Buddhism Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Buddhism - Term Paper Example Some Archeologists discovered pottery comparable to the ones found in Turkmenistan. They uncovered remnants of a mud-brick monument along with a terrace and a columned hall, surrounded by thick walls. The people of Tillya-tepe were nomads. It was found that by the ways of their living and burial sites. The Tillya-tepe moved from the Black Sea to Mongolia and as they moved they adapted to the local traditions of the new areas but modified them to suit themselves. After reaching Bactria, the artist of Tillya-tepe were greatly influenced by the diversity of objects they found in the Silk Road (Museo). This can be seen in the art of their jewelry, weapons and adornments designs. Features of Pazyryk site The Pazyryk Kurgan is situated in the Altai Mountains of Southern Siberia. It is yielded with artifacts including the belongings of well preserved bodies and their clothing. This culture flourished between the 3rd and the 7th century BC in the area of Sacae and is famous for the burial mo unds. The burial mounds that were found by archeologists were explored in the year 1925 to 1949. Some ordinary graves only consisted of utensils and some had their famous Pazyryk Carpet mounded over them (Scott, Alekseev and Zaitseva). Some mounds even had objects like knives, daggers, mirrors and various bone articles. The embalmed bodies found under these mounds are still considered a world sensation (Altai Discovery Team). The people of the Pazyryk area held more respect for their horses than their people. The horses were viewed as functional objects and the people treated them more humanly than actual humans. Special outfits were designed for their horses. This site was defined by common geographical and ecological conditions. Hunting, fishing, gathering and horse breeding was the main part of the economy (Cosmo). The Kurgan Burials Nomadic tradition of burial is to bury the dead within a mound, as a mark of respect. The The female burials of the Scythian traditions consisted of objects of purely feminine nature to be buried along with. Weapons like bronze arrows and spearheads, pottery and jewelry were dominant in the burials of female (Guliaev). They were dressed with conical caps of gold. The burials of females were of principle nature in the kurgan traditions. In cases of males, they were encircled with a special ritual moat and in some cases funeral food was placed near the graves. Tillya-tepe lie in close margin to the Indo-Iranian tradition. Gold was of symbolic value in the burials. The burials as like many kurgan traditions went hastily at night without the knowledge of the people of neighboring cities (Schiltz). The grave was covered with a mound of objects like beautiful stone to even objects like daggers, bones and textiles. They found it important that the dead were buried under the traditions of their forefathers even though they didn’t have access to their ancestral burial grounds. The position was slightly elevated of the coffin. The manner of burial was hierarchical, with five females surrounding one solitary male. Their garments were sewn by a gold thread. Gold was pretty much abundant in this area as the entire gold of the deceased was buried with that individual. Male bodies were dressed in layers and layers of clothing. A kaftan coupled with a short jacket along with a pair of trousers. A four dagger sheath was wrapped around the thigh. A long sword, numerous daggers and knives and two bows were present too. These men were classified as warlords

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation Essay Example for Free

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation Essay Martin Luther is credited for starting the Protestant Reformation by declaring the corruption he saw in the Roman Catholic Church. By standing firm in his faith and openly going against the church, hes able to get the people thinking for themselves and discovering the truth of their leaders and religion. Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eislenben, Germany, to copper miner Hans and peasant Margaretha Luder. Living in poverty, his father is set on Luther becoming a lawyer for higher income and family honor. In 1501, he enrolled at Master of Arts in Erford, and received his Bachelors degree in 1502 and Masters in 1505. He then enrolled to the law school. In 1505, hes caught in a thunderstorm and asks God for deliverance. Since he lived through the fright, he then devotes himself to God, dropping out of law school and joining the monastery, although against his fathers orders. While searching for personal salvation, Luther took his spiritual growth very seriously and often times punished himself. He spent most hours praying and confessing. Through this, he began to notice his frequent and awful sins. He was told to follow after academics which he then taught theology at the University of Wittenberg. On October 18, 1512, he is given a Doctorate in Theology. In 1513, he studied Psalm 22 and gained enlightenment. He realized, as Paul said, The just will live by faith, and that salvation comes with solely faith and not religious works or practices. Luthers knowledge of the Scriptures and his analytical mind caused him to see the power-hungry church leaders corruption. A major issue Luther saw was the selling of indulgences which were ways to get people of the church to pay for prayers and salvation. The Roman Catholic Church used these indulgences to put fear into their followers and money into their own pockets. Along with that complaint and others, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517. Within two weeks, the news of his rebellion spread through Germany and throughout Europe in two months. The Johannes Gutenberg Printing Press played a vital role in this expansion. Within days, many copies of the news was made and sent out. This gave the people of the church and of the nations concrete evidence of their leaders  corruption. Soon, the fear of the people faded and so did the churchs power. In 1520, Luther is threatened with excommunication from the church. In January of 1520 he is excommunicated and named as a heretic. In April of 1521, the Diet of Worms met and Luther is questioned about his act. He is told to recant but he refuses to do so unless the Scriptures would have him do otherwise. In 1522, Luther translates the New Testament to German where again, the printing press made it available to society. He also formed his own church, Lutheranism, and teaches his practices and gains followers. On June 13, 1525, he married former nun Katharina von Bora and went on to have six children together. As time goes on, he gains many health problems and dies at the age of 62 on February 18, 1546. Through personal enlightenment and rebellion, Martin Luther started the transformation of the Christian church and many of its practices today. By refusing the deception of the church, he leads a revolt against the church and sets the example of strong, unshakable faith. Luthers impact on religion didnt stop in the 1500s, and is still standing firm and modeling the religion of society now.

Triangulated Polygons Essay -- Mathematics

From the beginning of time there have been many anomalies in humanity. With the advancement of techniques, tools, and knowledge, our understanding of the world aspires to clarify our curiosities. The most beneficial to factors throughout our history would include our knowledge of numbers. Numbers hold great possibilities and bring forth answers to the most complex systems of life. Our mathematics is incorporated into basic aspects of our daily lives, allowing us to unlock our potentials and give keys to uncover the hidden secrets in the universe. There are many applications to mathematics such as triangulating polygons. Triangulation is a surveying technique in which a region is divided into a series of triangular elements based on a line of known length so that accurate measurements of distances and directions may be made by the application of trigonometry. (Company, 2009) Since its discovery, triangulation has lent the world many beneficial advantages. Polygons exist as multi-sided shapes. These shapes can be subdivided into many non-overlapping triangles. These triangles connect corners to corners, creating diagonals that section it off. These sections are called convex hulls. The many uses of algorithms allow anyone to calculate these triangular hulls. The mathematics behind triangulating polygons was originated in Alexandria by the man, Euclides. Euclides was a Greek mathematician who was highly revered as the â€Å"Father of Geometry.† Euclides possessed a mysterious personal life, because his life was not documented and often confused with others. He taught many children mathematics during the reign of Ptolemy. His father and grandfather were thought to be Greek, but this is not certain considering the confusion between him... ...'s Formula. Retrieved from ENRICH: http://nrich.maths.org/1384 Company, H. M. (2009). Triangulation. Retrieved from TheFreeDictionary by Farlex: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/triangulation csunplugged. (2010, October 30). Santa's Dirty Socks (Divide and Conquer Algorithms). Retrieved from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPCT1VjySA lecture, P. T. (1993). Triangulations and Arrangements. McGill University. Math Open Reference. (2009). Euclid. Retrieved from Math Open Reference: http://www.mathopenref.com/euclid.html Suksak, P. S. (2010, November 30). Catalan Numbers Presentation 2. Retrieved from Slide Share: http://www.slideshare.net/PaiSukanyaSuksak/catalan-number-presentation2 Teter, M. (2000, March 15). Sonar a way of seeing sound. Retrieved from Cornell Center for Material Research: http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=260 Triangulated Polygons Essay -- Mathematics From the beginning of time there have been many anomalies in humanity. With the advancement of techniques, tools, and knowledge, our understanding of the world aspires to clarify our curiosities. The most beneficial to factors throughout our history would include our knowledge of numbers. Numbers hold great possibilities and bring forth answers to the most complex systems of life. Our mathematics is incorporated into basic aspects of our daily lives, allowing us to unlock our potentials and give keys to uncover the hidden secrets in the universe. There are many applications to mathematics such as triangulating polygons. Triangulation is a surveying technique in which a region is divided into a series of triangular elements based on a line of known length so that accurate measurements of distances and directions may be made by the application of trigonometry. (Company, 2009) Since its discovery, triangulation has lent the world many beneficial advantages. Polygons exist as multi-sided shapes. These shapes can be subdivided into many non-overlapping triangles. These triangles connect corners to corners, creating diagonals that section it off. These sections are called convex hulls. The many uses of algorithms allow anyone to calculate these triangular hulls. The mathematics behind triangulating polygons was originated in Alexandria by the man, Euclides. Euclides was a Greek mathematician who was highly revered as the â€Å"Father of Geometry.† Euclides possessed a mysterious personal life, because his life was not documented and often confused with others. He taught many children mathematics during the reign of Ptolemy. His father and grandfather were thought to be Greek, but this is not certain considering the confusion between him... ...'s Formula. Retrieved from ENRICH: http://nrich.maths.org/1384 Company, H. M. (2009). Triangulation. Retrieved from TheFreeDictionary by Farlex: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/triangulation csunplugged. (2010, October 30). Santa's Dirty Socks (Divide and Conquer Algorithms). Retrieved from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPCT1VjySA lecture, P. T. (1993). Triangulations and Arrangements. McGill University. Math Open Reference. (2009). Euclid. Retrieved from Math Open Reference: http://www.mathopenref.com/euclid.html Suksak, P. S. (2010, November 30). Catalan Numbers Presentation 2. Retrieved from Slide Share: http://www.slideshare.net/PaiSukanyaSuksak/catalan-number-presentation2 Teter, M. (2000, March 15). Sonar a way of seeing sound. Retrieved from Cornell Center for Material Research: http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=260

My Childhood Fear Essay

Why do people have fears? Why do we let fears control our lives? I never thought I would ever get over my own fears. These fears made my childhood very difficult and hard to deal with. When I was a kid, I was scared of spiders. As great as my parents were about letting their kids explore the world and letting us develop our own opinions about the organisms we encountered, I think my fear of spiders was largely my dad’s fault. He still tells me stories about how our house would have been â€Å"overrun with black widows – overrun!!† if he hadn’t hauled a can of Raid out into the backyard and sprayed the heck out of every black widow he found once a week. He talked about the sun spider (not a true spider, but still an arachnid) in the laundry closet with a hint of fear and has told me the story with a spider several times. It goes like this. One night, I called out to my dad, telling him that there was a spider in my crib. He looked around and didn’t see anything, so he told me I was dreaming and should go back to sleep. A few minutes later, I called out again, saying that there was a spider in my bed. He looked again and still didn’t see anything. I kept insisting there was a spider, so he eventually started pulling off blankets to prove that there was no spider. Of course there was a spider, THE BIGGEST BLACK WIDOW OF ALL TIME! Or at least that’s how my dad tells it. You’d think this spider was about to devour his beloved firstborn, that I was lucky he was there to save me and vanquish the black widow foe. He wouldn’t ever admit it, but these sorts of stories have led me to believe that my dad migh t have a touch of arachnophobia. When my dad, who is rather fearless and tells stories of brave encounters with rattlesnakes and an angry swarm of yellow jackets, actually showed any sort of fear, it sort of rubbed off on you. So, I was scared of spiders too. I remember growing up thinking that most spiders were dangerous, that killing a spider was better than risking being bitten. I used to be so scared of spiders that I’d have nightmares about them lurking under my blankets. I would wake up in a panic and start ripping off the covers to prove to myself that there wasn’t actually a spider in my bed. I knew there wasn’t a spider in my bed, but then again†¦ My dad had told me that story about the black widow in my crib, so maybe my subconscious mind was trying to tell me something†¦ As I became more and more interested in insects, I learned that the vast majority of spiders really weren’t going to hurt me. I knew that the wolf spider crawling up the wall or the little harmless brown spiders in the basement weren’t going to do anything to me, but the fear persisted. I felt a little stupid for being scared of spiders. But I couldn’t help it. They bothered me. When I was going to school, in the city of my birth, I was imagining that black widows lurked in every corner and I would have daily encounters with all manner of huge spider. Every now and again I would envision a spider crawling up the back of my couch while I was doing homework or something and it would make me shiver just a little. So, how did I get over my fear of spiders? I don’t know how or why it worked, but I told myself to ignore the spiders and suddenly they stopped bothering me. No more spider nightmares! They can crawl all over me and I don’t care. Black widows are beautiful spiders and I love to watch them. I enjoy seeing the big orb weaver spiders when I’m in the sorts of habitats where they’re found. Sun spiders – spectacular animals! And who doesn’t love a good jumping spider? I might not pick spiders up, just in case I misidentify one I shouldn’t handle or have a strange reaction to tarantula hairs (those things make me itch like mad!), but I’m perfectly okay with spiders living in and around my house. Sometimes I knock their webs down as I dust, but otherwise they’ve got a pretty good thing going living with me. I just don’t care that they’re there. All in all, I am happy I went on that field trip. Forcing myself to walk through the spiders to get to the pond seems to have done me a world of good. Now, if only I could get over my fear of centipedes†¦

Education: College and Recharge Academic Battery Essay

Taking a year off after finishing form six before approaching further tertiary education has been a much debated issue over the past few years. While some see it as an opportunity for the school leavers to know more about the world, there is another party that says it will be time wasted if the school leavers end up without planning anything during the time. After all, the school leavers still have to put their consideration on this issue. Point 1 Recharge academic battery – After spending a quarter of life as a student, it is a chance for the school leavers to take a break off. -Taking a year off before returning to school will provide you the chance to approach the next phase of your education with a fresh start and renewed vigor while staving off academic burnout. -During that time, they can also have some preparation on the further tertiary education by conducting an exhaustive college or university search. Point 2 Decision time – Take a year off will allow school leavers to decide on their major. -They can obtain an internship in the area that they are interested in studying, or in the career field they would like to pursue. -This will help them brings practical, real-world experience into their tertiary education, and it can get them some career contacts to contact after you graduate. Point 3 A chance to mature before entering tertiary education -Perfection is acquired through error and trial. -After the school leavers walked out from the school, they will undergo much hardship in the reality just to know themselves in the shape of perfection. -At the same time, they can learn to be mature by sorting things out around them. -By taking this opportunity, the environment in the society can help in building up their self confidence. Point 4 Earn some money -School leavers can earn extra money to help defray their upcoming college or university costs and expenditure in college or university. -Work experience can provide them with ‘soft skills,’ such as interpersonal, communication and leadership skills which is typically lacking in our previous education. – This is able to add a valuable notch to the resume which will help them when they enter the work force after earning their degree. Taking a year off from school can be a disaster without a proper plan. Therefore, the school leavers have to think long and hard about how they are going to spend their time. They have to ensure that their decision will bring a unique contribution to their future lives.

An Unlikely Murderer essays

An Unlikely Murderer essays One would think that crimes with such a gruesome nature would be committed by a hatchet-wielding maniac as put by Russell Aiuto (1). But rather, the suspect was that of a church-going, Sunday-school-teaching, respectable, spinster-daughter(Aiuto 1). The young woman, Lizzie Borden, was charged with the killing of her father and stepmother, a crime worthy of Classical Greek tragedy (Aiuto 1). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to research the life and trial of Lizzie Borden in order to determine if she was innocent or guilty of parricide, the murder of ones parents. It was on the 19th of July, 1860, that in Fall River, Massachusetts Lizzie Borden was born (Radin 268). She grew up there alongside her father, Andrew Borden. He was a very prosperous man, starting out as the towns undertaker and ending up investing his profits into the textile industry. When Lizzie made it in to her teens, Mr. Borden was worth $500,000 (Paton 432). Being as prosperous as he was, he only had to places to spend his money: his two daughters, Lizzie and her older sister Emma (Paton 432). Andrew Borden also had a wife, Abby Borden. She was the stepmother of Lizzie and Emma and a hated one at that. Whenever Lizzie and Abby were together in the house, which happened a lot, the atmosphere was electric (Paton 433). Abby was called Mrs. Borden, and Lizzie did not eat when Abby was around. Their relationship was so distant, that Lizzie only spoke to her when it was needed (Paton 433). Lizzie first despised Abby when Andrew decided to purchase Abbys sisters home and have it in his wifes name. This prevented his sister-in-law from getting evicted, but Lizzie saw it as a chance for Abby to take advantage of Andrews money (Paton 433). What most people do not know, is that Lizzie had somewhat of a criminal record before she was charged with the murder. The fir...

Major General Edward O. Ord - American Civil War

Major General Edward O. Ord - American Civil War Edward O. Ord - Early Life Career: Born October 18, 1818 at Cumberland, MD, Edward Otho Cresap Ord was the son of James and Rebecca Ord.  His father briefly served in the US Navy as a midshipman but transferred to the US Army and saw action during the War of 1812.  A year after Edwards birth, the family moved to Washington, DC.  Educated in the nations capital, Ord quickly showed an aptitude for mathematics.  To further these skills, he obtained an appointment to the US Military Academy in 1835.  Arriving at West Point, Ords classmates included Henry Halleck, Henry J. Hunt, and Edward Canby.  Graduating in 1839, he ranked seventeenth in a class of thirty-one and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the 3rd US Artillery. Edward O. Ord - To California: Ordered south, Ord immediate saw combat in the Second Seminole War.  Promoted to first lieutenant in 1841, he next moved to garrison duty at several forts along the Atlantic coast.  With the beginning of the Mexican-American War and swift capture of California in 1846, Ord was dispatched to the West Coast to aid in occupying the newly-captured territory.  Sailing in January 1847, he was accompanied by Halleck and Lieutenant William T. Sherman.  Arriving in Monterey, Ord took command of  Battery F, 3rd US Artillery with orders to complete the construction of Fort Mervine.  With Shermans assistance, this task was soon completed.  With the beginning of the Gold Rush in 1848, prices for goods and living expenses began to outpace the officers salaries.  As a result, Ord and Sherman were permitted to take side jobs to make extra money.   This saw them conduct a survey of Sacramento for John Augustus Sutter, Jr. which established much of the layout for the citys central areas.  In 1849, Ord accepted a commission to survey Los Angeles.  Aided by William Rich Hutton, he completed this task and their work continues to provide insight in the citys earliest days.  A year later, Ord was ordered north to the Pacific Northwest where he commenced surveying the coast.  Promoted to captain that September, he returned to California in 1852.  While on garrison duty at Benicia, Ord married  Mary Mercer Thompson on October 14, 1854.  Over the next five years, he remained on the West Coast and took part in various expeditions against the Native American in the region. Edward O. Ord - The Civil War Begins: Returning east in 1859, Ord arrived at Fortress Monroe for service with the artillery school.  That fall, his men were directed to move north to aid in suppressing John Browns attack on Harpers Ferry but were not needed as Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee was able to deal with the situation.  Sent back to the West Coast the following year, Ord was there when the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter and opened the Civil War in April 1861.  Returning east, he received a commission as a brigadier general of volunteers on September 14 and assumed command of a brigade in the Pennsylvania Reserves.  On December 20, Ord led this force as it won a skirmish with Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuarts Confederate cavalry near Dranesville, VA.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On May 2, 1862, Ord received a promotion to major general.  Following brief service in the Department of the Rappahannock, he was transferred west to lead a division in Major General Ulysses S. Grants Army of the Tennessee.  That fall, Grant ordered Ord to direct part of the army against Confederate forces led by Major General Sterling Price.  This action was to be coordinated with Major General William S. Rosecrans Army of the Mississippi.  On September 19, Rosecrans engaged Price at the Battle of Iuka.  In the fighting, Rosecrans won a victory, but Ord, with Grant at his headquarters, failed to attack due to an apparent acoustic shadow.  A month later, Ord won a victory over Price and Major General Earl Van Dorn at Hatchies Bridge as the Confederates retreated after being repulsed at Corinth. Edward O. Ord - Vicksburg the Gulf: Wounded at Hatchies Bridge, Ord returned to active duty in November and held a series of administrative posts.  While Ord recovered, Grant embarked on a series of campaigns to capture Vicksburg, MS.  Laying siege to the city in May, the Union leader relieved the troublesome Major General John McClernand from command of XIII Corps the following month.  To replace him, Grant selected Ord.  Taking over on June 19, Ord led the corps for the remainder of the siege which ended on July 4.  In the weeks after the fall of Vicksburg, XIII Corps took part in Shermans march against Jackson.  Serving in Louisiana as part of the Department of Gulf for much of the latter part of 1863, Ord left XIII Corps in January 1864.  Returning east, he briefly held posts in the Shenandoah Valley. Edward O. Ord - Virginia:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On July 21, Grant, now leading all Union armies, directed Ord to assume command of XVIII Corps from the ill Major General William Baldy Smith.  Though part of Major General Benjamin Butlers Army of the James, XVIII Corps operated with Grant and the Army of the Potomac as they besieged Petersburg.  In later September, Ords men crossed the James River and took part in the Battle of Chaffins Farm.  After his men succeeded in capturing Fort Harrison, Ord fell badly wounded as he attempted to organize them to exploit the victory.  Out of action for the remainder of the fall, he saw his corps and the Army of the James completely reorganized in his absence.  Resuming active duty in January 1865, Ord found himself in temporary command of the Army of the James. In this post for the remainder of the conflict, Ord directed the armys operations during the latter stages of the Petersburg Campaign including the final assault on the city on April 2.  With Petersburgs fall, his troops were among the first to advance into the Confederate capital of Richmond.  As Lees Army of Northern Virginia retreated west, Ords troops joined in the pursuit and ultimately played a key role in blocking the Confederate escape from Appomattox Court House.  He was present at Lees surrender on April 9 and later purchased the table at which Lee had sat. Edward O. Ord - Later Career: Following President Abraham Lincolns assassination on April 14, Grant ordered Ord north to investigate and ascertain if the Confederate government had played a role.  His determination that John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators had acted alone helped calm demands that the newly-defeated South be punished.  That June, Ord assumed command of the Department of the Ohio.  Promoted to brigadier general in the regular army on July 26, 1866, he later oversaw the Department of Arkansas (1866-1867), Fourth Military District (Arkansas Mississippi, 1867-68), and Department of California (1868-1871).   Ord spent the first half of the 1870s commanding the Department of the Platte before moving south to lead the Department of Texas from 1875 to 1880.  Retiring from the US Army on December 6, 1880, he received a final promotion to major general a month later.  Accepting a civil engineering position with the Mexican Southern Railroad, Ord worked to build a line from Texas to Mexico City.  While in Mexico in 1883, he contracted yellow fever prior to departing on business for New York.  Falling severely ill while at sea, Ord was landed at Havana, Cuba where he died on July 22.  He remains were brought north and interred at Arlington National Cemetery.   Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Edward O. OrdTSHA: Edward O. OrdOhio Civil War Central: Edward O. Ord

Complete Guide to Fractions and Ratios on SAT Math

Complete Guide to Fractions and Ratios on SAT Math SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You likely had your first taste of working with fractions sometime in elementary school, though it's probably been a while since you've had to deal with how they shift, change, and interact with one another. To refresh, fractions and ratios are both used to represent pieces of a whole. Fractions tell you how many pieces you have compared to a potential whole amount (3 red marbles in a bag of 5, for example), while ratios compare pieces to each other (3 red marbles to 2 blue marbles) or, more rarely, pieces to the whole amount (again, 3 red marbles in 5 total). If this sounds complicated to you right now, don’t worry! We will go through all the principles behind fractions and ratios in this guide. If this seems easy to you right now, definitely check out the practice problems at the end of the guide to make sure you have mastered all the different kinds of fraction and ratio problems you’ll see on the test. The SAT likes to present familiar concepts in unfamiliar ways, so don’t let your mastery of fractions lead you to make assumptions about how you’ll see fractions and ratios on the test. No matter how comfortable you are (or are not) with fractions and ratios right now, this guide is for you. Here, we will go through the complete breakdown of fractions and ratios on the SAT- what they mean, how to manipulate them, and how to answer the most difficult fraction and ratio problems on the SAT. This Guide This guide is seperated into two distinct categories- everything you need to know about fractions and everything you need to know about ratios. For each section, we will go through the ins and outs of what fractions and ratios mean as well as how to manipulate and solve the different kinds of fraction and ratio problems you'll see on the SAT. We will also breakdown how you can tell when an SAT problem requires a ratio or a fraction and how to set up your approach these kinds of problems. At the end, you will be able to test your knowledge on real SAT math questions. The more you prep for the SAT, the more your brain can be Swiss-army-knife-ready for any question the test can throw at you. What are Fractions? $${\a \piece}/{\the \whole}$$ Fractions are pieces of a whole. They are expressed as the amount you have (the numerator) over the whole (the denominator). A pizza is divided into 8 pieces. Kyle ate 3 pieces. What fraction of the pizza did he eat? He ate $3/8$ths of the pizza. 3 is the numerator (top number) because he ate that many pieces of the whole, and 8 is the denominator (bottom number) because there are 8 pieces total (the whole). Math is always more fun when it's delicious. Special Fractions A number over itself equals 1 $3/3=1$ $10/10=1$ $(a+b)/(a+b)=1$ A whole number can be expressed as itself over 1 $5=5/1$ $22/1=22$ $(a+b)/1=a+b$ 0 divided by any number is 0 $0/17=0$ $0/(a+b)=0$ There is one exception to this rule: $0/0=\undefined$. The reason for this lies in the next rule. Any number divided by 0 is undefined Zero cannot act as a denominator. For more information on this check out our guide to advanced integers. But for now all that matters is that you know that 0 cannot act as a denominator. Reducing Fractions If both the numerator and the denominator have a common factor (a number they can both be divided by), then the fraction can be reduced. For the purposes of the SAT, you will need to reduce your fractions to get to your final answer. To reduce a fraction, you must divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same amount. This keeps the fraction consistent and maintains the proper relationship between numerator and denominator. If your fraction is $3/12$, then it can be written as $1/4$. Why? Because both 3 and 12 are divisible by 3. $3/3=1$ and $12/3=4$. So your final fraction is $1/4$ Now let's figure out how to perform the four basic math functions on fractions. Adding or Subtracting Fractions You can add or subtract fractions as long as their denominators are the same. To do so, you keep the denominator consistent and simply add the numerators. $4/15+2/15=6/15$ But you CANNOT add or subtract fractions if your denominators are unequal. $4/15+2/5=?$ So what can you do when your denominators are unequal? You must make them equal by finding a common multiple (number they can both multiply evenly into) of their denominators. In the case of $4/15+2/5$, a common multiple of the denominators 15 5 is 15. When you find a common multiple of the denominators, you must multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the amount it took to achieve that number. Again, this keeps the fraction (the relationship between numerator and denominator) consistent. Think of it as the opposite of reducing a fraction. To get to the common denominator of 15, $4/15$ must be multiplied by $1/1$ Why? Because 15*1=15. $(4/15)(1/1)=4/15$. The fraction remains unchanged. To get to the common denominator of 15, $2/5$ must be multiplied by $3/3$. Why? Because 5*3=15. $(2/5)(3/5)=6/15$. Now we can add them, as they have the same denominator. $4/15+6/15=10/15$ We can further reduce $10/15$ into $2/3$ because both 10 and 15 are divisible by 5. So our final answer is $2/3$. Multiplying Fractions Multiplying fractions is a bit simpler than adding or dividing fractions. There is no need to find a common denominator- you can just multiply the fractions straight across. To multiply a fraction, first multiply the numerators. This product becomes your new numerator. Next, multiply your two denominators. This product becomes your new denominator. $1/4*2/3=(1*2)/(4*3)=2/12$ And again, we reduce our fraction. Both the numerator and the denominator are divisible by 2, so our final answer becomes: $1/6$ Special note: you can speed up the multiplication and reduction process by finding a common factor of your cross multiples before you multiply. $1/4*2/3$ = $1/2*1/3$. Why? Because both 4 and 2 are divisible by 2, we were able to reduce the cross multiples before we even began. This saved us time in reducing the final fraction at the end. So now we can simply say: $1/2*1/3=1/6$. No need to further reduce- our answer is complete. Take note that reducing cross multiples can only be done when multiplying fractions, never while adding or subtracting them! It is also a completely optional step, so do not feel obligated to reduce your cross multiples- you can simply reduce your fraction at the end. Dividing Fractions In order to divide fractions, we must first take the reciprocal (the reversal) of one of the fractions. Afterwards, we simply multiply the two fractions together. Why do we do this? Because division is the opposite of multiplication, so we must reverse one of the fractions to turn it back into a multiplication question. ${2/3}à ·{3/4}$ = $2/3*4/3$ (we took the reciprocal of $3/4$, which means we flipped the fraction upside down to become $4/3$) $2/3*4/3=8/9$ But what happens if you need to divide a fraction by a whole number? If a cake is cut into thirds and each third is cut into fourths, how many pieces of cake are there? *** We start out with $1/3$ of a cake and we need to divide each third 4 more times. Because 4 is a whole number, it can be written as $4/1$. This means that its reciprocal is $1/4$. $1/3à ·4$ = $1/3*1/4=1/12$ Our denominator (the whole) is 12. This means there will be 12 pieces total in the cake. Decimal Points Because fractions are pieces of a whole, you can also express fractions as either a decimal point or a percentage. To convert a fraction into a decimal, simply divide the numerator by the denominator. (The / symbol also acts as a division sign.) $4/5$ = 4/5 = 0.8 Sometimes it is easier to convert a fraction to a decimal in order to work through a problem. This can save you time and effort trying to figure out how to divide or multiply fractions. If $j/k=32$ and $k=3/2$, what is the value of $1/2j$ ? *** As you can see, there are two ways to approach this problem- using fractions and using decimals. We’ll look at both ways. If you were to use fractions, you would set up the problem as a fraction division problem. $k=3/2$ So $j/k=j/{3/2}$ $j/{3/2}$ = $j*2/3$ (remember, we take the reciprocal when we divide) So our full problem looks like this: $2/3*j=32$ Now we must divide 32 by $2/3$ in order to bring it over to the other side and isolate j. This means we need to take the reciprocal yet again. So ${32}/{2/3}$ = $32*3/2=96/2=48$ $j=48$ Now, for the final step, we must take $1/2$ of j. (Note: to "take $1/2$" is the same thing as multiplying by $1/2$.) $48*{1/2}=48/2=24$ Our final answer is 24. Alternatively, we could save ourselves the headache of using fractions and reciprocals and simply use decimals instead. We know that $k=3/2$. Instead of keeping the fraction, let us convert it into a decimal. $3à ·2=1.5$ So $k=1.5$ $j/k=32$ $j/1.5=32$ When you multiply both sides by 1.5, you get: $j=(32)(1.5)=48$ $j=48$ And ${1/2}j={1/2}(48)=24$ So again, our final answer is 24. Percentages After you convert your fraction to a decimal, you can also turn it into a percentage (if needed). So 0.8 from can also be written as 80%, because 0.8*100=80. A pie chart is a useful way of showing relative sizes of fractions and percentages. This shows just how large a fraction $7/10$ (or 70%) truly is. Mixed Fractions Sometimes you may be given a mixed fraction on the SAT. A mixed fraction is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. For example, 7$3/4$ is a mixed fraction. We have a whole number, 7, and a fraction, $3/4$. You can turn a mixed fraction into an ordinary fraction by multiplying the whole number by the denominator and then adding that product to the numerator. The final answer will be ${\the \new \numerator}/{\the \original \denominator}$. 7$3/4$ (7)(4)=28 28+3=31 So your final answer = $31/4$ You must convert mixed fractions into fractions in order to multiply, divide, add, or subtract them with other fractions. In this problem, we began with 5 gallons of water and we ended with 2$1/3$. We must figure out how many gallons we used. 5−2 $5-2{1/3}$ First, let’s get our mixed fraction into a regular fraction. 2$1/3$ = ${[(2*3)+1]}/3={7/3}$ $5/1-7/3$ Now, we need to give each fraction the same denominator. We'll do this by converting $5/1$ into a new fraction with a denominator of 3. $5/1*3/3=15/3$ Finally, we can find the difference between the amounts. $15/3-7/3=8/3$ So we have used up $8/3$rds of the water. Now let’s count how many times the pail was emptied to use up that $8/3$rds of the total water. If you count the dots, the pail was emptied 8 times (the first dot does not count as a time it was emptied- that is merely our starting point). Because the same amount of water was removed each time, we must divide our emptied water by 8. ${8/3}à ·{8/1}$ = $8/3*1/8$ We can now either reduce the cross-multiples (because this is a multiplication problem), which would give us: $8/3*1/8$ = $1/3*1/1$ $1/3*1/1=1/3$ Or we can multiply through and then reduce afterwards: $8/3*1/8=8/24$ $8/12=1/3$ Either way, our final answer is $1/3$; each trip removed $1/3$ of a gallon of water from the tank. Now that we've broken down all there is to know about SAT fractions, let's take a look at their close cousin- the ratio. This shape is called the "golden ratio" and has been studied for thousands of years. It has applications in geometry, nature, and architecture. What are Ratios? Ratios are used as a way to compare one thing to another (or multiple things to one another). If Leslie has 5 white socks and 2 red socks, the white socks and the red socks have a ratio of 5 to 2. Expressing Ratios Ratios can be written in three different ways: A â€Å'to â€Å'B A:B $A/B$ No matter which way you write them, these are all ratios comparing A to B. Different Types of Ratios Just as a fraction represents a part of something out of a whole (written as: ${\a \part}/{\the \whole}$), a ratio can be expressed as either: aâ€Å'part:a â€Å'different â€Å'part OR aâ€Å'part:theâ€Å' whole Because ratios compare values, they can either compare individual pieces to one another or an individual piece to the whole. If Leslie has only 5 white socks and 2 red socks in a drawer, the ratio of white socks to all the socks in the drawer is 5 to 7. (Why 7? Because there are 5 white and 2 red socks, so together they make 5+2=7 socks total.) Some of the many uses of ratios in action (in this case, the ratios are- a part: a different part). Reducing Ratios Just as fractions can be reduced, so too can ratios. Kyle has a stamp collection. 45 of them have pictures of daisies and 30 of them have pictures of roses. What is the ratio of daisy stamps to rose stamps in his collection? *** Right now, the ratio is $45:30$. But they have a common denominator of 15, so this ratio can be reduced. $45/15=3$ $30/15=2$ So the stamps have a ratio of $3:2$ Increasing Ratios Because you can reduce ratios, you can also do the opposite and increase them. In order to do so, you must multiply each piece of the ratio by the same amount (just as you had to divide by the same amount on each side to reduce the ratio). So the ratio of 4:3 can also be $4(2):3(2)=8:6$ $4(3):3(3)=12:9$ And so on. Marbles are to be removed from a jar that contains 12 red marbles and 12 black marbles. What is the least number of marbles that could be removed so that the ratio of red marbles to black marbles left in the jar will be 4 to 3? *** Right now, there are an equal amount of marbles, so the ratio is 12:12 (or 1:1) We know that we have an end ratio of 4:3 that we want to achieve and that each side of the ratio has to be multiplied (or divided) by the same amount to keep the ratio consistent. We want to remove as few marbles as possible, so let us imagine that 4:3 is a reduced ratio. That means we need to see how many total marbles the reduced ratio of 4:3 could possibly be. So both 4 and 3 have to be multiplied by the same amount to maintain their ratio and yet achieve a higher number of total marbles than just their 7 (4+3=7). We can see that 12 is divisible by 4, so the red marbles could conceivably remain unchanged in order to get a new ratio of 4:3. $12/4=3$ Because 4 can go evenly into 12, this will give us the fewest amount of marbles taken away. Because the 4 is multiplied 3 times to get 12, we know that both 4 and 3 must be multiplied by 3 to keep a new ratio of 4:3 consistent. To find the new number of black marbles, we take 3*3=9. The new amount of black marbles has to be 9. And because our red marbles remain the same (12), we must take only 3 marbles away from the total number of marbles (Why? Because 12â€Å' blackâ€Å' marbles−3 â€Å'blackâ€Å' marbles=9â€Å' blackâ€Å' marbles) So our final answer is 3, we must take 3 black marbles away to get a new ratio of 4:3 of red marbles to black marbles. Finding the Whole If you are given a ratio comparing two parts (piece:anotherâ€Å'piece), and you are told to find the whole amount, simply add all the pieces together. It may help you to think of this like an algebra problem wherein each side of the ratio is a certain multiple of x. Because each side of the ratio must always be divided or multiplied by the same amount to keep the ratio consistent, we can think of each side as having the same variable attached to it. For example, a ratio of 4:5 can be: $4(1):5(1)=4:5$ $4(2):5(2)=8:10$ And so on, just as we did above. But this means we could also represent 4:5 as: $4x:5x$ Why? Because each side must change at the same rate. And in this case, our rate is $x$. So if you were asked to find the total amount, you would add the pieces together. $4x+5x=9x$. The total amount is 9x. In this case, we don’t have any more information, but we know that the total must be divisible by 9. So let’s take a look at another problem. Teyvon has a basket of eggs that he is going to sell. There are two different kinds of eggs in the basket- white and brown. The brown eggs are in a ratio of 2:3 to the white eggs. What is NOT a possible number of eggs that Teyvon can have in the basket? A) 5 B 10 C) 12 D) 30 E) 60 *** In order to find out how many eggs he has total, we must add the two pieces together. So 2+3=5 This means that the total number of eggs in the basket has to either be 5 or any multiple of 5. Why? Because 2:3 is the most reduced form of the ratio of eggs in the basket. This means he could have: $2(2):3(2)=4:6$ eggs in the basket (10 eggs total) $2(3):3(3)=6:9$ eggs in the basket (15 eggs total) And so forth. We don’t know exactly how many eggs he has, but we know that it must be a multiple of 5. This means our answer is C, 12. There is no possible way that he can have 12 eggs in the basket. Now that we are armed with knowledge of fractions and ratios, we must follow the right steps to solve our problems. How to Solve Fraction, Ratio, and Rational Number Questions Now that we have discussed how fractions and ratios work indivisually, let's look at how you'll see them on the test. When you are presented with a fraction or ratio problem, take note of these steps to find your solution: #1: Identify whether the problem involves fractions or ratios A fraction will involve the comparison of a $\piece/\whole$. A ratio will almost always involve the comparison of a piece:piece (or, very rarely, a piece:whole). You can tell when the problem is ratio specific as the question text will do one of three things: Use the : symbol, Use the phrase "___ to ___† Explicitly use the word "ratio† in the text. If the questions wants you to give an answer as a ratio comparing two pieces, make sure you don’t confuse it with a fraction comparing a piece to the whole! #2: If a ratio question asks you to change or identify values, first find the sum of your pieces In order to determine your total amount (or the non-reduced amount of your individual pieces), you must add all the parts of your ratio together. This sum will either be your complete whole or will be a factor of your whole, if your ratio has been reduced. A total of 120,000 votes were cast for 2 opposing candidates, Garcia and Pà ©rez. If Garcia won by a ratio of 5 to 3, what was the number of votes cast for Pà ©rez? (A) 15,000 (B) 30,000 (C) 45,000 D) 75,000 (E) 80,000 *** As you can see, our ratio of 5 to 3 has been greatly reduced (neither of those numbers is in the tens of thousands). We know that there are a total of 120,000 votes, so we need to determine the number of votes for each candidate. Let’s first add our ratio pieces together. 5:3 = 5+3=8 Because 8 is much (much) smaller than 120,000, we know that 8 is not our whole. But 8 is the factor of our whole. ${120,000}/8=15,000$ So if we think of 15,000 as one component (a replacement for our variable, $x$), and Garcia and Pà ©rez have a ratio of 5 components to 3 components, then we can find the total number of votes per candidate. G:P=5:3 = $5x:3x$ 5*15,000=75,000 3*15,000=45,000 So Garcia earned 75,000 votes and Pà ©rez earned 45,000 votes. (You can even confirm that this must be the correct number of votes each by making sure they add up to 120,000. 75,000+45,000=120,000. Success!) So our final answer is C, Pà ©rez earned 45,000 votes. #3: When in doubt, try to use decimals Decimals can make it much easier to work out problems (as opposed to using fractions). So do not be afraid to convert your fractions into decimals to make life easier. #4: Remember your special fractions Always remember that a number over 1 is the same thing as the original number, and that a number over itself = 1. If $h$ and $k$ are positive numbers and $h+k=7$ then ${7-k}/h=$ (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) -1 (D) $h$ (E) $k-1$ *** Here we have two equations: $h+k=7$ and ${7-k}/h$ So let us manipulate the first. $h+k=7$ can be re-written as: $h=7−k$ (Why? We simply subtracted $k$ from either side) So now we can replace the $(7−k)$ from the second equation with $h$, as the two terms are equal. This leaves us with: $h/h$ And we know that any number over itself = 1. So our final answer is A, 1. Now, let's put your knowledge to the test! Test Your Knowledge #1: Flour, water, and salt are mixed by weight in the ratio of 5:4:1, respectively, to produce a certain type of dough. In order to make 5 pounds of this dough, what weight of salt, in pounds, is required? (A) $1/4$ (B) $1/2$ (C) $3/4$ (D) 1 (E) 2 #2: #3: Which of the following answer choices presents the fractions $5/4$, $4/3$, $19/17$, $13/12$, and $7/6$ in order from least to greatest? (A) $19/17$, $7/6$, $13/12$, $4/3$, $7/6$, $5/4$ (B) $4/3$, $5/4$, $7/6$, $19/17$, $13/12$ (C) $13/12$, $7/6$, $19/17$, $5/4$, $4/3$ (D) $19/17$, $13/12$, $5/4$, $7/6$, $4/3$ (E) $13/12$, $19/17$, $7/6$, $5/4$, $4/3$ Answers: B, D, E Answer Explanations: #1: This question is a perfect example of when to find the whole of the pieces of the ratio. Flour, water, and salt are in a ratio of 5:4:1, which means that the whole is: $5x+4x+1x=10x$ So $10x$ is our whole. We want 5 pounds of the recipe, so we must convert $10x$ to 5. $10x=5$ $x=1/2$ Our variable is $1/2$ . Now, we are looking for the amount of salt to use when we started out with $1x$. So let us replace our $x$ with the value we found for it. $1x$ $1(1/2)$ $1/2$ This means we need $1/2$ a pound of salt to make 5 pounds of the mixture. Our final answer is B, $1/2#. #2: For this question, we must find a non-zero integer for t in which $x+{1/x}=t$, where $x$ is also an integer. We know, based on our special fractions, that the only possible way to get a whole number in fraction form is to have our demoninator equal 1 or -1. This means that x cannot possibly be anything other than 1 or negative 1. (Why? If x were anything else but 1, we would end up with a mixed fraction. For example, if x=2, then we would have: $2+{1/2}$. If $x=3$, we would have: $3+{1/3}. And so on. The only way to get an integer value for $t$ is when $x=1$.) So let us try replacing our $x$ value with 1. $x+{1/x}=t$ $1+{1/1}=2$ $t=2$ Well, $t$ could possibly equal 2, but this is not one of our answer choices. So now let us replace $x$ with -1 instead. $x+{1/x}=t$ $-1+{1/-1}=-2$ t=−2 Success! We have found a value for $t$ that matches one of our answer choices. Our final answer is D, $t=−2$ #3: For a problem like this (one that has you order fractions by size), it is usually a good idea to break out the decimals. But we will go through how to solve it using both methods of fractions and decimals. Solving with decimals: To solve with decimals, simply divide each numerator by its denominator to get the decimal. Then, order them in ascending order (as we are told). $5/4=1.25$ $4/3=1.333$ $19/17=1.12$ $13/12=1.08$ $7/6=1.16$ We can see here that the order from least to greatest is: 1.08, 1.12, 1.16, 1.25, 1.33 Which, converted back to their fraction form is: $13/12$, $19/17$, $7/6$, $5/4$, $4/3$ So our final answer is E. Alternatively, we can solve using fractions. Solve using fractions: Let us find a common denominator between all the numerators. A quick way to do this is by multiplying the two largest numerators together. (It may not be the least common denominator, but it'll do for our purposes.) $17*12=204$ Now let's make sure that the other denominators can go evenly into 204 as well. $204/6=34$ $204/4=51$ $204/3=68$ Perfect! Now let us convert all of our fractions. $5/4={5(51)}/{4(51)}=255/204$ $4/3={4(68)}/{3(68)}=272/204$ $19/17={19(12)}/{17(12)}=228/204$ $13/12={13(17)}/{12(17)}=221/204$ $7/6={7(34)}/{6(34)}$ Now that they all share a common denominator, we can compare and order their numerators. So, in ascending order, they would be: $221/204$, $228/204$, $238/204$, $255/204$, $272/204$ Which, when converted back to their original form, is: $13/12$, $19/17$, $7/6$, $5/4$, $4/3$ So again, our final answer is E. I think a nap is in order- don't you? Take-Aways Fractions and ratios may look tricky, but they are merely ways to represent the relationships between pieces of a whole and the whole itself. Once you know what they mean and how they can be manipulated, you’ll find that you can tackle most any fraction or ratio problem the SAT can throw at you. But always remember- though ratios and fractions are related, do not get them mixed up on the SAT! The vast majority of the time, the ratios they give you will compare parts to parts and the fractions will compare parts to the whole. It can be easy to make a mistake during the test, so don’t let yourself lose a point due to careless error. What’s Next? You've conquered fractions and you've decimated ratios and now you're eager for more, right? Well look no further! We have guides aplenty for the many math topics covered on the SAT, including probability, integers, and solid geometry. Feel like you're running out of time on the SAT? Check out our article on how to finish your math sections before time's up. Don't know what score to aim for? Make sure you have a good grasp of what kind of score would best suit your goals and current skill level, and how to improve it from there. Angling to get an 800 on SAT Math? Look to our guide on how to get a perfect score, written by a perfect SAT scorer. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Math strategy guide, you'll love our program. Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

A comparison between two different proteomic approaches used to Essay

A comparison between two different proteomic approaches used to investigate cancer system - Essay Example Also contacts and communication between the proteins that make up a specific proteome under investigation is significant in proteomics. Nowadays doctors adopt proteomic approaches in the diagnosis of cancers avoiding the pre existing diagnose techniques like Immunohistochemistry, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbant Assays), Immunoblots etc. The proteomic approaches adopted for cancer diagnosis by medical field are mainly based on electrophoresis and spectrometry. Proteomes exhibit varied characters at various instances of simulations especially due to hormones. This is due to the variations in proteins composing those proteomes. Both approaches employed in proteomics try to dig out those characteristics making up variations in human cells. There are many approaches using both electrophoresis as well as spectrometry techniques. 2D-PAGE, MALDI-MS, SELDI-TOF-MS, Antibody arrays etc. are some specific approaches of proteomics. In this paper, the comparative proteomic approaches of 2D- PAGE and MALDI-MS in Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma and functional proteomic approach in Breast cancer. The detailing on diagnostic functional proteomic approach used in breast cancer can be initiated with identifying basic facts on it. â€Å"Functional proteomics approaches that comprehensively evaluate the biological activities of human cDNAs may provide novel insights into disease pathogenesis.† (Witt, et al., 2005, p.1). The analysis on cDNAs is taken up through thorough investigation about their response to various stimulations especially those expected during initial stages of breast cancer. To analytically examine the practical response of cDNAs especially those involved in breast carcinogenesis, first a collection of such cDNAs are made named as Breast Cancer 1000 (BC1000). Again stimulations similar to tumour instigation and development are imposed on those cDNAs create response, but it is clear that each response corresponds to a rearrangement of proteins composing the

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Gender Policy Review - Essay Example Violence against women and girls is a prevalent and systematic infringement of elementary human rights and a pervasive form of gender-based discrimination (United Nations 2006, p.7). Statistics indicate that one in every three women has suffered the wrath of violence; physically, sexually, or some other way- most prevalently by someone she knows, inclusive of the intimate partner or another male family member. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) takes diverse forms and comprises of such acts as physical, psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse. Every day, worldwide, women confront gender-based discrimination including acts such as genital mutilation, forced prostitution, sexual slavery, and domestic violence. The analysis of oppression of women demands analysis of conditioning and socialization of individuals as the nature of economic and social utilization influences the phenomenon of violence against women (Heise 1994, p.8). In fact, women with disabilities remain predispose d to experience violence compared to other women and girls. Violence against women is degrading, humiliating, and belittling. Violence against women mainly provokes fear and insecurity, especially among the subjects and curtails women from leading independent lives (United Nations 2006, 28). Violence against women also increases their vulnerability and dependence. ... It is frequently argued that state and civil society institutions must recognize and accept responsibility for female subordination and desist from encouraging acts of violence against women. While the certain forms of violence against women (such as rape) can be regarded as widespread, other forms of abuse against women are specific to certain regions or countries (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.280). Thus, policy makers must understand the processes that propel women violence if those policies were to be effective. One of the historical power relations blamed for propagating violence against women encompass economic and social forces that propel exploitation of female labour and the female body. Economically disadvantaged women are highly susceptible to sexual harassment, trafficking, and sexual slavery. Furthermore, the denial of women economic power and economic independence is a significant cause of violence against women and lengthens their vulnerability and dependence. Within the family institution, historical power relations often play out (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.284). The family is a critical source of positive fostering and caring of values, and also plays out as a social institution where labour is exploited, and male sexual power is aggressively expressed. The family also sums up as a place where socialization that frequently disempowers women frequently features. In certain cases, familial expectations may camouflage or yield negative images of self that constrain the ability of women to realize their full potential (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.286). Gender- based violence can be regarded as flowing from the failure of governments and society to honour and protect the human rights of women; thus, policy makers

International Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

International Relations - Essay Example We may often wonder why some nations cooperate with each other while other nations go to war. The answer lies in analysis and the application of theories of political science and international relations. In this manner, theory can guide in the analysis and application of a basis for explaining current scenarios and unfolding realities. The present political scenario in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East is rather fluid and in a state of flux. As long established autocratic regimes break up and expose the cruel games of their despotic rulers, the era of the political strongman seems to be at a close. Saddam has already met his end. America cannot afford to look the other way any longer. The time is right for change and the writing is on the wall for Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Libya and a slew of other Axis of Evil nations that seek to perpetuate their regimes through suppression of dissent and oppression of the native people, many of whom do not even know their political rig hts- and are much less allowed to express their true feelings. Change took thirty years to come about in Egypt, but the people paid the price for their freedom. The Structural Theorist Perspective & Core Assumptions Supporters of the structural theorist perspective are of the view that changes and political upheaval is brought on by the structures or institutions that are in place in a particular region. A structural theorist like Mary would seek to explain the recent changes in Egypt by using as her basis of argument characteristics associated with the system. She would be inclined to discount the value of state players. The structural theorist believes that the inherent nature of the international system is hierarchical or anarchical. Power distribution between states might be uni-polar, bi-polar or multi-polar. The system structure determines the goal of states whether it is security or wealth accumulation. At any given time there is a certain degree of uncertainty surrounding re lations between states. Comments about what should happen in Egypt now have come from Barrack Obama of the USA, David Cameron of the UK (he even made a visit to Egypt after Mubarak’s ouster and mingled with people at Tahrir Square after talking to the key general of the Armed Forces to bring about a change according to people’s expectations) and Germany’s Angela Merkel- so clearly these G20 leaders are keenly interested in Egypt’s fortunes and its implications for the future international relations and policy. The Social Theorist Perspective & Core Assumptions Supporters of the social theorist perspective are of the view that changes and political upheaval is brought on by the different classes of society or institutions that are in place in a particular region. A social theorist like Tom would point out to the rot in the system initiated and maintained by Hosni Mubarak for thirty years- and the creation of different classes of people in society that foug ht each other as they vied for power, wealth and prosperity. So here we would have the grounds for debate between the structural theorist and the social theorist. Mary would point out that the final impetus for change was pushed through by comments from Obama, Cameron and other world leaders. It was only

Gender Policy Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Gender Policy Review - Essay Example Violence against women and girls is a prevalent and systematic infringement of elementary human rights and a pervasive form of gender-based discrimination (United Nations 2006, p.7). Statistics indicate that one in every three women has suffered the wrath of violence; physically, sexually, or some other way- most prevalently by someone she knows, inclusive of the intimate partner or another male family member. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) takes diverse forms and comprises of such acts as physical, psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse. Every day, worldwide, women confront gender-based discrimination including acts such as genital mutilation, forced prostitution, sexual slavery, and domestic violence. The analysis of oppression of women demands analysis of conditioning and socialization of individuals as the nature of economic and social utilization influences the phenomenon of violence against women (Heise 1994, p.8). In fact, women with disabilities remain predispose d to experience violence compared to other women and girls. Violence against women is degrading, humiliating, and belittling. Violence against women mainly provokes fear and insecurity, especially among the subjects and curtails women from leading independent lives (United Nations 2006, 28). Violence against women also increases their vulnerability and dependence. ... It is frequently argued that state and civil society institutions must recognize and accept responsibility for female subordination and desist from encouraging acts of violence against women. While the certain forms of violence against women (such as rape) can be regarded as widespread, other forms of abuse against women are specific to certain regions or countries (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.280). Thus, policy makers must understand the processes that propel women violence if those policies were to be effective. One of the historical power relations blamed for propagating violence against women encompass economic and social forces that propel exploitation of female labour and the female body. Economically disadvantaged women are highly susceptible to sexual harassment, trafficking, and sexual slavery. Furthermore, the denial of women economic power and economic independence is a significant cause of violence against women and lengthens their vulnerability and dependence. Within the family institution, historical power relations often play out (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.284). The family is a critical source of positive fostering and caring of values, and also plays out as a social institution where labour is exploited, and male sexual power is aggressively expressed. The family also sums up as a place where socialization that frequently disempowers women frequently features. In certain cases, familial expectations may camouflage or yield negative images of self that constrain the ability of women to realize their full potential (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.286). Gender- based violence can be regarded as flowing from the failure of governments and society to honour and protect the human rights of women; thus, policy makers

Potential Malicious Attacks in ACME Inc Assignment

Potential Malicious Attacks in ACME Inc - Assignment Example One rational motive that managers will use with people who might resist is that the info they supply can facilitate confirm what quantity ought to be spent on defensive measures so as to cut back the likelihood of future attacks. Adopting a diverse computing atmosphere offers important security worth for a few enterprises. Include the impact of recent worm attacks on the concerns of desktop software package decisions. a straightforward way to begin this method is to maneuver the setting organization that doesn't directly support the operating system desktops which don't need applications that area unit solely supported on OS onto an alternate software package or systems. Therefore, in case a malicious-code attack strikes, the desktops that run the choice systems will perform and may scale back the scope and period of the attack. Hackers will access networks that don't seem to be properly secured, thieves may gain entry to the workplace and steal instrumentality or employees may carry the information out of the workplace on movable media. External threats by hackers are expected and also the risks may be reduced through the safety measures mentioned on this website. Internal threats are harder to anticipate however may be equally devastating to your business. Employees could take away information unwittingly or deliberately for gain or revenge. Data can be taken out of the workplace in USB drives, writable CDs or DVDs, mobile phones or MP3 players. These devices can all hold giant amounts of data that may be a discreet means within which unauthorized persons may copy data.

My Ambition in Life Essay Example for Free

My Ambition in Life Essay We are all familiar with the proverb ‘Hitch your wagon to a star.’ The logic behind it is simple. If we do not aspire for something great, we shall not strive for it and consequently lead a life of ignominy. The autobiographies of all great men reveal, that each of them very early in childhood had a dream, a vision of what they intended to do or become. This is distinctively apart from daydreaming, for in the words of William Shakespeare â€Å"Ambition should be made of sterner stuff’. Thus it is not suffice to only dream, but one must relentlessly strive to achieve and realise this dream. I too have a dream, an ambition of becoming a doctor. This is so because it is a noble profession, that also commands a lot of respect in the society. The white coat and the stethoscope mesmerizes me, right since my childhood. The look of concern, sense of empathy and the feeling of confidence that the doctor inspires in a patient, mitigates his suffering. He is looked upon as a messiah by the sick and the infirm. No matter how big or powerful a man might be, he invariably does fall sick and has to seek the doctor’s help. There are many other professions that offer more money, power and glamour, but none commands the respect and the dignity of a doctor. All these are but transitory things, that are there today and gone tomorrow, but the status and service of a doctor does not diminish. On the other hand, if he practices his profession nobly, it increases and multiplies with the passage of time. The road to realising my dream is not easy, nor do I expect it to be so. I would have to pass the competitive premedical examination, before I could gain entry to a medical college. I have begun preparation for the same in earnest and with God’s grace I do hope to clear the test. I would like to specialise in Cardiac diseases after completing my MBBS. This is a fatal ailment that has afflicted us and is on the rise. It has now started afflicting even young people and this country would need many cardiologists to take care of them. This is my dream which I do hope will come true. I shall leave no stone unturned to turn my ambition into reality, for I firmly believe that our triumphs and defeats are in us. H.W. Longfellow rightly echoes these sentiments when he says â€Å"Not in the clamour of crowded streets not in the shouts of plaudits of the throng. But in ourselves are triumphs and defeats.†

Congestive Heart Failure: Complications and Affects

Congestive Heart Failure: Complications and Affects Congestive heart failure is a cardiac disease that causes many complications and affects many individuals in multiple ways. Aspects of ones life that are impacted by CHF are: activities of daily living, including social, family, and spiritual involvement. It can be very difficult for someone with heart failure to manage the disease and deal with the complications both physically and emotionally. However, there are some preventative measures that can be taken to avoid such extremes. Nurses play a huge roll when caring for a patient suffering from heart failure. It is important that they understand how this disease is affecting their patient beyond the cardiovascular system, and to be aware of interventions that will improve the outcome of their patients health. A patient presents to the clinic complaining of dyspnea, fatigue, weakness, swelling in his feet so bad that he is unable to put his shoes and he has a persistent cough. The nurse quickly assesses the patient and expresses her concerns of the probability of heart failure to the physician. The physician further assesses the patient and begins to get a history of the patients onset of symptoms. It is discovered that the patient has gained about five pounds in the last three days despite not being able to eat very much food. As the doctor auscultates heart sounds, he notes that his patients heart rate is very rapid. After careful consideration the physician diagnoses the patient with heart failure. Now what? The nurse must anticipate the level of care her patient is going to require while considering the many effects the diagnosis of heart failure is going to have on the patient. We would like to take this opportunity to now explain exactly what heart failure is, the details of its dive rse effects, and describe the care expected. Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that results from the progressive process of remodeling, in which mechanical and biochemical forces alter the size, shape, and function of the ventricles ability to fill and pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the metabolic demands of the body. Seventy five percent of heart failure cases are caused by systemic hypertension (Grandinetti, 1974/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). A third of patients experiencing a heart attack will also develop heart failure; another common cause is structural heart changes such as: valvular dysfunction especially pulmonic or aortic stenosis which leads to pressure or volume overload on the heart. (Grandinetti, 1974/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). However, those are not the only risk factors. Other serious risk factors that nurses should be aware of are: coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeats, diabetes, medications used to treat diabetes such as Avandia or Actos, sleep apnea, congenital heart defects, viruses, alcohol, certain kidney conditions, and of course, genetics (Mayo Clinic, 2010). As you can see, CHF is a very intricate disease process that involves more than just the heart muscle itself. Complications from chronic heart failure take a serious toll on a patients ability to perform ADLs without becoming short of breath or easily exhausted. The patient may have activity limitations demonstrated by the avoidance of walking long distances, walking up stairs, or exerting themselves because they become dyspenic very easily. The nurse must assess the patients ability to perform minor tasks such as putting on shoes. Since heart failure can lead to severe swelling especially in the feet and ankles, the patient may not be able to put his or her shoes on without assistance or in some cases a specially designed shoe may be necessary. It is also important that the nurse inquire the patient about the ability to perform simultaneous arm and leg work, such as carrying groceries. This type of activity may place an intolerable demand on the failing heart (Ignatavicius, 1991/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). Congestive heart failure does not solely affect the patients ability to perform activities of daily living, yet it affects other portion of life such as their family, social, and spiritual lives. Patients with advanced CHF often require help with daily tasks (i.e. making food, getting dressed, running errands, housekeeping); and family members often help out by doing these tasks for their loved ones. If the patient lives with a family member, that person may also be responsible for further management of cares in the home. This requires the family to be willing to learn about the disease process, and when it is necessary to call the health care provider or bring the patient into the hospital. This can cause a great amount of stress on the family member due to the responsibility of managing care. The fact that the patient may not be able to perform tasks on their own may lead to frustration which can further lead to self isolation due to the fact that they dont want to be bothersome no r embarrassed by their deficits. This is damaging to their social life and may cause depression. While the patient may be struggling with managing their social lives and trying to remain as independent from family members as possible the patient may turn to their religion. They may turn to their faith and pray more in hopes that it will benefit them and make it easier for them to deal with losing their independence. Spiritual well-being is an important, modifiable coping resource for depression, but little is known about the role of spiritual well-being in patients with heart failure (Bakelman, 2010). However, hope is a major indicator of ones wellbeing. This is especially true for patients with heart failure. Those who are hopeful tend to feel better and are more socially involved (Ignatavicius, 1991/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). Another factor that plays a major role in how patients with heart failure manage their care is the cultural background which they are from. For instance, those in minority communities may require more direct contact and consistent encouragement to follow the recommendations for treating their disease. A 2006 study concluded that: Nurse management can improve functioning and modestly lower hospitalizations in ethnically diverse ambulatory care patients who have heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Sustaining improved functioning may require continuing nurse contact (Sisk, 2006). It is not well understood why this is, but it may be likely that those patients who reside in minority communities do not have access to the types of health promotion and prevention programs as those who reside in a more socioeconomically stable community. Moving on now to the psychological effects that disease casts upon its victims; many patients with heart failure are at risk for anxiety and frustration. They may experience symptoms such as dyspnea, which further complicates their anxiety level. Those who are dealing with an advanced disease are certainly at high risk for depression. It is not certain whether the function impairment contributes to the depression or the depression affects functional ability. It is thought that those who are rehospitalized for an acute episode of heart failure are more likely to be depressed (Ignatavicius, 1991/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). Nurses may help these patients with alternative coping methods. It is important to keep in mind that nurses have a great amount of responsibility when it comes to prevention and treatment for those suffering from heart failure. Preventative measures that can be taught and reinforced to clients are: to quit smoking, control certain conditions such as hypertension, stay physically active, eat healthy foods, maintain a healthy weight, and tips for reducing and managing stress (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Treatment for these clients is generally directed by the physician, but the nurse reinforces the treatment plan and continues to guide the care throughout its course. Treatment often starts with conservative measurements such as treating the underlying cause, for example, a rapid heart rate or repairing a heart valve (not as conservative). But for most people, treatment involves a balance between the right medications and in some cases devices that help the heart beat and contract properly. Medications often used are: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Digoxin, beta blockers, diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists. If medications alone are unable to treat the disease, other forms of treatment such as coronary bypass surgery or heart pumps may be used (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Furthermore, nurses must continue to intervene and assess the patients response to prescribed treatments. As mentioned before, nurses can educate their clients on the measures taken to prevent heart failure. Even more so, if the patient already has heart failure, the nurse shall administer medications as prescribed, place the patient on physical and emotional rest, while continuing to monitor for their therapeutic response to the medication and reducing the workload of the heart to increase its reserve. The nurse shall also monitor for complications such as excessive fluid volume, by weighing the patient daily and carefully assessing for lung sounds that would indicate fluid buildup (i.e. crackles in the lung fields) (Grandinetti, 1974/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). Another nursing intervention that may be useful in helping the patient to manage their care at home is to teach them about MAWDS, an acronym that stands for Medications, Activity, Weight, Diet, and Symptoms. This module is an easy way to teach patients about medication usage, recommended activity level, maintaining weight and the boundaries for weight loss and weight gain, a heart healthy diet, which includes low sodium (2-3gms) and fluid restrictions, as well as symptoms that should be noted and reported to the physician immediately (Ignatavicius, 1991/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2010). This is a very concise and understandable tool that is beneficial to both the nurse providing the education and the patient required to remember and comply with the self-management techniques. It is critical for nurses to understand the care needed to manage the patient with heart failure. They must be able to comprehend all aspects of its affect upon the patient in order to know how to direct them toward the right health choices and to know when to intervene to prevent complications. As we have discussed heart failure affects more than just the patients cardiovascular system, and there are many other factors that are involved in the disease process as well. Lifestyle changes must be made and maintained, those in minority communities may need more frequent contact to manage their care, and the health care provider must also remain aware of the psychosocial effects such as depression. Once these factors are understood to the best of their knowledge then improvement and management of this dynamic disease can be attained. Even if this means aggressive treatment because the conservative course did not serve its purpose as expected. Sometime drastic measures must be done. Eithe r way nurses shall continue to provide teachings and management strategies to improve the outcome of their patients care. References References Bakelman, D. B. (2010). Spiritual Well-Being and Depression in Patients with Heart Failure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22(4), 470-477. Grandinetti, D. (Ed.). (2010). Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice (9th ed.). Ambler, PA: Wolters Klewer Health, Lippincott Company. (Original work published 1974) Ignatavicius, D. (2010). Medical Surgical Nursing: Patient-Centered Collaborative Care (6th ed.) (L. Henderson, Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier. (Original work published 1991) Mayo Clinic. (2009, December 23). In Mayo Foundations for Medical Education Research (Eds.), Heart Failure. Retrieved February 19, 2011, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-failure/DS00061 Sisk, J. E. (2006). Effects on Nurse Management on the Quality of Heart Failure Care in Minority Communities. Annals of Internal Medicine, 145(4), 273-283.

Computer-Based Training :: Work Job Technology Essays

Computer-Based Training Definition and Descriptions of Computer-Based Training Workers, new or experienced, are constantly needing some kind of education or a new way of doing something in their system. The training usually needs to be done at a convenient time, and in a cost effective and timely manner. This is where computer-based training comes into play. Computer-based training or CBT has been described as a "method that supports and strengthens adult learning†¦ that fosters flexible, self-directed learning techniques" (Sandler, 1998). While working at their own pace, the learners can experience the progress that they are making, while answering the questions at attention level that is suitable to learn the material (Lawson, 1999). Lawson (1999) describes CBT training as the computer is "the trainer" that uses multimedia such as text, video, audio, graphics, and animation. In fact, the computer is said to be the main "powerful and effective tool†¦that can be used, as learning reinforces", and that is used in the CBT world (Blankenhorn, 1999). At this point, the computer, as the technology, and training go synonymously together. Also, both the methods with the computer hardware and software are constantly changing (Forster, 1998). Lawson (1999) also mentions that the CBT can provide different kinds of training for various jobs. People from marketing and sales to manufactures and industrial workers are using CBTs (Sandler, 1998). With CBT, a person in a job, that is offering the CBT training, can do the training when he or she has the time without causing a problem for the company or themselves (Couret, 1999). Computer-based training can be characterized as an information "training system that incorporates a needs assessment on the students, lesson objectives and plans, development of the program, and evaluation and feedback" (Janicak, 1999). These features will be discussed further. CBT has been compared to the traditional approach of training, and there are many features and processes that are different, which will both be discussed. Also, the concerns and positive effects of CBT will be explained. Comparisons of Computer-Based Training and Traditional Training CBT and classroom or traditional training methods are the two main types of training that is compared in most of the literature. Recently studies have shown that CBT is as effective, if not more effective than traditional training. Traditional training can also be called live instruction (Blankenhorn, 1999).

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story Chapter 8~10

Chapter 8 Dinner with the Vampire â€Å"Is there something wrong with your food?† â€Å"No, I'm just not very hungry.† â€Å"You're going to break my heart, aren't you?† Chapter 9 He Knows If You've Been Bad or Good, So You'd Better†¦ For the few days he had been in San Francisco, because of the newness of it all, because of the mystery of the flowers and the worries of finding a job, Tommy had completely forgotten that he was horny. He had always been horny, and had accepted that he always would be horny. So when Jody sat down across from him and the tsunami of hormones washed over him, he was quite shocked that he had ever forgotten. Through dinner he missed most of her small talk and bought all the polite lies she told about her eating habits because his mind was busy with a single obsessive thought: She must move that scarf so I can see her breasts. When Tommy finished eating, Frederick came to the table. â€Å"Was there something wrong with your food?† he asked Jody. â€Å"No, I'm just not very hungry.† Frederick winked at Tommy and took their plates. Jody sat back, unwrapped her scarf and threw it over the back of her chair. â€Å"What a nice night,† she said. Tommy ripped his gaze from the front of her blouse and pretended to look out over the street. â€Å"Yep,† he said. â€Å"You know, I've never asked a man out before.† â€Å"Me either,† Tommy said. He had decided that he would throw himself at her feet and beg. Please, please, please, take me home and have sex with me. You have no idea how badly I need it. I've only done it twice in my life and both times I was so drunk that I had to be told about it the next day. Please, for the love of God, end this suffering, fuck me now or kill me! â€Å"Would you like a cappuccino?† he asked. She shook her head. â€Å"Tommy, can I trust you? Can I be honest with you?† â€Å"Sure.† â€Å"Look, I don't want to be too forward, but I think I have to be†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I knew it.† He fell forward until his head hit the table, rattling the silverware. He spoke into the tablecloth. â€Å"You just broke up with a guy, and this date seemed like a good idea at the time, but you think that you're still in love with him. And I'm a really nice guy and you'll always be my friend. Right?† â€Å"No. I wasn't going to say that.† â€Å"Oh, then you've just gotten out of a bad relationship and you're not ready to get into another one. You need to be alone for a while and find out what you really want. Right?† â€Å"No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Right,† Tommy said into the tablecloth. â€Å"But things are moving a little too fast and maybe we should see other people for a while. I knew it. I knew you would break my – â€Å" Jody whacked him on the back of the head with a soup spoon. â€Å"Ouch!† Tommy sat up, rubbing the rising lump. â€Å"Hey, that hurt.† â€Å"Are you okay?† she asked, holding the soup spoon at ready. â€Å"That really hurt.† â€Å"Good.† She put the spoon down. â€Å"I was going to say that I don't want to be too forward, but you and I both need a place to live, and I need some help with some things, and I like you, and I was wondering if you wanted to get a place together?† Tommy stopped rubbing his head. â€Å"Now?† â€Å"If you don't have other plans.† â€Å"But we haven't even, you know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We can just be roommates if you'd like. And if you need to think it over, I'll understand, but I really need your help.† Tommy was stunned. No woman had ever said anything like that to him before. In just these few minutes she had come to trust him enough to lay herself open to total rejection. Women didn't do that, did they? Maybe she was nuts. Well, that would be okay; she could be Zelda to his F. Scott. Still, he felt as if he owed her some sort of confession that would leave him equally vulnerable. â€Å"Five Chinese guys asked me to marry them today,† he said. Jody didn't know what to say, so she said, â€Å"Congratulations.† â€Å"I didn't accept.† â€Å"Thinking it over?† â€Å"No, I wouldn't two-time you.† â€Å"That's sweet, but technically you'd be six-timing me.† Tommy smiled. â€Å"I like you, I really do.† â€Å"Then let's move in together.† Frederick appeared at the table. â€Å"Well, I can see things are going along just swimmingly between you two.† â€Å"Check, please,† Jody said. â€Å"Right away.† Frederick headed back into the cafe in a bit of a snit. Tommy said, â€Å"You're going to break my heart, aren't you?† â€Å"Irreparably. Would you like to go for a walk?† â€Å"Sure, I guess.† Frederick returned to the table with the check wallet. Jody pulled a wad of cash out of her backpack and handed him a hundred-dollar bill. As Tommy started to protest, standing to dig money out of his jeans pocket, Jody picked up her soup spoon and brandished it threateningly. â€Å"I'll get this.† Tommy sat back down. To Frederick, Jody said, â€Å"Keep the change.† â€Å"Oh, you are too generous,† Frederick gushed. He started backing away from the table in a half-bow. â€Å"And, Frederick,† Jody added, â€Å"Batman is far more over-accessorized than I am.† â€Å"I'm sorry you heard that,† Frederick said. â€Å"An overdeveloped sense of fashion will be my downfall.† He looked at Tommy. â€Å"You're right, she's going to break your heart.† â€Å"Have you seen Coit Tower?† she asked as they walked. â€Å"From a distance.† â€Å"Let's go there. It's all lit up at night.† They walked for a while without talking. Jody walked on the inside and dealt with the barkers with a shake of her head and a wave of dismissal. To one barker she said, â€Å"Thanks, but we're going to put on our own show.† Tommy coughed and tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. He looked at her as if she'd just announced the Second Coming. â€Å"I have to go to work at midnight,† he said. â€Å"You'll have to keep an eye on the time, then.† â€Å"Right. I will.† I can't believe I'm being this aggressive, Jody thought. I hear myself say these things and it's as if they're coming out of someone else's mouth. And he just agrees. I'd have become a tramp a long time ago if I'd known what a great sense of control it gives you. They passed two tall women with enormous breasts and impossibly narrow hips unloading wigs, wads of sequins, and a boa constrictor from the back of a rusted-out Toyota. Shift change at the strip joints, Jody thought. Tommy was riveted. Jody watched the heat rise in his face, just as it had when she caught him staring at her own breasts. He's so open, like a little kid, Jody thought. A cute little neurotic kid. I was lucky to find him. Lucky, considering everything that has happened. They turned on Kearny and Jody said, â€Å"So what do you think about my offer?† â€Å"It sounds okay, if you're sure. But I won't get my first pay-check for a couple of weeks.† â€Å"Money isn't a problem. I'll pay.† â€Å"No, I couldn't†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Look Tommy, I meant it when I said I need your help. I'm busy all day. You will have to find the place and rent it. And I have a lot of other things that you'll have to do. For one, my car is in impound and someone has to get it out during the day. If it would make you feel better, I can pay you so you'll have the money.† â€Å"Is that why you asked me if I had my days free in the parking lot last night?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"So it could have been anyone who worked the right hours?† â€Å"Your buddy works the right hours, and I didn't ask him. No, I thought you were cute.† â€Å"I can't deal with that.† He walked along looking straight ahead, saying nothing. They had passed into a neighborhood of apartment houses with security bars on the windows and electric locks on the doors. Ahead, Jody saw waves of red heat signatures coming out of one dark doorway. They were too hot for one person and too cool to be a lightbulb. She focused and could hear men whispering. She suddenly remembered the phone call: â€Å"You're not immortal. You can still be killed.† â€Å"Let's cross the street, Tommy.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Just come on.† She grabbed his jacket and yanked him into the street. When they were on the opposite sidewalk, Tommy stopped and looked at her as if she had just hit him on the head with a spoon. â€Å"What was that all about?† She waved for him to be quiet. â€Å"Listen.† Someone behind them was laughing. Laughing loudly enough to be heard without Jody's acute hearing. They both turned and looked back. A thin man dressed in black was standing under a street lamp a block away. â€Å"What's so funny?† Tommy asked. Jody didn't answer. She was staring at something that wasn't there. There was no heat signature coming off the man in black. â€Å"Let's go,† Jody said, hurrying Tommy up the street. As they passed the doorway across the street, Jody looked over and flipped a middle finger to the three toughs that had been waiting to ambush them. You guys are nothing, she thought. Laughter from the man in black still rang in her ears. It had been a long time since the vampire had heard the sound of his own laughter, and hearing it made him laugh all the louder. So the fledgling had found herself a minion. It had been a good idea to leave her hand partially exposed to the daylight. She had learned that lesson quickly. So many of them just wandered until daylight and burned to death, and he couldn't even enjoy the show unless he wanted to join them in perdition. This one was interesting: so reluctant to give herself to the blood. They only seemed to have two instincts, the hunger and the hiding. And this one had controlled the hunger on her first feeding. She was almost too good. So many of them, if they lasted the first night, went mad trying to live with their new senses. One night and he had to send them to hell with a snap of the neck and a fare-thee-well. But not this one. She had made him laugh; afraid of a few mortals whom she could crush like insects. Perhaps she was protecting her new servant. Perhaps he should kill the boy, just to watch her reaction. Perhaps, but not yet. Some other fly in her ointment then. Just to keep the game going. It felt so good to laugh after so long. Chapter 10 Walking, Talking, and Bumping in the Night Coit Tower jutted out of Telegraph Hill like a giant phallus. Impressive as it was, all lit up and overlooking the City, it made Tommy feel nervous, inferior, and pressured to perform. She had as much as admitted that she was going to take him to bed – had even offered to solve the problem of the Wongs. She was a dream come true. It scared the hell out of him. She took his hand and looked out over the City. â€Å"It's pretty, isn't it. We're lucky it's a clear night.† â€Å"Your hand is freezing,† he said. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. God, I'm smooth, he thought, a complete stud. I'm making a move on an older woman – an older woman with money. Now what? My arm is lying on her shoulder like a dead fish. I'm a geek. If I could just turn my mind off until it's all over. Just get shit-faced and do it. No, not that. Not again. Jody stiffened. She thought: I'm not cold. I haven't been cold since I changed, nor warm, for that matter. Kurt used to say I was always cold. How strange. I can see the heat around Tommy but there's none around me. â€Å"Feel my forehead,† she said to Tommy. Tommy said, â€Å"Jody, we don't have to do this if you're not ready. I mean, maybe, like you said, we should just be roommates. I don't want to pressure you.† â€Å"No, feel my forehead and see if I have a fever.† â€Å"Oh.† He put his hand on her forehead. â€Å"You're as cold as ice. Do you feel okay?† Oh my God! How could I have been so stupid? She tore away from him and began pacing. The guy outside her apartment, the laughing man on Kearny Street, he had been cold. And so was she. How many vampires were out there that she hadn't seen? â€Å"What's the matter?† Tommy asked. â€Å"Did I say something wrong?† I've got to tell him, she thought. He's not going to trust me if I keep it from him. She took his hand again. â€Å"Tommy, I think you ought to know. I'm not exactly what I seem to be.† He stepped back. â€Å"You're a guy, aren't you? I knew it. My dad warned me that this could happen here.† Maybe not, she thought. â€Å"No, I'm not a guy.† â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Are you?† â€Å"There's no need to get nasty.† â€Å"Well, how would you feel if I asked you if you were a girl?† Tommy hung his head. â€Å"You're right. Sorry. But how would you feel if five Chinese women asked you to marry them? Things like that don't happen in Indiana. I can't even go back to my room.† â€Å"I can't either,† she said. â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Give me a minute to think, okay?† She didn't want to go back to the motel on Van Ness again. The vampire knew she had been there. But he'd probably know even if she moved. â€Å"Tommy, we need to get you a motel room.† â€Å"Jody, I'm getting mixed messages here.† â€Å"No, don't take it wrong. I don't want to send you back to that room with the Wongs. I think we should get you a room.† â€Å"I told you, I don't get paid – â€Å" â€Å"My treat. It'll be an advance on your new job as my assistant.† Tommy sat down on the sidewalk and stared up at the lighted shaft of Coit Tower. He thought, I have no idea what I am supposed to be or what I'm supposed to do. First she wants me for my body, then she wants me as an employee, then she doesn't want me at all. I don't know whether I'm supposed to kiss her or fill out an application. I feel like one of those nervous little dogs from an electroshock test. Here's a bone, Spot. Zap! You didn't really want that, did you? He said, â€Å"Whatever you want me to do, I'll do.† â€Å"Okay,† Jody said. â€Å"Thanks.† She bent and kissed him on the forehead. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do, she thought. If we go to a motel and go to bed together, then he'll have to go to work, and when he comes back in the morning he'll come back to the room, open the door, and the sunlight will hit me. Bursting into flames is no way to impress someone on the first date. Separate rooms is the only way to go. He's going to get fed up and leave me like all the rest. â€Å"Tommy, can you go get your stuff tomorrow?† â€Å"Whatever you say.† â€Å"I can't explain now, but I might be in a little trouble and I have a lot of things to do. I need you to do a lot of things for me tomorrow. Can you do that after working all night?† â€Å"Whatever you say,† he said. â€Å"I'm going to get you a room at my motel. I won't be around until tomorrow night. I'll meet you at the motel office at sunset. When you come back to the room in the morning, the papers for my car will be on the bed, okay?† â€Å"Whatever you say.† Tommy looked dazed. He stared into his lap. â€Å"I'll give you money for an apartment. Try to find a place that's furnished. And no windows in the bedroom. Try to keep it under two thousand a month.† Tommy didn't look up. â€Å"Whatever you say.† I've taken over his mind, she thought. It's just like in the movies, when the vampire can control people's actions. I don't want that. I don't want to force him with my will. It's not fair. He was helpless enough, but now I've turned him into a zombie. I want help, but I don't want this. I wonder if there's enough of his mind left even to function, or if I've ruined him. â€Å"Tommy,† she said sternly, â€Å"I want you to climb to the top of the tower and jump off.† He looked up. â€Å"Are you out of your mind?† She threw her arms around him, kissed him, and said, â€Å"Oh, I'm so glad I didn't turn you into a vegetable.† â€Å"I'll give you time,† he said. Jody stood outside the four-story apartment building on Chestnut, watching and listening. There were no lights on in Kurt's apartment. Already it had become Kurt's apartment, not hers, not theirs. The moment she asked Tommy out, she had transferred whatever dreams and delusions she attached to being a couple to Tommy. It was always that way for her. She didn't like to be alone. She and Tommy had walked Telegraph Park talking about their past lives and avoiding the subject of a singular, future life until it was time for Tommy to go to work. Jody had called a cab from a pay phone and dropped Tommy off at the store with a kiss and a promise. â€Å"I'll see you tomorrow night.† It was only when she got out of the cab at the motel that she realized that the registration and pink slip for her car were still at Kurt's. Why didn't I take a damn key when I left? She toyed with the idea of ringing the bell, but the thought of looking Kurt in the eye after what she had done to him†¦ No, she'd have to get in on her own. Going through the two fire doors and the security bolts wasn't an option. The building was a pseudo-Victorian, the facade decorated with prefabricated bolt-on gingerbread. Jody tried to imagine herself climbing the front of the building and shuddered. To her relief, the side panels on the fourth-floor bay window were closed. No way in there. There was a five-foot-wide alley between Kurt's building and the one next to it. The bedroom window was on that side. No gingerbread for handholds there. She went to the alley and looked up. The bedroom window was open and the wall was as smooth as polished stone. She eyed the space between the two buildings. With her hands against one side and her feet against the other, she could spider her way up the wall. She'd seen guys climbing chimney crevices at Yosemite that way. Experienced climbers, with equipment. Not secretaries who avoided escalators for fear of breaking a heel. She focused on the open window and listened. The sound of someone breathing deeply, sleeping. No, it was the sound of two people sleeping. â€Å"You bastard.† She leaped into the air and caught herself between the two buildings, six feet off the ground, her feet against one, hands against the other. She was amazed that she could do it, but it wasn't that hard. It wasn't hard at all. She tested her weight against the tension in her limbs and it felt solid. She held herself with one hand while she pulled her skirt up over her hips with the other, then she tried a tentative step up. Hand, foot, hand, foot. When she paused to look down she was right under Kurt's window, forty feet off the ground, with only a garbage can and a stray cat to break her fall. She tried to catch her breath, then realized that she wasn't out of breath. She felt as if she could hold herself there for hours if she needed to. But the fear of falling pushed her on. You're not immortal. You can still be killed. She pushed the screen loose from the window with her left hand, got a grip on the windowsill, then loosed the tension in her legs and swung down against Kurt's building. Hanging by one hand, she removed the screen with the other and lowered it to the floor inside, then pulled herself up to the windowsill, where she crouched and looked around the room. Two people were in the bed. She could see their heat signatures rising through the covers and being dissipated by the cold breeze coming through the window. No wonder I complained about the cold. She stepped into the room and waited to see if the sleepers stirred. Nothing. She moved to the side of the bed and looked at the woman with almost scientific detachment. It was Susan Badistone. Jody had met her at Kurt's office picnic and had disliked her immediately. Her straight blond hair was spread over the pillow. Jody twisted a lock of her own curly red hair around her finger. So this is what he wanted. And that's an after-market nose if I've ever seen one. But it's all about appearances, isn't it, Kurt? Jody grabbed the covers and lifted them far enough to look under. She's got the body of a twelve-year-old boy. Oh Kurt, you should have let her finish the surgery schedule before you brought her home. She let the covers fall and Susan stirred. Jody backed away from the bed slowly. She had kept all of her papers in an expandable file under the sink in the bathroom. She went to the bathroom and palmed the cabinet open. The file was still there. She grabbed it and headed for the window. â€Å"Who's there?† Kurt said. He sat up in bed and stared into the dark. Jody ducked below the light coming in the window and watched him. â€Å"I said, who's there?† â€Å"What's a matter?† a groggy Susan said. â€Å"I heard something.† â€Å"It's nothing, honey. You're just jumpy after what that horrible woman did to you.† I could snap her scrawny blond neck, Jody thought. Then, in thinking it, in knowing that she could actually do it, she was no longer angry. I'm not â€Å"that horrible woman,† she thought. I'm a vampire, and no amount of plastic surgery, or breeding, or money will ever make you my equal. I am a god. For the first time since the transformation Jody felt calm, comfortable in her own skin. She waited there in the dark until they fell asleep again, then she climbed out the window and replaced the screen. She stood on the window ledge and threw the expandable file on the roof, then leaped up, grabbed the gutter, and pulled herself onto the roof. At the back of the building she found a steel ladder that went all the way to the ground. The climb between the two buildings had been completely unnecessary. Okay, not a particularly smart god, but at least a god who has her original nose.