BCOM Syllabus

Other topics Include communication ethics, elaboration, Information utilization, critical thinking, and professional competence and values. Course Dates 35 days Faculty Information Not Available Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents (both located on your student website): Academic Policies university policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality n which you attend class.If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Get Ready for Class Familiarize yourself with the textbooks used In this course. Course Materials All electronic materials are available on your student website. Weekly Organizational Culture and Communication 7 days Tasks Review the Week One Student Guide 1. 1 Use the tools available to University o f Phoenix students. 1. 2 Explain the relationship between organization culture and organizational communication. 3 Explain how adapting the message to the audience affects business communication. Required Learning Activities Organizational Behavior, Chi. 17 Business Communication, Chi. 1 Business Communication, Chi. 2 Business Communication, Chi. 3 Business Communication, Chi. 4 Week One Electronic Reserve Readings See the student website for additional recommended learning activities that may help you learn this week's concepts. Assignments Assignments will be provided by your faculty and displayed here when class starts weekGroup Communication Review the Week Two Student Guide Objectives/Competencies 2. 1 Describe barriers to group communication. 2. 2 Describe techniques to enhance group communication. 2. 3 Identify the role of? conflict in group communication. Communicating in Small Groups, Chi. 1 Communicating in Small Groups, Chi. 6 Communicating in Small Groups, Chi. 7 Busines s Communication, Chi. 5 Business Communication, Chi. 6 Business Communication, Chi. 7 Organizational Behavior, Chi. 11 Week Two Electronic Reserve Readings weekThe Influence of Leadership on Group Communication Review the Week Three Student Guide 3. 1 Explain the effects of leadership style on group communication. 3. 2 Compare the influence of different sources of power on group and organizational communication. Organizational Behavior, Chi. 13 Organizational Behavior, Chi. 14 Communicating in Small Groups, Chi. 12 Week Three Electronic Reserve Readings Week Information Utilization and Communication Week Four Student Guide 4. 1 Compare different forms of communication and their use in business immunization. . 2 Identify relevant information for communication with a specific audience. 4. 3 Create appropriate forms of communication to meet the needs of a specific audience. Business Communication, Chi. 10 11 Week Four Electronic Reserve Readings week Formal Communication Week Five Stud ent Guide 5. 1 Analyze the role of ethics in business communication. ? 5. 2 Evaluate the effectiveness of business communication. Business Communication, Chi. 16 Business Communication, Chi. 17 Business Communication, Chi.Appendix E Week Five Electronic Reserve Readings Trademark All trademarks are property of their respective owners. University of [email  protected] is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. In the United States and/or other countries. [email  protected], Window†, and [email  protected] are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

School Based Assessment for Learning

School Based Assessment for Learning: A report: Assuring Fairness in the assessment component of school based assessment practice in Brunei Abstract This article describes a research project study in depth carried out with 3 self-selected ‘educators’ teaching English language subject in one of the secondary school in Brunei. All are supporting standardized task provided requires flexibility to cater the students’ need individually. The paper explores the educators' conceptions of and approaches to school based assessment in relation to their teaching.It sets the discussion in the context of ‘assessment for learning’ and the literature on students’ learning in general and raising students’ achievement in particular. Drawing out a number of key themes arising from the study, I compare and contrast these with the existing literature. Finally I examine some implications of this assessment for learners’ development, and ways in which w e could support learners in fostering their learning to achieve the aims of the education system of the 21st century.The researcher is seeing at different perspective of school based assessment for learning and if assessment is made for learners it should cater with different needs of each learner. Keywords: School-Based Assessment for Learners, Brunei Common Assessment Task, pedagogy, standardized 1. Introduction: School Based Assessment School Based Assessment for Learning (SBAfL) is an assessment for learning tool which focuses on obtaining feedback on individual student’s development and performance in the four important domains highlighted in SPN21.Brunei is moving towards the changes as learner is seen as a main player in education, hence to support the changes towards assessment for learning; Brunei Common Assessment Task (BCAT) is implemented. The idea of the introducing BCAT is to make a transition or pedagogical shift between the old system to a new format SBAfL â⠂¬ËœSchool-Based Assessment for Learners’ instead ‘of learners’. In order to ease the transition, the curriculum department introduced BCAT, standardized SBAfL test. This paper therefore examines / aims to highlight significant aspect of school based assessment or learning and the lapses in existing practices. â€Å"Assessment for learning is the process of seeking and interpreting evidence for use by learners and their teachers to decide where the learners are in their learning, where they need to go and how best to get there. † Assessment Reform Group (2002) 2. 1 Objectives or purposes of SBAfL The rationale behind school-based assessment We first can start by looking at the overseas. Internationally, particularly in the West, many countries and almost all the examination boards have introduced school-based assessment.In fact, some countries, SBA contributes to 100% of the total assessment of the students. Typically, however, in countries such as Austral ia and the UK, it contributes about 50%. So, you must ask that: why have these countries and increasingly, why are other countries now following this example and introducing SBA? First of all, the reason is to improve validity. It is to ensure that we can assess the full range of outcomes relevant to our subject. And this is to ensure that we are assessing those things that we are really value.But, there is another side of it; people often think that there is a bit of a trade-off between validity and reliability. Actually, what we know is that when school-based assessment is done properly, it can also contribute to reliability too. In other words, it can be ensure that the student has a more accurate assessment of their ability. Sometimes more accurate than can be obtained from a one-shot examination. So these are some of the reasons why we move to school-based assessment. 2. Review of Related LiteratureThe main research question is ‘to what extend school based assessment help students’ learning with the implementation of Brunei Common Assessment Task (standardized tasks)? Does standardized task could be used for all students? ’ The main theme identified from the previous introduction is the rationale of school based assessment. In literature part, I intended to review the significant of school-based assessment towards students’ learning. Prior to gathering the literature, I produced a list of necessary references and resources to cite from.These resources include library books, internet, journal articles, magazines and electronic books. The first step was a big step because it was not easy to locate the literature. In researching the literature, attention was drawn to the keywords: assessment task, assessment for learning, and standardised assessment. 3. 2 Assessment tasks Assessment and schooling go hand in hand. The assessment of learners and learning is a regular practice in education and are used to determine how far learners ha ve learnt or mastered an educational task or knowledge or how well an educational process has addressed its set objectives.Anikweze (2005: 2) precisely refers to Assessment as â€Å"the process of investigating the status or standard of learners’ attainment, with reference to expected outcomes that must have been specified as objectives† when it concerns learners’ output. Njabili, Abedi, Magesse and Kalole (2005:2) add that â€Å"The fundamental role of Assessment is to provide authentic and meaningful feedback for improving student learning, instructional practice and educational options† which means that Assessment is not and so should not be seen as an end it itself but a means to a justifiable end of learning†. the student’s point of view matters because of its effect on learning. From the student’s point of view, classroom assessment information is not merely information â€Å"about† himself or herself. Rather, it forms a m ajor part of his or her learning life, becoming part of the lessons he or she is expected to learn, the relationship he or she has with the teacher and the subject matter, and relationships with peers. (Brookhart, 2003, p. 6) 3. 3 Fairness in School Based Assessment Among recent trends around the globe, is the concern on fairness in matters concerning the various issues in education.In some contexts, Fairness and Equity are used synonymously. Fairness or equal opportunity in assessment relates to two issues: â€Å"†¦ fairness in . . . comparison: in essence, have the groups †¦ being tested had the same opportunity to learn? † (Uwakwe, 2005: p4). Teachers are professional and know their students best. So they can compare their students’ work done inside or outside the classroom. Then they can authenticate whether the students themselves have done the work. In this way the authenticity of SBA is guaranteed and students’ abilities can be accurately reflec ted.Assessment and grading procedures had the effect helping some students succeed now must serve to help all students succeed. The ‘Including all learners’ statement should be used by settings/schools to look at their existing arrangements and identify good practice. â€Å"Assessment ‘as Learning’ is a Professional Obligation in a previous system. Assessment for learning (AfL) should be Celebration of Learning – students should involve not abundant process† (Rick and Doug, 2008). 3. Research Design It will generally give the overview of the research design, methodology, method, selection of research participants, and data collection.The details of data account will be presented in the later part of this report. I had outlined a research focus and constructed the main research question aligned with the qualitative methodology. I had chosen semi-structured interviews for my data collection because it suited with the nature of my study. Three pa rticipants were recruited for the research. I developed understanding of the issues which emerged in the research from the coding frame after analysing the data collected using the grounded analysis procedures. Finally, I presented the extracts based on the participants’ transcripts. . 4 Main Research Question: The Brunei Common Assessment Tasks (BCATs) currently implemented in schools are formal, standardized and moderated assessment tasks that familiarise teachers and students with Assessment for Learning (AfL) best practises. Over time, teachers are expected to develop their own SBAfL tasks to better cater to the varied abilities and needs for their students. The main research question is ‘to what extend ‘SBAfL help students’ learning with the implementation of Brunei Common Assessment Task (standardized tasks)? 4. 5 Choice of MethodologyThe methodology that I selected and employed throughout the research is qualitative. I chose qualitative because it is fundamentally different from quantitative methods. This qualitative research methodology puts my research in a good position because I want to gain meaning and understanding of teachers’ experience stored, improved and implemented for future practices. This methodology I used requires special equipment to record and transcribe to gather and analyse the data in-depth. Therefore, the qualitative perspective emphasises on the ‘depth of the understanding’ of the study. 4. 6 SamplingThe sample involved 3 teachers who taught English language in one of the secondary schools in Bandar Seri Begawan. Considering their background of teaching experience, each teacher has taught English language at different length/duration in experience of teaching. Three teachers which I recognise as teacher A, teacher B who has taught 13 years in English language and teacher C which is a new experience teacher taught English subject. 4. 7 Limitation of Study There are shortcomings, condit ions or influences that cannot be controlled that place restrictions on the methodology and conclusions that I have chosen.Even though the report finished on time, it does not mean that I did not face any problem in doing this research. Initially, I intended to interview some students to see the overview, real-classroom situation. However, with school activities these students had to involved, it was difficult to gather these students to willingly involve in this study within the constraint time. Another difficulty I faced was, no permission was given in collecting students’ mark as the academic staff seen this as case sensitive. The idea was to view the overall and breakdown results of a chosen class as a reason to see students’ progress and development when onducting assessment. 4. The Account In line with the research question to investigate the students’ learning with the implementation of Brunei Common Assessment Task (standardized task) in supporting asses sment for learning, teachers were asked their views and experiences in conducting school-based assessment. Figure 1: This figure shows Coding Frame which indicates issues arise during the grounded analysis study. Two nodes were highly discussed; teacher’s view on school based assessment and impact of standardised Brunei Common Assessment Task (BCAT) for learners.The figure indicates number of times by which it is frequently mentioned by the participants, on both teachers’ view and the implication of the standardised task. When linkage as I observed it seems that the standardised BCAT is unconstructive for low achievers and all samples were agreed the assessment practice is quite summative. To make it easier to see account frequently mentioned by each participants, I breakdown the findings into Teacher A, Teacher B, and Teacher C. See graph: From the findings, all participants mentioned that assessment for learning (AfL) are beneficial for the learners.From the graph, i t says AfL are helpful for higher achievers, and could improve group of average students in their learning: â€Å"The feedback of the assessment helps them in improving. The weak students for some help them. For others it’s still struggle. † Teacher B On the other hand, another participant describes that standardized BCAT is unconstructive for low achievers: â€Å"My comments on this may not affect the whole scenario, because my year 7K, very special class that can’t read and can’t write so I’m struggling with them. So, standardized BCAT is not for them.It is wonderful test paper, the middle set and the top set is more relevant to them. If SBAfL, teacher are given freedom to do their own SBAfL, it will be much better, for me and for my students because I know their level and I know what to prepare for them. But the rules said it must be standardized, I couldn’t do anything†¦. So, BCAT wasn’t really helpful for them, for particul ar class. â€Å" Teacher A The participant seems to relate that standardized BCAT or assessment practice is quite summative and less helpful to cater students’ need: â€Å"In the test or during the test, I have to help them, as most of them will get zero.The student and the teacher couldn’t cope the extensive syllabus. The syllabus is so huge, even by selecting few pieces in the textbook didn’t help because by the end of the day I have to go to the basic spelling, writing, reading, and the teacher had to forget about the grammar, spelling first. We need to focus on the other skills. Teacher A 5. Discussion Following, the details of data account will be analysed, interpreted and discussed. There are two significant points that emerged from these findings.I integrate the key issue into one significant aspect which deal with the obstacles that the teachers face in conducting ‘assessment for learning’ in relation to standardised BCAT for learners as t o answer the main research question 5. 1 Discussion of assessment for learning in supporting lower achiever While the literature review gave a general picture on the roles of assessment, the finding have revealed that the challenging questions of how teacher conducting common assessment task.Since SBA is a new mode of assessment, education policy provides teachers with the assessment criteria and a series of examples to illustrate the standards. They also provide training for teachers. All these measures will ensure standardization among teachers. Teachers know their own students, but may not know the standards of students in other schools, there may be discrepancies in the assessment of a student’s performance by teachers from different school. The participants argued that there are reasons why assessment and grading procedures had the effect only helping some students succeed.Assessment for learning should not be seen as a professional obligation for the students if we want to achieve the aim of the education system. A view expressed by a participant shows that ‘including all learners’ statement should be used by settings/schools to look at their existing arrangements and identify good practice. Common assessment task shows very little indications what students could actually do in real world or situation; content-based assessment task less constructive in promoting critical thinking and skills needed by the nation.Hence, project-based does necessary happen and performance-based assessment. Conclusion If we are serious about raising student achievement, we have to change what happens in the classroom to enable all learners to access relevant skills, knowledge and understanding at an appropriate level. Schools may select content from or any key stage within the curriculum and use it flexibly, together with the skills framework given. In order to provide a meaningful relevant and motivating curriculum for their learners, meet the specific n eeds of their learners and further their all-round development.Recommendation: the need of flexibility It is recommended that flexible assessment activities is needed to cater the needs of different students and allow them to be assessed effectively. I would like to take this one step further and suggest that, there is a need of flexibility in assessing students’ task by considering level of the students, settings/schools must work to provide an inclusive curriculum which offers opportunities for all learners to achieve and contribute to today’s multi-ethnic. Arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the curriculum should be set out in school policy documents.The full range of professionals, learners and parents/carers can play a part to evaluate the effectiveness of the whole curriculum in the longer term. Standardization is helpful to cater some groups of students, however with the extensive syllabus; weaker students could not cope with too many common assessment ta sks. Therefore there is a need to reduce number of common assessment task to be beneficial for access relevant skills, knowledge and understanding In order to provide a meaningful relevant and motivating curriculum for all learners. Reference: * Black, P. and William, D. (2001). Inside the black box.Raising standards through classroom assessment. http://www. pdkintl. org/kappan/kbla9810. htm * Black, P ; Wiliam, D 1998, ‘Assessment and Classroom Learning’, Education: Principles, Policy and Practice, March, vol 5, no 1, pp 7-74. * Educational Leadership February 2000 Number: What Do We Mean by Results Using Rubrics to Promote Thinking and Learning Volume 57 Pages 13-18. Retrieved February 1, 2013, from http://www. pbs. org/teacherline/courses/rdla230/docs/session_2_andrade. pdf * Glasson, T. (2009). Improving Student Achievement. A practical guide to Assessment for Learning.Curriculum Corporation, Victoria, Australia. * Hong Kong Assessment and Examination Authority (HKE AA). Introduction to School-Based Assessment. Retrieved February 3, 2013, from http://www. hkeaa. edu. hk/en/SBA/ * Hong Kong Assessment and Examination Authority (HKEAA), http://www. hkeaa. edu. hk/en/SBA/ * Jim Tognolini (2007). Standards-based assessment: a tool and means to the development of human capital and capacity building in education. Australian Journal of Education, Vol. 51, No. 2, 2007, 129-145 * Phelps, Richard P. , Standardized Testing Primer. (New York, NY: Peter Lang, 2007)

Military Orders and the Outcomes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Military Orders and the Outcomes - Essay Example Military orders are given to soldiers, but the orders are impact the civilian population as well as the military. From Biblical accounts to Hurricane Katrina, the military has given orders to protect and give their citizens structure. Three examples of military order providing the structure seen in today’s society. Basic training for the military differs all around the world are different. Most militaries drill obeying lawful orders into their recruits. The only exception is if the order is illegal. Osiel (1999: 241) explains â€Å"legal orders must be obeyed. The soldier is routinely punished when they are not. In principal, illegal orders must not be obeyed.† Civilians hold to this theory a little more loosely. Most law abiding citizens will not question an order from a police officer. There are exceptions to this rule, but like basic soldiers most civilians will cooperate with the police. Not all soldiers follow legal orders. An example is Pfc. Bradley Manning. Pfc. Manning leaked classified information to Wikileaks. Pfc. Bradley Manning, who turned 23 last month in the military prison, is accused of the biggest leak of classified documents in American history. He awaits trial on charges that could put him in prison for 52 years, according to the Army. (Shane 2011) Pfc. Manning felt that the American public deserved to know what was really going in Iraq.

Drug Trafficking Cartels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Drug Trafficking Cartels - Essay Example The cartels have a reliable supply of guns and other weapons used while conducting their business. Mexico is the hub of this business and almost all the illicit drugs used in the United States comes from Mexico. This paper looks at the policies set by the two governments and the extent they have gone to reduce or prevent the crime. The paper also compares the rate of drug trafficking between Columbia and Mexico and their impacts in the world. In addition to this, this paper also discusses the politics and political impacts affecting the rate of drug trafficking within these countries. Government policies The current policies used by these countries in bid to control this crime are unsatisfactory. United States has the highest demand for illicit drugs in the world. It is for this reason that Mexico and Columbia has identified the country as their best destination for selling their drugs. It is clear that prohibiting the use of illicit drugs is not an option to combat this deadly crime . However, possible strategies proposing legalizing the drugs and embracing health and treatment as control measures are under intense debate. This is only possible if these countries agree. Increased crackdown of drug users and cartels has led to increased cases of drug trafficking between these two countries. It is also crucial to note that since then the avenues of drug trafficking have increased making the prices of drugs cheaper. This encourages more participants in the market. During the reigns of president Bush of America, Columbia and America organized a five-year plan that aimed at cutting or reducing narcotic production by half. With most of refugees migrating to Colombia, it has been a problem to reduce drug trafficking in the country (Hylton). The relationship between Columbia and US weakened 4-5 years ago due to the collapsing talks concerning drug trafficking. The failing administrative policies between these two countries pose serious security threats to the US. Mexico country is currently receiving aids inform of military personnel, guns and other resource with the aim of overcoming the cartels. United Nation International Narcotics Control Board has also played a significant role in employing policies aiming at reducing drug trafficking in Columbia and Mexico. However, such organizations and other multinational organizations have failed in their quest to control drug trafficking because of their reliance on interdiction and use of force rather than use of public health approaches and other related options. Use of drugs becomes addictive with time and, the only way to reduce its consumption is by offering counseling and guidance to users. Countries like the US begin offering guidance and counseling to children as low a s 9 years old with the aim of preventing them from indulging in illicit drugs. US is also reported to be contributing to increased drug trafficking rates in the world due to the readily accessible weapons. Most of the weapons confiscated in Mexico have their roots in US. With this problem, it is even more difficult for Mexican officials to control drug trafficking since they are not able to inspect the weapon database in the US. Crime level and drug trafficking continue to rise in Mexico due to the low education levels and poor enforcement agencies. In 2001, Capo Guzman escaped from jail while the

Assignment 1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 12

1 - Assignment Example ssue is presently fronting Ashinabe comprise economic development to reduce unemployment, the protection of the wild rice industry from commercial growers, improved medical to battle ailment like diabetes and alcoholism. Also, better management of natural resources, safeguard of treaty of rights and accomplishment of sovereignty as well as amplified prominence on advanced learning to train professional and recommence cultural bonds. Traditionally, health issues affected Ashinabe when they first met the non-Native people suffered from epidemics such as smallpox. Woman married immediately after puberty at age 14 and 15 while boys married as they could able to support family and intermarriages was acceptable as well as polygamy. During birth, parents appointed an elder to give the baby the sacred or dream name and tended to teach by aunts, seniors and mothers at seven years and boys (Hilger 37). Boys were consequently taught hunting and fishing skills by men as girls learned domestic skills from seniors and women with moral values taught through examples and storytelling. Culture of was altered through Anishinabe contact with the non-Native Americans. Trade deepened as Anishinabe hinges on traded goods rather than clothing and utensils. Reservation circumscribed their seasonal movement, formalized education eliminating children from families and the government’s relocation policies disseminated tribe memberships. The culture currently experiencing a rebirth as natives and non-natives are studying Anishibale botany, crafts, myths, and religion. Wild ricing is still valued, even sacred, and constituent of culture in spite that the decline of munificent harvest Anishinabe is fretful about the degradation of the environment by industry and mismanagement. Wild rice harvesting has suffered a setback of alteration in water levels, water pollution, and boat traffic, incursion of alien species of animals and plants as well as housing construction. Logging enterprise have

Art & science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Art & science - Essay Example The artist for the first time precisely recorded their mathematical observations through their graphical paintings and illustrations, which gave the people a pictorial representation that became the basics for mathematical studies. Nineteenth century has seen major breakthroughs in the domain of natural sciences. One of the fundamental concepts in this field is the survival of animals, which is an elementary unit of living things. On the other hand, it was for the first time in the history of arts that concept of realism came under implementation through the artwork of Audubon’s World (AAU, 2011). Artists (Shlain, Chapter 12) focused on drawing the real life and nature images of animals, specifically, birds; portraying their observations and experiences without making alterations based on their imaginations. Realism also focused on architecture, music, dance, and literature. Man’s insatiable thirst for knowledge has lead to innumerable inventions and discoveries in the twentieth century and is in continuation to date. In particular, light remained a significant notion of attraction during the nineteenth century. In contrast, the scope of art embraced a new form of painting namely Earth art (AAU, 2011). This form of art facilitated the artists to paint down mysteries and different aspects of Mother Nature (Shlain, Chapter 13), as it do not require figures and shapes. Considering the trends of scientific discoveries and artistic creations, it can come under conclusion that next key discovery in the area of science might come from the branch of health sciences in the form of cure for lethal diseases. In the field of arts, the next invention can be in the form of paintings, which can mark an end to the biggest enormity of present time that is terrorism. AAU. â€Å"Outline.† The Art of Science, the Science of Art, 2011. Retrieved on May 21, 2011:

Business research week 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business research week 3 - Assignment Example paper would confirm that the organizational innovation that would favor the development of technological innovation capabilities that both of the services including the technological and organizational capabilities meant for the processes and products can lead to some superior performance of a firm (Camisà ³n & Villar-Là ³pez, 2014). The research was financially supported by the research funding especially from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. It also gained some funding from the Conselleria de Education in the coast of Generalitat Valenciana. The paper aimed at progressive examination of the firm in question based on the information technology employed within the firm. The two channels of the innovation help in the application of the major themes and try to explain the interrelationship between the two major factors used in the firm. The paper utilized a case study that had multiple methods and then ended up studying the activities related to the innovation process in the firm. It is quite apparent that different aspects of the IT capability to indeed affect an organization’s ability to influence and innovate several processes in the firm (Camisà ³n & Villar-Là ³pez, 2014). It has done this by identifying the exact areas to be studied and offering further recommendation to be carried out in the whole process. This article seeks to underscore the issues linked to the significance of IT in the business setup. IT is the enabler of innovation in most organizations or firms. Most leaders in the innovation sector tend to offer very distinct and separate perspectives employed in the overall use of technology and communication in the final end. Most of the leaders have been battling with the IT organizations in their fixation and the automating services in the entire system of the firm. IT can be seen as the anathema to the act of creativity and the barrier to some form of innovation in the firm (Atashi & Abdolpour, 2012). The paper mainly aims at the

Australian law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Australian law - Essay Example If a professional adviser is found to knowingly having provided or failed to provide information that exposes the advisee to incur any losses or damages on their part, this considered to be a breach of duty. All professionals are generally held to an established and reasonable standard of basic care and professionalism. Professionals are generally required to have the necessary learning and skill that is seen to be commonly processed by members who happen to be held in good standing within their basic profession.2 However, any lack of the proper degree of training, failure by the professional to attempt to follow up on a client’s progress, failure to remain appropriately conversant with any new emerging discoveries in the field, or failure to refer to a specialist in the event that it proves to be necessary can all be seen to constitute of negligence.3 As exemplified in the line of reasoning followed in the Hedley Byrne ruling, when an adviser communicates information to an ad visee in order that the information might be used for a generally described or particularly specified purpose, and the advisee acts on this advice to his detriment, the adviser is found to fundamentally be guilty of negligence.4 Effects of Donoghue V Stevenson (1932) A decision by the British house of commons in 1932 concerning the alleged presence of a snail inside a ginger beer bottle is commonly perceived to be the best known judgment in the entire common law world. It is widely regarded as the primary foundation law of negligence throughout the entire British Commonwealth.5 Although the ruling of Donoghue V Stevenson (1932), was initially mostly applied to judgments pertaining to manufacturers and the duty of care that they happened to owe the various consumers of their products it was eventually seen to have wider relevance beyond manufacturer liability. In the ruling, Atkins was seen to assert that a duty to exercise case was actually owed to all persons who might be directly affected by one’s actions or omissions that happen to be called in question.6 This is seen to critically affect the liability of all professional advisers as in their event that they provide questionable information that eventually proves to be detrimental to the advisee, they are then effectively held viable for court action. The Effects of Hedley Byrne v. Heller (1963) The Hedley Byrne v. Heller (1963) greatly impacted the overall liability of professional advisers as it was the first decision to recognize the possibility of there being a liability for want can be perceived to be purely economic loss that is not dependent on there being a contractual relationship, for negligent statements. This was seen to affect advisers as any information that they may happen to give while not bound to any contractual agreement can also be seen to create duty of care as it might be relied upon by the advisee in determining whether to enter into a contract.7 Recent Developments in Australi an High Court There have been a number of recent developments in Australia pertaining to the case of professional negligence, in Astley v Austrust Ltd,

Why Medical Marijuana Is a Good Choice for the Economy Essay Example for Free

Why Medical Marijuana Is a Good Choice for the Economy Essay Medical marijuana is full of possible opportunities, some large and some small. One of the largest opportunities would be the governments ability of taxation. Medical marijuana can be used to relieve many types of conditions. It can be used to effectively relieve pain for individuals that suffer from serious conditions such as AIDs and Cancer, and also less serious conditions such as nausea and eating disorders. Marijuana is by far less toxic than most of the prescription drugs that are prescribed every day to people suffering with a range of medical conditions. The pharmaceutical companies already have plenty of money to go around, why not let the government make some in tax. There are only fourteen states that have passed medical marijuana laws since 1996. America needs to listen to the thousands of very satisfied medical users and the thousands of scientists that prove medical marijuana is a smart choice, on top of the numerous economists that support and back it. It is time to change the federal laws on marijuana to allow medical use in every state and to be allowed to benefit from the revenue created by marijuana. The government would be able to charge a sin tax on medical marijuana, making this a highly profitable item for them. The same type of sin tax that is on tobacco sales and liquor sales. A sin tax is normally a higher percentage than a regular sales tax. A Harvard economist has estimated that the government could raise $7billion in annual revenues if marijuana is taxed (Bineli). There is an estimated forty million users of marijuana either for medical use or recreational use in the United States. A recent government survey found one in ten people in the United States use marijuana on a semi regular basis, this includes medical and recreational.(NORML) Billions of dollars being brought in though the taxation of marijuana could be used to dwindle away our national debt and possibly help pull our economy out of the current slump. By allowing people to legally purchase medical marijuana this would help stimulate the nations GDP. Its been here, probably in an illegal capacity, for a long time, but now theres an opportunity for industry, said Sumaya Abu-Haidar ,mayor of Nederland a town in Colorado where medical marijuana is legal and generally accepted. Theres an opportunity for free enterprise, an opportunity for people to make a living in a way that wasnt available before (Johnson). While many communities around the nation were still pushing through tough economic times, sales taxes collected in Nederland came in 32 percent higher than the month before that did not include marijuana (Johnson). From growers to sellers at a storefront, and every step in between there are many types of new jobs that would become available directly and indirectly. If the federal government made medical marijuana legal, the cost of medical marijuana would go down, with more and more farmers being able to grow it there would be more of it so it just goes down to basic rules of supply and demand. This would allow the government to set a higher tax rate, while still maintaining fair prices for consumers. Farmers of medical marijuana could also use the left over stalk to produce hemp and other profitable products. The marijuana plant is one of the most useful plants known to man today. Practically every piece of the plant can have some purposeful use. Kevin Bonsor’s Book reveals the following The marijuana plant has many uses. Its stiff, fibrous stalk can be used to make lots of products, from food to ship sails. The stalk is comprised of two parts ,the hurd and the bast. The bast provides fibers that can be woven into many fabrics. These fibers (also called hemp) are woven to create canvas, which has been used to make ship sails for centuries. The hurd provides pulp to make paper, oil to make paints and varnishes, and seed for food. Marijuana plants produce a high-protein, high-carbohydrate seed that is used in granola and cereals(Bonsor). As Kevin shows, marijuana has multiple beneficial uses that people tend to over look. The flowers of the plant are the only part that are actually used for medical purposes. Marijuana would be a very profitable crop to grow. In California there is a place called the Emerald Triangle, which consists of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity county. These are three neighboring counties where there is an abundance of legal medical marijuana growers. An article by Mark Bineli in the Rolling Stone magazine about the Emerald Triangle states, there would be numerous other new revenue streams, beyond just the sale of marijuana itself. The Emerald Triangle could market pot tourism, much as Napa Valley does with its wineries. And naturally, there will also be elaborate new types of vaporizers and pipes and rolling papers to serve the growing market. Britains GW Pharmaceuticals, for instance, has been developing an asthma-type inhaler to regulate the exact amount of medical marijuana one might inhale (Bineli). The billions of dollars wasted on incarcerating tens of thousands of people for simple possession of marijuana could be spent on healthcare or schools or even other more desirable uses (Bobbiesi). In the present time almost every city has a problem not having enough space in jail for inmates, and many inmates dont even have a bed and are forced to sleep on the floor. If medical marijuana became legal it would help free up jails across the nations for more serious offences like murderers and rapists. Many debate that marijuana should not be legalized for medical use because it is addictive. There is no physical evidence that marijuana is even addictive in the smallest way so the government wouldnt have to waste money on rehab or quitting programs like they do now with cigarettes. Smoking anything is not the best thing on your lungs, but there are plenty of other ways to get the positive effects from marijuana without smoking, such as vaporizing and ingesting. What is the government trying to tell us by legally allowing people to smoke tobacco that is much worse to inhale due to having nicotine in it to make a user addicted to it, along with the hundreds of poisonous ingredients added to cigarettes, such as rat poison? Marijuana is an all natural plant with not a single chemically added ingredient that has actual health benefits unlike tobacco. People have been smoking marijuana for thousands of years for medical purpose, and they are going to continue to do so. The jails are full of people that are just trying to medicate themselves in a way that works for them better than prescription drugs. As taxpayers we are paying for the thousands of marijuana users to be wrongly imprisoned. The number of individuals who use marijuana for medical purposes are growing as more and more states allow medical marijuana, which means the government is already missing out on the possible proceeds. And these smart states that already have pro medical marijuana laws are making a nice healthy revenue, the federal government is foolishly missing out on free money. When will the federal government accept the truth that marijuana does indeed have a medical purpose, and open up the endless possibilities of a great revenue source?

Compare wongs pragmatic classroom kagan kyle and scott win win discipline and morrishs real discipline Essay Example for Free

Compare wongs pragmatic classroom kagan kyle and scott win win discipline and morrishs real discipline Essay Clear guidelines on how to prepare are defined for each time of the day. Procedures are divided into periods to facilitate implementation in class. Teachers are also directed on preparation in the summer before classes start for the year. Procedures will stay the same this reduces behavior problems and keeps the focus on learning and educating. Teachers understand the boundaries of their control; the teacher can focus on being proactive to prevent problems rather than wasting time reacting to problems she could anticipate. Any teacher can implement the theory of the practical classroom without concern for over- or under-reaching with students. students’ accomplishments are pretentious by the procedures used. †¢ This philosophy has a solid positions that are shared with the students †¢ A Comparison of Discipline Models Wong’s Pragmatic Classroom Kagan, Kyle, and Scott’s win-win discipline Morrish’s Real Discipline Compare and Contrast †¢ Students are given the choose to what they feel is good for them to do. †¢ Students, teacher and parents are involved in the rule making. †¢ Help students understand each other’s responsibilities along with what the teacher’s responsibilities are. †¢ Discipline is something that the win-win problem does not do to students. †¢ Corrects the situation, which allows the students to come up better actions, which will result in acceptable behavior. †¢ According to Morrish’s real discipline children can only learn SELF DISCIPLINE through experience. †¢ Morrish further states that when children enter school they do not have the knowledge on behaving properly. †¢ With the Three theories they all have the similarity that the teachers and students are involved in the learning process of the required discipline. Strengths †¢ Students, Teachers and parents all work together to establish the rules to have a better school experience. †¢ Teachers help students behave which is acceptable behavior to their teacher. †¢ Win-win discipline is to help students develop log-term, self-managed responsibility. †¢ Morrish rewards occasionally the students for behaving correctly. †¢ Morrish gives students courage that they may not have when working through issues that are sensitive. †¢Weakness †¢ There is too much compromise between teacher and student when establishing the classroom rules. †¢ Teachers are too limited on what they can do to prevent disruptions. †¢ The program is most effective if it is implemented from the first day of school until the last day of school. †¢ Morrish overstates the role of the teacher. â€Å"The because I said so† response. †¢ Morrish believes that teachers who praise children to build up their self-esteem actually do more harm than good. †¢ Morris is against giving students the freedom to choose

Biological Activities of Betulin and Betulinic Acid

Biological Activities of Betulin and Betulinic Acid Betulin is the one of the premier pure, crystalline natural product obtained from plants through extraction and sublimation of birch bark (Lowitz 1788). Betulin and betulinic acid are closely related to each other, often found together in varying amount in different plant species when extracted by different solvents . Early anti septic property of betulin and its use become famous to be used in plaster for sterilization of cuts and wound .Studies indicated that betulin carry wound healing, cholesterol lowering activity, hepato-protecteive, anti-bacterial, anti-leishmenial, anti-viral, anti-cancer activities (Wheeler1899). Due to the high mutagenecity of HIV-1 and cancers cells in order to improve the biological activity of betulin and its derivatives various strategies were applied and still going on (Csuk, 2014), here we are presenting a coverage of the betulin, betulinic acid and its derivatives with their biological activity. Study carried on lung injury showed that betulinic acid protects sepsis induced lung injury against inflammation and indicated it as a potential regulator of the inflammation. In another study the positive effect on the acute lung injury cured by betulinic acid. The septic lung injury is generally characterized by the severe oxidative stress response, in addition to available treatment new methods are required to improve further clinical outcomes (Lingaraju et al., 2015). Lingaraju and coworkers found the effect of betulinic acid using cecal ligation and puncture model on oxidative lung injury. They treated two groups of mice with different concentration of betulinic acid, further their lung and plasma samples were collected for analysis by sacrificing the mice at 18hr. of surgery. They concluded increased antioxidants level in blood that lead to reduced lung injury in mice. The role of betulinic acid induces programmed death of human red blood cells (erythroptosis) was reported, whi ch is mediated through membrane permeabilization and calcium ion load (Gao et al.2014). Afzal and his group (Afzal et al. 2014) studied on the hypothyroidism in female albino rate for 2 months by giving them standard drug propyl thio uracil (PTU) for the induction of lower level of TSH for two months. Later on the mice were treated with standard thyroxin at a dose of 10ÃŽ ¼g/kg and the test drug betulinic acid at a dose of 20ÃŽ ¼g/kg of body weight. Finally after the two months study betulinic acid treated animals showed marked improvement in the follicle integrity that showed betulinic acid has protective activity against hypothyroidism. Two groups of semi synthetic derivatives of betulin (BT01 to BT09) and betulinic acid (AB10 to AB16) were synthesized respectively which has shown antileishmanial combined-therapy with miltefosine (Sousa et al.2014). Leishmaniasis was previously treated by miltefosine, amphotericin B, pentavalent antimony compounds, pentamidine etc. but due to thei r toxicity and biological resistance new therapeutics as betulin and betulinic acid derivatives are new avenues for its treatment. Accordingly, it is important to continue the search for new effective and less toxic treatments. Effects on the cell cycle, apoptosis / necrosis events, morphology and DNA integrity with isobologram method were used for a comparative study in between miltefosine with some of the derivative synthesized during the study. The AB13 (28-(1H-imidazole-1-yl)-3,28-dioxo-lup-1,20(29)-dien-2-yl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate) and BT06 (3ÃŽ ²-Hydroxy-(20R)-lupan-29-oxo-28-yl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate) derivatives were found to be the most active, with IC50 values of 25.8  µM, and 50.8  µM respectively. Synergistic interactions were observed between these two compounds and miltefosine. Significant morphological changes were observed using AB13, while both derivatives (AB13 and BT06) produced anti-proliferative activity through cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Neither of these derivatives induced significant apoptosis /necrosis, as indicated by phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation assays. Not only that, neither of the derivatives induced death in macrophage cell lines. Thus, they do not present any potential risk of toxicity for the host cells. This study identified the betulin derivative BT06 and the betulinic acid derivative AB13 as promising molecules in the development of new alternative therapies for leishmaniasis, including those involving combined-therapy with miltefosine. The solubility of betulin and its derivatives has been the most significant issue in drug development from these hydrophobic molecules . To overcome this problem nano-emulsion gels of betulinic acid were formulated(Bag and Dash 2011). They tried 20 organic solvents as well aqueous alcohol mixture to synthesize renewable nano-sized 6-6-6-6-5 pentacyclic triterpenic acid . They confirmed their results of increased hydro solubility as they found nano and micrometer length fibers using atomic force microscopy as well electron microscopy. Role of betulinic acid in manipulating the significant actions and role of xenobiotic and antioxidative enzymes in cancer initiation and proliferation were studied (Kaur and Arora 2013) . They studied on the interactio ns of betulinic acid on Sprague Dawley female rats with xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes including cytochrome b5, P420, P450, NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase, and NADH cytochrome b5 reductase (mixed function oxidases ), GST, DT-diaphorase, ÃŽ ³-glutamyl transpeptidase (phase II enzymes), alone as well as in the presence of 7,12 dimethylbenzanthracene(DMBA). The reduction in glutathione content and protein content was considered in the study to get the effect of betulinic acid. They observed the lower level of mixed function oxidases those are responsible for the conversion of carcinogen to electrophile and further increase in phase II enzymes which participated in the removal of electrophiles by sulfation or conjugation under betulinic acid treatment . Also reported that betulinic acid effectively removed or neutralized the reactive species by the action of phase II enzymes and such an effect was demonstrated from the specific activities of antioxidative enzymes which were found to b e lower as compared to positive control (DMBA-treated group) and in some cases even that of untreated control. They also found a pronounced effect of betulinic acid in protecting the animals from lipid peroxidation as evident from the reduced levels of TBARS, conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide formation. Inhibition of SREBP1 activity through AMPK-mTOR-SREBP signaling pathway using betulinic acid was studied (Kim et al.2013) . Insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, primary rat hepatocytes and liver tissue from high-fat fed ICR mice were used to get insight of the mechanism responsible for anti fatty liver effect . Accumulations of triglyceride are the indication of fat deposition that was analyzed by â€Å"Oil Red O staining†, which suppression was reported by betulinic acid. Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase kinase (CAMKK) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) both were activated by betulinic acid while on the other hand the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), pr otein levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and S6 kinase (S6K) were all reduced when hepatocytes were treated with betulinic acid for up to 24 hours. Reduced lipogenesis leading to low lipid accumulation, nuclear translocation and repressed SREBP1 target gene expression in HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes, suppression of SREBP1 mRNA expression and activation of AMPK via phosphorylation through betulinic acid were also highlighted in the study. Overall they suggested that betulinic acid could be promising molecule effectively ameliorating intracellular lipid accumulation in liver cells preventing fatty liver diseases. Reduction in skin hyper-pigmentation using betuinic acid from Vitis amurensis root and its anti-melanogenic effect and precise mechanism underlying the anti-melanogenic activity of betulinic acid in B16F10 cells were investigated (Jin et al. (2014). Betulinic acid significantly reduced 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin synt hesis by inhibiting tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expression through the modulation of their corresponding transcription factors in B16F10 cells. In addition, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extra cellular regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) involved in the melanogenesis processes, were ameliorated by betulinic acid treatment. Specific inhibitors were used, PD98059 (for MEK/ERK) and LY294002 (for PI3K/Akt respectively) to confirm the role of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the melanogenesis. Consequently, betulinic acid inhibited melanin production by tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 inhibition through the regulation of CREB and MITF, which was accompanied with MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt inactivation in IBMX-stimulated B16F10 cells. Finally these results expressed a novel molecular function of betulinic acid melanogenesis, which in turn enhances our understanding on the application of cosmetic therapy for reducing. Investigation were done on betulinic acid mediated fat mobilization by enhancing the level of lipolysis in adipose tissue that showed the antiobesity properties of betulinic acid with their possible mechanisms (Kim et al.2012). The lipolytic effects of betulinic acid were assayed in rat adipose tissues with inhibition of anti-lipase function and pancreatic lipase activity of betulinic acid in vitro which lead to prevent the elevation of plasma triacylglycerol levels, after oral administration of a lipid emulsion to rats where activity of cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase was also measured. Betulinic acid inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 1.5-100à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ µM (ICà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â€š ¬ value of 21.10à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ µM) prevented the elevation of plasma triacylglycerol level after 2 hours of oral administration of the lipid emulsion at a dose of 100à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ °mg/kg concluded the strong lipo lytic effect of betulinic acid which was mediated by cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibition. Betulinic acid exerted antiobesity effects by directly inhibiting pancreatic lipase, that can prevent the absorption of lipid from the small intestine. Recent studies on the chemical as well biological synthesis of the betulinic acid derivatives , they used fungi in combination with plant tissue culture of carrot and found that the most active derivative as , 3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazono-lup-(20R)-29-oxolupan-28-oic acid, showed IC50values between 1.76 and 2.51ÃŽ ¼M against five human cancer cell lines (Baratto et al. 2013). The most selective, 3-hydroxy-20-(2, 4-dinitrophenyl) hydrazono-29-norlupan-28-oic acid, was five to seven times more selective for cancer cells when compared to fibroblasts. The cell cycle studies and apoptosis induction, with high cytotoxicity and selectivity on the tumour cell shown the efficacy of the transformed molecule. The design and synthesis of seco deri vtives from the alteration in the â€Å"A† ring of betulinic acid were carried (Hsin-Yi Hung 2014). A group of compounds were synthesized and their enhanced chemopreventive ability in vitro short term induced assays were done in Raji cells, C28 modified analogs shown significant activation. One of the modified derivative was found to shown 100% inhibition of EBV-EA at 1Ãâ€"103molratio/TPA ,73.4%, 35.9%, and 8.4% inhibition at 5Ãâ€"102, 1Ãâ€"102, and10molratio/TPA, respectively, comparable with curcumin at high concentration. In an investigation the role of betulinic acid co-regulation with vitamin D3,was reported that showed that betulinic acid improves insulin secretion with increasing glycogen content and glucose uptake in muscle tissue(Castro et al.2014). It was also reported that betulinic acid enhances the GLUT4 immunocontent and its translocation was supported by GLUT4 itself as well it does not cause hyper-calcemia that is very significant from the drug discovery pe rspective. In search of safe and natural treatment of obesity betulinic acid was tried as anti-obese drug on swiss albino male mice fed with high fat diet. Betulinic acid was extracted from ethanolic root extract of Clusia nemorosa (Rao et al. 2009).They treated mice at 50mg/kg body weight with control where they found significant control on the The therapeutic potential of betulinic acid on bone metastases and skeletal complications in breast cancer patients were investigated (Park et al.2014). They suggested the protective and therapeutic potential of betulinic acid on cancer-associated bone diseases. This is the first report indicating effect of betulinic acid on breast cancer cells, osteoblastic cells, and osteoclasts in the vicious cycle of osteolytic bone metastasis. Betulinic acid reduced cell viability and the production of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a major osteolytic factor, in MDA-MB-231 human metastatic breast cancer cells stimulated with or without tumor growth factor-ÃŽ ². An increase in the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) / osteoprotegerin ratio was blocked by betulinic acid through down regulating RANKL protein expression in PTHrP-treated human osteoblastic cells. Not only that the inhibition of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow macrophages an d decreased the production of resorbed area in plates with a bone biomimetic synthetic surface by suppressing the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and cathepsin K in RANKL-induced osteoclasts was observed by betulinic acid. Furthermore, oral administration of betulinic acid inhibited bone loss in mice intra-tibially inoculated with breast cancer cells and in ovariectomized mice causing estrogen deprivation, as supported by the restored bone morphometric parameters and serum bone turnover markers. Taken together, these findings suggest that betulinic acid may have the potential to prevent bone loss in patients with bone metastases and cancer treatment-induced estrogen deficiency. A pioneer study on athymic nude mice, bearing MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma xenografts was taken as in vitro cytotoxic and in vivo anti-tumor model (Damle et al. 2013). The antitumour activity of betulinic acid was studied at 50 and100 mg/kg body weights, whereas cytotoxic activity of MCF- 7 cells with IC50 value of 13.5 µg/ml was studied by MTT assay. Betulinic acid treatment shown significant reduction in tumour size of 77 and 52% tumour size (100 and 50 mg/kg body weight respectively) in addition decreased angiogenesis, proliferation and invasion in betulinic acid treated mice were also highlighted through histopathological studies. Through topomer CoMFA , some 35 derivatives of betulinic acid were prepared and tested against HT29 human colon cancer cells (Ding et al.2013) . The contour maps showed that bulky and electron-donating groups would be favorable for activity at the C-28 position, and a moderately bulky and electron-withdrawing group near the C-3 position would improve this activity. Few of the betulin derivativeswere designed and synthesized as per the modeling result, while groups such as maleyl, phthalyl, and hexahydrophthalyl (bulky electronegative groups) were directly introduced at the C-28 position. They also found consistency with predicted and actual IC50 value of the given analogsagainst HT29 cells, proving that the present topomer CoMFA model is successful and that it could potentially forward the synthesis of newbetulinic acidderivativeswith high anti-cancer activity. Five tumour cell lines were tested against three newly synthesized derivatives where 28-O-hexahydrophthalyl betulin shown the greatest anti-cancer activities and its ICà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â€š ¬ values were lower than other tumour cell line except DU145.In an investigation Prunella vulgaris was used for betulinic acid and ursolic acid extraction those were responsible for the anti-estrogenic effects, suggested their potential application against estrogen-dependent tumors (Kim et al. 2014).In this study Prunella vulgaris constituents were isolated and tested their individual anti-estrogenic effects. Betulinic acids, ursolic acid, Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, oleanolic acid, hyperoside, rutin, were isolated from the flower stalks of P. vulgaris var. lilacina Nakai (Labiatae) which showed anti-estrogenic effects as a decreased level in the mRNA of GREB1,revealed significant anti-estrogenic effects of betulinic acid and ursolic acid, on estrogen receptors .They also demonstrated the

The films Bladerunner and Fahrenheit 451 :: essays papers

The films â€Å"Bladerunner† and â€Å"Fahrenheit 451† The films â€Å"Bladerunner† and â€Å"Fahrenheit 451† are similar in the way they show emotions in their depictions of distopias. The emotions shown are not normal to us, but are controlled by the government. The inhabitants of these worlds are being persuaded that emotions are bad, unhealthy. However, some do break free from the system. The cases in these movies are not of really living at all, but just of going through the motions of life. The movie â€Å"Bladerunner† was about androids that were made to not have feelings and not to live longer than 4 years. Rachel is a good example of they tried to control emotions. As one of the new model replicants, Rachel was implanted with memories and could recall emotions. What she did not realize was that her memories were really the memories of her maker’s niece. She did not even know she was an android until Decker did the test on her. She was very upset when she realized that he was right, because she did not know what feelings were real and what feelings belonged to someone else. She worked with the man that created androids, the owner of the Tyrell Corporation, which makes her more upset that she did not know. This is when she exclaims to Decker, â€Å"I am not in the business, I AM the business.† Although she though she was living a normal human life, Rachel was going through the motions of everything humans do, but she did not have real feelings or even her own memories. Therefore, she was not even being her own self. Another aspect of the movie â€Å"Bladerunner† is of those that broke away from the system. The â€Å"Nexus 6† were androids that developed emotions and escaped from slavery, because they wanted to live longer. Roy and Priss are good examples of androids showing that they have emotions. They were manipulative, passionate for what they wanted, and even had loving sides. Roy was the leader of the â€Å"Nexus 6† and Priss was his girlfriend . Priss acted like a helpless girl to get J.F. Sebastian to let her into his house, into which she later let Roy. They made J.F. show them to the owner of the Tyrell Corporation’s house, so they could fight to get an extension on their lives.

Ellisons Invisible Man: Invisibility, Vision, and Identity as Motifs E

Ralph Ellison incorporates many symbols into this novel, each providing a unique perspective on the narrative and supporting the themes of invisibility, vision and identity. These themes can many times generally symbolize the strength of the subconscious mind. In this novel I think that there are several visions that symbolize the narrator’s escape from reality, seeking comfort in memories of his childhood or times at the college, often occurring as he fades into his music. Ellison coincidences dreams and reality to redefine the surrealistic nature of the narrator’s experience and to showcase the differences between the realities of black life and the myth of the American dream. ? One thing I saw a lot of in this novel is people willfully looking past instead of confronting the truth. The narrator repeatedly states people’s inability to see what they don’t want to see, their inability to see what their prejudice doesn’t allow them to see, has pushed him into a life of effective invisibility. But prejudice against others is not the only kind of blindness in the book. Many characters also don’t acknowledge truths about themselves or their communities, and this refusal is shown in the imagery of vision and invisibility. For example, the boys who fight in the â€Å"battle royal† wear blindfolds, symbolizing their powerlessness to recognize their corruption at the hands of the white men. The Founder’s statue at the college has empty eyes, signifying his failure to see the racist realities. Blindness also afflicts Rev Homer A. Barbee, who romanticizes the Founder, and Brother Jack, who is missing an eye which he conceals by wearing a glass eye. The narrator himself experiences blindness, such as in chapter sixteen when he addresses the ... ...judices of others. He has followed the ideology of the college and the ideology of the Brotherhood without trusting or developing his own identity. Now, however, he has realized that his own identity, both in its flexibility and authenticity, is the key to freedom. Rinehart, a master of many identities, first suggests to the narrator the limitless capacity for variation within oneself. However, Rinehart ultimately proves an unsatisfactory model for the narrator because Rinehart’s life lacks authenticity. The meaning of the narrator’s assertion that he is â€Å"an invisible man† has changed slightly since he made the same claim at the beginning of the novel: whereas at the outset he means to call attention to the fact that others cannot not see him, he now means to call attention to the fact that his identity, his inner self, is real, even if others cannot see it.

Lampara Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) Essay

I. INTRODUCTION: Lampara Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC), registered with the Cooperative Development Authority on June 12, 2007 with Registration No. D-623-6240 has been organized to help people maximize their potentials to live a healthy, productive life and in the process become responsible members of Society. LMPC educates its members to earn and save the cooperative way. LMPC has recently sourced out an exclusive Systems Provider for healthy, nutritious and highly oxygenized Anti-Oxidant Pi Water originally researched and developed in Japan and enhanced in Korea. This newly structured Pi Water Systems Provider has upgraded its Pi Water System with US-made 16-stages Synergy machine that makes the Pi water an anti-oxidant water and with the German Technology oxygen-generating machine developed by the Department of Science and Technology. The Pi water produced by the system has been tested to have an even higher effect than any of the Pi Waters introduced in the Philippines to date due to its unique qualities and characteristics presented below. LMPC is now ready to distribute domestically and internationally the AQUAPORIN PI WATER SYSTEM equipped with the latest technology in Pi Water System. The investors in the Aquaporin Anti-Oxidant Pi Water Refilling Station will be assured of a profitable, unique, and healthy business venture. II. QUALITIES OF THE AQUAPORIN PI WATER: Aquaporin Pi Water has been synergized by the Bio-Nano technology to produce an even reduced water molecule clusters for greater absorption and interaction by the cells of the body, higher water-based mineral contents because of its mineral enhancer cartridge that produces a stable alkaline water with pH 7.8 on the meter, greater energy enhanced by its far infrared cartridges and higher oxygen content with its DOST-developed oxygen generating machine. It has been further powered by a Synergy machine that makes the water an anti-oxidant water. These qualities of the Aquaporin Pi Water will ensure that the water we drink is healthy, nutritious, energized and contains higher level of oxygen like no other. III. ADVANTAGES OF PURCHASING AN AQUAPORIN ANTIOXIDANT PI WATER REFILLING STATION: 1. The Aquaporin Antioxidant Pi Water Refilling System aims to optimize return of investment employing the marketing strategies adopted by LMPC. Once established, the Aquaporin Pi Water Refilling Station (APWRS) becomes a branch of LMPC to serve as the center of operation and marketing service for its members. Page 1 2. The Systems’ flagship (Aquaporin Antioxidant Pi Water’s) characteristics are: 3.1 It has the most minimal piping problems with 50 years warranty on parts. The materials used are guaranteed to survive ageing, cracking, breakage from pressure and bumps, and many more; 2.2 It employs commercial filtration and machineries in processing alkaline, mineralized and Synergized Bio-Nano Pi Waters that is capable of producing an anti-oxidant water; 2.3 It incorporates the latest technology called OPS or Oxygen Processing System that was  Department of Science and Technology (DOST) tested to have high beneficial health effect; 2.4 Its system-parts passed all standards for safe-drinking water; 2.5 Each system installed is registered in the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT) of the Department of Health for system certification and validation of quality and functionality; 2.6 The system produces super fine water because of its nano-tech filters that renders water clusters smaller and full of energy; 2.7 The systems use the highest quality materials to ascertain quality production; 2.8 All system parts are brand new. Not a single part is reconditioned or second hand. These parts are not available cheap unless reconditioned. Beware of companies that offer very cheap systems; 2.9 System parts and labor has ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY 2.10 Special technologies applied are exclusive and are not available in other systems; 2.11 The Aquaporin Pi Water business put up by the investor is not just a profit entity, rather, its business is banking on a mission to help share better health and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of people. 2.11 When the investor decides to put up the Aquaporin Anti-Oxidant Pi Water Refilling Station he is practically creating a niche in the market resolving any potential direct competition. 2 We offer maximum training of business standardization and operations to make sure that the Aquaporin Anti-Oxidant Pi Water Refilling Station (AAPWRS) owners are well equipped to operate, manage and run his business like a professional water refilling station operator. 3 Investor may opt to make his AAP Water Refilling Station fully automated and computerized with a minimal additional cost (see Feasibility Study/ROI attached); 4 The Systems Provider of APPWRS is composed of a team of professional engineers and exclusive contractors whose expertise comes from years of water treatment experiences aimed to GUARANTEE quality products, services and installations. IV. SERVICES TO ASSURE INVESTORS OF A â€Å"PROFITABLE, UNIQUE AND HEALTHY BUSINESS VENTURE†: 1. Consultancy and Planning (1 month Management Program) 1.1 Conduct a research and feasibility of the business in the specified area of operation; 2.2 Assist in the design of the Station renovation, engineering specifications, like floor plan, electrical plan, appearance and imaging, etc.; 2.3 Assist in business registrations, legal documentations of the company and accounting services; Page 2 2.4 Assist in the design of business concepts, logo, marketing materials, advertisements and other business forms; 2.5 Manage and teach the business for one month to make sure that all systems go smoothly and correctly. 2. Standardization: 2.1 Documentation of business operations; 3.6 Forms and compliances 3.7 Business software and programming 3. Training: 3.1 Technical training – operation of the system, maintenance, basic trouble Shooting proper handling of waters, etc.; 4.8 High standard operations and qality management 4.9 Basic bookkeeping, accounting and compliances 4.10 Sales and marketing strategies and operations 4.11 Quality assurance management 4.12 Manpower and hiring 4.13 Quality servicing and customer services management 4. 24/7 on-line helpdesk and assistance. V. APPWRS will be the LMPC BRANCHES AND SATELLITE OFFICES: The Aquaporin Anti-Oxidant Pi Water Station (APPWRS) shall become LMPC’s branches and/or satellite offices in the area. Only one (1) APPWRS will be established in a Municipality &/or District in big cities and Provinces. The LMPC program with its diversified sources of livelihood that are synergistically integrated to achieve a healthy, productive and responsible members of Society using the cooperative system of relationship will be implemented in all the areas of operation of APPWRS. VI. AQUAPORIN ANTI-OXIDANT PI-WATER SYSTEM COMPONENT: 1. The 3-in-1 Pi Filtration System – the complete Commercial Pi-producing Water System fully automated and computerized * Production machineries (cartridges and filters) to yield three (3) types of waters: (details of these machineries will be presented and discussed during the business meeting/s prior to signing of contract) * Oxygenated Ultra Fine Mineral Water * Oxygenated UF Sterilized Alkaline Synergized Water * Oxygenated UF Sterilized Bio-Nano Alkaline Antioxidant concentrated (Oz3) synergized Water. * High-end, Long-lasting Piping System * Initial Bottle Inventory Page 3 * Station Filling Equipment * Station Signage * 3-monthMaintenance Inventory * 1-month business management program * Down Payment for the cost of 1 unit of van for delivery. * Assistance in all aspects of services defined in Item IV. * Fully Automated filter-change indicator and computerized cleaning system * And many more . . . 2. 3-in-1 Pi Filtration System – the Standard Commercial Computerized Pi-producing Water System. * Production machineries (cartridges and filters) to yield three (3) types of waters: (details of these machineries will be presented and discussed during the business meeting/s prior to signing of contract) * Oxygenated Ultra Fine Mineral Water * Oxygenated UF Sterilized Alkaline Synergized Water * Oxygenated UF Sterilized Bio-Nano Alkaline Antioxidant concentrated (Oz3) synergized Water. * Fully Automated filter-change indicator * High-end, Long-lasting Piping System * Initial Bottle Inventory * Station Filling Equipment * Station Signage * 3-monthMaintenance Inventory * 1-month business management program * Down Payment for the cost of 1 unit of FB van for delivery. * Assistance in all aspects of services defined in Item IV. * And many more . . . 3. Basic Home Pi Filtration System which may be used for personal and home  purposes producing 2 types of waters (details to be presented and discussed during the business meeting/s prior to signing of contract for the APWRS) – this Personal Unit Aquaporin Pi Water System will exclusively be distributed by the APWRS. * Production machineries (cartridges and filters) to yield two (2) types of waters: * Super Fine Mineral Water * Highly Oxygenized UF Sterilized Alkaline Synergized Pi Water * High-end, Long-lasting Piping System * Assistance in all aspects of services defined in Item IV. Page 4 * 24/7 on-line helpdesk and assistance * Basic Pi Filtration System owners may opt to become satellite servicing office for LMPC * And many more . . . VII. PRICES 1. Aquaporin Antioxidant Pi Water Refilling Station with the 3-in-1 Complete Fully Automated and Computerized commercial Pi Filtration System with components described in Item VI-1 and services stated in Item V, costs ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P1,750,000.00) only, exclusive of site/location renovation/construction and 12% VAT. 2. Aquaporin Antioxidant Water Refilling Station with the 3-in-1 Pi Filtration standard commercial Pi-producing Water System with components described in Item VI-2 and services stated in Item V, costs ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P1,650,000.00) only; 3. Aquaporin Basic Home Pi Filtration System for personal or home use with the 2-in-1 Pi Filtration System and with components described in VI-2 would cost ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P120,000.00). VIII. INSTALLATION: 1. Investor must have signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the Installation of the machines at the site or location of the business and payment of at least THIRTY PERCENT (30%) of the total contract price; 2. Water sample taken from the site/location of the Station must be submitted for analysis and potability; 3. Prior to installation, the site/location of the Station would have been inspected by an engineer from the Systems Provider. 4. One (1) week before the date of Installation, additional TWENTY PERCENT (20%) of total contract price must be remitted to LMPC, another TWENTY PERCENT (20%) upon installation and full payment within one (1) month after installation. 5. Faà §ade of the Aquaporin Antioxidant Pi Water Refilling Station must conform with standard appearance prescribed by the Systems provider.

Wiccan Beliefs and Practices

When I think of martial arts, I think about the first time I saw my first Bruce Lee movie. With all the fast movements of Karate or Tae Kwon Do, it seems as though every movie they put out about martial arts in the beginning you would have the teacher training the student and then the student taking on the teacher and once he demonstrates that he can beat the teacher or he is proficient at whatever task the teacher has assigned then he can move on to the next journey or stage. Each stage of martial arts is practiced, and each student must learn concentration. In this paper I will show you the comparison between martial arts in the United States and other countries of origin. The only reason martial arts are so great is because it strengthens each of these aspects of body and mind to make a beautiful display of movement. Martial arts are commonly associated with East Asian cultures, but are by no means unique to Asia. Throughout Europe there was an extensive system of combat martial arts, collectively referred to as Historical European martial arts, until modern times and now they are being reconstructed by several organizations. Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts, that includes wrestling and Hawaiian’s have historically practiced martial arts featuring small and large joints manipulation, it’s a mix of origins that occur in the athletic movements of Capoeira that was created in Brazil by Slaves, based on skills brought with them from Africa. Also, there is an early legend in martial 3 Comparing the teachings of martial arts in the US and Asia arts that tells the tale of an Indian monk Bodhi dharma (also called Daruma), believed to have lived around 550 A. D. He is credited with founding the meditative philosophy of â€Å"Zen Buddhism† and with influencing the unarmed combat arts of the Shaolin temple in China. The martial virtues of discipline, humility, restraint and respect are attributed to this philosophy. The teaching of martial arts in Asia has historically followed the cultural traditions of teacher-disciple apprenticeship. Students are trained in a stri ctly hierarchical system by a master instructor: Sifu in Cantonese or Shifu in Mandarin; Sensei in Japanese; Sa Bum Nim in Korean. The native peoples of North America and South America had their own martial training which began in childhood. Some First Nations men and more rarely, some women were called warriors only after they had proved themselves in battle. Most groups selected individuals for training in the use bows, knives, blowguns, spears, and war clubs in early adolescence. War clubs were the preferred martial weapon because Native American warriors could raise their social status by killing enemies in single combat face to face. Warriors honed their weapons skills and stalking techniques through lifelong training. Martial arts in the United States have evolved into everything from simple to complex system of fighting. The truth of the matter is all martial arts are similar, they teach similar principles but in different ways. It’s like religion, there are many different 4 Comparing the teachings of martial arts in the US and Asia religions but they all have something in common, they worship some form of deity. The one thing they have in common is they promote self-defense. Some martial arts are linked to spiritual or religious beliefs, philosophies such as Daoism, Shinto or Buddhism and other have their own spiritual code of honor. Martial arts are another way of saying the â€Å"art of combat† or it is a weapon used to survive. Kill or be killed. It is a set of movements used for offensive or defensive purposes (called Kata’s or forms). It can also be a set of movements used to promote health, it has structure and every movement has a meaning. It has been said that the late Bruce Lee taught that one should take the best from all arts and adapt them to whatever situation one finds oneself in. No matter where you look, or where you are in the world, you will see different kinds of martial arts dojo and training centers. Martial arts have also evolved to accommodate the needs of different ages, from kids and toddlers to grownups. For example, a dojo that offers karate can teach different classes for male and female from varying age levels. What martial arts have expanded beyond their countries of origin and become popular in the US and why? Martial arts like karate, taekwondo, judo and other oriental styles may have come from Asia. There are other forms of martial arts that originated from countries like Europe and South America. Each style has a unique facet that 5 Comparing the teachings of martial arts in the US and Asia makes them different from other martial arts, methods of training vary and may include sparring or forms (kata), which are sets or routines of techniques that are performed alone or sometimes with a partner. The Western interest in East Asian Martial arts dates back to the late 19th century, due to the increase in trade between America with China and Japan. Relatively few Westerners actually practiced the arts, and considering it to be mere performance. Exposure to martial arts during the Korean War was also significant and as Western influence grew in East Asia a large number of military personnel spent time in China, Japan, and Korea. In the late 1970s and 1980s there was an increase interest in martial arts thanks to Asian and Hollywood martial arts movies. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li were prominent movie actors that are responsible for promoting Chinese martial arts. In Europe, with the rise of firearms, martial arts declined. As a result, martial arts with historical roots in Europe do not exist today, to the same extent as in Asia, since the traditional martial arts either died out or developed into sports. Swordsmanship developed into fencing. Boxing as well as forms of wrestling have endured. European martial arts have mostly adapted to changing technology so that while some traditional martial arts still exist, military personnel are trained in skills like bayonet combat and marksmanship. Some European weapon systems have also survived as for sports and as self-defense methods. 6 Comparing the teachings of martial arts in the US and Asia In conclusion when comparing Eastern religions and martial arts in the US and in Asia, how martial arts are taught and practiced differently I found that all martial arts are similar, they teach similar principles but in different ways. In order to learn martial arts you must have self- discipline. The martial virtues of discipline, humility, restraint and respect are attributed to the Zen philosophy. The teaching of martial arts in Asia has historically followed the cultural traditions of teacher-disciple apprenticeship; however in the US the teachings are more along the lines of self-defense and competition styles.

Creative Writing – “Relief”

he phone rang. It broke the silence of my seething rage. Its high piercing sound irritated me for some reason. I wanted to scream. Lisa wouldn't normally cause me to feel that way (maybe it wasn't just Lisa, but she had been getting to me recently). As twins we were supposed to share a special bond, and usually we got on really well. Despite being only four minutes older than Lisa, I often felt strangely protective of her. With curly blonde hair and brown eyes we looked totally identical, but the similarities ended there. Lisa's favourite word was change; new outfit, new boyfriend, new hairstyle and so on. I was calmer. I had two very close friends – Hannah and Angie, and a steady boyfriend – Adam. That was another part of the reason why I was at home and in such a state. I had just got to the party, after being held up with my friend Laura, who was upset about family problems. Things between Adam and I had not been going well recently, and tonight he had arranged to meet me at six, so we could talk. It was nearly seven. I feared the worst, but friends do come first. However I was not prepared for the scene that met my eyes. I stood transfixed. Something sharp went straight through my heart. There stood Lisa and Adam, alone. Two of the people closest to me, I could not believe it. I ran. A huge bubble of emotion was trying in vain to escape from with in me, but it didn't seem to know how. I could feel tears welling up. I wanted to scream, hit someone, collapse in a heap and break down and sink into the ground all at once. Then my emotions quieted and he silent tears began rolling down my cheeks. I reached the deserted bus stop, when the bus came that was deserted too. My whole life seemed deserted. As soon as I was home I dialled Hannah's number then the grim realisation hit me: All my friends were at the party, my parents were out, my older brother – Phil was out. A fresh wave of rejection, anger, betrayal and total emptiness swept over me, and suddenly I felt very tired. I peeled off my clothes and went to bed. How could Lisa have done that? It wasn't something she would do. Borrowing my clothes? Yes. Shirking chores? Yes. Forgetting favours I asked her? Yes. Trying to sort out my love life with some crazy scheme and making it worse instead? Yes. But stealing my boyfriend? No. Adam? Did the last 10 months mean nothing to him? What about all the special times we had shared together? What about all the â€Å"I love you†s? I felt the bubble return. That was when the phone rang. I left it to ring. It cut off, and then rang again. This time I answered: â€Å"Hello† â€Å"Hello, is this the Scott house?† â€Å"Yes† â€Å"Who am I speaking to?† â€Å"Ali† â€Å"Alison? This is Hertfordshire police† What on earth could the police want? A new emotion hit me: Fear. I listened with trepidation. â€Å"There has been an accident on the railway bridge; Blue Ford Fiesta, young driver, medium build, blonde curly hair. We believe it to be your sister† Lisa. It was Lisa. â€Å"Where is she? Is she ok?† I asked. â€Å"She's at Princess Alexandra hospital. I think it's best if you get yourself up there as soon as possible. Your parents are there already.† I ended the conversation. I walked over to Sarah's to see if her parents drive me. I didn't think about it, I just did it. I couldn't think. Val and Mike were out. I went over to Helen's Helen's mum asked no questions. I couldn't have answered even if she had. She drove me in silence. It was only a twenty minute journey although it seemed to last forever. I was not crying. A strange numbness had come over me. I couldn't think or do or feel anything. There seemed to be a gap where my stomach was and my heart was beating so loudly the whole of Sawbridgeworth could probably hear. Finally we reached the hospital. Helen's mum put her arm around me and led me. Somehow she knew where to go. All my resentful thoughts about Lisa had melted. I felt empty, small and absolutely terrified. I found myself sitting in a green chair. It was a sick green, the green you always find in hospitals. I could see my dad looking grave, his arm around my mum, who was silently crying. Suddenly I noticed there was an arm around me, it was Adam's. I shook it off. A doctor stood by me; he held a glass of water and a small round white tablet. He was telling me to take it. â€Å"Where's Lisa?† I asked â€Å"They did all they could for her. She wanted to tell you something. She kept calling â€Å"Ali, Ali† all the time she was conscious. She said that she loved you. We think she was driving to see you. She was driving very fast, the roads are icy† He said He didn't need to tell me anymore. I knew. Lisa. Lisa was dead. Lisa was dead. It was my fault. I began to cry. â€Å"Ali, take the pill. You need it† It was Adam's voice. I could see Charlie and Amy sitting by him, looking concerned and upset. There was something odd about that, but I couldn't figure out what. I couldn't take the pill. They didn't understand. I had killed my sister. If I hadn't gone off she never would have driven to see me. They couldn't make me take drugs to numb the pain until there was none. â€Å"Alison, this is hard enough on your parents as it is, take it for them† coaxed the doctor I looked to my dad â€Å"Ali, this is hard on all of us, especially you, take the tablet, darling† he said in a hushed tone. Time passed in a blur. I had no idea if it was day or night, or how long I had stayed in my room. My mum kept bringing me those white pills. I was numb. I slept, cried, and just sat for hours, overwhelmed by shock, guilt and sheer emptiness. One morning my mum came in and asked me to come and see Lisa's room. I followed her and my dad. For no apparent reason I was now feeling scared. My mum opened the door. It felt as though it symbolised something but I didn't know what. I gasped. Lisa's room, usually strewn with clothes, makeup and everything else under the sun, was tidy. Moreover all her stuff had been removed and it had been redecorated. I couldn't take it. I broke down. Lisa was like my other half, I was incomplete without her. It was like being half dead. My dad looked at me; I could see it hurt him even to do that. Would it always be like this? Would I serve as a constant reminder of Lisa? â€Å"Ali,† a voice called. It was a familiar voice. It was Lisa. Was I dreaming? I closed my eyes and opened them again. I was lying in my bed. Lisa was shaking me. â€Å"Ali, you left the party. I didn't get a chance to tell you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I just looked at her, utterly bewildered. I reached out my hand and touched her. â€Å"You're alive, â€Å"I murmured. She looked a me briefly as though I was insane, then carried on, â€Å"Adam was waiting for you, and you didn't come. It was my fault things were going badly between you two, so I pretended to be you to make it all better. I was going to tell you, but I couldn't find you. I worked out what you saw, and I'm sorry.† â€Å"But Lisa, you're alive† I stammered. This time she looked at me even more quizzically, so I explained what had happened down to every last detail. â€Å"Ali,† said Angie gently, â€Å"it was a dream, it must have been. We're all fine, your mum and dad are out, and remember Charlie moved to Belgium in August.† I was totally dazed. I felt as if I had been asleep a few hundred years, instead of a few hours. â€Å"So Lisa isn't dead and she never went with Adam,† I said uncertainly. â€Å"I can't believe you even thought such a thing!† exclaimed Lisa. â€Å"Oh Ali, I'm so sorry† â€Å"Everyone's downstairs, I'll go down and explain. You come when you're ready.† said Angie. I couldn't restrain myself any longer. I whooped and threw my arms around Lisa, who looked shocked but pleased. My relief was so immense. I would never hate Lisa again. I was close on euphoric. I slipped my arm through Lisa's and we went downstairs. Amy and Miranda had made up some sandwiches, and after all that had happened I think we all needed them. I was still incredibly tired, but I felt the sudden urge to hug everyone. My emotions were running so high. When I hugged Adam he stroked my hair and whispered, â€Å"I'm sorry about everything that happened. I love you.† Before I knew it he was kissing me deeply. Charlie phoned to say â€Å"Happy new year.† Everyone looked so happy now. As Lisa said, â€Å"It's like a dream.† We all laughed. It felt so good. Relief.

Abigail Should Be Regarded as a Victims of the Puritan Society Essay

Whether in novels, movies or plays, the villains usually leave some negative impressions on the audience so that the villains basically become the most unpopular roles in the works. Because the audiences easily produce subjective consciousness following the villains’ performances in the stories, they are used to ignoring the factor that the villains also could be the victims at the same time. In the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is a controversial villain because she is both a typical instigator of the accusations and a victim of the Puritan society at the same time. Firstly, Abigail’s heartrending life experiences and the Puritan society environment which she lives in build her complex character. Secondly, in the affair between her and Proctor, Abigail not only loses love but also she is hated by her lover. First of all, the unpleasant past and the Puritan environment build Abigail’s complex character. To begin with, she is ruthles s because it can be shown from her attitude towards the other girlsof Salem. In order to prevent other girls from speaking out what they have done against the puritanical rules in the forest, she threatens these girls, â€Å"[†¦] I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish had never seen the sun go down!† (Miller 20) A normal girl should never say about that. It is so early for Abigail to experience such a cruel scene as a young child. Her parents’ death greatly affects her, as a result of which this event is likely to leave a wound on her heart. She also gradually becomes ruthless because of that. In addition, the children of Puritan society were never valued by their parents and their physical and psychological health would not be developed very well. Like her contemporaries, Abigail lacks care from her uncle in her childhood. She is adopted by her uncle Parris Williams who a priest in Salem. At the beginning of the play, the narrator said:â€Å"He was a widower with no interest in children, or talent with them. [†¦] like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything [†¦] (Miller 4). Parris never cares about Abigail’s growing up and only cares about his wealth and reputation in Salem. Without the correct guidance, Abigail has to face and solve every problem she may meet in her life by herself. Even though she uses some wrongful means to achieve her purpose, she never cares about whether they are correct or not, because nobody enlightens her how to face these  difficult situations. For example, when Parris asks her what they really have done in the forest, because she fears being punished, she instigates the other girls to cover up the truth, even accusing those innocent people when they are interrogated who are the devils’ servants. Moreover, the Puritanical rules restricts the entertainments of the children’s. This also evokes these girls’ï ¼Å' especially Abigail so that they want to seek some exciting activities somewhere.Therefore, the identity of being an orphan and her miserable childhood experiences cause the ruthless and dishonest character of Abigail, and make her become a victim of the Puritan society. Furthermore, Abigail is a victim in the love affair because she loses her reputation and gets nothing in the end. Firstly, Abigail loses her innocence in villager’s eyes of Salem. When her uncle Parris is talking about her name, Parris mentions Proctor’s wife Elizabeth and he said: â€Å"she comes so rarely to the church this year for she will not sit so close to something soiled. [†¦] that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has ever called for your service (Miller 12). This shows that Abigail has lost her reputation in Salem. Her affair with John Proctor is already known by many people and this event causes n obody would like to employ her. As an unmarried girl, innocence is very important, unlike Proctor who has married Elizabeth. In her future life, no one would like to marry such a soiled girl. At the end of the play, Abigail’s ending is tragic: â€Å"The legend has it that Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston† (Miller ECHOES DOWN THE COORIDOR). She has paid her reputation for love but she still loses Proctor’s love. When Danforth asks where he and Abigail’s affair happened, Proctor tells the truth: In the proper place –where my beasts are bedded. On the last night of my joy, some eight months past. [†¦] I beg you, sir, I beg you—see what she is. My wife, my dear good wife, took this girl soon after, sir, and put her out on the highroad. And being what she is, a lump of vanity [†¦] (Miller 110). John Proctor would rather sacrifice his reputation than harming those innocent people including his wife. He makes his mind up to save Elizabeth and expose the Abigail’s true face at the same time. This reveals Proctor’s emotions toward Abigail at this time. There is not any love is remained in his heart, only anger and hatred. Abigail is a loser in love: she loses Proctor. She is too young and impulsive so that she never considers the consequences when she falls in  love with Proctor who cannot bring her anything she wants. Thus, she gets nothing. All in all, although Abigail is a villain in this play, she is also a victim of Puritan society.