984 Toyoda, T., Hiramatsu, Y., Sasaki, T., Nakaoka, Y. (2009). Thermo-sensitive response based on the membrane fluidity adaptation in Paramecium multimicronucleatum. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 212, 2767-2772 Troemel, E.R., Chou, J.H., Dwyer, N.D., Colbert, H.A., and Bargmann, C.I. (1995). Divergent Seven transmembrane receptors are candidate chemosensory receptors in C. elegans. Cell, 83, 207-218 Valentine, M., Yano, J., and Van Houten, J.L. (2008). Chemosensory Transduction in Paramecium. Jpn. J. Protozool., 41(1) Vermeij, M.J.A., Marhaver, K.L., Huijbers, C.M., Nagelkerken, I., Simpson, S.D. (2010). Coral Larvae move towards reef sounds. PLoS One, 5(5) Watanabe, H., Fujisawa, T., and Holstein, T.W. (2009). Cnidarians and the evolutionary origin of the nervous system. Develop. Growth Differ., 51, 167-183 Zhang, Y. (2008). Neuronal mechanisms of Caenorhabditis elegans and pathogenic bacteria interactions. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 11, 257-261

Analysis of Dracula and the Vampire Myth Essays -- Exploratory Essays

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story of Dracula started long before Brahm Stoker wrote his famous novel. Vampires have been in the minds of people since the early ninth century and, perhaps, even before that. The fact that the stories are still common after all these years brings out the question of, why? What makes these vampire stories so popular? The answer may be in the material itself. Taking a wide selection of vampire stories, including Brahm Stoker's classic, reveals a long list of similarities. Of course, not all stories mirror the others in all aspects of images but the images that do repeat are the ones most people readily associate with vampires. I propose that the reason Dracula and other stories of vampires are still so widely known is because they have those steady characteristics that make them easily recognizable. A picture of one culture's vampire will be very similar to another vampire of another culture, thus making it a popular character.    The horror story itself is a way for people to deal with the connection between life and death. Dracula was one such story meant to terrify readers but also pass on an old story of death and the undead. These stories help religion teach about evils, devils, and "unquiet spirits" (Shepard 7) as well as gods and good things. Dracula also allows for the question of eternal damnation and the after-life to surface. What happens to the dead? Can pain and horror be avoided? These questions, when asked by people of earlier times, would strike fear in the minds of readers. The horrible ideas and images seem a little less terrifying to people as a whole now but in 1816, when the Gothic tales first arose, they would cause "well-bred young ladies to hold their breath[s]" (7... ...u/~arf/compare.html >. Lees, Gavin. "Ways of killing and becoming a Vampire." (Viewed November 13, 2014) < http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~gavlees/vamp3.htm >. Levy, Elizabeth. Dracula is a Pain in the Neck . New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 2003. McGrath, Adrian Nicholas. "Vampires: Origins of the Myth -- Part Two: Historical Vampires." (Viewed November 13, 2014) http://www.parascope.com/en/articles/vampires.htm>. Richardson, Beverley. "Vampires in Myth and History." (Viewed November 15, 2014) < http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~vampire/vhist.html >. Rudy, SA. "Vampire Myths in Fiction." (November 15, 2014) < http://www.eclipse.net/~srudy/myths/vampire_myths.html > Schick, Alice and Joel Schick. Bram Stoker's Dracula . Fifth printing. New York: Delacorte Press, 2013. Shepard, Leslie. Introduction.

Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education Essay -- Sex Education

Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the U.S. in the early 1980s the issue of sex education for American youth has had the attention of the nation. There are about 400,000 teen births every year in the U.S, with about 9 billion in associated public costs. STI contraction in general, as well as teen pregnancy, have put the subject even more so on the forefront of the nation’s leading issues. The approach and method for proper and effective sex education has been hotly debated. Some believe that teaching abstinence-only until marriage is the best method while others believe that a more comprehensive approach, which includes abstinence promotion as well as contraceptive information, is necessary. Abstinence-only program curriculums disregard medical ethics and scientific accuracy, and have been empirically proven to be ineffective; therefore, comprehensive sex education programs which are medically accurate, science-based and empirically proven should be the standard method of se x education for students/children in the U.S. The primary argument which most advocates for abstinence only education have is that sex before marriage is immoral, not appropriate and that abstinence is the only completely effective method of preventing teen pregnancy and STI contraction. These advocates also emphasize that condoms are not a sure-fire way of preventing pregnancy and STI contraction. Many of the proponents for abstinence-only education believe that educating youth with information concerning sex and contraception will embolden them to become to begin or increase sexual activity. Such advocates accredit the lowering of teenage pregnancy to abstinence only education (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13). Some abstinence-only proponents also de... ...y Practitioner 84.6 (2011): 6. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. Sonfield, Adam. "Sex Education Remains Active Battleground." Contraceptive Technology Update 1 Mar. 2012. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. "Teen Pregnancy Prevention Focusing on Evidence: Ineffective Abstinence-Only Lessons Being Replaced with Science." The Nation's Health Apr. 2010: 1+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. Thomas, . "Abstinence-Only Sex Education Statistics - Final Nail in the Coffin." Open Education: Free Education for All. N.p., 5 Jan 2009. Web. 4 Apr. 2012 "US Government Should Stop Funding Abstinence-Only Education: Virginity Pledge Ineffective." Reproductive Health Matters Nov. 2009: 223. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. "Washington Watch: Advocates Seek Support for 'Real' Sex Education." Contraceptive Technology Update 1 June 2009. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012.

Law :: essays research papers

Anyone who works in the legal business knows that communication is both verbal and non-verbal and we also know that the verbal element–that is, the spoken word taken alone–is an extremely unreliable story-teller. This is why all lawyers should know how to interpret a second language. The second language I’m going to talk about is the non-verbal language. First, the non-verbal language creates better communication skills, needed by a lawyer. Second, the non-verbal language would greatly benefit international lawyers. Finally, understanding the non-verbal language will have an impact on future career growth. First, the non-verbal language creates better communication skills, needed by a lawyer. Witnesses are not always believed despite their credentials and their command of the facts. In some instances, witnesses are believed despite their little mistakes about the same facts. Jury decisions turn on an obscure point either overlooked or understated in the case all because of an insufficient or incomplete understanding of non-verbal communication. In the diverse world of lawyers, the unreliability of the spoken word plays out in cases that are won and lost, which ultimately has an effect on the decision making to the trial judge or jury. Second, the non-verbal language would greatly benefit international lawyers. Understanding the non-verbal language prepares international lawyers who have to litigate in other countries. It also provides the lawyers the necessary tools to prepare a witness, by knowing the different cultures, customs, and courtesies. Lawyers might not be able to fully understand the verbal language of their witness, but can use their tools of the non-verbal language to coach their witness. Also, the non-verbal language will help a lawyer during the jury selection process. The lawyer’s ability to analyze the non-verbal language while questioning the potential jurors, benefits the lawyer and the client. Finally, understanding the non-verbal language will have an impact on future career growth. A number of lawyers become judges, and most judges have first been lawyers. In fact, Federal and State judges usually are required to be lawyers. Understanding non-verbal language helps a lawyer transition to a position as a judge and applies the non-verbal skills to listen to testimony and make rulings. Also, a majority of Senators and Representatives are previous lawyers. Senators and Representatives are elected by the people, which means, the ability to communicate non-verbally benefits any lawyer wanting to become a politician. The ability to understand non-verbal language opens up a variety of opportunities for career growth as a lawyer.

Practical Demonkeeping Chapter 1-2

PART ONE SATURDAY NIGHT Like one that on that lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And no more turns his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread. – Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 1 THE BREEZE The Breeze blew into San Junipero in the shotgun seat of Billy Winston's Pinto wagon. The Pinto lurched dangerously from shoulder to centerline, the result of Billy trying to roll a joint one-handed while balancing a Coors tallboy and bopping to the Bob Marley song that crackled through the stereo. â€Å"We be jammin' now, mon!† Billy said, toasting The Breeze with a slosh of the Coors. The Breeze shook his head balefully. â€Å"Keep the can down, watch the road, let me roll the doobie,† he said. â€Å"Sorry, Breeze,† Billy said. â€Å"I'm just stoked that we're on the road.† Billy's admiration for The Breeze was boundless. The Breeze was truly cool, a party renaissance man. He spent his days at the beach and his nights in a cloud of sinsemilla. The Breeze could smoke all night, polish off a bottle of tequila, maintain well enough to drive the forty miles back to Pine Cove without arousing the suspicion of a single cop, and be on the beach by nine the next morning acting as if the term hangover were too abstract to be considered. On Billy Winston's private list of personal heroes The Breeze ranked second only to David Bowie. The Breeze twisted the joint, lit it, and handed it to Billy for the first hit. â€Å"What are we celebrating?† Billy croaked, trying to hold in the smoke. The Breeze held up a finger to mark the question, while he dug the Dionysian Book of Days: An Occasion for Every Party from the pocket of his Hawaiian shirt. He flipped through the pages until he found the correct date. â€Å"Nambian Independence Day,† he announced. â€Å"Bitchin',† Billy said. â€Å"Party down for Nambian Independence.† â€Å"It says,† The Breeze continued, â€Å"that the Nambians celebrate their independence by roasting and eating a whole giraffe and drinking a mixture of fermented guava juice and the extract of certain tree frogs that are thought to have magical powers. At the height of the celebration, all the boys who have come of age are circumcised with a sharp stone.† â€Å"Maybe we can circumcise a few Techies tonight if it gets boring,† Billy said. Techies was the term The Breeze used to refer to the male students of San Junipero Technical College. For the most part, they were ultraconservative, crew-cut youths who were perfectly satisfied with their role as bulk stock to be turned into tools for industrial America by the rigid curricular lathe of San Junipero Tech. To The Breeze, the Techies' way of thinking was so foreign that he couldn't even muster a healthy loathing for them. They were simply nonentities. On the other hand, the coeds of S.J. Tech occupied a special place in The Breeze's heart. In fact, finding a few moments of blissful escape between the legs of a nubile coed was the only reason he was subjecting himself to a forty-mile sojourn in the company of Billy Winston. Billy Winston was tall, painfully thin, ugly, smelled bad, and had a particular talent for saying the wrong thing in almost any situation. On top of it all, The Breeze suspected that Billy was gay. The idea had been reinforced one night when he dropped in on Billy at his job as night desk clerk at the Rooms-R-Us motel and found him leafing through a Playgirl magazine. In Breeze's business one got used to running across the skeletons in people's closets. If Billy's skeleton wore women's underwear, it didn't really matter. Homosexuality on Billy Winston was like acne on a leper. The up side of Billy Winston was that he had a car that ran and would take The Breeze anywhere he wanted to go. The Breeze's van was currently being held by some Big Sur growers as collateral against the forty pounds of sinsemilla buds he had stashed in a suitcase at his trailer. â€Å"The way I see it,† said Billy, â€Å"we hit the Mad Bull first. Do a pitcher of margaritas at Jose's, dance a little at the Nuked Whale, and if we don't find any nookie, we head back home for a nightcap at the Slug.† â€Å"Let's hit the Whale first and see what's shakin',† The Breeze said. The Nuked Whale was San Junipero's premier college dance club. If The Breeze was going to find a coed to cuddle, it would be at the Whale. He had no intention of making the drive with Billy back to Pine Cove for a nightcap at the Head of the Slug. Closing up the Slug was tantamount to having a losing night, and The Breeze was through with being a loser. Tomorrow when he sold the forty pounds of grass he would pocket twenty grand. After twenty years blowing up and down the coast, living on nickle-dime deals to make rent, The Breeze was, at last, stepping into the winners' circle, and there was no room for a loser like Billy Winston. Billy parked the Pinto in a yellow zone a block away from the Nuked Whale. From the sidewalk they could hear the throbbing rhythms of the latest techno-pop dance music. The unlikely pair covered the block in a few seconds, Billy striding ahead while The Breeze brought up the rear with a laid-back shuffle. As Billy slipped under the neon whale tail and into the club, the doorman – a fresh-faced slab of muscle and crew cut – caught him by the arm. â€Å"Let's see some I.D.† Billy flashed an expired driver's license as Breeze caught up to him and began digging into the pocket of his Day-Glo green surf shorts for his wallet. The doorman raised a hand in dismissal. â€Å"That's okay, buddy, with that hairline you don't need any.† The Breeze ran his hand over his forehead self-consciously. Last month he had turned forty, a dubious achievement for a man who had once vowed never to trust anyone over thirty. Billy reached around him and slapped two dollar bills into the doorman's hand. â€Å"Here,† he said, â€Å"buy yourself a night with an Inflate-A-Date.† â€Å"What!† The doorman vaulted off his stool and puffed himself up for combat, but Billy had already scampered away into the crowded club. The Breeze stepped in front of the doorman and raised his hands in surrender. â€Å"Cut him some slack, man. He's got problems.† â€Å"He's going to have some problems,† the doorman bristled. â€Å"No, really,† The Breeze continued, wishing that Billy had spared him the loyal gesture and therefore the responsibility of pacifying this collegiate cave man. â€Å"He's on medication. Psychological problems.† The doorman was unsure. â€Å"If this guy is dangerous, get him out of here.† â€Å"Not dangerous, just a little squirrelly – he's bipolar Oedipal,† The Breeze said with uncharacteristic pomposity. â€Å"Oh,† the doorman said, as if it had all become clear. â€Å"Well, keep him in line or you're both out.† â€Å"No problem.† The Breeze turned and joined Billy at the bar amid a crunch of beer-drinking students. Billy handed him a Heineken. Billy said, â€Å"What did you say to that asshole to calm him down?† â€Å"I told him you wanted to fuck your mom and kill your dad.† â€Å"Cool. Thanks, Breeze.† â€Å"No charge.† The Breeze tipped his beer in salute. Things were not going well for him. Somehow he had been snared into this male-bonding bullshit with Billy Winston, when all he wanted to do was ditch him and get laid. The Breeze turned and leaned back, scanning the club for a likely candidate. He had set his sights on a homely but tight-assed little blond in leather pants when Billy broke his concentration. â€Å"You got any blow, man?† Billy had shouted to be heard over the music, but his timing was off; the song had ended. Everyone at the bar turned toward The Breeze and waited, as if the next few words he spoke would reveal the true meaning of life, the winning numbers in the state lottery, and the unlisted phone number of God. The Breeze grabbed Billy by the front of the shirt and hustled him to the back of the club, where a group of Techies were pounding a pinball machine, oblivious to anything but buzzers and bells. Billy looked like a frightened child who had been dragged from a movie theater for shouting out the ending. â€Å"First,† The Breeze hissed, waving a trembling finger under Billy's nose to enumerate his point, â€Å"first, I do not use or sell cocaine.† This was half true. He did not sell since he had done six months in Soledad for dealing – and would go up for five years if he was busted again. He used it only when it was offered or when he needed bait when trolling for women. Tonight he was holding a gram. â€Å"Second, if I did use, I wouldn't want it announced to everybody in San Junipero.† â€Å"I'm sorry, Breeze.† Billy tried to look small and weak. â€Å"Third,† The Breeze shook three stubby fingers in Billy's face, â€Å"we have an agreement. If one of us scores, the other one gets cut loose. Well, I think I found someone, so cut loose.† Billy started to shuffle toward the door, head down, his lower lip hanging, like the bloated victim of a lynch mob. After a few steps he turned. â€Å"If you need a ride – if things don't work out – I'll be at the Mad Bull.† The Breeze, as he watched the injured Billy skulk away, felt a twinge of remorse. Forget it, he thought, Billy had it coming. After the deal tomorrow he wouldn't need Billy or any of the quarter-ounce-a-week buyers of his ilk. The Breeze was eager for the time when he could afford to be without friends. He strutted across the dance floor toward the blond in the leather pants. Having wafted through most of his forty years as a single man, The Breeze had come to recognize the importance of the pickup line. At best, it should be original, charming, concise but lyrical – a catalyst to invoke curiosity and lust. Knowing this, he approached his quarry with the calm of a well-armed man. â€Å"Yo, babe,† he said, â€Å"I've got a gram of prime Peruvian marching powder. You want to go for a walk?† â€Å"Pardon me?† the girl said, somewhere between astonishment and disgust. The Breeze noticed that she had a wide-eyed, fawnlike look – Bambi with too much mascara. He gave her his best surfer-boy smile. â€Å"I was wondering if you'd like to powder your nose.† â€Å"You're old enough to be my father,† she said. The Breeze was staggered by the rejection. As the girl escaped onto the crowded dance floor, he fell back to the bar to consider strategy. Go on to the next one? Everybody gets tubed now and then; you just have to climb back on the board and wait for the next wave. He scanned the dance floor looking for a chance at the wild ride. Nothing but sorority girls with absolutely perfect hair. No chance. His fantasy of jumping one and using her until her perfect hair was tangled into a hopeless knot at the back of her head had been relegated long ago to the realm of fairy tales and free money. The energy in San Junipero was all wrong. It didn't matter – he'd be a rich man tomorrow. Best to catch a ride back to Pine Cove. With luck he could get to the Head of the Slug Saloon before last call and pick up one of the standby bitches who still valued good company and didn't require a hundred bucks worth of blow to get upside down with you. As he stepped into the street a chill wind bit at his bare legs and swept through his thin shirt. Thumbing the forty miles back to Pine Cove was going to suck, big time. Maybe Billy was still at the Mad Bull? No, The Breeze told himself, there are worse things than freezing your ass off. He shrugged off the cold and fell into a steady stride toward the highway, his new fluorescent yellow deck shoes squeaking with every step. They rubbed his little toe when he walked. After five blocks he felt the blister break and go raw. He cursed himself for becoming another slave to fashion. Half a mile outside of San Junipero the streetlights ended. Darkness added to The Breeze's list of mounting aggravations. Without trees and buildings to break its momentum, the cold Pacific wind increased and whipped his clothes around him like torn battle flags. Blood from his damaged toe was beginning to spot the canvas of his deck shoe. A mile out of town The Breeze abandoned the dancing, smiling, and tipping of a ghost-hat that was supposed to charm drivers into stopping to give a ride to a poor, lost surfer. Now he trudged, head down in the dark, his back to traffic, a single frozen thumb thrust into the air beaconing, then changing into a middle finger of defiance as each car passed without slowing. â€Å"Fuck you! You heartless assholes!† His throat was sore from screaming. He tried to think of the money – sweet, liberating cash, crispy and green – but again and again he was brought back to the cold, the pain in his feet, and the increasingly dismal chance of getting a ride home. It was late, and the traffic was thinning to a car every five minutes or so. Hopelessness circled in his mind like a vulture. He considered doing the cocaine, but the idea of entering a too-fast jangle on a lonely, dark road and crashing into a paranoid, teeth-chattering shiver seemed somewhat insane. Think about the money. The money. It was all Billy Winston's fault. And the guys in Big Sur; they didn't have to take his van. It wasn't like he had ever ripped anyone off on a big deal before. It wasn't like he was a bad guy. Hadn't he let Robert move into his trailer, rent free, when his old lady threw him out? Didn't he help Robert put a new head gasket in his truck? Hadn't he always played square – let people try the product before buying? Didn't he advance his regulars a quarter-ounce until payday? In a business that was supposed to be fast and loose, wasn't he a pillar of virtue? Right as rain? Straight as an arrow†¦. A car pulled up twenty yards behind him and hit the brights. He didn't turn. Years of experience told him that anyone using that approach was only offering a ride to one place, the Iron-bar Hotel. The Breeze walked on, as if he didn't notice the car. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his surf shorts, as if fighting the cold, found the cocaine and slipped it into his mouth, paper and all. Instantly his tongue went numb. He raised his hands in surrender and turned, expecting to see the flashing reds and blues of a county sheriff cruiser. But it wasn't a cop. It was just two guys in an old Chevy, playing games. He could make out their figures past the headlights. The Breeze swallowed the paper the cocaine had been wrapped in. Taken by a burning anger, fueled by blow and blood-lust, he stormed toward the Chevy. â€Å"C'mon out, you fucking clowns.† Someone crawled out of the passenger side. It looked like a child – no, thicker – a dwarf. The Breeze blew on. â€Å"Bring a tire iron, you little shit. You'll need it.† â€Å"Wrong,† said the dwarf, the voice was low and gravely. The Breeze pulled up and squinted into the headlights. It wasn't a dwarf, it was a big dude, a giant. Huge, getting bigger as it moved toward him. Too fast. The Breeze turned and started to run. He got three steps before the jaws clamped over his head and shoulders, crunching through his bones as if they were peppermint sticks. When the Chevy pulled back onto the highway, the only thing left of The Breeze was a single fluorescent-yellow deck shoe. It would be a fleeting mystery to passers-by for two days until a hungry crow carried it away. No one would notice that there was still a foot inside. PART TWO SUNDAY All mystical experience is coincidence; and vice versa, of course. – Tom Stoppard, Jumpers 2 PINE COVE The village of Pine Cove lay in a coastal pine forest just south of the great Big Sur wilderness area, on a small natural harbor. The village was established in the 1880s by a dairy farmer from Ohio who found verdant hills around the cove provided perfect fodder for his cows. The settlement, such as it was – two families and a hundred cows – went nameless until the 1890s, when the whalers came to town and christened it Harpooner's Cove. With a cove to shelter their small whaling boats and the hills from which they could sight the migrating gray whales far out to sea, the whalers prospered and the village grew. For thirty years a greasy haze of death blew overhead from the five-hundred-gallon rendering pots where thousands of whales were boiled down to oil. When the whale population dwindled and electricity and kerosene became an alternative to whale oil, the whalers abandoned Harpooner's Cove, leaving behind mountains of whale bone and the rusting hulks of their rendering kettles. To this day many of the town's driveways are lined with the bleached arches of whale ribs, and even now, when the great gray whales pass, they rise out of the water a bit and cast a suspicious eye toward the little cove, as if expecting the slaughter to begin again. After the whalers left, the village survived on cattle ranching and the mining of mercury, which had been discovered in the nearby hills. The mercury ran out about the same time the coastal highway was completed through Big Sur, and Harpooner's Cove became a tourist town. Passers-through who wanted a little piece of California's burgeoning tourist industry but didn't want to deal with the stress of life in San Francisco or Los Angeles, stopped and built motels, souvenir shops, restaurants, and real estate offices. The hills around Pine Cove were subdivided. Pine forests and pastures became ocean-view lots, sold for a song to tourists from California's central valley who wanted to retire on the coast. Again the village grew, populated by retirees and young couples who eschewed the hustle of the city to raise their children in a quiet coastal town. Harpooner's Cove became a village of the newly wed and the nearly dead. In the 1960s the young, environmentally conscious residents decided that the name Harpooner's Cove hearkened back to a time of shame for the village and that the name Pine Cove was more appropriate to the quaint, bucolic image the town had come to depend on. And so, with the stroke of a pen and the posting of a sign – WELCOME TO PINE COVE, GATEWAY TO BIG SUR – history was whitewashed. The business district was confined to an eight-block section of Cypress Street, which ran parallel to the coast highway. Most of the buildings on Cypress sported facades of English Tudor half-timbering, which made Pine Cove an anomaly among the coastal communities of California with their predominantly Spanish-Moorish architecture. A few of the original structures still stood, and these, with their raw timbers and feel of the Old West, were a thorn in the side of the Chamber of Commerce, who played on the village's English look to promote tourism. In a half-assed attempt at thematic consistency, several pseudo-authentic, Ole English restaurants opened along Cypress Street to lure tourists with the promise of tasteless English cuisine. (There had even been an attempt by one entrepreneur to establish an authentic English pizza place, but the enterprise was abandoned with the realization that boiled pizza lost most of its character.) Pine Cove's locals avoided patronage of these restaurants with the duplicity of a Hindu cattle rancher: willing to reap the profits without sampling the product. Locals dined at the few, out-of-the-way cafes that were content with carving a niche out of the hometown market with good food and service rather than gouging an eye out of the swollen skull of the tourist market with overpriced, pretentious charm. The shops along Cypress Street were functional only in that they moved money from the pockets of the tourists into the local economy. From the standpoint of the villagers, there was nothing of practical use for sale in any of the stores. For the tourist, immersed in the oblivion of vacation spending, Cypress Street provided a bonanza of curious gifts to prove to the folks back home that they had been somewhere. Somewhere where they had obviously forgotten that soon they would return home to a mortgage, dental bills, and an American Express bill that would descend at the end of the month like a financial Angel of Death. And they bought. They bought effigies of whales and sea otters carved in wood, cast in plastic, brass, or pewter, stamped on key chains, printed on postcards, posters, book covers, and condoms. They bought all sorts of useless junk imprinted with: Pine Cove, Gateway to Big Sur, from bookmarks to bath soap. Over the years it became a challenge to the Pine Cove shopowners to come up with an item so tacky that it would not sell. Gus Brine, owner of the local general store, suggested once at a Chamber of Commerce meeting that the merchants, without compromising their high standards, might put cow manure into jars, imprint the label with Pine Cove, Gateway to Big Sur, and market it as authentic gray whale feces. As often happens with matters of money, the irony of Brine's suggestion was lost, a motion was carried, a plan was laid, and if it had not been for a lack of volunteers to do the actual packaging, the shelves of Cypress Street would have displayed numbered, limited-edition jars of Genuine Whale Waste. The residents of Pine Cove went about their work of fleecing the tourists with a slow, methodical resolve that involved more waiting than activity. Life, in general, was slow in Pine Cove. Even the wind that came in off the Pacific each evening crept slowly through the trees, allowing the villagers ample time to bring in wood and stoke their fires against the damp cold. In the morning, down on Cypress Street, the Open signs flipped with a languid disregard for the times posted on the doors. Some shops opened early, some late, and some not at all, especially if it was a nice day for a walk on the beach. It was as if the villagers, having found their little bit of peace, were waiting for something to happen. And it did. Around midnight on the night that The Breeze disappeared, every dog in Pine Cove began barking. During the following fifteen minutes, shoes were thrown, threats were made, and the sheriff was called and called again. Wives were beaten, pistols were loaded, pillows were pounded, and Mrs. Feldstein's thirty-two cats simultaneously coughed up hairballs on her porch. Blood pressure went up, aspirin was opened, and Milo Tobin, the town's evil developer, looked out the front window to see his young neighbor, Rosa Cruz, in the nude, chasing twin Pomeranians around her front yard. The strain was too much for his chain-smoker's heart, and he flopped on the floor like a fish and died. On another hill, Van Williams, the tree surgeon, had reached the limit of his patience with his neighbors, a family of born-again dog breeders whose six Labrador retrievers barked all night long with or without supernatural provocation. With his professional-model chain saw he dropped a hundred-foot Monterey pine tree on their new Dodge Evangeline van. A few minutes later, a family of raccoons who normally roamed the streets of Pine Cove breaking into garbage cans, were taken, temporarily, with a strange sapience and ignored their normal activities to steal the stereo out of the ruined van and install it in their den that lay in the trunk of a hollow tree. An hour after the cacophony began, it stopped. The dogs had delivered their message, and as it goes in cases where dogs warn of coming earthquakes, tornadoes, or volcanic eruptions, the message was completely misconstrued. What was left the next morning was a very sleepy, grumpy village brimming with lawsuits and insurance claims, but without a single clue that something was coming. At six that morning a cadre of old men gathered outside the general store to discuss the events of the night before, never once letting their ignorance of what had happened interfere with a good bull session. A new, four-wheel-drive pickup pulled into the small parking lot, and Augustus Brine crawled out, jangling his huge key ring as if it were a talisman of power sent down by the janitor god. He was a big man, sixty years old, white haired and bearded, with shoulders like a mountain gorilla. People alternately compared him to Santa Claus and the Norse god Odin. â€Å"Morning, boys,† Brine grumbled to the old men, who gathered behind him as he unlocked the door and let them into the dark interior of Brine's Bait, Tackle, and Fine Wines. As he switched on the lights and started brewing the first two pots of his special, secret, dark-roast coffee, Brine was assaulted by a salvo of questions. â€Å"Gus, did you hear the dogs last night?† â€Å"We heard a tree went down on your hill. You hear anything about it?† â€Å"Can you brew some decaf? Doctor says I've got to cut the caffeine.† â€Å"Bill thinks it was a bitch in heat started the barking, but it was all over town.† â€Å"Did you get any sleep? I couldn't get back to sleep.† Brine raised a big paw to signal that he was going to speak, and the old men fell silent. It was like that every morning: Brine arrived in the middle of a discussion and was immediately elected to the role of expert and mediator. â€Å"Gentlemen, the coffee's on. In regard to the events of last night, I must claim ignorance.† â€Å"You mean it didn't wake you up?† Jim Whatley asked from under the brim of a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cap. â€Å"I retired early last night with two lovely teenage bottles of cabernet, Jim. Anything that happened after that did so without my knowledge or consent.† Jim was miffed with Brine's detachment. â€Å"Well, every goddamn dog in town started barking last night like the end of the world was coming.† â€Å"Dogs bark,† Brine stated. He left off the â€Å"big deal† – it was understood from his tone. â€Å"Not every dog in town. Not all at once. George thinks it's supernatural or something.† Brine raised a white eyebrow toward George Peters, who stood by the coffee machine sporting a dazzling denture grin. â€Å"And what, George, leads you to the conclusion that the cause of this disturbance was supernatural?† â€Å"Woke up with a hard-on for the first time in twenty years. It got me right up. I thought I'd rolled over on the flashlight I keep by the bed for midnight emergencies.† â€Å"How were the batteries, Georgie?† someone interjected. â€Å"I tried to wake up the wife. Whacked her on the leg with it just to get her attention. I told her the bear was charging and I have one bullet left.† â€Å"And?† Brine filled the pause. â€Å"She told me to put some ice on it to make the swelling go down.† â€Å"Well,† Brine said, stroking his beard, â€Å"that certainly sounds like a supernatural experience to me.† He turned to the rest of the group and announced his judgment. â€Å"Gents, I agree with George. As with Lazarus rising from the dead, this unexplained erection is hard evidence of the supernatural at work. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have cash customers to attend to.† The last remark was not meant as a dig toward the old men, whom Brine allowed to drink coffee all day free of charge. Augustus Brine had long ago won their loyalty, and it would have been absurd for any one of them to think of going anywhere else to purchase wine, or cheese, or bait, or gasoline, even though Brine's prices were a good thirty percent higher than the Thrifty-Mart down the street. Could the pimple-faced clerks at the Thrifty-Mart give advice on which bait was best for rock cod, a recipe for an elegant dill sauce for that same fish, recommend a fine wine to complement the meal, and at the same time ask after the well-being of every family member for three generations by name? They could not! And therein lay the secret of Augustus Brine's ability to run a successful business based entirely on the patronage of locals in an economy catering to tourists. Brine made his way to the counter, where an attractive woman in a waitress apron awaited, impatiently worrying a five-dollar bill. â€Å"Five dollars worth of unleaded, Gus.† She thrust the bill at Brine. â€Å"Rough night, Jenny?† â€Å"Does it show?† Jenny made a show of fixing her shoulder-length auburn hair and smoothing her apron. â€Å"A safe assumption, only,† Brine said with a smile that revealed teeth permanently stained by years of coffee and pipe smoke. â€Å"The boys tell me there was a citywide disturbance last night.† â€Å"Oh, the dogs. I thought it was just my neighborhood. I didn't get to sleep until four in the morning, then the phone rang and woke me up.† â€Å"I heard about you and Robert splitting up,† Brine said. â€Å"Did someone send out a newsletter or something? We've only been separated a few days.† Irritation put an unattractive rasp in her voice. â€Å"It's a small town,† Brine said softly. â€Å"I wasn't trying to be nosy.† â€Å"I'm sorry, Gus. It's just the lack of sleep. I'm so tired I was hallucinating on the way down here. I thought I heard Wayne Newton singing ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus.'† â€Å"Maybe you did.† â€Å"The music was coming from a pine tree. I'm telling you, I've been a basket case all week.† Brine reached across the counter and patted her hand. â€Å"The only constant in this life is change, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Give yourself a break.† Just then Vance McNally, the local ambulance driver, burst through the door. The radio on his belt made a sizzling sound as if he'd just stepped out of a deep fryer. â€Å"Guess who vapor locked last night?† he said, obviously hoping that no one would know. Everyone turned and waited for his announcement. Vance basked in their attention for a moment to confirm his self-importance. â€Å"Milo Tobin,† he said, finally. â€Å"The evil developer?† George asked. â€Å"That's him. Sometime around midnight. We just bagged him,† Vance said to the group. Then to Brine, â€Å"Can I get a pack of Marlboros?† The old men searched each other's faces for the right reaction to Vance's news. Each was waiting for another to say what they were all thinking, which was, â€Å"It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy,† or even, â€Å"Good riddance,† but as they were all aware that Vance's next rude announcement could be about them, they tried to think of something nice to say. You don't park in the handicapped space lest the forces of irony give you a reason to, and you don't speak ill of the dead unless you want to get bagged next. Jenny saved them. â€Å"He sure kept that Chrysler of his clean, didn't he?† â€Å"Sure did.† â€Å"The thing sparkled.† â€Å"He kept it like new, he did.† Vance smiled at the discomfort he had caused. â€Å"See you boys later.† He turned to leave and bumped straight into the little man standing behind him. â€Å"Excuse me, fella,† Vance said. No one had seen him come in or had heard the bell over the door. He was an Arab, dark, with a long, hooked nose and old; his skin hung around his piercing gray-blue eyes in folds. He wore a wrinkled, gray flannel suit that was at least two sizes too big. A red stocking cap rode high on the back of his bald head. His rumpled appearance combined with this diminutive size made him look like a ventriloquist's dummy that had spent a long time in a small suitcase. The little man brandished a craggy hand under Vance's nose and let loose with a string of angry Arabic that swirled through the air like blue on a Damascus blade. Vance backed out the door, jumped into his ambulance, and motored away. Everyone stood stunned by the ferocity of the little man's anger. Had they really seen blue swirls? Were the Arab's teeth really filed to points? Were, for that moment, his eyes glowing white-hot? It would never be discussed. Augustus Brine was the first to recover. â€Å"Can I help you with something, sir?† The unnatural light in the Arab's eyes dimmed, and in a humble, obsequious manner he said, â€Å"Excuse me, please, but could I trouble you for a small quantity of salt?†