Modern Chinese History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Modern Chinese History - Essay Example According to him, self-strengthening programs that advocated for training led to the introduction of modern schools and arsenal. To achieve National and personal strength, he acknowledged that it does not only arise from the  physical effort  but also the will to acquire and preserve. He argued that a strong leadership and physical prowess merely depend on the will of the individuals to act heroically (Schell 205). These notions intertwined with Confucius teachings help to shape the beliefs and behavior of the nation. Although some individuals despised his concepts and ideas, he demonstrated, taught, and inspired Chinese through his writing through his publications. These writings were effective in cultivating moral standard inspired by truth. This resulted in the eruption of May Fourth Incident in 1919, where individuals demonstrated. A movement by the name May Fourth movement emerged with a collective desire to liberate China and cultivate a new Chinese culture (Schell 207). It targeted to change the political system of the country to make it flexible to accommodate further changes that may occur in the future. Although the movement did not have a clear objective, they opted to attract good governance even though it shall be through violent and harsh manner. The group appreciated the concepts that Mao taught in Chen Duxius, New Youth. According to the movement, direct violent among other political actions are fundamental ingredients for revolutionary action. After working for a longer time in the university library, Mao Zedong returned home in 1920 to form a study group. The group discussed Marxism and socialist  ideologies.Within the group, he emphasized the concept of Marxism especially the historical materialism that described history and dynamics of developing the  history.

The Cultural Relevance of War and Art in Lysistrata Essay Example for Free

The Cultural Relevance of War and Art in Lysistrata Essay War, it seems, is mans chief preoccupation. Throughout history, as one regards how civilizations thrived and crumbled and flourished and collapsed, how cities rose up, fell, cultures subsumed and assimilated in the process, one notices that before language and art, customs and traditions, in man dwelled conflict, combat, and the pervasive propensity for hostility. On this basis, one may argue the consistency of battle in mans nature; the ever-present presence of this desire to dominate and destroy, for one reason or another: an instinct, it seems, stemming from the savage past where survival meant killing or being killed. But the advent of civilization tempered and somewhat refined mans attitude toward war. Though ever-present still, even to this day, as all base instincts are, many responses to warfare have been devised: often, alongside those who preach in favor of battle, the voices of those opposed to slaughter and bloodshed speak too, through various avenues and paths. And throughout history, no mouthpiece has been used more often than art: paintings and plays, poems and sculptures and displays of oratory: all depict what man feels, what he dwells on: that which batters and bombards his mind and soul, driving him to action. And as war remains a constant in life, so remains the presence of war in many works of art. From 431-399 BC in Ancient Greece the Peloponnesian War was fought. The thirty year conflict changed the entire social structure and landscape of Greece, inciting skirmishes and civil wars aplenty, causing much bloodshed and sorrow and suffering. The cessation of this war is the main theme of the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata. To achieve this end, the playwright, Aristophanes, pits another base instinct against mans propensity for conflict: sexual intercourse. Aristophanes has the namesake of the play, a strong-willed woman, convince all the women of Greece to withhold all sexual favors from their husbands in order to cease the Peloponnesian War. A bloodless battle ensues between the forces of man and woman; in the end, fueled by an urgent desire to copulate, the men of the warring states of Sparta and Athens as well as their allies establish peace; this sets all aright, and celebration follows. In order to probe more deeply into the nature of the play and the concepts found therein, one must investigate the actual war Aristophanes alluded to and used as backdrop for his play, as well as the Mythology and Religion surrounding its conception. Both are integral to understanding and analyzing the social relevance of Lysistrata in the culture that produced it. When evaluated alongside current western religious inclinations and cultural leanings, one can discern the similarities and differences in the perception of war and its presence in art. The Peloponnesian War was a conflict waged between the forces of Athens and Sparta (and the people of the surrounding areas, either allied to one of the two mentioned states) over a period of approximately 30 years. The aftermath of the war completely transformed ancient Greece, restructuring the distribution of power and inflicting untold horrors upon a multitude of people and cities, in the process wreaking havoc and devastation comparable to the atrocities and mass destruction observed in many contemporary accounts of modern warfare. Aristophanes wrote Lysistrata in 411 BC, at the height of the war, which was brought to a close in 399 BC; thus the comedy was in part a piece of wishful thinking, a satirical look at the atrocity-filled events currently occurring at the time. Greek mythology, comprised of a plethora of gods and goddesses, played a large role in ancient Greek life; this is reflected in the play when Lysistrata and the throng of females, in vowing to halt any sexual activities with their husbands, seal their oath by sacrificing wine to the gods, pledging their resolve to follow through on their self-appointed task. This example portrays religion as a component and constituent of culture and history, a cultural artefact contributing to the social make-up of Greek civilization. Thus does the play begin: the women, bolstered and enforced by religion-as-culture, driven to cease a cultural event in this case, war and bloodshed. Thus do we see Aristophanes affixing a cultural context into his play, assimilating the religious and cultural practices of his time into his art, assigning it an integral role as a driving factor in the action of the play. Culture informs all pieces of art. All works can be seen as offshoots of a particular culture at a particular point in time. Lysistrata can be construed as being the product of Aristophanes, himself a product of Athenian culture and religion, compelled to create the work by the cultural events preoccupying his mind at the time, namely the Peloponnesian War. This action a cultural creation (in this case, Aristophanes) creating Art (a cultural artefact) in response to cultural Events such as war mirrors the countless acts of creation found in the myriad number of books and sculptures, plays, films, poems, and pieces of music man has produced in reaction to cultural entities and events. The brutality provoked by war and the ensuing cultural creations were prevalent in much of twentieth century history. Two world wars and countless civil wars and armed conflicts worldwide have instigated the construction of hundreds of Lysistratas, engendered by countless cultures, comprised of and informed by a multitude of sociopolitical, religious, and cultural activities. The many acts of barbarity and bloodshed have as driving forces sociopolitical and cultural Epistemes: take the Communist-driven Spanish Civil War, or the Cold War waged in the latter part of the twentieth century; take the Nazi-Ideology driven battles fought in World War 2, or the armed campaigns resulting in colonization and appropriation of land and resources and people in various parts of the world, as reflected in the subjugation of Greece by Sparta at the end of the Peloponnesian War, replayed time and time again when Western nations colonized much of Asia and Africa in the name of King, God, or Country. Razed lands and lives led many to create works of art immortalizing the history, outcomes, and consequences of the aforementioned events, contributing to the cultural and historical landscape of their own times. These cultural artefacts allow us to examine how cultural events propagate themselves, and perceive the subtle links between past and present culture and history .

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: Free Essay Writer

To Kill A Mockingbird First impressions of people are often lasting impressions,especially in the minds of children. Unfortunately, these impressionstend to be negative, thus, discrediting the individual who conveys theimpression and causing the observers to inaccurately assess his truecharacter. Many times these impressions, aided by misunderstanding andprejudgment, cause unjust discrimination against an individual. Tokill a Mockingbird depicts the themes of misunderstanding andprejudice which portray Arthur (Boo) Radley as a villain. Through theprogressive revelation of Radley's character, the children realizethat their negative impressions and fears toward him were unfounded.Through gradual stages of change, Jem's, Scout's, and Dill'simpressions of Radley are dramatically altered, bringing them to therealization that he is not the evil man he was thought to be, butrather a caring individual of distinguished bravery, and truly, thehero of the novel. In the beginning of the novel many falsehoods portray Boo Radleyas a villain . These deluding opinions, very apparent in the adultcommunity, are well illustrated by Miss Stephanie Crawford. She helpsto mislead the children's impressions. Since Atticus, although ofteninterrogated, but not wanting to create a breach of etiquette, refusesto speak about the Radleys. Therefore, Jem receives most of hisinformation from Miss Stephanie Crawford, a neighborhood scold, whoinsists she knows the whole truth about the Radleys. It is fromCrawford that the children learn of Radley's scissor attack on hisfather and other such interesting rumors. Thus, Arthur Radley islabelled as a "hant", a possibly insane and dangerous man, and the"malevolent phantom." The latter, coming from the fact that Radley hadnot been seen for many years, and was believed to be responsible forpetty crimes around the neighbourhood. It is not solely Crawford whodisplays her distaste towards the Radleys, Calpurnia, also sharesthese feelings of hatred. Her dislike of Radley is well described inan offhand remark to the children: "T here goes the meanest man everGod blew breath into." (p.12) The children, aided by neighborhoodlegends, make their own conclusions about Radley. Based on prejudiceand myth, Jem compiles a very detailed description of Radley: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained-if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time. (p.13) Dill, through his curious and innovative character, also helps toheighten and shed light on the mystery around the Radley house.

Forecasting the Adoption of E-Books Essay

Question 1 The size of the market for e-books in the long-run: 293. 7 million x 46. 7% x 8% = 10. 973 million (Total US population x percentage of US population reading literature x Percentage of traditional paper books purchased online in 2003) It will take 10 years to reach 95% penetration of the potential market. Question 2 I predict that the sale of the e-book when it first became available is 0. 751milion (pm) (Assumption: each innovator buy one book. ) Question 3 The long-run total adoption of e-books would be 10. 973 million. (Total US population x percentage of US population reading literature x Percentage of traditional paper books purchased online in 2003) Question 4 I do expect the market for e-books tend to be guided by imitators rather than innovators. According to the table above, I found that the weighted average for e-book of q (0. 0684) is larger than p (0. 2990). In addition, the word of mouth takes an important role in the adoption of e-books. The information about the e-book from the innovators contribute much to the adoption of e-books since people tend to hesitate to change their old reading habit. Question 5 S(t)=[p+(q/m)N(t-1)][m-N(t-1)] Year 1: [0. 0684+(0. 2990/10. 973) X (0)][10. 973-0] = 0. 751 million Year 2: [0. 0684+(0. 2990/10. 973) X (0. 751)][10. 973-0. 751] = 0. 908 million Year 3: [0. 0684+(0. 2990/10. 973) X (1. 659)][10. 973-1. 659] = 1. 059 million Year 4: [0. 0684+(0. 2990/10. 973) X (2. 717)][10. 973-2. 717] = 1. 176 million Year 5: [0. 0684+(0. 2990/10. 973) X (3. 893)][10. 973-3. 893] = 1. 235 million Question 6 The adoption of e-book will be very different from digital music obtained online. The adoption of e-books face more challenges when comparing to the adoption of digital music. To most of the listeners, there is not much difference in experience between listening to a song from an iPod and a CD player. Therefore, they have a relatively low switching cost and more willing to change their habits. On the contrary, to most of the readers, it is definitely very different from reading an e-book to reading a printed book. The feelings of holding a printed book and flipping over a physical book are irreplaceable. So readers are loyal to printed book and hesitate to switch from traditional books to e-books. Hence, it is reasonable to predict that the pace of adopting digital music is faster than the pace of adopting e-books. Question 7 I think both of the attitudes about reading and purchasing e-content have changed a lot in recent years. In the old time, people could read e-content via PC only. Nowadays, people are able to read e-content through various mobile devices. Therefore, they spend more time on reading e-content especially during leisure time and even commuting time. However, the quality of the reading effort is diminishing as the overload of e-content available on Internet. In addition, people tend to rely more on the e-content since it is very convenient, environmentally friendly, high mobility and high accessibility. For the attitude about purchasing e-content, more people are willing to pay for the e-content in recent years. The advanced online payment system plays an important role. People feel more secure and also convenient when dealing online ever than before. Moreover, more well-known and large-scale publishers offer more choices of e-content for readers. Besides, in the light of the prevalent of mobile device, people have more time and chances to read the e-content regardless of the time and places. Thus, people are more willing to spend on e-content than before. Question 8 The hardware plays a paramount important role in the adoption of e-books. No matter how amazing the e-content is, the e-books would not be popularized if the hardware were not user-friendly. However, a good hardware is very likely to boost sales of the e-books. It is because the hardware is a fixed cost while the e-books are the variable cost to the readers. A portable hardware with proper size of monitor and high capacity is very attractive to the readers. They no longer need to neither carry the bulky printed books nor spare some places for storage. Moreover, the hardware enables readers to read comfortably when comparing to read via PC or smart phone. It is good for the readers’ eyes. Last but not least, the hardware contributed to protecting the environment as it saves much paper. Only when the hardware preforms better than the tradition printed books, the adoption of e-books will be success. Question 9 I do expect the size and also the pattern of diffusion are quite different globally as compared to the United States. The size and the pattern of diffusion depend on many factors. Population, culture, attitude to new products, technology and even literacy could be one of the variables of the size and pattern of diffusion. Take Africa as an example; though the population size of Africa is much larger than The United States, the potential size of the market for e-books must be obviously different from the United States. So it is not difficult to understand that the size and pattern of diffusion of various places will not be similar to the United States.

The looks and trends of the 70’s and the 90’s Venice Beach 1970’s

If the 1960’s popularized the vintage look, characterized by heavy makeup, the onset of the 1970’s brought with it a penchant for a more natural look. Unlike the heavily made-up look that was very typical of the previous decades, the emphasis on one particular part of the face such as the eyes or the lips was replaced by trying to achieve a more natural look.   (freebeautytips) Very minimal eye makeup replaced thick eye makeup and heavily-lined eyes. Black kohl-lined eyes soon became dated. Eye shadow shades were worn much lighter to achieve a more natural effect. There was very little to no usage of mascara. Eyeliner and mascara were used not to achieve a certain look but just to lengthen lashes and open up the eyes a bit.   Blue eye makeup became so last season. These tools were used to enhance the features and no longer layered to pull off a certain type of appearance.   Natural looking lips replaced the pale, nude and bright lipstick colors of the past.   Cheeks heavily tinted with blush became a thing of the past, with most of the women, and even men, opting for a more natural, tanned look. The blush of this decade was more of a golden all over glow.   (freebeautytips) During the 1970’s, the â€Å"surfer† look became popular. The beach culture became very predominant. The perfect tan became the most sought-after fashion accessory. The baked look was achieved either by spending hours in the sun to get bronzed or by faking it using tanning beds. It was also during this period skin bronzers became popular. Tanning lotions flew off the shelves. The vibe of this decade was more of a natural, â€Å"fresh off the beach† appearance, although a lot would look a bit â€Å"orange† from the improper application of tanning lotions.   The people of this decade wanted to give the impression that they baked under the sun for hours to get the glow they exuded.   (freebeautytips) Women wore less foundation. Those who did use foundation did not follow it up with powder like they did during the past. To dust loose powder after using foundation would lend a more matte texture. Not dusting the face after applying foundation would result in a shinier face, which was more natural looking. The face of this decade was that of a dewy, more natural look.   (freebeautytips) Individualistic, polished, sophisticated 1990’s The decades that came before the 1990s had people very conscious about fashion. During the 1990’s it seemed that people we’re to â€Å"tired† to pay too much attention to trends as they did in the recent years.   (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) The 1980’s was about exaggerated glamour.   The 1990’s was very casual and laid-back. Emphasis was on comfort, simplicity and less on flamboyance. People wore more jeans and everyone favored easy to manage, wash-and-wear hair.   There is a bit of parallelism between the makeup trends of the 1970’s and 1990’s because both decades were reminiscent of the no-natural looking no-makeup look. The prevailing look was always paired with matte makeup. The foundation was matte and matched the skin tone. As opposed to the soft dewy look of the 1970’s, 1990’s makeup was strong, clean and polished. Strong, earthy lip colors reminiscent of grunge to gothic were the more favored shades for lipstick. During the 90’s the grunge was popular. Matte makeup was back, strong, rich earth tones were in vogue as far as makeup was concerned. There was very minimal to no eye makeup. Colors for eye makeup were neutral and usually coordinated with the lip color. Popular lip colors included strong earthy reds that were more towards the browns. Unlike the previous decades where there was a distinct style where hair and makeup are concerned, the 90’s look was simple, manageable, and polished. The look was designed for the career woman who had to look good and was always on the go.   With more women who chose to pursue their careers, the world of fashion and beauty followed to suit the needs of the modern, empowered women.   Women learned how to quickly apply makeup in a few minutes. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) The preceding years or decades saw women of all ages pile on makeup and beauty products. The women of the 1990’s were more concerned about real beauty and not fashion. The women of the past decades would layer on the makeup, go about their daily business in heavy makeup. This was a far cry in the 1990s. Consumers of this era would opt for enhancing their natural appearance through the use of products that were much lighter and kinder to the skin. This era gave the rise to makeup formulas that promised to cover imperfections without having to use too much products. Cosmetic formulas not only gave the desired coverage but also guaranteed to make one’s skin look more radiant and lighter. Some brands would even claim to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and other flaws. Most of the makeup lines that were created by the top makeup artists and beauty icons of that time and are still very big in the present were launched during this period. Fashion and beauty experts would remember Bobbi Brown and Iman among the names that became big hits during the 90’s fashion era. (Channel 4) Women also paid more attention to the looks of celebrities and would often request hair stylists and makeup artists cut their hair and to make them look like the stars that they admire. The 1990’s was the time when the television comedy sitcom â€Å"Friends† became a hit. The more popular looks during this time included those of Jennifer Aniston and her co-stars Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow. During that time, Aniston sported the now famous â€Å"Rachel† cut. Hair was either worn straight with some bangs or cut with layers. The 90’s wouldn’t be the 90’s without the Spice Girls. With the all-female English pop group entering the entertainment scene in the mid 90’s, the looks of each of the girls in the group became popular. Women would want to look sweetly sexy like Emma Bunton as â€Å"Baby Spice†, polished and sophisticated like Victoria Beckham or â€Å"Posh Spice†, sporty and fresh like Melanie Chisholm or â€Å"Sporty Spice† , and dark and exotic like Melanie Brown, also known as â€Å"Scary Spice†   (Wikipedia) The different looks that each of the Spice Girls made popular also gave rise to individualism or developing own’s one style when it comes to fashion and makeup.   (Wikipedia) More than being stars in the big and small screen, actors and actresses increasingly became the more popular and more watched fashion icons. Whatever they wore and however they looked became the prevalent trend of the era. Hollywood actors and actresses became fashion and beauty icons alongside the supermodels of the runway. Actresses started to grace the covers of fashion magazines more during the 1990s. This observable fact still continues until the present time (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Works Cited Channel 4. 1990s. 2007. 18 June 2007 freebeautytips. 1970s Style Disco Makeup and Era Fashions that have a Vintage Flair. 2007. 17 June 2007 . Wikipedia. Spice Girls . 2007. 18 June 2007 . Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 1990s in fashion. 2007. 17 June 2007 .      

A History of the Internet essays

A History of the Internet essays The technology revolution is upon us. In the past, there have been many triumphs in the world of technology. To this date, people are able to communicate over thousands of miles with the greatest of ease. The Internet connects nearly 400 million users worldwide and is an essential part of how we work, play, communicate, and conduct commerce. We use the Internet in ways that seemed unimaginable The term "Internet" refers to the global information system that: (i) is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons. (ii) is able to support communications using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons, and/or other IP-compatible protocols; and (iii) provides, uses or makes accessible layered on the communications and related infrastructure described herein.", either publicly or privately, high level services. Computers speak to one another and send information back and forth, which is accomplished, by sending and receiving electronic impulses and decoding them into messages. In order to communicate with one another the computers are linked up in a network. They are then able to access information from thousands of other computers. The network acts like one large computer storing information in various places, rather than one physical place. Users of the Internet access this big network to get information or provide information. Internet technology allows users to surf the World Wide Web or send e-mail (Comer 5). The history of the Internet began with the United States government. The original use of the Internet was to maintain communication during the cold war, with the Soviet Union in 1969, by the Department of Defense, in the case of a nuclear attack or a major catastrophe. The vision of the Internet that would revolutionize the computer and communications belonged to...

Cell Culture Technique

Cell Culture Technique Biological advancements have contributed to the improvement of society in various forms. Biomedical research which forms the foundation for spectrum of inventions/discoveries, has its origin in techniques like cell culture.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cell Culture Technique specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cell culture involves creating an artificial environment of growing that mimics the natural one in all the characteristical features in a laboratory. So, growing the cells of animals, plants or human beings, yeast and bacteria in a lab setting, constitutes the cell culture. It is mainly employed to examine new drugs and detect infectious agents (Dictionary of Cancer Terms n.d.). The methodology of cell culture is a bit complicated. In order to achieve the robust growth of cells, specific conditions need to be maintained. The key process involved in handling living eukaryotic cells initially is mandatory awarene ss of materials and methods. It involves the use of 370 CO2 incubator, phosphate buffer saline, plastic ware, glass ware, petri dishes, trypsin/EDTA, vialsfor cryopreservation media like DMEM, Hemocytometer is provided with cover slip, DMSO and FBS for cell freezing etc(Protocol: Cell Culture 2012). Initially, cell culture begins with primary culture. It constitutes a stage where cells are picked from tissue and multiplied in the presence of suitable atmosphere till they become full grown on the platform known as substrate, resulting in confluence (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012) Here, cells need re-culture known as passaging or subculture achieved by the transporting them to a novel vessel with medium of growth which is fresh to enable more space for the prolonged growth. Primary culture is the important step and prerequisite for any kind of cell culture technique. A failure in proper maintenance of Primary culture could lead to total failure in the overall culture process (Intr oduction to Cell Culture 2012). Maintenance of cell culture is firmly linked with safety interlinked with cross contamination issues. This is because, cell culture unit contains many particular dangerous agents linked with hand contact and modifying chemicals, solutions of corrosive nature, tissues and cells of plant, animal or human. The potential dangers are punctures occurring accidentally with needles, spills on the skin, mouth contact through pipetting or ingestion and inhaling infectious agents like sprays, exposures etc.Advertising Looking for essay on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To overcome these problems, agencies like National Institute of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have provided biosafety recommendations United States. It is mainly focused on four types of biosafety levels (BSL). BSL-1 is the primary option of protection to many laboratories involved in basic and clinic al research. BSL-2 is suitable for medium risk contributors that lead to severe disease in human, that vary deepening on complexity, by contact with percutaneous membranes. BSL-3 is suitable for agents of indigenous nature which have a capacity for transmission like aerosols and that lead to detrimental infections. BSL-4 is suitable for indigenous agents that carry a high risk or fatal by aerosols of infectious nature and no therapy exists (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012). But laboratories of only high containment possess these agents. Hence, there are specific guidelines that not only ensure safety but also may be helpful to avoid all possible chances of contamination from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. These are wearing equipment of specific personnel type and replacing contaminated gloves with new ones, disposal of all wastes suspected of contamination, washing hands after contact with dangerous materials prior to the laboratory closing hours, avoiding smoking, drink ing, food consumption and storage in the lab, close adherence to the institutional rules and regulations with regard to handling glassware, pipettes, scalpels and needles, lessening the development of aerosols and leakages, removing surface contamination with suitable disinfectant near the work place before and after the experiments, infectious material spills, regular cleaning of laboratory devices as well as instant reporting of the laboratory incidents that occur due to contact with infectious agents to a laboratory authority (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012). Next, for preventing contamination from sources like sneezing, skin shedding, and spores, dust which serves as the vial constituents of aerosols and airborne particles, employing a hood of cell culture, is essential. Setting up cell culture hood relies on the location where there are a restricted outlets like windows, doors and no personnel movements. The work place must have only necessary reagents, lab ware and protocol s. One must disinfect work place, clean instrument regularly before and after use with 70% ethanol, use ultraviolet light for air and surface sterilization of hood, while using at frequent intervals, as well as maintain the hood in running conditions through the available time and switching it off when there is no work. In the cell culture, the cell lines are the most important ones to consider (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cell Culture Technique specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The cell lines are defined as the products of primary culture obtained by subculture. Primary culture of the given cell lines possesses a short duration of life known as finite cell lines. When these cell lines are subjected to passaging, the resultant cells obtain a robust phenotypic and genotypic stability marked with lustrous growth potential. As such, cell line growth is achieved in two ways. One is monolayer or adherent culture which is achieved on substrates of artificial nature and another one is suspension culture, achieved through medium of free floating nature (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012) Cell line contamination needs to be understood from the point of view of biological contamination in general. These may be grouped under Bacterial, Mold Virus, Mycoplasma and yeast types of contamination. Bacterial contamination is recognized by visual observation of culture during the very initial days of infection. The cultures appear turbid with low pH of the medium and tiny appearance of bacteria. Molds are a special category of eukaryotic microorganisms and infection; in the early stages they contribute to turbidity with visual appearance of spore clumps and thread like thin filaments under microscope. Viruses are microscopic organisms with high multiplication potential. Infected cell lines can be identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunoassays, immunostaining a nd electron microscopy (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012). Mycoplasma are bacteria without cell wall. Their infection of cell lines contribute to altered metabolism of cells, low multiplication potential, suspension culture agglutination, etc.Advertising Looking for essay on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Detection is possible though PCR, immunassays, and the most important, Hoechst 33258 – fluorescent staining. Yeasts are microorganisms of eukaryotic type and their infection contributes to turbidity, pH variation, with rounded appearance in the culture which can be microscopically observed (Introduction to Cell Culture 2012). Very often in the cell culture unrelated cell growth could lead to contamination and cell line growth more than the expected limit. This is nothing but cross-contamination which may appear as of interspecies and intraspecies among human cell lines. Possible detection strategies may include cytogenetic analysis and DNA fingerprinting. Earlier, by employing this approach, the investigators were able to detect nearly cross contaminated cell lines brought from hematopoietic cell lines of different source and those belonging to the original researcher. This situation of cell line cross contamination could be attributed to constant necessity in the protocol fo r cell culture viability and identification. Maintenance of multiple cell lines is the contributing factor sometimes and it can be avoided by regular monitoring for specificity and identity, markers, karyotyping and immunoprofile (Drexler, Dirks, MacLeod 1999). To better overcome the problem of contamination, U.S. National Institutes of Health has commissioned the utility of authentication of cell line investigations. Here, a private firm Promega has come forward with PCR system in a multiplex format known as StemEliteâ„ ¢ ID System (Oostdikv et al. 2009). This approach better recognizes the contamination in variety of cells like those of mouse and human by making comparison between a standard genotype and genotype developed by StemEliteâ„ ¢ ID System (Oostdikv et al. 2009). Even for the plant cell culture contamination detection, the strategy recommended was maintenance of cultures aseptically with regard to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) by meristem explants and good laboratory practice (GLP) guidelines (Cassells Prestwich 2009). Pure cell lines are important for a variety of applications like Blood Factor VIII, Erythropoietin (EPO), hybridoma technology to produce monoclonal antibodies (Applications of Animal cell culture 2009). Large scale culture of cells is done in industries in order to scale up for the development of cell bank systems. For this purpose, huge bioreactors like compact-loop bioreactor will be used that optimizes the cells in the medium by providing biological, physical and chemical factors. For cultures operated in batches, spinner flasks and Micro Carrier Beads are used for scale up (Applications of Animal cell culture 2009). This indicates that pure cell lines are very important for scale up processes in industries. It is reasonable to mention that very often impure cell line growth may contribute to adverse reactions in the bioreactors. The impure cell lines may release unnecessary bye products that may become t oxic and affect the down stream process. More probably, it may interfere with the routine biological and chemical properties offered by a bioreactor, as mentioned earlier. This may not only alter the yield of the culture but also affect the equipment with great chances of interproduct contamination. Thus cell culture appears a vital research strategy for a variety of biomedical applications. References Applications of Animal cell culture 2009, http://biotechnology4u.com/animal_biotechnology_applications_animal_cell_culture.html Cassells Alan C Prestwich Barbara Doyle 2009,Contamination Detection and Elimination in Plant Cell Culture, viewed on http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470054581.eib241/abstract Dictionary of Cancer Terms: Cell culture n.d.. cancer.gov/dictionary?cdrid=556412. Drexler, HG, Dirks, WG, MacLeod,RA 1999, ‘False human hematopoietic cell lines: cross-contaminations and misinterpretations’, Leukemia, vol. 13 no.10, pp.1601-7. Introduction to Cell Culture 2012, invitrogen.com/site/us/en/home/References/gibco-cell-culture-basics/introduction-to-cell-culture.html Oostdikv Katie, Petterson Adam, Schagat Trista Storts Doug 2009,  Stem Cell Line Authentication and Contamination Detection, promega.com/resources/articles/pubhub/enotes/stem-cell-line-authentication-and-contamination-detection/

Gibraltar Territory History and Facts

Gibraltar Territory History and Facts Geography of Gibraltar Gibraltar is a British overseas territory that is located to the south of Spain on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of just 2.6 square miles (6.8 sq km) and throughout its history, the Strait of Gibraltar (the narrow strip of water between it and Morocco) has been an important chokepoint. This is because the narrow channel is easy to cut off from other areas thereby having the ability to choke off transit in times of conflict. Because of this, there have often been disagreements about who controls Gibraltar. The United Kingdom has controlled the area since 1713 but Spain also claims sovereignty over the area. 10 Geographic Facts You Should Know About Gibraltar Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthal humans may have inhabited Gibraltar as early as 128,000 and 24,000 B.C.E. In terms of its modern recorded history, Gibraltar was first inhabited by the Phoenicians around 950 B.C.E. The Carthaginians and Romans also established settlements in the area and after the fall of the Roman Empire it was controlled by the Vandals. In 711 C.E. the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula began and Gibraltar became controlled by the Moors.Gibraltar was controlled by the Moors until 1462 when the Duke of Medina Sidonia took over the region during the Spanish Reconquista. Shortly after this time, King Henry IV became King of Gibraltar and made it a city within the Campo Llano de Gibraltar. In 1474 it was sold to a Jewish group that built a fort in the town and stayed until 1476. At that time they were forced out of the region during the Spanish Inquisition and in 1501 it fell under Spains control.In 1704, Gibraltar was taken over by a British-Dutch force during the War of Spanish Succession and in 1713 it was ceded to Great Britain with the Treaty of Utrecht. From 1779 to 1783 attempted to take Gibraltar back during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. It failed and Gibraltar eventually became an important base for the British Royal Navy in conflicts like the Battle of Trafalgar, the Crimean War and World War II. In the 1950s Spain again began trying to claim Gibraltar and movement between that region and Spain was restricted. In 1967 the citizens of Gibraltar passed a referendum to remain a part of the United Kingdom and as a result, Spain closed off its border with the region and ended all foreign relationships with Gibraltar. In 1985, however, Spain reopened its borders to Gibraltar. In 2002 a referendum was held to establish shared control of Gibraltar between Spain and the UK but Gibraltars citizens rejected it and the area remains a British overseas territory to this day.Today Gibraltar is a self-governing territory of the United Kingdom and as such its citizens are considered British citizens. Gibraltars government, however, is democratic and separate from that of the UK. Queen Elizabeth II is the chief of state of Gibraltar, but it has its own chief minister as head of government, as well as its own unicameral Parliament and Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.Gibraltar has a total popu lation of 28,750 people and with an area of 2.25 square miles (5.8 sq km) it is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. The population density of Gibraltar is 12,777 people per square mile or 4,957 people per square kilometer. Despite its small size, Gibraltar has a strong, independent economy that is based mainly on finance, shipping and trading, offshore banking and tourism. Ship repair and tobacco are also major industries in Gibraltar but there is no agriculture.Gibraltar is located in southwestern Europe along the Strait of Gibraltar (a narrow strip of water connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea), the Bay of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. It is made up of a limestone outcropping on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Rock of Gibraltar takes up the majority of the areas land and Gibraltars settlements are built along the narrow coastal lowland bordering it.Gibraltars main settlements are on either the east or west side of the Rock of Gibraltar. The East Side is home to Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, while the western area is home to Westside, where most of the population lives. In addition, Gibraltar has many military areas and tunnelled roads to make getting around the Rock o f Gibraltar easier. Gibraltar has very few natural resources and little freshwater. As such, seawater desalination is one way its citizens get their water. Gibraltar has a Mediterranean  climate with mild winters and warm summers. The average July high temperature for the area is 81ËšF (27ËšC) and the average January low temperature is 50ËšF (10ËšC). Most of Gibraltars precipitation falls during its winter months and the average yearly precipitation is 30.2 inches (767 mm). To learn more about Gibraltar, visit the official website of the Government of Gibraltar.ReferencesBritish Broadcasting Company. (17 June 2011). BBC News - Gibraltar Profile. Retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stmCentral Intelligence Agency. (25 May 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - Gibraltar. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gi.htmlWikipedia.org. (21 June 2011). Gibraltar - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar

In your journal discuss whether and why you agree or disagree with Essay

In your journal discuss whether and why you agree or disagree with Jared Diamonds assertion about agriculture - Essay Example I agree with Atkins that Science is not discriminatory. Science has no boundaries in terms of culture, religion, continent, or race. As Atkins argues, I believe that Science is trans-national, trans-racial, and trans-cultural. The interests between individuals in lines of race, culture, or religion do not influence science; hence, I can convincingly argue that it is consistent. In addition, Science is open to modifications. This creates room for young scientists to become famous. However, fame does not promote customized research. I believe that in the thirst to become famous, young scientists conduct rational experiments to test a phenomenon and come up with an objective study; hence, the modification of science. In the exchange, I believe that Pinker is justified to argue that for a scientific mindset, it is prudent to have an empirical verification for each empirical proposition. On the other hand, Wieseltier roots for a two-state solution. According to my understanding, I believe that Wieseltier has the best argument. In the contemporary world, I think it would be prudent to assert that science and humanities are complements rather than substitutes. As such, I believe that both a scientific and humanistic mindset is required; hence, promoting the two-state solution. I believe that Wieseltier does not discriminate sciences as much as pinker discriminates humanities. In an attempt to promote the two-state solution, I believe that Wieseltier is against the belief of scientism. It is also prudent to agree with him that scientific analysis may not be applicable in the entire physical world. In this case, I think the exchange lies on the fact that how much can science explain. Pinker attempts to promote science as the sole verification for empirical propositions. I believe that Wieseltier is not for humanity as the sole verification but counters the thought

Computers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Computers - Essay Example Today, schools, companies, hospitals and factories rely on computers for the various occupational practices. Computers are very essential for scientific research. They open access to many research opportunities. Students can computers to access online journals and books, making it easy to access the information needed. Additionally, the online tutorials and study websites offer explanations on what students and researchers require. On the same note, computers have made it easy for the instructors and the learner to exchange information constantly. Computers have also helped in the communications sector. People use the computers to relay information. Through the internet, people can connect with one another through the computers. The information passes through a very short time. Computers have enhanced efficiency in the information and communication sector, hence reduced time wastage due to immediate feedback. On the opposing side, overdependence on computers has its negative effects which include making people lazy and eliminates the rate at which people think. Additionally, computers pose safety hazards to the users, especially when mishandled. Children use computers to play games, chat and watch movies: this can change their attitudes, reduce reading time and make them intolerant to instructions. They also make people less interactive with others, since they spend several hours on their computers without getting involved in outdoor activities, hence becoming

Why America should still be on guard against Terrorist Essay

Why America should still be on guard against Terrorist - Essay Example Nevertheless, its attempts to control others, is loathed. Since the 9/11 radical attacks, the war and America’s move changed to mean rather different for the U.S. men in service, which has used up the last decade combating all kinds of unconventional enemies who use guerilla warfare and are more ephemeral than ever. The presidents Bush and Obama have employed new setting to sanction military action in regions most Americans know little of like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen. The intimidations facing the United States are so immense and ever shifting, they entail diverse responses of force and not essentially the endorsement of assembly. The country should still be in the guard for terrorist attacks since the concepts of terrorism are changing daily. The kind of terrorism in the globe today is constantly changing in terms of the strategies that make it more complicated and harder to track. The acts of terrorism are constantly aimed at the public in terms of maiming and cau sing fear to spread across the nations. US has always made it clear that these attacks are not going without response judging by the advances the country has made to counter al kinds of terrorism. The threats on terrorism are changing from the 9/11 kind to more diverse types of terrorism. The fight against terrorism in the country is more evident in the sense that more radical are coming up with better ways to do their bidding. The advance in the technology had made it easier for them to articulate their terrorist acts on the country. The evolution of the terrorists attacks has changed from the normal forms into maritime, cyber, and even the economic biological and outer space terrorism. The initial official response picked up in America after the bombardments in Boston are heartening. President Barack took pains to continue being calm, contravening with the appalling conventions of the Bush management to guarantee reprisal while arousing the rule of law. Obama knows that the United States needs no new terrorist laws, no new regime agencies, no increase of police and intelligence operations and, the majority of all, no more provocative speeches. The staged search for the two bombing suspects was incontrovertibly a manhunt, and the social networks, particularly Twitter, were filled with false allegations and unbearable invective. However, none of this transforms the feature of Obama's actions, whose speech was patriotic in an optimistic intellect, relaxed and packed with assurance in the president's own, usually legitimized general power. This was in line with the act of Queen Elizabeth II who as a role model managed to set a comparable tone after the London attacks in 2005 (Bruce 4). She gave her subjects of her condolences and showed her sadness and compassion for the fatalities, she thanked the crisis services and the population of London, and then she said, shortly and in brief, that those who perpetrate these atrocious acts against blameless people should know that they do not change the lives of the people they hurt. This is what the voice of development sounds like, and it cannot be permissible to fall silent simply because a few cave inhabitants are continually feeling marginalized. At present and in the future, people should always recap the judgment of the Queen's and Obama's calm words each time terror occurs once again. In fact, the message to such killers ought to always be the same they will never change the lives of the ones they hurt. They can propel bombs, but the culture, the values, and the maimed society grow mightier than the desire to annihilate them. These varied attacks are some of the reasons that

How do you Evaluate the Role of the Communist Party among California Essay

How do you Evaluate the Role of the Communist Party among California Farmworkers - Essay Example Before the intervention of the communists, the Mexican farm workers staged a short-lived cantaloupe strike in 19281 in the Imperial Valley that showed that the workers were incapable of bridging the ethnic divide that existed amongst them and of organizing their ranks. Later on, when the Lettuce farm workers rose up demanding better wages, the Communist Party of United States, propelled by the wave of communism spreading half the world away in Russia, sent its workers to help the protesting farm workers in 1929. The Communist Party formed the Traders Union Unity League (TUUL). According to Daniel E. Cletus, who chronicled the role of the communists in the strikes of 1930s, the involvement of the communists in the lettuce strike of 1930 ‘marked the beginning of a new period of conflict in agricultural labor relations in California’2. Though the communists were at this point spurred more by opportunism than any genuine concern for the welfare of the workers, and the strike itself deteriorated due to the arrest of the communists and the harsh repression tactics employed by authorities, the strike was the first of many, more effective strikes involving communists to come later on. About forty agricultural strikes took place between the years 1930 to 19323, before the TUUL gave way to the Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union (CAWIU), also organized by the Communist Party. The CAWIU sought to organize workers in canneries for mass picketing, but after several arrests of the strikers, the employers’ determination to quell the protests won through and the modest demands of the workers failed to get a hearing. The failure of the CAWIU in organizing an effective campaign disillusioned the workers and many of them returned to work. It is worthy to note, however, that the CAWIU began to provide experienced leaders to the workers who would organize the undisciplined masses in to a much more synchronized entity that would later achieve much m ore victories than defeats. Before the peach strike of 1933 began, the Dust Bowl Immigrants ensured that a surplus of labor, in addition to the Mexican and Filipino workers already present, existed at all times. The wages were shamefully minimal, and the lack of jobs ensured that regardless of how unsatisfied the workers were, they could not leave their jobs. The discontent produced what Kushner describes as one of the two ‘important CAWIU-led strikes in August 1933 also helped set the stage for the cotton strike’4. The peach strike was one of the first victories of the union, having won 25 and 27 ? cents per hour after four days of protesting. The extent of the involvement of the American communists in the strikes of the Californian Farm Workers became obvious when the Cotton Strike broke out. The Cotton Strike is unarguably the most significant of the 1930s’ agricultural strikes, and was also the most violent and lasted longer than the other strikes. The commun ists had by then learned many bitter lessons, and were realizing the futility of trying to direct unplanned, volatile protests that kept breaking out. The success of the Peach Strike had taught them the importance of organization. Another notable feature of the protests organized by the CAWIU was that they were devoid of any violence, and hence, impelled

European Convention on Human Rights Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

European Convention on Human Rights - Case Study Example The CPR provides under Part 35.3 that: "(1) It is the duty of an expert to help the court on the matters within his expertise. (2) This duty overrides any obligation to the person from whom he has received instructions or by whom he is paid." Moreover, Part 35.4 of the CPR likewise provides that: "(1) No party may call an expert or put in evidence an expert's report without the court's permission. (2) When a party applies for permission under this rule he must identify - (a) the field in which he wishes to rely on expert evidence, and (b) where practicable the expert in that field on whose evidence he wishes to rely. (3) If permission is granted under this rule it shall be in relation only to the expert named or the field identified under paragraph (2). (4) The court may limit the number of the expert's fees and expenses that the party who wishes to rely on the expert may recover from any other party." Hence, it is settled that under the CPR, the experts have an overriding duty to th e court and that the court has the power to restrict expert evidence. Clearly, these provisions in the CPR is geared towards the objective of satisfying Article 6 ECHR affording a party to a dispute a right to a fair trial by having his case heard before an independent and impartial tribunal that has the power to control and restrict expert evidence. The Act, on the other hand, has several provisions ensuring that a party to an arbitration proceeding is afforded his right to a fair trial as a guaranteed in Article 6 ECHR. Section 1 provides: "1. The provisions of this Part are founded on the following principles, and shall be construed accordingly-- (a) the object of arbitration is to obtain the fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense; (b) the parties should be free to agree how their disputes are resolved, subject only to such safeguards as are necessary for the public interest; (c) in matters governed by this Part the court should not intervene except as provided by this Part." All the provisions in the Act must be read with these words in mind. The concepts of fairness, impartiality and the avoidance of unnecessary delay or expense are not new. The importance is the emphasis given to them at the start of this overhaul of arbitration--they are the lodestone for the parties and t he arbitrator when deciding appropriate procedure in the arbitration. Next is a strong statement of party control, subject to public interest safeguards. Finally, a provision that the State will not frustrate the parties' arbitration agreement. On the contrary, it will support it by punishing a defaulting party if that becomes necessary.  

CAREER PLAN Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CAREER PLAN - Essay Example I took up Business Management at Webster University because of this interest to know more on running a business, understanding what it takes to establish and develop your products, getting the whole team work towards propelling the products to market success. I have also been interested in marketing, and how advertisements work to make the client notice different brands and products. I have always had passion for business. There is something about creating your own means of livelihood and making goals for this business that catches my interest to learn more and understand the subject. These are also the very reasons why I have set an eye towards pursuing higher education tackling business management. Moreover, my interest in learning about other countries’ culture and economics prompted me to seek more knowledge on international business and trade, with the goal of someday being able to establish a career in global marketing management. For now, the goal is to get the necessar y masters degree and apply the learnings in my current job as Sales Manager at General Motors in KSA. Obtaining a Master’s Degree does not only mean having another milestone to place in my resume, but more importantly to show that there happened a knowledge enhancement that I could apply in my future endeavors. While having related work experience is important, having a good grasp on the principles of Business Management is equally important for me to be able to compete with other colleagues also vying for career development. A Master’s Degree is necessary because it is a requirement for potential promotion. More and more people obtain a post graduate degree to be more competitive, to have the edge over those who do not. This is understandably so because a Masters Program allows students to enhance skills acquired from hands on experience in their respective jobs. This decision to take up Masters Program is also timely because my journey as a student would be simultane ous to my growth as professional. The two facets of my life complement each other. Fiver years from now, I see myself still with my current company, still doing Sales and Marketing. More importantly, I see myself facing bigger tasks, probably handling more accounts and having my own team of Sales People, achieving sales forecasts and getting more accounts. General Motors sees a rise in automobile sales in 2011 (General Motors Sees 54% Surge in Saudi Car Sales 2011), and as a sales person, I see the potential despite the global economic crisis. The strength of the brand is one of its keys to success, and I believe that General Motors will continue to compete with Japanese brands. This is also why I want to be part of this company that is still evolving and reinventing itself to suit the requirements of the target market. With this vision in mind, I have to ensure that I continue to be highly aware of the latest in the industry where I am in now. I will apply all concepts and learning s from graduate school to actual situations. Market analysis will generally revolve around the auto industry, touching topics on manufacture and distribution. To see that the automobile industry still has growth potential makes me feel assured that I am in the right track and with the right company. It is also in this light that I want to become better versed in Information Technology, to use

European Convention on Human Rights Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

European Convention on Human Rights - Case Study Example The CPR provides under Part 35.3 that: "(1) It is the duty of an expert to help the court on the matters within his expertise. (2) This duty overrides any obligation to the person from whom he has received instructions or by whom he is paid." Moreover, Part 35.4 of the CPR likewise provides that: "(1) No party may call an expert or put in evidence an expert's report without the court's permission. (2) When a party applies for permission under this rule he must identify - (a) the field in which he wishes to rely on expert evidence, and (b) where practicable the expert in that field on whose evidence he wishes to rely. (3) If permission is granted under this rule it shall be in relation only to the expert named or the field identified under paragraph (2). (4) The court may limit the number of the expert's fees and expenses that the party who wishes to rely on the expert may recover from any other party." Hence, it is settled that under the CPR, the experts have an overriding duty to th e court and that the court has the power to restrict expert evidence. Clearly, these provisions in the CPR is geared towards the objective of satisfying Article 6 ECHR affording a party to a dispute a right to a fair trial by having his case heard before an independent and impartial tribunal that has the power to control and restrict expert evidence. The Act, on the other hand, has several provisions ensuring that a party to an arbitration proceeding is afforded his right to a fair trial as a guaranteed in Article 6 ECHR. Section 1 provides: "1. The provisions of this Part are founded on the following principles, and shall be construed accordingly-- (a) the object of arbitration is to obtain the fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense; (b) the parties should be free to agree how their disputes are resolved, subject only to such safeguards as are necessary for the public interest; (c) in matters governed by this Part the court should not intervene except as provided by this Part." All the provisions in the Act must be read with these words in mind. The concepts of fairness, impartiality and the avoidance of unnecessary delay or expense are not new. The importance is the emphasis given to them at the start of this overhaul of arbitration--they are the lodestone for the parties and t he arbitrator when deciding appropriate procedure in the arbitration. Next is a strong statement of party control, subject to public interest safeguards. Finally, a provision that the State will not frustrate the parties' arbitration agreement. On the contrary, it will support it by punishing a defaulting party if that becomes necessary.  

Marks and spencer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marks and spencer - Essay Example One of foremost steps in creating a successful marketing strategy is that of Market Segmentation, which refers to the division of a whole market for a product into smaller segments based upon the characteristics or aspects that are shared by the groups. By conducting market segmentation, a business is able to understand and evaluate various aspects of each division, group or segment in order to target a group or several groups that are then catered to with different marketing mixes (Vieceli & Valos 1998). As buyers become more diversified and unique, market segmentation acts as a key tool in designing the marketing strategies of successful organizations who understand that the diverse characteristics of customer needs, wants and preferences make it a requirement for any business’ success that the nature of its customer’s needs and wants is precisely defined and then handled accordingly (Lamb, Hair & McDaniel 2011). Market Segmentation can be conducted on the basis of fo ur primary variables that are Geographic, Demographic, Psychographic and Behavioral and will be discussed individually based on their relevance and applicability to Marks and Spencer. Geographic Segmentation: World region or country: The primary market for the retailer is still the United Kingdom; moreover, it has also expanded into Asia, Africa and other European nations. City or metro size: The location of Marks and Spencer shops is primarily Major cities with population crossing 4 million and mainstream cities with population above 1 million. Density: Urban and suburban population. Demographic Segmentation: Age: Middle-aged. The average age of a customer can range from 35-55. Gender: The existence of product categories such as women’s clothing, lingerie, beauty, kids, home furniture, food and gifts seems to attract a largely female audience but that does not mean that men are not M&S buyers. Family life cycle: Customers are usually single, married, married couples with chi ldren, unmarried couples and older people who are family oriented. Income: ?30,000 and above per annum Psychographic Segmentation: Social Class: Usually middle class and upper middle class buyers looking for products that are of a decent quality but also economical and suitably priced at the same time. This suggests that customers of M&S seek good value for money. Personality: Customers are not generally perceived as trendy, fashionable or imaginative when it comes to choices related to clothing. Older customers are not considered to be ambitious or achievers who wish to shop at the retailer to project a sense of success and affluence (Business World). Behavioral Segmentation: Occasions: The M&S shopping experience is not limited to special occasions; buyers may shop at M&S for regular commodities and go to other high-end retailers for special occasion shopping such as Christmas. This was reflected in a drop in sales of M&S by 3.8% for general commodities during the holiday season o f 2012 (Ruddick 2013). Benefits Sought: Users seek economy and convenience when shopping at M&S as much of the commodities are affordable and not high-priced. Loyalty Status: Customer’s buying behavior for regular and basic commodities such as grocery and basic clothing is low involvement, habitual buying behavior. Therefore,

The impact Divorce has on children Essay Example for Free

The impact Divorce has on children Essay Abstract   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Divorce affects children in a different way, depending on their gender, age as well as stage of development. Their world, their security and their constancy seems to fall apart when their parents get divorced. This paper discusses the universal responses that researchers have found among children of divorce, furthermore, recommendations for divorces parents have been discussed as well. The reference page appends 6 sources in APA format. Introduction Family is the place to which everyone belongs and where everyone begins life, thus it is the pillar of a society. The flourishing and prosperity of an individual and family depends upon the close relationship and belongings with other family members. But this family starts suffering when the parents reject each other by divorce or getting separated or never come close to each other.    The impact Divorce has on children Since many divorcing families include children, therefore because of this rejection, the children are the first ones who get affected. Their strength does not get developed as it must have to be resulting in weakness of their character building and which is obvious from addictions, deprivation, abuse and failure. The children thrive when there is a strong relationship between their parents but when the parents divorce or walk away from each other many children wilt and not thrive as much as when their parents were together and belonged to each other. Children whose parents get separated start feeling vulnerable since beginning of the divorce. They feel bereavement due to the disintegration of the intact family. There are some children who are not aware of the trouble going on between their parents, so they feel a great pain and feeling of powerlessness because they lose the non-custodial parents, this all results in reaction in the form of severe anger. (Clarke, 1995)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Other than grief and further traumatic events, children start noticing the impetuous beginning of transformation in their lives, and also experience the dissolving of normal and usual systems, which are distinctive to divorcing families   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The divorcing parents are often worried about their children that what would be the effect on them. Although parents are more concerned about their own problems during that period, they are the most important people in the lives of their children.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Children are consistently scared and puzzled about the threats of their protection and security, whether parents get relieved or devastated from this divorce. For few parents, divorce overwhelms and hurts them so much that they possibly turn to their children for ease and comfort. Parents must explain their children the whole situation that what is going to happen to them and how they are involved so that children should not misinterpret divorce. Children might start acting in the manner that is troublesome and irritating for the beginning few years of divorce. (Amato, 1991) Most of the parents perceive divorce as their issue that the other person has done wrong and it is impossible for him or her to live with that person. By doing this they are actually ignoring their children. Their marital relationship experience inconsistency of loyalty it has extensive implications for children friends, extended families and others. Some of the points of views of children in divorcing families are discussed below. The children of a divorcing family are well aware of the disturbance and change caused by the divorce and they know that the past will not come again and nothing will be same again. All the things will get change including their time table will change and all the contacts with the other relatives will lose resulting in upheaval.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Children in a divorcing family fear that if they will lose one of their parents due to divorce, they might lose the other. So they are threatened of being left alone in the world. They also fear of losing the strong relationship they have with their relatives, siblings, friends and especially their parents to whom they are naturally attached. Being attached to all these since their birth, it is very difficult for them to adjust in the new surroundings and forget the previous ones easily. Since divorce is followed by the number of years stress and tension between the two partners, both parents want to turn their child towards them and against the other and it is a very difficult situation for that child. (Pfeffe, 1981) Why children are influenced by Divorce   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Due to divorce, children whole world is changed and their lives become unstable. Divorce affect varies from children gender, age, personality, the support provided by the family and friends and their stage of development. Parents must make sure that the development of their children should not get affected and does not face any conflict, for that they have to make arrangements on childcare and parenting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since infants don’t know much about the situation, they only react to parents’ indifferent mood and changed energy level. While preschool children within 3 to 5 years of age mostly believe that they are the main cause of their parents’ divorce. This age children are threatened of being deserted and left alone. They might start acting like small babies and start denying the change which has come to them. They may get stubborn, disobedient, dishearten, aggressive and annoyed. It is very difficult for the school going children to adjust easily for the divorce.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is very difficult for the school going children to adjust easily for the divorce. Although they are old enough to realize and are hurt because of their parents’ divorce, but too young to manage their pains and control their reactions. (Roman, 1978)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They feel great anger, discomfiture, resentment, grief, and divided loyalty. This age children continue hoping that their parents might recoup again. Children of elementary age feel themselves rejected by their divorced parents. Adolescent children in divorcing families also experience aloneness, stress, anger, embarrassment and anger. They are forcibly put into adulthood if they have younger siblings and they want to take their responsibility. Some adolescents take control of the family by responding to their parents’ high stress level and low energy level. They might feel doubtful of their own capabilities to handle their own married life and decide not to get married. They understand the main cause of their parents’ separation. The potential of teens to keep in mind the stress and conflict of divorce may get in the way to the potential to help the family to cope up. Boys in a divorcing family experience more difficulties than girls. In school going children girls possibly experience stress and depression, while boys prove to be more aggressive and use to quarrel on foolish things. But in adolescence, as a whole both girls and boys possibly engage in abusive activities and experience great depression. Getting involved in sexual activities is one of the habits being adopted by the adolescent girls. These types of habits can have a great influence on their entering into the workforce and completion of their school studies. On the other hand boys of this age are involved in taking abusive substances and drugs, make abusive friends and show the wrong attitude. Teen age boys are likely to become parents by getting involved in the sexual activities. This all is observed mainly when the boys are raised by the mothers and girls are raised by fathers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The children usually feel insecure and are angry about their parents’ separations but sometimes do not express their anger. They feel themselves helpless when they realize that their parents would not come back together. They have a feeling that may be parents have no more love for them and may be they have also being divorced by their parents. While children are raised by the parents of opposite gender, that is girls being looked after their mothers and boys by their father, prove to do better than the previous ones.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Girls being looked after by their mothers prove to be more mature dependable and responsible then being raised by fathers since they are strongly attached and influenced by their mothers. While boys raised by fathers are less aggressive and help their fathers in their work.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some children in a divorcing family prove to be exceptionally resilient individual since they have faced such kind of challenges and responsibilities due to divorce. Due to such kinds of experiences they prosper and a very strong relationship is being developed among the children and the spouse, with whom they are living. It happens mostly with the girls living with their mothers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many children have a belief that they are the main cause of the divorce and can bring their parents back together. For this sometimes they sacrifice their own lives. The effect in the academics is one of the most important impacts on the children in a divorcing family. Even if they are best in studies and always score good grades, during and after the period of their parents separation their grades tend to decrease and they give poorer result. This difference is obvious from the children overall performance. Parents and teachers have to analyze the main problem and help their child to cope us with it and improve his performance but mostly what happens is that they underestimate those children.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of this ignorance they are involved in bad habits and their behavior starts getting changed and they spend less time in school and more time with their abusive peers. This happens mostly with boys whose behavior change into more aggressiveness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While girls are distressed from the current situation are not able to give concentration on their studies and also not giving their 100% effort. If this continues for children, it affects their lives and they never achieve any success in future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The children usually feel rejected, insecure, torn between parents and are angry about their parents’ separations but sometimes do not express their anger. They feel themselves helpless when they realize that their parents would not come back together. They have a feeling that may be parents have no more love for them and may be they have also being divorced by their parents. They mourn and grieve since they feel that they are at a great loss and feel guilty for the whole situation. They feel that they would also do the same in their lives and they would not prove to be good parents when they will get married. This reduces their confidence and they stop taking part in activities other than academics or even academics. They think that their friends would make joke of them and their family which loses their confidence and thus cannot talk with others eye to eye. Divorce, if not handled carefully can have bad effects which cannot be controlled. Divorce requires rebuilding the family since beginning and it is in the hand of parents that hot they restructure the whole family, and if it is not maintained effectively it produces adverse effects. Parents should give special care to children especially on occasions such as their birthdays and religious holidays, if not, and then children might feel insecurity so parents should not forget their responsibility and they should not let their child feel that he is alone in this world. (William, 1998)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Step families, either step father or mother is the main threat for children, especially for young aged children. Mostly it has been observed that step father or mother do not give attention and care to their step children, in fact they sometimes start hating them. This also let the children to feel insecure. If there are any step brothers or sisters, and children try to make relationship with them or live their lives as how their step siblings are living, they fail to do so which results in aggression, stress and anger and involving in the bad habits. Recommendations for parents Speak to family regarding your concerns linked to the divorce. This will facilitate them realize what is going on. Spend regular time with your children. Maintain a familiar routine as much as possible. Keep your commitments and the promises you make to your children. If your children have pre-existing psychological, expressive or emotional troubles Look for recommendation and consultation from a qualified health care expert Perform a kind, however firm, style of discipline. Admit children’s approach of annoyance. Facilitate them find satisfactory ways of expressing this annoyance without hurting themselves, other people, animals, or belongings. Give the nurturing and love that your children require, whereas setting firm limits on fierceness and other unsuitable performance. Express that you are concerned in your childs views, however make it obvious that parents are in charge for the judgments.   This can be a great support and can help you deal successfully with your kids and partner. If you cant or dont know how to make things better for your child, dont make matters worse. Build as only some changes as probable. This will aid your kid feel that, regardless of the difficulties, loved ones still care regarding them and that life can be rationally standard. It takes more than 2 years for kids to adjust to their parents’ divorce. Considerate and keeping in close contact with your children, you will assist them develop into well-adjusted and creative adults by means of love. (Hetherington, 1998) Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Divorce is the collapsing of married couple and their family. For children it is very difficult to absorb their parent’s divorce. In support of obvious reasons, divorce appears to be very stressful for children. This trauma results in long term behavioral change which is atypical unmanageable, and conceivably continual and persistent. For children, divorce is a severely traumatic experience irrespective of their development stage and age group. Most of the children are already prepared for their parents’ separation as they are well aware of the situation and thus are ready for the impending divorce And those who are not prepared, for them and their lives divorce plays a devastating role. It usually takes 2 to 3 years or more for children to get adjust to their parents’ divorce. Parents can help out their children to become well established and productive adults, by giving them love, caring, understanding and getting in touch and having close relations with their children, References   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pfeffer, C.R. (1981). Developmental issues among children of separation and divorce In: I.R. Stuart L.E. Abt (Eds.). Children of separation and divorce: Management and treatment (pp. 20-32). Atlanta: Van Nostrand Reinhold.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Roman, M., and Haddad, W. (1978). The disposable parent. New York: Holt, Rhinehart and Wilson.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Amato, Paul R., Keith, Bruce. (1991). Parental divorce and the well-being of children: A metaanalysis. Psychological Bulletin, 110(1), 26-46.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Clarke, S. C. (1995). Advanced report of final marriage statistics: 1989 and 1990. Monthly Vital Statistics Report, 43(12) Supplement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hetherington, E. Mavis; Bridges, Margaret; Insabella, Glendessa M. (1998). What matters? What does not? Five perspectives on the association between marital transitions and childrens adjustment. American Psychologist, 53(2), 167-184.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jeynes, William H. (1998). Does divorce or remarriage have the greater negative impact on the academic achievement of children? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 29(1-2), 79-100.

The Pros and Cons of Teaching Sex Education in Public Schools Essay

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Picture a young couple being on the verge of exploring their sexual desires for the first time. The question is does this young couple have the proper education to make this life changing decision? They most likely were given their education from the school they attend. Hopefully the school taught them what they needed to know to make such a decision. Should sex education be taught at school by teachers or by the parents? Problems with having sex education at school There are many problems with having sex education in public schools. Religion plays an important part to the topic of sex education. Some parents feel that if the school gets to speak to their children about sex before they do, than important things about their religion will be left out of the discussion. If their religion says not to have premarital sex, then that child doesn't need to learn the proper way to put on a condom, where to go to get birth control pills, or anything about abortion. None of this information is going to be needed because the child of the family who uses religion as a guideline for everyday life. These children don't need their heads filled with what isn't important in their religion. According to the Web page SIECUS, parents are-and ought to be-the primary sexuality educators of their children. From the moment of birth, children learn about love, touch, and relationships. Infants and toddlers receive sexuality education through example when their parents ta lk to them, dress them, show affection, play with them, and teach them the names of the parts of their bodies ("Sexuality"). Another reason parents want to teach their children about sex education is that they feel it is up to them and no one else to teach their kids ... ...ks Cited Cooper, Carol. "What shall we tell the children?" The Lancet 356 (2008): 780. "Does Sex Education work?" AVERT 18 Nov. . Harris, Wendy. "Schools fail sex ed, new studies say Parents, students want more comprehensive; lessons even as scope of teaching has narrowed." Spokesman Review 27 Sep. 2007: A1. Jordan, Timothy R. "Rural parents' communication with their teen-agers about sexual issues." The Journal of School Health 70 (2008): 338-344 Schemo, Diana J. "Survey Finds Parents Favor More Detailed Sex Education." The New York Times 4 Oct. 2007: A.1 Sexuality Education is the Schools: Issues and Answers." SIECUS Report 27 (2007) Web. 19 Nov. 2008 http://www.siecus.org/pubs/fact/fact/0007.html. Ubell, E. "Sex-education programs that work-and some that don't." Parade Magazine 12 Feb. 2007: 18-20.

Rubin? Yes! Yes! Yes! Essay -- Essays Papers

The vulgar and refreshing paraphrase of a simplified hippy version of what shall be taken as topic: We are so oppressed. Maybe we are not repressed, but come on. We are so oppressed. Malcolm X knew it, Catharine MacKinnon knew it. Everyone knows it. One way we are oppressed is sexually. We might not just be repressed, while we still clearly are because there are laws and things. But, come on. Even if sexuality is socially constructed, it’s still very material, it is out there as much as anything - words are actions too. Gayle Rubin’s Thinking Sex considers the political history of sex regulation, its current form, and a bit of theory about sexuality and its discourses. At the very apex of the flow of the article towards freedom in sexual practice, she draws the line at consent, straining out bad sex from good sex on the line in the sand of what is agreed to and what is not. Rubin’s piece fails to take seriously the History of Sexuality that she relies on for her rejection of political regulations about sexuality, and thus ends up advocating the consent limitation that recapitulates all the problems and fancies she finds in sexual legislation. Rubin bemoans the oppressive laws that tell people what sexual practices are to be accepted and unaccepted, as if laws were to be obeyed - a presumption that already constitutes a particular type of subject in relation to a kind of power (the power of/in Law). Because we are so oppressed, unable to choose between sexual practices, we should give up these overrated relics of good sexuality and bad. Instead let everyone do anything, so long as they practice the vaunted ritual of consent. And while consent may be hard to locate, and does have problems, it should still b... ...it in the settled form Rubin’s partial agenda of consent relies on for its humanist restraints, as if recapitulating prevalent representations of the control of nuclear weapons - on a hair trigger, under control, mutually assured, and yet therefore also for these assurances mutually constitutive on the other side of the trigger and self-deploying in their fluxes of power and selves. Sexuality can be much more exciting for â€Å"bodies and pleasures† (Foucault 157) than this half-hearted effort lets itself argue. Why respond to a demand for bread with the offer to let them eat consent? WORKS CITED Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality: Volume One. Vintage Books: New York, 1978. Rubin, Gayle. â€Å"Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality.† in Pleasure and Danger: Exploring Female Sexuality. ed. Vance, Carole. Pandora: London, 1992.

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Fifteen

As she headed for the door of her dorm room, Elena rummaged through her bag, checking off a mental list: wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss, eyeliner, hairbrush, student ID. As she swung the door open, something fluttered to the ground. A perfect white daisy had fal en to the floor. Elena reached down and picked it up. Turning it in her hand, she felt a sudden sharp ache in her chest. God, I miss Stefan. She had no doubt the daisy was from him. It was just like him to let her know he was thinking of her while stil respecting her space. The ache in her chest was slowly replaced with a sweet glowing feeling. It seemed so sil y and artificial to avoid talking to Stefan. She loved him. And, beyond that, he was one of her best friends. Elena pul ed out her phone to cal him. And then she stopped. Taking a deep breath, she put the phone back into her bag. If she talked to Stefan, she would want to see him. If she saw him, she would want to touch him. If she touched him, it would al be over. She would find herself fal ing into him, entangled in love. And then she would look up and see Damon's dark unfathomable eyes watching them and feel that pul toward him. And then the brothers would look at each other, and love and pain and fury would pass over their faces, and everything would start up again. It had felt good to walk away from them for a while, even though it was heartbreaking and awful and terribly lonely, too. But, since then, Elena had felt a calm settle over her. She wasn't happy, exactly – it was like she was covered with bruises, and if she wasn't careful, pain would flood over her as she remembered what she had done. But she also felt as if she had been holding her breath for weeks and now was able to exhale. She knew that Stefan would be waiting for her when she was ready to face him again. Wasn't that what the daisy meant? She tucked the flower inside her bag and set off down the hal , her heels clicking firmly. Elena was going to go out with her friends, she was going to have fun, and she wasn't going to think about Stefan, or Damon. Or even the disappearances, or Christopher's death. Elena sighed under the weight of it al . For days, they had been mourning, and now Elena and her friends needed to embrace life again. They deserved an evening of freedom. They needed to remember what they were fighting for. â€Å"There she is,† Elena heard Bonnie say as she entered the crowded bar. â€Å"Elena! Over here!† Bonnie, Meredith, and a girl Elena didn't know were sitting at a smal table near the dance floor. They had invited Matt to come out with them, but he'd said he had to study, his face politely closed off, and they knew he wasn't ready yet and that he needed some time alone. Meredith, graceful and relaxed, gave Elena a cool smile in greeting and introduced her friend Samantha. Samantha was lean, bright eyed, and alert. She seemed like she had energy to spare, shifting from side to side, chatting without stopping. Bonnie, too, was clearly on tonight and started talking as soon as Elena reached the table. Bonnie was brave, Elena thought. Christopher's death had shocked her, and she was as worried about Matt as any of them, but she would stick out her chin and smile and gossip and go on with life just as hard as she could, because they had decided that was what tonight would be about. â€Å"I got you a Coke,† Bonnie said. â€Å"They carded me, so I couldn't get anything else. Guess what?† She paused dramatical y. â€Å"I cal ed Zander, and he said he'd definitely try to make it here tonight. I can't wait for you guys to meet him!† Bonnie was practical y bouncing out of her seat with excitement, red curls flipping everywhere. â€Å"Who's Zander?† asked Samantha innocently. Meredith gave Elena a sly glance. â€Å"You know, I'm not sure,† she said with mock confusion. â€Å"Bonnie, tel us about him.† â€Å"Yes,† Elena added, smirking. â€Å"I don't think you've mentioned him at al , have you?† â€Å"Shut up, you guys,† Bonnie said amiably, and, leaning over the table to Samantha, started to extol al of Zander's virtues to her fresh audience. Elena let her mind wander. She'd heard it al , night after night in their dorm lately: Zander's eyes, Zander's smile, Zander's bashful charm, Zander's very hot bod (Bonnie's words). How Zander and Bonnie studied together in a tucked-away corner of the library and Zander brought Bonnie secret snacks even though it was totally against the library rules. The way they talked on the phone every night, the long velvety pauses when it seemed like Zander was on the verge of whispering something intimate, something no one but Bonnie could know, but then instead he would make a joke that made Bonnie laugh like crazy. There was something so sweet about Bonnie with a crush. Elena real y hoped this guy was worthy of her. â€Å"He hasn't kissed me yet,† Bonnie added, eyes wide. â€Å"Soon, though. I hope.† â€Å"The very first kiss,† Samantha said, and wiggled her eyebrows. â€Å"Maybe tonight?† Bonnie just giggled in response. That ache was back in Elena's chest, and she pressed her hand against her sternum. During her first kiss with Stefan, the world had fal en away and there had been just the two of them, lips and souls touching. Everything had seemed so clear then. She took a deep breath and wil ed away tears. She wasn't going to remember anything tonight; she was just going to have a good time with her friends. Having Samantha there, Elena soon realized, was going to be a huge help with that. If it had been just Elena, Meredith, and Bonnie, they would have ended up discussing Christopher's murder and the disappearances on campus, combing obsessively over the very few things they knew and theorizing about everything they didn't. But with Samantha there, they had to keep the conversation light. Somehow Bonnie got off the topic of wonderful Zander and on to palm reading. â€Å"Look,† she said to Samantha. â€Å"See the line that crosses down your palm, across the other three lines? That's a fate line, not everybody has that.† â€Å"What does it mean?† Samantha said, gazing at her own palm with great interest. â€Å"Well,† Bonnie said, her brow furrowing, â€Å"it changes direction a lot – see here? and here? – which means that your destiny is going to change because of outside forces influencing you.† â€Å"Hmm,† Samantha said. â€Å"How about love? Wil I meet somebody amazing tonight?† â€Å"No,† Bonnie said slowly, and her voice changed, taking on a flat, almost metal ic, tone. Elena glanced up quickly to see that Bonnie's pupils were dilated, her eyes looking away from Samantha's palm into the distance. â€Å"Not tonight. But there's someone waiting for you who wil change everything. You'l meet him soon.† â€Å"Bonnie,† Meredith said sharply. â€Å"Are you okay?† Bonnie blinked, and her eyes snapped back into focus. â€Å"Of course,† she said, sounding confused. â€Å"What do you mean?† Elena and Meredith exchanged a glance – had Bonnie slipped into a vision? Before they could question her, a whole group of guys was suddenly at their table, laughing, shouting, swearing. Elena frowned up at them. â€Å"Hey, gorgeous,† one said, staring down at Elena. â€Å"Wanna dance?† Elena started to shake her head, but another of the guys dropped into the seat next to Bonnie and threw his arm around her. â€Å"Hey,† he said. â€Å"Did you miss me?† â€Å"Zander!† Bonnie exclaimed, her cheeks pink with delight. So this was Zander, Elena thought, and watched him covertly as his three friends settled at the table, too, introducing themselves cheerful y, seeming to make the maximum amount of noise dragging chairs over and jockeying to sit next to the girls. Zander was cute, sure, she had to admit that. Pale blond hair and a gorgeous smile. She didn't real y like the way he was pul ing Bonnie close, turning her head toward him, his hands running restlessly over her shoulders even as he talked over her head to his friends. It seemed real y possessive for a guy who hadn't even kissed her yet. Elena looked over at Meredith to see if she was thinking the same thing. Meredith was listening, with an amused smile, to the guy next to her – Marcus, she thought his name was – Zander's friend with the shaggy brown hair, explaining his weight-lifting routine. â€Å"Shots,† another friend of Zander's said succinctly, joining them with a tray ful of shot glasses. â€Å"Let's play quarters.† Bonnie giggled. â€Å"They're not al owed to serve us here. We're underage.† The guy grinned. â€Å"S'alright. I paid for them, not you.† â€Å"Wanna dance?† Spencer, the one who had asked Elena a minute before, said again, asking Samantha this time. â€Å"Sure!† she said, and jumped to her feet. The two were quickly lost in the crowd on the dance floor. â€Å"God, I was so drunk last night,† the guy next to Elena, Jared, said, tipping his chair back on two legs and regarding her cheerful y. His friend on his other side gazed at him for a minute, then poured a shot into his lap. â€Å"Hey!† In a moment, they were on their feet and shoving each other, the guy who had poured the drink laughing, Jared red-faced and angry. â€Å"Knock it off, you guys,† Zander said. â€Å"I don't want to get kicked out of here, too.† Too? Elena raised her eyebrows. This guy and his friends were definitely too wild for innocent little Bonnie. Elena looked at Meredith again for confirmation, but she was stil lost in jock world, now giving her opinion on the best weight training for martial arts. Bonnie squealed with laughter and bounced a quarter directly into one of the shot glasses. Al the guys cheered. â€Å"Now what?† she said breathlessly, her eyes bright. â€Å"Now you choose someone to drink it,† the guy who had brought the drinks said. â€Å"Zander, of course,† Bonnie said, and Zander gave her a long, slow smile that even Elena had to admit was devastating and drank, then winked at her as she laughed again. Bonnie looked †¦ real y happy. Elena couldn't remember the last time she had seen her laughing like this. It must have been at least a year ago, before things had gone crazy in Fel ‘s Church. Elena sighed and looked around the table. These guys were rowdy – tussling and shoving at one another – but they were friendly enough. And this was the kind of thing people did at col ege, wasn't it? If it made Bonnie happy, Elena ought to at least try to get along with them. Samantha and Spencer came back to the table, both laughing, and Samantha col apsed in her seat. â€Å"No more,† she said, raising her hands to fend him off. â€Å"I need a water break. You're a madman, you know that?† â€Å"Wil you come dance with me, then?† Spencer said pleadingly to Elena, widening big brown puppy-dog eyes at her. â€Å"He'l try to pick you up,† Samantha warned. â€Å"And dip you. And spin you around. But don't worry, I'l be back out on that floor in no time.† â€Å"Pretty please?† Spencer said, making an even more pathetic face. Bonnie laughed triumphantly as she bounced another quarter into the glass. Dancing with a group of friends isn't betraying anyone, Elena thought. Besides, she was single now. Sort of, anyway. She should try to enjoy col ege, to embrace life. Wasn't that the whole point of tonight? She shrugged. â€Å"Sure, why not?†