Paintball The Safe Sport Essays - Paintball, Outdoor Recreation

Paintball: The Safe Sport Along these lines, your child, little girl, or spouse is asking for your alright to purchase the most recent paintball hardware. It's astounding, however after just a couple of excursions to the paintball field, people simply get snared! While you'd prefer to share their eagerness for the game and give your genuinely necessary proceed, you are worried about your friends and family shooting paintballs at different players and being taken shots at. Try not to feel like only you're. These are normal and genuine worries that merit a keen reaction. The accompanying sections will ideally clarify why our game is the quickest developing game on the planet and that it doesn't have anything to do with individuals harming each other. Paintball has had a surprising security record. Clinical and protection insights show that paintball is more secure than bowling! This is a solid declaration to the game and they players who play it. Paintball is a protected game insofar as rules are followed. Protection measurements likewise show that paintball is a lot more secure than golf, running, downhill skiing, snow boarding, tennis, swimming and numerous other increasingly basic games. Wellbeing is exceptionally worried all things considered fields. Most of fields require goggles be worn consistently except if in assigned zones. Notwithstanding this fields additionally necessitate that barrel plugs (plastic embeds that keep shots from leaving your weapon's barrel) be utilized while players are in sure regions. Disregarding security is a decent method to get yourself launched out from a field. People all things considered and ways of life play paintball in more than 30 nations. From teachers or secondary school understudies, experts or specialists, all paintball players share an adoration for experience and a solid serious solidarity. Paintball is like the youth rounds of tag and find the stowaway, yet significantly more testing and modern. There are different game configurations. Typically, a gathering of players will isolate into two groups to play catch the banner. The quantity of players in a group changes from four or five players, to upwards of 100 players on each side, restricted uniquely by the size of the playing field. The object of the game is to catch the other group's banner while guarding your own banner station. Players contend to wipe out rival players by labeling them with a paintball removed from an airgun. Games for the most part have a period breaking point of 20 to 45 minutes. Between 10 - 15 games are played during one day. Between games, players may check their hardware, reload paintballs or have a tidbit and offer tales about the adventures of triumph and the normally interesting miseries of destruction. Win or lose, everybody makes some extraordinary memories! A paintball is a round, dime-sized gelatin case with hued fluid inside. Paintballs are like huge round nutrient cases or shower oil globules. The fluid is non-harmful, non-scathing, water-dissolvable, and biodegradable. It flushes out of apparel and off skin with mellow cleanser and water. Paintballs arrive in a rainbow of hues. At the point when a paintball labels a player, the gelatin ball opens and the fluid leaves a paint mark. A player who is stamped is disposed of from the game. Paintball firearms arrive in an assortment of styles. Some are little stock guns, controlled by little 12-gram CO2 cartridges that should be changed after 15 to 25 shots. Other paintball weapons are rifle-like, with shoulder stocks and longer barrels. These are fueled by bigger, refillable CO2 chambers that gracefully several shots. Some paintball weapons are siphon activities. Each time you shoot, you should initially rooster the paintball weapon by utilizing a siphon. Other paintball firearms are self-loader, which re-cockerel naturally. Simply press the trigger! Paintballs won't hit hard enough to cause a physical issue as long as legitimate security techniques are followed. Defensive covering with various layers of garments is suggested. To ensure their eyes, all players should consistently wear affirmed for-paintball goggles in each territory where shooting is permitted, even at the objective range. Barrel plugs are required anyplace off the playing field. Proficient arbitrators on the playing field control the games, uphold the standards of reasonable play, and screen wellbeing rules. Most paintball fields have a staff of prepared arbitrators that permits them to lead a few games all the while. Paintball is where ladies and

De-Extinction - The Resurrection of Extinct Animals

De-Extinction - The Resurrection of Extinct Animals Theres another popular expression that has been getting out and about of in vogue tech gatherings and ecological research organizations: de-termination. On account of progressing propels in DNA recuperation, replication and control innovation, just as the capacity of researchers to recoup delicate tissue from fossilized creatures, it might before long be conceivable to raise Tasmanian Tigers, Wooly Mammoths and Dodo Birds over into reality, apparently fixing the wrongs that humankind delivered on these delicate monsters in any case, hundreds or thousands of years prior. The Technology of De-Extinction Before we get into the contentions for and against de-termination, its supportive to take a gander at the present condition of this quickly creating science. The significant element of de-termination, obviously, is DNA, the firmly wound particle that gives the hereditary outline of some random species. So as to de-terminated, state, a Dire Wolf, researchers would need to recoup a sizable piece of this creatures DNA, which isn't so implausible thinking about that Canis dirus just went wiped out around 10,000 years back and different fossil examples recuperated from the La Brea Tar Pits have yielded delicate tissue. Wouldnt we need the entirety of a creatures DNA so as to bring it once more from termination? No, and that is the magnificence of the de-termination idea: the Dire Wolf imparted enough of its DNA to present day canines that solitary certain particular qualities would be required, not the whole Canis dirus genome. The following test, obviously, is locate a reasonable host to brood a hereditarily built Dire Wolf embryo; probably, a deliberately arranged Great Dane or Gray Wolf female would possess all the necessary qualities. There is another, less muddled approach to de-wiped out an animal groups, and that is by switching a large number of long stretches of taming. At the end of the day, researchers can specifically raise crowds of dairy cattle to energize, instead of stifle, crude attributes, (for example, an ornery as opposed to a quiet manner), the outcome being a nearby guess of an Ice Age Auroch. This method could possibly even be utilized to de-breed canines into their non domesticated, uncooperative Gray Wolf progenitors, which may not do much for science yet would absolutely make hound shows all the more fascinating. This, coincidentally, is the explanation for all intents and purposes nobody genuinely discusses de-extincting creatures that have been wiped out for many years, similar to dinosaurs or marine reptiles. Its troublesome enough to recuperate reasonable sections of DNA from creatures that have been wiped out for a large number of years; following a huge number of years, any hereditary data will be rendered totally irretrievable by the fossilization procedure. Jurassic Park aside, dont anticipate that anybody should clone a Tyrannosaurus Rex in your or your childrens lifetime! Contentions in Favor of De-Extinction Because we may, sooner rather than later, have the option to de-wiped out disappeared species, does that mean we should? A few researchers and logicians are extremely bullish on the possibility, refering to the accompanying contentions in support of its: We can fix humanitys past slip-ups. In the nineteenth century, Americans who didnt know any better butchered Passenger Pigeons by the millions; ages previously, the Tasmanian Tiger was headed to approach termination by European settlers to Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. Reviving these creatures, this contention goes, would help turn around an enormous verifiable injustice.We can become familiar with development and science. Any program as driven as de-elimination is sure to create significant science, a similar way the Apollo moon missions helped introduce the age of the PC. We may conceivably learn enough about genome control to fix disease or expand the normal people life range into the triple digits.We can counter the impacts of natural theft. A creature species isnt significant just for the wellbeing of its own; it adds to a tremendous trap of environmental interrelationships and makes the whole biological system increasingly powerful. Restoring wiped out creatures might b e only the treatment our planet needs in this period of a worldwide temperature alteration and human overpopulation. Contentions Against De-Extinction Any new logical activity will undoubtedly incite a basic clamor, which is frequently an automatic response against what pundits think about dream or bunk. On account of de-termination, however, the naysayers may have a point, as they keep up that: De-annihilation is a PR trick that cheapens genuine natural issues. What is the purpose of restoring the Gastric-Brooding Frog (to take only one model) when many land and water proficient species are near the precarious edge of surrendering to the chytrid organism? An effective de-termination may give individuals the bogus, and perilous, impression that researchers have unraveled the entirety of our natural problems.A de-extincted animal can just flourish in a reasonable living space. Its one thing to gestate a Saber-Toothed Tiger hatchling in a Bengal tigers belly; its very another to replicate the biological conditions that existed 100,000 years prior when these predators managed Pleistocene North America. What will these tigers eat, and what will be their effect on existing warm blooded animal populations?Theres normally a valid justification why a creature went wiped out in any case. Advancement can be coldblooded, however its never off-base. People chased Wooly Mammoths to annih ilation more than 10,000 years back; whats to shield us from rehashing history? De-Extinction: Do we have a decision? At long last, any certified exertion to de-wiped out an evaporated animal groups will likely need to win the endorsement of the different government and administrative offices, a procedure that may take years, particularly in our current political atmosphere. Once brought into the wild, it tends to be hard to shield a creature from spreading into unforeseen specialties and territoriesand, as referenced above, not even the most far-located researcher can measure the ecological effect of a revived animal types. One can dare to dream that, if de-annihilation goes ahead, it will be with a maximal measure of care and arranging and sound respect for the law of unintended outcomes.

Factors That Lead to Aggression

Factors That Lead to Aggression Basics Print Factors That Lead to Aggression By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 18, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on January 18, 2020 Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images More in Psychology Basics Psychotherapy Student Resources History and Biographies Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming In psychology, the term aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can result in both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others, or objects in the environment. This type of behavior centers on harming another person either physically or mentally. It can be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, or a medical disorder. Forms of Aggression Aggression can take a variety of forms, including: PhysicalVerbalMentalEmotional While we often think of aggression as purely in physical forms such as hitting or pushing, psychological aggression can also be very damaging. Intimidating or verbally berating another person, for example, are examples of verbal, mental, and emotional aggression. Purposes of Aggression Aggression can serve a number of different purposes, including: To express anger or hostilityTo assert dominanceTo intimidate or threatenTo achieve a goalTo express possessionA response to fearA reaction to painTo compete with others Types of Aggression Psychologists distinguish between two different types of aggression: Impulsive Aggression: Also known as affective aggression, impulsive aggression is characterized by strong emotions, usually anger. This form of aggression is not planned and often takes place in the heat of the moment. When another car cuts you off in traffic and you begin yelling and berating the other driver, youre experiencing impulsive aggression. Research suggests that impulsive aggression, especially when its caused by anger, triggers the acute threat response system in the brain, involving the amygdala, hypothalamus, and  periaqueductal gray (PAG).Instrumental Aggression: Also known as predatory aggression, instrumental aggression is marked by behaviors that are intended to achieve a larger goal. Instrumental aggression is often carefully planned and usually exists as a means to an end. Hurting another person in a robbery or car-jacking is an example of this type of aggression. The aggressors goal is to obtain money or a vehicle, and harming another individual is the means to achieve that aim. Factors That Can Influence Aggression A number of different factors can influence the expression of aggression, including: Biological Factors: Men are more likely than women to engage in physical aggression. While researchers have found that women are less likely to engage in physical aggression, they also suggest that women do use non-physical forms, such as verbal aggression, relational aggression, and social rejection.Environmental Factors: How you were raised may play a role. People who grow up witnessing more forms of aggression are more likely to believe that such violence and hostility are socially acceptable. Banduras famous Bobo doll experiment demonstrated that observation can also play a role in how aggression is learned. Children who watched a video clip where an adult model behaved aggressively toward a Bobo doll were more likely to imitate those actions when given the opportunity.Physical Factors: Epilepsy, dementia, psychosis, alcohol abuse, drug use, and brain injuries or abnormalities can also influence aggression.

Communism, Democracy, And Capitalism - 3017 Words

Ideology â€Å"Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.† John F. Kennedy, September 25, 1961 The cold war was a violent clashing of ideology, communism was battling with democracy. It was one of the most emotionally charged war, and time, in American, and possible the globes history. There was great fear of a global nuclear conflict, that would leave thousands dead, and essentially ending the world as we had ever know it. I will cover the history that is the cold war, and delve into the philosophies of the two main nations involved. I will be comparing the ideas behind communism, democracy, and capitalism. When World War II ended it was decided that the best defense against the Soviet ideology was a strategy of containment. George Kennan explained his policy n 1946, in the Long Telegram. The Soviet Union is a political force committed fanatically to the belief that with the U.S. there can be no permanent modus vivendi (agreement between parties that di sagree); George Kennan went on to say that long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies was necessary. Harry Truman echoed these ideas. It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by outside pressures. This ideology is one that we implement to this day. The United States used this situation to justify a astonishingly large arms buildup. In 1950, a National Security Council Report known asShow MoreRelatedKarl Marx And Friedrich Engels1626 Words   |  7 Pagesvillains of capitalism, were authors who wrote The Communist Manifesto. Their theory argues that class struggles or the exploitation of one class by another will give rise to a new world order in which society as a whole will take control of their own destines. 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As opportunities for Jews decreased Karl Marxs father, Herschel, decided to convert from Jewish to Lutheranism, which was the Prussian states religion. The Marx family was very liberal and often held intellectual conversations and was introduced to a lotRead MoreThe Cold War Between Communism And Communism1382 Words   |  6 Pagesto â€Å"lead the rest of the world to a future of international cooperation, expanding democracy, and ever-increasing living standards (Give me Liberty P952).† They wanted to express the idea of equality, civil rights, and the freedom to the world, and hoped to build an easier world for democracy and capitalism. However, Soviet Union, which was the only power that could rival the United States, claimed that communism could make the world more organized and ordered. Both countries hoped to expend theirRead MoreContrasting Views Of Postwar Germany820 Words   |  4 PagesWeaknesses of German Democracy (November 12, 1962)†. 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Creative Thinking Lesson Plans for Teachers

Lesson plans and activities for teaching about inventions by increasing creativity and creative thinking. The lesson plans are adaptable for grades K-12 and were designed to be done in sequence. Teaching Creativity Creative Thinking Skills When a student is asked to invent a solution to a problem, the student must draw upon previous knowledge, skills, creativity, and experience. The student also recognizes areas where new learnings must be acquired in order to understand or address the problem. This information must then be applied, analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated. Through critical and creative thinking and problem-solving, ideas become reality as children create inventive solutions, illustrate their ideas, and make models of their inventions. Creative thinking lesson plans provide children with opportunities to develop and practice higher-order thinking skills. Throughout the years, many creative thinking skills models and programs have been generated from educators, seeking to describe the essential elements of thinking and/or to develop a systematic approach to teaching thinking skills as part of the school curricula. Three models are illustrated below in this introduction. Although each uses different terminology, each model describes similar elements of either critical or creative thinking or both. Models of Creative Thinking Skills Benjamin BloomCalvin TaylorIsaksen and Treffinger The models demonstrate how creative thinking lesson plans could provide an opportunity for students to experience most of the elements described in the models. After teachers have reviewed the creative thinking skills models listed above, they will see the critical and creative thinking and problem-solving skills and talents that can be applied to the activity of inventing. The creative thinking lesson plans that follow can be used across all disciplines and grade levels and with all children. It can be integrated with all curricular areas and used as a means of applying the concepts or elements of any thinking skills program that may be in use. Children of all ages are talented and creative. This project will give them an opportunity to develop their creative potential and synthesize and apply knowledge and skills by creating an invention or innovation to solve a problem, just as a real inventor would. Creative Thinking - List of Activities Introducing Creative ThinkingPracticing Creativity with the ClassPracticing Creative Thinking with the ClassDeveloping an Invention IdeaBrainstorming for Creative SolutionsPracticing the Critical Parts of Creative ThinkingCompleting the InventionNaming the InventionOptional Marketing ActivitiesParent InvolvementYoung Inventors Day Imagination is more important than knowledge, for imagination embraces the world. -  Albert Einstein Activity 1: Introducing Inventive Thinking and Brainstorming Read about the Lives of Great InventorsRead the  stories  about great inventors in class or let students read themselves. Ask students, How did these inventors get their ideas? How did they make their ideas a reality? Locate books in your library about inventors, invention, and creativity. Older students can locate these references themselves. Also, visit the  Inventive Thinking and Creativity Gallery Talk to a Real InventorInvite a local inventor to speak to the class. Since local inventors are not usually listed in the phone book under inventors, you can find them by calling a  local patent attorney  or your  local intellectual property law association. Your community may also have a  Patent and Trademark Depository Library  or an  inventors society  that you may contact or post a request. If not, most of your major companies have a research and development department made up of people who think inventively for a living. Examine InventionsNext, ask the students to look at the things in the classroom that are inventions. All the inventions in the classroom that have a U.S. patent will have a  patent number. One such item is probably  the pencil sharpener. Tell them to check out their house for patented items. Let the students brainstorm a list all of the inventions they discover. What would improve these inventions? DiscussionIn order to guide your students through the inventive process, a few preliminary lessons dealing with creative thinking will help set the mood. Begin with a brief explanation of brainstorming and a discussion on the rules of brainstorming. What is Brainstorming?Brainstorming is a process of spontaneous thinking used by an individual or by a group of people to generate numerous alternative ideas while deferring judgment. Introduced by Alex Osborn in his book Applied Imagination, brainstorming is the crux of each of the stages of all problem-solving methods. Rules for Brainstorming No CriticismAllowed People tend to automatically evaluate each suggested idea--their own as well as others. Both internal and external criticism  is  to be avoided while brainstorming. Neither positive nor negative comments are allowed. Either type inhibits the free flow of thought and requires time which interferes with the next rule. Write each spoken idea down as it is given and move on.Work for QuantityAlex Osborn stated that Quantity breeds quality. People must experience a brain drain (get all the common responses out of the way) before the innovative, creative ideas can surface; therefore, the more ideas, the more likely they are to be quality ideas.Hitchhiking WelcomeHitchhiking occurs when one members idea produces a similar idea or an enhanced idea in another member. All ideas should be recorded.Freewheeling EncouragedOutrageous, humorous, and seemingly unimportant ideas should be recorded. It is not uncommon for the most off-the-wall idea to be the best. Activity  2: Practicing Creativity with the Class Step 1:  Cultivate the following creative thinking processes described by Paul Torrance and discussed in The Search for Satori and Creativity (1979): Fluency the production of a great number of ideas.Flexibility the production of ideas or products that show a variety of possibilities or realms of thought.Originality the production of ideas that are unique or unusual.Elaboration the production of ideas that display intensive detail or enrichment. For practice in elaboration, have pairs or small groups of students choose a particular idea from the brainstorming list of invention ideas and add the flourishes and details that would develop the idea more fully. Allow the students to share their innovative and  inventive ideas. Step 2:  Once your students have become familiar with the rules of brainstorming and the creative thinking processes, Bob Eberles  Scamper  technique for brainstorming could be introduced. Substitute What else instead? Who else instead? Other ingredients? Other material? Other power? Another place?Combine How about a blend, an alloy, an ensemble? Combine purposes? Combine appeals?Adapt What else is like this? What other idea does this suggest? Does past offer parallel? What could I copy?Minify Order, form, shape? What to add? More time?Magnify Greater frequency? Higher? Longer? Thicker?Put to other uses New ways to use as is? Other uses I modified? Other places to use? Other people, to reach?Eliminate What to subtract? Smaller? Condensed? Miniature? Lower? Shorter? Lighter? Omit? Streamline? Understate?Reverse Interchange components? Another pattern?Rearrange another layout? Another sequence? Transpose cause and effect? Change pace? Transpose positive and negative? How about opposites? Turn it backward? Turn it upside-down? Reverse roles? Step 3:  Bring in any object or use objects around the classroom to do the following exercise. Ask the students to list many new uses for a familiar object by using the Scamper technique with regard to the object. You could use a paper plate, to begin with, and see how many new things the students will discover. Make sure to follow the rules for brainstorming in Activity 1. Step 4:  Using literature, ask your students to create a new ending to a story, change a character or situation within a story, or create a new beginning for the story that would result in the same ending. Step 5:  Put a list of objects on the chalkboard. Ask your students to combine them in different ways to create a new product. Let the students make their own list of objects. Once they combine several of them, ask them to illustrate the new product and explain why it might be useful. Activity 3: Practicing Inventive Thinking with the Class Before your students begin to find their own problems and create unique inventions or innovations to solve them, you can assist them by taking them through some of the steps as a group. Finding the Problem Let the class list problems in their own classroom that need solving. Use the brainstorming technique from Activity 1. Perhaps your students never have a pencil ready, as it is either missing or broken when it is time to do an assignment (a great brainstorming project would be to solve that problem). Select one problem for the class to solve using the following steps: Find several problems.Select one to work on.Analyze the situation.Think of many, varied, and unusual ways of solving the problem. List the possibilities. Be sure to allow even the silliest possible solution, as creative thinking must have a positive, accepting environment in order to flourish. Finding a Solution Select one or more possible solutions to work on. You may want to divide into groups if the class elects to work on several of the ideas.Improve and refine the idea(s).Share the class or individual solution(s)/invention(s) for solving the class problem. Solving a class problem and creating a class invention will help students learn the process and make it easier for them to work on their own invention projects. Activity 4: Developing an Invention Idea Now that your students have had an introduction to the inventive process, it is time for them to find a problem and create their own invention to solve it. Step One:  Begin by asking your students to conduct a survey. Tell them to interview everyone that they can think of to find out what problems need solutions. What kind of invention, tool, game, device, or idea would be helpful at home, work, or during leisure time? (You can use an Invention Idea Survey) Step Two:  Ask the students to list the problems that need to be solved. Step Three:  comes the decision-making process. Using the list of problems, ask the students to think about which problems would be possible for them to work on. They can do this by listing the pros and cons for each possibility. Predict the outcome or possible solution(s) for each problem. Make a decision by selecting one or two problems that provide the best options for an inventive solution. (Duplicate the Planning and Decision-Making Framework) Step Four:  Begin an  Inventors Log  or Journal. A record of your ideas and work will help you develop your invention and protect it when completed. Use Activity Form - Young Inventors Log to help students understand what can be included on every page. General Rules For Authentic Journal Keeping Using a  bound notebook, make notes each day about the things you do and learn while working on your invention.Record your idea and how you got it.Write about problems you have and how you solve them.Write in ink and do not erase.Add sketches and drawings to make things clear.List all parts, sources, and costs of materials.Sign and date all entries at the time they are made and have them witnessed. Step Five:  To illustrate why record-keeping is important, read the following story about Daniel Drawbaugh who said that he invented the telephone, but didnt have one single paper or record to prove it. Long before  Alexander Graham Bell  filed a patent application in 1875, Daniel Drawbaugh claimed to have invented the telephone. But since he had no journal or record, the  Supreme Court  rejected his claims by four votes to three. Alexander Graham Bell had excellent records and was awarded the patent for the telephone. Activity 5: Brainstorming for Creative Solutions Now that the students have one or two problems to work on, they must take the same steps that they did in solving the class problem in Activity Three. These steps could be listed on the chalkboard or a chart. Analyze the problem(s). Select one to work on.Think of many, varied, and unusual ways of solving the problem. List all of the possibilities. Be non-judgmental. (See Brainstorming in Activity 1 and SCAMPER in Activity 2.)Select one or more possible solutions to work on.Improve and refine your ideas. Now that your students have some exciting possibilities for their invention projects, they will need to use their critical thinking skills to narrow down the possible solutions. They can do this by asking themselves the questions in the next activity about their inventive idea. Activity 6: Practicing the Critical Parts of Inventive Thinking Is my idea practical?Can it be made easily?Is it as simple as possible?Is it safe?Will it cost too much to make or use?Is my idea really new?Will it withstand use, or will it break easily?Is my idea similar to something else?Will people really use my invention? (Survey your classmates or the people in your neighborhood to document the need or usefulness of your idea - adapt the invention idea survey.) Activity 7: Completing the Invention When students have an idea that meets most of the above qualifications in Activity 6, they need to plan how they are going to complete their project. The following planning technique will save them a great deal of time and effort: Identify the problem and a possible solution. Give your invention a name.List the materials needed to illustrate your invention and to make a model of it. You will need paper, pencil, and crayons or markers to draw your invention. You might use cardboard, paper, clay, wood, plastic, yarn, paper clips, and so forth to make a model. You might also want to use an art book or a book on model-making from your school library.List, in order, the steps for completing your invention.Think of the possible problems that might occur. How would you solve them?Complete your invention. Ask your parents and teacher to help with the model. In SummaryWhat - describe the problem. Materials - list the materials needed. Steps - list the steps to complete your invention. Problems - predict the problems that could occur. Activity 8: Naming the Invention An invention can be named in one of the following ways: Using the inventors  name:Levi Strauss   LEVIS ® jeansLouis Braille Alphabet SystemUsing the components or ingredients of the invention:Root BeerPeanut ButterWith initials or acronyms:IBM  ®S.C.U.B.A. ®Using word  combinations (notice repeated  consonant sounds  and rhyming words):KIT KAT  ®HULA HOOP  Ã‚ ®PUDDING POPS  ®CAPN CRUNCH  ®Using the products function:SUPERSEAL  ®DUSTBUSTER  ®vacuum cleanerhairbrushearmuffs   Activity Nine: Optional Marketing Activities Students can be very fluent when it comes to listing ingenious names of products out on the market. Solicit their suggestions and have them explain what makes each name effective. Each student should generate names for his/her own invention. Developing a Slogan or JingleHave the students define the terms slogan and jingle. Discuss the purpose of having a slogan. Sample slogans and jingles: Things go better with Coke.COKE IS IT!  ®TRIX ARE FOR KIDS  ®OH THANK HEAVEN FOR 7-ELEVEN  ®TWOALLBEEFPATTIES...GE: WE BRING GOOD THINGS TO LIFE!  ® Your students will be able to recall many  slogans  and jingles! When a slogan is named, discuss the reasons for its effectiveness. Allow time for thought in which the students can create jingles for their inventions. Creating an AdvertisementFor a crash course in advertising, discuss the visual effect created by a television commercial, magazine, or newspaper advertisement. Collect magazine or newspaper ads that are eye-catching--some of the ads might be dominated by words and others by pictures that say it all. Students might enjoy exploring newspapers and magazines for outstanding advertisements. Have students create magazine ads to promote their inventions. (For more advanced students, further lessons on advertising techniques would be appropriate at this point.) Recording a Radio PromoA radio promo could be the icing on a students advertising campaign! A promo might include facts about the usefulness of the invention, a clever jingle or song, sound effects, humor... the possibilities are endless. Students may choose to tape record their promos for use during the Invention Convention. Advertising ActivityCollect 5 - 6 objects and give them new uses. For instance, a toy hoop could be a waist-reducer, and some strange looking kitchen gadget might be a new type of mosquito catcher. Use your imagination! Search everywhere--from the tools in the garage to the kitchen drawer--for fun objects. Divide the class into small groups, and give each group one of the objects to work with. The group is to give the object a catchy name, write a slogan, draw an ad, and record a radio promo. Stand back and watch the creative juices flow. Variation: Collect magazine ads and have the students create new advertising campaigns using a different marketing angle. Activity Ten: Parent Involvement Few, if any, projects are successful unless the child is encouraged by the parents and other caring adults. Once the children have developed their own, original ideas, they should discuss them with their parents. Together, they can work to make the childs idea come to life by making a model. Although the making of a model is not necessary, it makes the project more interesting and adds another dimension to the project. You can involve parents by simply sending a letter home to explain the project and let them know how they may participate. One of your parents may have invented something that they can share with the class.   Activity Eleven: Young Inventors Day Plan a Young Inventors Day so that your students can be recognized for their  inventive thinking. This day should provide opportunities for the children to display their inventions and tell the story of how they got their idea and how it works. They can share with other students, their parents, and others. When a child successfully completes a task, it is important that (s)he be recognized for the effort. All children who participate in the Inventive Thinking Lesson Plans are winners. We have prepared a certificate that can be copied and given to all children who participate and use their inventive thinking skills to create an invention or innovation.

Akshat Katoch. Mrs. Hollstein. Ap Lang. 16 March 2017.

Akshat Katoch Mrs. Hollstein AP Lang 16 March 2017 The concoction of communist regime caused paranoia within the people which lead to riots. The history of the Soviet Union greatly contributed to this unjustified fear. During the nineteenth century, Karl Marx, a revolutionary socialist, wrote the â€Å"Communist Manifesto† which presented the idea of Communism. In this political ideal, property is publicly owned and workers are paid to extent of their abilities and needs. Nowhere does the theory state dictatorship or any type of totalitarian government. This revolutionary speculation remains as Russia’s greatest achievements in history and unforgotten. However when Vladimir Lenin took control of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1917,†¦show more content†¦A paranoid author from The Chronicles of Higher Education states how the â€Å"government is undermining the peer-review system and the norms of scholarship†. This writer does not realize that the government looks into certain aspects of educat ion to make sure the system is running efficiently. Fear of oppression persists and causes delusion in society where reality becomes a myth. McCarthyism fanatics inculcated fear in Americans through propaganda which fabricated a lie that a Communist society is a dictatorship, while in reality the government symbolizes utopia. Americans need to enlighten themselves from the delusional hate directed at countries with autocratic systems which are labeled as Communists. The American mentality played a major role in the growing support for McCarthyism. They believed America was â€Å"stupendous, and mutable† and â€Å"it would be the rankest presumption to approach it in a classifying, scientific way†(Afterimage). This mindset set Americans to believe they were above others and no one would attempt espionage. However when soviet spies were caught by officials, this threw society into chaos as they realized they are not impervious to other countries’ influences. Ther efore the people understood that Russia was attempting to reveal their secrets and connected this to the Communist ideology. However in addition to the American arrogance, they also lacked historical knowledge to support their paranoia.

Corporations As Banks Venture Capitalists â€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Corporations As Banks Venture Capitalists? Answer: Introduction Crowdfunding is the modern way of financing new business and start-up. It helps new start-ups by raising funds for their business operations from various sources, such as relatives, associates, financiers and family members. These peoples prefer to invest their capital in small finance projects. It allows small businesses to get investment without the help of any large corporations such as banks or venture capitalists. The popularity of crowdfunding has grown significantly in past decade and it helps finance small companies and ideas in different fields. The essay will discuss the achievement of crowdfunding in different social aspects such as charity, donations, and development of products and facilities. The Australian legislative structure for crowdfunding and structure of other countries will be discussed in the essay for evaluating various differences. Further, the essay will recommend Howard Jones regarding funding of his idea of solar power batteries through crowdfunding metho d and compare it to other traditional methods of funding Crowdfunding Mechanism Crowdfunding and crowd-sourced funding are two different methods of financing a corporation or idea. In crowd sourced funding, the entrepreneurs received funding for their ideas but the financiers take a certain part of their shares[1]. The crowdfunding is a particular part of a crowd sourced funding, in which the funding is collected through the crowd. The crowdfunding is separate from the traditional method of funding such as a loan from banks, venture capitalists, and angel investors. These investors are limited in numbers and prefer to invest in large investment projects. The crowdfunding provided the perfect platform to new entrepreneurs to present, form and share their inventive ideas, by providing them a large number of investors and high financing options. The entrepreneur and financiers connected with each other through online websites and social media platforms[2]. There are four types of crowdfunding option available such as reward, equity, charity and landing based crowdfunding[3]. In the reward centered crowdfunding, the financiers invest in the project of entrepreneurs because of the rewards provided by them. In equity centered crowdfunding, the financiers gets share of the corporation for the investment provided by them. The charity centered crowdfunding is based on social causes; the investors did not get any monetary benefit in this crowdfunding. In case of landing centered crowdfunding, the investment provided by financiers are considered as a loan and entrepreneurs has to return it with interest. There are some steps that must be followed by entrepreneurs for crowdfunding of their ideas. The most important step is related to providing complete and correct information to the investors regarding their idea[4]. All the necessary information must be provided to the financiers before the collection of crowdfunding. The information includes details regarding product, facilities, objectives, required investment, the time frame for the manufacturing of product and rewards provided by the company for their investors. Entrepreneurs can post their business offer on various crowdfunding websites, available online to invite financiers[5]. Commercial and Social Examples of Crowdfunding As per David Murray, to support and promote entrepreneurs small business ideas and start-up, the crowdfunding options is significantly useful in the Australian economy. The reward based crowdfunding attract a large number of small financiers to invest in the ideas of entrepreneurs[6]. In this method, the company gives a guarantee to its investors that they will receive rewards one the company started operating and start generating profits. The entrepreneurs and small financiers both get benefit such way because the financier invests a small amount which does not carry large risk and entrepreneurs gets their idea funded. Indiegogo and Kickstarter are the two largest online platforms for entrepreneurs to fund their ideas through crowdfunding process[7]. In 2016, an Australian game developing company called Satellite Reign[8] raised a funding of $461,333 for their real-time strategy game, through crowdfunding website Kickstarter. In case of equity based crowdfunding, the financiers get shares of the organisation for their investment. According to Tim Heasley, who is a partner of Artesian Venture Partners, only the wholesale financiers investing 2.5 million in real estate or earning an income of $250,000 are considered in the Australian legal system. In 2013, thousands of small financiers raise a funding of $2 million, for technology corporations such as Fame Partners and CrowdMobile[9]. In 2014, more than 22 thousand projects were funded through crowdsourcing on the Kickstarter website and the financiers contribute more than $500 million for a new project. Various small Australian companies such as Ninja Blocks and KoalaSafe raised their funding through crowdfunding from Kickstarter website. Crowdfunding is also a popular method for raising funds for social and charitable causes. Many people donate online for different social and charitable causes. The money donated by people used by entrepreneurs into charitable work. There are several crowdfunding websites that support charity investments to help different charities of the world. Various charitable caused are funded due to such crowdsourcing websites. There are several examples of online charitable crowdsourcing campaigns that assist in raising donation for various social causes. For example, Sanfilippo syndrome is a neurological illness which tears brain cells of the patient suffering from such disorder. The patient suffering from the syndrome cannot walk and talk or eat their food themselves. Eliza, a four-year-old girl, was suffering from such disorder. The treatment for such disorder, which only performed in Ohio, costs more than $2.5 million. Elizas parents made several videos about the condition of their daughter and upload them on the internet to seek help for fighting such disease. The money they raised was not enough for the treatment of Eliza. A professional filmmaker named Benjamin Von Wong saw the story of Eliza and created a short video on her condition. He titled the video Saving Eliza[10], who became significantly popular over the internet. In few months, Elizas parents received a donation of $380,000 through crowdfunding donations. Currently, the campaign has raised more than 1.8 million for the treatment of Elizas disorder. Another example is of Melissa Smith, she was 22 years old and suffering from a dangerous disease called Hodgkin's lymphoma. While she was suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma she diagnosed with cancer twice. Melissa faced another life-threatening disease when she was 29 years old, called Transverse Myelitis. She became paralysed in few weeks and lost all the sensational from her limbs. Melissas sister started an online campaign for raising fund for treatment of Melissas diseases. The story of Melissa was noticed by a popular website called Chive and they decided to help Melissa for her treatment. The company started an online campaign for crowdfunding called Hope for a Home[11] and raised more than $413,000 in 14 months. More than twelve thousand people contributed for the treatment of Melissa. Legislative Framework of Crowdfunding In Australia, the crowdfunding is a new concept of raising investment for entrepreneurs projects. The Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Act 2017[12] was passed to provide various guidelines for crowdfunding in Australia. The act was accepted on 28th March 2017 and it came into existence from 29th September 2017. It is based on providing new guidelines and regulations for crowdfunding operations in Australia. The Corporations Act 2001 gets amended and added various new principles of crowdfunding. There are few changes in Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 as well. The new crowdfunding act changed the structure of Australian market license process. There are several new exceptions which can be applied by crowd sourced funding mediators and the monetary market operatives. The new market operatives have the advantage to get an exemption from the requirement of Australian market license. The non-listed corporations with an annual turnover or market capitalisation lower than $25 million are covered under this act[13]. The corporations which are not subsidiary or did not have any connection with the listed organisation also come under this act. These corporations can raise investment through equity centered crowdfunding up to $5 million in a year. Eligible corporations can use new amendments to create a new offering of investment under fresh disclosure system. This system is significantly easier than old system provided under Corporations Act. The offer for crowdfunding should include a proposal document and it should introduce an online crowdfunding platform. The online platform must have a license of Australian financial services. The proposal document should include all the necessary detail of the proposal. A small scale financier can invest ten thousand dollars annually in crowdfunding offers. The risk of investment must be recognised and approved by the financiers in a period of five days. The number of wholesale financiers is also limited in crowdfunding offers, but the number of projects in which they can invest is unlimited. In case of the United States and the United Kingdom, there is no fixed limit on the crowdfunding investment[14]. Without the limit, the entrepreneurs in UK and US can easily raise more funds as compared to Australian entrepreneurs. The option of crowdfunding is also limited for the unlisted corporation and not available for a private organisation. Observations The crowdfunding is a modern concept in Australia as compared to other countries. Various countries have adopted a legal framework for crowdfunding policies such as United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand, but the Australian framework is comparatively strict than other countries[15]. The policies of Australian crowdfunding limit the number of businesses which can use crowdfunding method to raise investment. The policies created by the government of Australian have faced numerous criticisms from start-ups industry. The crowdfunding method cannot be used by start-ups or entrepreneurs in Australia; instead, this is available for corporations with a turnover or market capitalisation of $5 million. The United States has implemented an effective crowdfunding procedure for organisations with different products and facilities. For example, Oculus Rift raised $2.5 million from crowdsourcing procedure through Kickstarter[16]. The company was bought by Facebook for $2 Billion in 2014. In 2015, the worldwide crowdfunding industry has raised over $34.4 billion. Australia can adopt various policies from other countries to improve their crowdfunding procedure, for enabling small entrepreneurs to raise investment for their projects. The crowdfunding has numerous benefits than compared to traditional method of raising money. Although the Australian regulations lack several benefits of crowdfunding, it is still a better option for small corporations to raise investment. The Australian government is slowly adopting the policies of crowdfunding but there is still time before they developed such as the United States or United Kingdoms policies. There are mixed reviews regarding the Australian crowdfunding regulation from various market experts. According to Jo Burston, the crowdfunding act passed by the Australian government is the right step towards the improvement of corporations funding situation but the restrictions imposed by the government over small start-ups to raise funding are wrong and against the crowdfunding objectives[17]. Howard Jones can use crowdfunding to raise investment for his project, but the regulations of Australian crowdfunding act put various restriction over single entrepreneurs. Howard Jones can open his unlisted company and then raise investment through crowdfunding. The method of crowdfunding for raising investment is significantly better than traditional methods because it provides large control to the entrepreneur. Conclusion From the above essay, it can be concluded that crowdfunding is a modern method of raising funds for small business. Crowdfunding can be used for raising fund for social and charitable causes as well. Various countries such as US and UK have effectively implemented crowdfunding policies which assist small entrepreneurs to raise investment for their projects. Australia has implemented the equity crowdfunding regulation, but they lack various features of crowdfunding when compared to other countries. Howard Jones should adopt crowdfunding way to raise investment due to its various benefits such as more control over operations and no pressure of venture capitalist. Crowdfunding benefits a countrys economy and helps small entrepreneurs to raise capital. References Belleflamme, Paul, Thomas Lambert, and Armin Schwienbacher. "Crowdfunding: Tapping the right crowd."Journal of business venturing29.5 (2014): 585-609. Eastwell, Michelle, Jessica Dale, and Felicity Dunstone. "Crowd-sourced equity funding is coming to Australia."Governance Directions69.7 (2017): 411. English, Rebecca. "Rent-a-crowd? Crowdfunding academic research."First Monday19.1 (2013). Featherstone, Tony. "Creating opportunity."Company Director30.9 (2014): 18. Firth, Niall. "Crowdfunding successes show value of small donations." (2012): 22. Fitzpatrick, Jeff, et al.Business and corporations law. LexisNexis Butterworths, 2011. Fumagalli, Danielle C., and Arvin M. Gouw. "Focus: Personalized Medicine: Crowdfunding for Personalized Medicine Research."The Yale journal of biology and medicine88.4 (2015): 413. Juredieu, Franck, and Sbastien Mayoux. "Crowdfunding Legal Framework: An International Analysis?."International Perspectives on Crowdfunding: Positive, Normative and Critical Theory. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2016. 81-97. Khadem, N. "Crowdfunding in Australia a step closer."The Sydney Morning Herald(2014). Klaebe, Helen G., and Rebecca Laycock. "How to work the crowd: A snapshot of barriers and motivations to crowdfunding." (2012). Manzoor, Amir. "Crowdfunding for Non-Profits."Handbook of Research on Emerging Business Models and Managerial Strategies in the Nonprofit Sector(2017): 152. Royal, Carol, and G. Sampath S. Windsor. "Microfinance, crowdfunding, and sustainability: A case study of telecenters in a South Asian developing country."Strategic Change23.7-8 (2014): 425-438. Stanko, Michael A., and David H. Henard. "How crowdfunding influences innovation."MIT Sloan Management Review57.3 (2016): 15. Stumm, Tony. "The rebirth of crowd funding in Australia!."Governance Directions69.2 (2017): 96. Valanciene, Loreta, and Sima Jegeleviciute. "Valuation of crowdfunding: benefits and drawbacks."Economics and Management18.1 (2013): 39-48. Vitale, Matthew. "Crowdfunding: Recent international developments and analysis of its compatibility with Australia's existing regulatory framework." (2013). Weinstein, Ross S. "Crowdfunding in the US and Abroad: What to Expect When You're Expecting."Cornell Int'l LJ46 (2013): 427. [1] Paul Belleflamme, Thomas Lambert, and Armin Schwienbacher. "Crowdfunding: Tapping the right crowd."Journal of business venturing29.5 (2014): 585-609. [2] Helen G. Klaebe, and Rebecca Laycock. "How to work the crowd: A snapshot of barriers and motivations to crowdfunding." (2012). [3] Jeff Fitzpatrick, et al.Business and corporations law. LexisNexis Butterworths, 2011. [4] Carol Royal, and G. Sampath S. Windsor. "Microfinance, crowdfunding, and sustainability: A case study of telecenters in a South Asian developing country."Strategic Change23.7-8 (2014): 425-438. [5] Franck Juredieu, and Sbastien Mayoux. "Crowdfunding Legal Framework: An International Analysis?."International Perspectives on Crowdfunding: Positive, Normative and Critical Theory. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2016. 81-97. [6] Loreta Valanciene, and Sima Jegeleviciute. "Valuation of crowdfunding: benefits and drawbacks."Economics and Management18.1 (2013): 39-48. [7] Matthew Vitale. "Crowdfunding: Recent international developments and analysis of its compatibility with Australia's existing regulatory framework." (2013). [8] Rebecca English. "Rent-a-crowd? Crowdfunding academic research."First Monday19.1 (2013). [9] Toney Featherstone. "Creating opportunity."Company Director30.9 (2014): 18. [10] Danielle C. Fumagalli, and Arvin M. Gouw. "Focus: Personalized Medicine: Crowdfunding for Personalized Medicine Research."The Yale journal of biology and medicine88.4 (2015): 413. [11] Amir Manzoor. "Crowdfunding for Non-Profits."Handbook of Research on Emerging Business Models and Managerial Strategies in the Nonprofit Sector(2017): 152. [12] Michelle Eastwell, Jessica Dale, and Felicity Dunstone. "Crowd-sourced equity funding is coming to Australia."Governance Directions69.7 (2017): 411. [13] Tony Stumm. "The rebirth of crowd funding in Australia!."Governance Directions69.2 (2017): 96. [14] Ross S. Weinstein. "Crowdfunding in the US and Abroad: What to Expect When You're Expecting."Cornell Int'l LJ46 (2013): 427. [15] Niall Firth. "Crowdfunding successes show value of small donations." (2012): 22. [16] Michael A. Stanko, and David H. Henard. "How crowdfunding influences innovation."MIT Sloan Management Review57.3 (2016): 15. [17] N. Khadem. "Crowdfunding in Australia a step closer."The Sydney Morning Herald(2014).

Factors influencing successful buyerâ€seller relationships

Purpose of the article Understanding the factors that influence the relationship between the buyer and the seller is of great importance in developing and maintaining such a relationship. Previous research has identified these factors but the relative importance of the factors had not been determined empirically.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors influencing successful buyer–seller relationships specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The article reports the research by Powers and Reagan, where the factors that have overall importance to a buyer-seller relationship are determined and the most important factors at different stages of the relationship are also determined. Concepts employed in the research The buyer-seller relationship considered in the research is a long-term non-contractual relationship and the stages analyzed are partner selection, defining purpose, setting relationship boundaries, creating relationship value and relationship maintenance. Partner selection is the first stage in the relationship and it involves the firm becoming aware of potential partners and ultimately selecting the appropriate one. The defining purpose stage involves the parties defining the purpose of the relationship and clarifying their mutual goals. In the setting boundaries stage, the partners become increasing interdependent on each other’s resources and benefits. The next stage is creating relationship value where the competitive advantage of either one or more of the partners is improved as a result of being in the relationship. Finally, the relationship maintenance is the stage where the partners have probably acquired enough satisfaction such that they are willing to maintain the relationship. From previous research, the following factors were determined to influence the relationship between a buyer and a seller: reputation, performance satisfaction, trust, social bonds (mutual frie ndship and liking between the buyer and seller), and mutual goals.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Others are power/interdependence, technology, non-retrievable investments, adaptation (where one partner adapts its processes to accommodate the other partner), commitment, structural bonds, cooperation, and comparison level of the alternative. In this research, the researchers hypothesized that the influence of these factors may be of greatest importance at one or more of the buyer-seller relationship stages or the importance may be equal across all the stages. These hypotheses were tested against empirical data obtained from surveys mailed to purchasing managers. Results The results showed clear difference between the overall importance of the relationship factors with mutual goals being the most important and social bonds the least important. In the importance of the factors at different relationship stages, partner selection had mutual goals and adaptation being the most important. In defining relationship purpose stage, cooperation was the most important factor and setting relationship boundaries had mutual goals and trust as the most important factors. Adaptation was the most important factor in stage four (creating relationship value) and together with mutual goals, they were most important in relationship maintenance stage. In general, most relationship factors were found to be of importance during the later stages of the buyer-seller relationship. Reasons for choosing this article To develop a competitive advantage over other competitors, a firm must have a successful buyer-seller relationship. In doing this, the responsible manager must understand the factors that influence their company’s relationship with its partners. This article reviews these factors and therefore provides more information to managers engaged in developing and/or mai ntaining such a relationship. Buyer-seller relationship is a complex issue and involves several stages. At the different stages, the partners involved have different sources of satisfaction and therefore it is important to understand these stages. The way partners derive satisfaction from every stage should also be considered.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors influencing successful buyer–seller relationships specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Previous research had not provided conclusive information on this. On the other hand, the research work reported in this article determines the important factors in each stage of the relationship and on the overall buyer-seller relationship as well as providing empirical evidence to prove its hypotheses Questions arising from the article The researchers in this article had an objective of empirically proving that relationship factors have varying importance at t he various stages of the buyer-seller relationship. However, the views represented are from a buyer point of view only. Someone using the information may wonder, what about the point of view of the sellers? Therefore, before concluding on the importance of the factors, it is important to take into consideration the points of view of the two parties. In most cases, firms are involved in buyer-seller relationship with other firms as well as non-corporate individuals like final consumers. The article is more inclined towards firm-firm relationship and mentions nothing about the relationship a firm may have with non-corporate bodies. Conclusion From a buyer point of view, the relationship with a seller is a stepwise process and different factors influence the relationship at the different stages. Managers should focus efforts on the most important factors depending on the stage of the relationship since focusing on all the factors has no enhancing results on the relationship. Some facto rs have very low significance on the relationship and therefore require minimal consideration. The research reported in the article shows that more work is needed to fully understand the factors influencing buyer-seller relationship. This essay on Factors influencing successful buyer–seller relationships was written and submitted by user Brecken Kent to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Northern Lowlands Region of the Maya Civilization

The Northern Lowlands Region of the Maya Civilization The Maya lowlands are where the Classic Maya civilization arose. An extensive area including almost some 250,000 square kilometers, the Maya lowlands are located in the northern part of Central America, in the Yucatan peninsula, Guatemala and Belize below approximately 800 meters above sea level. There is little exposed surface water: what there is can be found in lakes in the Peten, swamps and cenotes, natural sinkholes created by the Chicxulub crater impact. But the area receives tropical rainfall in its rainy season (May- January), from 20 inches a year in the southern part to a whopping 147 inches in the northern Yucatan. The area is characterized by shallow or waterlogged soils, and was once covered in dense tropical forests. The forests harbored a range of animals, including two kinds of deer, peccary, tapir, jaguar, and several species of monkeys. The lowland Maya grew avocado, beans, chili peppers, squash, cacao and maize, and raised turkeys. Sites in the Maya Lowlands Mexico: Dzibilchaltun, Mayapan, Uxmal, Tulum, Ek Balam, Labna, Calakmul, Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak, Coba Belize: Altun Ha, Pulltrouser Swamp, Xunantunich, Lamanai Guatemala: El Mirador, Piedras Negras, Nakbe, Tikal, Ceibal Sources This glossary entry is part of the Guide to the Maya Civilization and the Dictionary of Archaeology. See the Maya Civilization bibliography Ball, Joseph W. 2001. The Maya Lowlands North. pp. 433-441 in Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America, edited by Susan Toby Evans and David L. Webster. Garland, New York City. Houston, Stephen D. 2001. The Maya Lowlands South. pp. 441-447 in Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America, edited by Susan Toby Evans and David L. Webster. Garland, New York City.

ALTERED HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Essay

ALTERED HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING - Essay Example His unusual behaviours included the following. He entered without a licence and pointed a gun at a shop assistant. He stabbed a friend during an unprovoked argument. Also, he committed the offence of burglary, and his fingerprints were found at the scene of the crime. Mr. Abouja was imprisoned and then later transferred to a forensic ward due to mental illness. While in the forensic unit, Mr. Abouja suffered a cardiac arrest secondary to a bi-lateral massive pulmonary embolism. After having suffered a pulmonary embolism, Mr. Abouja should be assessed for further risk in the near future. â€Å"Confirmation of pulmonary embolism (PE) must be followed by risk stratification in order to obtain information on short-term prognosis and determine the need for more aggressive therapy such as thrombolysis or surgical interventional embolectomy† (Konstantinides, pp. 69). The medication Mr. Abouja has been placed on is Warfarin, also commonly known as rat poison. The levels of Warfarin ha ve to be carefully evaluated, to ensure that the patient is not poisoned himself. Basically, Warfarin is most likely going to be used for a lengthier amount of time in order to treat Mr. Abouja’s illness. â€Å"A vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin should be considered for long-term treatment† (Stein, 2007, pp. 129). There is a timetable for how long the Warfarin should be used. â€Å"Initial treatment [with Warfarin] is usually for a minimum of three to six months† (James, Ortel, & Tapson, 2007, pp. 42). However, the nurse should make sure â€Å"In healthy subjects, sildenafil alone or in combination with warfarin or aspirin did not affect bleeding time or prothrombin time. However, in a recent study, a transient prolongation of bleeding time 1 hour after administration of 100 mg of sildenafil was demonstrated† (Broderick, 2005, pp. 215). Therefore, bleeding complications are possible when taking Warfarin. Generally, Warfarin is used in these types of situations such as the one in which Mr. Abouja found himself in. â€Å"[Warfarin, also known as Coumadin, is] used to prevent the formation of blood clots in the heart and to prevent stroke in patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter†¦[usage] must be carefully monitored by a [regularly-administered] blood test†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Cohen, 2010, pp. 196). Mr. Abouja was given Warfarin for the Pulmonary Embolism. He is being given 3 mg of Risperdal (Risperidone) on a daily basis, a commonly-used antipsychotic. Some of the side effects Mr. Abouja is suffering, among others, are muscle weakness and sexual dysfunction. Mr. Abouja’s mother had a history of heart disease or PE; his father refused to be in touch due to his offences. Mr. Abouja was born in Angola. 2. Identify appropriate assessment tool/framework and provide rationale for ?your choice of tool/framework. (200 words) The assessment measures which would be appropriate to use as a framework f or care would be: 1) a physical assessment; 2) a psychological assessment; and 3) a emotional assessment. The patient had a physical assessment completed upon him. This physical assessment is rationalised by the fact that he needs to have an intervention for any physical problems that may come up since he has just had a major health issue with the cardiac arrest. Interestingly enough, Mr. Abouja had no pain in his upper left arm, which is recognizant of having heart problems—namely, risk of cardiac arrest. The physical assessme

Separation of powers political science class questions Assignment

Separation of powers political science class questions - Assignment Example and better born have authority and are few." For example, regarding offices one would have elections (an oligarchic element) but no property assessment (a democratic element). Montesquieu agrees in part with Aristotle’s ideas of combining a democracy with oligarchy. He terms them â€Å"executive† and â€Å"legislative† branches, but they are in effect the same as Aristotle’s â€Å"democracy† and â€Å"oligarchy†. Montesquieu echoes Aristotle’s arguments that having the mixture of the traditional governing bodies would balance the power and authority. Further more, he references Aristotle in his book by saying; â€Å"The inhabitants of a particular town are much better acquainted with its wants and interests than with those of other places; and are better judges of the capacity of their neighbors than of that of the rest of their countrymen. The members, therefore, of the legislature should not be chosen from the general body of the nation; but it is proper that in every considerable place a representative should be elected by the inhabitants† (Montesquieu). Aristotle, Montesquieu, and Locke all support the notion that civil society originates when, for the better administration of the law, men agree to delegate legal functions to certain officers. They are all against a â€Å"monarchy† government as it does not support a civil society. It by definition corrupts the individual who is given all of the power. Both Aristotle and Montesquieu allow for a balance between the oligarchy/monarchy and the democracy by allowing an â€Å"executive† element who’s function is to balance that of the legislative/democratic element. 2) Aristotle believed that there were three classes. At the bottom were the farmers, laborers, and poor. As this class of people did not have the leisure time to pursue education, they would make a meager ruling class. The ruling class Aristotle argued should be comprised of the leisured classes, and the â€Å"middling element†. He clarifies that the

Conditional Statement Strategies for Code Obfuscation

Conditional Statement Strategies for Code Obfuscation Chandan Kumar Behera, Pawan Kumar, D. Lalitha Bhaskari Abstract Obfuscated code syntax has been set intentionally unclear. Different obfuscation techniques may have different impacts on the source code. In the presented paper, the ‘if condition’ has been used several times with the purpose to make the code obfuscated one, but in the mean time, the code should look like very simple. The idea behind this concept is to make feel the reader a simple code and ignore the code basically as it looks straightforward. Keywords: Software code protection, code obfuscation, conditional statements, malicious code Introduction Software protection is increasingly becoming an important requirement for software development according to industry. The software protection problem is fundamentally harder than other security problems. When one has the adversary for full access to the chosen software or hardware and can examine, or modify it, then no piece of software can be protected for the long period of time. An example of very common form of protection against reverse engineering attacks is obfuscation, which modifies a program to make it harder for the adversary to understand or analyse. At the beginning this techniques is developed for automatically creating multiple transformations of same program, by that each version will be difficult to analyse and modify for some more time. That means code obfuscation makes it more laborious and troublesome for understanding completely, because of that it will be not advisable to go for code tampering. The technique obfuscation helps for manipulating source code to make it harder to analyze and more difficult to understand for the attacker. Obfuscation is a common technique used to protect software against malicious reverse engineering. This approach could focus on changing a specific aspect of the code (e.g., complexity). But, the aim of code obfuscation is to prevent malicious users by disclosing the properties of the original source program. Typical code obfuscation techniques include splitting of codes into smaller pieces, merging pieces of unrelated codes, randomizing the code placement, mangling of data structures, field assignment, obfuscates the literal strings of a program, merging local integers, use of random Dead Codes, inserting dead variables, reordering of instructions, parameter reordering, transparent Branch Insertion, variable renaming, variable reassigning, aggressive methods renaming, renaming of registers, duplication of registers, promoting primitive registers, reorders the constants in the bytecode and assigns random keys to them, randomly marks all basic bytecode blocks in the program with either 0 or 1, array folding, array splitting, constant unfolding, Control flow obfuscation, flattening or introducing bogus control flow, breaking abstraction boundaries, false refactoring, mapping of bytecode instructions to source code line numbers, removal of local variable tables in the bytecode that store the local variable names in the source code, also various techniques using Opaque Predicates (Ex: branch insertion) etc. Some more techniques can be used in higher level languages, mostly in object oriented are splitting or merging of classes, finding of inner classes ( if available or not and then use obfuscation there even), new obfuscated names for methods and classes in a random fashion, encrypts class files and causes them to be decrypted at runtime, converting functions into inline methods at runtime, Interleave Methods by that will have the same signature, use of more methods having same names (overload names), takes a class and replaces all the fields with fields of the objects belong to the same class, converting the fields of a class to public, splits all of the non-static methods into a static method, open all the classes for modification, group the classes for modifying the original structure, selects a random method from the class or a random basic block from a method (i.e. a copy of the basic block will be created and some additional malicious code will be added in the new basic block, by which the values of local variable might be changed and the basic blocks will be bypassed from execution) etc. In this paper, the discussion is basically about the conditional statement. There are different ways of different obfuscation techniques by using conditions. Like, reversing the ‘if’ and ‘else’ conditions, using negation of the condition, introducing ‘if condition’ which will never true, breaking of the condition into nested. Conversion form ‘if- else if’ conditions to switch cases, etc. Proposed strategy Generally, use of conditional statements in a program is common. Mostly, for optimizing a program, the writers give the stress towards the loops. According to this thought the obfuscation also can be done on conditions, where ever it is used. Normally, after obfuscating a program, the code will be lengthier as well as difficult to understand. But, in the proposed logic, neither the code will be lengthier nor the code will look difficult to understand. Therefore, the malware witters may ignore the code. Actually the modified code will give some undesired result, by which may surprise the reader. Here, in place of â€Å"if else† or â€Å"if else if – else† conditions, we use several times the ‘if’ condition. In the proposed method if the use of ‘if conditions’ several times is replaced by ‘if- else or if-else if-else’ condition, then output will be totally different and the logic is going to change totally. Figure 1: Proposed code obfuscation logic by using ‘if condition’ several times In this paper, some proper fractions have been used for generating different patterns. Those patterns with bit wise represented and by rounding-off the values, sometimes the result will be undesirable. But, actually this is not at all undesirable, and properly calculated. So before execution of the code, it can be identified the condition which is going to be satisfied and with that the function, which is going to be executed. As the result is not undesirable and looks very simple, by and large readers may ignore the conditional statements with high percentage. The second concerned point is the repetition of patterns. As the remainder will be not zero, during the conversion of the proper fractional number into binary format, because of the infinite string of zero’s and ones. Obviously, the string will be getting a repetition of a kind of pattern. But, the visualization of the value in a variable is not possible, because of limited bytes are allowed to the variables. Fig. 2 Function execution for different values, while the fraction is 2/3 Fig. 3 Function execution for different values, while the fraction is 2/3 Because of the proper fraction, there are several repetitions of the pattern of 10 in case of rational number 2/3. Then we try to store that infinite value in a double variable and a float variable. After that the both numbers are compared. According to the result shown in the graph in figure 2, more than 88% of times functionC is executed. Here, for the values, functionC is not executing, to be uncovered. This concept can be used in several ways, like comparing two numbers or comparing a variable with a constant. Any type of program, if that consists of at least one condition is there, then that can be modified in the proposed method to obfuscate the program effortlessly. This strategy can be used in place of or with inserting some dead code or XOR operation or as well as doing some bit wise operations. In the above code, in figure 1, if the rational number 2/3 is replaced by 3/7, then the functionB will be not executed at all. The functionA will be called, when the value will be in between 1 to 2 or 27 to 31 or 251 to 255 and so on. Here the pattern is 001. i.e. the functionA executes, when the value will be with the range as follows: Fig. 4. Function execution for different values, while the fraction is 3/7 Similarly, if the proper fraction number 2/3 is replaced by 1/7, then the functionA will not execute. But, the functionB will be called, when the value will be from 3 to 7 or 59 to 63 or 507 to 511 and so on. Here, the pattern is 011. Fig. 5. Function execution for different values, while the fraction is 1/7 Conclusion Many times the code seems to be very simple and understandable, but actually not, and because of this, anybody can be confused more. This paper mostly discusses similar to that by using ‘if’ condition. In the paper, it is discussed about code obfuscation by using ‘if condition’ several times. Simply looking to the program, it is very difficult to guess that whether the program is obfuscated. Because, neither the size of the program increases nor the program looks difficult as compare to the original code. The use of several ‘if’ conditions is not at all looking different than that of ‘if –else if-else’ conditions. Most of the cases the values will be same. The important thing is when exactly the values will differ and if they differ, then which function is going to be executed. This need to be understood and bring into play in the code and the obfuscated code should give the desired output. There are several software engineer ing code techniques to measure the effect of code obfuscation, in terms of the complexity, the modularity and the size of obfuscated code. This methodology will not affect much in complexity or in size of the code. Even the original code and the obfuscated one will be not having much difference according to the modularity. This proposed obfuscation scheme may not be able to satisfy any strong definition of obfuscation, but the combination with any other obfuscation techniques to the same program, can go for a much better result. References The Effectiveness of Source Code Obfuscation: an Experimental Assessment, Mariano Ceccato, Massimiliano Di Penta, Jasvir Nagra,, Paolo Falcarin, In Proceedings of the17th IEEE International Conference on Program Comprehension (ICPC 2009),Vancouver, Canada, 17-19 May 2009.IEEE, pp-178-187, A Large Study on the Effect of Code Obfuscation on the Quality of Java Code, Mariano Ceccato, Andrea Capiluppi, Paolo Falcarin, Cornelia Boldyreff. Empirical Software Engineering, Springer, Towards experimental evaluation of code obfuscation techniques, Mariano Ceccato, Massimiliano Di Penta, Jasvir Nagra, Paolo Falcarin, Filippo Ricca, Marco Torchiano and Paolo Tonella..InQoP `08: Proceedings of the 4th ACM workshop on Quality of protection,Alexandria (Virginia), USA, 27 October 2008. ACM pp. 39-46 (2008). A family of experiments to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of source code obfuscation techniques, Mariano Ceccato,Massimiliano Di Penta,Paolo Falcarin,Filippo Ricca,Marco Torchiano,Paolo Tonella, Empirical Software Engineering, August 2014,Volume 19,Issue 4,pp 1040-1074 A New Code Obfuscation Scheme for Software Protection, 8th International Symposium on Service Oriented System Engineering (SOSE), 2014, Oxford, IEEExplorer, pp 409 – 414, DOI:10.1109/SOSE.2014.57 A taxonomy of obfuscating transformations , Collberg C, Thomborson C, Low D (1997). Technical Report 148, Dept. of Computer Science, The Univ. of Auckland Protecting software code by guards. Chang H, Atallah M (2002) In: ACM workshop on security and privacy in digital rights management. ACM Program obfuscation: a quantitative approach., Anckaert B, Madou M, Sutter BD, Bus BD, Bosschere KD, Preneel B (2007) In: QoP ’07: Proc. of the 2007 ACM workshop on quality of protection, ACM, New York, NY, USA, pp 15–20. doi:10.1145/1314257.1314263 Locating features in source code. Eisenbarth T, Koschke R, Simon D (2003) IEEE Trans Softw Eng 29(3):195–209 Deobfuscation: reverse engineering obfuscated code, Udupa S, Debray S, Madou M (2005). In: 12th working conference on reverse engineering. doi:10.1109/WCRE.2005.13 Obfuscated Malicious Code Detection with Path Condition Analysis, Wenqing Fan, Xue Lei, Jing An, Journal of Networks, Vol 9, No 5, May 2014, doi:10.4304/jnw.9.5.1208-1214 Static analysis of executables to detect malicious patterns, M. Christodorescu and S. Jha, In Proceedings of the 12th conference on USENIX Security Symposium Volume 12, Berkeley, CA, USA, 2003, pp. 12–12. Software protection technology research based on code obfuscation, Song Yaqi, Northwestern University, 2005 Hong Luo, Jiang Jianqin, Zeng Qingkai. Code obfuscation techniques based on software protection, Computer Engineering, 2006, Vol 32 No. 11 A. Balakrishnan and C. Schulze,†Code Obfuscation: Literature Survey†, Technical report, Computer Science Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, 2005. B. Anckaert, M. Madou, B. D. Sutter, B. D. Bus, K. D. Bosschere, and B. Preneel. †Program obfuscation: a quantitative approach†, In QoP ’07: Proc. of the 2007 ACM Workshop on Quality of protection, pages 15-20, New York, NY, USA,2007. ACM. Intellectual property protection using obfuscation, S. Drape et al. Proceedings of SAS 2009, 4779:133–144, 2009

A Comparison of Two Paintings from the Renaissance Period Essay

A Comparison of Two Paintings from the Renaissance Period Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper will compare the themes found in the paintings â€Å"Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist and an Angel† by Domenico di Bartolomeo Ubaldini (Puligo) and â€Å"Madonna Enthroned† by Giotto. Both paintings deal with fables from the Christian faith but were executed during different periods in art. The Giotto painting was created around 1310 and the Puglio painting was executed between 1518 – 1520. Here, these two paintings have similar themes both at the extreme beginnings and endings of the Italian Renaissance, and as such they serve to present an exceptional example of the developments in art that occurred within that time. This paper shall compare these two paintings through addressing a series of questions on the subject. Subject Matter or Iconography   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Madonna Enthroned† is the earlier of the two works to be surveyed in this paper, and as such there is a great deal more popularity surrounding this work. The image is simple: The subject matter is religious and concerns a host of holy figures surrounding the Madonna with an infant figure of Christ on her lap. â€Å"Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist and Angel† is similar in that other holy figures are gathered to pay their respects to Christ but the scene is more open and less focused on just the two central figures. â€Å"Madonna and Child†¦Ã¢â‚¬  in my opinion is therefore a more complex composition, where instead of having two recogn...

Part Four Chapter V

V Shirley Mollison was convinced that her husband and son were over-stating the danger to the council of leaving the Ghost's posts online. She could not see how the messages were worse than gossip, and that, she knew, was not yet punishable by law; nor did she believe that the law would be foolish and unreasonable enough to punish her for what somebody else had written: that would be monstrously unfair. Proud as she was of Miles' law degree, she was sure that he must have this bit wrong. She was checking the message boards even more frequently than Miles and Howard had advised, but not because she was afraid of legal consequences. Certain as she was that Barry Fairbrother's Ghost had not yet finished his self-appointed task of crushing the pro-Fielders, she was eager to be the first to set eyes on his next post. Several times a day she scurried into Patricia's old room, and clicked on the web page. Sometimes a little frisson would run through her while she was hoovering or peeling potatoes and she would race to the study, only to be disappointed again. Shirley felt a special, secret kinship with the Ghost. He had chosen her website as the forum where he would expose the hypocrisy of Howard's opponents, and this, she felt, entitled her to the pride of the naturalist who has constructed a habitat in which a rare species deigns to nest. But there was more to it than that. Shirley relished the Ghost's anger, his savagery and his audacity. She wondered who he might be, visualizing a strong, shadowy man standing behind herself and Howard, on their side, cutting a path for them through the opponents who crumpled as he slayed them with their own ugly truths. Somehow, none of the men in Pagford seemed worthy to be the Ghost; she would have felt disappointed to learn that it was any of the anti-Fielders she knew. ‘That's if it's a man,' said Maureen. ‘Good point,' said Howard. ‘I think it's a man,' said Shirley coolly. When Howard left for the cafe on Sunday morning, Shirley, still in her dressing gown, and holding her cup of tea, padded automatically to the study and brought up the website. Fantasies of a Deputy Headmaster posted by The_Ghost_of_Barry_Fairbrother. She set down her tea with trembling hands, clicked on the post and read it, open-mouthed. Then she ran to the lounge, seized the telephone and called the cafe, but the number was engaged. A mere five minutes later, Parminder Jawanda, who had also developed a habit of looking at the council message boards much more frequently than usual, opened up the site and saw the post. Like Shirley, her immediate reaction was to seize a telephone. The Walls were breakfasting without their son, who was still asleep upstairs. When Tessa picked up, Parminder cut across her friend's greeting. ‘There's a post about Colin on the council website. Don't let him see it, whatever you do.' Tessa's frightened eyes swivelled to her husband, but he was a mere three feet from the receiver and had already heard every word that Parminder had spoken so loudly and clearly. ‘I'll call you back,' said Tessa urgently. ‘Colin,' she said, fumbling to replace the receiver, ‘Colin, wait – ‘ But he had already stalked out of the room, bobbing up and down, his arms stiff by his side, and Tessa had to jog to catch him up. ‘Perhaps it's better not to look,' she urged him, as his big, knobble-knuckled hand moved the mouse across the desk, ‘or I can read it and – ‘ Fantasies of a Deputy Headmaster One of the men hoping to represent the community at Parish Council level is Colin Wall, Deputy Headmaster at Winterdown Comprehensive School. Voters might be interested to know that Wall, a strict disciplinarian, has a very unusual fantasy life. Mr Wall is so frightened that a pupil might accuse him of inappropriate sexual behaviour that he has often needed time off work to calm himself down again. Whether Mr Wall has actually fondled a first year, the Ghost can only guess. The fervour of his feverish fantasies suggests that, even if he hasn't, he would like to. Stuart wrote that, thought Tessa, at once. Colin's face was ghastly in the light pouring out of the monitor. It was how she imagined he would look if he had had a stroke. ‘Colin – ‘ ‘I suppose Fiona Shawcross has told people,' he whispered. The catastrophe he had always feared was upon him. It was the end of everything. He had always imagined taking sleeping tablets. He wondered whether they had enough in the house. Tessa, who had been momentarily thrown by the mention of the headmistress, said, ‘Fiona wouldn't – anyway, she doesn't know – ‘ ‘She knows I've got OCD.' ‘Yes, but she doesn't know what you – what you're afraid of – ‘ ‘She does,' said Colin. ‘I told her, before the last time I needed sick leave.' ‘Why?' Tessa burst out. ‘What on earth did you tell her for?' ‘I wanted to explain why it was so important I had time off,' said Colin, almost humbly. ‘I thought she needed to know how serious it was.' Tessa fought down a powerful desire to shout at him. The tinge of distaste with which Fiona treated him and talked about him was explained; Tessa had never liked her, always thought her hard and unsympathetic. ‘Be that as it may,' she said, ‘I don't think Fiona's got anything to do – ‘ ‘Not directly,' said Colin, pressing a trembling hand to his sweating upper lip. ‘But Mollison's heard gossip from somewhere.' It wasn't Mollison. Stuart wrote that, I know he did. Tessa recognized her son in every line. She was even astonished that Colin could not see it, that he had not connected the message with yesterday's row, with hitting his son. He couldn't even resist a bit of alliteration. He must have done all of them – Simon Price. Parminder. Tessa was horror-struck. But Colin was not thinking about Stuart. He was recalling thoughts that were as vivid as memories, as sensory impressions, violent, vile ideas: a hand seizing and squeezing as he passed through densely packed young bodies; a cry of pain, a child's face contorted. And then asking himself, again and again: had he done it? Had he enjoyed it? He could not remember. He only knew that he kept thinking about it, seeing it happen, feeling it happen. Soft flesh through a thin cotton blouse; seize, squeeze, pain and shock; a violation. How many times? He did not know. He had spent hours wondering how many of the children knew he did it, whether they had spoken to each other, how long it would be until he was exposed. Not knowing how many times he had offended, and unable to trust himself, he burdened himself with so many papers and files that he had no hands free to attack as he moved through the corridors. He shouted at the swarming children to get out of the way, to stand clear, as he passed. None of it helped. There were always stragglers, running past him, up against him, and with his hands burdened he imagined other ways to have improper contact with them: a swiftly repositioned elbow brushing against a breast; a side-step to ensure bodily contact; a leg accidentally entangled, so that the child's groin made contact with his flesh. ‘Colin,' said Tessa. But he had started to cry again, great sobs shaking his big, ungainly body, and when she put her arms around him and pressed her face to his her own tears wet his skin. A few miles away, in Hilltop House, Simon Price was sitting at a brand-new family computer in the sitting room. Watching Andrew cycle away to his weekend job with Howard Mollison, and the reflection that he had been forced to pay full market price for this computer, made him feel irritable and additionally hard done by. Simon had not looked at the Parish Council website once since the night that he had thrown out the stolen PC, but it occurred to him, by an association of ideas, to check whether the message that had cost him his job was still on the site and thus viewable by potential employers. It was not. Simon did not know that he owed this to his wife, because Ruth was scared of admitting that she had telephoned Shirley, even to request the removal of the post. Slightly cheered by its absence, Simon looked for the post about Parminder, but that was gone too. He was about to close the site, when he saw the newest post, which was entitled Fantasies of a Deputy Headmaster. He read it through twice and then, alone in the sitting room, he began to laugh. It was a savage triumphant laugh. He had never taken to that big, bobbing man with his massive forehead. It was good to know that he, Simon, had got off very lightly indeed by comparison. Ruth came into the room, smiling timidly; she was glad to hear Simon laughing, because he had been in a dreadful mood since losing his job. ‘What's funny?' ‘You know Fats' old man? Wall, the deputy headmaster? He's only a bloody paedo.' Ruth's smile slipped. She hurried forward to read the post. ‘I'm going to shower,' said Simon, in high good humour. Ruth waited until he had left the room before trying to call her friend Shirley, and alert her to this new scandal, but the Mollisons' telephone was engaged. Shirley had, at last, reached Howard at the delicatessen. She was still in her dressing gown; he was pacing up and down the little back room, behind the counter. ‘†¦ been trying to get you for ages – ‘ ‘Mo was using the phone. What did it say? Slowly.' Shirley read the message about Colin, enunciating like a newsreader. She had not reached the end, when he cut across her. ‘Did you copy this down or something?' ‘Sorry?' she said. ‘Are you reading it off the screen? Is it still on there? Have you taken it off?' ‘I'm dealing with it now,' lied Shirley, unnerved. ‘I thought you'd like to – ‘ ‘Get it off there now! God above, Shirley, this is getting out of hand – we can't have stuff like that on there!' ‘I just thought you ought to – ‘ ‘Make sure you've got rid of it, and we'll talk about it when I get home!' Howard shouted. Shirley was furious: they never raised their voices to each other.