Business and Financial Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business and Financial Environment - Essay Example As the company includes more and more debt to its capital structure the rate of Return required by the company increases. WACC which comprises of weighted average of cost of Debt and cost of Equity increases as the firm is exposed to more and more debt. The increase in debt increases the risk of the company and as the debt to equity ratio in a capital structure of the firm increases the Return on Equity required by the firm increases which increases the WACC for the firm. This will also increase the amount of earnings required by the firm to keep its value to its previous position. This risk inherent for an organization due to its operations is called business risk. It is the risk of a firm when it uses no debt. Technically or in terms of formulation it is the uncertainty in the future returns on assets of a firm (ROA). We can write ROA as: This gives us a way to measure the business risk of an un-levered firm i.e. measuring deviations in the ROE of that firm. Such a business risk is called firm's Basic Business Risk. "Business risk is the uncertainty associated with operating cash flows of a business. There are different dimensions of business risk, namely sales risk and operating risk (mtholyoke, 2007)". Variations in business risk not only depend on the type of industry a firm is operating in but also varies within the industry from firm to firm. Business risk's dependence is influenced by six common factors. a) Demand Variability the more the variations in demand of a firm's product, the more will be its business risk b) Sales Price Variability firms which operate in a market where prices are stable faces low business risk as compared to the firms which operate in a highly volatile market. c) Input Cost Variability the firms who are weak on the supply side and have high variability in input costs are exposed to high risk d) Adaptability of output prices with changes in input prices the firms which are in command to change their output prices with changes in input prices are less exposed to business risk. e) Ability to develop new products in a timely, cost effective manner the more the industry requires introduction of new products in market, the more the firm will be exposed to business risk f) Degree of operating leverage the high the degree of operating leverage the firm is operating at, the more will be its business risk Operating Leverage the firms which have high degree of operation leverage i.e. a major portion of their operations depends upon fixed cost leaves their firms more exposed to business risk. That means a decline in sales will not decline the cost since major portion of cost is fixed therefore even a smaller decline in sales

Ecotourism in Zanzibar and Kenya Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ecotourism in Zanzibar and Kenya - Essay Example Ecotourism has been argued to play vital roles in salvaging some of the world’s endangered ecosystem. Proponents of the concept also believe that it provides a platform through which state or society can develop or adopt sustainable economic strategies so as to safeguard biological resources. It is worrying to point out the fact that most communities that own biological resources have been pursuing environmentally-damaging strategies. Ideally, ecotourism is helpful in finding a compromise between preserving the natural environment and pursuing development. Even though some countries have successful implemented this concept, others still face a great deal of challenges. Zanzibar and Kenya are some of the few African countries that have successfully implemented ecotourism concept. This essay compares and contrasts some of the ecotourism practices that have been implemented in Zanzibar and Kenya (Honey, 1999). Similarities Creation of the Independent Ecotourism Society (TIES) In both Zanzibar and Kenya, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) was formed purposely to get a tourism that is friendly to the natural environment and culture of a country. In both countries, the body has employed people who travel from one natural area to another to ascertain the nature of tourism that would conserve the environment and improves well-being of the people (Honey, 1999). The body has been working hard to change the perceptions of the tourists, create environmental awareness and explore natural environments. The independent body is constantly working a vast number of collaborators and supporters. In both countries, the body has attracted members from diverse cultural backgrounds. They draw knowledge from these members and utilize them as channels for spreading information about ecotourism. Ecotourism’s conservation efforts and strategies (Visitors’ attitudes and feedback) In Zanzibar and Kenya, visitors’ attitudes and feedback on ecotourism in the country is taken seriously as it is incorporated into ecotourism management tourism. The information provided by visitors helps in predicting the consequences of actions on the ecotourism experience. It is crucial for any country to take into account satisfaction of tourists and ecological-well being (Honey, 1999). The two countries have been monitoring and assessing the conditions and situations of the sites commonly visited by tourists, and this has helped in the creation and protection of recreational resources for visitors. In addition, this has aid the provision of appropriate recreational experiences. Ideally, the two countries have been using visitor perceptions of the potential effects of tourists to ascertain indicators of monitoring environmental conditions. For example, Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, has been utilizing data on visitors experience about the environmental impacts in Maasaai Mara and Amboseli (Honey, 1999). Main streaming sustainable tourism principles in states policies and programs In the 1980s, tourism sector in Kenya and Zanzibar was completely unplanned. Both governments were weak in their tourist planning and regulation. In addition, they were not even able to implement some of its ecotourism projects. However, this situation changed rapidly in towards the end of 20th century. In Zanzibar, the International Workshop on Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation of 1994 was a turning point of the Zanzibar’s tourism industry. Since then, Zanzibar has mainstreamed its tourist policies and programs to integrate the policy makers to ecotourism programs. This is also happening in Kenya. This practice is implemented using ecotourism workshops and study trips (Honey, 1999). Role of NGOS and

The Metallurgy Options for Tubing

The Metallurgy Options for Tubing The metallurgy of tubing is a very important factor while choosing tubing for a particular environment. Generally the tubing is made up of carbon or low alloy steels, martensitic stainless steel, Duplex stainless steel or other corrosion resistant alloys like Nickel-base alloy etc. METALLURGY FOR TUBING: Carbon steel is an alloy of carbon and iron containing up to 2% carbon and up to 1.65% manganese and residual quantities of other elements.Steels with a total alloying element content of less than about 5% but more than specified for carbon steel are designated as low alloy steel.Carbon steel is the most common alloy used in oil industry because of its relatively low cost. Though corrosion resistance of these steels is limited still they have been used in oil industry since long satisfactorily. They are suitable for mildly corrosive environments like low partial pressure of CO2 low partial pressure of H2S. A material selected for a particular environment may not remain suitable in the case the environmental conditions change.CO2 can cause extreme weight loss corrosion localized corrosion, H2S can cause sulphide stress cracking and corrosion. Chlorides at high temperature can cause stress corrosion cracking and pitting of metals, while low pH in general increases corrosion rate. For example the following material are considered to be resistant to sulphide stress cracking : Low and medium alloy carbon, containing less than 1% nickel. AISI 300 series stainless steels (Austenitic) that is fully annealed and free of cold work. The following materials have been found to have little or no resistance to sulphide stress cracking: AISI Grades 420 and 13% Cr martensitic stainless steel. All cold finished steels including low and medium alloy steels, many variety of stainless steel. The limitations of Carbon steel, 9-Cr-1 Mo, 13-Cr, Duplex stainless steel are encountered in various environments and downhole operations. METALLURGY OPTIONS FOR TUBING: The various metallurgical options examined for tubing and other downhole equipment are Carbon Low Alloy Steels, 9 Cr-1Mo steel, 13% Cr stainless steel, Duplex Stainless steel and nickel based alloys. A brief of the suitability and limitations of these materials in various environments encountered in oil and gas wells: 9Cr-1Mo steel. This steel is immune to stress corrosion cracking in the presence of chlorides like other nickel free low alloy steels. Corrosion resistance of this steel in the presence of H2S is poor. Hence it is not used in tubing metallurgy commonly. 13Cr Stainless steel. This steel can be used upto 100 atms CO2 partial pressure and upto 150 degree Celsius temperature with chloride upto 50 gms/L. This martensitic grade is known to be susceptible to sulphide stress cracking in sour environment.This material is generally used for sweet wells where minimum souring is expected. Duplex Stainless Steel. Duplex SS has excellent corrosion resistance in CO2 environment. The limitation of their usage is their susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking at high temperature and limited resistance to sulphide stress cracking, when H2S is present in the produced fluid. Nickel Based Alloys. Nickel based alloys are required to be used in extremely corrosive conditions involving very high partial pressure of H2S and CO2 along with presence of free sulphur or oxygen. SELECTION OF TUBING METALLURGY: From the various metallurgical options I have analyzed, it can be concluded that low alloy carbon steel is not suitable for the wells where high corrosion risk involved, particularly in offshore. If low allow materials were to be used, an intensive corrosion inhibitor treatment program is essential. However, even with the best of programs, the solution to the problem would be trial and error. Although 9Cr-1 Mo steels are resistant to CO2 attack, they should not be considered for this application since their application in chloride environment is limited up to 10 gms/l (1%).With the high concentrations of chlorides coupled with the high well bore temperature; this material is not suitable for downhole use in these wells. Duplex stainless steel is susceptible to chloride stress cracking and should not be used with the CaCl2 packer fluid. Also, the price for Duplex material is three to four times the cost of 13 Cr SS material, which would make it economically unacceptable. Hence, in spite of the additional up-front cost for tubing , it is recommended that based on the caliper survey results , high corrosion risk wells of field should be re-completed with 13% Cr SS L-80 tubing material. PROBLEMS OBSERVED: The occurrence of metal loss corrosion in pipeline is caused by the presence of corrodents in the produced water. Internal corrosion in pipeline can be caused by the presence of mill scale, slag inclusions, improper heat treatment, improper welding, too high or too low velocity etc. The erosion/corrosion effect can be caused by too high fluid velocity. Water and sludge build develop with too low fluid velocity that may cause pitting and bacteria infestations. At low fluid velocity, water will tend to segregate to the bottom of the pipeline. Once the pipeline is water wetted, the corrosion begins. When corrosion is not controlled, time to first failure due to corrosion will be normally from three to twelve years depending on the wall thickness and operating conditions. Corrosion of most material is inevitable and can seldom be completely eliminated. But it can be controlled by carefully selecting material and protection methods at the design stage. For example, as carbon steel is less resistance to corrosion allowance is given in addition to the design thickness when they are expected to handle moderately corrosive fluid. Similarly, external surface of the pipeline are protected from corrosive soils by providing protective coatings. Still, there is always unexpected failure which results from one or more of the following reasons : Poor choice of material. Defective fabrication. Improper design. Inadequate protection/maintenance. Defective material. CONCLUSION: Corrosion due to presence of CO2 gas along with unfavorable water chemistry is the cause of the piping failures. It is recommended that tubing metallurgy shall be of L-80 13 Cr stainless steel with premium joints. The downhole metallurgy shall be 13 Cr SS. These elastomeric materials include: Nitrile: A rubber compound with base material as Butadiene Acrylonitrile. Viton: A fluoroelastomer manufactured by Dupont. Fluorel: A fluoroelastomer manufactured by 3M company. Ryton: A polyphenylene sulfide manufactured by Philips Petroleum Company. REFERENCES: Effect of microstructure Cr content in steel on CO2 corrsion. By Masakatsu Veda, Aki Ikeda, Japan. Prediction of the risks of CO2 corrosion in oil and gas wells. By Jl Crolet, Mr Bonis. CO2 corrosion in oil wells. By Gunalton , Zadko.

The Theme Of Death In Othello and A Dolls House Essays -- compare cont

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The theme of death is present in many works of literature. It is given metaphors and cloaked with different meanings, yet it always represents an end. Every end signifies a new beginning, and every death gives rise to a new birth. Physical death â€Å"...is mere transformation, not destruction,† writes Ding Ming-Dao. â€Å"What dies is merely the identity, the identification of a collection of parts that we called a person. What dies is only our human meaning† (49). Figuratively speaking, death symbolizes a change, an interruption or cessation of regular routine. In this sense, death can be viewed as a more positive occurrence, because change leads to new experience, which, in turn, leads to knowledge and a better understanding of life. The plays Othello and A Doll House both encompass the theme of death. While the former deals with physical death, the latter depicts a change, a transformation of a period of time and a way of life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy. The villain gains trust by appearing honest and, taking advantage of being undoubted, implants false ideas into Othello’s mind, causing him to believe in an illusion that portrays the opposite of reality. Shakespeare shows, by setting his plays in either antiquity or modernity, the evolution of human thought. His characters in antiquity acquire things through war and conquest, and are hasty in action and judgement. In modernity, however, the characters live in a regime that practices acquisition through trade and commerce. Logically, the characters in modernity are superior to the ones in antiquity. They prefer trade to war, and display logic through their actions. Because Shakespeare set his modern plays in Italy or England, Othello can be classified as a modern play. However, there are some elements of antiquity present in it, such as Othello’s murderous act. Not being logical, Othello looks at the imposed circumstances only through Iago’s perspective, and is completely overtaken by the lies. Emilia’s opinion on the matter doesn’t make any difference, because his mind is already made up by the time he speaks to her. Thus, Othello’s ability to reason is not very well-developed. How strong was he really, when his faith in groundless implications created such a rift in his character during the temptation scene, that he ended up murdering his... ...d fallen in love with her image of him. With this realization, Nora â€Å"dies† in the sense that she is reborn with a new understanding of herself. Death is symbolized through the end of her ignorant days, her marriage to Torvald, and the life she had known. She is reborn through enlightenment, with a desire to discover and understand herself, before anything else.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whether physical or figurative, death adds a new dimension to Othello and A Doll House. Its presence gives the reader an eerie feeling and intensifies the depth of the plays. As readers, we wonder about the significance of death, and muse over what went on in the heads of Nora and, especially, Othello during the moment of truth. Nora believed in the illusion, whereas Othello was fooled into believing in it. They both went through a transformation, a step higher in consciousness, to a new beginning. Death is a link in the chain of life. Death as change or demise is often feared, because one doesn’t know what to expect. It is said that the best way to banish an enemy is to make it a friend. The concept of death, if understood, will unleash immortality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

High School Diploma/Equivalency vs. College Degree

Frederick D. Huff, Jr. Rhonda Steel English 102 College Degree Vs. High School Diploma/Equivalency or No diploma at all â€Å"To be or not to be? , that is the question. † This is the opening statement of a soliloquy that was used in the playwright Hamlet by the great William Shakespeare. I guess you may be wondering why I would open with such a statement for a research proposal. This is what comes to my mind with I think about the ethics and importance of education.Whether this be the achievement of obtaining a college degree or just settling for a high school diploma is, the importance that each of these holds lies within the person that is getting the education. As I analyze and gain a further understanding of what true education means to me, I seem to gain a sense that defining what it means to have a true education for one seems to be undermined by many.Though this may come off as an aggressive approach towards addressing the selected topic of which I have chosen to prese nt my rhetorical analysis, I would like to state that it makes sense to me that many would agree that higher education is the key to all success, financially, materialistically, or spiritually. I say this because in mind, an education is just simply pursuing the subject that your soul is most passionate for. Through discovering what that passion is, you would strive in reaching the greatest point possible in that specific field as you can.Although it seems like this topic may be something that everyone would take a great importance to, it is quite surprising to see the responses given when citizens, including fellow students, are asked â€Å"Why do you feel education is important to the growth of the American Economy and why you find education to be important? † I feel this is a broad topic that can meet the requirements that need to be fulfilled for this assignment. I feel that this is a very appropriate topic for discussions as each of the individuals taking this online cou rse are currently considered to be students in pursuit of a college education.This topic also comes in correspondence of the requirements that need to be met for the research proposal as listed in the assignment prompt. Whether or not that college education is limited to an associate’s degree or a doctorate in Physiological engineering, the education obtained would still be considered a form of higher education. This can be a very open topic full of ideas but I feel I can centralize my stance in a general direction that all can relate to. Being the author, or writer as stated in the question, I could see this being a topic of interest for many.Including my fascination of education and why I feel it is an absolute necessity for our existence as American citizens, this passion could definitely feed over to valid and credible points of the difference between being college educated and just high school educated. This is a diverse topic and I feel it should be acknowledged. In my opinion, education is very important and must be an essential part of each functioning citizen. These reasoning coming from my perspective may be sort of bias and can pretty much tell how I feel regarding this topic, education is the reason why some of todays leaders have gotten to the point that they are in.I will be the first male in my family to not only attend a division 1 four year University but I will also be the first to receive a college degree. I think that this experience has not only changed my well being as a human but has also enlightened me with greater values and ethics that I now take a lot more serious then I did before. In conclusion, I know that the questions â€Å"Is it really as beneficial as it seems to be college educated or is that just a statement used for people for those that do want to go onto higher education?Why does it seem like there is becoming a greater standard for the education system and why is it becoming more of a mandate for everyone to stri ve for higher education? Does it really require a college education to be a success in America or is success just a state of mind? † all come to mind. As I stated before, this can only come from the individual receiving the education but the real question should be â€Å"Do you value yourself enough to achieve greater through your education? † Education: The Single Most Important Job. † Edutopia. N. p. , n. d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. â€Å"Diversity and Higher Education: Theory and Impact on Educational Outcomes – Harvard Educational Review – Volume 72, Number 3 / Fall 2002 – Harvard Education Publishing Group. † Diversity and Higher Education: Theory and Impact on Educational Outcomes – Harvard Educational Review – Volume 72, Number 3 / Fall 2002 – Harvard Education â€Å"Open Educational Resources. † Hewlett Foundation News. N. p. , n. d. Web. 13

External Environment Analysis

With the rapid improvement of people’s living standard and deeper demand for food variety and quality, these environmental changes both external and internal pose a more significant impact on organization’s decisions. This essay describes the two types of environments that organizations have to deal with. One is external environment and the other is internal environment. The first section in this essay describes the two types of business environments: external and internal environment. Next in the second section, it will explain the definition of environmental uncertainty and managing environmental uncertainty. After that it will discuss adaptive and non-adaptive culture. Running through this essay, an organization is used as an example to explain all the discussion and corresponding solutions are also contained in each section in this essay. There are mainly two types of business environments, internal and external. The external environment can be further categorized into task environment and mega environment. The mega environment is the general external environment in which the organization functions. The task environment comprises more specific elements that act directly on the organization. In the mega environment, organizations operate and exert pressure on the organizations ability to achieve its vision, mission and goals. The mega environment has five elements including technological element, economic element, political element, cultural element and the international element. Generally, these five elements have negative influence on the organization but they can also exert positive effect by providing chances for increased profitability and product improvement such as launching new flavour of desserts. The task environment which differentiates from the mega environment can directly affect the operations of the organization while managers often have ability to control it. It focuses on the products, services and the location of the organization. It also has five elements including customer, competitor, supplier, government and labour. Each element can have a significant impact on the organization’s strategy and put emphasis on different fields. For instance, the customer element centres more on customer expectations of product and service quality and value for money. Nowadays, many enterprises have set about optimizing how to satisfy customer needs and expectations. A fast food company– Kentucky Fried Chicken is a pretty good example. Since the company entered the Chinese market in 1987, it has made great progress in promoting competitiveness. Simultaneously, some famous foreign food businesses such as McDonald's,  Pizza  Hut have entered Chinese food market and this exerts severe press on KFC’s sale performance. Following the changing market environment, especially competitors, external market has become more complicated to cope with (MoccaTse1, 2012). Hence, business and organization management had shifted their focus merely on their product innovation for the purpose of promoting competitiveness. To rise to the challenge, the solution mentioned below may help. As for KFC, the rivalry pressure of its substitutes is relatively low. Since chicken is more popularized among most Asians than hamburgers, it enables KFC to push off an American eating style which differs from other food enterprises. This conversion implies that organizations have to make their business objectives more competitor-centred and applies the competitor element subject to one of the task environment’s component. Reference: Kitty 2009, ‘KFC location strategy in China’ MoccaTse1, External Environment Analysis, Nov 2012,

Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings

Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings Introduction ‘Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings’ is the article by Andrew K. Persily and Steven J. Emmerich. The article is devoted to the problem of the indoor air quality. The authors focused their attention on the energy-efficient approach of its achievement.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The background of the article The energy efficiency is the urgent problem nowadays. The engineers and contractors have paid a particular attention on this problem since 1970s. At that period, the mankind faced the keen energy supply problems. The energy inefficiency is a burden for the economic development. In addition, it results in the environmental pollution. The wide discussions of the problem encouraged the construction companies searching for new materials and technologies. â€Å"Some di scussions of net-zero energy buildings also speak to the need for high performance, which generally includes a range of non-energy performance attributes, such as indoor air quality (IAQ)† (Persily Emmerich 2012, p.5). The indoor air quality system as a building technology of new generation The indoor air quality (IAQ) systems play a crucial role in the maintenance of the proper ventilation of the premises. The systems are aimed at regulating the quality of the air which is important for the people’s health. The poor IAQ systems may lead to the serious diseases including the lung cancer, carbon monoxide poisoning, and Legionnaires’ disease (Persily Emmerich 2012). There are a number of IAQ systems performance assessment tests. These tests evaluate the effectiveness of the system. However, the authors of the article mention that these tests â€Å"do not address health impacts, particularly from contaminants that are not perceived at low concentrations or for wh ich the health outcomes occur long after exposure† (Persily Emmerich 2012, p.5). The authors focus on the relationship between the IAQ and the energy efficiency of the building (Persily Emmerich 2012). They emphasize that the outdoor air ventilation is the area linking both of them (Persily Emmerich 2012). The evaluation of the energy efficiency strategies The authors evaluated certain energy efficiency strategies including the reduced outdoor air ventilation rates, increased thermal insulation, and cooling equipment efficiency increases (Persily Emmerich 2012). According to their evaluation, the first strategy leads to the increase in the concentration of the contaminants (Persily Emmerich 2012).Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The second strategy may lead to the biological growth as it is connected with the increase in the condensation of the buildin g envelopes (Persily Emmerich 2012). The last strategy may also result in the biological growth as it has a high probability of the increase in the indoor humidity levels (Persily Emmerich 2012). Strategies supporting the iaq and the energy efficiency The authors of the article have suggested the strategies which are able to support the IAQ and the energy efficiency of the building (Persily Emmerich 2012). In particular, they suggest the heat recovery ventilation, demand controlled ventilation, economizer operation, dedicated outdoor air system, displacement ventilation, task ventilation, natural/hybrid ventilation, envelope and air distribution systems tightness, more efficient particle filtration, gaseous air cleaning, source control and low ventilation, and QM re-commissioning (Persily Emmerich 2012). The authors enumerate the main effects of these strategies and briefly describe the way they work. The authors make a conclusion that some of the main challenges for creating th e energy efficient IAQ system are hot and humid climates (Persily Emmerich 2012). Furthermore, the poor outdoor air quality can result in the IAQ inefficiency (Persily Emmerich 2012). The authors of the article state that the design of the building is the primary determinant of the energy efficient IAQ. â€Å"High-performance buildings should provide better IAQ conditions than exist in current buildings, and there are many strategies for doing so that will not necessarily conflict with energy efficiency† (Persily Emmerich 2012, p. 19). Conclusion In order to sum up all above mentioned, it should be said that the article ‘Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings’ by Andrew K. Persily and Steven J. Emmerich reflects the newest tendencies in the building construction. The authors of the article have touched upon the problem of the indoor air quality. They put a particular emphasis on the relationship of the IAQ system and the energy efficienc y. A number of strategies for the realization of the energy efficiency and the maintenance of the IAQ system have been suggested by the authors.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More References Persily, A. K. Emmerich, S. 2012, ‘Indoor air quality in sustainable, energy efficient buildings’, HVACR Research, vol. 18. no. 1-2, pp. 4-20.

Cave Art Essays - Art Of The Upper Paleolithic, Chauvet Cave

Cave Art Essays - Art Of The Upper Paleolithic, Chauvet Cave Cave Art Cave ART At the foot of a cliff in the Ardche Gorges, in south-eastern France, amateur speleologists discovered the world's oldest painted prehistoric cave. Discovered on December 18, 1994, this cave features art that dates back thirty-one thousand years. Jean-Marie Chauvet, Eliette Brunel-Deschamps and Christian Hillaire, were the amateurs who discovered the cave that has come to be known simply as the Chauvet cave. The explorers were in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, France some thirty feet below ground. While exploring a cave, they were intrigued by a draft of air. They followed the draft to the source and discovered a cavity. This cavity then led to a vast network of galleries and rooms. The explorers were amazed. As they began to take a closer look, they saw columns of calc-spar, minerals in the walls, bones of bears. Suddenly, Eliette saw the image of a small mammoth on the wall in front of her. The adventurers were astounded. The walls began to come alive with engravings and paintings in red ochre and black. Everywhere they turned, there were these paintings that stretched hundreds of yards. The discoverers could not believe their eyes. Before them, were some three hundred horses, rhinoceros, lions, buffalo, and mammoth. Some of the animals were alone, while some were drawn in packs. And finally, all of these paintings were awakened from thousands of years of deep sleep. Jean Clottes, a specialist in cave paintings, is commissioned to appraise the cave. He was able to verify that this was genuine Paleolithic art. Everything was authentic and perfectly preserved. Now, all that needs to be done is determine the age of these masterpieces. Six months later, carbon 14 dating analysis showed that one buffalo and two rhinoceros were no less than 31,000 years old. Suddenly, the cave paintings at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc found themselveds promoted to the rack of the oldest known cave paintings to date. The Ministry of Culture is quoted as saying that these datings have revolutionized hitherto accepted concepts on the appearance of art and its development, and prove that homo sapiens learnt to draw at a very early stage. Not only was there art found, but there was also many clues to the activities of primitive man. Charcoal, sediment extraction points, sharpened flint stones, and imprints were among some of the clues founds. The Chauvet cave is the discovery of a lif etime. It has provided many insights into the world of primitive art. It is truly a magnificent wonder of the world. Bibliography none

Assumptions, dependencies, constraints, exceptions example

Electricity Workstations to be used by the Department Chair and the Enrolment Advisers Users have knowledge in using web browsers and can understand and execute simple HTML functionalities. Students fully understand and comply with the pre-enrolment guidelines and procedures imposed by the department. Dependencies Maintenance and security of the website Website licensing requirements All information needed for the system is completely gathered Pre-enrolment guidelines and procedures must be properly disseminated External storage for back-up purposes Constraints The system is not connected with the ORACLE system. The system does not cover the pre-enrolment of regular students. The system cannot be accessed outside the university. The system does not set the time of appointment for the conditional student. It only reminds the student of certain details that he must remember for a smooth and orderly pre-advising. The system does not handle the approval of proposed schedule. The system does not handle the encoding of subjects. Exclusions The following statements specify what the system should not do: 1. ) The system shall not grant access to users that do not belong to the Department of Information Systems of the University of Santo Tomas. 2. ) The system shall not grant access to users who that do not have an account in the system. 3. ) The system shall not grant access to users who have not logged-in in their accounts. 5. ) The system shall not grant access to users if the given username and password do not match an account in the system database. 6. ) The system shall not accept users who try to register with empty fields in the registration page. 7. ) The system shall not allow conditional students to create a schedule unless he is accompanied by his parent(s)/guardian to sign a contract/waiver together with the department chair. 8. ) The system shall not grant access to students after the given time and date of until when they can send their schedule. 9. ) The system shall not allow unwarranted parties to view data that they are not authorized to see.

Venetian Altarpieces 1460-1505 Literature review

Venetian Altarpieces 1460-1505 - Literature review Example The altarpieces were often funded by the affluent Venetians, therefore the altarpieces, like the chapels that house them, were often meant as a celebration of the affluence and rank of these families. Seidel (1994) states that such patronage could be a family’s way of regaining prominence after it has returned from exile, or could be a way to celebrate enormous prosperity for the family. Humfrey (1994) states that, for instance, Jacopo Bellini’s altarpiece Annunciation was commissioned by the widow of Gattamelata, Giacomo da Leonessa. De Leonessa was closely associated with Donatello and was a patron of Mantegna. As such, she was at the forefront of the Renaissance art in Northeastern Italy, and she wanted her altarpieces to be as up to date as these other pieces. This meant that Jacopo Bellini would have had specific terms for his commission to construct the Annunciation. Rubin (1994) states that the subject of the painting was not usually left to the artist, but, rather, was decided by the patrons before the artist even begun working. The subject was decided before the artist was even chosen. The patrons would usually decide what it was that they were trying to convey, and calculated their needs and budget for the work accordingly. The patrons then set out to find a master to carry out their designs. The wills, bequests, and donations for these altarpieces usually stipulated that the paintings be carried out by a famous or skilled master. The painter could, however, embellish the painting as he saw as being necessary – for instance, the painter, such as Perugino, would add angels, ornaments and extra heads. However, these artists were not invented, so much as they were ornamenting or filling in the blanks for the patrons. It was all very workmanlike, according to Muraro (1994), in that the artist or the artist’s house would sign a detai led contract that would dictate which patron saints would be depicted, the time that would be allotted for the painting to be completed, the day for delivery of the painting, the information about arbitration in cases of dispute, and the forms of payment.

Practical Life Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Practical Life - Research Paper Example For example, coming up with a Montessori classroom and environment oriented to foster learning. Logically, human beings are gifted with the need to learn. Education acquired by an individual person cannot be advantageous to another person since an individual need to achieve it by him or herself. Children learn faster from their environment because they possess a higher sensitivity, compassion, and curiosity to learn. Montessori developed a program that uses specially designed materials, which are intended to instruct. For example, enough room in a large Montessori classroom where children will move freely and be at liberty to undertake a task they want. These are ages of growth for human beings due to a very high stimuli response they possess to the surrounding environment. Montessori approved that a child’s fast growth is between birth and the sixth birthday, a period which, the child has a fast rate response to skills that when made use of the child can master abilities like language. The child is capable of mentally modeling their brain in response to the environment. For example, during the sensitive period for requesting assignment, the child is interested in coming up with suggestions. These are the periods of a child development whereby a child is highly motivated and determined due to their high sensitivity to seek new encounters and learning opportunities in their surrounding environment. During this period, the child experiences an unconscious development and occurs within the first six years of age. The Montessori classroom was designed to seize this moment in a child’s development. The environment proposed by Montessori is rich and reflect the dominance of stimulating all the primary senses. For example, when it comes to remembering issues taught in class and performed them without understanding. They occur in a child-learning environment and they have a rapid torrent of concentration. Montessori ruled out that, the precision of

Works of Art Comparison and Contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Works of Art Comparison and Contrast - Essay Example The essay "Works of Art Comparison and Contrast" incorporates several works of art placed side by side for comparison and contrast purposes. Matisse Henry paints â€Å"Nasturtiums with the Painting Dance† within the 1900 AD timeline. This artwork emphasizes on illustrating the theme of dancing based on the artist’s version of this subject. Using painting oil, he depicts a tall image consisted of a picture within a picture on canvas. The image depicts the subject matter of dance and dancing, as the two human images seem to dance around the jar sited on the turning table and overflowing with nasturtiums. This image shows fauvism existent the twentieth-century in the European Art. Similarly, O’Keeffe utilizes painting oil on canvas in the artwork, â€Å"From the Faraway, Nearby† in the 1900 AD intended to bring forth the themes of precisionism in modern and contemporary art. Furthermore, to illustrate the same in the twentieth-century American art, the artist shows an animal skull sitting on mountainous landscapes. This art means to represent the women artists in North America through suggestions of physical and emotional realisms of the Southwest. Moreover, O’Keeffe’s â€Å"Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue† painted in 1931 precedes â€Å"From the Faraway, Nearby.† Both artworks reveal the artist’s love for use of skulls to pass messages. The â€Å"Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue† displays the prominent three colors of the American flag. This use of the distinctive colors illustrates how images symbolized America. ... On the other hand, American scene painters utilized this opportunity to unravel the existent urban problems during that time. Nonetheless, the weathered cow’s skull used by O’Keeffe represented America’s enduring spirit, thus, making the artwork a quintessential West American icon. Pippin, on the other hand, aims at illustrating historical themes in his artwork as the key subject matter. These historical settings mostly rest on his fighting experience in the Infantry regiment wars. Through these artwork pippin also enhances religious and political symbols. In this regard, Pippin’s â€Å"Lady of the Lake† distinctively shows the literary subject matter acquired from the past Arthurian legends through the portraits landscape setting. The personified naked sunbather stretched out on a blanket at the water’s edge demonstrates the exaggeration of scale to give a certain perspective. Most importantly, the use of bright and intense blends of red and green typically illustrates the use of palette during the period of 1900 AD4. Additionally, Hopper in 1930 draws an art piece named â€Å"Tables for Ladies† that most importantly illustrates his personal existence during the Great Depression in America. All through the period, very few Americans afforded to dine in restaurants as illustrated by the restaurant’s emptiness. The artwork positions the viewer directly outside an ordinary restaurant in New York allowing them a clear view through the front window. The artist focuses the viewer past the menu cards placed in order on the table and the mouth-watering foods and the waitress trying to adjust them5. The view presents wooden polished interior characterized by a tiled floor and mirrored walls. In the

Community college budget cut Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Community college budget cut - Research Paper Example Other than reducing student enrollment, some institutions have been forced to limit the number of programs they are offering due to the budget cuts. Laying-off of workers has been reported in some institutions because the institution can no longer sustain them. This phenomenon is evident in states that fund their institutions of higher learning. The paper will explore community college and state university budget cut, and how this political issue will affect the government and the people of the United States, now and in the future. In her article, â€Å"State Colleges Forced to Limit Programs,† Laurie Beth Harris asserts that the state colleges will be forced to limit their programs due to the budget cuts. The author begins by stating that the demand for jobs in the fields of health care and engineering has continued to expand. However, states such as Texas, Florida, and New York have abolished programs at the public universities in subjects like engineering and computer science. The elimination of these programs is attributed to the budget cuts. Apart from elimination of the entire programs, the schools have been incapable of expanding popular programs to meet the demand of the students. For instance, in Raleigh North Carolina, Wake Technical Community College has seen its enrolment expand by approximately 30% in the previous three years and at the same time getting budget cuts from the state of approximately 21% (Harris 1). The community college is popular for its nursing program, which is limited to 275 students; however, there are close to 1000 individuals waiting to be enrolled into the program. This has forced Wake Tech to develop a waiting list for the nursing program. While some students are waiting to be enrolled into the nursing program, others are positioned in a prenursing program. With the limited spots (275 individuals) for the nursing program, stakes

Tx gov Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tx gov - Essay Example The death penalty has been utilized for a large number of years because of the physiological trepidation it exacts on the individuals who witness and find out about capital punishment. The utilization of this form of punishment has served to lessen rates of crime and adjust the brains of future criminals to dissuade them against carrying out terrible wrongdoings like murder, injustice, terrorism, espionage and kidnappings. Backers say it discourages wrongdoing while abolitionists say it is illegal (Siegel 121). The most noticeably awful repulsiveness of the criminal justice framework is the execution of an innocent individual. Over a long period of time, proof has demonstrated an unsatisfactorily high risk of sentencing innocent individuals in a criminal justice framework that is so defective. A few late executions have demonstrated that deadly injection which is rampantly used for executions can frequently be agonizing and inclined to failure that ends up torturing the executed individual. Lately, as pharmaceutical makers have withdrawn consent to utilize their medications in executions, states have much of the time neglected to acquire safe options and been compelled to cover their executions under shrouds of mystery. The outcome has been an absence of responsibility for state governments in connection to mess up executions (Sorensen and Pilgrim 12). A method for defending capital punishment is that is seen as a technique which can be made into an exhibition for the general public. This thus builds up the manner of thinking that those found guilty are no longer wanted to be part of human society and thus must be dealt with in a way that is esteemed proper. According to Chenwi (59), the human rights as natives of the United States apply to the upright and good individuals and the bad individuals in equal measure. Many people argue that death penalty makes the families of the murdered

Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems Essay

Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems for organisations and discuss the management issues associa - Essay Example Information systems have, therefore, had a profound effect on the performance of global businesses by transforming their ability to deliver value to customers (Czinkota et al., 2005). However, the application of information system has unfortunately stemmed on the basis of companies’ internal operations with little focus of the global paradigm. This means that international requirements, including cross-cultural differences, have yet to be fully materialized into the information systems used by these global businesses. Most often global information systems are evaluated from the same perspective as their local counterparts; however, the former demands attention to some particular aspects. An integrated and holistic information systems approach has enabled organizations conduct business processes online (e-business), co ordinate upstream and downstream supply chain partners (e-commerce) and enable entrepreneurs streamline their innovative ideas and creativity (Pearlson & Saunder s, 2009). The key to competitive advantage in today’s world, therefore, does not lie in traditional cost reduction or differentiation techniques but in rapidly adapting to changing customer tastes and implementing learning and innovation to product offerings in real-time (Phillips & Haag, 2009). As an extension to Porter’s resource based view, researchers explored the direct positive relationship between effective information management and company success by explaining how information used could enhance the organization’s learning, innovation and creative abilities. The virtual value chain is centered on the notion of seamless flow of information across all levels of the organization that enable it to deliver value to its customers. Therefore, information systems have been linked to the dramatic improvement of the value chain, marketing strategies, customer service and internal communications framework. However, â€Å"global† information systems go far b eyond just that. Global businesses face a number of constraints on the number of locations in which they decide to operate internationally. Challenges such as those related to networking and communication, socio-economic and political risks, differences in culture as well as unfamiliarity with the market all limit organizations’ capacity to operate effectively in the global marketplace (Czinkota et al., 2005). It is here that information systems have truly transformed global businesses. Researchers who highlighted the strategic importance of IS demonstrated the relationship between IS and business strategy and went on to state that information systems were necessary in achieving a competitive edge for the firm (Peppard & Ward, 2004) (Pearlson & Saunders, 2009). There have been various studies examining the relationship between successful firms and effective use of information systems. However, it is not clear whether these systems have a direct relation with the firm’s success or whether they are merely a part of a portfolio of resources that enables firms achieve competitive advantage. Furthermore, most companies have now started to outsource IS in their organizations. This handing over of IS to third parties in itself contradicts the view that IS serve a strategic function in organizations. Despite increased popularity of outsourcing of IS in organizations, the slogan of keeping IS intact with the

Tx gov Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tx gov - Essay Example The death penalty has been utilized for a large number of years because of the physiological trepidation it exacts on the individuals who witness and find out about capital punishment. The utilization of this form of punishment has served to lessen rates of crime and adjust the brains of future criminals to dissuade them against carrying out terrible wrongdoings like murder, injustice, terrorism, espionage and kidnappings. Backers say it discourages wrongdoing while abolitionists say it is illegal (Siegel 121). The most noticeably awful repulsiveness of the criminal justice framework is the execution of an innocent individual. Over a long period of time, proof has demonstrated an unsatisfactorily high risk of sentencing innocent individuals in a criminal justice framework that is so defective. A few late executions have demonstrated that deadly injection which is rampantly used for executions can frequently be agonizing and inclined to failure that ends up torturing the executed individual. Lately, as pharmaceutical makers have withdrawn consent to utilize their medications in executions, states have much of the time neglected to acquire safe options and been compelled to cover their executions under shrouds of mystery. The outcome has been an absence of responsibility for state governments in connection to mess up executions (Sorensen and Pilgrim 12). A method for defending capital punishment is that is seen as a technique which can be made into an exhibition for the general public. This thus builds up the manner of thinking that those found guilty are no longer wanted to be part of human society and thus must be dealt with in a way that is esteemed proper. According to Chenwi (59), the human rights as natives of the United States apply to the upright and good individuals and the bad individuals in equal measure. Many people argue that death penalty makes the families of the murdered

States Ought Not Possess Nuclear Weapons Essay Example for Free

States Ought Not Possess Nuclear Weapons Essay â€Å"I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete. † Ronald Reagan spoke these words in office and not for the fact that he was in office, but for the fact that these words are true do I agree with him. We used our nuclear weapons once, merely one time, saw the cause and effect, yet we keep them in our possession to potentially attack again. We not need these weapons laying around, but to be dismantled and done away with entirely, which is why I affirm the resolution that states: Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons. For clarity, I present definitions and observations; States; independent nations. Ought; used to express obligation, advisability, natural expectation, or logical consequence Observation One: To have possession of a weapon is signifying the ability, preparation, and willing to execute their use, because taking lives is immoral then possession for something of that same cause is immoral. Within today’s round, we must recognize what the main goal of nuclear weapons is, to protect the nation that controls them. Because of this, we must value Societal Welfare above anything else in this round. The winner of this round must be able to recognize a world where Societal Welfare, being the maximization of a country’s wellbeing by increasing the economic, political, physical security, and prosperity of its people, are improved. For this reason with costs, consequence, and benefits of an action, we must do this through Utilitarianism, which emphasizes doing the most good for the most people. Contention One: Nuclear Weapons Do Not Improve Lives â€Å"Nuclear weapons represent a structural and existential trap, of which there are only two ways out: with bombs being exploded, or bombs being dismantled. Either we disarm, or we perish. † Jonathan Schell ’82 The Fate of the Earth 215-17. I agree with the latter we disarm we survive, because Murphy’s law states, â€Å"Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. † For one reason were nuclear weapons created, to kill, like any other weapon. Killing thousand upon millions of people is not beneficial to any society thus we must dismantle any and all nuclear weapons. As humans we try and do prevent war, diseases, and suffering, it is in our nature, but nuclear weapons do all of this at the push of a button. Instead of focusing on improving the quality of human life, we become fixated on the prevention of war, while simultaneously never attaining peace. Instead, we sit at the threshold of mass destruction in the form of nuclear war. Robert Jay Lifton, Professor of Psychiatry and Eric Markusen, Professor of Sociology, University of Minnesota, wrote in The Genocidal Mentality. The threat of nuclear war will prevail as long as states possess nuclear weapons and brandish them for security. This will inevitably result in their use. The proposition that nuclear weapons can be retained and never used, accidentally or by design, defies credibility. † Ronald McCoy, Conflict and Survival. He continues by saying, Human beings are fallible. In conventional war, mistakes cost lives, sometimes thousands of lives. However, if mistakes were to affect decisions relating to the use of nuclear forces, there would be no learning curve. They would result in the destruction of nations. Contention Two: Nuclear Weapons Serve No Beneficial Purpose â€Å"If you go on with this nuclear arms race, all you are going to do is make the rubble bounce. † Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said that if we continue to have an arms race the eventual result will be world destruction. So thus nuclear weapons serve no beneficial purpose if the whole point of them is to obliterate their target. So if we possess them they will never serve a purpose unless we use them. Charles Glaser , Associate Professor, the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago, 1998 said, â€Å"Disarmament would leave all countries vulnerable to the political demands of a successful proliferator. Whatever danger proliferators pose today would be far greater in a disarmed world, even though the previously nuclear states would eventually be able to rebuild nuclear weapons, they would be unwilling to accept a period during which a proliferator enjoyed a nuclear onopoly. † Robert Jay Lifton, Professor of Psychiatry and Eric Markusen, Professor of Sociology, PHD, University of Minnesota, wrote in their book The Genocidal Mentality, â€Å"At the psychological and material heart of the transformation in consciousness we are suggesting is the replacement of dissociatied deterrence with an integrated mind-set and a policy of national defense that is neither genocidal nor threatening. This goal requires the rejection of the entire deterrence system because that system is inherently genocidal. To reject the genocidal system requires breaking out of its closed reasoning and recognizing that destroying the world in response to a perceived attack is politically unacceptable. †

Bilateral Ankle Fusion in Leak Syndrome Induced Deformity

Bilateral Ankle Fusion in Leak Syndrome Induced Deformity ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare condition of unknown etiology defined by sudden episode of hypotension, high hematocrit and low serum protein concentration due to capillary hyperpermeability. Several treatments have been published for this pathology and eventual compartment syndrome but not for the disabling consequences. This clinical case highlights the negative orthopaedic consequences of a severe systemic attack and reports a subsequent deformity treatment option that resulted in patient quality of life improvement. To our knowledge, orthopaedic surgery for systemic capillary leak syndrome induced foot and ankle deformity is presented for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old caucasian female patient was referred to our institution for bilateral foot and ankle deformity after compartment syndrome during systemic capillary leak syndrome attack. She presented a bilateral rigid equino-cavo-varus-adductus deformity causing walk impairment. Bilateral ankle fusion by retrograde nailing was performed in a two-staged procedure. Rigid claw toes were also surgically addressed in an additional procedure. Radiologically, apparent ankle fusion occurred at 3 months post-op in both sides. Deformity correction allowed the patient to regain walking capacity. A right ankle tibiotalar failed arthrodesis was noticed at 24 months post-op. Prophylactic human immunoglobulin therapy was initiated after the last surgery with no recurrent attack registered during the 38 months follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Bilateral ankle fusion improved this patient quality of life by restituting walking capacity and lowering the probability of lower limb deformity related ulcers and infections. Major and minor complications are also discussed. This report contributes to the global knowledge about this syndrome and elicits the importance of the induced deformities surgical correction. Keywords: systemic capillary leak syndrome, (SCLS), compartment syndrome, equino-varus, ankle fusion, ankle retrograde nailing, human immunoglobulin. INTRODUCTION Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS), describedby Clarkson et al. in 1960 [1], is a rare condition defined by sudden episodes of hypovolemic shock, elevated hematocrit and hypoalbuminemia without albuminuria [2, 3]. The etiology is still unknown, although several possible triggers have been reported as upper respiratory tract infections, sustained physical effort and menstruation [1, 4]. It results in generalized or segmental edema and, in severe cases,compartment syndrome requiring emergent fasciotomy [2-5]. The sudden intracompartimental high pressure often originates vascular and neurological damage and consequent lower limb deformity [3, 6]. Prolonged hospital stay may also aggravate this condition with osteoporosis following a long-term immobilization or limb disuse. Deformity frequently leads to walk impairment and decreased quality of life [7]. A few retrospective studies report ankle fusion for correction of compartment syndrome induced deformity. None of them included SCLS etiology for compartment syndrome [6,7]. Several treatments have been published for SCLS and compartment syndrome [1-5] but not for the disabling consequences. To our knowledge, orthopaedic surgery for SCLS induced foot and ankle deformity is presented for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION A 40-year-old caucasian female patient was referred to our institution due to bilateral foot and ankle deformity. She had been previously diagnosed with systemic capillary leak syndrome after sudden episode of hypotension, high hematocrit and low serum protein concentration. This acute phase was managed by fluid resuscitation.The consequent generalized compartment syndrome was treated with extensive fasciotomies of both arms, forearms, hands, thighs and legs. She stayed three weeks in the intensive care unit and eight months hospitalized. Although an intense physical therapy program was applied, she was unable to walk and autonomy was limited to a wheelchair. On examination she presented a bilateral severe stiff equino-cavo-varus-adductus deformity with retraction due to subcutaneous and muscle scarring and neurological deficit. Claw hallux and lesser toes were also present bilaterally. Plantigrade weight bearing was not possible (Fig. 1). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 20 points. Plain radiographs showed bilateral equinovarus ankle deformity with supinated feet (Fig. 2). Achilles, posterior tibial and flexor digitorum longus tendons lengthening was performed by medial approach associated to right tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail (PANTA ® IntegraTM) by lateral approach. Distal fibula bone was used as an autograft. At 8 weeks of follow-up, plastic surgery applied a free skin graft over a persistent post-operative medial blister (Fig. 3). Apparent fusion was obtained at three months post-operatively (Fig. 4). Six months after the initial surgery, fusion of the left ankle was performed in exactly the same fashion. Surgical wound dehiscence was the short-term complication and was resolved with dressing changes. Fusion was obtained at three months post-operatively. (Fig. 4). Fourteen months after the first surgery, we documented recurrent dorsal proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints inflammation with shoe wear. Right foot Moberg osteotomy, resection arthroplasty of PIP joints and flexor tendon tenotomy of all the lesser toes were performed. Left foot Moberg osteotomy, PIP joints fusion of the 2nd and 3rd toes with intramedullary guide implant (Ipp-On ® IntegraTM), PIP joints resection arthroplasty of the 4th toe and flexor tendon tenotomy of all the lesser toes were performed. Failure of the left hallux Moberg osteotomy staple caused hardware removal at 6 weeks post-op (Fig. 5). The rehabilitation protocol included immediate weight-bearing with walking boots and lower limb drainage. Prophylactic human immunoglobulin therapy was initiated after the last surgery. She regained walking capacity with balanced shoes and returned to work four months after left foot surgery. AOFAS score was 61 points. No toes related complaints, pressure ulcers or terminal necrosis of the toes were found. Twenty-four months after initial surgery she complained of right ankle pain de novo with weight bear and local swelling. Radiologically, failed arthrodesis with tibiotalar and subtalar bone reabsorption, peri-implant proximal radiolucency and distal calcaneus screw fracture were shown (Fig. 6). No local drainage or blood test infection parameters were found. Only symptomatic treatment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. At 38 months of follow-up the patient refers no significant right ankle pain and no SCLS attacks recurrence were registered. DISCUSSION This high-risk patients and the unpredictable course of the disease required a multidisciplinary treatment options discussion. The patient never accepted irreversible autonomy loss and was aware of all the possible negative surgery consequences when she signed the surgery consent. There are few treatment options for long-term sequelae of compartment syndrome that include arthroscopic assisted arthrodesis, fusion with external fixator or internal devices such as plates or intramedullary nails. Arthroscopic arthrodesis is an excellent option when sparing the soft tissues is needed, however, this correction is limited to mild deformities. External fixation represents a serious risk of pin tract infection with no consensus about prevention treatment [8] and therefore we advocate as a potential risk for SCLS relapse. Fusion with plate and screws implies a considerable aggression to the already damaged soft tissues, although it represents a high stiffness construct. The authors managed this clinical case as an equino-varus-cavo-adductus deformity after lower extremity compartment syndrome. Retrograde nailing avoided extensive striping and Berend et al. has demonstrated better biomechanics stiffness compared to crossed screws [9]. Wang et al. [6] described excellent satisfaction rate after retrograde nailing for lower extremity compartment sequelae. No tendinous transfers were considered due to neurological deficit, scarred muscles and stiff joints. Claw toes deformity has a high risk of pressure ulcers by shoe wear conflict. Local infection in SCLS patients may represent a potential trigger for relapse and therefore must be corrected. Considering the stiff interphalangeal joints, hallux claw deformity was managed by bilateral Moberg osteotomy. Lesser toes were addressed by resection arthroplasty of PIP joints with the exception of the stiffer left second and third toes that were fixated with an intramedullary guide implant [10]. Fusion rate of only 50% (1/2 ankles) was low compared to another published study that show rates around 91% of primary bony union after bilateral ankle arthrodesis. However, none of these patients had post-compartment syndrome ankle deformity and related sequelae [11]. With no signs of infection, late failed arthrodesis may be related to compartment syndrome, local vascular and neurological damage, technical error or even SCLS per se. Three minor complications were registered. One large posteromedial blister required skin grafting six weeks after right ankle procedure. A left ankle lateral surgical wound dehiscence healed by secondary intention only with dressing changes. Failure of left hallux Moberg osteotomy staple was managed by hardware removal. These complications are relatively common and have been previously described in foot and ankle deformity correcting arthrodesis [6, 12]. They are usually due to poor skin and vascular conditions. No delayed weight bearing was noticed in rehabilitation program due to prompt and successful treatment. Concerning deformity correction, the results were very satisfactory. The AOFAS score increased from 20 to a total of 61 points even after tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesisthat does not allow any hind foot movement. Moreover, the painless plantar support permitted walking without crutches after 24 months confined to wheelchair. Returning to work was also an important milestone for this patient. At 38 months of follow-up the patient is now asymptomatic with minor local right ankle edema and no walking limitation. Radiologically the bone reabsorption appears to have stabilized. Anecdotal evidence has shown good results in ankle arthrodesis revision after compartment syndrome [6]. However, one must consider unpredictable consequences of fusion revision in a SCLS patient, including a severe attack during the anaesthesia or post-op infection with potential lethal consequences. This patient has been diagnosed with idiopathic form of SCLS. Although no direct cause was identified she had been taking azithromycin for a respiratory tract infection which may represent a potential trigger [4,13]. Monoclonal gammopathy was also present at follow-up lab blood tests as seen in more than 90% of cases [2, 4]. There are several possible prophylactic treatments, which include B2-agonists, thalidomide, calcium channel blockers and chemotherapy with limited evidence considering the rarity of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered in the last 12 months of follow-up with no relapses adding to the hypothesis that this may represent an effective prophylaxis [4,14]. CONCLUSION Bilateral ankle fusion improved this SCLS patient functional outcome by restituting the walking capacity. One late failed arthrodesis was the major complication and may require a secondary procedure although the patient is currently asymptomatic. Four surgeries were performed with no SCLS attacks recurrence registered at 38 months follow-up period. Prophylactic human immunoglobulin may have contributed to the absence of relapses. Although surgical correction of SCLS skeletal deformities sequelae represents an orthopaedic challenge, we believe that this treatment should be considered in previously autonomous highly motivated active patients. REFERENCES 1. Clarkson B, Thompson D, Horwith M, Luckey EH. Cyclical edema and shock due to increased capillary permeability. Am J Med. 1960 Aug;29:193-216. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002934360900188 2. Atkinson JP, Waldmann TA, Stein SF, Gelfand JA, Macdonald WJ, Heck LW, Cohen EL, Kaplan AP, Frank MM. Systemic capillary leak syndrome and monoclonal IgG gammopathy; studies in a sixth patient and a review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore) 1977 May;56(3):225-39. http://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Citation/1977/05000/SYSTEMIC_CAPILLARY_LEAK_SYNDROME_AND_MONOCLONAL.4.aspx 3. Sanghavi R, Aneman A, Parr M, Dunlop L, Champion D. Systemic capillary leak syndrome associated with compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2006 Jun;34(3):388-91. http://www.aaic.net.au/document/?D=2005303 4. Gousseff M, Arnaud L, Lambert M, Hot A, Hamidou M, Duhaut P, Papo T, Soubrier M, Ruivard M, Malizia G, Tieulià © N, Rivià ¨re S, Ninet J, Hatron PY, Amoura Z. The systemic capillary leak syndrome: a case series of 28 patients from a European registry. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Apr 5;154(7):464-71. http://annals.org/aim/article/746914/systemic-capillary-leak-syndrome-case-series-28-patients-from-european 5. Kyeremanteng K, DEgidio G, Wan C, Baxter A, Rosenberg H. Compartment Syndrome as a Result of Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome. Case Rep Crit Care 2016;2016:4206397. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027304/ 6.   Wang X, Ma X, Zhang C, Huang JZ, Gu XJ, Jiang JY. Ankle fusion with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail for sequela of lower extremity compartment syndrome. Chin J Traumatol. 2012;15(3):140-4. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1008127515302911 7. Lintz F, Colombier JA, Letenneur J, Gouin F. Management of long-term sequelae of compartment syndrome involving the foot and ankle. Foot Ankle Int. 2009 Sep;30(9):847-53. http://fai.sagepub.com/content/30/9/847.abstract 8. Jennison T, McNally M, Pandit H. Prevention of infection in external fixator pin sites. Acta Biomater. 2014 Feb;10(2):595-603. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706113004790 9. Berend ME, A biomechanical comparison of intramedullary nail and crossed lag sure fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Foot Ankle Int. 1997; 18(10). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9347301 10. Coillard JY, Petri GJ, van Damme G, Deprez P, Laffenà ªtre O. Stabilization of proximal interphalangeal joint in lesser toe deformities with an angulated intramedullary implant. Foot Ankle Int. 2014 Apr;35(4):401-7. http://fai.sagepub.com/content/35/4/401.long 11. Henricson A, Kamrad I, Rosengren B, Carlsson Ã…. Bilateral Arthrodesis of the Ankle Joint: Self-Reported Outcomes in 35 Patients From the Swedish Ankle Registry. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2016 Sep 7. pii: S1067-2516(16)30176-4. http://www.jfas.org/article/S1067-2516(16)30176-4/abstract 12. Asomugha EU1, Den Hartog BD, Junko JT, Alexander IJ. Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion for Severe Deformity and Bone Loss. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2016 Mar;24(3):125-34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26829585 13. Amoura Z, Papo T, Ninet J, Hatron PY, Guillaumie J, Piette AM, Blà ©try O, Dequiedt P, Talasczka A, Rondeau E, Dutel JL, Wechsler B, Piette JC. Systemic capillary leak syndrome: report on 13 patients with special focus on course and treatment. Am J Med. 1997 Dec;103(6):514-9. http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(97)00272-6/abstract 14. Marra AM1, Gigante A, Rosato E. Intravenous immunoglobulin in systemic capillary leak syndrome: a case report and review of literature. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2014 Mar;10(3):349-52. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1586/1744666X.2014.882771

Amen: Does Prayer Play An Important Role In Our Lives Today? :: essays research papers

Amen: Does Prayer Play An Important Role In Our Lives Today?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Does prayer play an important role in our lives today? The minority would say no and that prayer shouldn't ever have played an important role in our society. But, the simple fact of the matter is that for hundreds of years, prayer in school has been encouraged by both society and government. In recent years, it has been established that prayer in schools has led to a steady moral decline. Morals must be taught, in school and at home, and they cannot be properly taught without religion as a much needed stepping stone.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Our government was based upon religious beliefs from the very beginning. The Declaration of Independence says: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God with certain unalienable rights. . .† Certainly, it talks about God, creations, God-given moral rights, the providence of God, and the final Day of Judgment-all of which are religious teachings. And school prayer has been an important part of our religious experience from the very beginning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Our very First Amendment didn't separate God and government but actually encouraged religion. It reads: â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor prohibit the free exercise thereof,† (Encarta 96). The first part simply says that the federal government cannot establish one religion for all of the people. The simple idea of everyone in our nation being limited to one form of religion is inconceivable. The second section insists that the government should do nothing to discourage religion. But forbidding prayer in schools discourages religion, doesn't it?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Early congressional actions encouraged religion in public schools. For example, the Northwest Treaty (1787 and 1789) declared: â€Å"Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of learning shall forever be encouraged† (Encarta 96). By seeing this, religion, which includes prayer, was deemed to be necessary. Congress has prayed at the opening of every session since the very beginning. By acknowledging these facts we ask the simple question, â€Å" If the government can pray in their sessions, why can't the governed pray in their (school) sessions?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Public schools had prayer for nearly 200 years before the Supreme Court ruled that state-mandated class prayers were unconstitutional in Engel vs. Vitale in 1962 (Buckley 70). How could this trail have such a huge impact on our nation and ultimately alter how we perceive our constitution? The fact that prayer was practiced for nearly 200 years alone establishes it by example as a

White Oleander :: essays research papers

As a result of her mother’s incarceration, Astrid is thrusted into a myriad of unmerited situations- the foster homes. One evil stepmother leads to another in this tale of adversity and just when Astrid’s prospects brighten under a shining sun, the clouds roll in and it begins to rain. â€Å"White Oleander† is a Cinderella story with all the ingredients of misery and misfortune but the wrong ending.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the beginning of her first real encounter with calamity, Astrid is inundated with a deluge of emotions, leaving her dazed. It is during this time of bewilderment that the young girl is placed in her first foster home in the custody of a Sunday Christian named Starr. With the absence of a father figure in her life, Astrid’s feelings for Ray metamorphose into those of desire and what began as a timid liking, turns into something much more. The Oedipal feelings she harbors towards â€Å"Uncle† Ray, Starr’s boyfriend, lead ultimately her expulsion from the home.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now crippled with the consequences of her desires, Astrid is relocated to the racially â€Å"opinionated† turquoise home of Marvel where she is exposed to the influence of the sophisticated Olivia. In her time of need for something beautiful when her own beauty has been marred by the Starr’s jealousy, Astrid idolizes the woman next door who is, in her eyes, perfect. She comes to depend on Olivia as a staple in her life, someone who will be there to teach her the things a woman should know. However, contact with her idol eventually leads Astrid to another home because of Marvel’s racist ideals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cut off from her hero, whom she reluctantly realizes is just like her mother, Astrid is placed in a beautiful home in the custody of a graceful Hispanic woman named Amelia. At this point, Astrid’s role changes from that of a babysitter. In Amelia’s home, she becomes money to pay for more remodeling. In this environment where she has nothing to eat, Astrid’s survival instincts come to play. What isn’t provided for her, she provides for herself. At the urging of her mother, Astrid asks for new placement and is, for once, lucky enough to have her case handed to a social worker that seems to care.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is at this point that a ray of light breaks through the clouds. Though Claire seems extremely fragile and dependent, it is also evident that she is a caring person.

Practicum: Tour Guide and Elementary School

We talked about the destinations, accommodation and the budget for each group, because we're divided into 8 groups. The 4 groups are going to Sad and the other 4 are going to ‘locos Norte and Sure. March 26, Second day Sir Mann told me went to De La Sale in Taft Avenue to pass his papers and after that I went to Bambina and bought some medicine for our medical kit that we will be using for our Tour. March 27, Sir Mann told me went to Magmata to meet Mr.. Carlo, he is aBusinessman and my Job is to get his full payment for the Honking Tour, I remember that guy because he gave me a tip and treat me in a high class restaurant. I think he gave me the payment and it cost around forty five thousand pesos in cash so that day I feel Anxious and when I came back in our office I took a rest because we were having a tour on the next day. May 28, I Joined the ‘locos Holy week tour Sir Lieu San Martin and I were partner and we brought 50 Tourist or Clients.They came from different grou p so our mission is to make them friends before the Tour ends. I'm he one who's in-charge in money transactions, checking-in the tourist on their of our tour and my task for this day is to serve and remind the hotel to prepare their breakfast and to be a professional photographer because we coordinator are the one to took them pictures if they requested only. March 30 last day of our ‘locos tour, we went to Vagina heritage to buy some stuffs and shirts and after that back to Manila.WEEK 2: April 2- 8, 2013 April 2, we trainees taught to make a company email address and we made an account in slit. Com to promote some tour packages that we are offering. April 3, Sir Mann taught us how to answer phone calls and how to make a reservation for those clients asking for a tour or some promos that we are offering. April 4, Mama Promotion taught me how to deposit, withdraw and other banking transactions, the truth is I have no idea how banking transactions is processed and I sort out so me receipts and bills.April 5, Sir Ryan our Marketing specialist taught me how to make an ads and how to compute those tour price, accommodation and airline tickets that they are offering. April 6, another ‘locos tour is came so automatically we trainees are joined. We did the same thing like the last tour but this tour is the most unforgettable tour, because one of our clients sends a message to our company directly to Mr.. Mann our General Manager, the client complains are 1 . What a kind of Tour guide you have? 2. Your tour guide is making money on us. 3.The tour guide of your company is not well dressed. The complainant used other mobile number for us not to know who she/he is, by that day I don't know what to do, because I'm not expecting that would be happened. WEEK 3: April 9-12, 15, 2013 April 9, this is Holiday from ‘locos tour we came here at manila by 2 o'clock in the ironing and by 3 o'clock in the morning we went to Lucian, Guenon for our Success in the past Holy week tour and also an incentives because almost of our clients appreciated my effort in that tour and I am very thankful to those clients.April 10, 11, 12, I did some paper works like sort out receipts, print some documents, arranged the files, books, Fliers, Directories, Posters, answer phone calls. April 15, we trainees cleaned up the whole office and put some wall designs because some unexpectedly visitors from Department of Tourism would come. WEEK 4: April 16-19, 2013 April 16, on this day we are tasked to make some research about Minor travelers and airline codes, airport codes, airport rules. We did for the whole day is to read what we searched.April 17, this is the day of our quiz I remember that is a 100 items quiz but only two questions (it's weird right) I got 96 and my co-trainee got 94 so he failed and I got passed but I'm not putting up myself I'm Just happy because I didn't expected that I will passed the quiz. April 18, we were tasked to made a tour itinerary f rom Zebu-boll-campaign, I have no idea in that place so the whole day Im focused n that task and sir and I talked one-on-one about the itinerary I made and fortunately , I passed again because I defend my answer correctly and exactly it made my confident boost.April 19, Sir Mann asked me and my co-trainee to repost all of the ads we post in Slit, the purpose of reposting those ads is to make the clients easily look for that April 22, Just the same thing I did some edit and fix some files and ads on website. April 23, Deposit those payments of the clients in the bank, sort out those receipts again, answering phone calls. April 24, Mr..Mann taught us how to speak fluently and e told me some tips and reminders for me to knew that in the future we need to become comfortable and hospitable in our clients even though our clients is not in a good mood, do paper works, answer phone calls and other matters. April 25, tomorrow would be our last day so I review those tour packages that they're offers and repost it again. April 26, taking pictures of the facilities, gathered those information that I need for the completion of my practicum report and finished my 300 hours of Journey and unforgettable experienced in Tuesday Tours and Travel. General Perception of the training

The Wider Application of vertical roller mill

Vertical roller mill occupies an essential place from the non-ferrous metal production, and this kind of tools is utilized to sinter and roast ore, ore concentrate and intermediate merchandise. The dimension with the kiln is among the primary indicators to present its production capability. With all the vigorous improvement with the non-ferrous metallurgy sector in China, far more and more vertical roller mills and larger and greater specifications are desired. The initial step of metallurgy should be to create aluminum oxide.In alumina oxide production with sintering process, we need to first create the raw materials compounded by bauxite, limestone and alkali into clinker. The sintering process is completed within the vertical roller mill whose inner temperature is 1300;C. The final phase of aluminum oxide manufacturing is to roast aluminum hydroxide into alumina oxide. The inner temperature is about There really are a good deal of wastes in aluminum production – red mud, th at's primarily applied to produce the red mud moment.So there's generally a large-scale red mud cement plant near alumina oxide manufacturing producer with sintering process. The vertical roller mill is the primary products to sinter cement clinker and has become widely used in cement, metallurgy and chemical marketplace. This vertical roller mill is largely composed of rotary physique, supporting gadget, belt wheel, transmission device, movable kiln head, sealing device, burning gadget, and so on and has rewards like basic construction, beatable functioning and controllable processing.Additionally It Is utilized to sinter clay, limestone and slang. In the non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, the vertical roller mill is adopted to sinter resources like Iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, nickel, tungsten, chromium, file, and so forth. By way of example, we will sinter aluminum hydroxide Into alumina oxide and generate pellet ore for blast furnace Rainmaking. In the vertical roller mil l system, we are able to use vertical roller mill to conduct generating roast to lean Iron ore and make It modify from weak magnetic to sturdy magnetic, which Is helpful for magnetic separating.In environmental protection process, we will use vertical roller mill to Incinerate the unsafe wastes and recognize their harmlessness and recycle. Http://www. Slaughterer. Com/products/grandly- mill/lump-alternate-vertical-roller-mill. HTML The Wider Application of vertical roller mill in Nonferrous Metallurgy By Livingston reputable functioning and controllable processing.Additionally it is utilized to sinter ill is adopted to sinter resources like iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, nickel, hydroxide into alumina oxide and generate pellet ore for blast furnace rainmaking. Magnetized roast to lean iron ore and make it modify from weak magnetic to sturdy magnetic, which is helpful for magnetic separating. In environmental protection process, we will use vertical roller mill to incinerate the unsafe wastes and recognize their harmlessness and recycle.

Practical Demonkeeping Chapter 29-30

29 RIVERA Right in the middle of the interrogation Detective Sergeant Alphonse Rivera had a vision. He saw himself behind the counter at Seven-Eleven, bagging microwave burritos and pumping Slush-Puppies. It was obvious that the suspect, Robert Masterson, was telling the truth. What was worse was that he not only didn't have any connection with the marijuana Rivera's men had found in the trailer, but he didn't have the slightest idea where The Breeze had gone. The deputy district attorney, an officious little weasel who was only putting time in at the D.A.'s office until his fangs were sharp enough for private practice, had made the state's position on the case clear and simple: â€Å"You're fucked, Rivera. Cut him loose.† Rivera was clinging to a single, micro-thin strand of hope: the second suitcase, the one that Masterson had made such a big deal about back at the trailer. It lay open on Rivera's desk. A jumble of notebook paper, cocktail napkins, matchbook covers, old business cards, and candy wrappers stared out of the suitcase at him. On each one was written a name, an address, and a date. The dates were obviously bogus, as they went back to the 1920s. Rivera had riffled through the mess a dozen times without making any sort of connection. Deputy Perez approached Rivera's desk. He was doing his best to affect an attitude of sympathy, without much success. Everything he had said that morning had carried with it a sideways smirk. Twain had put it succinctly: â€Å"Never underestimate the number of people who would love to see you fail.† â€Å"Find anything yet?† Perez asked. The smirk was there. Rivera looked up from the papers, took out a cigarette, and lit it. A long stream of smoke came out with his sigh. â€Å"I can't see how any of this connects with The Breeze. The addresses are spread all over the country. The dates run too far back to be real.† â€Å"Maybe it's a list of connections The Breeze was planning to dump the pot on,† Perez suggested. â€Å"You know the Feds estimate that more than ten percent of the drugs in this country move through the postal system.† â€Å"What about the dates?† â€Å"Some kind of code, maybe. Did the handwriting check out?† Rivera had sent Perez back to the trailer to find a sample of The Breeze's handwriting. He had returned with a list of engine parts for a Ford truck. â€Å"No match,† Rivera said. â€Å"Maybe the list was written by his connection.† Rivera blew a blast of smoke in Perez's face. â€Å"Think about it, dipshit. I was his connection.† â€Å"Well, someone blew your cover, and The Breeze ran.† â€Å"Why didn't he take the pot?† â€Å"I don't know, Sergeant. I'm just a uniformed deputy. This sounds like detective work to me.† Perez had stopped trying to hide his smirk. â€Å"I'd take it to the Spider if I were you.† That made a consensus. Everyone who had seen or heard about the suitcase had suggested that Rivera take it to the Spider. He sat back in his chair and finished his cigarette, enjoying his last few moments of peace before the inevitable confrontation with the Spider. After a few long drags he stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray on his desk, gathered the papers into the suitcase, closed it, and started down the steps into the bowels of the station and the Spider's lair. Throughout his life Rivera had known half a dozen men nicknamed Spider. Most were tall men with angular features and the wiry agility that one associates with a wolf spider. Chief Technical Sergeant Irving Nailsworth was the exception. Nailsworth stood five feet nine inches tall and weighed over three hundred pounds. When he sat before his consoles in the main computer room of the San Junipero Sheriff Department, he was locked into a matrix that extended not only throughout the county but to every state capital in the nation, as well as to the main computer banks at the FBI and the Justice Department in Washington. The matrix was the Spider's web and he lorded over it like a fat black widow. As Rivera opened the steel door that led into the computer room, he was hit with a blast of cold, dry air. Nailsworth insisted the computers functioned better in this environment, so the department had installed a special climate control and filtration system to accommodate him. Rivera entered and, suppressing a shudder, closed the door behind him. The computer room was dark except for the soft green glow of a dozen computer screens. The Spider sat in the middle of a horseshoe of keyboards and screens, his huge buttocks spilling over the sides of a tiny typist's chair. Beside him a steel typing table was covered with junk food in various stages of distress, mostly cupcakes covered with marshmallow and pink coconut. While Rivera watched, the Spider peeled the marshmallow cap off a cupcake and popped it in his mouth. He threw the chocolate-cake insides into a wastebasket atop a pile of crumpled tractor-feed paper. Because of the sedentary nature of the Spider's job, the department had excused him from the minimum physical fitness standards set for field officers. The department had also created the position of chief technical sergeant in order to feed the Spider's ego and keep him happily clicking away at the keyboards. The Spider had never gone on patrol, never arrested a suspect, never even qualified on the shooting range, yet after only four years with the department, Nailsworth effectively held the same rank that Rivera had attained in fifteen years on the street. It was criminal. The Spider looked up. His eyes were sunk so far into his fat face that Rivera could see only a beady green glow. â€Å"You smell of smoke,† the Spider said. â€Å"You can't smoke in here.† â€Å"I'm not here to smoke, I need some help.† The Spider checked the data spooling across his screens, then turned his full attention to Rivera. Bits of pink coconut phosphoresced on the front of his uniform. â€Å"You've been working up in Pine Cove, haven't you?† â€Å"A narcotics sting.† Rivera held up the suitcase. â€Å"We found this. It's full of names and addresses, but I can't make any connections. I thought you might†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No problem,† the Spider said. â€Å"The Nailgun will find an opening where there was none.† The Spider had given himself the nickname â€Å"Nailgun.† No one called him the Spider to his face, and no one called him Nailgun unless they needed something. â€Å"Yeah,† Rivera said, â€Å"I thought it needed some of the Nailgun's wizardry.† The Spider swept the junk food from the top of the typing table into the wastebasket and patted the top of the table. â€Å"Let's see what you have.† Rivera placed the suitcase on the table and opened it. The Spider immediately began to shuffle through the papers, picking up a piece here or there, reading it, and throwing it back into the pile. â€Å"This is a mess.† â€Å"That's why I'm here.† â€Å"I'll need to put this into the system to make any sense of it. I can't use a scanner on handwritten material. You'll have to read it to me while I input.† The Spider turned to one of his keyboards and began typing. â€Å"Give me a second to set up a data base format.† As far as Rivera was concerned, the Spider could be speaking Swahili. Despite himself, Rivera admired the man's efficiency and expertise. His fat fingers were a blur on the keyboard. After thirty seconds of furious typing the Spider paused. â€Å"Okay, read me the names, addresses, and dates, in that order.† â€Å"So you need me to sort them out?† â€Å"No. The machine will do that.† Rivera began to read the names and addresses from each slip of paper, deliberately pausing so as not to get ahead of the Spider's typing. â€Å"Faster, Rivera. You won't get ahead of me.† Rivera read faster, throwing each paper on the floor as he finished with it. â€Å"Faster,† the Spider demanded. â€Å"I can't go any faster. At this speed if I mispronounce a name, I could lose control and get a serious tongue injury.† For the first time since Rivera had known him the Spider laughed. â€Å"Take a break, Rivera. I get so used to working with machines that I forget people have limitations.† â€Å"What's going on here?† Rivera said. â€Å"Is the Nailgun losing his sarcastic edge?† The Spider looked embarrassed. â€Å"No. I wanted to ask you about something.† Rivera was shocked. The Spider was almost omniscient, or so he pretended. This was a day for firsts. â€Å"What do you need?† he said. The Spider blushed. Rivera had never seen that much flaccid flesh change color. He imagined that it put an incredible strain on the Spider's heart. â€Å"You've been working in Pine Cove, right?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Have you ever run into a girl up there named Roxanne?† Rivera thought for a moment, then said no. â€Å"Are you sure?† The Spider's voice had taken on a tone of desperation. â€Å"It's probably a nickname. She works at the Rooms-R-Us Motel. I've run the name against Social Security records, credit reports, everything. I can't seem to find her. There are over ten thousand women in California with the name Roxanne, but none of them check out.† â€Å"Why don't you just drive up to Pine Cove and meet her?† The Spider's color deepened. â€Å"I couldn't do that.† â€Å"Why not? What's the deal with this woman, anyway? Does it have to do with a case?† â€Å"No, it's†¦ it's a personal thing. We're in love.† â€Å"But you've never met her?† â€Å"Well, yes, sort of – we talk by modem every night. Last night she didn't log on. I'm worried about her.† â€Å"Nailsworth, are you telling me that you are having a love affair with a woman by computer?† â€Å"It's more than an affair.† â€Å"What do you want me to do?† â€Å"Well, if you could just check on her. See if she's all right. But she can't know I sent you. You mustn't tell her I sent you.† â€Å"Nailsworth, I'm an undercover cop. Being sneaky is what I do for a living.† â€Å"Then you'll do it?† â€Å"If you can find something in these names that will bail me out, I'll do it.† â€Å"Thanks, Rivera.† â€Å"Let's finish this.† Rivera picked up a matchbook and read the name and address. The Spider typed the information, but as Rivera began to read the next name, he heard the Spider pause on the keyboard. â€Å"Is something wrong?† Rivera asked. â€Å"Just one more thing,† Nailsworth said. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Could you find out if she's modeming someone else?† â€Å"Santa Maria, Nailsworth! You are a real person.† Three hours later Rivera was sitting at his desk waiting for a call from the Spider. While he was in the computer room, someone had left a dog-eared paperback on his desk. Its title was You Can Have a Career in Private Investigation. Rivera suspected Perez. He had thrown the book in the wastebasket. Now, with his only suspect back out on the street and nothing forthcoming from the Spider, Rivera considered fishing the book out of the trash. The phone rang, and Rivera ripped it from its cradle. â€Å"Rivera,† he said. â€Å"Rivera, it's the Nailgun.† â€Å"Did you find something?† Rivera fumbled for a cigarette from the pack on his desk. He found it impossible to talk on the phone without smoking. â€Å"I think I have a connection, but it doesn't work out.† â€Å"Don't be cryptic, Nailsworth. I need something.† â€Å"Well, first I ran the names through the Social Security computer. Most of them are deceased. Then I noticed that they were all vets.† â€Å"Vietnam?† â€Å"World War One.† â€Å"You're kidding.† â€Å"No. They were all World War One vets, and all of them had a first or middle initial E. I should have caught that before I even input it. I tried to run a correlation program on that and came up with nothing. Then I ran the addresses to see if there was a geographical connection.† â€Å"Anything there?† â€Å"No. For a minute I thought you'd found someone's research project on World War One, but just to be sure, I ran the file through the new data bank set up by the Justice Department in Washington. They use it to find criminal patterns where there aren't any. In effect it makes the random logical. They use it to track serial killers and psychopaths.† â€Å"And you found nothing?† â€Å"Not exactly. The files at the Justice Department only go back thirty years, so that eliminated about half of the names on your list. But the other ones rang the bell.† â€Å"Nailsworth, please try to get to the point.† â€Å"In each of the cities listed in your file there was at least one unexplained disappearance around the date listed – not the vets; other people. You can eliminate the large cities as coincidence, but hundreds of these disappearances were in small towns.† â€Å"People disappear in small towns too. They run away to the city. They drown. You can't call that a connection.† â€Å"I thought you'd say that, so I ran a probability program to get the odds on all of this being coincidence.† â€Å"So?† Rivera was getting tired of Nailsworth's dramatics. â€Å"So the odds of someone having a file of the dates and locations of unexplained disappearances over the last thirty years and it being a coincidence is ten to the power of fifty against.† â€Å"Which means what?† â€Å"Which means, about the same odds as you'd have of dragging the wreck of the Titanic out of a trout stream with a fly rod. Which means, Rivera, you have a serious problem.† â€Å"Are you telling me that this suitcase belongs to a serial killer?† â€Å"A very old serial killer. Most serial killers don't even start until their thirties. If we assume that this one was cooperative enough to start when the Justice Department's files start, thirty years ago, he'd be over sixty now.† â€Å"Do you think it goes farther back?† â€Å"I picked some dates and locations randomly, going back as far as 1925. I called the libraries in the towns and had them check the newspapers for stories of disappearances. It checked out. Your man could be in his nineties. Or it could be a son carrying on his father's work.† â€Å"That's impossible. There must be another explanation. Come on, Nailsworth, I need a bailout here. I can't pursue an investigation of a geriatric serial killer.† â€Å"Well, it could be an elaborate research project that someone is doing on missing persons, but that doesn't explain the World War One vets, and it doesn't explain why the researcher would write the information on matchbook covers and business cards from places that have been out of business for years.† â€Å"I don't understand.† Rivera felt as if he were stuck in the Spider's web and was waiting to be eaten. â€Å"It appears that the notes themselves were written as far back as fifty years ago. I could send them to the lab to confirm it if you want.† â€Å"No. Don't do that.† Rivera didn't want it confirmed. He wanted it to go away. â€Å"Nailsworth, isn't possible that the computer is making some impossible connections? I mean, it's programmed to find patterns – maybe it went overboard and made this one up?† â€Å"You know the odds, Sergeant. The computer can't make anything up; it can only interpret what's put into it. If I were you, I'd pull my suspect out of holding and find out where he got the suitcase.† â€Å"I cut him loose. The D.A. said I didn't have enough to charge him.† â€Å"Find him,† Nailsworth said. Rivera resented the authoritarian tone in Nailsworth's voice, but he let it go. â€Å"I'm going now.† â€Å"One more thing.† â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"One of your addresses was in Pine Cove. You want it?† â€Å"Of course.† Nailsworth read the name and address to Rivera, who wrote it down on a memo pad. â€Å"There was no date on this one, Sergeant. Your killer might still be in the area. If you get him, it would be the bailout you're looking for.† â€Å"It's too fantastic.† â€Å"And don't forget to check on Roxanne for me, okay?† The Spider hung up. 30 JENNY Jenny had arrived at work a half hour late expecting to find Howard waiting behind the counter to reprimand her in his own erudite way. Strangely enough, she didn't care. Even more strange was the fact that Howard had not shown up at the cafe all morning. Considering that she had drunk two bottles of wine, eaten a heavy Italian meal and everything in the refrigerator, and stayed up all night making love, she should have been tired, but she wasn't. She felt wonderful, full of humor and energy, and not a little excited. When she thought of her night with Travis, she grinned and shivered. There should be guilt, she thought. She was, technically, a married woman. Technically, she was having an illicit affair. But she had never been very technically minded. Instead of guilt she felt happy and eager to do it all again. From the moment she got to work she began counting the hours until she got off after the lunch shift. She was at one hour and counting when the cook announced that there was a call for her in the office. She quickly refilled her customer's coffee cups and headed to the back. If it was Robert, she would just act like nothing had happened. She wasn't exactly in love with someone else as he suspected. It was†¦ it didn't matter what it was. She didn't have to explain anything. If it was Travis – she hoped it was Travis. She picked up the phone. â€Å"Hello.† â€Å"Jenny?† It was a woman's voice. â€Å"It's Rachel. Look, I'm having a special ritual this afternoon at the caves. I need you to be there.† Jennifer did not want to go to a ritual. â€Å"I don't know, Rachel, I have plans after work.† â€Å"Jennifer, this is the most important thing we've ever done, and I need you to be there. What time do you get off?† â€Å"I'm off at two, but I need to go home and change first.† â€Å"No, don't do that. Come as you are – it's really important.† â€Å"But I really†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Please, Jenny. It will only take a few minutes.† Jennifer had never heard Rachel sound so adamant. Maybe it really was important. â€Å"Okay. I guess I can make it. Do you need me to call any of the others?† â€Å"No. I'll do it. You just be at the caves as soon as you can after two.† â€Å"Okay, fine, I'll be there.† â€Å"And Jenny† – Rachel's voice had lowered an octave – â€Å"don't tell anyone where you are going.† Rachel hung up. Jennifer immediately dialed her home phone and got the answering machine. â€Å"Travis, if you're there, pick up.† She waited. He was probably still sleeping. â€Å"I'm going to be a little late. I'll be home later this afternoon.† She almost said, â€Å"I love you,† but decided not to. She pushed the thought out of her mind. â€Å"Bye,† she said, and hung up. Now, if she could only avoid Robert until she could think of a way to destroy his hope for their reconciliation. Returning to the floor of the cafe, she realized that somewhere along the way her feeling of well-being had vanished and she felt very tired.