Legal Memorandum of the case of Griswold v. Connecticut

The appellants in this case are Griswold, the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and Buxton, the Medical Director of the Planned Parenthood League in New Haven.   They were charged of violating a Connecticut statute for giving information, instruction, and medical advice to married couple as means of preventing conception. Sec 53-32 of the Connecticut Statute states that : â€Å"Any person who uses any drug, medicinal article or instrument for the purpose of preventing conception shall be fined not less than fifty dollars or imprisoned not less than sixty days nor more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.†Ã‚   Section 54-196 provides that â€Å"Any person who assists, abets, counsels, causes, hires or commands another to commit any offense may be prosecuted and punished as if he were the principal offender.† The appellants were found guilty as accessories for violating the said statute and fined $100 each.   They filed their appeal and argued that the said statute violated the Fourteenth Amendment.   The Appellate Division of the Circuit Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court. Issue: Whether the Connecticut statute forbidding use of contraceptives violates the right of privacy which is protected by the Bill of Rights Decision: The Supreme Court ruled that the subject Connecticut statute forbidding the use of contraceptive violates the right to marital privacy.   It is unconstitutional. Analysis: This is not the first time the Connecticut statute has been the subject of a controversy.   In the earlier case of Tileston v. Ullman 318 U.S. 44 (1943) the Supreme Court did not have the opportunity to rule the constitutionality of the said statute.   In this case, a doctor challenged the statute on the grounds that a ban on contraception may in certain situations threaten the lives and well-being of her patients. He argued that the statute would prevent his giving professional advice concerning the use of contraceptives to three patients whose condition of health was such that their lives may be endangered by child-bearing.   The Supreme Court declined to rule on this issue but dismissed the case on the ground that the plaintiff lacked the standing to litigate the constitutional question This is the first time that the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the statute.   According to the Supreme Court, though the US Constitution and the Bill of rights does not explicitly mention some rights, such as right of the people to meet and associate, or the right of the parent to educate a child in a school of their choice, or the right to study any particular subject or foreign language, the First Amendment has been construed to provide protection to these rights. Among these cases are: the Pierce v. Society of Sisters which affirmed the right of the parents to send their children to any school of their choice under the First and Fourteenth Amendment; the Meyer v. Nebraska case which affirmed the right of the students to study German language in a private school; the NAACP v. Alabama which protected the freedom to associate and affirmed a person’s privacy in one’s own association. These cases strongly indicate that the Bill of Rights have penumbras which emanate from the specific provisions of the US Constitution and its amendments.   These extended guarantees give flesh and blood to the various protections under the US Constitution without which the guarantees under it will merely be a useless formality.   Indeed, the various guarantees create zones of privacy. The relationship between spouses and their choice to procreate lie within the zone of privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.   The statute should therefore be struck down as unconstitutional. It is a well-settled principle that though the state may control or prevent activities that are subject to its regulation, it cannot exercise its power so broadly as to invade the areas protected by the constitution. The objective of the statute is laudable but means for its accomplishment seriously violates the right to privacy of the married individuals.   The objective of the statute could be accomplished by other means such as regulating of the manufacture, sale of the contraceptives. If the Supreme Court were to uphold the constitutionality of this statute, it is as if we are tolerating the law enforcement officers to search the sacred precincts of the marital bedrooms simply for the purpose of finding out if they are indeed using contraceptives.. Conclusion: The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the trial court and the appellate court.   It also invalidated a Connecticut statute for invading the privacy of married couples.   Although the constitution does not explicitly mention the right to privacy of the citizens, this right is found in the penumbras of the other constitutional protections. This case is considered as a landmark decision in the sense that it established a basic sphere of personal privacy to which all people are entitled.   (Decision: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965))   It confirmed that marriage couples do have the right to privacy.   With this decision, our country took a giant leap forward finally recognizing the right of individuals to make their most private decision on planning their families, deciding the number and spacing of children.   (Elizabeth Borg, 2005) Further, this decision paved the way for another land mark decision which is the case of Roe v. Wade. (John W. Johnson, 2005) Bibliographies Borg, Elizabeth.  Ã‚   (2005) The Fight that Won Us the Right to Birth Control.   Star Tribune.   8 June 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2007 Decision: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) About.com.   Retrieved 11 September 2007 from:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://atheism.about.com/library/decisions/privacy/bldec_GriswoldConn.htm Johnson, John W.   (2005) Birth Control and the Constitutional Right to Privacy.   Retrieved 11 September 2007 from: http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/johgri.html Tileston v. Ullman 318 U.S. 44 (1943)      

Web Site Structure

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and compare three Web site structures from the student textbook â€Å"New Perspectives on the Internet† by Schneider and Evans. This student will identify the preferred structure and why; provide two Web site locations with URL addresses, and discuss advantages to Cascading Style Sheets in the creation of a web page. A hierarchical structure is where the â€Å"pages are linked going from the most general page down to more specific pages†¦In a hierarchical structure, users can easily move from general to specific and back again.† (Schneider/Evans. 2006. p. 65). A linear structure is where â€Å"each page is linked with the pages that follow and precede it in an ordered chain.† (Schneider/Evans. 2006. p. 64). Linear structure does allow for augmented pages â€Å"in which each page contains an additional link back to an opening page.† (Schneider/Evans. 2006. p. 65). The third type of structure is called Mixed structure where â€Å"the overall form is hierarchical, as users can move from a general introduction to individual†¦however, links also allow users to move through the site in a linear fashion. (Schneider/Evans. 2006. p. 66). A Mixed structure provides the up and down and side to side movement within a site. The preference of this student would be Mixed structure and Hierarchical structure as these two types of structures provide maximum movement throughout a Web site. Formatting links, home pages and paths are unique to each Website; but, however, are similar depending on structure. A web site that this student enjoys to peruse is the National Geographic Web site, with the URL located at http://www.nationalgeographic.com. This site appears to be styled in a hierarchical structure, as it allows general to specific inquiry. It also allows the movement of backward and forward. Another web site of interest to this student is Facebook, with the URL located at http://www.facebook.com. This web site is designed on the linear structure with augmentation. Facebook pages are linked with pages that â€Å"follow and precede it in an ordered chain.† (Schneider/Evans. 2006. p. 64) Because Facebook does support an augmented style, links to outside sources and other available pages are available to the user. This design, however, from the user opinion, is lacking in personality and compatibility with the user. The design appears to be generalized, and simplified, allowing for many users in many locations and of many cultures. It is, therefore, very generic. Both Web sites provide home page links; but, because of the differences in structure, movement within each web site page is different. After some research in Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), this student has discovered several advantages in creating web pages. âž ¢ Cascading Style Sheets are written outside of the HTML codes and are therefore easy to access, change and manipulate. âž ¢ Cascading Style Sheets provide the designer the ability to change one section within the one sheet and having all similar sheets change as well in numerous locations. In closing, Cascading Style Sheets are a must in the creation of a web site. They provide ease of movement; top to down, back and forward and specific movement side to side. This ability provides a user-friendly web site. Depending on the information provided by the Web site and the audience to which it is geared, determines how the structure of the web site is designed.

The biological theories, which may explain Schizophrenia Essay

The biological theories, which may explain Schizophrenia - Essay Example These concern genetics, neurochemistry, brain structure and evolution. Biological factors of Schizophrenia can be explained using studies on twins and studies on family history. With twin studies, researchers want to establish the degree of concordance. This is the likelihood that if one twin has the disorder, the other twin will also have it. Gottesman (2000) summarised 40 twin studies and found that the concordance rate for MZ twins was 48% and the concordance rate for DZ twins was about 17%. Concordance rates were also studied by Cardano et al. (2001) using the Maudsley twin registers. They found concordance rates to be 40% for MZ twins and 17% for DZ twins. Although this is strong evidence for biological factors in Schizophrenia, concordance rates are not 100% and therefore there must be some environmental input. Loehlin and Nichols (2002) argued that the reason for the higher concordance rates in MZ rather than DZ twins was due to MZ twins being treated more similarly so producing a greater environmental similarity. However, there are two arguments against this view. MZ twins may produce more similar treatment from their parents than do DZ twins (Lytton, 2000). This therefore suggests that the higher biological similarity of MZ twins may be the cause, rather than the effect, of their more similar parental treatment. In addition, the Schizophrenia concordance rates for MZ twins who are brought up apart are similar to those of MZ twins who are brought up together (Sheilds, 2003). So presumably the high concordance rates of MZ's brought up apart is not due to environmental similarity. However, it has been suggested that some of the twins who had been brought up separately in Sheilds study had not always spent their whole childhood apart and some were raised by relatives and even went to the same school (e.g. Kamin, 2001). Family studies also aid to explain how biological factors influence Schizophrenia. Gottesman (2000) found that if you have a sibling with the disorder you have an 8% chance of being Schizophrenic, if you have one parent with the disorder you have a 16% chance of being Schizophrenic and if you have two parents with the disorder you have a 46% chance of being Schizophrenic. These concordance rates should all be compared to the 1% chance that a person randomly selected from the population would be Schizophrenic. Gottesman and Bertelsen (2001) also reported some convincing findings on the importance of genetics. The found that participants had a 17% chance of being Schizophrenic if they had a parent who was an identical twin and who had Schizophrenia. This could be due to heredity or environment. They also found that participants had a 17% chance of being Schizophrenic if they had a parent who was an identical twin and did not have Schizophrenia, but whose identical twin did. This therefore shows that the most important factor is genetics. The evidence reported by Gottesman is criticised because although it indicates that Schizophrenia runs in families and that concordance rates are much higher between relatives who have higher biological similarity, it does not account for the fact that family members who are more biologically similar are likely to spend more time together. This means that environmental factors are also indicated in this

Advise UK Commodities Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Advise UK Commodities - Assignment Example One issue that arises under the incoterms is the CIF1. This term refers to the Cost Insurance Freight. In this case, the issue of CIF Southampton arises, and this involves the costs, and Insurance Freights of delivering the products to Southampton. In CIF, the seller insures the products during the course of transportation and delivery. FOB Southampton on the hand denotes that the buyer will have to bear all the risks, and costs associated with the transportation of the goods once the goods pass through the ships rail. In this case, UK commodities contracted Dutch grains, to supplier 45,000 bags of wheat, in March. The supplier had to ship them directly to Southampton, from Rotterdam. As shippers, the company arranged to transport the cargo and the goods were at the port by 25th of March. However, the ship delayed till the 2nd of April and despite this, the ship master issued the goods with a clean bill of lading without checking. The ship used another route that of Calais, instead o f that of Rotterdam. The result of this breach of the contractual agreement was that the price of wheat fell, and a large quantity of wheat under transit was damaged. Dutch Grains breached the contract in the following ways, 1. Did not transport the commodities at the required time. Section 29 of the 1979 sale of goods act outlines the rules concerning the delivery of a product or goods. Section 29 part 1 of the sale of goods act denotes that it is the stipulations of the contract to determine who will transport the goods to the buyer’s premises. Section 29, part 3 of the act denotes that the seller must send the goods to the buyer, at within the agreed time, and if the time period is not agreed, the seller must send the goods to the buyer within a reasonable time, and this time must depend on the matter of facts. Section 13 of the 1979 Sale of Goods act denotes that a buyer can refuse to accept the goods if they do not meet the description contained in the contractual agreem ent2, and this also includes the time when the goods are supposed to be delivered. In our case above, the carrier hired by Dutch grains did not transport the grains within a reasonable time, because they were to transport it on March, and they failed. They also used a longer route that contributed to the delay in delivery of the wheat. On this basis, they breached the provisions contained in section 29 parts 3 of the 1979 sale of goods act. Section 29 part 5 of the act denotes that if this is breached, the contract can be rendered void3, and thus the buyer can refuse to accept the goods. 2. Did not supply the goods in the right quality. Another breach by the carriers is that they supplied the wheat products when they were already damaged. Section 35 part 2 of the 1979 sales act denotes that a buyer who has never examined the goods under consideration has not accepted the goods until he has examined them in order to ascertain if the goods are in accordance to the agreements stipulate d in the contract. Subsection (b) of part 2 denotes that if the sale of the goods is by sample, the buyer must ascertain that quality of the goods under consideration, matches the quality of the sample. In our case above, a large proportion of the wheat were damaged4. On this basis, the buyer can reject the goods under consideration. This argument is reinforced by the provisions contained in Section 35A part 1(a) which denotes that the buyer has a right to reject goods brought to him by a seller, if he breaches the contractual agreement. Part (b) of the same section denotes that a buyer can reject some of the goods that have breached his contractual obligation with the seller. In our case abov

Business Plan for Longines Watches Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Plan for Longines Watches - Case Study Example It is proposed to start an excusive dealership of the world famous luxury brand of the company Longines in the city of New York. Longines is an internationally famous Swiss brand that has been in the business of manufacturing quality watches since the year 1832. The company is also well known as time-keepers in many international sporting events across the world. The dealership will be situated in the address given above and will be having an area of 2000 sq feet. The interiors will be according to the specifications given by the company and will be similar to other dealers across the world. The store will be temperature controlled with pleasant and well trained staff including a doorman. The venture will be in the form of a sole proprietorship. Advertising in the media will be the main strategy to be followed. Other marketing efforts will include appointment of marketing representatives and internet business. There are several aspects of the business that researcher presented in the case study that needs immediate attention. Firstly, financial planning and management and approaching banks for financial assistance for setting up business. Secondly, the researcher prepared the SWOT analysis for knowing areas of strengths and weaknesses and described the budgeting and financial forecasting for future years. Thirdly, the researcher demonstrated human resources management and personnel management in the case study and other areas which may be of concern for start up trading companies. ... Ten sales persons will be appointed to serve customers. They will be given proper training in technicalities and etiquette. Luxury watch brand market: The luxury branded watch market in the United Sates is dominated only by a few well known international companies. They include apart from Longines, Accutron, Bulova, Citizen, Colibri, ESQ, Movado, Pulsar and Seiko. All these brands, especially Citizen, Longines and Seiko are well known and need no introduction to the market. Growth Rate: It is estimated that the venture will have a growth rate of 10% per year. Outlook: Growing affluence and the need for exclusivity among customers are advantages in this type of industry. The outlook is that the venture will be able to maintain a growth rate of 10% for the next five years. Mission statement: To be the most preferred luxury watch outlet in the city of New York Uniqueness: The dealership of one of the most respected and oldest watch brands in the world. Being an exclusive outlet will allow us to give a better pricing to our customers when compared to sub-dealers of the same brand. Key factors: Quality and name of the brand, high quality customer service and after sales service. Market analysis: Our customers come from up-market backgrounds, occasional purchase by the middle income group, organizations who use our products as gifts. There is no special off season or lean season for this segment and business is expected to be steady throughout the year. It is expected that sales will be higher during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year. It is estimated that there will at least 500,000 potential customers in the city. Distributed among our competitors, we estimate that we have 75,000 potential

Business law case study Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business law case study - Coursework Example The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) was passed on May, 2005, and had to be executed by member countries into national law by June 12, 2007 and it was applicable by December 12, 2007. Nevertheless, some member countries – for example, the UK, Spain and Germany – were late in adapting this law. It is said that there are various forms of misleading information about advertising on the internet, but the main form is still associated with misleading pricing information. Clients have complained that some of the prices that firms put on their websites are not the actual prices they pay when they buy the product. Such a case was witnessed in Hillingdon Electricals Ltd (HEL) when they stated on their website that the price of iPads and Tablets were ?29 and ?19, respectively while the actual prices were ?290 and ?190 respectively. This matter brought up a lot of controversy to the organisation, where they ended up stating that it was due to human error. Some clients how visited the store demanded to be sold the gadgets on the prices advertised while others, who had bought the gadgets online went to the store to demand for refunds. This paper will discuss these issues and advice specific clients who were caught in this tussle on their next move. Scenario A – Tony and Ursula Under the Sale of Goods Act of 1979, there are a harsh set of regulations, which sellers and retailers are expected to abide by (Wallington, 2010). When someone purchases a good, it signifies that they have entered into an agreement or contract with the vendor of the good. Under the Sale of Goods Act also, goods should be described, fit the purpose and of satisfactory quality. Fitting the purposes signifies both their day to day use, as well as also any particular purpose, which the buyer agreed with the vendor (Kidner, 2012). For instance, a buyer might specifically request for a printer, which would be compatible with his/her computer. Products sold are also expected to fit nay sample they were show in-store or any explanation in the brochure. Also, the issue of pricing comes into play because there are cases where a client can buy a product online thinking that they paid the price stated on the website and that is not true (McCarthy, 2010). If you wish to claim for a refund under the Sale of Goods Act, then you have a couple possible ways of settling your issue, relying on the situation and what you wish to be done. The claimant’s rights are against the vendor – the organisation, which sold them the product – not the producer, and so they should make any claim not towards the manufacture, but against the retailer. Nevertheless, this act does not apply to products that a client has bought on hire purchase (HP). If someone buys a product, which turns out to be flawed, then they can opt to reject it. This means they can return it and get a full refund of their money (Slocombe, 2012). The word flawed was explained at the begin ning of this section, which also included pricing errors (Wallington, 2010). However, the law only grants you a logical period to do this – what is logical lays on the good and how clear the error is. But, even with complex items or considerable purchases, it is much safer to work with the basis that you normally have less than three to four weeks from the day you received the product to reject it (Kidner,

World War 2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

World War 2 - Research Paper Example The chaotic world was put to a halt after this incident. Although Germany was rapidly expanding during the onset of war, its expansion was abruptly put to a halt leading to its contraction. The work at hand specifically focuses on this point. In particular, this addresses about the German expansion into France and then how it was retaken by the Allied nations. German domination of the European continent was remarkable. It started in Poland, continued to Denmark and Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium and then down to France. Northern France then became under the German military rule. German expansion into France was realized after successfully engaged with the latter to take control of its northern part and Atlantic coastline (Perry et al. 231). This remarkably had increased the opportunity of Germany to rule over the European continent, minimizing the total control of the two of the nations in the Allied powers, Britain and France. Britain and France were originally allies, the two countries which declared policy of appeasement and switched to a policy of deterrence, which eventually ignited Adolf Hitler’s control over Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1939 (Epley and Rush 87). At the onset of the World War II when the atomic bomb in Japan exploded in Hiroshima, as an upshot of the US’s retaliation of the former after the bombing of the Pearl Harbour, the German rule subsided, paving the way for the Allied powers as spearheaded by the US to take control of the world. This resulted to strengthen once again the ties between Britain and France, allowing to loose German’s dominion in some part of Europe where there was strong link to the Allied powers. The Axis powers eventually diminish in some portion, and this remarkably implies putting the expansion of their powers to a halt, allowing the Allied to take over and gain a remarkable control of the entire world. Thus,

US National Security Policy Towards Pakistan During the Last Three Research Paper

US National Security Policy Towards Pakistan During the Last Three Administrations - Research Paper Example The various issues which the United States has to take into account while dealing with Pakistan include the role of Pakistan in the Afghanistan war, the nuclear weapons proliferation, the Kashmir issue, and India-Pakistan relations, economic development of Pakistan and ensuring human rights protection and stability of the democratic process in Pakistan. Since the very beginning of the relationships between the United States and Pakistan, immediately after Pakistan’s independence from British colonial rule, the United States has managed to exercise a great influence over Pakistan because the United States realizes very well the geostrategic importance of Pakistan. Whether it was the issue of the Soviet expansion in the world during the Cold War era, or the Soviet War in Afghanistan or the recent War against terrorism, Pakistan’s importance in the global scenario has always been at the crests. Moreover, due to the Soviet influence on India and the increasing power of Chin a, the United States want to have a good influence in the region and that is best served by influencing the Pakistani administration. The whole story of the relationship between the United States and Pakistan has been very complicated one. Though Pakistan’s first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan’s eagerness to visit the United States despite an invitation from the Soviet Union is widely seen as Pakistan’s inclination towards the United States from its very inception, however this is not true because of the fact that Pakistan’s foreign policy during the very beginning was of non-alignment. And this was not actually planned by the Pakistani administration of that time, rather they were forced to have a policy of non-alignment because of the inclination of both the British and the US governments towards the Indian administration under the Indian National Congress which was seen as a party which shared similar policies with the Labor Party in Britain and the Democrats in the United States.

The Order of Things by Gladwell Malcolm Assignment

The Order of Things by Gladwell Malcolm - Assignment Example At first, one thought that the article is directed to sports car buyers but only to find out later that the author used the topic on cars to get the attention of the readers. The article is not targeted at a particular audience; rather, it is directed to anyone who tends to believe rankings done by magazines or newspapers or other private groups. Maybe the aim of the author is to warn people that not all rankings are accurate; therefore, must be taken with a grain of salt. One would not like to read articles by this author because it seems that the author is making hasty generalizations. Furthermore, one does not approve of the way he presents his arguments because he jumps from one topic to another. This can be observed when first he talks about car rankings then proceeds to discuss rankings of universities then presented data on suicide rates in several countries. After a discussion of suicide rankings, he goes back to university rankings and then shifts to hospital rankings and back again to university rankings. There is a lack of coherence in the way the information is being offered to the readers.   One may still read articles of this type provided that it is clearly presented.                  One has not read articles which support the author’s arguments, neither has one read articles which are against his arguments.

Comparing coverage in two different Newspapers Essay Example for Free

Comparing coverage in two different Newspapers Essay The incident covered in the two articles I have studied was a train fire in the Austrian ski resort of Kaprun on Saturday 11th November 2000. The first article I looked at was in the tabloid paper the Sunday Express. The second article I looked at was in the broadsheet paper the Observer. The two articles were very similar but had some differences. Both the articles emphasised that British people were among those that had died. The Sunday Express said Britons among 170 victims and The Observer said Britons among 170 dead The Observer also stated that children died Children among victims. Although both articles covered the same subject and seemed to emphasise the greatness of the tragedy, they had different approaches, The Sunday Express article was sensationalist and over emotive inferno as it tore through carriages The Observers article was a calmer and more concise report and, within a few minutes, almost everyone on board was dead. The articles both contained similar factual information. In the Article in the Sunday Express, facts were intertwined with opinions and emotive language. engulfing tourists in temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Centigrade. The Observer had some emotive language but seemed to keep the facts separate which reached temperatures of more than 1,000 C The only discrepancy between the two articles was over the initial cause of the fire. The Sunday Express interviewed a cable car technical expert Klaus Einsenkolb. He said that either a short circuit in the batteries or the possibility that someone had started it with a naked flame was more likely, This was their only reference to the cause of the fire. The Observer had many different statements about the cause of the fire. Yesterdays fire is believed to have startedafter one of the cables that pull the train up the mountain snapped, apparently starting the blaze They also had a statement from the local company Gletscherbahn Kaprun who owned the train. Due to a fire in the tunnel there was a shorting in the electrical circuit, consequently causing the train to catch fire. They also interviewed Klaus Einsenkolb, but stated nothing about his opinions of what caused the fire as in The Sunday Express. Both articles used similar language, but The Sunday Express used more emotive variations of language to put across the same point. The Sunday Express said the harrowing task today of identifying 170 young skiers burned alive The Observer stuck to the facts, however, some sensationalist language was used. 170 people were killed yesterday when a fire engulfed an Austrian funicular train The Sunday Express sensationalised the incident by using words like inferno and disaster repeatedly throughout their report. This created a mood in the article, expressing how terrible this tragedy was. Despite The Observer being a broadsheet paper, their article also used this type of language, such as inferno and tragedy. I think this also was used to create the mood. The underlying feeling in The Observers report was that this incident could have been prevented or its consequences reduced, had their been adequate safety measures and better maintenance. Manfred Muller, security director for the railway, admitted that there had been no emergency fire fighting equipment in the tunnel, or on the train The journalists use of admitted in this sentence supports his views that safety precautions were inadequate. After reading this article the reader was left with the impression it was just a terrible accident. Yesterdays disaster was the second tragedy to hit Kitzsteinhorn this year. announced a criminal investigation into the tragedy. No blame seemed to be pointed at anyone in this article. The Sunday Express article contained many interviews and comments from people involved with the incident. Most of the people interviewed were officials linked with the accident, like Norbert Karlsboeck, the town mayor of Kaprun, and Franz Schausberger the Salzburg governor. Mr Karlsboeck said: I did not realise the full extent of the catastrophe Salzburg governor Franz Schausberger said: I have declared a day of mourning. We can presume that everyone still on board the train is dead. They were commenting on their feelings about the incident. Klaus Eisenkolb, a cable car technician who worked on the planning of the line was also interviewed and spoke of what he thought about the occurrence of this incident and what could have possibly caused it. One witness and one survivor were also quoted. The Observer had fewer people interviewed, but had interviews with relatives and witnesses. They also had a statement from the company who owned the train, Gletscherbahn Kaprun, who commented on their feelings about this incident. In a statement, the company said: We and the whole town of Kaprun are in mourning. An unidentified man whose son had gone skiing that day, and a deacon were also interviewed. This gave the article a more personal feel, as the reader felt that they could relate to the people whos lives had been affected by this and so understand the tragedy better. The layout of these reports was very different. Article I had a large bold headline on the front cover saying INFERNO in capital letters, to draw peoples attention. There was also a large illustration of one of the survivors with a caption. There was then a double page spread. On the first side of the double spread was a pull quote in large bold letters Theres no hope left, the fumes were just terrible next to another illustration of a survivor with a caption. This would also get peoples attention; the reader may look at the pictures and then want to read on. Under the title was a diagram of the mountainside with text pointing out where the events took place. This was quite easy to understand and gave the basic information. Inside that diagram was another diagram showing where Kaprun was in context to Austria and then to the rest of Europe. The text was in columns around these illustrations. The double page was split into three blocks of text, an individual report started on the second page written by Greg Swift, a continuance of the first article by David Dillon, and then an additional report: Rising tide of Alpine tragedies. The Observer had a medium sized headline Inferno in the Alps in bold letters. Underneath was a large illustration of a survivor (the same as in article 1) with a caption. The article was started with two large bullet points, which would grab the readers attention. There was then a tiny diagram of where in Austria the incident took place, and where it was in relation to Europe. The article was again written in columns. It then too went to a double page. The headline on this double page A couple of breaths and they were lost was also a pull quote, keeping the readers attention. There was a block of pictures with quotes in the top centre of the pages showing the rescue team, survivors and their families, and the train. This was really effective. The block of pictures would really attract the readers attention, urging them to read the article. There was a large diagram showing a picture of the mountainside and where the tunnel was, and then a diagram of the actual train, showing in steps what happened and when. This diagram was very clear, showing exactly what happened in an easily understandable way. The double page was again split into sections of text. There was the main report by Denis Staunton, and then two smaller reports. One was by Jason Burke telling how former British Olympic skier Martin Bell feared that some of his friends could have been on the train. This linked the incident back to this country and how it affected people here. The other was by Anthony Browne, talking of worries over how many recent tragic accidents have occurred in the Alps. I think that the article that explained what happened and suggested the full horror of this incident more effectively was the article from The Observer. I felt that the way in which it was written managed to create a balance between putting across the facts but still expressing the horror of the tragedy. I think because the facts were not clouded with opinions, they were easier to understand. I thought that the double page spread was particularly effective. The pictures were clearer and attracted the readers attention. The diagram on the double page was very clear and easy to understand. It showed exactly what happened in stages, with information about the mountain and the tunnel. I also thought that the headline Inferno in the Alps on the front page was really effective. It gave enough information for you to know what had happened but was short enough for the reader to read at a glance. I felt that The Sunday Express article was more difficult to understand as there were fewer facts and the writing was very opinionated. Also because there were fewer interviews with people who were directly affected by the incident, such as survivors, and relatives of victims, it wasnt as easy to relate to that article. There was less text in general, as much of the space was taken up by large illustrations and headlines. Although the articles seemed to be similar they had differences which although may not be drastically apparent I felt they made a big difference to the effectiveness and success of the articles.

Selective Toxicity Of Anti Cancer Agents Biology Essay

Selective Toxicity Of Anti Cancer Agents Biology Essay Cancer is known to be caused by a large group of various diseases, all involved in cellular malfunction. It dates back to about 1600 BC when it was first found in an Egyptian papyrus (Wu et al, 2006) and thought to be incurable till surgery and radiation became the means of treatment in the mid-1900s. After many years it was realised that using either or combination of treatment, metastatic cancer could not be controlled and in order to gain therapeutic effect, the therapy had to reach every organ of the body. Research in drug discovery and development now focuses on using chemotherapy especially those that are selectively toxic e.g. antimetabolites (Thurston, 2007). It is not fully understood why they are selectively toxic but they are more effective on tumour cells because they are able to divide faster that healthy cells. Selective toxicity was defined as materials that are able to damage some types of cells and not the others (Albert, 1951). Even though mortality rate has not imp roved much, characteristics and pathways of cells in different tumours have been identified so as to develop therapies for specific tumour. The therapies developed either target protein that cause or are involved in development of tumour directly or by targeting drugs to the tumour. Examples of new drugs that have resulted from advances in drug discovery are (Narang Desai, 2009) : Imatinib (Gleevec) inhibits binding of protein (BCR-ABL) which is found in CML tumour cells. Gefitinib (Iressa1) inhibits epidermal growth factor receptorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s. It is used to treat lung cancer. Trastuzumab (Herceptin1) is another monoclonal antibody that binds the cell surface HER2/neu (erbB2) receptor and is used in treating erbB2+ breast cancer. This report will focus on principles and challenges of selective toxicity of chemotherapy, how they work, the limitations of the current chemotherapy and ways to improve drugs. MECHANISM OF ACTION Chemotherapy drugs are able to move throughout the body to get to where they are intended by entering the bloodstream through an injection, a drip which are usually through a vein or as capsules and tablets. For chemotherapy to work it is important to understand cell cycle, this is because chemotherapy drugs work mainly on actively reproducing cells in the body where some drugs attack particular phases of the cell cycle like the S phase. In cancerous cells, the checkpoints are damaged causing the cancer cells to continue to grow out of control. Chemotherapy works by damaging the genes present inside the nucleus of cells. Some drugs work by damaging cells when they are beginning to divide or while copies are being made. Chemotherapy drugs cause the cancerous cells to think that their lifespan has finished which leads to apoptosis. There are different classes of selective toxicity drugs which have different methods for killing cancerous cells, some of which are below(ACS, 2013): Alkylating agents (e.g. busulfan) are selectively toxic to DNA, where they damage DNA so as to prevent cancer cells from reproducing. Active in all the phases of cell cycle and are used to treat a wide variety of cancer like leukaemia Antimetabolites(5-fluorouracil), these agents alter DNA and RNA growth by replacing building blocks normally present in DNA and RNA. They work in the S phase and are used to treat breast cancer. Anti-tumour antibiotics/Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin) are also important as they affect the enzymes that contribute to DNA replication. Other cancer drugs- these are not classified as chemotherapy drugs and they are still new. There are different types, the active and passive where active stimulates the immune system to attack the disease and passive(monoclonal antibody, e.g. Rituximab which binds to particular substances) uses antibodies that were made synthetically. In 2010, the first vaccine for cancer called the Provenge for prostate cancer was approved by the FDA (ACS, 2013). Below Figure 1 shows the new selectively toxic agents that target specific sites and how they influence those sites. Figure : Shows new group of anti-cancer agents designed to target specific protein that contributes to growth of tumour (Wu et al, 2006). PRINCIPLES Chemotherapy drugs that are selectively toxic have been the first choice of treatment for many cancers and there are over 100 drugs in the market today (ACS, 2013) used alone or with other treatments. It is also important to understand how these drugs work so doctors (oncologists) can predict which drugs can be combined with them and how often each drug can be administered to patients. There are three key goals of these chemotherapy treatment (ACS, 2013): The most important goal of chemotherapy is to cure cancer where the cancer/tumour is cleared from the system. There are no guarantees with this treatment as it might even take years for a patient to be cured of cancer. In a situation where cure is not possible it is important to control the disease by shrinking cancer or stopping it from growing or spreading. This is also important as it gives the possibility of a longer life because it is controlled like a disease that is chronic like diabetes. Last is palliation, which is important when cancer is at an advanced stage. Chemotherapy drugs in this case can be used to relieve symptoms or improve the patients quality of life. LIMITATIONS Normal cells that divide rapidly are damaged by these chemotherapeutic agents because they cannot differentiate between cell reproducing normal tissues and cancer cells as they are not highly selective therefore causing the following side effects (Salmon Sartorelli, 1998). Bone marrow suppression because the bone marrow cells normally divide quickly Alopecia because hair follicle cells are able to divide frequently as well GI disturbances (Nausea and Vomiting) due to mucosal cells dividing rapidly Some of these agents cause serious side effects which may lead to permanent damage to a vital organ (liver, lungs) in the body, cause infertility, heart problems or disrupt the central nervous system by causing damage. Another big problem is the development of resistance of chemotherapy drugs to treating different tumours which can occur before treatment with drug or over time after treatment. In some cases continuous/prolonged exposure to one chemotherapy drug can cause resistance to other compounds with similar structures (Akhdar, 2012). Resistance can also develop if the drug concentration in the patient is reduced due to diminished cellular diffusion or increased drug efflux. Chemotherapy treatment is also expensive and might take a couple of years before the disease is eradicated. In some cases the treatment does not work or may not destroy the cancer completely. Lastly, it makes the immune system very weak. Ways to Improve Drug A way of improving drug or avoiding resistance is using a combination of variety of cytotoxic agents as it allows prompt attack of different biological targets therefore increasing the effect of the treatment (Thurston, 2007) or with other agents that act as sensitizers to these cytotoxic agents (Narang Desai, 2009). Another way is developing new formulations that can prevent the severe side effects associated with a particular drug e.g. Doxorubicin caused cardiotoxicity but with new formulations like the liposomal formulation there are decreased side effects that are manageable and due to the selectivity of the new drug it works better than the conventional anthracycline. The use of adjuvants can minimize toxicity of anticancer drugs, therefore reducing the side effects of some of the drugs. A better diet is also advised, especially with avoiding food that cause inactivation of the drugs. Vitamin C found in citrus fruits like oranges have been found to influence anticancer drugs and reduce toxicity to the body (Salmon Sartorelli, 1998). Conclusion It can be concluded that there are three important factors to consider in selective toxicity of a drug, they are the tumour, drug and most especially the host. There have been a lot of improvement with using chemotherapy to manage cancer even though they cause severe side effects and resistance. Other challenges faced are the cost, time involved and the high mortality rate. This has brought about increase in effort of scientists to search for ways for the body to fight cancer tissue and find better cytotoxic agents to fight cancer cells.

Role of the States In Health Care Policy Essay -- States Role in Heal

The government’s responsibilities concerning health care has grown over the last 100 years. After the Great Depression, Social Security was formed; and in the 1960s, Medicare and Medicaid were enacted. Federal responsibilities grew until the â€Å"New Federalism† of the 1990s increased reliance on the states for health care (Longest, 2010, pp. 30-33). Smaller, more local government can represent its citizen’s values better, and it knows the nature of its citizens’ problems. The New Federalism did not significantly change health policy; it gave the states more authority in setting policy and more flexibility in administering programs (Longest, 2010, pp. 30-33). States and localities became the primary authorities in regard to health and welfare benefits. While the states welcome the increase in policy flexibility, the rising costs of healthcare and welfare put constraints on state budgets. As a result, states and localities are being forced to become more creative. Although Medicaid continues to place an enormous fiscal burden on states, programs like Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have proven to be successful in terms of appropriately expanding benefits while reducing caseloads (Longest, 2010, pp. 30-33). States continue to serve as the primary distributors of social service benefits, but decreasing federal support, uncertain state economies, and the increasing need to provide long-term care to healthcare recipients are placing overwhelming burdens on states to maintain and expand existing programs. The role of the states in protecting and promoting the health of the population is broad and complex, but can be described within six broad functions: (1) guardians of the public’s health, (2) purchasers of healthcare servi... ...s that relies on data from assessment and monitoring activities, surveys and reporting systems, and projection techniques. Then, this data must be transformed into meaningful information to support effective policy decisions (Longest, 2010, pp. 29-57). Health policies should bridge the gaps between the current situation and desired outcomes without the financial influence of lobbyists. References Indiana State Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2011, from http://www.in.gov/isdh/ Longest, B. B., Jr. (2010). The context and process of health policymaking. In T. D. McBride (Ed.), Health policy making in the United States (5th ed., pp. 30-33). Chicago, IL: Health Adminstration Press. Maurer, F., & Smith, C. (2005). Community/public health nursing practice: Health for families and populations (3rd ed.). Retrieved from http://books.google.com

Geothermal Energy: A Clean and Renewable Energy :: Alternative Energy Sources

What is Geothermal Energy? The term geothermal comes from the Greek geo meaning earth and therine meaning heat thus geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The heat that flows from the Earth's hot interior due to crustal plate movements, zones of high heat flow, may be located close to the surface where convective circulation plays a signifcant role in bringing the heat close to the surface (World Bank Group, 2012). The Earth's crust, on which we live and depend, is in large part the product of millions of once-active volcanoes and tremendous volumes of magma that did not erupt but instead cooled below the surface. Such persistent and widespread volcanism has resulted in many valuable natural resources throughout the world. ... Groundwater heated by large, still-hot magma bodies can be tapped for geothermal energy. -- Excerpt from: Brantley, 2014, Volcanoes of the United States, USGS General Interest Publication Deep circulation of groundwater along fracture zones will bring heat to shallower levels, collecting the heat flow from a broad area and concentrating it into shallow reservoirs or discharging as hot springs. These reservoirs may contain hot water and/or stream. By drilling into these reservoirs, the hot water and/or steam is piped to the surface where it is used for direct use applications, or the high pressure steam is separated to drive turbines for power generation. The low energy waste water form such power generaiton is then usually re-injected back into the reservoir, or further utilised for direct heat applications. This technology enables it to be utilised to generate electricity and provide domestic and industrial heat. Geothermal energy has proven to be reliable, economic, environmentally friendly and renewable (World Bank Group, 2012). In general there are two main categories, (1) the high temperature resources and (2) the moderate/low temperature resources. The high temperature geothermal resources - 220 degrees Celsius and up - are predominantly found in volcanic regions and island chains. The moderate to low temperature resources are found on all continents. The high temperature are almost always used for power production while most of the low temperature resources are used for direct heating purposes or agriculture and aquaculture. How does Harnessing Geothermal Energy Work? Deep wells, a mile or more deep, can tap reservoirs of steam or very hot water that can be used to drive turbines which power electricity generators. There are 3 types of geothermal power plants in use today, and they are: Geothermal Energy: A Clean and Renewable Energy :: Alternative Energy Sources What is Geothermal Energy? The term geothermal comes from the Greek geo meaning earth and therine meaning heat thus geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The heat that flows from the Earth's hot interior due to crustal plate movements, zones of high heat flow, may be located close to the surface where convective circulation plays a signifcant role in bringing the heat close to the surface (World Bank Group, 2012). The Earth's crust, on which we live and depend, is in large part the product of millions of once-active volcanoes and tremendous volumes of magma that did not erupt but instead cooled below the surface. Such persistent and widespread volcanism has resulted in many valuable natural resources throughout the world. ... Groundwater heated by large, still-hot magma bodies can be tapped for geothermal energy. -- Excerpt from: Brantley, 2014, Volcanoes of the United States, USGS General Interest Publication Deep circulation of groundwater along fracture zones will bring heat to shallower levels, collecting the heat flow from a broad area and concentrating it into shallow reservoirs or discharging as hot springs. These reservoirs may contain hot water and/or stream. By drilling into these reservoirs, the hot water and/or steam is piped to the surface where it is used for direct use applications, or the high pressure steam is separated to drive turbines for power generation. The low energy waste water form such power generaiton is then usually re-injected back into the reservoir, or further utilised for direct heat applications. This technology enables it to be utilised to generate electricity and provide domestic and industrial heat. Geothermal energy has proven to be reliable, economic, environmentally friendly and renewable (World Bank Group, 2012). In general there are two main categories, (1) the high temperature resources and (2) the moderate/low temperature resources. The high temperature geothermal resources - 220 degrees Celsius and up - are predominantly found in volcanic regions and island chains. The moderate to low temperature resources are found on all continents. The high temperature are almost always used for power production while most of the low temperature resources are used for direct heating purposes or agriculture and aquaculture. How does Harnessing Geothermal Energy Work? Deep wells, a mile or more deep, can tap reservoirs of steam or very hot water that can be used to drive turbines which power electricity generators. There are 3 types of geothermal power plants in use today, and they are:

The Radio Makes My Ears Bleed :: essays research papers fc

The Radio Makes My Ears Bleed There is a major problem these days in entertainment, and that is there is such a lack of diversity in the music industry. Because of this problem, fewer bands will have the opportunity to go big, or get signed to a major record label. Small, local bands will never be able to get the popularity they deserve because every band is compared to one another. The same bands are played on the radio all the time, and instead of playing a variety bands, the same songs are looped and played all day long. This creates a problem because people, who think its only cool to listen to the radio, only experience the same pop music from bands signed to major labels. As a result of this, all the money stays in the corporate, record labels. I believe the main reasons are that people don't like change. It should be easier for listeners to access music of different genres. Radio stations are a major contributor to the problem of this lack of variety. They are afraid that if they play music other than what is pop, they will lose money and listeners, but in fact I believe that their listeners will grow if they expand their genres. There are several large, corporate record labels that basically empower all of the radio airwaves and MTV. I think that bands are afraid to try new styles also because once they get signed; they are controlled by their label and are influence by all the money that is tossed around. I think that some ways to fix all of these problems start with radio stations. There needs to be a station that can be accessed from all over that plays music from independent labels. I think that MTV needs to be taken off the air because the shows that it plays are all reality TV, and it no longer stands for what it was created to do, play music videos. Finally I think that another way to get independent music spread around is that have more tours like Warped Tour. I think there need to multi-stage, multi-band concerts that travel the United States. Clear Channel for example, is a company that owns of 1,200 radio stations, 37 T.V. stations, and 240 more investments in radio stations throughout the whole world. This is a great example of how all radio is the same, and controlled by a large company. They are in 248 of the top 250 radio markets, and control over half of all rock music stations. When one company owns more than half of our radio stations, you can understand why

Second Foundation 8. Seldon’s Plan

MATHEMATICS The synthesis of the calculus of n-variables and of n-dimensional geometry is the basis of what Seldon once called â€Å"my little algebra of humanity†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Encyclopedia Galactica Consider a room! The location of the room is not in question at the moment. It is merely sufficient to say that in that room, more than anywhere, the Second Foundation existed. It was a room which, through the centuries, had been the abode of pure science – yet it had none of the gadgets with which, through millennia of association, science has come to be considered equivalent. It was a science, instead, which dealt with mathematical concepts only, in a manner similar to the speculation of ancient, ancient races in the primitive, prehistoric days before technology had come to be; before Man had spread beyond a single, now-unknown world. For one thing, there was in that room – protected by a mental science as yet unassailable by the combined physical might of the rest of the Galaxy – the Prime Radiant, which held in its vitals the Seldon Plan – complete. For another, there was a man, too, in that room – The First Speaker. He was the twelfth in the line of chief guardians of the Plan, and his title bore no deeper significance than the fact that at the gatherings of the leaders of the Second Foundation, he spoke first. His predecessor had beaten the Mule, but the wreckage of that gigantic struggle still littered the path of the Plan- For twenty-five years, he, and his administration, had been trying to force a Galaxy of stubborn and stupid human beings back to the path-It was a terrible task. The First Speaker looked up at the opening door. Even while, in the loneliness of the room, he considered his quarter century of effort, which now so slowly and inevitably approached its climax; even while he had been so engaged, his mind had been considering the newcomer with a gentle expectation. A youth, a student, one of those who might take over, eventually. The young man stood uncertainly at the door, so that the First Speaker had to walk to him and lead him in, with a friendly hand upon the shoulder. The Student smiled shyly, and the First Speaker responded by saying, â€Å"First, I must tell you why you are here.† They faced each other now, across the desk. Neither was speaking in any way that could be recognized as such by any man in the Galaxy who was not himself a member of the Second Foundation. Speech, originally, was the device whereby Man learned, imperfectly, to transmit the thoughts and emotions of his mind. By setting up arbitrary sounds and combinations of sounds to represent certain mental nuances, be developed a method of communication – but one which in its clumsiness and thick-thumbed inadequacy degenerated all the delicacy of the mind into gross and guttural signaling. Down – down – the results can be followed; and all the suffering that humanity ever knew can be traced to the one fact that no man in the history of the Galaxy, until Hari Seldon, and very few men thereafter, could really understand one another. Every human being lived behind an impenetrable wall of choking mist within which no other but he existed. Occasionally there were the dim signals from deep within the cavern in which another man was located-so that each might grope toward the other. Yet because they did not know one another, and could not understand one another, and dared not trust one another, and felt from infancy the terrors and insecurity of that ultimate isolation – there was the hunted fear of man for man, the savage rapacity of man toward man. Feet, for tens of thousands of years, had clogged and shuffled in the mud – and held down the minds which, for an equal time, had been fit for the companionship of the stars. Grimly, Man had instinctively sought to circumvent the prison bars of ordinary speech. Semantics, symbolic logic, psychoanalysis – they had all been devices whereby speech could either be refined or by-passed. Psychohistory had been the development of mental science, the final mathematicization thereof, rather, which had finally succeeded. Through the development of the mathematics necessary to understand the facts of neural physiology and the electrochemistry of the nervous system, which themselves had to be, had to be, traced down to nuclear forces, it first became possible to truly develop psychology. And through the generalization of psychological knowledge from the individual to the group, sociology was also mathematicized. The larger groups; the billions that occupied planets; the trillions that occupied Sectors; the quadrillions that occupied the whole Galaxy, became, not simply human beings, but gigantic forces amenable to statistical treatment – so that to Hari Seldon, the future became clear and inevitable, and the Plan could be set up. The same basic developments of mental science that had brought about the development of the Seldon Plan, thus made it also unnecessary for the First Speaker to use words in addressing the Student. Every reaction to a stimulus, however slight, was completely indicative of all the trifling changes, of all the flickering currents that went on in another's mind. The First Speaker could not sense the emotional content of the Student's instinctively, as the Mule would have been able to do – since the Mule was a mutant with powers not ever likely to become completely comprehensible to any ordinary man, even a Second Foundationer – rather he deduced them, as the result of intensive training. Since, however, it is inherently impossible in a society based on speech to indicate truly the method of communication of Second Foundationers among themselves, the whole matter will be hereafter ignored. The First Speaker will be represented as speaking in ordinary fashion, and if the translation is not always entirely valid, it is at least the best that can be done under the circumstances. It will be pretended therefore, that the First Speaker did actually say, â€Å"First, I must tell you why you are here,† instead of smiling just so and lifting a finger exactly thus. The First Speaker said, â€Å"You have studied mental science hard and well for most of your life. You have absorbed all your teachers could give you. It is time for you and a few others like yourself to begin your apprenticeship for Speakerhood.† Agitation from the other side of the desk. â€Å"No – now you must take this phlegmatically. You had hoped you would qualify. You had feared you would not. Actually, both hope and fear are weaknesses. You knew you would qualify and you hesitate to admit the fact because such knowledge might stamp you as cocksure and therefore unfit. Nonsense! The most hopelessly stupid man is he who is not aware that he is wise. It is part of your qualification that you knew you would qualify.† Relaxation on the other side of the desk. â€Å"Exactly. Now you feel better and your guard is down. You are fitter to concentrate and fitter to understand. Remember, to be truly effective, it is not necessary to hold the mind under a tight, controlling barrier which to the intelligent probe is as informative as a naked mentality. Rather, one should cultivate an innocence, an awareness of self, and an unself-consciousness of self which leaves one nothing to hide. My mind is open to you. Let this be so for both of us.† He went on. â€Å"It is not an easy thing to be a Speaker. It is not an easy thing to be a Psychohistorian in the first place; and not even the best Psychohistorian need necessarily qualify to be a Speaker. There is a distinction here. A Speaker must not only be aware of the mathematical intricacies of the Seldon Plan; he must have a sympathy for it and for its ends. He must love the Plan; to him it must be life and breath. More than that it must even be as a living friend. â€Å"Do you know what this is?† The First Speaker's hand hovered gently over the black, shining cube in the middle of the desk. It was featureless. â€Å"No, Speaker, I do not.† â€Å"You have heard of the Prime Radiant?† â€Å"This?† – Astonishment. â€Å"You expected something more noble and awe-inspiring? Well, that is natural. It was created in the days of the Empire, by men of Seldon's time. For nearly four hundred years, it has served our needs perfectly, without requiring repairs or adjustment. And fortunately so, since none of the Second Foundation is qualified to handle it in any technical fashion.† He smiled gently. â€Å"Those of the First Foundation might be able to duplicate this, but they must never know, of course.† He depressed a lever on his side of the desk and the room was in darkness. But only for a moment, since with a gradually livening flush, the two long walls of the room glowed to life. First, a pearly white, unrelieved, then a trace of faint darkness here and there, and finally, the fine neatly printed equations in black, with an occasional red hairline that wavered through the darker forest like a staggering rillet. â€Å"Come, my boy, step here before the wall. You will not cast a shadow. This light does not radiate from the Radiant in an ordinary manner. To tell you the truth, I do not know even faintly by what medium this effect is produced, but you will not cast a shadow. I know that.† They stood together in the light. Each wall was thirty feet long, and ten high. The writing was small and covered every inch. â€Å"This is not the whole Plan,† said the First Speaker. â€Å"To get it all upon both walls, the individual equations would have to be reduced to microscopic size – but that is not necessary. What you now see represents the main portions of the Plan till now. You have learned about this, have you not?† â€Å"Yes, Speaker, I have.† â€Å"Do you recognize any portion.† A slow silence. The student pointed a finger and as he did so, the line of equations marched down the wall, until the single series of functions he had thought of – one could scarcely consider the quick, generalized gesture of the finger to have been sufficiently precise – was at eye-level. The First Speaker laughed softly, â€Å"You will find the Prime Radiant to be attuned to your mind. You may expect more surprises from the little gadget. What were you about to say about the equation you have chosen?† â€Å"It,† faltered the Student, â€Å"is a Rigellian integral, using a planetary distribution of a bias indicating the presence of two chief economic classes on the planet, or maybe a Sector, plus an unstable emotional pattern.† â€Å"And what does it signify?† â€Å"It represents the limit of tension, since we have here† – he pointed, and again the equations veered – â€Å"a converging series.† â€Å"Good,† said the First Speaker. â€Å"And tell me, what do you think of all this. A finished work of art, is it not?† â€Å"Definitely!† â€Å"Wrong! It is not.† This, with sharpness. â€Å"It is the first lesson you must unlearn. The Seldon Plan is neither complete nor correct. Instead, it is merely the best that could be done at the time. Over a dozen generations of men have pored over these equations, worked at them, taken them apart to the last decimal place, and put them together again. They've done more than that. They've watched nearly four hundred years pass and against the predictions and equations, they've checked reality, and they have learned. â€Å"They have learned more than Seldon ever knew, and if with the accumulated knowledge of the centuries we could repeat Seldon's work, we could do a better job. Is that perfectly clear to you?† The Student appeared a little shocked. â€Å"Before you obtain your Speakerhood,† continued the First Speaker, â€Å"you yourself will have to make an original contribution to the Plan. It is not such great blasphemy. Every red mark you see on the wall is the contribution of a man among us who lived since Seldon. Why†¦ why-† He looked upward, â€Å"There!† The whole wall seemed to whirl down upon him. â€Å"This,† he said, â€Å"is mine.† A fine red line encircled two forking arrows and included six square feet of deductions along each path. Between the two were a series of equations in red. â€Å"It does not,† said the Speaker, â€Å"seem to be much. It is at a point in the Plan which we will not reach yet for a time as long as that which has already passed. It is at the period of coalescence, when the Second Empire that is to be is in the grip of rival personalities who will threaten to pull it apart if the fight is too even, or clamp it into rigidity, if the fight is too uneven. Both possibilities are considered here, followed, and the method of avoiding either indicated. â€Å"Yet it is all a matter of probabilities and a third course can exist. It is one of comparatively low likelihood – twelve point six four percent, to be exact – but even smaller chances have already come to pass and the Plan is only forty percent complete. This third probability consists of a possible compromise between two or more of the conflicting personalities being considered. This, I showed, would first freeze the Second Empire into an unprofitable mold, and then, eventually, inflict more damage through civil wars than would have taken place had a compromise never been made in the first place. Fortunately, that could be prevented, too. And that was my contribution.† â€Å"If I may interrupt, Speaker- How is a change made?† â€Å"Through the agency of the Radiant. You will find in your own case, for instance, that your mathematics will be checked rigorously by five different boards; and that you will be required to defend it against a concerted and merciless attack. Two years will then pass, and your development will be reviewed again. It has happened more than once that a seemingly perfect piece of work has uncovered its fallacies only after an induction period of months or years. Sometimes, the contributor himself discovers the flaw. â€Å"If, after two years, another examination, not less detailed than the first, still passes it, and – better still – if in the interim the young scientist has brought to light additional details, subsidiary evidence, the contribution will be added to the Plan. It was the climax of my career; it will be the climax of yours. â€Å"The Prime Radiant can be adjusted to your mind, and all corrections and additions can be made through mental rapport. There will be nothing to indicate that the correction or addition is yours. In all the history of the Plan there has been no personalization. It is rather a creation of all of us together. Do you understand?† â€Å"Yes, Speaker!† â€Å"Then, enough of that.† A stride to the Prime Radiant, and the walls were blank again save for the ordinary room-lighting region along the upper borders. â€Å"Sit down here at my desk, and let me talk to you. It is enough for a Psychohistorian, as such, to know his Biostatistics and his Neurochemical Electromathematics. Some know nothing else and are fit only to be statistical technicians. But a Speaker must be able to discuss the Plan without mathematics. If not the Plan itself, at least its philosophy and its aims. â€Å"First of all, what is the aim of the Plan? Please tell me in your own words – and don't grope for fine sentiment. You won't be judged on polish and suavity, I assure you.† It was the Student's first chance at more than a bisyllable, and he hesitated before plunging into the expectant space cleared away for him. He said, diffidently: â€Å"As a result of what I have learned, I believe that it is the intention of the Plan to establish a human civilization based on an orientation entirely different from anything that ever before existed. An orientation which, according to the findings of Psychohistory, could never spontaneously come into being-â€Å" â€Å"Stop!† The First Speaker was insistent. ‘You must not say ‘never.' That is a lazy slurring over of the facts. Actually, Psychohistory predicts only probabilities. A particular event may be infinitesimally probable, but the probability is always greater than zero.† â€Å"Yes, Speaker. The orientation desired, if I may correct myself, then, is well known to possess no significant probability of spontaneously coming to pass.† â€Å"Better. What is the orientation?† â€Å"It is that of a civilization based on mental science. In all the known history of Mankind, advances have been made primarily in physical technology; in the capacity of handling the inanimate world about Man. Control of self and society has been left to chance or to the vague gropings of intuitive ethical systems based on inspiration and emotion. As a result, no culture of greater stability than about fifty-five percent has ever existed, and these only as the result of great human misery.† â€Å"And why is the orientation we speak of a nonspontaneous one?† â€Å"Because a large minority of human beings are mentally equipped to take part in the advance of physical science, and all receive the crude and visible benefits thereof. Only an insignificant minority, however, are inherently able to lead Man through the greater involvements of Mental Science; and the benefits derived therefrom, while longer lasting, are more subtle and less apparent. Furthermore, since such an orientation would lead to the development of a benevolent dictatorship of the mentally best – virtually a higher subdivision of Man – it would be resented and could not be stable without the application of a force which would depress the rest of Mankind to brute level. Such a development is repugnant to us and must be avoided.† â€Å"What, then, is the solution?† â€Å"The solution is the Seldon Plan. Conditions have been so arranged and so maintained that in a millennium from its beginnings – six hundred years from now, a Second Galactic Empire will have been established in which Mankind will be ready for the leadership of Mental Science. In that same interval, the Second Foundation in its development, will have brought forth a group of Psychologists ready to assume leadership. Or, as I have myself often thought, the First Foundation supplies the physical framework of a single political unit, and the Second Foundation supplies the mental framework of a ready-made ruling class.† â€Å"I see. Fairly adequate. Do you think that any Second Empire, even if formed in the time set by Seldon, would do as a fulfillment of his Plan?† â€Å"No, Speaker, I do not. There are several possible Second Empires that may be formed in the period of time stretching from nine hundred to seventeen hundred years after the inception of the Plan, but only one of these is the Second Empire.† â€Å"And in view of all this, why is it necessary that the existence of the Second Foundation be hidden – above all, from the First Foundation?† The Student probed for a hidden meaning to the question and failed to find it. He was troubled in his answer, â€Å"For the same reason that the details of the Plan as a whole must be hidden from Mankind in general. The laws of Psychohistory are statistical in nature and are rendered invalid if the actions of individual men are not random in nature. If a sizable group of human beings learned of key details of the Plan, their actions would be governed by that knowledge and would no longer be random in the meaning of the axioms of Psychohistory. In other words, they would no longer be perfectly predictable. Your pardon, Speaker, but I feel that the answer is not satisfactory.† â€Å"It is well that you do. Your answer is quite incomplete. It is the Second Foundation itself which must be hidden, not simply the Plan. The Second Empire is not yet formed. We have still a society which would resent a ruling class of psychologists, and which would fear its development and fight against it. Do you understand that?† â€Å"Yes, Speaker, I do. The point has never been stressed-â€Å" â€Å"Don't minimize. It has never been made – in the classroom, though you should be capable of deducing it yourself. This and many other points we will make now and in the near future during your apprenticeship. You will see me again in a week. By that time, I would like to have comments from you as to a certain problem which I now set before you. I don't want complete and rigorous mathematical treatment. That would take a year for an expert, and not a week for you. But I do want an indication as to trends and directions.*** â€Å"You have here a fork in the Plan at a period in time of about half a century ago. The necessary details are included. You will note that the path followed by the assumed reality diverges from all the plotted predictions; its probability being under one percent. You will estimate for how long the divergence may continue before it becomes uncorrectable. Estimate also the probable end if uncorrected, and a reasonable method of correction.† The Student flipped the Viewer at random and looked stonily at the passages presented on the tiny, built-in screen. He said: â€Å"Why this particular problem, Speaker? It obviously has significance other than purely academic.† â€Å"Thank you, my boy. You are as quick as I had expected. The problem is not supposititious. Nearly half a century ago, the Mule burst into Galactic history and for ten years was the largest single fact in the universe. He was unprovided for; uncalculated for. He bent the Plan seriously, but not fatally. â€Å"To stop him before he did become fatal, however, we were forced to take active part against him. We revealed our existence, and infinitely worse, a portion of our power. The First Foundation has learned of us, and their actions are now predicated on that knowledge. Observe in the problem presented. Here. And here. â€Å"Naturally, you will not speak of this to anyone.† There was an appalled pause, as realization seeped into the Student. He said: â€Å"Then the Seldon Plan has failed!† â€Å"Not yet. It merely may have failed. The probabilities of success are still twenty-one point four percent, as of the last assessment.†

How computers effect our lives?

Computer as a tool and a technique product is no longer strange for people in modern society. People use computer anywhere with and field. Computers have played an amazing role in the world. Nowadays, almost everybody has more than one computer in their home. More areas are being taken over by the computer. Today, the computer has changed the business world and our daily lives. To begin with, can you image that you live without computers during a week?For me, it is absolutely not possible since I use computer to contact my family and my friend everyday. Most of the youth of today use computers to relax in their daily lives. They play computer games or enjoy in the social network. Also, people can choose movies and listen to music that they like. In addition, computers are essential tools that help people in work area. Programs can do various functions and ease the process of doing it manually without computer. For instance, designers use software to deal with all the advertising and design papers.Businessmen use computers to communicate with their clients like video chat, online phones and sales transaction, while some people can find a job or an opportunity on the internet. Moreover, the most important is that computer improves efficiency for people’s lives. For example, individuals not only can use computers to book trios online, but also book hotels, flights even a delicious meal. Furthermore, people can shop on line to buy anything for a lower price. It’s not only convenient, but also saves people money and time.Additionally, computers are used extensively in public department like hospitals; the doctors can log new information or take the medical history from the patient. Also, computers play a significant role in a surgery which the doctors can know the condition about the patient during the process. It is the best way to help doctors analyze and solve problems for patients. Besides medical system, in the high crime rate society computer tec hniques help the police to analyze cases and it’s both quick and accurate to solve a case.Computers are the best tool to learn about people whether you are old or a disabled person. It is no longer that time, when people only could be educated in school. Nowadays, everyone can study online to learn languages, cultures, history etc. Also, you can watch public classes online courses from Yale, Stanford, Oxford which have fascinating selection to attract you to help develop cognitive abilities. You needn’t go to the UK or US, the only one thing you do is just open your computer then enjoy it. On the other hand, the computer is a great tool for people who are looking to learn anything in the world.Whether you want to read books or search the news, or get information worldwide, the computer can handle all these of things. Computer can compute thousands of problems in just a second. You can send documents in just one click and keep in touch with your relatives in aboard. Fin ally, the computer is a very spectacular tool that can change and effect people’s lives. The computer has truly revolutionized changed this epoch. It has made everyone’s life easier by doing difficult subjects. The computer is one of the most incredible inventions in history.

Revenge is bittersweet- the count of monte cristo

Edmond pleads that he is innocent, Violent does not grant him any sympathy and sends him to prison. For thirteen years Edmond gets whipped and beaten up for being accused of a crime that he did not commit. While he is captive he meets a priest, Babe Farina. Farina teaches Dante to defend himself, however the final lesson he teaches Dante is, ‘Do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. ‘Farina is saying that Dante should not commit a crime as he would have to serve a sentence, which in this case he meant hat Dante should feel guilty if he commits a crime as he is being as bad as the person who harmed and disrespected him.As soon as Edmond Dante escapes the prison all he longing is to get revenge on Violent for sending him to prison. Dante disguises himself as the Count of Monte Crisis with the help of his friend Jackpot. Dante providentially plans and plots avenge on Violent so that he can suffer like how he did. â€Å"They should suffer like how I did, †as Dante quotes throughout the film. After devising a few of tricks Dante ambushes Violent and gets him arrested. Violent feels convicted once he has been seized and remorse incarcerating Dante.Ultimately, Dante is penitent for Violent as another soul is in agony. Regarding Bernard Monde, Dante is hysterical about Monde as he has appropriated and betrayed Dante. Monde who was once Dante dear friend took away his beloved fiance. As a consequence Dante complicity revenge on Monde. He transacts this by costively taking away everything that Monde has. Initially, Montages fortune, wealth and eventually his wife Mercedes. Dante begins taking Montages fortune s that is all that he really has. Once all of Montages funds have been withdrawn he begins a to collapse.Eventually, Dante gets Mercedes and all of Montages riches. As Monde states, † Now you've taken Mercedes,† which frustrates him. Although Dante has Mercedes and fortune it is still not enough, he wants Monde to p ay, therefore they fight to the death. Dante takes a man's life for the first time, Montages. Despite that Dante got his vengeance he now lives the blood stains of another man's life on the palm of his hands. This emotion of remorse and contrition ill always remain with Dante as what has once been done cannot be undone.Dante learns from this that he should have listened the final lesson the priest told him â€Å", Do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. † Dante says, â€Å"All that was used for vengeance will now be used for good,† in the consequence, intimating that he will not have vengeance over anyone but use what he did for good now. Dante has his mind focused on vengeance that he loses what is important, Mercedes. Dante is concentrated on getting revenge on Violent and Monde that he avoids who was once his fiance. Luckily for Dante Mercedes remembered him, even in his disguise as The Count of Monte Crisis.Mercedes tries to reason with Dante, however Dante says to Mercedes, â€Å"If you ever loved me, don't rob me of my hate. It's all I have. â€Å"Dante constantly pushes away Mercedes whom is he who once loved dearly. Eventually, Dante begins to focus on Mercedes than revenge, unfortunately it is too late. Monde battles Dante to the death. Mercedes loses the man who was once her husband even though she gets the love of her life back. Although Mercedes and Dante are back together now nothing ever be like how it once was and Dante will have to live with guilt of choosing vengeance over Mercedes.Consequently, revenge does not provide or do any good. Instead, Dante learns and has to live with remorse and guilt of murdering Monde. Although he gets Mercedes back, Mercedes will always remember everything that Dante did. How he pushed away her, how he would rather get vengeance than be with her. Vengeance never did any good, it Just created remorse and guilt to the beholder of it. As for what happens, the murder of Monde, it can never be undone. As for the feeling of guilt it will always remain.

The Host Chapter 49: Interrogated

I killed Wes. My hands, scratched and bruised and painted with purple dust in the course of the frantic unloading, might as well have been painted red with his blood. Wes was dead, and it was as much my fault as if I'd pulled the trigger myself. All of us but five were gathered in the kitchen now that the truck was unloaded, eating some of the perishables we'd picked up on the final shopping trip-cheese and fresh bread with milk-and listening to Jeb and Doc as they explained everything to Jared, Ian, and Kyle. I sat a little space away from the others, my head in my hands, too numb with grief and guilt to ask questions the way they did. Jamie sat with me. He patted my back now and then. Wes was already buried in the dark grotto beside Walter. He had died four days ago, the night that Jared and Ian and I had sat watching the family in the park. I would never see my friend again, never hear his voice†¦ Tears splashed on the stone beneath me, and Jamie's pats increased in tempo. Andy and Paige were not here. They'd driven the truck and the van back to their hiding places. They would take the jeep from there to its usual rough garage, and then they'd have to walk the rest of the way home. They would be back before sunrise. Lily was not here. â€Å"She's not†¦ doing so well,† Jamie had murmured when he'd caught me scanning the room for her. I didn't want to know any more. I could imagine well enough. Aaron and Brandt were not here. Brandt now bore a smooth, pink, circular scar in the hollow space beneath his left collarbone. The bullet had missed his heart and lungs by a hair and then burrowed halfway through his shoulder blade trying to escape. Doc had used most of the Heal getting it out of him. Brandt was fine now. Wes's bullet had been better aimed. It had pierced his high olive-skinned forehead and blown out the back of his head. There was nothing Doc could have done, even if he'd been right there with them, a gallon of Heal at his disposal. Brandt, who now carried in a holster on his hip a boxy, heavy trophy from the encounter, was with Aaron. They were in the tunnel where we would have stored our spoils if it had not been occupied. If it was not being used as a prison again. As if losing Wes was not enough. It seemed hideously wrong to me that the numbers remained the same. Thirty-five living bodies, just like before I'd come to the caves. Wes and Walter were gone, but I was here. And now so was the Seeker. My Seeker. If I'd just gone straight to Tucson. If I had just stayed in San Diego. If I had just skipped this planet and gone somewhere entirely different. If I'd given myself as a Mother like anyone else would have after five or six planets. If, if, if†¦ If I had not come here, if I had not given the Seeker the clues she needed to follow, then Wes would be alive. It had taken her longer than me to figure them out, but when she did, she didn't have to pursue them with caution. She'd barreled through the desert in an all-terrain SUV, leaving bright new scars across the fragile desert landscape, each pass getting closer. They had to do something. They had to stop her. I had killed Wes. They still would have caught me in the first place, Wanda. I led them here, not you. I was too miserable to answer her. Besides, if we hadn't come here, Jamie would be dead. And maybe Jared, too. He would have died tonight, without you. Death on every side. Death everywhere I looked. Why did she have to follow me? I moaned to myself. I'm not hurting the other souls here, not really. I'm even saving some of their lives by being here, by keeping Doc from his doomed efforts. Why did she have to follow? Why did they keep her? Mel snarled. Why didn't they kill her right away? Or kill her slow-I don't care how! Why is she still alive? Fear fluttered in my stomach. The Seeker was alive; the Seeker was here. I shouldn't have been afraid of her. Of course, it made sense to be afraid that her disappearance would bring the other Seekers down on us. Everyone was afraid of that. Spying on the search for my body, the humans had seen how vocal she was about her convictions. She'd been trying to convince the other Seekers that there were humans hiding in this desert wasteland. None seemed to take her seriously. They had gone home; she was the only one who kept looking. But now she'd vanished in the middle of her search. That changed everything. Her vehicle had been moved far away, left in the desert on the other side of Tucson. It looked as though she'd disappeared in the same way it was believed I had: pieces of her bag left torn nearby, the snacks she'd carried with her chewed open and scattered. Would the other souls accept such a coincidence? We already knew they would not. Not entirely. They were looking. Would the search become more intense? But to be afraid of the Seeker herself†¦ That didn't make much sense. She was physically insignificant, probably smaller than Jamie. I was stronger and faster than she was. I was surrounded by friends and allies, and she, inside these caves at least, was all alone. Two guns, the rifle and her own Glock-the very gun Ian had once envied, the gun that had killed my friend Wes-were trained on her at every moment. Only one thing had kept her alive until now, and it couldn't save her for long. Jeb had thought I might want to talk to her. That was all. Now that I was back, she was condemned to die within hours whether I spoke to her or not. So why did I feel as though I was at the disadvantage? Why this strange premonition that she would be the one to walk away from our confrontation? I hadn't decided if I wanted to talk to her. At least, that was what I'd told Jeb. Without a doubt, I did not want to talk to her. I was terrified to ever see her face again-a face that, no matter how I tried, I could not imagine looking frightened. But if I told them I had no desire for conversation, Aaron would shoot her. It would be like I'd given him the order to fire. Like I'd pulled the trigger. Or worse, Doc would try to cut her out of the human body. I flinched away from the memory of the silver blood smeared all over the hands of my friend. Melanie twisted uneasily, trying to escape the torment in my head. Wanda? They're just going to shoot her. Don't panic. Should this comfort me? I couldn't avoid the imagined tableau. Aaron, the Seeker's gun in his hand; the Seeker's body slowly crumpling to the stone floor, the red blood pooling around her†¦ You don't have to watch. That wouldn't stop it from happening. Melanie's thoughts became a little frantic. But we want her to die. Right? She killed Wes! Besides, she can't stay alive. No matter what. She was right about everything, of course. It was true that there was no way the Seeker could stay alive. Imprisoned, she would work doggedly to escape. Freed, she would quickly be the death of all my family. It was true she had killed Wes. He was so young and so loved. His death left a burning agony in its wake. I understood the claim of human justice that demanded her life in return. It was also true that I wanted her to die. â€Å"Wanda? Wanda?† Jamie shook my arm. It took me a moment to realize that someone had called my name. Perhaps many times already. â€Å"Wanda?† Jeb's voice asked again. I looked up. He was standing over me. His face was expressionless, the blank facade that meant he was in the grip of some strong emotion. His poker face. â€Å"The boys want to know if you have any questions for the Seeker.† I put one hand to my forehead, trying to block the images there. â€Å"If I don't?† â€Å"They're ready to be done with guard duty. It's a hard time. They'd rather be with their friends right now.† I nodded. â€Å"Okay. I guess I'd better†¦ go and see her at once, then.† I shoved myself away from the wall and to my feet. My hands were shaking, so I clenched them into fists. You don't have any questions. I'll think of some. Why prolong the inevitable? I have no idea. You're trying to save her, Melanie accused, full of outrage. There's no way to do that. No. There isn't. And you want her dead anyway. So let them shoot her. I cringed. â€Å"You okay?† Jamie asked. I nodded, not trusting my voice enough to speak. â€Å"You don't have to,† Jeb told me, his eyes sharp on my face. â€Å"It's okay,† I whispered. Jamie's hand wrapped around mine, but I shook it off. â€Å"Stay here, Jamie.† â€Å"I'll come with you.† My voice was stronger now. â€Å"Oh, no, you will not.† We stared at each other for a moment, and for once I won the argument. He stuck his chin out stubbornly but slouched back against the wall. Ian, too, seemed inclined to follow me out of the kitchen, but I stopped him in his tracks with a single look. Jared watched me go with an unfathomable expression. â€Å"She's a complainer,† Jeb told me in a low voice as we walked back toward the hole. â€Å"Not quiet like you were. Always asking for more-food, water, pillows†¦ She threatens a lot, too. The Seekers will get you all!' That kinda thing. It's been hard on Brandt especially. She's pushed his temper right to the edge.† I nodded. This did not surprise me one bit. â€Å"She hasn't tried to escape, though. A lot of talk and no action. Once the guns come up, she backs right down.† I recoiled. â€Å"My guess is, she wants to live pretty dang bad,† Jeb murmured to himself. â€Å"Are you sure this is the†¦ safest place to keep her?† I asked as we started down the black, twisting tunnel. Jeb chuckled. â€Å"You didn't find your way out,† he reminded me. â€Å"Sometimes the best hiding place is the one that's in plain sight.† My answer was flat. â€Å"She's more motivated than I was.† â€Å"The boys're keepin' a sharp eye on her. Nothin' to worry about.† We were almost there. The tunnel turned back on itself in a sharp V. How many times had I rounded this corner, my hand tracing along the inside of the pointed switchback, just like this? I'd never traced along the outside wall. It was uneven, with jutting rocks that would leave bruises and cause me to trip. Staying on the inside was a shorter walk anyway. When they'd first showed me that the V was not a V but a Y-two branches forking off from another tunnel, the tunnel-I'd felt pretty stupid. Like Jeb said, hiding things in plain sight was sometimes the cleverest route. The times I'd been desperate enough to even consider escaping the caves, my mind had skipped right over this place in my speculations. This was the hole, the prison. In my head, it was the darkest, deepest well in the caves. This was where they'd buried me. Even Mel, sneakier than I was, had never dreamed that they'd held me captive just a few paces from the exit. It wasn't even the only exit. But the other was small and tight, a crawl space. I hadn't found that one because I'd walked into these caves standing upright. I hadn't been looking for that kind of tunnel. Besides, I'd never explored the edges of Doc's hospital; I'd avoided it from the beginning. The voice, familiar even though it seemed part of another life, interrupted my thoughts. â€Å"I wonder how you're still alive, eating like this. Ugh!† Something plastic clattered against the rocks. I could see the blue light as we rounded the last corner. â€Å"I didn't know humans had the patience to starve someone to death. That seems like too complex a plan for you shortsighted creatures to grasp.† Jeb chuckled. â€Å"Gotta say, I'm impressed with those boys. Surprised they held up this long.† We turned into the lit dead-end tunnel. Brandt and Aaron, both sitting as far as possible from the end of the tunnel where the Seeker paced, both with guns in their hands, sighed with relief when they saw us approaching. â€Å"Finally,† Brandt muttered. His face was etched in hard lines of grief. The Seeker halted in her pacing. I was surprised to see the conditions she was kept in. She was not stuffed into the tiny cramped hole, but comparatively free, stomping to and fro across the short width of the tunnel. On the floor, against the flat end of the tunnel, were a mat and a pillow. A plastic tray was tilted at an angle against the wall at about the midpoint of the cave; a few jicama roots lay scattered near it with a soup bowl. A little soup was splattered out from where that lay. This explained the clatter I'd just heard-she'd thrown her food. It looked as though she'd eaten most of it first, though. I stared at this relatively humane setup and felt an odd pain in my stomach. Who did we kill? Melanie muttered sullenly. This stung her, too. â€Å"You want a minute with her?† Brandt asked me, and the pain stabbed again. Had Brandt ever referred to me using a feminine pronoun? I wasn't surprised that Jeb had done this for the Seeker, but everyone else? â€Å"Yes,† I whispered. â€Å"Careful,† Aaron cautioned. â€Å"She's an angry little thing.† I nodded. The others stayed where they were. I walked down the tunnel alone. It was hard to lift my eyes, to meet the gaze that I could feel like cold fingers pressing against my face. The Seeker was glaring at me, a harsh sneer twisting her features. I'd never seen a soul use that expression before. â€Å"Well, hello there, Melanie,† she mocked me. â€Å"What took you so long to come visit?† I didn't answer. I walked toward her slowly, trying hard to believe that the hate coursing through my body really did not belong to me. â€Å"Did your little friends think I would talk to you? Spill all my secrets because you carry a gagged and lobotomized soul around in your head, reflecting through your eyes?† She laughed abrasively. I stopped two long strides away from her, my body tensed to run. She made no aggressive move toward me, but I could not relax my muscles. This was not like meeting the Seeker on the highway-I didn't have the usual sensation of safety that I felt around the gentle others of my kind. Again, the strange conviction that she would live long after I was gone swept through me. Don't be ridiculous. Ask her your questions. Have you come up with any? â€Å"So, what do you want? Did you request permission to kill me personally, Melanie?† the Seeker hissed. â€Å"They call me Wanda here,† I said. She flinched slightly when I opened my lips to speak, as if expecting me to shout. My low, even voice seemed to upset her more than the scream she anticipated. I examined her face while she glared at me with her bulging eyes. It was dirty, stained with purple dust and dried sweat. Other than that, there wasn't a mark on it. Again, this gave me an odd ache. â€Å"Wanda,† she repeated in a flat voice. â€Å"Well, what are you waiting for? Didn't they give you the okay? Were you planning to use your bare hands or my gun?† â€Å"I'm not here to kill you.† She smiled sourly. â€Å"To interrogate me, then? Where are your instruments of torture, human?† I cringed. â€Å"I won't hurt you.† Insecurity flickered across her face and then vanished behind her sneer. â€Å"What are they keeping me for, then? Do they think I can be tamed, like your pet soul?† â€Å"No. They just†¦ they didn't want to kill you until they had†¦ consulted me. In case I wanted to talk to you first.† Her lids lowered, narrowing her protruding eyes. â€Å"Do you have something to say?† I swallowed. â€Å"I was wondering†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I only had the same question I'd been unable to answer for myself. â€Å"Why? Why couldn't you let me be dead, like the rest of them? Why were you so determined to hunt me down? I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just wanted†¦ to go my own way.† She leaped up onto her toes, shoving her face toward mine. Someone moved behind me, but I couldn't hear more than that-she was shouting in my face. â€Å"Because I was right!† she shrieked. â€Å"More than right! Look at them all! A vile nest of killers, lurking in wait! Just like I thought, only so much worse! I knew you were out here with them! One of them! I told them there was danger! I told them!† She stopped, panting, and took a step back from me, staring over my shoulder. I didn't look away to see what had made her retreat. I assumed it had something to do with what Jeb had just told me-once the guns come up, she backs right down. I analyzed her expression for a moment as her heavy breathing slowed. â€Å"But they didn't listen to you. So you came for us alone.† The Seeker didn't answer. She took another step back from me, doubt twisting her expression. She looked oddly vulnerable for a second, as if my words had stripped away the shield she'd been hiding behind. â€Å"They'll look for you, but in the end, they never believed you at all, did they?† I said, watching as each word was confirmed in her desperate eyes. It made me very sure. â€Å"So they won't take the search further than that. When they don't find you, their interest will fade. We'll be careful, as usual. They won't find us.† Now I could see true fear in her eyes for the first time. The terrible-to her-knowledge that I was right. And I felt better for my nest of humans, my little family. I was right. They would be safe. Yet, incongruously, I didn't feel any better for myself. I had no more questions for the Seeker. When I walked away, she would die. Would they wait until I was far enough not to hear the shot? Was there anywhere in the caves that was far enough for that? I stared at her angry, fearful face, and I knew how deeply I hated her. How much I never wanted to see that face again for the rest of my lives. The hate that made it impossible for me to allow her to die. â€Å"I don't know how to save you,† I whispered, too low for the humans to hear. Why did that sound like a lie in my ears? â€Å"I can't think of a way.† â€Å"Why would you want to? You're one of them!† But a spasm of hope sparked in her eyes. Jeb was right. All the bluster, all the threats†¦ She wanted very much to stay alive. I nodded at her accusation, a little absently because I was thinking hard and fast. â€Å"But still me,† I murmured. â€Å"I don't want†¦ I don't want†¦Ã¢â‚¬  How to finish that sentence? I didn't want†¦ the Seeker to die? No. That wasn't true. I didn't want†¦ to hate the Seeker? To hate her so much that I wanted her to die. To have her die while I hated her. Almost as if she died because of my hate. If I truly did not want her death, would I be able to think of a way to save her? Was it my hate that was blocking an answer? Would I be responsible if she died? Are you insane? Melanie protested. She'd killed my friend, shot him dead in the desert, broken Lily's heart. She'd put my family in danger. As long as she lived, she was a danger to them. To Ian, to Jamie, to Jared. She would do everything in her power to see them all dead. That's more like it. Melanie approved of this train of thought. But if she dies, and I could have saved her if I'd wanted to†¦ who am I then? You have to be practical, Wanda. This is a war. Whose side are you on? You know the answer to that. I do. And that's who you are, Wanda. But†¦ but what if I could do both? What if I could save her life and keep everyone here safe at the same time? A heavy wave of nausea rolled in my stomach as I saw the answer I'd been trying to believe didn't exist. The only wall I'd ever built between Melanie and me crumbled to dust. No! Mel gasped. And then screamed, NO! The answer I must have known I would find. The answer that explained my strange premonition. Because I could save the Seeker. Of course I could. But it would cost me. A trade. What had Kyle said? A life for a life. The Seeker stared at me, her dark eyes full of venom.