Case Studies Homework Essay

Sally is suffering from a debilitating illness which will eventually rob of her speech and mobility. She has requested that the hospital staff do not resuscitate her if she has a heart attack. This is a limitation on use of restrictions on rights because Sally does not want the right to life anymore if it means that she cannot speak and move without help. A pregnant single woman wants to abort her baby. However, the natural father wants her to keep the child. This freedom of expression as the woman has the rights to her own body and she can say what she wants and decide what she wants to happen to the baby as it is her body. An atheist teacher at a Roman Catholic school feels he has been prevented from gaining promotion due to his religious beliefs. This is a prohibition of discrimination because he should be treat professionally and not any different because of his religious beliefs. An asylum seeker is being threatened with expulsion from the United Kingdom. He is frightened to return to his home country because of threats of detainment or even death. He expressed political views against the government; he knows he won’t get a fair trial. This is against the right to life as his life could be taken away by others. It is also against the prohibition of torture because he could be tortured by others in his home country. Also, it is against the right to a fair trial and no punishment without law because he would not be given a fair trial in his country and be punished without breaking the law.

The Increasing Need For Sustainable Development Environmental Sciences Essay

The Eastern Cape Appropriate Technology Unit ( ECATU ) nucleus map is support Government policy aims in the country of socio -economic development and poorness obliteration by be aftering funding and transporting out undertakings associating to allow engineering in all development Fieldss in the state Undertake research and development of bing and proposed engineerings in the public and private sectors into any field of rural development and poorness obliteration. Provide proficient advice, where necessary, to authorities on inventions to back up policy and determination devising Promote sustainable development techniques and methodological analysiss The Entity focuses on bettering the quality of life for rural communities, without increasing the usage of natural resources beyond the capacity of the environment to provide them indefinitely. ECATU besides operates in line with the Millennium Development Goals, for illustration: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poorness and hungriness Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower adult females Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a planetary partnership for development Sustainable development may specify as development that meets the demands of the present without compromising the ability of future coevalss to run into their demands The Entity utilizes alternate sustainable engineerings in the edifice, H2O, energy and nutrient security sectors -household gardens and community agriculture. For this undertaking the chief focal point will be on agricultural activities the Entity undertakes with rural communities. The widespread inequality and crunching poorness impacting half of the population in the South Africa ‘s Eastern Cape consequences in unequal and unstable nutrient supply, hapless nutrition and weak exigency nutrient direction systems Inadequate societal safety cyberspaces, high unemployment and high prevalence of HIV/AIDS farther exacerbate nutrient insecurity. The chronic deficiency of nutrient security experienced by more than a 3rd of the state ‘s population further high spots severe, endangering inequalities in South African society The nutrient programme increases the capacity of the beneficiary communities by supplying them with preparation and support for sustainable nutrient horticulture. Those trained are so expected to each train and impart support to five other families in set uping vegetable gardens. In this mode, wider community is promoted. Training is based on environmentally friendly rulesSustainability HazardsEnergyEnergy deficits have increased the monetary value of production, therefore increasing nutrient monetary values in for communities. Planting has become expensive therefore the community is unable to works.WaterThe deficiency of sustainable agribusiness harms the environment by sucking rivers, lakes and belowground H2O beginnings dry, increasing dirt salt and thereby destructing its quality, and by rinsing pollutants and pesticides into rivers that in bend destroy downstream ecosystems such as corals and engendering evidences for fish in coastal countries. Insufficient nutrient production and harmful agribusiness subsidies are doing deforestation, H2O deficits and pollution. The chief causes are: – leaky irrigation systems, uneconomical field application methods, pollution by agri-chemicals and cultivation of thirsty harvests non suited to the environment. The waste and pollution of H2O is made worse by misdirected subsidies, low public and political consciousness of the crisis, and weak environmental statute law. The agricultural sector is the largest consumer of H2O resources, and variableness in H2O supply has a major influence on wellness and public assistance in hapless countries. With H2O scarceness and utmost conditions events expected to increase under climate alteration, H2O security could worsen significantly in rural countries. Consequently, it is of import to understand the impacts of planetary alteration ( in footings of clime, human ecology, engineering, and so on ) on agribusiness and natural resources our developing state.Unpredictable conditions conditionsAdverse conditions conditions, peculiarly the heavy rains delay harvest home and Vegetables like will be in short supply, so their monetary values will besides lift. Increased vaporization and decreases in dirt wet could decline dirt eroding and related deposit, worsening a job disputing the agribusiness The degree of regional alteration in temperature and precipitation including variableness and extremes ( for example, late spring hoars, hail, storms, etc. ) ; the magnitude of the C dioxide fertilisation consequence on harvest output ; the ability of husbandmans to accommodate to potentially new clime conditions ( e.g. , holding H2O and/or irrigation installations available ) ; dirt restrictions that could forestall some harvests from being able to take advantage of a warmer clime ; and the province of the planetary market ( e.g. trade good monetary values and entree to planetary markets ) However, the impact of each or all of these factors is hard to foretell because they are extremely interconnected with other biological and socioeconomic ( including authorities policies ) factors.PollutionPollution is an environmental job disputing harvest agriculture, could decline with the effects of clime alteration. The agribusiness industry is already lending to pollution in T through the usage of pesticides, ensuing in bio-accumulation of these substances. Higher temperatures are besides likely to let the endurance of plagues that usually do non defy cold winters, ensuing in extra menaces to harvests and farm animal and the heightened demand for pesticides. Using these pesticides has the potency of making extra environmental concerns.HIV/AIDSSince most agricultural activities take topographic point in rural countries, where husbandmans chiefly utilizing labour intensive techniques live, and have been much vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, it has resulted into diminution of agricultural production in general, and nutrient production in peculiar. Many communities whose beginning of income, nutrient and general support is agriculture have registered negative growing due to HIV/AIDS. A figure of factors, all related with HIV/AIDS explain the general pattern/trend of reduced agricultural production such as depletion of labour force and increased work load due to increased dependence load, loss of accomplishments and cognition, and income break. AIDS undermines agricultural systems, affects the nutritionary state of affairs and nutrient security of rural households. Families face worsening productiveness every bit good as loss of cognition about autochthonal farming methods and loss of assets ( Focus, 2001 ) . Labor intensive farming systems with a low degree of mechanisation and agricultural input are peculiarly vulnerable to AIDS. Given the fact that AIDS is concentrated among the 15 – 45 old ages old, who are most able bodied, so agribusiness suffers most in footings of production and market for the accruing merchandises.Sustainability OpportunitiesEnhancing the Carbon Sink FunctionSignificant sums of CO2 can be removed from the ambiance and stored in dirts through a scope of farming patterns, such as organic agriculture, zero or decreased cultivated land systems that avoid or cut down dirt perturbation, turning protein harvests, and transition of cultivable land to grassland. Organic agribusiness does non foul watercourses with nitrates or toxicants, it doubles C segregation, it is more efficient, both in H2O and non-solar energy footings and it improves biodiversity.Supplying Renewable Resources for Bio-energies and Bio-productsBio-energies produced from agricultural biomass can replace other emanation intensive energy beginnings, such as fossil fuels. Increased engagement of husbandmans in turning energy harvests for bio-fuels, little power Stationss or for farm combined heat and power workss. An addition for usage of renewable agricultural resources in industry such as agro-materials, bio -plastics and bio-chemicalsEnhanced Research and Development in Agricultural MethodologiesSoil Conservation: Farmers ‘ specific version options listed in this class include mulching, planting of screen harvests, using fertiliser and organic manure. Changing Planting Dates: This covers early planting and late planting options. Changing Cultivated land Operationss: The options in this class are utilizing minimal cultivated land operations, full cultivated land operation and excavation ridges across inclines in the farm against eroding. Planting Autochthonal Trees: This specifically involves seting trees in the farm to function as shadiness against rough temperature. Irrigation: As the name implies, it involves providing H2O to the farm. The informal type is used here.Carbon TradingProvides a strong fiscal inducement to cut down energy ingestion it is an easy and powerful tool for authoritiess to drive emanations down civilization Pull offing emanations is one of the fastest-growing sections in fiscal services.Water Recycling and Rain Water HarvestingThe Free Basic Water – every family in South Africa is entitled to a free 6 000 liters ( 6 M3 ) per month ( for domestic usage: imbibing, cookery and hygiene ) Much of the domestic H2O can be recycled at a family degree and used to turn nutrient. Soap and other drosss can be removed through flocculation and gravitation fed sand filtration. A current research undertaking is developing, â€Å" Guidelines for sustainable usage of gray H2O in small-scale agribusiness and gardens in South Africa † In add-on to supplying a reliable, locally-controlled H2O supply, H2O recycling provides enormous environmental benefits. By supplying an extra beginning of H2O, H2O recycling can assist us happen ways to diminish the recreation of H2O from sensitive ecosystems.Hazard Assessment-QualitativeProbabilityVery High – occurs more than twice a month High – occurs one time every three months Medium – occurs one time every nine months Low – occurs one time every twelvemonth Very Low – occurs one time every three old agesIntensityHigh – impact is regional Medium – local impact over a period of months Low – limited to site and easy returned to normal1=Energy, 2=Water, 3=Adverse Weather Conditions, 4=Pollution, 5=HIV/AIDSHigh Medium Low 1 Very High Hydrogen Hydrogen Meter 2 High Hydrogen Hydrogen Hydrogen 3 Medium Hydrogen Meter Meter 4 Very Low Meter Meter Liter 5 Low Hydrogen Meter Meter The Entity adheres to two pillars of the ternary underside line, viz. the Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability. It does non hold schemes to mensurate and supervise the impact on the environmental resources. A scheme to step and proctor impacts and to implement systems to guarantee that resources are used in a sustainable mode and that negative impacts are reduced or minimized and uninterrupted betterment is achieved demands to be developed An audit was done on the communal agricultural sites, presently the sites there is no monitoring of sustainability patterns or the sum of resources used or generated, such as H2O, energy, waste and pollutants. Post the environmental audit the Entity will follow an environmental and societal direction system.-EMS as this is an of import tool to guarantee that Entity undertakings are complaint with regulative and entity demands and cognizing the impacts it has on society. This will assist concentrate the Entity on precedences for all actions and will function as a model for seting thoughts into pattern.Sustainability Management Tool -Cradle to SculptThe traditional manner to turn to environmental jobs was to concentrate on a works or a site of production and most frequently on one peculiar pollutant. However, this attack frequently leads to job shifting, either from one phase of the life rhythm to another or from one environmental job to another, merely by change overing the pollution into another signifier. In order to minimise the environmental impacts of a merchandise or a service, one needs to compare the overall ( â€Å" cradle-to-grave † ) environmental efficiency ( impact per k g [ kg ] of merchandise or per unit of service ) of different ways of bring forthing it and for a comprehensive scope of environmental jobs. Covering the whole life rhythm of a merchandise besides allows placing the hot musca volitanss where most additions can be achieved with least attempt and costs. Life rhythm Assessments Life Cycle Assessment ( LCA ) is a quantitative method used to mensurate the energy and stuff flows associated with all phases of a merchandise from cradle to sculpt. The application of LCA to agricultural and nutrient production processes is get downing to increase. LCA to maintain the entireness of the system in head when sing the sustainability of certain constituents. This involves sing all of the procedures associated with the production of the harvests. Life rhythm believing merely adds another dimension to our position of the agricultural system as a whole. In LCA surveies the full production system should be considered, i.e. for harvest production systems the analysis includes non merely the on-field activities, but besides all impacts related to the production of natural stuffs ( minerals, fossil fuels ) and farm inputs like fertilisers, works protection substances, machinery or seeds. The LCA method will measure the impact of emanations and resource ingestion associated with harvest production on the undermentioned environmental effects: depletion of a biotic resources, land usage, clime alteration, toxicity, and acidification, In order to enable decisions on the overall environmental impact of alternate harvest nutrition systems, an collection process to cipher indexs for resource depletion ( RDI ) To guarantee future sustainable harvest agriculture below are some patterns that may help in accomplishing sustainable development.Safeguard natural resourcesProtect the unity of water partings, wetlands and grazing lands to continue ecosystem services and biodiversity. Invest in engineerings and techniques to advance water-use efficiency, such as improved irrigation systems, preservation agribusiness and better H2O allotment systems. Retain dirt wet, construct up dirt organic affair and prevent eroding by using techniques such as preservation cultivated land, alimentary direction and the usage of renewal Facilitate drought-preparedness and extenuation through appropriate engineerings, including usage of remote detection, local conditions prediction, drought-tolerant harvests, early warning information systems, improved irrigation engineerings ( based on works demands through evapo-transpiration ) , fertilisation techniques and constructing the resiliency of rural communitiesShare cognitionCreate international programmes to portion best patterns for the acceptance by husbandmans of bing water-efficient engineerings by doing them more low-cost, accessible and efficient in usage. Promote the usage of pilot undertakings and presentation secret plans and develop â€Å" develop the trainers † programmes for wider airing of cognition. Use Integrated Crop Management ( ICM ) best patterns ( notably by deploying the right food and other inputs, at the right rate, right clip and in the right topographic point to better alimentary consumption and prevent N and phosphate overflow or escape to waterways ) Encourage improved cropping systems ( e.g. the usage of screen harvests and appropriate harvest rotary motion methods, such as nitrogen-fixing leguminous plants ) , cultivation patterns ( e.g. by restricting fallow periods and cut downing cultivation ) and soil-quality patterns to increase overall resource productiveness and protect dirt wet. Provide entree to information through â€Å" schools on the air † improved media usage, and nomadic phones. Build local entree and capacity Invest in infrastructure-building of appropriate, efficient irrigations and fertilisation systems. Repairing the worst leaks in irrigation channels or puting in low-volume and low-pressure micro irrigation ( such as trickle and micro-sprayers ) will convey immense nest eggs. Modest H2O storage can enormously better outputs in rain-fed agribusiness. Pumping H2O into natural aquifers is much cheaper than edifice dikes, as it prevents waste of H2O through vaporization. Protect cropsProtect CropsReduce H2O usage by understating pre- and post-harvest losingss. Support attempts to heighten nutrient quality and safety and to cut down waste along the nutrient concatenation through to end-consumers. Improve safety proving for food-handling and processing equipment, every bit good as storage techniques, conservation-chain systems ( cold concatenation, desiccation, drying ) and transit substructure.Enable entree to marketsBuild substructure that allows merchandise to be stored safely and moved to market expeditiously to cut down waste. Establish market wagess for utilizing sustainable agricultural patterns and acknowledge husbandmans ‘ critical function in supplying ecosystem services. Support husbandmans ‘ organisations, enabling them to run as aggregating bureaus conveying together single husbandmans to better entree to fiscal mechanisms, support and C markets.Prioritize research jussive moodsInvest in R & A ; D aimed at scaling up a wide scope of new H2O efficiency engineerings and patterns. Develop clime information services and early warning systems, every bit good as best possible estimations of conditions and clime impacts on harvest or eatage production, Promote partnerships between husbandmans and scientists to develop equal and fit-for-use engineerings every bit good as land and H2O direction tools where they are at a temporal and spacial graduated table utile for vulnerable rural communities. Better the capacity of a wide scope of harvests to turn in harsher climes, developing locally-adapted drought-tolerant, salinity-tolerant, and heat-tolerant. Science and modern engineering should be utilized to heighten autochthonal cognition that has sustained rural communities over the decennaries. Research and adapt best patterns from other developing states. In add-on the Entity must follow ISO 9000 quality confidence system in the undertakings they run because this criterion will supply a really utile extra counsel in nomenclature and apprehension and using QMS construct to their system. They mapped the ensuing system processes to demands identified in ISO 9001. They planned to seek enfranchisement to ISO 9001 to derive acknowledgment and credibleness from all stakeholders By accommodating The National LandCare Programme1999 which aims to hold communities and persons adopt an ecologically sustainable attack to the direction of the environment and natural resources, while bettering their quality of life. This means people use the dirt, H2O and flora resources in a responsible mode to guarantee that future coevalss will besides be able to profit from the same resources. LandCare is implementing incorporate attacks to natural resource direction which are efficient, sustainable and just. LandCare is a community-based programme supported by both the populace and private sector through series of partnerships South Africa has great policies and schemes in topographic point and is even a signer to the Kyoto protocol. The programme of action in traveling frontward should be crafting an execution program on how these policies are to be put into pattern by the ordinary adult male on the street to advance sustainable usage of natural resources.

Relational Skills Reflection Paper Essay

The purpose of this paper is to allow me, the learner to analyze and reflect on a video created between an actor and themselves. Using my knowledge obtained I was to effectively incorporate trust, respect, honesty and effective communication, as they are key principles in establishing a relationship with a client (RNAO, 2002). During this experience, I encountered an issue that I believe is significant in my development as a nurse. I was placed into a scenario involving a 47 year old patient named John, who was waiting to be discharged after suffering his first heart attack. Finding the patients quietly sitting in a chair watching the floor as I entered the room, I felt the need to be in the moment with him. The issue that seemed significant to pay attention to in this scenario was my patient’s feelings of being overwhelmed by his medical condition and the changes that needed to be made (Appendix A). Sitting within good distance and showing respectable body language showed him respect, while acknowledging he had my full attention was displayed to the patient by making comments such as yes and I understand (Appendix A). Through the use of open-ended questions, I was able to identify what was meaningful and concerning to john. John showed a lot of concern around his ability to care for himself so this doesn’t happen again, and being able to support his family (Appendix A). Knowing his concerns, I was then able to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to participate effectively in our nurse-client relationship (RNAO). This experience has allowed me to develop further in my role as a nurse. My patients comment on how our encounter gave him more encouragement to face his challenges was proof that my communication methods were effective in developing a therapeutic relationship (Appendix A). The opportunity to set aside my own concerns and focusing on the patients, allowed me to be in the moment with the patients. In those moments, the experience helped me become a better nurse as my actions made me feel more confident after each successful encounter. Watching his facial expressions and drawing in his positive responses allowed me to watch him develop confidence in my ability to care and in turn, allowe d me to develop confidence in myself (Appendix A). The significant actors in this experience were the individual playing the part of â€Å"John† and myself, the nurse attending to the patients needs. My role in the scenario was to identify the concerns of the patient and help them to obtain knowledge. Providing  resources for my patient gave him options that were specific to his concerns such as a well balanced diet and proper exercise. The options of meeting with a nutritionist to help make healthy meal choices, and with a physiotherapist to help develop custom exercises to take with him on the road encouraged John to change his routines (Appendix A). Taking note of my patient’s feelings of being overwhelmed by his heart attack, I was able to give him some comfort when offering to find an individual recovering from a heart attack that would be willing to sit down and share their life stories and methods of coping (Appendix A). The patient’s role in this experience was to help create a therapeutic relationship. I first observed my patient with her arms and legs crossed and staring down at the floor with concerned look on his face (Appendix A). Comparing the first image to the end of the scenario showed an individual that was interested in making a change, a smile on his face and as he stated, an â€Å"encouraged† perception of his health (Appendix A). The client was in need of direction and help with making the appropriate changes to ensure a healthy lifestyle after having his heart attack. I was able to provide her with resources such as a nutritionist, physiotherapist and social support to adjust to life changes (Appendix A). While meeting the needs of my patient, I was successful in completing my own personal needs. Coming into the experience with knowledge of possible resources available, the anxiety present upon introduction had disappeared after gaining acceptance from my patient through effective communication. The development of a therapeutic relationship allowed both the pat ient and I to gain from the experience. The patient left feeling encouraged and satisfied, as I felt successful and confident in how I handled the situation (appendix A). Before the taping of the scenario began, I was trying to achieve the perfect scenario while presenting a professional image of a nurse. I acted the way I did due to the lack of experience in the spotlight and I allowed my nerves affect my thought process. This is demonstrated throughout the entire video as I kept returning to the same question â€Å"are there any concerns you have†, and trying to solve the patients problem instead of helping them understand and cope with the emotions that are attached to the experience (Appendix A). My feelings, thoughts and responses during this experience were influenced  by my personal view and the presence of my preceptor placed me in a nervous state to which I became unsure of how to respond properly to my patient’s thoughts. This experience allowed me to feel capable of my skill levels and feel confident as a nurse. Overall this scenario showed perception of my growth through the friendly gestures and facial expressions of the p atient. Anxiety and stress diminish communication, interpersonal effectiveness and empathy within a nurse-patient relationship (Beddoe and Murphy, 2004). Lack the knowledge and understanding of why I am feeling this anxiety, even with positive reflections on my experience, allowed me to evaluate what I did wrong. Future encounters will help me to reflect on the scenario and blindside my anxiety before it has an effect on my actions. Having a limited amount of empirical knowledge made it challenging to let the patient know exactly what to expect after having a heart attack and what daily routines have to be adjusted. Obtaining empirical knowledge from my education regarding the components of a nurse-client relationship reminded me that I needed to place the power into my patient and develop respect and trust within the relationship (CNO, 2004). Personal knowledge was limited in this scenario as it was my first time being placed in the spotlight with a patient and I was unsure of how everything would unfold. Introducing my aesthetic knowledge was shown when I offered to find John an individual recovering from a heart attack that he could speak with (Appendix A). Throughout the experience, I became more aware of the patients feelings as I picked up on Johns overwhelmed feelings and concerns around providing for his wife and son (Appendix A). This perception of the experience is seen as John believe that he should have seen the heart attack coming before it occurred (Appendix A). He stated the he felt encouraged by this experience and felt he had more options to seek. The wife was more of a background actor, but was said to be a â€Å"sweet woman†, who has helped a lot throughout the experience (Appendix A). Valuing ones beliefs and concerns based on an experience is something all nurses should consider. Giving John multiple options and resources to consider instead of telling him what he has to do, have given him the power to make all the necessary changes within his life with the help of his wife and son (Appendix A). If I was given the opportunity to be placed in a similar situation in the  future, I believe that my anxiety would still be present, but more control over the situation would be noticeable due to the knowledge I have developed on therapeutic relationships. The relationship skills that I could have performed differently during this experience, was my self-awareness of human emotions. My nerves had played a role in distracting my train of thought when trying to be in the moment with the patient. Repeatedly asking the patient if he had any other concerns he would like to address may have given him the feeling of being rushed and that I was not interested in how he was feeling emotionally (Appendix A). On a few occasions, I would finish my patients sentence for him as I felt he was stuck for words, this may have allowed the patient to know I was listening to what he was saying, but also might have given him the idea that I was being rude (Appendix A). During the introduction stage of the experience, my patient told me he was in the hospital due to a heart attack. Empathy is the appreciation of the patient’s emotions and expression of awareness of what they are presenting (Haslam, 2007). My nerves caused me to overlook his feelings and just right into asking him about any concerns he might have with his state of health (Appendix A). It is possible to slip into a task-and time-orientated way of thinking to get jobs done, thereby neglecting effective communication with patients (Cocker, 2008). Consequences that may have developed from overlooking the patients feelings was the challenge of developing a closer relationship with the client as I was interested in obtaining information to help me solve his problems. Rushing my patient through the experience may have caused him to close himself off from the relationship as he may have felt that I was not listening to what he was truly feeling. This would leave the patient in the same state he had entered the experience with. The sources of knowledge that I could use to enhance my relational skills in these areas, is to take the time to practice with a partner a variety of scenarios that would help me develop my communication skills and place more focus on the patients feelings. The outcome of this experience was positive as my patient left feeling more encouraged and had obtained multiple resources to help him incorporate any changes that he may need to adjust within his daily routines (Appendix A). Looking back at this experience I was able to reflect on all of the positive  and negative aspects of a therapeutic relationship. I feel that the next time I am placed in a similar experience, I will be able to blindside my anxiety and personal thoughts and feelings. In turn, I would have the ability to be in the moment with my patients and address not only how I can help solve his problems, but also the feelings and thoughts being experienced. I have learnt that having self awareness identifies what skills I possess and those I need to learn and develop on. Self awareness provides nurses with knowledge of their thoughts, feelings and what they do to become awareness of issues that may affect their ability to intervene effectively (Parsons & White, 2008). Ther e will always be room to learn and improve my skills, and with practice, I will get the chance to watch them become second nature to me. This experience has taught me to avoid all the barriers such as the presence of anxiety in new situations. With confidence in creating an effective therapeutic relationship, I can focus on being in the moment with the patient. I have learnt that my anxiety can affect my interactions with patients, and that it is more than trying to solve the patients problems, it is about showing you care and being there in the moment to listen. This experience has allowed me to realize how a nurse’s action can affect the development of a therapeutic relationship. My ethical knowledge allowed me to recognize my patients overwhelmed feelings due to his health condition and by following my values and beliefs, I knew that he was in need of someone to care and help guide him in the right direction. Using my aesthetic knowledge, I was able to think of possible resources for my patient, and the creative idea of finding a previous heart attack patient showed my patient that I was willing to take that extra step and comfort his feelings. The knowledge gained from this experience can be incorporated into future situations and will allow for proper adjustments and better relationships to be developed. Lacking empirical knowledge before entering the scenario was a barrier that challenged my patient care. Knowing more information on heart attacks would have allowed me to present the patient with more options and what he could expect in the future (RNAO, 2002). Acknowledging my personal knowledge gathered from previous experiences, I considered how I would like to be treated and that anxiety would be present. Knowing this helped me to reduce my fidgeting and respect my patient by actively listening and keeping eye contact (Appendix A). This experience  will influence my future practice as a nurse because I have learnt that nursing is more than working on fixing the patients physical needs, but is more of an ethical interaction where you can take the time to be there in the moment with them. Looking at each experience as a stepping stone toward my success as a nurse and with each successful hurdle crossed, I can confidently await the next. â€Æ'Reference Beddoe, A., and Murphy, S. (2004). Does Mindfulness Decrease Stress and Foster Empathy Among Nursing Students? Journal of Nursing Education, 43(7), 305-12. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 669281021). Carper, B.A. (1978) Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing. New York. Aspen Publishers, Inc. Cocker, J. (2008). Patient dignity. Nursing Standard, 22(25), 59-60. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1440306621). College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), (2004, January). CNO Practice Standard: Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://cno.org/docs/prac/41033_Therapeutic.pdfHaslam, N. (2007). Humanising medical practice: the role of empathy. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), 381-2. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1374608891). Parsons,A., and White, J. (2008). Learning from reflection on intramuscular injections. Nursing Standard, 22(17), 35-40. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1413949861). Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO), (2002, Novemeber). Best Practice Guidelines: Establishing Therapeutic Relationships. Retrieved January 15, 2008 from http://www.rnao.org/bestpractices/completed_guidelines/BPG_Guide_C2_TR.asp

Gross Domestic Products Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gross Domestic Products - Essay Example When wage increases it would yield to higher production costs, thereby producing higher prices of goods and services and also increases the inflation rate. To station an equilibrium, unemployment rate must be consistent with the full employment rate. The interaction of supply and demand is a vital part of macroeconomics, consumer’s ability to adapt price changes and employers increasing the prices of the commodity may have several implications triggering the either inflation or stagflation. If consumers are cannot keep pace on the increasing price commodities, inflation may occur, however if employers are passing their labor cost index on consumers aiming to generate profit through price increase on commodities yet consumer can still cope up with the changes, stagflation occurs, where business did not gain anything and yet did not have any single loss. To illustrate further, we have to examine the country’s GDP of two of the world’s most prosperous nation, Austra lia, and United States. For over the past years, Australia’ economy has displayed worthily, however in 2006, it began to decline yielding only 2.5 % in real GDP. Drought, inflation, high oil prices, and economic deceleration attributed to the decreased in real GDP. (Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007). Domestic demand brought for the country’s thrust. Domestic demand comprises of business investment. High capacity utilization and high corporate profits served as a catalyst for the growing business investment in Australia.... When wage increases it would yield to higher production costs, thereby producing higher prices of goods and services and also increases in the inflation rate. To station an equilibrium, unemployment rate must be consistent with the full employment rate. The interaction of supply and demand is a vital part of macroeconomics, consumer's ability to adapt price changes and employers increasing the prices of commodity may have several implications triggering the either inflation or stagflation. If consumer's are cannot keep pace on the increasing price commodities, inflation may occur, however if employers are passing their labor cost index on consumers aiming to generate profit through price increase on commodities yet consumer can still cope up with the changes, stagflation occurs, where business did not gain anything and yet did not have any single loss. To illustrate further, we have to examine the country's GDP of two of the world's most prosperous nation, Australia and United States . For over the past years, Australia' economy has displayed worthily, however in 2006, it began to decline yielding only 2.5 % in real GDP. Drought, inflation, high oil prices and economic deceleration attributed to the decreased in real GDP. (Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007). Domestic demand brought for the country's thrust. Domestic demand comprises of business investment. High capacity utilization and high corporate profits served as a catalyst in the growing business investment in Australia. Capacity utilization refers to the amount pf physical capital available to firms that is in use. Firms are given ample stock of capital equipment such as machinery, office spaces, factories, computers and telecommunications as

Efficiency and Collaboration Proposal Coursework

Efficiency and Collaboration Proposal - Coursework Example However, it is not denied that Microsoft Excel can be used in various others ways like inventory, financial worksheets, etc. But Microsoft Access is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) application which is primarily meant for maintaining records whereas Microsoft Excel’s primary function is to act as a tool for data analysis. As it is necessary to maintain records of personnel working in the organization, an application is essential which can be used to enter the records and provide reports based on various parameters, Microsoft Access is flexible and useful when compared to Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Office is a easiest tool for documentation, tables, analysis, making presentation, maintaining records and getting reports. All the applications in MS Office package are flexible with each other that the data can be imported and exported to different applications. Similarly, all the data existing in MS Excel can be imported in MS Access through Import Option available in MS Access. This not allow the data to imported but it actually imports the data head-wise as it was entered in Excel thus eliminating the problem of entering the data again in Excel. The main benefit of MS Access is that value can be given to the parameters and based on these values data can be entered and reports can generated. Additionally, it offers the flexibility to design report based on our conditions. Such reports can help the organizations in decision making process. Party Plates can use MS Access to its fullest extent as possible to derive data as per its requirement and generate reports to make necessary changes in its strategy. Information pertaining to personnel’s can be obtained category wise to determine the payment policies, costs, products, sales data, etc. Such detailed data will help the sales department in taking decisions regarding the strategy formulation in times of crisis. As the competition is intense in the

Critically discuss your current understanding of the role and Essay

Critically discuss your current understanding of the role and importance of interaction in teaching and learning gained from your independent reading and research - Essay Example The main purpose of their questions is to explore the environment around them, and learn as much as they can from their older peers, or parents. When they grow up, and in classrooms, the numbers of their questions drop significantly. There are three kinds of classroom interactions, namely teacher-student interaction, student-student interaction, and student to others interaction. Others refer to the invited guests, or speakers who possess a particular knowledge that they want to impart on the student (Brooks et al, 2007). Interaction in a learning process is an important element of learning, and this is because it creates a culture of learning, and encourages students to take responsibility of their learning process, and outcomes. This paper analyzes the role and importance of interaction in the process of learning and teaching (Capel et al, 2005). This paper denotes that interaction is an important practice in the teaching process and any educator must practice this policy in order to achieve efficiency while imparting skills, and disseminating knowledge. Interaction in teaching and learning enhances efficiency in the use of language, therefore creating an efficient communication process amongst the various parties concerned. Gardner observes that by efficiently using a proper and understandable language in a class room set up, an instructor gets the capability of disseminating knowledge and information to the learners (1999). During interactive sessions, a leaner manages to develop his or her use of language. This is because they express themselves; in the process of asking a question, or making a point. By using language effectively, an instructor gains the capability of imparting knowledge by using the necessary resources and materials. Gardner (1999) denotes that this will enable a student to acquire a wider base of knowledge, and therefore enhancing the process of learning. Effective

Key Concepts within poststructuralist feminist analyses Essay

Key Concepts within poststructuralist feminist analyses - Essay Example Feminist activists are constantly looking for way of articulating power inequalities in society especially for those who have been undermined in the past. (Lather, 1991) Post structuralism comes in different forms; consequently, the manner in which the different forms are practiced also varies. However, these forms have three major concepts in common and they include; meaning, subjectivity and language. Besides the latter three elements, post structuralism forms are also related in the manner in which they attempt to deconstruct. There is always an examination into the way society perceives certain realities and then a disruption of these perceptions. In other words, there is always a tendency to disrupt these socially constructed systems. Different forms of post structuralism have challenged social constructs and they have an attribute of controversy about them. One of the forms of post structuralism is feminism post structuralism. This form can be analysed through the following three concepts and then applied in education Through language, feminism post structuralism analyses can be applied in education. This is because one can be able to under social power, social meaning, social organisation and individual consciousness. Language is therefore a site for constructing social meaning. Language is a medium that facilitates the way individuals can live through the way it gives meaning to individual’s social discourses. Language gives meaning to the world and also allows individuals certain forms of subjectivity. In the field of education; especially higher education, one can understand how women use language as method of showing their discontent with society. Subjectivity may be regarded as a site for conflict and disunity as perceived by feminism post structuralists. Humanist subjects differ and are unique in their own identities. Consequently, the notion that human subjects are static, stable or rational is in strong opposition to this feminism

GOVT 480 Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

GOVT 480 Final - Essay Example Today, international terrorism has become a major threat to the security of the United States. Domestic terrorism in the United States has been a big threat in the 20th century. The Los Angeles Times Building and the Wall Street bombing are examples of bombings that happened early in the 1920s. In the later 1990s, there was evidence of Unabomber attacks that used sophisticated technology. For instance, a mathematics professor Theodore was involved in the design of letter bombs that exploded on opening. However, the government has put enough efforts to disarm bombers and to contain the threat. The counter terrorism body has remained all eyes in containing domestic violence and has intercepted such actions with great efficiency. Clancy (2012), the deputy assistant director of the counter terrorism division stated that although the risk stills persists the public has little to worry as domestic violence is no longer a threat in America. However, the US government has a new problem to handle. In the recent past, the United States has had friction with hostile groups such as the Al-Qaeda, resulting into new threat of international terrorism. International terrorism is a greater reason to worry than domestic violence due to the severity of these attacks. For instance, in 11th September, 2011, the Al-Qaeda attacked the twin towers in United States killing over 3,000 citizens. Although various efforts have been launched to end the tension between US and Al-Qaeda, it is clear that there is likelihood of a revenge mission following the US involvement in the war in Iraq. The US president Barack Obama has put efforts to apply diplomacy in neutralizing the threat but since Al-Qaeda is a violent group, international terrorism remains a major threat whose solution is yet to be found (Clancy, 2012). On this ground, neutralizing domestic violence has been a great leg for America but the challenge of international terrorism is st ill

Metal children Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Metal children - Movie Review Example This is a play that displays mixed themes, ranging from teenage sexuality, suicide, censorship and even murder. It adds the theme of religious conflict, where culture seems to conflict with the religious standings of the residents living in the heartland of America. There is a tag of war between the residents who have a liberal mind and a sense of cultural sophistication on one hand, and the self-righteous Christians who are closed minded, on the other hand. The play progresses with Tobin’s determination to fight his critics, eventually leading to a show between him and his critics, where the strict Christians and the non-liberal minded residents engage him in the unsuitability of his book (Rapp, 33). This twist is added by the young girls who are committed to copy the book’s heroine, through engaging in teenage sexuality activities, creating more stir in this society. The emotional instability of Tobin is revealed when he arrives at Midlothia, to attend a board meeting that is convened to discuss this issue. He is not in a state of sanity that can allow him to engage in a rational debate over the banning of his book. However, Tobin is impressed by the fact that everybody in the streets seems to know about his book. The book is so controversial that even the manager of the motel where the meeting is to take place, Edith, has been reading the book two times, and is now reading it for the third time, without being certain whether to support or be against the book (Rapp, 81). The situation is even worse for the English teacher, who has become the target of the vigilante groups opposing the book, following her passionate defense of the book and its writer. The groups opposing the book have become increasingly violent, increasing the fear that they are up to cause harm. Nevertheless, Tobin gains a very strong admirer in Phoebe Strole, who is a niece to the motel manager (Rapp, 55). She is leading a

Liberalisation that Triggered the Asian Crisis and the Apparent Essay

Liberalisation that Triggered the Asian Crisis and the Apparent Insulation of China and India - Essay Example Least expected is that, in a very short period of time, a financial crisis sprouted in Thailand and spread like epidemic to the neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia and eventually triggered serious turmoil in the currency and financial markets of Japan and South Korea. While the extent of crisis differed from country to country, the Asian economies were brought face to face with serious difficulties that came from over-reliance on short-term foreign capital, speculative investments, and poor supervision by financial authorities. Even the resilient economies of Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have shown related problems, slowly being eroded by the persistent weaknesses of their neighbouring economies. What may have gone wrong that spelled the unfortunate events to take place? Why did some countries in the region, like China and India, have been unaffected by the crisis? What measures did these affected countries do to thwart the eventual downfall of their economies? What did policies did India and China foster in order to insulate them from the said crisis? As this paper explored answers to these questions, further recommendations by experts will also be tackled in order to prevent the same crisis from ever happening again. Liberalisation is termed as a programme of changes in the direction of moving towards a free-market economy. This normally includes the reduction of direct controls on both internal and international transactions, and a shift towards relying on the price mechanism to co-ordinate economic activities. In such a programme less use is made of licences, permits and price controls, and there is more reliance on prices to clear markets.

Saturable Reactor Essay Example for Free

Saturable Reactor Essay Saturable reactor or magnetic amplifier is a circuit that used to control very large load of AC with very small input DC. The saturable reactor consists of three essential elements : Direct current source, magnetic core with windings, and alternating current source. How it work? The AC load circuit run on to magnetic core and the DC control circuit is also went on to the same core. Ac current flows through winding and Since this current is alternating, the flux set up in the magnetic circuit loop is constantly changing in magnitude and direction. This means the field builds up to a maximum in one direction, collapses, and builds up to a maximum in the opposite direction DC circuit will cause flux which is which is constant in magnitude and constant in direction. This means the field builds up and remains steady state. The AC flux tends to saturate and then desaturate the core because of its cyclical operation. This results in a changing inductive reactance in the load winding. The DC flux, according to it’s strength, aids or opposes the AC flux in its saturate or desaturate effects in the core. Hence, the DC flux tends to control the AC flux controlling the reactance of the load winding. The use of separate windings on a single core has distinct advantages. Load winding consists of comparatively few turns of heavy wire because of large current requirements of different loads. Control winding Ni consists of many turns of fine wire. Since magnetomotive force depends upon the number of ampere turns, a small current in the control winding produces a magnetomotive force equal to that of the load winding. Usually, DC in the order of milliamperes controls AC in the order of amperes. The following describes the steps in the operation and control of the simple saturable reactor: 1. Zero DC control current in the control loop. Since only AC current is flowing through the load windings, an extremely high inductive reactance (Xl) is present in the load windings. This is due to the high inductance (L) of the load windings and the action of the varying magnetic field produced. Extremely high inductive reactance in this winding results in a high impedance (Z) which limits the flow of AC current to a low value. This high reactance also causes a large voltage drop across the load windings in series with the load, limiting the current supplied to the load.  Since current is limited to a low value to the load, minimum power is transferred to the load since power is a function of current. 2. Increase DC control current in control loop. DC current creates a flux which, when superimposed on the AC flux, collectively saturates the core. Since the core is near saturation or fully saturated (core unable to hold any more flux lines), the inductive reactance is greatly reduced. This is due to the fact that no additional changing flux can be held by the core. With reduced inductive reactance the impedance of the load windings is greatly reduced.Large AC currents are now permitted to flow through the load. This results in maximum power transfer to the load. Decrease DC control current in control loop. With less DC current flowing there is less total flux in the core and the core desaturates. This results in the cores ability to support once again the changing flux, creating a high inductive reactance, and resulting in increased impedance in the load winding. Minimum power transfer results since current to the load is greatly reduced.

Hello 9th Grade Essay Example for Free

Hello 9th Grade Essay School experiences are helpful for the development from child to young adult. Students grow together and experience the good, the bad, and learn from one another. School is all about change and growth. Especially when moving up a new grade. When entering the hall of high school it is time to say â€Å"hello 9th grade†. In high school you have AP classes so; in my AP class I will learn difficult lessons. Even with AP class I still need to try my best so, this year I will push myself even harder. Lastly, I want 9th grade to change me and set goals for my life. To start off, AP classes are a valuable tool for students. There are so many AP classes such as, World History, U. S. History, Biology, Physics, Calculus, and Spanish Language. For students, they provide an opportunity to earn college credits early, and demonstrate that a student is ready to take on a challenge. AP classes require a high level of critical thinking and in order for me to pass I will need to concentrate and understand my lessons. As a high school student, I have academic areas that I am weak in, but this does not mean that I will not improve my weaknesses. Normally, I do not read or push myself in something that seems too hard, but now with AP classes and new courses, I am more liable to feel the need to excel in everything. Therefore, by showing teachers I am ready to do great they will know I am a serious scholar. Personally, being able to obtain a higher education gives me an opportunity to be better in many ways. Everyone should have any personal goals in life in order to survive and succeed in every journey that life gives. As for me, being a scholar at Albany Early College, I hope to achieve all of my goals on which I have been trying to pursue and obtain through the years. With each year that passes I hope to grow in maturity and learn to not take life for granted. I want 9th grade to teach me to be more precise and more open to stepping outside of my comfort zone. To sum up, My personality and views on life have changed immensely over the past few years. I think differently and assess situations with more thought than I use to. The experiences I had in elementary and middle school changed the way I am. I am ready to say goodbye middle school and hello high school freshman. â€Å" To take little steps that make a big one is a great gift that can prepare yourself for the real deal † Charlie Baker

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Colonialism History Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Colonialism History Essay Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by the people of another territory. It can also be defined as the control that a country or government holds over the territory and the people in a foreign country. It is also the policy of extending national authority over foreign territories. This is when the people of a particular region do not have control over anything in their territory. Colonialism took place because some countries were powerful than other countries even though they were small regionally they dominate it because of their own reasons. Before colonialism, there were no schools, churches and industries, survival required hard work and sacrifice. Resources were one of the main reasons why the British colonised Africa and generating wealth for their mother country, because of this many people in the colonies were forced to slavery or labourers to work on plantation, they planted cash crops such as cocoa and tobacco. The colonies tried using Native Americans slaves but Native Americans knew the land and ran away because plenty of them died due to diseases and other things. The colonies also paid for Europeans to immigrate to the years. In return, the immigrants worked without pay for a number of years. All the colonies used slave labour; they enslaved thousands of Africans to toil on their fields. The mouth of the slaves were pierced and locked with padlock so that they wont eat from what they were planting especially the sugar plantation and also with chains on their necks, hands and legs. The slaves were treated as if they were not humans by the colonial masters, they maltreated them badly by treating them cruelly beating the m, starving or even killing them; it reduced the population of Africa because most of the slaves died because of hunger and also there was no people to farm and provide food for those who were not captured because all the strong and young men who could farm where captured, it led them to poverty. Slavery destroyed civilization and led to the underdevelopment of the colonies. Africans were looked upon as inferior and dull people who are only good at working as labourers and doing house works by the colonial masters. The children of slaves automatically became slaves too Lack of respect for traditions is an effect of colonialism, the traditions of the colonies where not respected by the colonial masters, they did not value the culture of their colonies at all, they completely took over the way of life of their colonies. The traditions of the people were abandoned by the colonial masters especially the French in their colonies; they tried to make the people French in the mode of dressing, language and other things (policy of assimilation), which of course worked in some areas and didnt in some. The colonies made the people to adapt to new culture because the colonial masters believe that their culture is superior to that of the black. But also colonialism removed and abolished the bad part of pre-colonial culture because it had the power to eliminate damaging social trends and older ideals. Before the coming of colonial masters; in some part of West Africa especially Nigeria twins were killed because they were considered as evil, taboo or some sort of bad luck to their parents. They either throw them in the jungle to die or drown them in rivers, with the advance of colonialism that practice was abolished and is regarded as a primitive and horrific practice and stopped it. They also stopped the bad way women were treated, women back then were seen as baby producing machine, they were disdain in the society, arranging the house and cooking meal was what it was believed they were good at. With the advancement of colonialism Sati practice was abolished in India. Sati was traditional practice whereby the first wife of a deceased husband would throw herself or be thrown at the fire on the day of her husbands funeral it serves as a way through which she will show her mourning. The British developed it colonies, it brought about modernization to regions that were technologically under developed, it introduced trading and other businesses in which trade by batter took place too. Normally the people produce their product then give it to the colonial masters in exchange with either mirror, gun powder, cowries and other things because back then all these things did not exist. They provided rail roads for open trade which helped in the transportation of goods from one area to another. They (colonial maters) also brought and introduced medicines to their colonies because most of them died because due to sickness, this helped to abolish the use of leaves and other herbs that they dont know the use of them from use in the colonies. But also the colonialist introduced or brought some diseases which were not known in the colonies which up till today some don not have a cure. The colonialist introduced democratic system of government in the West African colonies. Before colonialism in Nigeria, places where divided into kingdoms and each kingdom had its King which in some parts of the kingdom is of hierarchy while some it was not. The kings normally are they once who made the laws of the kingdom and punished offenders. Colonialism removed this part of practice in their colonies by introducing a democratic system of in which leaders are chosen through election. However, the colonialist introduced Christian religion knowledge in the west African countries before they visited West Africa, people, Christianity did not exist, they worshipped traditional idols and other sorts of things and also judgement was of what their ancestors say through the kingdoms orals (which is believed that it is through there the ancestors speak. Colonialism introduced Christianity to their colonies because Christianity is the religion of the European, some part of the colonies accepted and some didnt because they were already practicing a religion they believed in. The colonialist established schools and made bible study for anyone who would attend the school. Christianity gradually developed and the people gradually stopped practicing the traditional religion. In conclusion, colonialism had great advantages and disadvantage. It introduced Christianity which abolished the traditional practices and other bad practices in the colonies they colonized. It also stopped the bad practices of killing twins in Africa, Sati in India and other bad practices. Colonialism also modernist plenty part of its colonies by introducing farming tools, roads, vehicles for transporting goods and other things. Even though some people suffered in the hands of the colonial masters, it still helped a lot in its territories and colonies.

Cannabis Sativa: Why Hasnt It Been Legalized? :: essays research papers

What if we were able to legalize a drug that works more efficiently on some diseases than any legal drug on the market today? This drug can help to aid such notorious diseases as AIDS and glaucoma. The name of this drug is cannabis sativa, or its more well-known name, marijuana. Cannabis sativa should be legalized for its medicinal uses. This paper will state the different types of diseases that marijuana may be used for, the current steps towards the legalization of this drug for medicinal purposes, the reasons for the use of this drug not to be exploited, the positive and alleviating effects of its use, and the non-addictive attributes of the drug itself. There are many reasons to show why the illegal drug, marijuana, should be legalized solely for its medicinal uses and benefits. Marijuana can be used for such things as glaucoma, controlling seizures, arthritis, the side effects of cancer chemotherapy, such as vomiting and nausea, asthma, anxiety, convulsions, AIDS and depression (Cohen, 1985). "In glaucoma, it reduces the pressure in the eye, for instance, and it also causes a slight increase in appetite in people suffering from AIDS wasting or those undergoing chemotherapy" (Medical Experts, 1997). Marijuana has been widely touted as a treatment for the drastic weight loss associated with AIDS (Levine, 1997). Cannabis sativa reduces the vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy, and alleviates pretreatment anxiety. It reduces the muscle pain and spasticity caused by the disease, but it may also help some patients with bladder control and the relieving of tremors (Facts & Stats, 2001). There are a number of peopl e who have severe mental illnesses. When they feel like they are becoming mentally ill, they start self-medicating with cannabis to help them to relieve the symptoms of the illness they are having (Jamaica, 1997). In the study on rats, a research team from Complutense University and Autonoma University in Madrid found that marijuana's active ingredient, called THC, killed tumor cells in advanced cases of glioma, a quick-killing cancer for which there is currently no effective treatment. The team reports that the treatment works by stimulating the cancer cells to commit suicide in a natural process called apoptosis. The effect occurs in cancer cells but not in normal ones and, they say, "could provide the basis for a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of malignant gliomas". (Rea, 2000) But anytime there is an upside, there is always a downside.

Americas Crime Fighters Need DNA Fingerprinting Essay -- Genetic Argu

America's Crime Fighters Need DNA Fingerprinting Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a chemical structure containing a base sequence. Base pairs are genetic codes made up of four chemicals (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine) and each sequence differs in every person. Because DNA is so complex and varies immensely in individuals, it can be used like a fingerprint, hence the name DNA Fingerprinting. DNA can be found and analyzed in blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin--even decades old if properly stored. The process takes longer than simple fingerprinting and is very expensive, but the results are almost perfect in determining identity. While these tests are very accurate, there is a 1 in 50 billion chance that two people will have an identical match. According to Kate Brinton and Kim-An Lieberman, the applications of DNA Fingerprinting are mainly Criminal Identification and Forensics, Paternity and Maternity tests, and Personal Identification (Applications link). Many court cases have been resolved through DNA testing , and because of today’s technology, it should be used more often in all necessary circumstances. Thomas H. Murray from Case Western Reserve University stated in 1987, â€Å"The moral significance of humankind is no more threatened by peeking at the underlying musical notation, the base sequences, than is the score of Beethoven’s last symphony diminishing to that piece of work.† In other words he is saying that analytical results from a base sequence should not affect someone’s moral views on DNA testing. As to who should be able to analyze your DNA and how long it remains on record, results should be as available as any other form of identification. DNA testing was first developed in... ...cation of many people possible. Finally, when a person is monitored or screened in the workplace for possible illnesses, they must understand that it is beneficial for them as well as other employees in the workplace. Results relate to the presence of mutated DNA strands and should be reflected on the person’s current physical condition as well as their past. This makes any changes to the workplace environment more accurate and logical. If any instance calls for DNA testing, results should be filed when the issue is resolved. People need to know of any concerns with their DNA to determine possible solutions. These solutions can be preventative medications or a recommendation to work in safer environments. Whether it needs to be viewed by doctors, researchers, or for criminal investigations, results should be as available as any other form of identification.

The Net Neighborhood :: Online Communities Internet Web Essays

The Net Neighborhood â€Å"After all†¦I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.† The above is my favorite quote from a movie. I have never really thought about my favorite movie quote until I ran into the question on the teen forums website. I thought the best online community for me to join would be one that I was interested in. I was attracted to the teen forum website which was created by the student center. I picked a message board that I knew I could participate in so that I could actively analyze the interactions between people. Therefore, I picked the movie message board which discusses anything from new movies to favorite movie kiss. The choices are pretty much endless. The name of the website is http://teenforums.studentcenter.org. The boards are set up so that you can choose topics you are interested in. Once you have done that you can read and respond to them. It is a great way to converse with people who love movies. I believe that people use online communities such as this one for comfort, support, or informational reasons. I visited the website every day, sometimes more often then that. As I did this, I observed certain things, for example, what kinds of questions people asked one another. I found it interesting how often people would write and respond to each other. From what I observed, questions were answered within minutes. The reason why responses were answered so quickly is that people contributing to the message board just want people to talk to. For example, someone asked â€Å"What is everyone’s favorite movie?† Specifically, I noticed that I talk on the message boards when I had a lot of time on my hands or if I felt like talking to people. So right away I realized why online communities serve as a comfort. I created a diary for every time that I checked the online message board. I studied and analyzed certain aspects that probably would not strike the common person who uses the online community. The diary is as follows: Thursday February 13th, 6:48 p.m. – I first checked the website during class. I looked at all the topics that people were talking about under the movie message board. The Net Neighborhood :: Online Communities Internet Web Essays The Net Neighborhood â€Å"After all†¦I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.† The above is my favorite quote from a movie. I have never really thought about my favorite movie quote until I ran into the question on the teen forums website. I thought the best online community for me to join would be one that I was interested in. I was attracted to the teen forum website which was created by the student center. I picked a message board that I knew I could participate in so that I could actively analyze the interactions between people. Therefore, I picked the movie message board which discusses anything from new movies to favorite movie kiss. The choices are pretty much endless. The name of the website is http://teenforums.studentcenter.org. The boards are set up so that you can choose topics you are interested in. Once you have done that you can read and respond to them. It is a great way to converse with people who love movies. I believe that people use online communities such as this one for comfort, support, or informational reasons. I visited the website every day, sometimes more often then that. As I did this, I observed certain things, for example, what kinds of questions people asked one another. I found it interesting how often people would write and respond to each other. From what I observed, questions were answered within minutes. The reason why responses were answered so quickly is that people contributing to the message board just want people to talk to. For example, someone asked â€Å"What is everyone’s favorite movie?† Specifically, I noticed that I talk on the message boards when I had a lot of time on my hands or if I felt like talking to people. So right away I realized why online communities serve as a comfort. I created a diary for every time that I checked the online message board. I studied and analyzed certain aspects that probably would not strike the common person who uses the online community. The diary is as follows: Thursday February 13th, 6:48 p.m. – I first checked the website during class. I looked at all the topics that people were talking about under the movie message board.

The Transition To The Role of Professional Nurse

My most recent employment included working as a Rehabilitation vocational nurse in an in-patient Rehabilitation hospital. Typically I cared for 6-8 patients at a time, providing total care for each. I am IV certified with much experience in the field, particularly within pediatrics. I have worked with professional nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, physicians and more as part of a collaborative and comprehensive health care team. Issues and Concerns Surrounding Transition For Practical/Vocational Nurse A licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN or LVN) is often the first step in one's career toward becoming a certified professional nurse. The role of a vocational nurse differs significantly from the role of a professional nurse. Most nurses trained at this level have one year of study experience at a vocational or community college. A vocational nurse is used to working under the supervision of a licensed RN or professional nurse or physician (Quan, 2004). There are multiple issues and concerns surrounding the transition to the role of professional nurse, none the least of which is the shortage of qualified nurse educators to provide guidance to LPN's desiring a career as an RN (Quan, 2004). There are also multiple levels of education one may pursue as a professional nurse that must be considered (Quan, 2004). For example, while many hospitals in the past have offered three year courses allowing students to live in the hospitals, few of these programs still remain (Quan, 2004). Most vocational nurses now desiring a professional career must pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an associate's degree in nursing. This requires much time, effort and of course, acceptance into a qualified nursing programs. A vocational nurse must also have the ability to effectively transition to the role of a supervisor or leader, capable of making complex decisions and delegating tasks to others as part of their job responsibilities as a professional nurse. Clinical Judgment in Autonomy and Accountability of Professional Nursing Practice Professional nursing practice affords RN's a relatively large amount of autonomy and accountability on the job. Professional nurses are often called on to use their own technical expertise and judgment to help manage and oversee patient care as part of members of a collaborative health care team (Shanbhag, 2002). They are accountable for the results of any decisions they make regarding patient care, even when those decisions involve delegating tasks to others. In cases where professional nurses supervise the work functions of others, professional nurses must also be held accountable for patient outcomes and the outcomes of their underlings. Professional nurses are often afforded the ability to delegate tasks as they see appropriate to underlings including vocational nurses (Shanbhag, 2002). This requires not only a great deal of decision making ability but also the ability to differentiate among underling's skills, qualifications and abilities. This will help them remain accountable for the actions of each member of their health care team. A professional nurse is also more likely to be held accountable for patient's outcomes as they often supervise the care of other nurses or health care assistants involved in patient care (Shanbhag, 2002). Most are expected to exercise â€Å"independent judgment† reserving the right to direct care in certain circumstance (Shanbhag, 2002). Professional nurses are also more likely to be held accountable for patient outcomes as well as the performance of those working under their direct supervision. How Professional Nurse Collaborates with Others To Achieve Effective Patient Care The best possible outcome for patients is only realized when professional nurses work as members of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating to ensure the best patient outcome. A professional nurse does not work alone but rather as a member of a comprehensive patient care team whose goals include optimizing patient outcomes. Members of this comprehensive health care team may include nursing assistants, professional nurses, primary care physicians, social workers, patients and family members (Coombs, 2004). For collaboration to work in the health care team it must often be defined in a non-hierarchical or cooperative manner based â€Å"on shared power and authority† assuming that each member of the team holds a certain level of knowledge, responsibility and influence that directly influences patient outcomes (Coombs, 2004). Professional nursing requires many of the same leadership skills required of doctors or other management professionals. The primary leadership skills beneficial to the field include (1) the ability to establish, maintain and promote communication and interpersonal relationships, (2) the ability to delegate work tasks and oversee the work of others (3) the ability to make decisions based on one's knowledge, skills and expertise (4) the ability to work as members of a collaborative team and (5) the ability to help create interdependency and promote knowledge sharing among all team members (Coombs, 2004). The ability to work collaboratively is a fundamental skill required of effective leaders (Miccolo & Spanier, 1993). A professional nurse must first be able to provide coworkers, supervisors and underlings with clear communication and insight regarding his or her goals, methods, policies and programs. A professional nurse like any other member of a health care team is responsible for knowledge sharing. Anyone responsible for knowledge sharing within an organization must have the ability to develop communication skills among team members. Further, a leader knows how to delegate work tasks to ensure they aren't overburdened by administrative or nursing tasks at any one point in time. This helps reduce burn out and promotes a more efficient and product team environment. A nurse must also rely on their own education, experience and knowledge to help make directed and responsible decisions within the health care environment. This will help the nurse work as an effective leader within the health care team, and promote cooperation among all team members. Management of Nursing Care and Delegation Professional nurses must act as managers, working to help build, create, maintain and manage effective partnerships or teams of workers within the health care environment. The management of nursing care involves identifying what members of the health care team are capable of carrying out certain roles, and assigning them those roles accordingly to ensure the patients basic needs are met, and to ensure a positive health outcome for patients treated under a professional nurses care. Delegation of tasks is an autonomous task requiring independent decision-making capability. Since professional nurses tend to work in a role that requires leadership, independent thinking, decision making and accountability for patient outcomes, it naturally follows that professional nurses must learn how to delegate tasks appropriately. Proper use of delegation within the health care environment will also free up time for professional nurses to work with multiple patients and to address the many administrative functions and tasks that come along with the role of a professional nurse in today's health care environment (Coombs, 2004).

Compare and Contrast “Romeo and Juliet” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” Essay

The book ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare is about two opposing families with much hatred for each other. It shares many similarities, as well as many differences to the movie ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ directed by Kelly Asbury. In both the film and the play, both families have extreme hatred for each other. For that reason, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet find a way to secretly show love for each other. Also in both the film and the play, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight. After just a day of knowing each other, Romeo and Juliet are surely in love and decide to secretly get married. Another similarity that they have, is Romeo/Gnomeo and Tybalt hate each other very much. In both the movie and the play, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet secretly sneak off to see each other. This is the only way they could be with each other without getting caught. In the end, they both have families that resolve their hatred for each other that has followed them for so long. The book and movie as well, have many differences. In ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Romeo is killed with the poison that he drank. Therefore, Juliet also kills herself because she cannot live without the love of her life, Romeo. Tybalt ends up killing Mercutio. Romeo is fierce that his friend Mercutio is dead, so Tybalt and Romeo fight and Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo also kills Paris. At the end of the story, Lady Montague also dies because of grief over the banishment of her son. However, in the film ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ nobody dies, which is probably one of the biggest differences in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Gnomeo and Juliet.’ In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet marry after just one day of knowing each other. Of course they do this secretly because they do not want the Capulets, nor the Montagues to know that Romeo and Juliet love each other. In difference, Gnomeo and Juliet wait until the family feud is resolved rather than to go behind their parent’s backs and marry secretly. In the book ‘Romeo and Juliet’ after Tybalt is killed, he remains dead. However, in the movie ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ Tybalt is revived. The movie ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ does not have Lady Capulet, or Sir Montague, the original ‘Romeo and Juliet’ book does. Lady Capulet dies after her son drinks the poison, because she could not bear his death. The time periods in both are very different also. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written long ago. ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ is an Animate movie in which took place in different backyards that did not get along and had much hatred for each other.

The Return: Midnight Chapter 3

Damon leaped. Somewhere in the middle of the leap Elena felt herself left to the whims of gravity. She tried to curl into a bal to take the impact on one buttock. What happened was strange – almost miraculous. She came down, right side up, on the opposite side of the couch from the plate of steak tartar. The plate did a little leap of its own, three or four inches, perhaps, and then settled back where it had been. Elena was also lucky enough to get a perfect view of the end of the heroic rescue – which involved Damon diving for the floor and grabbing the bottle of precious Black Magic wine just before it hit the ground and smashed. He might not have the kind of lightning-fast reflexes he had when he was a vampire, but he was stil far, far faster than an ordinary human. Leap holding girl, drop girl onto something soft, turn leap into dive, and at last instant grab bottle, just before it would hit. Amazing. But there was another way that Damon wasn't like a vampire anymore – he wasn't invincible to fal ing onto hard surfaces. Elena only realized this when she heard him gasp, trying to breathe and not being able to. She scrambled wildly in her mind for al the accidents she could remember with jocks, and – yes, recal ed one when Matt had had the wind completely knocked out of him. The coach had seized him by the col ar and thumped him on the back. Elena ran to Damon and grabbed him under the arms, rol ing him onto his back. She put al her strength into hauling him into a sitting position. Then she made a club of her hands. Pretending she was Meredith, who had been on the basebal team at Robert E. Lee High and had a .225 ERA, she swung as hard as she could at Damon, slamming her fists into his back. And it worked! Suddenly Damon was wheezing, and then breathing again. A born straightener of ties, Elena knelt and tried to rearrange his clothes. As soon as he could breathe properly, his limbs stopped being pliant under her fingers. He gently curled her hands into each other. Elena wondered if possibly they'd gone so far beyond words that they would never find them again. How had it al happened? Damon had picked her up perhaps because her leg was burned, or perhaps because he had decided Mrs. Flowers was the one with the star bal . She herself had said, â€Å"Damon, what are you doing?†Perfectly straightforward. And then halfway through the sentence she had heard for herself the â€Å"darling†and – but who would ever believe her? – it hadn't been connected with anything they had been doing earlier at al . It had been an accident, a slip of the tongue. But she'd said it in front of Bonnie, the one person most likely to take it seriously and personal y. And then Bonnie had been gone before she could even explain. Darling! When they had just started fighting again. It real y was a joke. Because he had been serious about just taking the star bal . She had seen it in his eyes. To cal Damon â€Å"darling†seriously, you would have to be – have to be†¦hopelessly†¦helplessly†¦desperately in†¦ Oh, God†¦ Tears began to run down Elena's cheeks. But these were tears of revelation. Elena knew she wasn't in her best form today. No real sleep for going on three days – too many conflicting emotions – too much genuine terror right now. Stil, she was terrified to find that something fundamental had changed inside her. It wasn't anything she had asked for. Al she had asked was that the two brothers stop feuding. And she had been born to love Stefan; she knew that! Once, he'd been wil ing to marry her. Wel , since then she'd been a vampire, a spirit, and a new incarnation dropped from the sky, and she could hope that one day he would be wil ing to marry the new Elena, too. But the new Elena was bewildered, what with her strange new blood that to vampires was like rocket fuel compared to the gasoline most girls carried about in their veins. With her Wings Powers, such as Wings of Redemption, most of which she didn't understand and none of which she could control. Although lately she had seen the beginning of a stance, and she knew it was for Wings of Destruction. That, she thought grimly, might be quite useful someday. Of course a number of them had already been helpful to Damon, who was no longer simply an al y, but an enemy-al y again. Who wanted to steal something that her whole town needed. Elena hadn't asked to fal in love with Damon – but, oh God, what if she already had? What if she couldn't make the feelings stop? What could she do? Silently, she sat crying, knowing that she could never say any of these things to Damon. He had a gift of farseeing and a level head in times of emotion, but not, as she knew al too wel , about this particular issue. If she told him what was in her heart, before she knew it, he would kidnap her. He would believe she had forgotten Stefan for good, as she had forgotten him briefly tonight. â€Å"Stefan,†she whispered. â€Å"I'm sorry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She could never let Stefan know about it either – and Stefan was her heart. â€Å"We've got to get rid of Shinichi and Misao fast,†Matt was saying moodily. â€Å"I mean, I real y need to get into condition soon or Kent State's gonna send me back stamped ‘Reject.'†He and Meredith were sitting in Mrs. Flowers's warm kitchen nibbling on gingersnap cookies and watching her as she diligently worked at making beef carpaccio – the second of the two raw beef recipes in the antique cookbook she owned. â€Å"Stefan's doing so wel that in a couple of days we could even be tossing around the old pigskin,†he added, sarcasm edging his voice, â€Å"if everybody in town would just stop being crazy possessed. Oh, yeah, and if the cops would stop coming after me for assaulting Caroline.† At the mention of Stefan's name, Mrs. Flowers peeked into a cauldron that had been bubbling away on the stove for so long, and was now emitting such a fearsome odor that Matt didn't know who to pity more: the guy getting the huge pile of raw meat or the one who'd soon be trying to choke down whatever was in that cooking pot. â€Å"So – assuming you're alive – you're going to be glad to leave Fel ‘s Church when the time comes?†Meredith asked him quietly. Matt felt as if she had just slapped him. â€Å"You're joking, right?†he said, petting Saber with one tanned, bare foot. The huge beast was making a sort of growly purring sound. â€Å"I mean, before that, it's going to be great to throw a couple of passes to Stefan again – he's the best tight end I've ever seen – â€Å" â€Å"Or ever wil see,†Meredith reminded him. â€Å"I don't think many vampires go in for footbal , Matt, so don't even think of suggesting that he and Elena fol ow you to Kent State. Besides, I'l be right beside you, trying to get them to come to Harvard with me. And worse, we're both checkmated by Bonnie, because that junior col ege – whatever – is much closer to Fel ‘s Church and al the things around here they love.† â€Å"Al the things around here Elena loves,†Matt couldn't help correcting. â€Å"Al Stefan wants is to be with Elena.† â€Å"Now, now,†Mrs. Flowers said. â€Å"Let's just take things as they come, shal we, my dears? Ma ma says that we need to keep up our strength. She sounds worried to me – you know, she can't foresee everything that happens.† Matt nodded, but he had to swal ow hard before saying to Meredith, â€Å"So, you're eager to be off for the Ivied Wal s, I'm sure?† â€Å"If it wasn't Harvard – if I could just put it off for a year and keep my scholarship†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Meredith's voice trailed off, but the yearning in it was unmistakable. Mrs. Flowers patted Meredith's shoulder, and then said, â€Å"I wonder about dear Stefan and Elena. After al , with everyone thinking that she's dead, Elena can't live here and be seen.† â€Å"I think they've given up on the idea of going somewhere far, far away,†Matt said. â€Å"I'l bet that now they think of themselves as Fel ‘s Church's guardians. They'l get by somehow. Elena can shave her head.†Matt was trying for a light tone, but the words sank like lead bal oons as they left his mouth. â€Å"Mrs. Flowers was talking about college,†Meredith said in a tone just as heavy. â€Å"Are they going to be super-heroes at night and just veg out the rest of the time? If they want to go somewhere even next year, they need to be thinking about it now.† â€Å"Oh†¦wel , I guess there's Dalcrest.† â€Å"Where?† â€Å"You know, that little campus in Dyer. It's smal but the footbal team there is real y – wel , I guess Stefan wouldn't care how good they are. But it's only half an hour away.† â€Å"Oh, that place. Wel , the sports may be fantastic but it's sure not an Ivy, much less Harvard.†Meredith – unsentimental, enigmatic Meredith – sounded as if she had a stuffed-up nose. â€Å"Yeah,†Matt said – and just for a second took Meredith's slim, cold hand and squeezed it. He was even more surprised when she linked her chil ed fingers up with his, holding his hand. â€Å"Ma ma says whatever is fated to happen wil happen soon,†Mrs. Flowers said serenely. â€Å"The main thing, as I see it, is to save the dear, dear old town. As wel as the people.† â€Å"Of course it is,†Matt said. â€Å"We're going to do our best. Thank God we have somebody in town who understands Japanese demons.† â€Å"Orime Saitou,†Mrs. Flowers said with a little smile. â€Å"Bless her for her amulets.† â€Å"Yeah, both of them,†Matt said, thinking of the grandmother and mother who shared the name. â€Å"I think we're going to need a lot of those amulets they make,†he added grimly. Mrs. Flowers opened her mouth, but Meredith spoke, stil focused on thoughts of her own. â€Å"You know, Stefan and Elena may not have given up on their far, far away thing after al ,†she said sadly. â€Å"And since at this point none of us may even live to make it to our own col eges†¦Ã¢â‚¬ She shrugged. Matt was stil squeezing her hand when Bonnie dashed in the front door, keening. She tried to speed through the foyer toward the stairs, avoiding the kitchen, but Matt released Meredith and they both dashed up to block her. Instantly, everyone was in combat mode. Meredith grasped Bonnie's arm tightly. Mrs. Flowers came into the foyer, wiping her hands on a dish towel. â€Å"Bonnie, what happened? Is it Shinichi and Misao? Are we being attacked?†Meredith asked quietly but with the intensity to cut through hysteria. Something shot like a bolt of ice through Matt's body. No one real y knew where Shinichi and Misao were right now. Perhaps in the thicket that was al that was left of the Old Woods – perhaps right here at the boardinghouse. â€Å"Elena!†he shouted. â€Å"Oh, God, she and Damon are both out there! Are they hurt? Did Shinichi get them?† Bonnie shut her eyes and shook her head. â€Å"Bonnie, stay with me. Stay calm. Is it Shinichi? Is it the police?†Meredith asked. And to Matt: â€Å"You'd better check through the curtains there.†But Bonnie was stil shaking her head. Matt saw no police lights through the curtains. Nor did he see any sign of Shinichi and Misao attacking. â€Å"If we're not being attacked,†Matt could hear Meredith saying to Bonnie, â€Å"then what is happening?† Maddeningly, Bonnie just shook her head. Matt and Meredith looked at each other over Bonnie's strawberry curls. â€Å"The star bal ,†Meredith said softly, just as Matt growled, â€Å"That bastard.† â€Å"Elena won't tel him anything but the story,†Meredith said. And Matt nodded, trying to keep from his mind a picture of Damon casual y waving and Elena convulsing in agony. â€Å"Maybe it's the possessed kids – the ones who walk around hurting themselves or acting insane,†Meredith said, with a side glance at Bonnie, and squeezing Matt's hand very hard. Matt was bewildered and fumbled the cue. He said, â€Å"If that S.O.B. is trying to get the star bal , Bonnie wouldn't have run away. She's bravest when she's scared. And unless he's kil ed Elena she shouldn't be like this – â€Å" Which left Meredith the grim job of saying, â€Å"Talk to us, Bonnie,†in her most comforting big-sister voice. â€Å"Something must have happened to get you in this state. Just breathe slowly and tel me what you saw.† And then, in a torrent, words began to spil from Bonnie's lips. â€Å"She – she was cal ing him darling,†Bonnie said, gripping Meredith's other hand with both of hers. â€Å"And there was blood smeared al around on her neck. And – oh, I dropped it! The bottle of Black Magic!† â€Å"Oh, wel ,†Mrs. Flowers said gently. â€Å"No use crying over spil ed wine. We'l just have to – â€Å" â€Å"No, you don't understand,†Bonnie gasped. â€Å"I heard them talking as I came up – I had to go slow because it's so hard not to trip. They were talking about the star bal ! At first I thought they were arguing, but – she had her arms around Damon's neck. And al that stuff about him not being a vampire anymore? She had blood al over her throat and he had it on his mouth! As soon as I got there he picked her up and threw her so I couldn't see but he wasn't fast enough. She must have given the star bal to him! And she still was calling him ‘darling'!† Matt's eyes met Meredith's and they both flushed and looked away quickly. If Damon was a vampire again – if he had somehow gotten the star bal from its hiding place – and if Elena had been â€Å"taking food†to him just to give him blood†¦ Meredith was stil looking for a way out. â€Å"Bonnie – aren't you making too much of this? Anyway, what happened to Mrs. Flowers's tray of food?† â€Å"It was – al over the place. They'd just tossed it away! But he was was holding her with one hand under her knees and one under her neck, and her head was way back so that her hair was fal ing al over his shoulder!† There was a silence as everyone tried to imagine various positions that might correspond to Bonnie's last words. â€Å"You mean he was holding her up to steady her?†Meredith asked, her voice suddenly almost a whisper. Matt caught her meaning. Stefan was probably asleep upstairs, and Meredith wanted to keep it that way. â€Å"No! They – they were looking at each other,†Bonnie cried. â€Å"Looking. Into each other's eyes.† Mrs. Flowers spoke mildly. â€Å"But dear Bonnie – maybe Elena fel down and Damon had to just scoop her up.† Now Bonnie was speaking remorselessly and fluently. â€Å"Only if that's what's just happened to al those women on the covers of those romance books – what-d'you-cal -'ems?† â€Å"Bodice-rippers?†Meredith suggested unhappily when no one else spoke. â€Å"That's right! Bodice-rippers. That's how he was holding her! I mean, we al knew that something was going on with the two of them in the Dark Dimension, but I thought al that would stop when we found Stefan. But it hasn't!† Matt felt sick in the pit of his stomach. â€Å"You mean right now Elena and Damon are in there†¦kissing and stuff?† â€Å"I don't know what I mean!†Bonnie exclaimed. â€Å"They were talking about the star ball! He was holding her like a bride! And she wasn't fighting it!† With a chil of horror, Matt could see trouble, and he could see that Meredith could see it too. Even worse, they were looking in two different directions. Matt was looking upstairs, at the staircase, where Stefan had just appeared. Meredith was looking at the kitchen door, one glance at which showed Matt that Damon was entering the foyer. What was Damon doing in the kitchen? Matt wondered. We were there until a minute ago. And he was, what, eavesdropping from the den side? Matt gave the situation his best shot, anyway. â€Å"Stefan!†he said in a hearty voice that made him wince inwardly. â€Å"You ready for a little athlete's-blood nightcap?† A tiny part of Matt's mind thought: But just look at him. Only three days out of prison and he already looks like himself again. Three nights ago he was a skeleton. Today he just looks – thin. He's even handsome enough to make the girls al go crazy over him again. Stefan smiled faintly at him, leaning on the banister. In his pale face, his eyes were remarkably alive, a vibrant green that made them actual y shine like jewels. He didn't look upset, and that made Matt's heart twist for him. How could they tel him? â€Å"Elena is hurt,†Stefan said, and suddenly there was a pause – an utter silence – as every person froze in place. â€Å"But Damon couldn't help her, so he brought her to Mrs. Flowers.† â€Å"True,†Damon said coldly from behind Matt. â€Å"I couldn't help her. If I were stil a vampire†¦but I'm not. Elena has burns, mainly. Al I could think of was an ice pack or some kind of poultice. Sorry to disprove al your clever theories.† â€Å"Oh my heavens!†cried Mrs. Flowers. â€Å"You mean dear Elena's waiting right now in the kitchen for a poultice?†She hurried out of the foyer toward the kitchen. Stefan was stil coming down the stairs, cal ing, â€Å"Mrs. Flowers, she scalded her arm and leg – she says because Damon didn't recognize her in the dark and jostled her. And that he thought it was an intruder in his room, and nicked her throat with a knife. The rest of us wil be in the parlor if you need help.† Bonnie cried, â€Å"Stefan, maybe she's innocent – but he isn't! Even according to you, he burned her – that's torture – and he put a knife to her throat! Maybe he threatened her to make her tel us what we wanted to hear. Maybe she's stil a hostage right now and we don't know it!† Stefan flushed. â€Å"It's so hard to explain,†he said very softly. â€Å"And I keep trying to tune it out. But so far – some of my Powers have been growing†¦faster than my ability to control them. Most of the time I'm asleep, so it doesn't matter. I was asleep until a few minutes ago. But I woke up and Elena was tel ing Damon that Mrs. Flowers doesn't have the star bal . She was upset, and injured – and I could feel where she'd been injured. And then suddenly I heard you, Bonnie. You're a very strong telepath. Then I heard the rest of you talking about Elena†¦.† Oh my God. How insane, Matt was thinking. His mouth was babbling some â€Å"Sure, sure, our mistake†gibberish, and his feet fol owed Meredith's to the parlor as if they were attached to her Italian sandals. But the blood on Damon's mouth†¦ There had to be some mundane reason for the blood, too. Stefan had said that Damon had nicked Elena with a knife. As to how the blood got smeared around; wel , that actual y didn't sound like vampirism to Matt. He'd been a donor for Stefan at least a dozen times in the last days and the process was always very neat. It was strange, too, he thought, that it had never occurred to any of them that, even from the top of the house, Stefan might be able to hear their thoughts directly. Could he always do that? Matt thought, wondering at the same time whether Stefan was doing it right now. â€Å"I try not to listen to thoughts, unless I'm invited or I have a good reason,†Stefan said. â€Å"But when anybody mentions Elena, especial y if they sound upset – that I can't help. It's like when you're in a noisy place and you can barely hear, but when somebody says your name you hear it instantly.† â€Å"It's cal ed the Cocktail Party Phenomenon,†Meredith said. Her voice was quiet and remorseful as she was trying to calm the mortified Bonnie. Matt felt another tug at his heart. â€Å"Wel , you can cal it whatever you want,†he said, â€Å"but what it means is that you can listen in on our minds any time you like.† â€Å"Not any time,†Stefan said, wincing. â€Å"When I was drinking animal blood I wasn't strong enough unless I real y worked at it. By the way, it may please my friends to know that I'm going back to hunting animals by tomorrow or the next day, depending on what Mrs. Flowers says,†he added with a significant glance around the room. His eyes lingered on Damon, who was lounging against the wal by the window, looking disheveled and very, very dangerous. â€Å"But that doesn't mean I'l forget who saved my life when I was dying. For that I honor and thank them – and, wel , we'l have a party sometime.†He blinked hard and turned away. The two girls melted at once – even Meredith sniffled. Damon heaved an exaggerated sigh. â€Å"Animal blood? Oh, bril iant. Make yourself as weak as you can, little brother, even with three or four wil ing donors around you. Then, when it comes to the final showdown with Shinichi and Misao, you'l be about as effective as a piece of damp tissue paper.† Bonnie started. â€Å"Is there going to be a showdown†¦soon?† â€Å"As soon as Shinichi and Misao can manage it,†Stefan said quietly. â€Å"I think they'd rather not give me time to get wel . The whole town is supposed to go up in fire and ashes, you know. But I can't keep asking you and Meredith and Matt – and Elena – to donate blood. You've already kept me alive the last few days, and I don't know how to repay you for it.† â€Å"Repay us by getting as strong as you can,†Meredith said in her quiet, level voice. â€Å"But, Stefan, can I ask a few questions?† â€Å"Of course,†Stefan said, standing by a chair. He didn't sit himself until Meredith, with Bonnie almost in her lap, had sunk down on the love seat. Then he said, â€Å"Fire.†