Computer Assisted Audit Technique Essay

The test data technique is primarily designed to test the effectiveness of the internal control procedures which are incorporated in the client’s computer program. The objective of the test data technique is to determine whether the client’s computer programs can correctly handle valid and invalid conditions as they arise. To accomplish this objective the auditor prepares test data (fictitious transactions) that consist of valid and invalid conditions. The auditor enters the test data into the system and have the data processed by the entity’s computer programs. Since the auditor is the one who crates the test data, the auditor knows what the output should look like assuming the client’s computer programs is functioning effectively. The auditor then compares the processing results with his predetermined output. If the output generated by the client’s program is the same as the auditor’s expected output, the auditor may conclude that the client’s program is reliable. A disadvantage of the test data technique is that the auditor does not have an assurance that the program tested is the same program used by the client throughout the accounting process. . In order to overcome this disadvantage, the test data technique can be extended to an integrated test facility (ITF) An integrated test facility (ITF) creates a fictitious entity in a database to process test transactions simultaneously with live input. It can be used to incorporate test transactions into a normal production run of a system. Its advantage is that periodic testing does not require separate test processes. However, careful planning is necessary, and test data must be isolated from production data. Integrated test facility is considered a useful audit tool during an IT audit because it uses the same programs to compare processing using independently calculated data. This involves setting up dummy entities on an application system and processing test or production data against the entity as a means of verifying processing accuracy. When using ITF, the auditor must be alert to the danger of contaminating the client’s master file. Thus, care must be taken to reverse or eliminates the effects of all audit test transactions in order to avoid contamination of client’s computer files. Parallel Simulation The test data and ITF methods both process test data through real programs. With parallel simulation, the auditor processes real client data on an audit program similar to some aspect of the client’s program. The auditor compares the results of this processing with the results of the processing done by the client’s program.

Compare and Contrast the Social Responsibility Theory

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE AUTHORITARIAN THEORY WITH THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORY OF THE PRESS. The press also known as the fourth estate plays a very critical role in educating, informing, entertaining and bridging the gap between the mass community and the executive, judicial and legislative. Hence what is more essential is its stance on policy and choice of theory, which is a system of law like propositions and set of ideas that guide action or predict a consequence.The purpose of this research is to compare, that is to put side by side and to contrast, and that is state the difference between the Authoritarian theory with the social responsibility theory of the press. There is not much of a hint of comparison between the Authoritarian theory and the social responsibility theory, in that the heart beat of the authoritarian theory is designed to protect the status quo and existing social order mainly biased towards the ruling elite and those that are in authority.The authoritaria n press is under state control and heaps more thrust with the public media while the social responsibility of the press thrives on democracy and principles of public service media which seek to cater for minorities, the so called mass community and ordinary people. Unlike the authoritarian theory of the press, the social responsibility avenue directly gets its funding from the public through licensing and this is true mainly for the electronic media.The authoritarian on one hand regards the role of the press to be that of nation building and propaganda and as a mouth piece for the ones in authority, hence the main source of funding is the ruling elite and the government. Both the authoritarian and social responsibility theory seek to communicate to an audience, communication is absolutely essential to effective leadership and press. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can’t get a message acr oss clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter.This is the true hummer and nail of the authoritarian set by political leaders due to the reality that repetition is the rule of long and deep lasting impressions. This is a propagandist mode of communication to drive home a particular message. The state sets up censorship boards and agents to regulate and monitor the operations of the media in the authoritarian theory, issues of censorship and punishment for diversion from rules that are set by political leaders and authorities are central in this theory.It thrives on censorship and repression of freedom of expression as exemplified by the enactment of the draconian laws such as Public Order and Security Act chapter 11:7 (POSA), the Access To Information and Protection of Privacy Act Chapter 10:27 (AIPPA), The Broadcasting Services Act Chapter 12:06 and the Criminal Law (Codification and reform) Act in the nation of Zimbabwe. Basically th ere is no diversity on coverage, which is catering for all tastes and interests. The social responsibility theory of the press however is not rigid and allows for freedom of expression and thus catering for all tastes and interests.The socially responsible press takes something complicated and makes it simple to understand to layman, compared to the authoritarian which propagandises all information and feeds the masses with what the ruling elite desires to propagate that is government policy. I would like to believe that the authoritarian believes audiences are passive partakers of information whereas the social responsibility adheres to the reality that people are active consumers and do have a choice of what media to consume.This is seen with the geographical universality of provision and reception, thus encouraging competition in programs and freedom to broadcasters, more over there is room for feedback and diversity; while the authoritarian to a lesser degree diversifies to push government policy and agenda. The major criticism against the authoritarian theory is that it does not create a viable atmosphere and environment for free expression and diversity which are essential elements for any democratic and free society; hence the principles for the social responsibility theory may differ from country to country.What is important to understand is that the public service concept is opposed to the authoritarian, propagandist mode. Radio dialogue and other community radio initiatives are using legitimate means of giving people a real taste of media diversity and thus getting them involved; They bring members of the community together, record their discussions and distribute this material on CD’s. When people hear themselves they get excited about media issues. Authoritarian control tended to be exercised in arbitrary, erratic ways.Sometimes, considerable freedom might exist to publicize minority viewpoints and culture as long as authorities don't percei ve a direct threat to their power. Unlike social responsibility theory, authoritarian theory doesn't prioritize cultivation of a homogeneous, national culture. It only requires acquiescence (compliance) to governing elite. This perspective also held that ruthless elites could use media as a means of gaining personal political power. These demagogues could manipulate media to transmit propaganda to fuel hatred and fear among a majority, unite them against minorities, e. g. s Hitler used the media to arouse hatred against the Jews. The Social Responsibility Theory of the Press, emphasize the need for an independent press that scrutinizes other social institutions and provides objective, accurate news reports. The most innovative feature of Social Responsibility theory was its call for media to be responsible for fostering productive and creative â€Å"Great Communities†. It said that media should do this by prioritizing cultural pluralism- by becoming the voice of all the peopl e- not just elite groups or groups that had dominated national, regional or local culture in the past.Dennis McQuail in 1987 summarized the basic principles of social responsibility theory as the following: 1. Media should accept and fulfil certain obligations to society. 2. These obligations are mainly to be met by setting high or professional standards of in formativeness, truth, accuracy, objectivity and balance. 3. in accepting and applying these obligations, media should be self-regulating within the framework of law and established institutions. 4. the media should avoid whatever might lead to crime, violence or civil disorder or give offense to minority groups. . the media as a whole should be pluralist and reflect the diversity of their society, giving access to various points of view and to rights of reply. 6. Society and the public have a right to expect high standards of performance and intervention can be justified to secure the public good. 7. Journalists and media prof essionals should be accountable to society as well as to employers and the market. Social Responsibility theory has proved quite durable. Most journalists take seriously the central values of social Responsibility theory such as luralism and cultural diversity; However the state of affairs is not so with the authoritarian theory of the press. Unlike the Authoritarian theory, the social responsibility theory of the press takes hid and pays cognisance to people’s right to true information- the right of people to express themselves freely through the media of communication and the journalistic dedication to objective reality; – this aims to provide public with adequate material to facilitate the formation of an accurate and comprehensive picture of the world.The journalist’s social responsibility is also of the essence, this emphasizes the fact that journalistic information is social good not just a commodity. When it comes to the Journalist’s professional i ntegrity; dealing especially with rights not to work against personal conviction and other matters of personal ethics. The social responsibility theory of the press has respect for such, while the Authoritarian theory has no regard for such values and ethics. Ethics is a practise of moral behaviour by individuals, governments and social institutions.Ethics is more to do with principles concerning the rights and wrong of conduct, principles which have some reason theoretical basis which therefore apply objectively and impartially. Besley & Chadwich 1992 The Social responsibility theory of the press in contrast to the Authoritarian theory has respect for, Public access and participation, this includes the right of rectification and reply, respect for privacy and Human Dignity, respect for the Public interest.This relates to respect for the national community, in democratic institutions and public morals, respect of Universal Values and diversity of cultures. This calls for respect for human rights, social progress, national liberation, peace, democracy, elimination of War and other great evils confronting humanity. This calls for abstention from justifying aggression, arms proliferation, violence, hatred, discrimination, promotion of a New World information and communication order. This is directed especially at the need for decolonization and democratization of information and communication.After all said and done my conviction is that the Authoritarian theory in contrast with Social Responsibility theory does not encourage media practitioners to see themselves as front-line participants in the battle to preserve democracy in a world drifting relentlessly toward tyranny. This gives rise and room to fear amongst media operators and infringes on the right of freedom of expression, the list of people who have been arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression is long.In December 2008, for example, Jestina Mukoko, Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Proje ct, was abducted and tortured. Members of Woman of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) are harassed, intimidated, assaulted and arrested on a regular basis. Okay Machisa, the Executive Director of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZIMRIGHTS) was arrested in March 2010 for organising reflections – an exhibition of pictures of victims of the 2008 political violence. Geoff Nyarota was arrested for exposing some foul play at the Mazda industry formerly Ford motors.

Semi-conductor Devices and Circuits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Semi-conductor Devices and Circuits - Essay Example The other terminal of the secondary transformer provides the negative. The load is cut across by the resistor. Figure 2 Voltage and current waveform of a half-wave rectifier Voltage relationship The half-wave rectifier states that the load voltage vL is Vdc and expressed in the following diagram. The load voltage is equal to 0 and the angular frequency of the source is w = 2? = T. This is expressed in the following diagram. From the diagram above, we can get the half-wave: Half-wave Vdc = Vm = 0.318Vm ? I.2 Full-wave rectification The full-wave rectification can be produced in two types: the center-tapped and the bridge rectification. I.2.1 The full-wave center-tapped The full-wave with center-tapped transformer has two diodes acting as half-wave rectifiers and whose negative ends are connected to the two terminals of the transformer secondary. The two diodes provide a full-wave output. The DC currents of the two half-wave rectifier diodes are equal and opposite. (Lee & Chow 2011, p. 150) Figure 3 Schematic diagram of full-wave rectification with center-tapped transformer secondary I.2.2 The bridge rectifier The bridge rectification uses four diodes to provide full-wave rectification, and this does not use a center-tapped transformer. The bridge rectification uses four diodes to provide full-wave rectification, and this does not use a center-tapped transformer. The rectification is done in such a way that the current flows D3 and D4, conduct when the negative half-cycle.... The positive and negative half-cycles of a full-wave rectifier are expressed in the following formula. The full-wave is: Vdc = 2Vm = 0.636Vm ? I.3 Zener regulator Most application of zener diode is as shunt voltage regulator; its specific role is to regulate the load voltage. There are various uses or applications for a zener diode, such as: 1. Voltage regulating element in voltage regulators 2. Protector in a circuit 3. Zener or voltage limiter Figure 5 The application of zener diode in a regulator circuit is shown in the figure below. In this circuit, zener diode is used as shunt regulator. The zener diode compensates for the variation in load current; the zener drifts with the temperature. The drift characteristics are given in many zener diode datasheets. Its load regulation is adequate for most supply specifications for integrated circuits. It has a higher loss than the series-pass type of linear regulator because its loss is set for the maximum load current. The zener shunt reg ulator uses a simple formula where input voltage is greater than output voltage; the output is controlled by the zener diode. The zener shunt regulator is typically used for very local voltage regulation for less than 200mW of a load. A series resistance is placed between a higher voltage and is used to limit the current to the load and zener diode. I.4 Switching and amplifier circuits for transistors An ordinary transistor has three terminals for the base, emitter and collector. When it is in the OFF position, the output comes from the collector of a common-emitter stage. A digital circuit usually operates in two modes. (The transistor amplifier n.d.) Transistors are used for switching and amplifiers in circuits. In digital logic, transistors have the ability to switch

Nursing Research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Nursing Research - Assignment Example The later is more common than the former, and it involves disconnecting the ventilator from the patient and then suctioning his or her airway (Anton, & Buiting, 2011). However, disconnecting a ventilator is dangerous because it can cause some disturbances including the loss of lung volume, oxygen desaruration, and a large drog in in the pressure of the airways (Anton, & Buiting, 2011). Therefore, open suctioning is not appropriate for patients affected by an acute respiration distress syndrome. Closed suctioning systems have partly replaced the open suctioning systems. This is because closed suctioning systems allow uninterrupted ventilation, which helps avoid gas-exchange impairment during suctioning and helps decrease the loss of uninterrupted ventilation (Anton, & Buiting, 2011). In closed suctioning systems, the loss of lung volume and the generating of negative airway pressure occur whenever the flow from a ventilator is somewhat lower than the expected suction flow. Studies hav e shown that using closed suctioning in volume-controlled ventilation condition may lead to unpredictably high positive end-expiratory pressure in cases where the suction catheter is inserted (Lasocki et al 2006). While in open endotracheal suctio

Pilots Flying Fatigued Alertness in the Skies Essay

Pilots Flying Fatigued Alertness in the Skies - Essay Example A National Transportation Safety Board safety study of U.S. major air carrier accidents attributed to flight crew error from 1978 to 1990 found that in half of the flights crews had been awake for more than 12 hours prior to their accidents. "Crews comprising captains and first officers whose time since awake was above the median for their crew position made more errors overall and significantly more procedural and tactical decision errors" (Strauss, 2007). Fatigue has significant physiological and performance consequences. It is essential that all flight crewmembers remain aware and play their role in flight safety by their observations and actions. As fatigue is a safety concern, this discussion will describe the symptoms of fatigue along with its physical and psychological effects specific to airline pilots. Looking into the factor of pilot fatigue and how it affects the aviation industry in the short and long runs is the concern of this study. The paper will research on the extent of fatigued pilots flying in the skies and the hazards it poses to consumers and the aviation industry in general. Factors that lead to this problem and possible solutions will also be discussed. The study will contribute to a better understanding of the risks the aviation industry is facing when pilots fly their airplanes under fatigued conditions. It is important that consumers have closer insights on the limitations of the pilot. Airline owners need to get a better view of pilots as a special human resource with tremendous roles and responsibility. Knowing what causes fatigue will effectively give solutions to problems that can directly be attributed to pilots flying planes under stressed conditions. Pilot fatigue is a national interest in so much as it is the concern of airline clients and owners. Safety in the skies is a multi million dollar industry because besides human lives, transport goods using airplanes has developed ways of business and lifestyles. Disruption does not only cause delays but also loss of business. The study will therefore contribute to the growing research that is urgently needed by regulating bodies. "The National Transportation Safety Board has cited fatigue as a factor in more than 20 aviation accidents. As a result, addressing the issue of pilot fatigue has been on the NTSB's Most Wanted Safety Improvement List for almost a decade.In order to address the issue of pilot fatigue, the FAA does have regulations in place that limit pilots' hours of service. In addition, since December 1995, the FAA has been working on updating and improving the Federal regulations limiting pilots' flight time. The FAA wants to incorporate the latest research on fatigue into regulations, as well as simplify existing rules, making it easier to respond to changing business practices in the aviation industry." (House of Representatives Report, 1999) Studies help private entities and public officials appreciate the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations. However, studies help improve existing regulations that can prevent accidents from happening. In a fast paced environment where people and machines continuously attain twenty-four hour by seven-day operations, studies like this will share valuable information. Pilots Flying Fatigued Documented accidents have shown that pilot error can be attributed to

Thinkpiece Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Thinkpiece - Essay Example It does not matter who exactly who would plan the PR for as long as the person who will do the PR plan knows that he or she is doing and that it is responsive to the customer’s needs. The person who could plan the PR plan could be the PR manager or marketing manager. He or she probably has the best qualification for the job because PR after all is either a function of marketing or corporate communication. Or, if such department does not exist (PR department), the company can appoint someone who is going to do job. It is important to note that just because a PR department does not exist, a PR person that will address the customer will also be ignored. It is important to respond and address customer’s concern once they talk back. It is important because customers are the lifeblood of the company, without them, the company will also not exist. Of course one would become curious to ask about the person who would be appointed if a PR department does not exist. It is important to underscore here that customers can talk and when they talk back, it means they have something important to say. The PR function is not just to communicate, but also as a customer function. It comes to us then that the person who would be appointed to plan PR when customers can talk back should have a customer service background in addition to being a great communicator both in written and oral language. If possible, the person should be a customer service manager or supervisor who has years of experience so that the appointed person has both the training and experience to adequately plan the PR plan for the customer. We have to cite caution here that if an unqualified and untrained person will be appointed to plan the PR plan when customers talk back just for the sake of having a PR person, it would become disastrous to the company. It is disastrous to the company because instead of responding adequately to the customer that they will be satisfied,

Identify the 4ps for the totally different customers Assignment

Identify the 4ps for the totally different customers - Assignment Example Bases for segmentation can be demographic, geographic, psychographic or behavioral. The way city residents will behave as concerned to the type of vehicle they would want to have is the not the same as the way farmers and landowners will behave concerning the same issue. Therefore the company must prepare a market mix that favors both segments by offering brands that are inline with their preferences. A market mix is formed based on the four Ps which are Product, Price, Promotion and Place. The pricing made to farmers and city residents must offer value to both the company and the buyers of the four-wheel vehicles. The product that is the type of four-wheel vehicle preferred by city residents should be differentiated by the type preferred by farmers and landowners. Vehicles targeted for city residents will posses specifications that provide better conditions for human transport. Vehicles sold to the farmers and landowners will have characteristics that provide a favorable condition f or farm activities. Promotion involves branding the products in a way that favors each particular segment. The four-wheel vehicles for farmers and land owners segment must be branded to favor farm activities while those for city residents are branded to favor the comforts of the city residents during human transportation. A good marketing mix for the four-wheel company should conduct promotion in such a way that it creates public relations between the customers and the company hence establishing connections between the two parties. The promotion process must provide effective communication process through identifying the target audience i.e. farmers and city residents, Determine communication objectives i.e. marketing to achieve high sales where they are low, Design a message, Choose a Media and finally collect a feedback from the people. The segmentation itself is defined by the place of use of the vehicle and in this case it is the farm and the city. A preferred marketing mix will have to target consumers in such a way that more sales are conducted (www.udel.edu, Focusing Marketing Strategy with Segmentation and Positioning). These can only be achieved through fulfilling both customer needs in terms of product preference, favorable market prices, better promotion strategies and selling products at best located selling points. Consumer does love products that are likes of the majority and therefore a company must market its products to have high sales if they want to maintain the hold on their customers. The table below offers an example of a preferable market mix. Table 1: Marketing mixes for two different consumer segments (Segment A: Farmers) (Segment B: City residents) PRODUCT Four Wheel drive features are of high standard compared to the ones for consumers. The features they have make them high standard due to the tasks the vehicle is meant to perform. The capacity of sitting will be less but with high speed and acceleration. The standards of consumer fo ur Wheel drive are lower as compared to those of farmers since they are only meant for passenger transport. Huge capacity but low speed is just an example of the features. PRICE High price since farmers and landowners are wealthy to spend huge amount of money to spend on a good Vehicle. The value is comparable to the benefits it offers the

Academic Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Academic Argument - Essay Example tes need to enforce teachers to teach their cultural and social values to children so that they can reflect the signs of a strong local community when they grow up. Dewey discussed that the distinction between progressive and traditional education is not particularly meaningful: what really matters is the vision of society for action that an education embodies (Kaplan, 1997). Teachers need protection of the states even when they teach what the states want them to teach in order to perform required social development based on objectives learning. Based on a clear contract between a state or local schools and teachers, no one would criticize what the teachers teach. Moreover, increased job opportunities and a better job environment for teachers would also play a significant role in making this profession attractive for teachers. Parents have a strong concern about what teachers teach to their kids in local schools. States’ role in the development of curriculum is very important for parents to determine whether they should put their kids in public schools to learn particular curriculum of science, religion, or moral values or not. Obviously, parents play an important role of involvement and participation in terms of creating successful education endeavors. Curriculums help in determining what students need to achieve or do in any particular academic year (Perkins-Gough, 2003). Parents always expect schools to provide the best education to their children to help them in marking their educational achievements (Seginer, 1983). Performance appraisal helps in determining whether an employee is meeting the standards set by the company or not. In case of teachers, this appraisal will help in knowing whether teachers are doing their jobs in accordance with the standards or not. If a teacher is found negligent in following the standards, proper actions can be taken against him/her, whereas certain rewards and incentives can be given to the obeying teachers as

A Tale of Two Cities and Julius Caesar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Tale of Two Cities and Julius Caesar - Essay Example Murder has been a theme applied in plot development with variable definitions held in the theme depending on the justification offered for the action. In a tale of two cities and Julius Caesar, murder is committed to articulate justice, and the theme is promoted in the leading characters. The two tales had been written based on murder and an understanding, to the reason for the application of the theme would offer the needed solution for the author’s intuition to apply the style. Charles Dickens wrote the tale to describe the mysterious revelation of Alexandre Manette condition who had been thought to have died. The father to Lucie Manetter had been wrongfully imprisoned in Bastille, and she sought out on the journey with Jarvis Lorry to find her father. The cities that witness the events are Paris and London where oppression of the weak and love is justified to lead to the witnessed events. Carton’s murder is justified as he takes the wrongly accused Darnay position because of the love he had towards Lucie Manetter. Darwin writes the story in which the two Carton and Darnay fell in love with Lucie, but Darnay ended up being her husband. However, on returning to Paris, Darnay is captured to be prosecuted. Carton saves his love’s marriage by taking the position of his rival to be murdered for the cause of love (Dickens 366). Consequently, Mr. Defarge had been murdered following accusations that he had murdered the peasant boy, but the event had been an accident. The boy’s father murdered Defarge because he had failed to make an attempt to save the boy. Shakespeare had written the play to depict murder as a leading theme in his plot development. Caesar had been from the battle victorious and had been in line to be crowned the supreme leader. However, with his power, some of his generals grew jealous and worried that he would present a tyrannical rule over the people. The generals create a plan to assassinate Caesar and involve Brutus in the plot

How does a hardware firewall work Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

How does a hardware firewall work - Term Paper Example Therefore, firewall is an effective solution to deal with these issues. This paper will present a detailed analysis, implementation, and working of the hardware firewall technology. This paper will also outline the role of firewalls in the security matters. The massive utilization of the internet and the World Wide Web places networks at even larger danger of unwanted threats. In addition, many corporations distribute information on the internet (using web sites), while remaining have workers who distribute information to the internet from the corporation’s network or download material from the internet (Norton). At the present, increasing numbers of organizations are exposing their personal networks to internet traffic; therefore, the implementation of firewalls has turned out to be a basic requirement. In addition, the firewall stops illegal communication inside and outside of the network, facilitating the company to implement a security strategy on traffic running between its network and the Internet (Laudon and Laudon; Turban, Leidner and McLean; Turban, Rainer and Potter, Introduction to Information Technology,3rd Edition). In addition, Firewalls can be either software or hardware. However, the best firewall arrangement wil l contain both (Beal). In point of fact, a firewall can divide a network into several domains. A general execution the firewall has the Internet as un-trusted domain; a semi trusted and a semi secure network, acknowledged the demilitarized zone (DMZ), as an additional domain; and an organization’s computers as third domain (Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne 673). â€Å"Hardware firewalls are external devices that perform job of a guard between organization’s network (office or home) and external networks (the internet)† (Antivirus-Firewall-Spyware). According to Beal (2009), the hardware firewalls are

Individual Happiness Contributes to the Harmonious Society Essay Example for Free

Individual Happiness Contributes to the Harmonious Society Essay If you have a chance to choose a life, what will you choose? The rich but unhappy life or the ordinary life with lifelong happiness? Most people will choose the latter, because it is the essence of the life. The pursuit of individual happiness is being acknowledged as a world right. People often assume that happiness is an individual thing, but the meaning of happiness shifts across the life course. Therefore, happiness contributes to the harmonious society because it has a positive impact on social life and commercial development. First of all, individual happiness makes a contribution in enhancing social relationships. Individual happiness can invisibly influence the social behavior. If a person feels happy, that will result in positive behavior. Generally speaking, happiness will affect his character and his subjective well-being. Apparently, a happy person will be kind to the people around his social circle. According to Dixon (2011), â€Å"The happiness participants felt about their past generosity, the more likely they were in the present to choose to spend on someone else instead of themselves†. People are willing to share happy feelings; they will be kind spending on others. Individual happiness creates a virtuous cycle between happiness and kindness. Likewise, in the case of people being more kind, the relationship of friends and family will be strengthened. On the other hand, â€Å"happiness is as essential as food if a child is to develop into normal manhood or womanhood: the purpose of bringing-up in all its phases should be to make the child as happy as possible. † (Stearns, 2012) parents have a special bond with their children. A negligible emotional change may have a significant impact on children’s growth. Children will grow up healthily and comfortably in a relaxed and happy environment. Vice versa, parents will become happier when they witness the growth of their children without any trouble. Hence, individual happiness makes a â€Å"positive feedback loop† (Dixon, 2012) that sets an important bond between people. It enhances the relationship and it is beneficial for everyone of each side in the small social circle. Secondly, individual happiness improves the social working atmosphere in the commercial area. More and more businessmen are trying to add the element of happiness into their goods. As Stearns stated, â€Å"Harvey Ball, created in 1963 the yellow smiley face, which took off even in the wake of the Kennedy assassination and whose annual licensing revenues exceeded $50 million within the decade. † Admittedly, Life and work are tough for workers in modern society. In addition, businessmen used happy gimmick in their goods, is actually helping people go out of the dull life due to busy work. Their idea finally made it, because individual happiness is contagious and easily accepted. Thereby, individual happiness has a huge commercial potential compared to ordinary sales systems. Correspondingly, people generally lack the happiness because they are under enormous pressure. The gimmick of happiness will set up a â€Å"positive feedback loop† that benefit to both sellers and customers. Moreover, individual happiness can contribute to a relax work atmosphere. According to Stearns (2012), happiness inspired new workplace standards that instructed white-collar employees and sales people in the centrality of cheerfulness†. Working for a optimistic boss or a serious boss? Most people will choose the former one. No one can tolerate the tough words and face of the boss day by day. Conversely, employees find it easier to accept a happy employer who can mobilize the enthusiasm of the staff. Emotion of employers plays an increasing important role in the work place. Hence, individual happiness can enhance the performance of the company. When employees working in a workplace that is full of happiness, they will be cheered up, the internal thought will drive them to enjoy their work and greatly improve the work efficiency. Individual happiness thereby is beneficial to the commercial development. Some public opinion suggested that the society needs to be more serious, so individual happiness will distract the people’s major goals. This statement is obviously not logical because it is a historical trend that individual happiness accounted for a large proportion of life. It builds a positive circle that promotes the development of society. Serious emotion does work some occasions, but in the whole environment, it will make people become rigid and less creative. To conclude, individual happiness not only enriches the relationship between people, but also brings more benefit in the business process. Truly, the happiness plays a neglected role in some cultures. They are still trying to hiding their people’s feeling. However, dull and serious words have far less influence than many smiling faces around you. Individual happiness gives people the latter feeling; those smiling faces can affect other’s lives in the broader society. All in all, the spreading of individual happiness will lead to a tremendous improvement that will enable more people to live in a harmonious society.

Effective Study Skills Essay Example for Free

Effective Study Skills Essay Why it is so hard to concentrate while studying, or even to study effectively? The hardest part of studying is concentrating on the material at hand. Memorizing everything is nearly impossible, but with a better understanding of effective memorization skills you can improve your memorization skills surely. Did you know that the most effective method of studying is to use notes, or note-cards? Some people actually have trouble taking notes, due to improper note taking methods. Although there are many different methods for effective study skills, there are three that have been proven to be the most effective: concentration, memorization, and ote taking skills. Have you ever found yourself reading a paragraph, and when you finish you think to yourself, What did I Just read? Well 10 and behold; it happens to the best of us. One proven method of concentration is to get yourself into a quite, but not completely silent to where you hear yourself think, environment. Also if you will adjust yourself to where you are not slouching or hunching over, as these positions tend to make you ache or get sleepy. The next step is to read at a steady pace, not too fast to where you forget and not to slow to where you read the same thing over and If youre like me then you probably forget a lot of things you read on a daily basis. I sometimes find myself wishing I was like a computer and I could Just store anything and everything, except for viruses. We, as human beings, cannot and will not ever be able to remember everything; however we can remember key items, but only with the proper techniques. The key to remembrance is to review more than once, and take breaks in between your study sessions. Also be sure to prioritize what you plan to study and how you plan to conduct your study sessions. Another proven memorization technique is to take notes, which we will discuss next. Proper note taking is probably the hardest of the three steps, due to most people not knowing what to take note of. Many people can take notes great, but some have trouble knowing what to write down, or if the note they Just wrote is even note- worthy. Any form of note-taking that requires compilation of information by categories, rather than in narrative form is best done using index cards. Index cards are a life saver when it comes to taking notes, and the best part is you can use them for Q ; A, highlights, key points, or even paraphrasing. One of the best pieces of advice is that if the note doesnt sound note-worthy, its probably not. Effective study skills can mean the difference between an A and a B. In most cases it can make a world of difference in your school of choice or even your life long career decisions. Many people today think that they had it rough when they went through school, well in my young age, we too have it rough and the only way to stay on top is through self improvement. Just remember the next time you sit down for a study session; concentration is the key, memorization will help you unlock the door, and taking notes will hopefully keep you from forgetting to lock it behind you. Effective Study Skills By hahaitsmine

Strength And Weakness Of Drug Facts Economics Essay

Strength And Weakness Of Drug Facts Economics Essay In OTC drugs, there is variation in labeling OTC drugs. Those OTC drugs which are exported to foreign countries are labeled in perfect manner, but that is in revise in Indian market. In India, OTC drugs are distributed in pitiable manner and it exhibits the lack of regulations in labeling. It is required to improve the labeling of OTC drugs. For achieving high-quality labeling, the following information should be included in the labeling requirements of OTC drugs. 1. The purpose of the drug 2. Detailed warning messages 3. Inactive ingredients 4. Dosage instructions 5. Users Contact data, equipped to get information for their queries The Drug and Cosmetic Act was executed in 1945. At that time, the literacy rate, which depicts the literacy (who can be read and write) percentage of a population over the age 15, was very low. The prerequisites of labeling were depended on general public education and circumstances. After that, there was a great improvement in both literary rate and the usage of OTC drugs. Stated by the surveys, India is currently in 11th position in the global OTC market, and it is believed to be in the 9th position in following five years. All these represents the need of modification which is required in the Drug and Cosmetic Act established in 1945, in order to improve the level of OTC drug labeling. History of OTC labels The manufacture, distribution, sale and import of drugs and cosmetics in India are regulated by the following legislations: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (DCA) and its subordinate legislation Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (DCR) Drug (Prices Control) Order, 1995 Drugs (Magic Remedies) Objectionable Advertisement Act, 1954 Pharmacy Act, 1948 The above-mentioned legislations are regulated by the Central Government (Ministry of Health Family Welfare) and are enforced through Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the State Government. Even though, OTC drugs do not have separate labeling requirements in India, all drug products should have a minimal information present on the label of the innermost container of any drug and on every other layer in which the container is packed , as per rule 96 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (DCR), except homeopathic medicines. The following are the minimum labeling requirements: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Name of the drug: Proper (generic) name, immediately followed by Trade (brand) name à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Net content of drug in the container à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Content of active ingredients/single dose or dosage unit à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Name, address and license number of the manufacturer à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Distinctive Batch number or Lot number for the product à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Manufacturing and Expiry date à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Maximum Retail Price (inclusive of all taxes) In India, Peoples habit of taking drugs differs from place to place. Around30%-45% of people prefer pharmacist and self treatment for their illness like cough, cold, pain, fever, injuries and digestive disorders. India is famous for Ayurveda and some other long-established systems of medicine. The aim of the evaluation conducted by Rama Krishna Chaitanya Aluri from Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, based on nearly 200 OTC drug labels, is to check the suitability of information on the labels for successful self-treatment by consumers. Recent changes in drug facts Recently, the FDA conducted extensive research on how consumers use OTC drug product labels, while comparing to the drug facts labels on advanced countries. The clarity of the labels was one major problem, especially for older Americans, who purchase almost 30% of the OTC drugs, sold in The United States. To determine the best way to order this information on OTC drug labels, a recent research has been conducted. Vigilante and Wogalter (1997) pragmatically decided an ordering of OTC label components based on users beliefs about what was (?) Strength and weakness of Drug Facts Having over-the-counter medication will save you time from visiting the doctor every time you have a little sniffle or an ache or pain. There are many safe drugs which can take care of most of your everyday illnesses like the following: colds coughs aches and pains upset stomach diarrhea allergies   These types of drugs are not the drugs themselves its the people! A lot of horribly unobservant people do not take the time to read directions in order to know how to take the medicine properly. There are many cases where people use over- the-counter medicines erroneously and poison themselves. Review in India History of drug regulations Drug regulation organizations in existence today, like Drug Laws, Drug Regulatory Agencies, Drug Evaluation Boards, QC Laboratories, Drug Information Centers, etc., have developed over time. Such developments began centuries ago in some countries, and in others, they are comparatively recent, some of them having started only in the 1990s. The restrictions under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995 are not directly related to the question of categorization of the drugs as OTC drugs or otherwise. But still, they are required to be considered, as restriction on pricing may influence the decision to launch a drug as OTC drug. It is mandatory to obtain price approval from the Central Government, if the drug is classified as scheduled formulation under the Drug (Prices Control) Order, 1995. Also, Central Government can fix a maximum price at which every manufacturer is required to sell his product. For Example, Aspirin and vitamin preparations are deliberated as OTC products for the purpose of marketing. However, under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995, they are considered as scheduled formulations and are subject to price restrictions, unless these formulations are manufactured at SSI units. Difference between pharmacy in India and US OTC in pharmaceutical industry dialect stands for over-the-counter (mainly with reference to drugs). The purchase/sale of drugs across the counter without prescriptions is denoted by this. In fact, in India, every pharmaceutical product market is OTC. People can orally ask for any product and buy it across the counter. In US, there are prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. The prescription drugs are strictly sold only on showing the prescription (Rx). Once the products are dispensed as per Rx, a seal is administered, to indicate that the Rx has been filled. If the patient goes in for refill of the Rx, the pharmacist does it only if it is legally permissible. In such cases, a seal or stamp is put on the Rx again, to indicate that the Rx has been filled once again. But in India, such procedures are not strictly followed. Hence, in a way, the Indian retail pharmaceutical market is OTC or rather it is better to be called  OTX  (combination of  OTC and Rx). Strength and weakness of OTC drugs in Indian and US In India, with the counter medication, there is no need to visit doctor every time for a little sniffle or pain or an ache, so drug facts are good. Several safe drugs are available which cures normal illnesses such as aches, colds, pains and coughs, allergies, and diarrhea and stomach upset. These types of drugs are the people but not the drugs themselves. People are terribly unperceptive and dont even care to read the directions mentioned on the drugs before consuming. Several cases happened when people took the counter medicines improperly and resulted in poisoning. Methodology Following methods are considered To know in depth of a particular aspect case study method helps the researchers; in many cases it selects specific location with very small portion as subject. Real time example is considered with limited number of conditions and events for case study investigation. According to Yin 1984, 23 case study definition a formula based calculations comparing with real world using many sources of evidence, relationships in between them are not accurately explained. Investigation of some case study is done by using longitudinal structures of single event which helps to observe sequence of data, events, reports and results from a long time, for example child language development investigation. According to Zaidah, 2003 Firstly useful data is deeply investigated according to situation based upon particular activity. Case study is very effective example knowing the interesting subject for authentic use. Students an opinion has to be focused during leisure hours the average number of particular subject is taken into the count. This kind of example values slightly deviates when n number of variable are consider. The examination of data is conducted within its context and also within its situation wherein the activity takes place. A case study would always be interested when subject makes it as an authentic text. In order to investigate, the researcher must be able in observing subject environment such as reading in class room or else reading in leisure time. According to zaidah 2003 it mostly focuses on limited number of variables. Results and Discussion The research literature consists of few studies in relations concerning medications that can be bought without any kind of medical prescription also named or over the counter as cold/flu medications etc. in spite of the fact that they are widely used and also represents if it is been misused. As proposed by Ferguson, Dodds, and Flannigan, 1994 one such area in which they are been misused that which involves not only overdosing but also interaction with any other substance. For instance: some case studies have documented individuals who seek to relieve depression symptoms by inducing a state of euphoria with multi-symptom cold syrup which contains chlorphenhydramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylpropanolamine. These substances may induce behavioral and emotional reactions, especially in prone individuals, leading to potentially serious health risks and consequences (Mendez, 1992). The Dangerous substance interactions have received some attention in the psychiatric disorders area. A questionnaire administered to 139 patients diagnosed with either depression or social phobia revealed that 40% of them used OTC cold/flu remedies which had negative interactions with their prescribed medications (Sweet et al., 1995). Another study examined the rate of consumption of TV advertised OTC medications by 471 college students. The results showed that, in addition to frequently using one or more such medications they did so without talking to their physicians about it or specifically determining the conditions under which they were taking such medications. These findings led the authors to emphasize the need to further study the effects of the media on the use of potentially risky OTC medications (Burak and Damico, 2000) The Indian OTC pharmaceuticals market generated total revenues of $2.5 billion in 2006,this representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%for the five year period spanning 2002- 2006. In comparison ,the US and Chinese OTC pharmaceuticals markets grew with CAGRs of 4.3% and 7% over the same period ,to reach respective values of $21.2billion and $11.9billion in 2006. Traditional medicines proved the most lucrative for the Indian OTC pharmaceuticals market in 2006, generating total revenues of $679.3 million. In comparison, sales of cough and cold preparations generated revenues of $492.6 million in 2006. Category %Share Traditional Medicine 27 Cough and cold preparations 19.80 Vitamins and Minerals 11.60 Medicinal skin plants 2.60 Others 26.03 Indian OTC pharmaceuticals market Share: % share, by value, 2004** Company %share Pfizer Inc 5.10 Sanofi Aventis 5.10 Johnson Johnson 2.0 Other 85.10 Inorder to obtain a better way of getting work done and make companies focus on packaging a better pharmacist approach through a better training sessions. By having, better access through labellng and packaging of OTC drugs through government and other pharma companies ensuring a better management of ailments through OTC medication. By developing a better approach of companies launching a better way of public education campaign fulfilling needs of OTC drugs and educating them to empower better way of medication. With all leading pharma companies launching their public education campaigns to fill the knowledge gap in proper selection and use of OTC drugs, it can be a classic case of PPP where the ultimate winner will be the consumer Suggestions and improvements in OTC labeling in US Based on Institute of Medicine IOM, 2008 medication label standardization U.S pharmacopeia health literacy launched container label prescription for consumers advice. Gerald McEvoy and Schwartzberg were the chairmans of American Society of Health System Pharmacists. According to them labels should contain the following principle: 1. Easy, understandable prescription and directions for consumers use. 2. Worldwide medicines should contain prescription label based upon exported countrys standards and basic exporters are clinicians, health literacy experts, academic researchers, government health agency representatives and pharmists. According to IOM, 2008 every year millions of drugs are misused, even after mentioning source of information and safety precautions clearly on the label. Sometimes written and oral consultations information may or may not present on the panel, in case of Rx container label should strictly contain doctors prescription for consumers safety. As per U.S. Pharmacopeia Health Literacy Instruction Container Labeling Advisory Panel recommend the following: Recommendations Arrange the label prescription in such a way that it always stays as a centre in comforting the users. The direction of a drug is given neatly and orderly in making the customer easily understand the prescription and to make use of them in a safe and also effective use. usefull information is given on the label of drug and they are as follows: Useful directions are present at the top of the panel. Medication details are present at bottom. Most important precautions like dosage. Administrative instructions are placed with specific style. The proposed labeling consists of various components and they study these components by making use of certain facts of drug. And labeling format is as follows: 1. Label to include: the Active ingredient all along with its strength: Results: All the 100 labels are examined and mentioned in the active ingredients along with their potency/strength. 2. Label to include: Therapeutic category/purpose: Its 55% of labels are disclosed in therapeutic category. 3. Label to include: Uses /indications for which medicine can be utilized: Even though a significant percentage (75%) mentioned the indications intended for the medicine, 25% of the labels failed to do so. 4. Label to include: Warnings related to common unpleasant effects, drug interactions, contraindications, precautions, over dosage, when it is appropriate to seek medical advice and also in special conditions like pregnancy breast-feeding. This also includes cautions in keeping them away from children. Results: 90% of the labels failed to enumerate the adverse effects of the medicine. 86% did not state what is to be done in case of overdose 92% gave no Information regarding usage in pregnancy and Breastfeeding 87% of the labels did not mention of the possible drug interactions, contraindications and precautions. 73% labels did not even advise to seek medical guidance. Only 36% labels mentioned that the medicine is required to be kept out of the reach of children. 5. Label to include: Directions including how much to be take n, dosage interval, and maximum dose allowed per day and the dose for children: Almost half of the medicines (46%) did not mention the amount to be used, while 34% did not mention the dosing interval. 85% of the medicines did not state the maximum dose allowed. Out of the 15% which did state the maximum dose, 20% were ambiguous with the details. It was also observed that 70% of the medicines failed to specify the dose for children. Only 1 label included Instructions for use in Devanagiri script. 6. Label to include: The products inactive ingredients help the consumers in avoiding ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. None of the labels included the inactive ingredients. 7. Label to include: Storage conditions. Even though a large percentage (88%) of the labels provided the storage conditions, 64% of them were imprecise and difficult to understand. Nearly 85% of the labels were found without a specific temperature. Furthermore, storage conditions were often mentioned using terms which the common man are not familiar with. The exact temperature was rarely mentioned. Besides, we also assessed the label for 2 more criteria : 1. Label to include: Legibility to find out whether the label is easily readable, read with difficulty or with the aid of a magnifying glass. 40% of the medicine labels were clearly read only with the aid of a magnifying glass as the font size was too small. 22% of drug labels were read with difficulty leaving just around 38% which could be read easily. This suggests that 62% of the labels are read with much effort. 1. Label to include: Additional information through patient package inserts, information on secondary packages (wherever applicable): Patient package inserts are useful for providing additional information to the patient. Out of the 100 medicines examined, only 3 included a patient package insert. Many a times, secondary packagings of medicines are also given to the patient as additional protection for their medicines or as attractive packs. These secondary packages can also be used to convey valuable information to the patient. In 56% of the cases, a secondary package was found to be available to the patient, yet only 36% of them gave more information on its label than the primary package. Conclusion The OTC drug offering is incomplete with out empowering public on its rational use through Well planed strategic marketing initiative revolving around the aliment, the knowledge to diagnose and manage the same. In this empowerment process which can be considered as CSR, the objective should be prevention and holistic awareness creation leading to health and wellbeing than just offering the minimum needed information to use ones products. Thus by educating public (consumer) on how to manage common ailments and finally how to prevent them, the pharma companies can achieve its real goal of health for all and improve the quality of peoples life In India, OTC products are marketed and advertised liberally, with a view of educating the maximum number of consumers, and promoting treatment of minor ailments at home using OTC products as first line of defense. It can be anticipated that, more Rx to OTC switch will increase number of drugs in OTC category in near future. Hence it may be valuable to conduct more research on group of Consumers, who consume OTC Products freely and either switch from the existing brand or continue to earlier brand. A study on marketing of OTC products, used by post office and postman, can also be a studied as a channel of marketing of OTC drugs at national area. Since, the Customer and Consumer are being the same in the OTC drug marketing, companies must instantly address the information needs more effectively and uninterruptedly. Once the awareness level is enhanced, the acceptability of OTC drugs will improve. The knowledge about allopathic OTC drugs has to be disseminated by manufacturing companies, in order to ensure drastic reduction in the high information asymmetry existing now-a-days, especially when the knowledge of the traditional medicine is rooted in the culture. Bibliography Ajith, P., (2007). OTC Drug Marketing -. Global Trends and Indian Experiences. etal, C.P.B.., 1998. Patients Attitude to over the counter drugs possible professional response to self Medications. Oxford University Press, volume- 15, pp.44-50. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 21 CFR Part 201, e.a., 1999. Over-the-Counter Human Drugs; Labeling Requirements. Federal Register. . Sleath B, R.R.C.W.G.L.C.T., 2001. Physician-patient communication about over-the-counter medications.. Social Sciences Medicine.. Tracy Portner, M.C.S., 1994. College students perceptions of OTC Information. characteristics Journal, 8, p.142 to 161. Wilcox CM, C.B.T.G., 2005. Patterns of use and public perception of over-the-counter pain relievers. Focus on nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs..

From Medicine Men to Men of Medicine :: Medical History Health Essays

From Medicine Men to Men of Medicine From the beginning of written history, men of medicine have played an important role in civilization and society. Each of these minds brought new ways of thinking to their particular era through experimentation and discovery. The 19th century was an age of pioneering, exploration, and change. These things were thought to apply mainly to the areas of invention and the quest for land, yet the extent reached as far as the field of medicine. Advancement in American medicine took place in the 19th century, particularly in the old west. This scope includes both the native healer, and the frontier doctor who traded big, bustling cities for mining camps and ghost towns. The 19th century was a time when the face of western American medicine was changed forever, a time when medicine transitioned from a religious ritual to a skilled practice. The introduction of the frontier physician was a catalyst for the medical evolution in the west from medicine men to men of medicine. Before pioneers began to move and settle out west, the Native Americans ruled the frontier. We find that in every tribe every person had a specific duty to perform. The tribal chief was overseer of every tribal affair, warriors fought battles for the tribe, women were responsible for cooking and raising children, and any ailment or injury was tended to by the medicine man. The life of the medicine man was probably the most trying and stress-filled of the whole tribe. The process of becoming a medicine man in itself was rigorous and challenging. At around the same time every year, most North American Indian tribes would perform a certain ritual that served as a means of choosing who the next medicine man would be. This test was a grueling ordeal, lasting several days. All young braves would assemble at the great medicine lodge. After three or four days of fasting, praying, privation, and observing older medicine men in practice, the ambitious young men were then to undergo the last and most trying part of the test for greatness. Any man that passed this part of the test was thought to be immortal by the tribe. They would gather once again in the medicine lodge and place themselves in a reclining position. The overseers of this ritual would then pinch an inch or two of the pectoral muscle on each side of each brave.

Government Budgets on Inflation :: Economics Economy Essays

Government Budgets on Inflation Problems with format ?Since Greece and Italy are in the European Union and have both joined the European Monetary Union, one might think that they would have fairly stable economies, and Turkey would be the unstable one of the three.? But that is not necessarily true.? Although Turkey does have more of an unsteady economy, Italy and Greece?s were not doing so well in the recent past.? Looking at each country separately then comparing the three is the best way to see how the government budgets affect the inflation rates of Greece, Italy and Turkey.? Greece Greece joined the European Union (EU) in 1981, but that did not solve all of its internal problems.? They still had a high inflation rate through the 1980s and into the early 90s.? ?The average annual rate of price inflation was 17.4% in 1984-93.?[1]? There were many reasons for this elevated rate, like the public sector dominating the economy, the informal Greek economy, and the weak political leadership, but Greece knew they had to lower their inflation rate to join the European Monetary Union (EMU) and in turn converting their currency over to euros. In 1994, the EU along with Greece?s ruling government PASOK (Panellinion Socialistikon Kinima) set goals for Greece?s journey towards entering the EMU.? Along with many other objectives, the inflation rate had to be lowered before entering in to the monetary union.? Greece reduced it public spending, restricted the public sector wage increases, and attempted to increase their budget revenues by setting a minimum level of income tax payable by all employees.[2]? By doing these things, ?in April of 1995 the annual rate of inflation was less than 10% for the first time since 1973.?[3]? Also during this time of gradual progress to lower the inflation rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) rose.? The economy grew by an average of 2.8 percent per year between 1994 and 1999 and there was a recorded real growth in GDP of 4.1% in 2000.[4]By the middle of 2000, Greece?s inflation rate had reached a stable level at 2.0%, which was the requirement for entry into the EMU. ?In January [2001] Greece became the twelfth member of the European Monetary Union after a sustained effort to reduce inflation and the budget deficit to levels required for adopting the Euro. Government Budgets on Inflation :: Economics Economy Essays Government Budgets on Inflation Problems with format ?Since Greece and Italy are in the European Union and have both joined the European Monetary Union, one might think that they would have fairly stable economies, and Turkey would be the unstable one of the three.? But that is not necessarily true.? Although Turkey does have more of an unsteady economy, Italy and Greece?s were not doing so well in the recent past.? Looking at each country separately then comparing the three is the best way to see how the government budgets affect the inflation rates of Greece, Italy and Turkey.? Greece Greece joined the European Union (EU) in 1981, but that did not solve all of its internal problems.? They still had a high inflation rate through the 1980s and into the early 90s.? ?The average annual rate of price inflation was 17.4% in 1984-93.?[1]? There were many reasons for this elevated rate, like the public sector dominating the economy, the informal Greek economy, and the weak political leadership, but Greece knew they had to lower their inflation rate to join the European Monetary Union (EMU) and in turn converting their currency over to euros. In 1994, the EU along with Greece?s ruling government PASOK (Panellinion Socialistikon Kinima) set goals for Greece?s journey towards entering the EMU.? Along with many other objectives, the inflation rate had to be lowered before entering in to the monetary union.? Greece reduced it public spending, restricted the public sector wage increases, and attempted to increase their budget revenues by setting a minimum level of income tax payable by all employees.[2]? By doing these things, ?in April of 1995 the annual rate of inflation was less than 10% for the first time since 1973.?[3]? Also during this time of gradual progress to lower the inflation rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) rose.? The economy grew by an average of 2.8 percent per year between 1994 and 1999 and there was a recorded real growth in GDP of 4.1% in 2000.[4]By the middle of 2000, Greece?s inflation rate had reached a stable level at 2.0%, which was the requirement for entry into the EMU. ?In January [2001] Greece became the twelfth member of the European Monetary Union after a sustained effort to reduce inflation and the budget deficit to levels required for adopting the Euro.

Indian Cuisne :: India Food

India which is also called 'The Republic Of India', is a very large country in South Asia. By size is it the 7th largest country in the world. It also the 2nd most populated democratic country in the world. It is nearly surrounded by water but connected at the north end of the country the the rest of Asia. On it's south is the Indian Ocean. On the west, the Arabian Sea and on the east the Bay Of Bengal. It is connected to countries such as China, Nepal and Pakistan which also have had an affect on India's cuisine. India is also subdivided into 28 States and 7 Union Territories which each have different variations of Indian cuisine . Bhapa This technique is simply steaming, usually in banana leaves or in foil. This is used in Eastern India and other parts of India for Fish and Vegetables. Bhunao/Kasha This is the process of cooking mainly rich meat dishes in a onion spice base on low heat stirring frequently for a very long time. Bagar/Chowk Or Sambara This is the process of tempering foods with the final addition of spices and ghee. It is used for most lentil dishes. Dum-Pukth This is cooking in a sealed steam pot, this method is typical of the cooking of Lucknow and is used for rice dishes such as Biryanis and Pillaus. Talna This is the term for frying both deep and shallow. Tikkis and Kababs are cooked this way. Sekhna Is the process of pan roasting for nuts and griddle breads. Garam Masal Garam Masala is a term for a mixture of spices used in Indian cooking. There are many commercial brands are available, but keen cooks can grind and blend their own. This ensures freshness and means you have control over the quality and quantities of the individual spices. There is no official recipe for Garam Masala, but many Indian families have their own variety. Common ingerdients are Nutmeg, Cumin seeds, toasted Black peppercorns, Whole cloves, Cinnamon sticks, Black or green cardamom. Cumin Cumin from Western Asia, where it has been harvested since Biblical times. People cook with the fruits of the plant, which are usually called the seeds. Cumin is a very weak spice often used in highly spiced cuisines, especially Mexican and Indian. Ginger Ginger is used a lot as a cooking ingredient or spice in Asian cuisine. It is also used in many western dishes such as Gingerbread Men, Ginger Beer and Ginger Snaps.

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: Gaining Integrity through Failure Essay

Integrity is achieved through the gaining of wisdom; the gaining of wisdom is a direct result of failure. Arthur Miller wrote the moralizing drama, The Crucible, in this play the main character John Proctor was wrongly accused of witchcraft and served the death penalty along with two others. The story of John Proctor was indirectly summarized by the American author William Saroyan when he said, â€Å"Good people†¦are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure,† meaning that a person willing to sacrifice for his beliefs is good because although he has failed, by not according to his moral codes he has gained integrity and the ability to refuse to live a life of hypocrisy; further, John Proctor is good because he died refusing to lie in order to live. Proctor failed because his commitments wavered depending upon his own personal needs. Miller demonstrated Proctor’s failure, and later redemption and goodness throughout the text by means of characteriza tion, conflict, and theme. Miller uses the literary element of characterization to show John Proctor’s transformation from failure to goodness. There is a definite contradiction in Proctor; additionally, he says that he loves his wife; but, he adulters her as soon as she becomes ill. Also he does not attend church because he dislikes the way in which Reverend Samuel Parris governs the church, as well as the way he preaches. Proctor abhors how Parris uses donations for the church to buy superfluous things, † †¦When I look to heaven and see my money glaring at his elbows- it hurt my prayer, sir, it hurt my prayer† (69). Proctor’s commitment wavers depending upon his own personal needs. Arthur Miller characterized him as one with weak theology and one who struggled with personal commitment, in Puritan society religion is valued highly and those who don’t follow Puritan rules are not accepted and alienated by society. Salem citizens considered Proctor a religious failure. He was not able to recite the Ten Commandments when asked by Reverend Nathaniel Hale; further, as Proctor was failing to find the tenth commandment, his wife  Elizabeth utters delicately, â€Å"Adultery, John† (71). Ironically, Proctor was able to identify all the commandments except the one that he was betraying. Reverend Hale pointed out Proctor’s other religious shortcomings, he discerned that Proctor rarely attended church, â€Å"In the book of record that Mr. Parris keeps, I note that you are rarely on church on Sabbath day† (68). Proctor first argues that Hale must be wrong, then he replies that his wife was sick; so, finally after all of his excuses failed, he resorted to saying that he did not attend church because he did not like Reverend Samuel Parris, Reverend Hale continued to point out Proctor’s fallacies, Hale noted that only two of Proctor’s three sons had been baptized, â€Å"How comes it that only two are baptized† (69). Proctor claims that this is because he dislikes Reverend Parris, â€Å"I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand on my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I’ll not conceal it† (69). Proctor proves himself to be religiously disloyal; additionally, since Samuel Parris was a preacher he must have the light of God is in him according to Puritan beliefs. Proctor challenges Hale’s accusations, â€Å"I nailed the roof upon the church, I hung the door-† (69). Proctor is willing to work for the church, but is not willing to atten d it like society expects him to; he unquestionably contradicts himself at  this point. Because of these religious weaknesses and inauthentic choices Proctor’s faith in God is weakened. Proctor reaches wisdom through failure, he overcame his shortcomings and was eventually able to redeem himself in the eyes of society as well as in the eyes of God. When he being frustrated by the false accusations of the court he proclaimed, â€Å"I say- I say- God is dead!† (125). Proctor believes that God is dead and that everyone will burn in Hell together. Later he gains goodness as he realizes that God knows that he is a sinner and that that is all that matters, â€Å"God does not need my name nailed upon the church! He sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!† (149). Also, Proctor was tortured for three months, the Salem judges attempted to get him to purge a confession, but to no avail. Proctor knew that if he gave a false confession it would blacken his soul more than anything else would. Elizabeth questioned him prior to his hanging, â⠂¬Å"You-  have been tortured? Proctor responded, â€Å"Aye. They come for my life now.† (141). Proctor was tortured for three months and was determined bolster his ideals by showing a cold heart to the judges, here he exemplifies firmness and perseverance. Proctor began as one whose commitment was based on his personal needs, but was transformed to one willing to die for something he believes in, he was changed from a failed person to a moral man. Proctor knows that what the Salem judges were doing was wrong and he refused to be victimized by them. The dynamic characterization of John Proctor throughout The Crucible shows that he is a good person because he is willing to die defending his beliefs; although, he agrees to confess and abandon his previous ideals, he has a change of heart and hangs. Proctor was wrestling with his conscience over whether to confess to witchcraft an action that would save  himself from the gallows. The judges and Hale almost convinced him to do so, but the last stumbling block is his signature on the confession, which he could not bring himself to give. In part, this unwillingness reflects his desire to honor his fellow prisoners; he would not be able to live with himself knowing that other innocent, pious people died while he faltered at death’s door and fled. Also he would not sign the false confession because of his children; he did not want them to live knowing that their father was a too timid to stand up for his principles, â€Å"I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?† (150). Proctor also hesitated to sign his false confession for fear of losing his tarnished, but all important name, â€Å"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies†¦How may I live without my name? (150). He knew that he could only have one name, and if he sign the false confession people would always look down on him as someone who was too cowardly to bolster his beliefs, Still another literary element used by Miller is that of theme. The idea that reputation can greatly effect a character’s thought process is a very important theme throughout the play. Reputation is tremendously important in  theocratic Salem, where public and private moralities are one and the same. In an environment where reputation plays such an important role, the fear of guilt by association becomes particularly harmful. Focused on maintaining public reputation, the townsfolk of Salem must fear that the sins of their friends and family may tarnish their own names. John Proctor based his actions on the desire to protect his reputation. Proctor seeks to keep his good name from being damaged; moreover, he attempts to quiet Abigail on the subject of their  previous relationship in order to protect his good name. He tells Abigail to forget about their relationship because he has reformed and wants nothing to do with her, â€Å"Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abbyâ €  (24). Personal responsibility is another major theme throughout The Crucible; Miller exemplifies Proctor’s transformation from failure to morality through his failed personal responsibilities. As a citizen of Salem, Proctor has the responsibility of attending church weekly; also, he has the responsibility of having his family follow Puritan religious rules. His youngest son is not baptized, Proctor argues that he does not think that Reverend Parris is the right man to baptize his son. Proctor’s largest failed responsibility is that of his loyalty to his wife, Elizabeth. He had with Abigail during his wife’s sickness. Proctor failed because his commitments wavered depending upon his own personal needs, he was in need of companionship and his wife was sick and therefore unable to fulfill his needs, so he abandon his previous ideals. Proctor’s inauthentic choice to lecher his wife contributed to his failings. Elizabeth expressed grief regarding Proctor’s lechery, she was dismayed when she learned of John’s sin, â€Å"You’ll tear it free-when you come to know that I will be your only wife, or no wife at all! (66). Another theme that plays a large role in transforming Proctor from a person of failure to a man with morals is that of intolerance of opposition. The Crucible is set in a theocratic society, in which the church and the state are one, and the Puritan religion is very austere. Because of the theocratic nature of the society, moral laws and state laws are one and the same: sin and the status of an individual’s soul are matters of public concern. There is no room for variation from social standards, since any individual whose private life does not conform to the established moral laws represents a  threat not only to the public good; but, they pose a threat to the rule of God and true religion as well. In Salem, everything and everyone belongs to either God or the Devil; opposition is not merely unlawful, it is associated with satanic activity. This division between good and evil, God or the Devil, functions as the underlying logic behind the witch trials. The witch trials are the ultimate expression of intolerance; and, hanging witches is the ultimate means of restoring the community’s purity. The trials categorize all social deviants with the disgrace of devil-worshiping and thus require their elimination from the community. Proctor conformed to society’s ways and hid his sins. Proctor’s failings were represented by the themes of reputation, intolerance, and personal responsibilities, he was unable to fulfill his societal duties; but, he hid his weaknesses in order to keep his social status white. He covered up his affair with Abigail and his religious inadequacies. Proctor adultered Elizabeth and he was unable to live a normal life because of his sins. Proctor also had a chance to put a stop to the girls’ accusations; but, his desire to preserve his reputation keeps him from testifying against Abigail, Proctor tells Elizabeth that he wants to think on the idea of testifying against Abigail because he fears that he may falsely accuse Abigail of fraud, but in actuality he is thinking on it because he does not want to bring adultery charges on himself by testifying against Abigail, he does not want to raise lechery suspicions from Elizabeth, â€Å"†¦I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail, and I will think on it† (57). However, Proctor’s desire to keep his good name leads him to make the heroic choice not to make a false confession and to go to his death without signing his name to an untrue statement, he proclaims to the court, â€Å"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!† (150). By refusing to surrender his name, he redeems himself for his failure  and therefore dies with integrity. Elizabeth expresses true feelings toward John because she knew that they might never speak to each other again. She explained to John that she was one who was wrong, she said that she should not have been suspicious of John, â€Å"Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept!† (144). Proctor surely has his integrity when Elizabeth exclaims to Judge Hathorne that John is a moral man, â€Å"Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John- I never knew such goodness in the world!† (144). Through the trials Proctor realized the conformists of society, and how people surrender to altering their own beliefs. When John is facing death he is redeemed and gains integrity. Elizabeth looks past John’s adultery and recognizes t hat has transformed into a respectable man. The literary element of conflict is frequently used throughout The Crucible to show John Proctor’s transition from ethical failure to moral success. The external conflict between John and Elizabeth shows John in as a failure, their conflict was caused by John’s affair with Abigail. Elizabeth expressed her grief upon learning of John’s lechery, â€Å"†¦I will be your only wife, or no wife at all! She [Abigail] has an arrow in you yet, John Proctor, and you know it well!† (66). Another external conflict exists between John and society, particularly, the judges and governors. The Salem governors convince Proctor that the right way to go is to give a false confession; further, he would spare his life, and religiously rid himself of sin by confessing. Here, Proctor failed. He chose to give a false confession, he chose to wrongly admit to witchcraft instead of  standing by his morals like Martha Corey and Sarah Good did before him. Along those same lines, John failed himself. Internally he was struggling with the same the decision of giving a false confession. Proctor failed through both internal and external conflicts. He was convinced to falsely confess, and he also adultered his wife. Proctor was redeemed internally; he found wisdom from within and reformed. Proctor realized that adultery greatly troubled  his relationship Elizabeth and also his public reputation, and redeemed himself by means of admitting his sins to Elizabeth and saying that he takes his own sins upon himself, no one else’s, â€Å"No, I take my own [sins], my own!† (144). Proctor also became conscious of the fact that integrity is much more important than reputation. He shows this recognition through deciding not to give a false confession. By not giving a false confession he redeemed himself and reached virtue. In the end, he was hanged and showed his goodness through his willingness to sacrifice his own life defending something that he believes in. Instead of being used by the court to damn witchcraft, he went against the court, and did the opposite of what they wanted him to do. By not conforming to the courts requests of a false confession he showed once more his integrity and morality. Furthermore, Arthur Miller depicts John Proctor’s goodness by showing that he has integrity, morals, and ideals. The American author William Saroyan said, â€Å"Good people†¦are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.† Someone who is willing to sacrifice for his beliefs is a good person because although he has failed, by not according to his moral codes he has gained the integrity and the ability to refuse to live a life of hypocrisy. The Crucible is directly related to the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s  and 1960s. Senator Joseph McCarthy fought the growing Communist party during the â€Å"Red Scare,† when America was vulnerable to the growing threat of Communist invasion. McCarthy’s hearing is directly related to The Crucible because like the McCarthy hearings The Crucible sends a timeless message. Joseph McCarthy stood up to American society to publicly defend his reputation, as well as the reputations of others; additionally John Proctor did the same in The Crucible as he refused to shame himself by lying and taking the easy way out when others died for their morals. Works Cited: Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin Books, 1953.

The Stupidest Angel Chapter 8

Chapter 8vacation HEARTBREAKChristmas pardon. You can f al integrity tabu of inter-group communication with a assistant, fail to strike birdsongs, ignore e-mails, avoid eye cont figure come out of the closet at the Thrifty-Mart, for flap birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions, and if you show up at their ho use up during the passs (with a gift) they argon soci onlyy bound to for outpouring you act corresponding nonhing happened. Decorum dictates that the intimacy can forward from that point, without guilt or recrimination. If you conk outed a chess game x years ago in October, you exigency only remember whose move it is or why you sold the chessboard and bought an Xbox in the interim. ( intent, Christmas Amnesty is a wonderful thing, nevertheless its not a dimensional shift. The laws of metre and space continue to apply, eve if you decl atomic number 18 been avoiding your lifters. But dont try using the intricacy of the universe as an excuse ilk you ke pt meaning to quit by, exclusively their house kept getting farther past. That crap wont wash. mediocre asseve deserte, Sorry I realizent c altoge on that pointd. Merry Christmas. Then show the present. Christmas Amnesty protocol dictates that your friend say, Thats pass, and let you in without further comment. This is the stylus it has of all time been d ace.)Where the derriere put one oer you been? state Gabe Fenton when he undefendable the penet informerion and saw his old friend Theophilus Crowe standing in that respect, holding a present. Gabe, forty-five, terse and wiry, uns t come downn and slightly balding, was wear khakis that looked manage hed slept in them for a week.Merry Christmas, Gabe, give tongue to Theo, holding out the present, a plumping red bow on it manner of waving the box back and by as if to say, Hey, I realize a present here, youre not countd to railroad me for not calling for three years.Yeah, expert, give tongue to Gabe. But you capability have called.Sorry. I meant to, scarcely you were involved with Val, I didnt eat up to interrupt.She dumped me, you enjoy? Gabe had been weighing Valerie Riordan, the t gives only psychiatrist, for several(prenominal) years now. non for the last month, however.Yeah, I heard astir(predicate) that. Theo had heard that Val complimentsed someone who was a tiny more than involved with human culture than Gabe.Gabe was a behavioral field biologist who analyse wild rodents or marine mammals, depending on who was providing the funding. He lived at a gloomy federally owned cottage by the lighthouse with his hundred-pound black Labrador retriever, Skinner.You heard? And you didnt call?It was nearly noon, and Theos buzz had mostly fatigued false, besides he was even thrown. Guys were not hypothetical to lament the lack of fend from a friend, unless it was backup in a impede fight or servicing in moving heavy hurtle. This was not normal behavior. Maybe Gabe really did get hold of to spend more time nigh human universes.Look, Gabe, I brought you a present, Theo reassure. Look at how glad Skinner is to receive me.Skinner was, in fact, glad to see Theo. He was crowding Gabe in the doorway, his strapping tail beating once morest the open door equivalent a Snausage war drum. He associated Theo with hamburgers and pizza, and had once thought of him as the tinge backup Food Guy (Gabe being the primary Food Guy).Well, I suppose you should come in, give tongue to Gabe. The biologist stepped away from the door and al gloomyed Theo to enter. Skinner utter hi by shoving his nose into Theos crotch.Im break prevail overing in here, so things argon a little messy.A little messy? An understatement on a par with calling the Bataan end March a nature wage increase it looked like someone had loaded all of Gabes be considerableings into a cannon and shoot them into the room through the wall. Dirty wash drawing and dishes covered e prec ise surface but for Gabes institutetable, which, except for the rats, was immaculate.Nice rats, Theo say. What are you doing with them?Im poring over them.Gabe sat down in prior of a series of five-gallon aquariums arranged some a focus on tank in a star pattern and relate by Habitrail tubes, with gates for routing rats from one bedchamber to another. Each of the rats had a silver phonograph recording active the size of a low-down attach to its back.Theo watched as Gabe opened a gate and one of the rats go to the come to tank and immediately tried to h ogdoaden its occupant. Gabe picked up a small strange control and come to the button. The attacking rat nearly did a backflip trying to retreat.Ha Thatll teach im, Gabe shouted. The fe manlike in the center cage is in estrus.The rat support away tentatively and did some sniffing, thereforece exami adopt to twit the fe mannish again. Gabe encounter the button. The male was jolted by of her.Ha Now do you get i t? Gabe say maniacally. He looked up from the cages to Theo. there are electrodes on their testes. The silver disks are batteries and inappropriate receivers. Every time he gets sexually aroused, Im hitting his little cockamamy with fifty volts.The rat made another attempt and again Gabe hit the button. The rat spazzed its way to the corner of the cage.You stupid shit Gabe shouted. You regard theyd learn. Ill hit each of them with the jolt a dozen times today, but when I open the cage tomorrow, theyll all go past back in and try to mount her again. You see, you see how we are?We?Us. Males. curb how we are. We slam theres freeing to be nothing but pain, but we go back again and again.Gabe had always been so steady, so calm, so professionally detached, scientifically obsessed, so reliably nerdy Theo felt as if he were public lecture to a whole different person, like someone had scrubbed off all the intellect and had exposed the nerves. Uh, Gabe, Im not po baby-sitive(p redicate) that we should equate ourselves with rodents. I mean Oh, sure. Thats what you say now. But youll call me and tell me I was near. Something exit happen and youll call. Shell stomp your centerfield and youll finish the destruction she starts. Am I right? Am I right?Uh, I Theo was figureing about the cemetery sex followed by the fight hed had with molly last night.So Im going to modification the association. Watch this. Gabe stormed over to a bookshelf, threw past a bunch of professional journals and notebooks until he order what he was sounding for. See. See her. Gabe held up a recent Victorias abstruse catalog. The model on the front was wearing garments spectacularly inadequate in hide her appeal. She looked as if she sound couldnt be happier about it. Beautiful, right? Amazing, right? Hold that thought. Gabe reached into the firing of his khakis and pulled out a stainless distant only if like the one on the rat table. Beautiful, he state, and he hit the button.The biologists back arched and he utterly became six inches taller, all the muscles of his body be to flex at once. He convulsed twice, then fell to the floor, the crumpled catalog still in his hand.Skinner lapsed into a barking fit. Dont die, Food Guy, my bowl is on the porch and I cant open the door by myself, he was saying. It was the same every time, he was always glad when the Food Guy wasnt truly dead, but the Food Guys convulsions made him anxious.Theo rushed to his friends aid. Gabes eyes were rolled back and he twitched a couple of times in the first place he sucked in a intricate breath and looked Theo in the eye. See. You change the association. Wont be long and Ill have that reception without the electrodes glued to my scrotum.Are you alright?Oh yeah. It go away take hold, I know it. It hasnt worked with the rats yet, but Im hoping it will before they all die.Theyre dying of this?Well, it has to pine or theyll never learn. Gabe held up his hostile a gain and Theo snatched it out of his hand.Stop itI have another set of electrodes and receiver. You want to try it? Ive been dying to try it out in the field. We could go to a embrace bar.Theo helped Gabe to his feet, then set him in a c copper facing away from the rat table and pulled a chair somewhat for himself.Gabe, you are out of control. Im sorry I didnt call.I know youve been busy. Its okay.Great, now he has the appropriate Christmas Amnesty reaction, Theo thought. These rats, the electrodes, all of it, its full wrong. Youre just going to end up with either a bunch of paranoid misogynist males, or a flowerpot of corpses.You make that sound like a bad thing.You got your midriff baffled. It will heal.She said I was dull.She should see this. Theo gestured slightly the room.She wasnt elicit in my work.You guys had a good run. cinque years. Maybe it was just time. You told me yourself that the human male was not evolved for monogamy.Yeah, but I had a girlfriend when I sai d that.So its not true?No, its true, but it didnt call on the carpet me when I had a girlfriend. Now I know that I am biologically programmed to spread the seed of my loins far and wide, to as m whatever females as possible, a series of torrid, meaningless matings, only to move on to the next fertile female. My genes are demanding that I pass them on, and I dont know where to start.You might want to shower stall before you start the seed spreading.You dont weigh I know that? Thats why I was trying to reprogram my impulses. Tame the animus, as it were.Because you dont want to shower?No, because I dont know how to talk to women. I could talk to Val.Val was a pro.She was not. She never off-key a trick in her life.Listener, Gabe. She was a pro listener a psychiatrist.Oh, right. Do you believe I should start with a prostitute, or tutes?For a broken heart? Yeah, Im sure that will work just as well as the electrodes on your scrotum, but first I sine qua non you to do something fo r me. Theo thought perchance, just maybe, work nonfreakish work might bring his friend back from the brink. He reached into his shirt scoop and pulled out the hank of yellow hair hed interpreted out of the Volvos wheel well. I need you to look at this and tell me about it.Gabe took the hair and looked at it. Is this crime stuff?Sort of.Where did you get it? What do you need to know?Tell me everything you can about it before I tell you anything, okay?Well, it get alongs to be blond.Thanks, Gabe, I was thinking maybe you could look at it under the microscope or something.Doesnt the county have a crime research lab for that?Yeah, but I cant take it to them. There are circumstances.Like?Like they will think Im stoned or nuts or both. Look at the hair, Theo said. You tell me. Ill tell you.Okay, but I dont have all that cool CSI stuff.Yeah, but the guys at the crime lab dont have batteries Super-Glued to their gonads. Youve got them there. ex minutes later Gabe looked up from hi s microscope. Well, its not human, he said.Swell.In fact, it doesnt appear to be hair.So what is it?Well, it seems to have a pass on of the qualities of optic fiber.So its man-made?Not so fast. It has a root, and what appears to be a tailoricle, but it doesnt look like keratin. Id have to have it tested for proteins. If its manufactured, theres no recount of the process. It looks as if it was grown, not made. You know polar-bear hair has fiber-optic properties channels light muscularity through to the black skin for heat.So its polar-bear hair?Not so fast.Gabe, goddammit, where in the cavity did it come from?You tell me.Just us, okay? This doesnt leave this cottage unless We get some confirmation, okay?Of course. Are you okay, Theo?Am I okay? Youre asking me if Im okay?Everything all right with you and mollie? The transmission line? Youre not smoking dope again, are you?Theo hung his headman. You say you have another one of those electrodes?Gabe brightened. Youll need to s have a spot. asshole I open my present while youre in the bathroom? You can use my razor.No, go ahead and open your present. I have some stuff I need to tell you.Wow, a salad shooter. Thanks, Theo.He took the salad shooter, molly said.Wow, was that important to him? Lena asked.It was a nuptials ceremony present.I know, I gave it to you. It was a wedding present to me and Dale, too.See, there was tradition. mollie was inconsolable. She drank off half of her diet Coke and slammed the charge plate Budweiser cup down on the bar like a pirate blaspheming over a schooner of grog. BastardIt was Wednesday evening, and they were at the Head of the lick saloon to arrange the replanning of the food for the Christmas for the Lonesome party. Lenas first reaction to mollies call to help was to beg off and stay at home, but even as she was creating an excuse, she realized that shed only sit home obsessing alternately on getting caught for killing Dale and getting her heart broken by this strange, strange helicopter pilot. She stubborn that maybe meeting with Molly and throstle down at the Slug wasnt such a bad idea. And she might be able to find out from Molly if Theo suspected her in Dales disappearance. Yeah, fat chance, with Molly obsessing on Theos whatever it was that Theo was supposed to have done wrong. It sounded to Lena like he had just taken a salad shooter to work with him. You were supposed to empathize with your friends problems, but they were, later all, your friends problems, and Lenas friends, Molly in particular, could be a little wacky.The bar was full of hit in their twenties and thirties and you could happen a desperate energy sparking close to the dark room, like loneliness was the cast out and sex was the positive and someone was clash the wires together over an open pose of gasoline. This was the fallout of the holiday heartbreak cycle that started with young men who, lacking any stronger motivation toward changing their lives, wo uld break up with their current girlfriend in fellowship to avoid having to buy her a Christmas present. The agitated women would sulk for a few days, eat ice cream, and avoid calling relatives, but then, as the idea of a alone(p) Christmas and New Year started to loom large, they swarmed into the Slug in search of a companion, well-nigh any companion, with whom they could pass the holidays. Full fastness ahead and forget the presents. long Coves male singles, to display their newfound freedom, would descend on the Slug, and avail themselves of the affections of dejected women in a game of small-town sexual musical chairs play hungrily to the tune of Deck the Halls everyone hoping to have slipped drunkenly into someone more well-provided before the last fa was la-la-ed.There might have been a bubble around Lena and Molly, however, for they were obviously not part of the game. fleck both were certainly more than taking enough to garner attention from the younger men, the y had about them a mystique of experience, of having been there and go on, of unbullshitability. Essentially, they scared the hell out of all but the drunkest of the Slugs suitors, and the fact that they were drinking honest diet Coke scared the hell out of the drunks. Molly and Lena, despite their own personal distress, had slain their own holiday desperation dragons, which was how the Lonesome Christmas party had started in the first place. Now they were on to new, undivided anxieties.Sloppy joes, said mavis, a extensive cloud of low-tar smoke powering the announcement and dry wash over Lena and Molly. It had been illegal to smoke in California bars for years, but throstle ignored the law and the authorities (Theophilus Crowe) and take in on. Who doesnt like his meat sloppy on a bun? mavis, its Christmas, Lena said. So far song thrush had only suggested soupy or sassy entres Lena suspected that Mavis had misplaced her dentures again and was therefore lobbying for a gum mable feast.With pickles, then. Red sauce, spurt pickles, Christmas theme.I mean shouldnt we do something nice for Christmas? Not just sloppy joes?At five bucks a head, I told her that barbeque was the only way to feed them. Mavis leaned in and looked at Molly, who was muttering malevolently into her ice cubes. But everyone seems to think its going to rain. Like it ever rains in December.Molly looked up and growled a little, then looked at the television screen behind Mavis and pointed. The sound was muted, but there was a weather map of California. About eight hundred miles off the coast there was a capacious blob of tinge whirling in jump-frame satellite-photo motion, making it appear that a Technicolor amoeba was about to eat the Bay Area.Aint nothin, Mavis said. They wont even give it a conjure. If that thing was crouched like that over Bermuda, theyd have given it a name two days ago. Know why? Cause they dont come onshore here. That slit will turn right a hundred miles o ff Anacapa Island and go down and dump all over the Yucatan. in the meantime we wont be able to wash our cars because of the drought.The rain at least will stop any sand-pirate attacks, Molly said, crunching an ice cube.Huh? said Lena.The hell did you say? Mavis correct her hearing aid.Nothing, Molly said. What do you guys think about lasagna? You know, some garlic bread, a little salad.Yeah, we can likely do it for five bucks a head if we dont use sauce or cheese, said Mavis.Lasagna just doesnt seem very Christmasy, said Lena.We could put it in Santa Claus pans, Molly suggested.No Lena snapped. No Santas We can do a snowman or something, but no friggin Santas.Mavis reached over and patted Lenas hand. Santa played a little grab-ass with a lot of us when we were little, darlin. Once your mustache starts growing youre supposed to let go of that shit.I am not growing a mustache.Do you wax? Because you cant see a thing, said Molly, being supportive.I do not have a mustache, said Len a.You think its bad being a Mexican, Roumanian women have to start shaving when theyre twelve, Mavis said.Lena took that opportunity to plant her elbows squarely on the bar and grip two great handfuls of her hair, which she began to pull, slowly and steadily, to make her point.What? said Mavis.What? said Molly.And there was an awkward moment of lock among the three only the muted nickelodeon thumping in the background and the low murmur of people lying to one another. They looked around to avoid talking, then turned to the front door as Vance McNally, Pine Coves senior EMT, came through it and let unfounded a long, growling belch.Vance was in his midfifties, and put on himself a charmer and a hero, when, in fact, he was a bit of a dolt. He had been driving the ambulance for over xx years now, and nothing gave him pleasure like being the bearer of bad news. It was the rate of his importance.You guys hear that the highway patrol found Dale Pearsons truck parked up in Big Sur by linden tree Kiln Rock? Looks like he was search and fell in. Yep, surf coming up from that storm, theyll never find him. Theos up there now investigating.Lena stumbled back to her bar movement and climbed up. She was sure everyone in the bar, all the locals anyway, were looking at her for a reaction. She let her long hair hang down by her face, hiding in it.So, lasagna it is, said Mavis.But no fucking Santa pans Lena snapped, not looking up.Mavis pulled both of their tractile cups off the bar. Normal circumstances, youd be cut off, but as it is, I think you two really need to start drinking.