The Return Nightfall Chapter 4 Free Essays

With the signed contract safely tucked in Bonnie’s purse, they pulled up to the boardinghouse in which Stefan had taken up residence again. They looked for Mrs. Flowers but couldn’t find her, as usual. We will write a custom essay sample on The Return: Nightfall Chapter 4 or any similar topic only for you Order Now So they walked up the narrowing steps with the worn carpet and splintering balustrade, hallooing as they came. â€Å"Stefan! Elena! It’s us!† The door at the very top opened and Stefan’s head came out. He looked – different somehow. â€Å"Happier,† Bonnie whispered wisely to Meredith. â€Å"Is he?† â€Å"Of course.†Bonnie was shocked. â€Å"He’s got Elena back.† â€Å"Yes, he does. Just the way she was when they met, I bet. You saw her in the woods.† Meredith’s voice was heavy with significance. â€Å"But†¦that’s†¦oh, no! She’shuman again!† Matt looked down the stairs and hissed, â€Å"Will you two quit it? They’re gonna hear us.† Bonnie was confused. Of course Stefan could hear them, but if you were going to worry about what Stefan heard you’d have to worry about what youthought , too – Stefan could always catch the shape of what you were thinking, if not the actual words. â€Å"Boys!† hissed Bonnie. â€Å"I mean I know they’re totally necessary and all, but sometimes they Just Don’t Get It.† â€Å"Just wait till you try men,† whispered Meredith, and Bonnie thought of Alaric Saltzman, the college student that Meredith was more or less engaged to. â€Å"I could tell you a thing or two,† Caroline added, examining her long, manicured nails with a world-weary look. â€Å"But Bonnie doesn’t need to know even one yet. She has plenty of time to learn,† Meredith said, firmly in mothering mode. â€Å"Let’s go inside.† â€Å"Sit down, sit down,† Stefan was encouraging them as they entered, the perfect host. But nobody could sit down. All eyes were fixed on Elena. She was sitting in lotus position in front of the room’s only open window, with the fresh wind making her white nightgown billow. Her hair was true gold again, not the perilous white-gold it had become when Stefan had unintentionally turned into a vampire. She looked exactly the way Bonnie remembered her. Except that she was floating three feet off the floor. Stefan saw them all gawking. â€Å"It’s just something she does,† he said almost apologetically. â€Å"She woke up the day after our fight with Klaus and started floating. I think gravity hasn’t quite got a hold on her yet.† He turned back to Elena. â€Å"Look who’s come to see you,† he said enticingly. Elena was looking. Her gold-flecked blue eyes were curious, and she was smiling, but there was no recognition as she looked from one visitor to another. Bonnie had been holding her arms out. â€Å"Elena?† she said. â€Å"It’sme , Bonnie, remember? I was there when you came back.I’m sure glad to see you .† Stefan tried again. â€Å"Elena, remember? These are your friends, your good friends. This tall, dark-haired beauty is Meredith, and this fiery little pixie is Bonnie, and this guy with the all-American looks is Matt.† Something flickered in Elena’s face, and Stefan repeated, â€Å"Matt.† â€Å"And what about me? Or am I invisible?† Caroline said from the doorway. She sounded good-humored enough, but Bonnie knew that it made Caroline grind her teeth just to see Stefan and Elena together and out of danger. â€Å"You’re right. I’m sorry,† Stefan said, and he did something that no ordinary eighteen-year-old could have pulled off without looking like an idiot. He took Caroline’s hand and kissed it as gracefully and unthinkingly as if he were some count from nearly half a millennium ago. Which, of course, was pretty much what he was, Bonnie thought. Caroline looked slightly smug – Stefan had taken his time with the hand kiss. Now he said, â€Å"And last but not least, this tanned beauty here is Caroline.† Then, very gently, in a voice that Bonnie had heard him use only a few times since she’d known him, he said, â€Å"Don’t you remember them, love? They nearly died for you – and for me.† Elena was floating easily, in a standing position now, bobbing like a swimmer trying to keep still. â€Å"We did it because we care,† Bonnie said, and she put her arms out again for a hug. â€Å"But we never expected to get you back, Elena.† Her eyes filled. â€Å"You came back to us. Don’t youknow us?† Elena floated down until she was directly in front of Bonnie. There was still no sign of recognition on her face, but there was something else. There was a kind of limitless benediction and tranquility. Elena radiated a calming peace and an unconditional love that made Bonnie breathe in deeply and shut her eyes. She could feel it like sunshine on her face, like the ocean in her ears. After a moment Bonnie realized she was in danger of crying at the sheer feeling ofgoodness – a word that was almost never used these days. Some things still could be simply, untouchablygood . Elenawas good. And then, with a gentle touch on Bonnie’s shoulder, Elena floated toward Caroline. She held out her arms. Caroline looked flustered. A wave of scarlet swept up her neck. Bonnie saw it, but didn’t understand it. They’d all had a chance to pick up on Elena’s vibes. And Caroline and Elenahad been close friends – until Stefan, their rivalry had been friendly. It wasgood of Elena to pick Caroline to hug first. And then Elena went into the circle of Caroline’s hastily raised arms and just as Caroline began to say â€Å"I’ve – † she kissed her full on the mouth. It wasn’t just a peck, either. Elena wrapped her arms around Caroline’s neck and hung on. For long moments Caroline stood deathly still as if in shock. Then she reared back and struggled, at first feebly, and then so violently that Elena was catapulted backward in the air, her eyes wide. Stefan caught her like an infielder going for a pop fly. â€Å"What thehell – ?† Caroline was scrubbing at her mouth. â€Å"Caroline!† Stefan’s voice was filled with fierce protectiveness. â€Å"It doesn’t mean anything like what you’re thinking. It’s got nothing to do with sex at all. She’s just identifying you, learning who you are. She can do that now that she’s come back to us.† â€Å"Prairie dogs,† Meredith said in the cool, slightly distant voice she often used to bring down the temperature of a room. â€Å"Prairie dogs kiss when they meet. It does exactly what you said, Stefan, helps them identify specific individuals†¦.† Caroline was far beyond Meredith’s abilities to cool down, however. Scrubbing her mouth had been a bad idea; she had smeared scarlet lipstick all around it, so that she looked like something out of aBride of Dracula movie. â€Å"Are you crazy? What do you think I am? Because some hamsters do it, that makes it okay?† She had flushed a mottled red, from her throat to the roots of her hair. â€Å"Prairie dogs. Not hamsters.† â€Å"Oh, who gives a – † Caroline broke off, frantically fumbling in her purse until Stefan offered her a box of tissues. He had already dabbed the scarlet smears off Elena’s mouth. Caroline rushed into the small bathroom attached to Stefan’s attic bedroom and slammed the door hard. Bonnie and Meredith caught each other’s eye and let out their breaths simultaneously, convulsing with laughter. Bonnie did a lightning-quick imitation of Caroline’s expression and frantic scrubbing, miming someone using handful after handful of tissues. Meredith gave a reproving shake of her head, but she and Stefan and Matt all had a case of themustn’t-laugh snickers. A lot of it was simply the release of tension – they had seen Elena alive again, after six long months without her – but they couldn’t stop laughing. Or at least they couldn’t until a tissue box sailed out of the bathroom, nearly hitting Bonnie in the head – and they all realized that the slammed door had rebounded – and that there was a mirror in the bathroom. Bonnie caught Caroline’s expression in the mirror and then met her full-on glare. Yep, she’d seen them laughing at her. The door closed again – this time, as if it had been kicked. Bonnie ducked her head and clutched at her short strawberry curls, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her. â€Å"I’ll apologize,† she said after a gulp, trying to be adult about the situation. Then she looked up and realized that everyone else was more concerned about Elena, who was clearly upset by this rejection. It’s a good thing we made Caroline sign that oath in blood, Bonnie thought. And it’s a good thing that you-know-who signed it, too. If there was one thing Damon would know about, it was consequences. Even as she was thinking this, she joined the huddle around Elena. Stefan was trying to hold Elena; Elena was trying to go after Caroline; and Matt and Meredith were helping Stefan and telling Elena that it was okay. When Bonnie joined them, Elena gave up trying to get to the bathroom. Her face was distressed, her blue eyes swimming with tears. Elena’s serenity had been broken by hurt and regret – and underneath that, a surprisingly deep apprehension. Bonnie’s intuition gave a twinge. But she patted Elena’s elbow, the only part of her that she could reach, and added her voice to the chorus: â€Å"You didn’t know she’d get so upset. You didn’t hurt her.† Crystal tears spilled down Elena’s cheeks, and Stefan caught them with a tissue as if each one was priceless. â€Å"She thinks that Carolineis hurt,† Stefan said, â€Å"and she’s worried about her – for some reason I don’t get.† Bonnie realized that Elena could communicate after all – by mind-link. â€Å"I felt that, too,† she said. â€Å"The hurt. But tell her – I mean – Elena, Ipromise I’ll apologize. I’ll grovel.† â€Å"It may take some groveling from all of us,† Meredith said. â€Å"But meanwhile I want to make sure that this  ¡Ã‚ ®angel unaware’ recognizesme .† With an expression of tranquil sophistication, she took Elena out of Stefan’s arms and into her own, and then she kissed her. Unfortunately, this coincided with Caroline stalking out of the bathroom. The bottom of her face was paler than the top, having been denuded of all makeup: lipstick, bronzer, blush, the works. She stopped dead and stared. â€Å"I don’t believe it,† she said in scathing tones. â€Å"You’restill doing it! It’s dis – â€Å" â€Å"Caroline.† Stefan’s voice was a warning. â€Å"I came here to see Elena.† Caroline – beautiful, lithe, bronze-limbed Caroline – was twisting her hands together as if in terrible conflict. â€Å"Theold Elena. And what do I see? She’s like a baby – she can’t talk. She’s like some smirking guru floating in the air. And now she’s like some kind of perverted – â€Å" â€Å"Don’t finish that,† Stefan said quietly but firmly. â€Å"I told you, she ought to be over the first symptoms in just a few days, to judge by her progress so far,† he added. And hewas different, somehow, Bonnie thought. Not just happier to have gotten Elena back. He was†¦stronger somehow at the core of himself. Stefan had always been quiet inside; her powers sensed him as a pool of clear water. Now she saw that same clear water built up like a tsunami. What could have changed Stefan so much? The answer came to her immediately, although in the form of a wondering question. Elena was still part spirit – Bonnie’s intuition told her that. What did it do if you drank the blood of someone who was in that state? â€Å"Caroline, let’s just drop it,† she said. â€Å"I’m sorry, I’m really, really sorry for – you know. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.† â€Å"Oh, you’resorry . Oh, that makes everything all right then, doesn’t it?† Caroline’s voice was pure acid, and she turned her back on Bonnie with finality. Bonnie was surprised to feel the sting of tears behind her eyes. Elena and Meredith still had their arms around each other, their cheeks wet with the other’s tears. They were looking at each other and Elena was beaming. â€Å"Now she’ll know you anywhere,† Stefan told Meredith. â€Å"Not just your face, but – well, the inside of you, too, or the shape of it, at least. I should have mentioned that before this started, but I’m the only one she’s ;;met,’ and I didn’t realize – â€Å" â€Å"You should have realized!† Caroline was pacing like a tiger. â€Å"So you kissed a girl, sowhat ?† Bonnie exploded. â€Å"What do you think, you’re going to grow a beard now?† As if powered by the conflict around her, Elena suddenly took off. All at once she was zipping around the room as if she’d been shot from a cannon; her hair crackled with electricity when she made sudden stops or turns. She soared around the room twice, and as she was silhouetted against the dusty old window, Bonnie thought,Oh, my God! We’ve got to get her some clothes! She looked at Meredith and saw that Meredith had shared her realization. Yes, they had to get Elena clothes – and most especially underclothes. As Bonnie moved toward Elena, as shyly as if she’d never been kissed before, Caroline exploded. â€Å"You just keep doing it and doing it and doing it!† She was practically screeching by now, Bonnie thought. â€Å"What’swrong with you? Don’t you have any morals at all?† This, unfortunately, caused another case of thedon’t-laugh-don’t-laugh choked giggles in Bonnie and Meredith. Even Stefan turned away sharply, his gallantry toward a guest clearly fighting a losing battle. Not just a guest, Bonnie thought, but a girl he’d gonepret-ty darn far with, as Caroline hadn’t been shy about letting people know when she’d gotten her hands on him. About as far as vampirescould go, Bonnie remembered, which was not the whole way. Something about the blood-sharing substituting for – well, for Doing It. But he wasn’t the only one Caroline had bragged about. Caroline was infamous. Bonnie glanced at Elena, saw that Elena was watching Caroline with a strange expression. Not as if Elena were afraid of her, but rather as if Elena were deeply worriedabout her. â€Å"Are you all right?† Bonnie whispered. To her surprise, Elena nodded, then looked at Caroline and shook her head. She carefully looked Caroline up and down and her expression was that of a puzzled doctor examining a very sick patient. Then she floated toward Caroline, one hand extended. Caroline shied away, as if she were disgusted to have Elena touch her. No, not disgusted, Bonnie thought, butfrightened. â€Å"How do I know what she’ll do next?† Caroline snapped, but Bonnie knew that wasn’t the real reason for her fear. What do we have going on here? she wondered. Elena afraidfor Caroline, and Caroline afraidof Elena. What does that equal? Bonnie’s psychic senses were giving her gooseflesh. There was somethingwrong with Caroline, she felt, something she’d never encountered before. And the air†¦it was thickening somehow, as if it were building up to a thunderstorm. Caroline made a sharp turn to keep her face averted from Elena’s. She moved behind a chair. â€Å"Just keep her freakin’away from me, all right? I won’t let her touch me again – † she began, when Meredith changed the whole situation with two quiet words. â€Å"Whatdid you say to me?† Caroline said, staring. How to cite The Return: Nightfall Chapter 4, Essay examples

Global Business and Corporate Accountability Standard Issues Globally

Question: Discuss about the Global Business and Corporate Accountability Standard Issues Globally. Answer: If we talk about what is Triple bottom line(or TBL or 3BL) - it is an accounting framework which has the following components: - Social - Environmental (or Ecological) - Financial This TBL framework is used to evaluate performance in a greater business value. It connects to profits, planets and people. Profit: The profit which is very important for the parent company and shareholders. APP is very much accountable in terms of this to all their shareholders and stakeholders. And due to the illegal activities they are very much affecting the kind of profits they are generating. And thus there TBL should be considered while doing such activities. People: The people have been affected by the APP because of the forests fires and other environmental issues they are creating. They are accountable to the Government of countries like Singapore and Indonesia because of the activities they are doing under jurisdiction. And thus they need to maintain the position in the market. Also they are so very accountable to the citizens of the countries they are operating in. Thus the kind of pollution they are creating and spreading in the places is harming the citizens and thus they should see to it that another component of their evaluating technique of TBL is very much getting affected by the practices. Also instead of looking and measuring the greater business value through this framework, they are affecting the natural environment a lot. This brings us to another dimension of environment and our planet Earth. They are even creating a bad image in front of the employees of their company only. Planet: They are damaging the eco- system in excess. With the environment of the planet which is now full of air pollution, this has created a bad natural environment. The haze environment is creating bad surroundings for people and thus its damaging every possible thing and making it weaker. The stakeholders here our own planet and thus this is an issue to be worried about. The effect has been so bad that the victims are not in condition to file a lawsuit against the company. APP should be aware of the way they are working under the heads of profit, people and planet as the company is under a societal framework which is on this planet earth and this TBL Technique covers all the possible stakeholders which get affected through your activities. And as far as their own business is concerned, they are having a lot of issues which is affecting their parent and subsidiary companies, affecting their hard earned goodwill even. 2. a. Relationship for all companies Answer: The search with Acra had revealed that three directors connection with three directors. Even the APPs secretary was part of the limited liability company Audit Alliance which was appointed as the auditors. The toy making company Mattel has also been attached as they were cutting APP- made packaging out of their supply chain. The company groups like Sinar Mars have been the biggest groups which are linked to APP. And through this only other big companies are getting top investments. Investors have funded the other five Singapore-listed firms controlled by Sinar Mas with $4.3 billion of loans and bonds. This has been such a great loss as they have been funded and they are related to APP creating new avenues for various issues. This has even helped the Widjaja empire to reach a market value of US$7.5 billion (S$10.7 billion) on the stock market indexes which was compiled by Bloomberg in the month of May. Under the Singapore Company Sinar Mas, it includes the following: Second-largest palm oil producer which is Golden Agri The coal miner Golden Energy and Resources Investment holding company Bund Center Investment Lifestyle developer Top Global. b. Do you think Singapore has right to prosecute the foreign company? Singapore has power to prosecute the co.? Answer: Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) is one such act which can actually make APP land into a problem. This act has been released to deal with Transboundary Haze. If we talk about the foreign companies, this act of THPA even goes beyond the Singapore limits and this will help the country to deal with the problem of pollution a lot more. This is for the very first time that Singapore has begun legal action. This will be a litmus test for the companies to actually respond to it. Also this will be an effective measure for actually punishing the companies which are doing illegal fires in forests. If there is no coordination by Indonesian government then it will not do any good. If this act doesnt work, there will no work for the country. Sinar Mars needs to be taken in account for the kind of work their subsidiary is doing. The Government is very much responsible and should act because privatization is something when a company operates in country boundaries they might be allowed under privatization but still the effect is coming on the public where the government comes in picture. And its their responsibility to save the citizens when a private company might be making Monet but is affecting the society and doing no good of greater value. But in the end the Indonesian Governments non participative nature, this law is not being practiced properly. Even the law can take in account many companies outside the Singapore boundaries but the political nature of this issue is very intense. Thus cutting long and shot- Singapore has the right to prosecute the company because of the act discussed above and moreover it goes beyond the boundary. They even have the right to prosecute the company. In legal terms, they can actually prosecute but is useless without the cooperation of Indonesia. We have this act but we are not able to do the same because there is less of cooperation. Thus we have hampered by all this processes but to answer the question they can prosecute the company under THPA. This act is very important because it covers all the wrong doings of the company which do bad to environment. 3. Agency Theory for this company The Agency theory for this company is as follows: Theagency problemis a kind of conflict of interest which may be due to any relationship where we have one party is anticipated to act in others best interests. The agency problem when talked about in corporate finance and in this case is usually refers to a kind of conflict of interest between a company's top level management and the stockholders. Here the principal will be the shareholders and the agents are the management. Here the agent is doing something which is not acceptable by the principal. The case of APP has a lot of problems related to Agency problem. The agents here are creating a lot of issues for the principals- pollution, firing forests etc. In the short run they are making profits and they might even provide them the profits but in the long run they are hurting the principals by creating a bad natural environment around them which is full of pollution. APP was boycotted by the Singapore companies because of the kind of work they were doing and this is certainly in interest of their principal- shareholders. The other companies were doing their level best to make sure that in long run they make profits instead of making profits in just short run. The agency problem here is to make sure that the Principals who will always be our shareholders should not get affected on the long run or short run because they are the ones who have helped the company to come this far. Also the company should be working in order help the shareholders. APP is very much accountable in terms of this to all their shareholders and stakeholders. And due to the illegal activities they are very much affecting the kind of profits they are generating. The company has gone to such a level that the victims of the haze pollution are not even complaining about them as they know this will dig their pockets deeper and will cause a lot of trouble to them. Also the kind of relation the company has in politics and their top position. The shareholders are very much aware of the difference between the haves and the have-nots in the litigation. Thus here we have the direct problem of the issue of agency problem because the principals here have some other requirements and the agents are working in self-interest and profit making only. Thus APP should make sure that they are in align with their principal and working like agents who give them a proper return.

Asia is Orientalized essays

Asia is Orientalized essays Images of different kinds of Asian Culture are all around us in the United States. They can be found in restaurants, in newspapers, in magazines, on the internet, and on television. All of these images reflect a typical Americans view of all people that live in Asia. The most common images that we see in the media are not an accurate reflection of what modern-day Asia really is. Many of the images make us perceive Asia as backward, traditional, and inferior to us. This is how Asia is orietalized. These images circulated by Americans serve the purpose of making us feel that we are superior to Asian culture and lifestyle. The first example of orientalism that I found is a picture of a small, male child. He is dressed in a long gown that is decorated in a traditional Chinese design and wearing a hat. Refer to Appendix A. I found this picture on the internet on a web page designed for children to inform them of the Chinese New Year. This picture gives the perception that all Children in China dress this way. The boy in this picture looks very simple and plain. In no way does this icon make China look like a very industrialized and technologically advanced country. In this example an American selected this image to portray Asia as an uncivilized nation that is not as advanced as America is. This image is very misleading. Since this web site is a child based web site, this is a prime example of how orientalism is started early in our country. Little children in America see these images and assume this is how people in China dress on a daily basis. They see these images and that imply that Asia is not a country as good as ours or that it is some exotic place, and they believe it. The second illustration that I came across is a photograph taken of two young female girls. They are Japanese. Both are dressed in very traditional Japanese clothing (robes, sandals, head pieces). They have their hair done up o...

Utilizing Pumpkins as a “Reverse” Trap Crop Essay Example

Utilizing Pumpkins as a â€Å"Reverse† Trap Crop Essay Example Utilizing Pumpkins as a â€Å"Reverse† Trap Crop Essay Utilizing Pumpkins as a â€Å"Reverse† Trap Crop Essay In the world of agriculture, trap crops are normally used to lure pests away from a commercial crop by presenting the pest with a more attractive alternative. But when conducting research to develop new seed traits that provide better yield, drought resistance, or even insect resistance, trap crops can be used to test the performance of a new trait.The western corn rootworm beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) causes billions of dollars in damage to corn crops throughout the United States each year. Recent seed research has helped develop new corn varieties to combat this problem. These new varieties of corn have a protein (Bt protein) that causes stomach distress in adult western corn rootworm beetles that result in death. Thus, the pest resistance is literally bred into the seed, eliminating the need for harmful pesticides. This type of corn is considered to be rootworm resistant.Normally, in order to be able to â€Å"test† the performance of a specific rootworm resistant corn variety, a test plot has to be infested with western corn rootworm eggs manually. This tends to be costly and very labor intensive. The infested eggs then develop into larva, which feed on underground roots. Adult rootworms feed on the above ground tissue of the corn plant. Both the roots and the above ground tissue contain the Bt protein. The corn plant is then â€Å"harvested† prior to the pollination period in a process called a â€Å"root dig†.During a ‘root dig† the corn plant is cut off at approximately two feet above the ground, the roots are dug up and rinsed with a high power stream of water to expose the roots which are then rated for damage by the corn rootworm larva. Based on the data collected during the â€Å"root dig†, researchers are able to evaluate the effectiveness of the resistance that is bred into that variety of corn. Root dig washing process is shown in picture on the left. Diagram of corn root damage by corn rootworm be etles is shown in picture on the right.HYPOTHESIS: What if one could utilize a â€Å"trap crop† to entice the adult western corn rootworm beetle to a test plot, allowing the adults to feed and eventually lay their eggs? I predict that by adding pumpkins (independent variable) as a trap crop in rootworm resistant corn will allow for a greater number of eggs (dependent variable) to be deposited in the test plot naturally versus the rootworm resistant corn without the trap crop, therefore eliminating the need for manual infestation.To test this hypothesis, we selected pumpkins to plant as a trap crop in a one acre square plot containing rootworm resistant corn. This would be the independent variable in this experiment. It is known that the adult western corn rootworm beetle is highly attracted to pumpkin vines and flowers. A second test plot of the same size (same farm) would be planted with the same variety of rootworm resistant corn without the pumpkin crop. The dependent vari able would be the egg counts in both test plots. The control in this experiment would be utilizing acreage on the same farm.Special steps were taken to replicate the exact soil conditions by a pre-planting soil analysis; utilizing the same â€Å"batch† of chemical in herbicide spray applications, and the close proximity to each other to control factors such as precipitation, number of days with full sunshine, humidity, etc. This will aid in controlling the experiment’s internal validity and act as a guide in any subsequent replications of this experiment. Adult western corn rootworm beetles are shown on a pumpkin flower in the picture on the left.Damage by rootworm beetles on a mature pumpkin shown in picture on the right. Pumpkins were planted in the test plot # 2 in the spring of 2012 and were allowed to mature naturally. During flowering, a sizable increase in the adult rootworm beetle was observed in test plot #2. Based on the observable increase in adults, we pred icted that there will also be an increase in the number of eggs in said test plot when compared to the number of eggs in the test plot without trap crop (pumpkins). Soil samples will then be collected and analyzed for egg counts.If it is proven that planting a trap crop increases egg counts naturally, there could be a considerable cost savings in the process of evaluating the effectiveness of desirable traits in corn. This experiment was conducted at an agricultural Ramp;D site in northwestern Indiana during the summer of 2012 in preparation for this task. Egg count data has been received and is currently being evaluated in preparation for the 2013 planting season. In preparation for this experiment, several independent scientific papers were reviewed. Sorghum as a Trap Crop for Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Cotton in the Southern United States†, P. G. Tillman (1); â€Å"Case Study: Trap Crop with Pheromone Traps for Suppressing Euschistus servus (Heteropt era: Pentatomidae) in Cotton†, P. G. Tillman and T. E. Cottrell (2) and â€Å"Trap Cropping to Manage Green Vegetable Bug Zezara viridula (L. ) (Hereroptera: Pentatomidae) in Sweet Corn in New Zealand†, James H. Rea, Stephen D. Warren, Richard Sedcole, Peter J. Cameron, Stuart I. Davis, R. Bruce Chapman (3) were considered for background information.These studies were helpful in explaining the commercial use of trap crops as an effective method of removing pests from cash crops and served as a basis for our unique application of a â€Å"reverse† trap crop in testing the effectiveness of ongoing corn research. Testing methods were similar but our research did not include any type of Pheromone study. Our experiment was based on the premise that by planting pumpkins in the test plot (known to attract western corn rootworm beetle), we could naturally increase the numbers of western corn rootworm beetle eggs in that plot.An increase in the number of naturally occurrin g eggs could result in a significant reduction in our annual research expenses. - KEY WORDS:western corn rootworm beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), trap crop, rootworm resistant corn. - METHODS and MATERIALS: This experiment was conducted at a seed research and development facility in northwestern Indiana during the 2012 growing season in preparation for RINT Task 3.This method of scientific design was chosen because it is a replication of a similar experiment conducted at a research and development facility in Iowa and has shown viable results. It was designed to compare the viability of planting a trap crop to attract the western corn rootworm beetle to evaluate the performance of corn containing rootworm resistant traits from different areas of the Midwest. The acreage, chemicals, sampling tools and laboratory facilities were readily available. In addition, if the hypothesis can be proven to be true, there is a potential for cost savings in other areas of our research.Inse ct Species: Western corn rootworm beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera). Corn rootworm larvae can destroy significant percentages of corn if left untreated. In the United States, current estimates show that 30 million acres (120,000  km? ) of corn (out of 80 million grown) are infested with corn rootworms and that area is expected to grow over the next 20 years. The USDA estimates that corn rootworms cause $1 billion in lost revenue each year, which includes $800 million in yield loss and $200 million in cost of treatment for corn growers (The Dow Chemical Company). (4)Shown above from left to right, corn plant damage in the field and examples of actual root damage done by western corn rootworm beetles in the center and right picture. Healthy roots are shown as a full root system; damaged roots are short to nonexistent. Sampling Technique: Using a golf course cup cutter, take 4† diameter x 4† deep soil core samples. Collect ten (10) core samples per acre (trial area) . Core samples should be taken at various locations within the test plot. Include samples taken from within the corn rows and between rows. Place core samples in individual gallon bags.Be sure to break up any large clumps and remove stalks and other residue. Making the soil as fine as possible will aid in the washing process. Send individual samples to a laboratory with capabilities to wash eggs and provide egg counts. Taking multiple core samples at various locations throughout the test plot and then analyzing all ten (10) samples separately allows for a broader analysis of the entire test plot. The measuring unit of one (1) pint that was chosen for the final sample allows the lab sufficient soil to run the required tests.Once the samples arrive at the laboratory, each individual sample is mixed with a saturated salt solution. A sample of this mixture is then placed on a special microscope slide (Whitlock Universal or Whitlock McMaster). The saturated salt solution makes the rootwo rm eggs float to the top of the mixture in the slide where they are then counted. Data was collected from each individual sample to obtain egg counts for each test plot. EXPERIMENT: Two, one (1) acre test plots were selected at opposite ends of a ten (10) acre field. Soil type, topography, and precipitation were identical.Each plot was measured at 200 ft. wide by 220’ deep and marked off with flags. This is approximately one (1) square acre. Both fallow (empty ground) test plots were plowed utilzing a chisel plow set at a depth of six (6) inches to turn the soil over and prepare the soil for planting. Both test plots were then planted using a four (4) row custom bulk planter and a rootworm resistant variety of corn. The corn rows were spaced 30† apart. The corn seed within the rows was spaced 6† inches apart. Each test plot had a total of 80 rows of corn. Both test plots were also treated with Glyphosate in a concentration of 1. quarts to 15 gallons of water to ki ll any existing weeds. This amount of Glyphosate solution was enough to cover one (1) test plot. It was replicated twice to cover both test plots in the experiment. Once the rootworm resistant corn had been planted in both test plots, a trap crop of pumpkins was also planted throughout the test plot #2 (independent variable), utilizing a custom two (2) row planter. Pumpkin seeds were planted in between the rows of corn, spaced five (5’) feet apart. A cable winder was used to mark off the five (5’) foot increments needed to plant the pumpkins.A cable winder is used with a custom planter and calibrated to â€Å"click† when it is time to manually drop the seed. Both plots were allowed to grow throughout the summer. Visual observations were made in each plot, on the first Monday of each week between July 1st and September 1st to obtain adult rootworm beetle population counts. Ten observations in multiple locations across the test plots were taken each time. Random p umpkin plants were selected to count the total number of adult rootworm beetles in each observation. After harvest, prior to the first hard frost, soil core samples were taken, following the above mentioned sampling procedure.Core samples were then sent to an outside laboratory for analysis. - RESULTS: An increase in adult rootworm beetles was observed in test plot #2 (with pumpkins) when compared to test plot #1 (without pumpkins) but without soil egg count analysis, this data in inconclusive. Solid data is available once soil samples are analyzed for egg counts (dependent variable). Historically more than ten (10) eggs in a pint sample of soil are considered to be a high amount. In 2012, test plot #1 and #2 both showed an average of approximately two (2) eggs per pint sample.Samples taken at four different test sites in Iowa yielded six (6), zero (0), one (1) and four (4) eggs respectively or an average of 2. 75 eggs per pint sample. All data collected is reflecting little to no m easurable increase in the total number of western corn rootworm eggs that are occurring naturally when using a trap crop. Egg Count Core Sample Data for Test Plot #1 and Test Plot #2 Test Plot #1|   |   | Test Plot #2|   | |   |   |   |   | Core Sample #| Egg Count #|   | Core Sample #| Egg Count #| 1| 0|   | 1| 0| 2| 1|   | 2| 3| 3| 0|   | 3| 2| 4| 1|   | 4| 2| 5| 4|   | 5| 3| 6| 3|   | 6| 2| | 2|   | 7| 1| 8| 2|   | 8| 0| 9| 1|   | 9| 2| 10| 0|   | 10| 2| Ave # of Eggs| 1. 4|   | Ave # of Eggs| 1. 7| Egg Counts in Test Plot #1 Compared to Test Plot #2 Number of Eggs/Pint Sample Number of Samples/ One (1) Acre Test Plot - CONCLUSION: Based on the data that was collected, there did not seem to be a significant increase in the number of western corn rootworm eggs occurring naturally in test plot #2 when compared to test plot #1, even though there was an observable increase in adult western corn rootworm beetles in test plot #2.Where test plot #2 contained the trap crop (independent variable) and test plot #1 that did not contain a trap crop (dependant variable) in a single ten (10) acre test strip (constant variable). After carefully analyzing the data that was collected during this experiment, I have concluded that the introduction of a trap crop (pumpkins) to attract adult western rootworm beetles in rootworm resistant corn does not significantly increase naturally occurring corn rootworm beetle eggs. This data disproves my hypothesis that it would significantly increase the number of naturally occurring eggs.No cost savings can be associated with this experiment and conventional infestation methods are just as effective as this experimental method. DESIGN AND REPLICATION: The experimental design to test this hypothesis was constructed with ease of replication in mind. It utilizes simple techniques and materials that are readily available at most seed research and development sites. If the design is poor or if proper samp ling procedures are not followed then data in the experiment can be skewed, resulting in unreliable data.Based on potential cost savings in research, unreliable data can be an expensive mistake. In addition, if the design is well done, an increase of reliable data is shown time and time again with the same results. Replication is so important because it gives validity to the experiment’s results. As the same data shows the same results and the same conclusions over multiple replications, that data can become accepted as scientific fact. REFERENCES: (1) ars. usda. gov/sp2UserFiles/person/5648/PDF/ARIS 8-Sorghum as a Trap Crop for SGSB. d Tillman, P. G. 2006. Sorghum as a trap crop for Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in cotton in the southern United States. Environmental Entomology. 35(3):771-783. (2) hindawi. com/journals/psyche/aip/401703 Tillman, P. G. , Cottrell, T. E. 2012. Case Study: Trap crop with pheromone traps for suppressing euschistus servus (Heter optera: Pentatomidae) in cotton. Psyche. DOI: 10. 1155/2012/401703. (3) http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1046/j. 1461-9563. 2002. 00130. x/full Rea, J.H. , Wratten, S. D. , Sedcole, R. , Cameron, P. J. , Davis, S. I. and Chapman, R. B. (2002), Trap cropping to manage green vegetable bug Nezara virdula (L. ) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in sweet corn in New Zealand. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 4: 101-107. doi: 10. 1046/j. 1461 (4) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Diabrotica_virgifera; The Dow Chemical Company. Product Safety Assessment (PSA): Herculex RW Rootworm Protection. September 26, 2006. URL: dow. com/productsafety/finder/herculex. htm.

Management Training and Resulting Conflict Management Effectiveness in Dissertation

Management Training and Resulting Conflict Management Effectiveness in Hospitals - Dissertation Example One of such environment is hospital therefore conflict management in healthcare settings is a must. This study explores the effectiveness of conflict management in healthcare settings and presents conflict resolution maps for healthcare practitioners to ensure conflict management practices matches healthcare organisations standards. The study specifically discusses conflict resolution in the light of conflict situations unique to healthcare settings and uses secondary data on conflict resolution training programs suggested and carried out at NHS to make recommendations for healthcare management. Table of Contents ABSTRACT 2 1. INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Background and Context 6 1.2 Research Question and Objectives 7 1.3 Rationale of the Study 8 1.4 Structure of the Study 9 2.LITERATURE REVIEW 10 2.1 What is Conflict and Conflict Management? 10 2.2 Different Views on Conflict 11 2.3 Types of Conflict 13 2.3.1 Interpersonal Conflict 14 2.4 Conflict Management Process 15 2.5 Conflict Handling S trategies 16 2.6 Conflict Situations in Healthcare Settings 18 2.7 Research Studies on Conflict Management in Healthcare Settings 19 2.8 Research Gap and Conceptual Framework 21 3.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 23 3.1 Role of the Researcher 23 3.2 Research Design 23 3.3 Data Collection and Analysis 24 3.4 Research Validity and Triangulation 25 3.5 Summary 26 4.FINDINGS 27 4.1 The Patient-Staff Conflict 28 4.2 The Doctor-Doctor Conflict 30 4.3 Conflict among Nurses 30 4.4 The Doctor-Nurse Conflict 31 4.5 Summary 32 5.DISCUSSION 34 6.CONCLUSION 37 6.1 Recommendations 38 References 40 1. INTRODUCTION Conflict is an inevitable part of social life and communication, flexibility and willingness to change are a few ways to handle conflict effectively (Guffey & Almonte, 2009). However, not everyone is good at conflict management and hence without one knowing these strategies it becomes difficult to handle conflict effectively. In organisational context, chances of conflict increases where pressure is high and duties are complex. One of such environment is hospital. Healthcare personnel work under immense pressure and they are performing several responsibilities simultaneously; in addition to this, their duties are linked to a person’s life which even complicates the situation and increases the pressure. Besides tough working conditions there are many other reasons of conflict within organisations. These reasons include differences in goals and values of employee and employer, power differentials, lack of understanding of organisational structure and functions, scarcity of resources, or refutation of one’s self-image. To ensure an organisation remains stable and consistent, conflicts should be handled effectively whenever they arise. Nonetheless, everyone is not good at conflict management and this fact makes it necessary to ensure personnel in organisations know well how to handle conflict and maintain harmony in the workplace. Conflict management has become a maj or subfield of management and organisational behaviour. Conflict among groups in organisations is now an important area for researchers. Though the research shows that there are positive effects of conflict on group identity and development (Jones, 1993; De Dreu, 1997) however negative and destructive conflict can lead to disaster. Due to the negative consequences conflicts can bring to an organisation, it is important to ensure that employees understand conflict management strategies. Including hospitals, the ability to manage internal conflict

Disciplinary Procedures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Disciplinary Procedures - Essay Example To begin with, the procedures offer a framework for conducting investigations to establish the key facts regarding the case or grievances forwarded. The employer, therefore, collects the available evidence through series of hearings and disciplinary meetings. Nevertheless, the procedures dictate that facts ought to be established within a reasonable time after a complaint is forwarded. Secondly, the disciplinary procedures allow the employer to inform formally the employee under investigation about the problem. More so, this should be done in writing with attached pieces of evidence for the purpose of record keeping an avoiding inconsistency (Antcliff & Saundry 2009). Thirdly, the procedures aim at incorporating the views of the employee in the entire process of finding a solution. This is enhanced through hearings in which the employee responds to allegations and asks questions to seek clarification by presented evidence. Furthermore, the discipline procedures give employers the bas ic structure of arriving at decisions. Three major decisions can be made founded on the strength of the evidence presented in the employment tribunal. The employer may decide to write warning letters in case of gross misconduct whose extent may have threatened the operations of the organization. The letter should comprise of the mistakes done and recommended improvements. If the tribunal finds it fit to dismiss the employee, the responsible manager should do so within the legal system of termination of employment.

Feeding People versus Saving Nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Feeding People versus Saving Nature - Essay Example For instance, humans are always looking forward to comfort which is the case why many inventions were invented from the past and at present time. On the other hand, he may be trying to emphasize that nature should not be sacrificed for the sake of achieving substantial human development because when nature falls; it would be for all humans because it is their life support system (Rolston 249). However, by simply understanding the statement of Rolston, it is clear that he admits there are times when human needs should be the first priority or sometimes the nature as top concern. After all, humans and nature coexist in which their ultimate goal is to move forward to the preservation of life. That is why Rolston acknowledges the importance of sustainable development and environmental protection. Based on the point of view of Rolston, it is clear that humans are just integral components of nature. The fact that we are sourcing all our needs from nature cannot deny the truth that we can d o nothing apart from it. In other words, we rely on nature all our needs. Now, on the issue whether we should not feed people first but save the nature instead, the argument may be based on identifying commendable values in human life. Finding which is more valuable between nature and the human life is, in fact, a very interesting topic to discuss. Â  Nature cannot be more valuable than the human life and vice versa, but it is clear that human life is an integral component of nature because it sources its needs from it. Â