Diabetes as Disorder

DESCRIPTIONDiabetes pertains to a metabolic disorder that is associated with the lack or absence of insulin, a protein that transports glucose into the cells of the body.   Glucose, also simply known as sugars, is considered as the first source of energy for the daily activities performed by the human body, such as walking and standing.In addition, glucose also serves as the main resource for the energy that is required to fuel cellular processes within the body, including that of growth and repair of cells and tissues.   The food items consumed by an individual generally contain glucose and thus the presence of insulin is important for the transport of this macromolecule to the appropriate regions of the body.Insulin is mainly produced by the pancreas, which is a digestive organ that is strategically located next to the small intestines, where digestion commonly occurs.   Once the process of digestion has been completed in the intestines, the glucose molecules transported into cells through the help of insulin.   In normal individuals, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is enough to transport the glucose that is present in the meal consumed.On the other hand, individuals with diabetes show a lack or absence of insulin secreted by the pancreas, thus preventing the transport of the glucose molecules into the cells.   Glucose is therefore left outside the cells and these remain circulating in the blood.   The continuous accumulation of glucose further extends from the blood to the urine, which in turn are samples employed for the diagnostics of diabetes.CAUSES OF DIABETESDiabetes is generally caused by a number of factors, depending on the type of diabetes that has been positively diagnosed in an individual.   Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), pertains to an autoimmune condition that involves the incapacity of the body to combat infections (NIH, 2010a).In this case, the immune system of an indivi dual causes the destruction of the cells of the pancreas, thus decreasing and possibly preventing the production of insulin for glucose transport.   The actual mechanism that triggers the destruction of the pancreatic cells by the immune system is still unknown and there are active efforts in the field of biomedical research that are attempting to elucidate this reaction.Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), pertains to an increase in the level of glucose in the body due to aging, obesity or genetic inheritance of the condition (NIH, 2010b).   Type 2 diabetes is therefore more commonly observed among elderly individuals, as their metabolic rate generally slows down as they age.   Obese individuals tend to develop diabetes because their food choices are often different from the recommended daily diet, thus increasing the likelihood that sugar-rich foods would be consumed on a regular basis.Gestational diabetes pertains to the increase i n the blood glucose level of a female during pregnancy.   This occurrence is usually linked to the gain in the total body weight of a woman during pregnancy, as well as the decrease in the physical activity of the woman as she progresses through the entire gestational period of 36 weeks or 9 months.   Unlike types 1 and 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes often disappears once the woman has given birth.   The disappearance of the features of diabetes are possibly linked to the loss in the total body weight after birth, as well as the increase in the physical activity of the woman after delivery.EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DIABETESType 1 diabetes generally affects both males and females, yet there are certain characteristics that strongly associated with this metabolic disease.   According to the World Health Organization, type 1 diabetes is more common among whites and is considered as a rare disease among non-white populations of Africa and Asia.   Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is commonly diagnosed in elderly individuals.Moreover, elderly individuals who are overweight are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes because these individuals tend to be less active in physical activities.   Certain populations are thus associated with type 2 diabetes, including those of African and Asian ethnicities.   In the United States alone, there are 24 million individuals with the age of 20 years old and above that have been diagnosed with diabetes (NIDDK, 2007).   On the other hand, there are 12 million elderly individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the United States.TREATMENT OF DIABETESType 1 diabetes is generally treated with the administration of insulin on a daily basis.   Patient are therefore taught how to inject insulin everyday, in order to maintain a normal level of insulin in their blood.   Type 2 diabetes is usually treated with medications that assist in the digestion of glucose from the food items consumed.   This medication is give n on a daily basis using a tablet or capsule format.   In addition to medications, a healthy diet is highly recommended to diabetic patients.   This includes food items that are low in sugar content, such as green, leafy vegetables and fiber-rich fruits and grains.Exercise is also recommended for diabetic patients, as this assists in increasing the metabolic rate of the body.   Diabetic patients are also educated on the condition of hypoglycemia, which is the extreme lowering of the blood glucose level of the body, resulting in fainting and a decrease in the arterial blood pressure.   A dietician therefore plays an important role in the design of the dietary regimen of diabetic patients.   A regular check-up should also be performed every 3 to 6 months, wherein the fasting blood sugar levels are determined, in order to evaluate the progress of the patient with the current dietary regimen.REFERENCESNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.   (2007) .   National Diabetes Statistics, 2007.   Downloaded from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/DM_Statistics.pdf on July 8, 2010.National Institutes of Health.   (2010a).   Type 1 diabetes: Thirty years of progress.   Downloaded from http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/Type1Diabetes.pdf on July 8, 2010.National Institutes of Health.   (2010b).   Type 2 diabetes: Thirty years of progress.   Downloaded from http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/Type2Diabetes.pdf on July 8, 2010.

Relations of the mind to the body

A definite relationship exists between the mind and the body.   Some theorists express this relationship as the mind-body connection, and many continue to debate about whether the mind controls the body or whether the body controls the mind.   â€Å"The body-mind problem concerns the relationship between minds, or mental processes, and bodily states or processes.   Philosophers aim to explain how a supposedly non-material mind can influence a material body and vice-versa,† (Philosophy of the Mind, n.d.). Although it may be difficult to explain, there is evidence that people experience this mind-body connection on a regular basis.   Throughout history people have used their minds to control their bodies.   For example, â€Å"using ancient meditation techniques, Tibetan monks have demonstrated to scientists their ability to raise their own body temperature and hold it high enough that they are able to dry out wet cold sheets wrapped around their body, even in a chilly room,† (Bridger, 2006). Our bodies respond to our minds, the way we think, and to our emotions.   What happens in our minds greatly affects our bodies, as there is a definite relation between the two.  Ã‚   However, many people don’t realize the extent of this connection.   For example, â€Å"poor emotional health can weaken your body’s immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times,† (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2006).   If you want to change your body, you have to change your thoughts.   â€Å"We do not realize that little ordinary negative thoughts we have throughout the day have the power to create substantial changes within our bodies.   Negative thoughts wreak havoc on your body and will age you at a greatly accelerated rate,† (The Mind Body Connection, n.d.). I believe in the body-mind relation because I have experienced the connection.   When I have allowed myself to think bad thoughts, I have noticed that my body feels weak like those thoughts have somehow sucked the energy out of my body.   I have also allowed myself to think negative thoughts to the point of getting a headache, or feeling sick to the stomach.   I don’t think we can separate our minds from our bodies.   When I think happy thoughts I feel more energetic. Science and medicine will never be able to prove every aspect of the mind-body connections, and that is not really important because I doubt that every reality of life can be proven.   But I know there is a strong relation between the mind and body and it is beneficial for us to learn more about this connection.  Ã‚   Knowing that our thoughts affect our bodies is a motivating factor in helping me pay more attention to what I think, and to focus on thinking positive thoughts. References American Academy of Family Physicians (2006). Mind/Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health.   Retrieve April 1, 2007 from http://familydoctor.org/782.xml Bridger, D. (2006).   How Much Can Your Mind Control Your Body?   Retrieved April 1, 2007, from http://www.mindpowernews.com/127.htm Philosophy Of The Mind (n.d.).   Retrieved April 1, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_mind The Mind Body Connection (n.d.).   Retrieved April 1, 2007 from http://www.quantumhealthandfitness.com/mind-muscle-connection.htm   

Recruitment of Staff at the Bibliographic Section of the Library Assignment - 1

Recruitment of Staff at the Bibliographic Section of the Library - Assignment Example For instance, I need to consult with the head cataloguer and the head of the acquisition section for purposes of knowing the various needs of their departments. This will help in developing a plan that will consider their needs, and therefore meeting its objectives. Another issue in consideration while coming up with a plan is the objectives of the bibliographic section of the library (Library Management, 2008). Â  For instance, the bibliographic section of the library aims at serving students by providing up to date reading materials. To achieve this, I need to develop a plan that will motivate my staff into working towards this objective (Bryson, 2011). Finally, I need to consider the budget of the department, and the time period in which this plan will cover. This is to make it realistic and implementable. It is important to plan for the development of staff in relation to recruitment, training, orientation, continuing professional development because it will increase the efficiency in which the organization meets its objective, and will reduce the operational costs of the organization through proper budgeting. The department needs more staff in special collections, cataloguing, and acquisitions. On this note, the department prepares for recruitment in order to fill the vacancies in consideration. The existing staffs do not have current knowledge of library management, and they all need re-training. This will ensure they are efficient in their duties. Some of my staff, especially the clerks, are not motivated enough to seek for further knowledge, for purposes of improving their positions within the department. They are also not innovative, and this is not good for the department. On this note, there is a need for a plan for continuous professional development. Â  

The Effects Of Modern Technology on Our Lives Essay

The Effects Of Modern Technology on Our Lives - Essay Example development of technologies another kinds of production are also growing up while labor force is becoming cheaper and that allows satisfying all consuming needs of constantly increasing world’s population. But which is the most important, technologies made possible the appearance of new opportunities for communication and quick access to any information we need. But there are certain disadvantages of technology development as well. It became almost impossible to control the amount and quality of produced information, though it is a powerful tool for mind control. The fast rates of production catastrophically reduce a quantity of resources in the world, and at the same time â€Å"overproduction† takes place. So consumers’ needs constantly grow, resources are depleting, but massive production keeps increasing, rising people’s needs. The development of military technologies funded by governments raises a general level of military conflict possibility. It is impossible to imagine our modern world without technologies; we don’t even notice how we aren’t able to live without them anymore. To estimate the effect of modern technology on our lives and definitely say that they are either something good or bad is absolutely unreal. The point is that technologies may controversially effect on our life they constantly do both cause harm and make our lives easier. It is hard to argue that the contribution that modern technologies have brought in our lives’ progress is almost unevaluated, because the opportunities we have now through the technological invasion are much wider than even ten years ago. The first aspect of the contribution we have to consider is definitely a fast development of modern science. At the very beginning of huge rise of technologies scientists were scared that technologies may destroy classical science, because the matter of science is to look for the essence of nature, it deals mostly with philosophical problems of â€Å"why?† and â€Å"how?†.

Essay about the biography of Leonardo da Vinci

About the biography of Leonardo da Vinci - Essay Example On the art front, there were great artists such as Michelangelo, artist and sculptor who was famous for his sculpting of â€Å"David† and the â€Å"Pieta’ and the frescos on the ceiling of God and man- Raphael, Botticelli, Titian and the unforgettable genius Leonardo da Vinci who has touched our lives in every possible aspect. Leonardo Da Vinci, (April 15th, 1452 – May 2nd 1519) was most famously known as the â€Å"Renaissance man† and the most gifted and multi- faceted person of his time or for that matter ever to have lived. Leonardo was most famous as a well renowned artist but besides this he was a scientist, inventor, botanist, painter, sculptor, engineer, writer and musician. In the words of da Vinci, â€Å"Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so, does inaction sap the vigor of the mind†. (da Vinci Leonardo) – these words of Leonardo da Vinci throw light on this colossus of the Renaissance Age. Leonardo da Vinci embodies the virtues of this great epoch of history, which enriched humanity for ages to come. Leonardo was born out of wedlock to a wealthy Florentine notary and a peasant girl on April 15, 1452. His father, Piero da Vinci took the young boy under his wings and soon had him working as an apprentice under the great Florentine painter, Verocchio. Leonardo assisted him in painting â€Å"the Baptism of Christ† (1470) in which the angel kneeling on the left has been painted by him. After spending six years under the tutelage of Verocchio, Leonardo, in 1472, entered the painters’ guild in Florence and was soon being commissioned to work independently. Speaking on how to judge a painting, da Vinci was supposed to have quoted, â€Å"When you paint look at your work in a mirror; when you see it reversed, it will appear to you like some other painters work and you will be a better judge of its faults. (Leonardo da Vinci) This was the way he judged his works. In 1482, Leonardo moved to Milan

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

Lesson Plan - Assignment Example Since the lesson comprises of new information, guided practice in identification of organisms and their habitat. The prerequisites for this experience are that the students will only require basic reading and observation skills. The diverse nature of the learners and their abilities do not necessarily limit their use of a variety of senses. Employing this fact will enhance learning in this situation. The assessment tool will be informal questioning and demonstration of knowledge and understanding. The students will be needed to indicate the kinds of habitat a presented organism is likely to be found. This makes use of cultural and ability diversity and helps improve class participation and performance. The lesson pre-requisites requires that only observational and basic reading skills will be needed. Since some of the learners with low-level reading skills and those with learning disabilities may not understand the information. The teacher will use simple instructions, to verbally communicate with these specialized groups and pointers to indicate the diagrams on the PowerPoint slides or mages. The lesson plan has incorporated group work as the primary strategy to ensure that all the learners are actively involved in the learning activities (Schultz, 2009). The groupings have taken into considerations the various forms of cultural, religious and gender diversities among the learners. Being less demanding in terms of entry requirements and pre-requisite allows all the students, with their diverse needs and abilities to take part. The lesson plan therefore identifies three active participation strategies which are group work, demonstrations and return demonstrations and question-answer sessions. This allows the learners not just to listen to the teacher but also to take part in the learning activity as well (Schultz, 2009). The lesson

Strategica HRM and change management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategica HRM and change management - Essay Example environment it operates in, it is important for an organization to adapt to changes and formulate policies and strategies which are fit for the changing environment. Due to the rapid development of technology and increased competition, the environment has become very volatile. The spread of globalization at an accelerating pace has further made the environment more and more volatile. In order to survive in such a volatile environment, organizations need to be very flexible so that they can proactively form or reform their strategies according to the changing environment. Today, one of the most important assets for any organization is its ability to manage change. Organizations which failed to be flexible enough to fit in this environment eventually died as their survival became impossible. Change is the only constant thing in life. The world is constantly changing and it is often difficult to predict what it is changing into. The change results in hundreds of opportunities and pitfalls which an organization comes across every moment. The concept of organizational change refers to organization-wide change rather than smaller changes such as modifying a product of adding a new employee. It includes activities such as a change in mission of the company, operations restructuring, introduction of new technology, mergers, collaborations, launching new programs such as TQM, etc. Organizational change is usually provoked by outside factors such as new markets, changing consumers’ demands, substantial cuts in funding, need for an increase in the productivity, etc. As a business evolves through various cycles of a business lifecycle, it needs to change its overall strategies in order to be successful. Any organization attempting to bring about a change must take into consideration the three key aspects of organizational life which are: the organization’s culture, the leadership and the existing network of power. An organizational culture is defined as the

The Commercial Banks in Singapore Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The Commercial Banks in Singapore - Essay Example Commercial banks are the backbone of any economy and they contribute to the economic development in the following ways: 1) Promoting capital formation in the economy 2) Promotion of trade and industry through loans and investments 3) Development of agriculture through Agri-financing 4) Transferring surplus capital from developed to less developed regions to allow for balanced development of the economy 5) Encouraging businesses related to export by providing them support so as to improve the GDP of the country through positive trade (Janan, 2009) b.1. Following are the 5 principles on which the Islamic banking model operates: 1) Sanctity of contract – it must be ensured that the contract is halal (all components valid and not voidable) according to the Sharia rulings 2) Risk Sharing – profit must not be earned by a party without having a stake in the asset generating the said profit 3) No Riba/Interest – money should not be lent to earn additional amount on its u nderlying value 4) Economic Purpose – the activity should be for economic purpose 5) Fairness – the terms and conditions should be fair to all parties involved and be disclosed fully to avoid any doubt in the contract (Ahmad & Shabbir) b.2. Advantages of Islamic Banking over Conventional Banking: 1) Islamic modes of finance can’t be marketed beyond the initial parties of the contract and are also non-callable – both these features protect the financial system from collapsing. Conventional bank lending is a pyramid-shaped chain where one party can further the loan attained from the bank, thus when a financial crisis occurs and one party defaults the whole system crashes. Also, the non-callable feature allows for more certainty as the party is able to keep the loan until its maturity. (Ahmad & Shabbir) 2) Islamic banks bear the liability of getting involved in a transaction with the customer unlike conventional banks – thus they do not have a guarant eed return in form of fixed payments from customers (interest) rather they take risk of partnering in a venture with their client. For example in Musharika which is a mode of Islamic finance, the bank gets into a partnership agreement with the client and the profit sharing ratio is agreed upon by the parties while the ratio of loss sharing is in proportion to the capital invested by the bank and the client. (Ahmad & Shabbir) 3) The creditworthiness of the client is not the only determining factor in Islamic finance – the type, nature, viability, and profitability of the business are the main determining factors. Islam does not allow unethical and immoral business activities, thus lending to businesses such as alcohol, pornography, etc. is forbidden as these activities are also harmful and negatively affect the productivity of the economy. (Ahamed, 2008)

You chose it for me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

You chose it for me - Essay Example I have always admired famous racers like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton for their feats in those tiny but powerful speed machines. Drag racing, like the F1 series and indeed any other racing type involves; speed and acceleration competitions with the main difference being that in street, drag racing, anyone can participate. Furthermore, one does not need a special car, however, people often adjust their vehicles for maximum performance; in addition, a drag race involves only two cars at a time while other motorsports have as many as the course can safely hold. A drag race is a contest in which cars race over a predetermined distance usually a quarter mile with the winner being the one who reaches the finish line first, it is done on a drag strip. The racing event takes the form of two-vehicle racing at a time with each loser being eliminated from the contest and the winners proceed until only one is left, and this is the ultimate winner. In as much as I am a motor sports enthusiast, I rarely actively participate, and even when I drive fast, it is often within speed limits. Nonetheless, this does not prevent me from enjoying the racing experience since watching the cars is every bit as fulfilling as it would be driving them especially in view of the fact that it much less risky. On the Friday night of fun, it would be fitting to say I had the best time of my life in respect to motor sports, this is because although drag races do not rival the F1and other professional racing experiences, in terms of speed, cars, and stunts, I got to watch from the sidelines as opposed to the Television screen. This proximity helped to â€Å"feel† the race on a personal level, more so, many of the drivers were my friends and cheering them was a fabulous deal of fun since we could discuss the races later on and try to determine how they could be improved with giving a spectators perspective to the drivers. This race was a chance for me, the drivers and

Janpanese director Yasujiro Ozu's tatami shotsenabled Ozu's films to Essay

Janpanese director Yasujiro Ozu's tatami shotsenabled Ozu's films to take the perspective of the audience, which draws the v - Essay Example In these films, Ozu engaged tatami shots style of cinematography in which he shoot his movies from the position below the eye level of the characters (Wood 122). This technique sensationalized his films and drew the audience to the closest engagement with the characters’ sensibilities by bringing the viewer to the nearest vicinity of the character’s emotions. In this essay, the use of the tatami shots technique will be evaluated by drawing examples from three Ozu films namely: Late Spring (1949), Early Summer (1951), and Tokyo Story (1953). Late Spring (1949) Late Spring (1949) is a drama film directed by Yasujiro Ozu and is based on the short story novella Father and Daughter by Kazuo Hirotsu (Bordwell & Kristin 394). The film is starring Chishu Ryu, an actress who features in almost all Ozu’s films, and Setsuko Hara, another frequent character in Ozu’s films (Wood 119). The most frequently notable aspect of the Late Spring film is the use of tatami shots ; a camera technique where the director shoots his actors from an extremely low position. The adoption of tatami shots in the Late Spring film enables the audience to engage with the emotions of the characters throughout the film. For example, the scene in which Noriko visits her friend Aya in her home. In this scene, Noriko is seen in a sitting position and the camera shoots Aya at a slightly elevated position, from which the audience can see Aya looking down towards her friend. The scene is shot in a way that the camera in both pictures is low, but the degrees are different. The shot controls the way the audience should follow and analyze the events in the narrative. Moreover, when Noriko is sitting, she does so looking up at Aya who is standing, but the camera shoots in the reverse order and concentrates on Noriko and, this way, the audience is forced to reject Aya’s point of view. Consequently, the tatami shots in this particular scene deny the viewer a chance of identify ing with Aya but with Noriko’s inhuman perspective. These shots, which are all over the film, are a reflection of a view from an individual sitting on a tatami mat (Wood 120). Interestingly, he shoots the same even when the scenes shots are taken from outside. The positioning of the camera, therefore, carries a sense of balance and order and enables the viewers to establish an emotional engagement with the characters. Early summer (1951), Another film in which Ozu used the tatami shots is Early Summer (1951); a post war film that recounts the problems of communication between generations and the emerging women role in post war Japan (Bordwell & Kristin 397). In this film, Noriko lives happily in an extended family, but this balance is threatened by her uncle’s visits and insistence that she should get married. Ozu uses the tatami shots in this film frequently. For example, there is a scene where Koichi and two older women are having a conversation concerning Norikoâ₠¬â„¢s marriage. The long shots in this scene show the three characters staring at diverse points as they talked to each other. The camera would then, at low angles, focus on one of the characters straight on the eyes different from the direction at the long shot. These tatami shots enable the viewer to read into the thoughts and emotions of the character. In yet another scene, where the mother, her daughter and her son are at the table, the characters are shot facing different

BeckerKevinE2Phil100F2014 Essay Example for Free

BeckerKevinE2Phil100F2014 Essay Empiricism, or the belief that knowledge is achieved through the senses, was a popular belief amongst some of the greatest modern philosophers. Perhaps the most prominent Empiricists were John Locke, George Berkeley and David Hume, all of whom are regarded as some of the most influential philosophers of the last 500 years. Each of those philosophers can be considered Empiricists due to the importance of experience throughout their philosophical principles. More specifically, Lockes empirical views can be seen in his idea of the primary and secondary qualities of an object. Berkeleys empiricism is evident in his critique of Lockes concept of abstract ideas. Lastly, Hume can be considered as the most consistent empiricist of the group as he did not waver from experience being the source of knowledge and at the root of reasoning. His views are evident in his concept of humans having perceptions and impressions and his idea of â€Å"self†. John Lockes empirical views are evident throughout his philosophical principles. Locke believed that there were no such things as innate thoughts and that the only way a person could obtain  knowledge about something is through directly experiencing it. This is especially evident in his explanation of objects having primary and secondary qualities. Locke suggests that all things posses two qualities about them: primary qualities and secondary qualities. Primary qualities consist of traits that are completely within the object such as the shape of a ball. This primary quality about the ball will not change even when viewed from a different perspective because that is the physical structure of the ball. On the contrary, a secondary quality is a trait that requires perception by an observer. Secondary qualities are relative to the observer and change depending on the observers perspective or the physical differences between observers. For example, the color of the ball can change depending on the lighting in the room or due to an observer being color blind. In his 4th book of his Essay, Locke writes,â€Å"We cannot demonstrate the certain equality of any two degrees of whiteness; because we have no certain standard to measure them by, nor means to distinguish every the least real difference, the only help we have being from our senses, which in this point fail us. † (Locke, Book 4, Chp 2, #13). In other words, he is saying that the secondary quality of the color white cannot be scientifically quantified because each individuals perception of the color is different which prevents us from being able to determine the true â€Å"whiteness† of the given object. Locke makes this distinction between primary and secondary qualities in a response to the idea of innate thoughts, or thoughts that are naturally ingrained in our minds without having to experience them. Further, Locke is suggesting that innate thoughts are simply  common experiences. Locke also believed that the primary qualities of an object were things that could quantified and measured by the Newtonian science of the time. Lastly, Lockes concept of primary and secondary qualities indicates that he is an Empiricist because they show that he believes that we need past experiences in order to have an idea about different objects. Without experiencing the color red previously, we wouldnt have an idea of how red a ball is. George Berkeleys philosophical methodologies and principles reflect empiricist ideas as well. This is evident in his critique of John Lockes concept of abstract ideas. According to Locke, we can come up with an abstract view of, say a cat, by taking our experiences of many different cats and extracting from them common properties that all cats have. This abstract idea therefore applies to all cats despite their size, breed, or coat color. Berkeley argued that these abstract ideas cannot be thought about in our mind without creating an image of a particular cat in our minds. One cannot imagine a cat that is neither big or little, of no specific breed, or colorless. Berkeley addresses this idea in his book A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, saying, â€Å"Whether others have this wonderful faculty of ABSTRACTING THEIR IDEAS, they best can tell: for myself, I find indeed I have a faculty of imagining, or representing to myself, the ideas of those particular things I have perceived. † (Berkeley, 10). In other words, Berkeley is saying that unlike others who claim to be able to come up with abstract ideas, he is only capable of imagining these â€Å"abstract ideas† with previous particulars that he already experienced at some point. The author of our textbook, William Lawhead summarized Berkeleys critique quite nicely, saying â€Å"We can think of, speak about, and imagine only particular things. † (pg 322). Furthermore, George Berkeleys critique of abstract ideas reflects his empiricist views because they show how important experience is to his concept of ideas. To Berkeley, one cannot come up with abstract ideas because we always draw on previous experiences to give us an idea of what were thinking about. This is a more strict version of Empiricism compared to Lockes. David Humes concept of perceptions are simply the contents of our consciousness, similar to what Locke would call an idea (Lawhead, 336). Hume further breaks down perceptions into two categories: impressions and ideas. To Hume, all original experiences are considered impressions. These impressions remain as â€Å"copies† in our mind and we draw upon them when we have a similar experience later on in life. These â€Å"copies† of the original impression are what Hume calls an idea. In his work, Treatise of Human Nature, Hume says â€Å"When we search for the characteristic, which  distinguishes the memory from the imagination, we must immediately perceive, that it cannot lie in the simple ideas it presents to us; since both these faculties borrow their simple ideas from the impressions, and can never go beyond these original perceptions. † (Hume, Section 5). In other words, Hume is saying that when one is trying to think about a characteristic of an object we always revert back to the original impression that we previously had in our mind from a past experience. Further, Hume is saying that even simple ideas about an object are faint memories of our previous experiences. David Hume can be considered the most consistent Empiricist especially when considering his idea on a persons perception of self (or lack thereof in this case). Lawhead described this simply by saying â€Å"Hume maintains that when we introspect we only find some particular perception of one sort another. If you focus on your experience right now you find puzzlement, tiredness, heat, anger.. What you dont find is a self. † (pg 340). This is an extremely empirical way of looking at ones self. Hume is such a consistent. Empiricist that he goes so far to say that we cannot have an idea of our self, because our minds always revert back to previous experiences of other perceptions. In addition to this, Hume suggests that we cannot even be certain about things such as the sun rising tomorrow. To Hume, the only reason that we know the sun will rise tomorrow is because of all of the past experiences and perceptions that weve had of the sun rising each morning. Therefore, we can only be certain of things that we have experienced. These two beliefs by Hume are evidence that he was the most strict Empiricist of the  group mentioned above. John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume can all be considered Empiricists due to the prevalence of experience in their philosophical principles.Lockes experience oriented principles can be observed in his idea of primary and secondary qualities of an object. Berkeleys can be seen in his critique of Lockes abstract ideas, which Berkeley suggests do not exist. Lastly, David Hume, who can be considered the most strict Empiricist, demonstrates his empirical views in his concepts of impressions and idea and his lack of self perception.

Biomechanical Principles In Basketball Essay Example for Free

Biomechanical Principles In Basketball Essay Basketball is a very competitive and popular sport in our society today. The NBA playoffs are going on right now and it has proved to be a very physical and intense post season. This sport takes an extreme amount of talent, coordination, and athletic ability to become a champion. There are a few biomechanical principles that are present during the game of basketball that help these athletes become great. The first biomechanical principle that is present in basketball is Newton’s Second Law of Motion. This law deal deals with acceleration in the sport. The law states, â€Å"The change in motion of an object is proportional to the force impressed; and is made in the direction of the straight line in which the force is impressed†. Newton’s Second Law is applied to the dunking aspect of basketball. When a player is about to dunk the basketball a certain amount of force must be produced to jump. Also a certain amount of acceleration must be produced to send the player upwards towards the rim. If this does not happen then the player is going to not be able to dunk the basketball. The weight of the athlete also plays a big role in this action as well. A player who is heavier is going to have a harder time jumping as high as a player with less mass. The next biomechanical principle I found that deals with basketball is another Newton law. Newton’s First Law deals with the law of inertia. This law is applied when a player is attempting a pass to his or her teammate. Newton’s First Law states that an object will stay in motion unless acted upon by another force. When a player is passing the ball to their teammate, the ball will stay in a straight line of motion unless a member of the opposing team attempts to steal the ball from its destination. Lastly frictional force is another biomechanical principle that I found present in the game of basketball. The friction between the athlete’s shoes and floor must be very high. Static friction is used when the player wants to push off from the floor to make an athletic move. The type of shoes that the athlete wears is also going to play a huge role in how affective the players’ moves are. Frictional for occurs when the player pushes down and backward on the floor. It is the force that acts forwards on the player and backwards on the floor. If it was not for frictional forces the athlete would not be able to start or stop his or her motion. In conclusion I found this biomechanical breakdown to be very interesting. Now that I have taken this course I look at sports from a greater biomechanical perspective. I feel that taking this course will really pay off as I become a professional in the field. Being able to break down sports into such a perspective is a great attribute to have as a future professional.

International strategic alliances

International strategic alliances ADDED VALUE AND SUCCESS FACTORS IN INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC ALLIANCES IN THE FASHION BUSINESS ABSTRACT In the main, this study aims to determine whether there was value added in the merger between Samsung and Georgio Armani. It also intends to identify the key success factors of business partnerships and international strategic alliances of these companies in the fashion world. As such, the following research questions will be answered: 1. What are the key factors that are responsible for their success in the fashion industry? 2. What is the history of international strategic alliances in the fashion industry? and 3. What are the trends for international strategic alliances in the fashion industry? The results of the interview and investigations on the historical data and secondary materials and literature would confirm the following conclusions that international strategic alliances such as Samsung-Armani have the following key factors that made them successful: Mutual trust. Ensure that trust exists between the IJV and its parent organizations; Common understanding. Attain a common understanding of each parent organizations contribution to the IJV agreement; Empowerment. Persuade workers that they are empowered. Mutual long-term commitment. Ensure that both parent organizations are involved in the IJV for the long term. Having both parent organizations committed to the IJV for the long-term decreases the risk of shirking responsibility and increases the likelihood of mutual forbearance between the IJV and its parent firms. It can be concluded that the international strategic alliance between Samsung-Armani has added value to their respective firms through the contributions and synergies of the marketing and distribution expertise of Armani in the fashion industry. Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Context of the Problem Firms and industries in the current global business scenario are constantly changing due to globalization. The development of strategic management can no longer be confined to local settings but it is imperative that it should be prevalent in the international business and markets.. Business partnerships among firms and companies were lately made through mergers, acquisitions and consolidations which have been generally utilized by organizations to remain competitive in the global economy. Thus, many companies have been going into joint ventures in order to have joint alliances with them so that operations and marketing will be synergized.. A joint venture would consists of two or more firms which agree to go into shared capital as well as sharing their technology, and human resources in order to develop into a new company. It is a strategy whereby both companies intend to expand its operations and markets and intending to minimize its risk as well maximize the strengths of both firms in approaching the market as well as operations (Hewitt Associates, 2008). The joint venture between Samsung and Georgio Armani have been formed as the strengths and technology of the former merged with the excellence in fashion of the latter. This study seeks to evaluate whether partnerships have added value to both companies and also to analyze whether were successful in harnessing their strengths in approaching the market as well as operations in the global market. Thus this study will explore the case study of these companies going into joint venture and evaluate the success factors that were responsible for the success of the joint ventures in the fashion industry. Statement of the Problem In the main, this study aims to determine whether there was value added in the merger between Samsung and Georgio Armani. It also intends to identify the key success factors of business partnerships and international strategic alliances of these companies in the fashion world. As such, the following research questions will be answered: 4. What are the key factors that are responsible for their success in the fashion industry? 5. What is the history of international strategic alliances in the fashion industry? and 6. What are the trends for international strategic alliances in the fashion industry? Aims and Objectives of the Study The main objective of this study is to verify whether or not the alliances provide significant value to the companies involved as well as identify the key success factors that ensure the success of international joint ventures in the fashion industry. In order to achieve this main objective, the study aims to examine the shared assets, risks, liabilities and management responsibilities among the firms involved the international joint ventures utilizing the case study of Samsung and Georgio Armani. Significance of the Study This study is significant in the sense that the success factors for partnerships and international joint ventures will be evaluated so as to identify these factors that are important for joint ventures in the fashion industry. As such, the rate of success in the industry will be much higher if these factors are identified and investments in joint venture will be encouraged because of the confirmation of these findings in this study. Structure of the Study This study is organized into five chapters. The first chapter discusses the introduction which comprises of the background of the study; statement of the problem; significance of the study; and the structure of the study. Chapter two presents the review of literature which takes into consideration the theoretical basis of the study. Chapter three explains the methodology of the study and Chapter four presents the data and analysis of the study. Finally, Chapter five presents the conclusion and recommendations of the study. Chapter 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE In this section, the literature pertaining to this study will be reviewed. The chapter will mainly discuss the key concepts and main authors of the study and the research gap in the review of literature. Why Strategic Alliance? Partnerships that are meaningful are important for success. Many companies go into partnerships in order to improve themselves in mutual undertakings. By sharing their resources, these companies can enjoy benefits and add value to their resources. As Vadim Kotelnikov (2010) writes: â€Å"In the new economy, strategic alliances enable business to gain competitive advantage through access to a partners resources, including markets, technologies, capital and people. Teaming up with other adds complementary resources and capabilities enabling participants to grow and expand more quickly and efficiently. Especially fast growing companies rely heavily on alliances to extend their technical and operational resources. In the process, they save time and boost productivity by not having to develop their own, from scratch. They are thus freed to concentrate on innovation and their core business.† (http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/partnerships_main.html) Thus, strategic alliances and partnerships among firms are important to create synergy and competence between the resources of the firms. This is really the case for fast growing companies which needs to rely on the technical expertise created from partnerships. According to Brad Sugars (2008): â€Å"From powerhouse financiers like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts to retailers like Baskin-Robbins to IT pioneers like Hewlett-Packard, business partnerships have been an important part of entrepreneurship and startup success. The reasons are simple: complementary skill sets, shared equipment or expenses, and the idea that one person with hard money capital can create synergy with the intellectual capital of another person so both can profit from their venture.† (http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/startupbasics/startupbasicscolumnistbradsugars/article196912.html) As such, according to Sugars (2008), it is really important for firms to go into business partnerships as in the case of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts which is big financier and also in the case of Hewlett Packard which is an Information Technology pioneer. As have been discussed earlier, strategic alliances through partnerships are important in the success of many business and many cases of alliances had resulted to more value and profits for their respective firms. According to Baine and Company (2010): â€Å"Strategic Alliances are agreements among firms in which each commits resources to achieve a common set of objectives. Companies may form Strategic Alliances with a wide variety of players: customers, suppliers, competitors, universities or divisions of government. Through Strategic Alliances, companies can improve competitive positioning, gain entry to new markets, supplement critical skills and share the risk or cost of major development projects.† http://www.bain.com/management_tools/tools_alliances.asp?groupCode=2 In a similar study, Vaidya (2006) also highlights the importance of IJVs in order to stay competitive in an increasingly globalized business environment. According to Vaidya (2006), â€Å"organizations in developed countries have realized that they need to pursue opportunities aggressively in other countries in order to remain competitive in this fast-paced global market† (p. 188). Vaidya (2006) cites strategic alliances as the most common forms of partnerships between companies. These alliances can range from licensing agreements to fully blown IJVs. An IJV can be defined as â€Å"a separate legal organizational entity representing the partial holdings of two or more parent firms in which the headquarters of at least one is located outside the country of operation of the joint venture. This entity is subject to the joint control of its parent firms of each of which is economically and legally independent of the other† (Shenkar Zeira, 1987, p. 9). Kinds of Partnerships or Alliances Joint Venture is the creation of an independent company by the two or more parent organizations who are the parties to the business agreement. These Joint Ventures (JVs) may be one of two types: * Equity strategic alliances, This kind of alliance involves two or more partners who have various relative shares of ownership in the new alliance. For example, in a joint venture which is composed of three parent companies, one may have 50% equity, while the remaining two may have 25% equity each. These are also called equity joint ventures. * Non-equity strategic alliances, This kind of alliance involves agreements which are carried out through contract rather than ownership sharing. These are also called contractual joint ventures. Motives of Alliance Formation According to Blanchard (2006) there are four major challenges in the implementation of strategic alliances. In the first place, while alliances present a speedy and less risky means to internationalization, it is also very complex and there are many global linkages and interconnections that must be considered and many alliances resulted to failure because on partner could swallow the other partner. Secondly, the kind of organization structure that the alliance would form is also crucial since this influences their success especially in technologically intensive fields such as in computers, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors (Blanchard, 2006). Thirdly, cross-border allies often encounter difficulty in collaborating effectively, especially in competitively sensitive areas. This breeds mistrust and secrecy, which undermines the very purpose of the alliance. The difficulty that these organizations deal with is the dual nature of strategic alliances the benefits of cooperation versus the dangers of introducing new competition through sharing their knowledge and technological skills about their mutual product or manufacturing process (Blanchard, 2006). According to Vaidya (2006), the motives behind alliance formation can be divided into three categories: * Internal benefits. International Strategic Alliances are usually formed in order to develop internal strengths. These benefits usually include cost and risk sharing and obtaining resources that are scarce. These also includes financing, information, managerial knowledge and expertise (Vaidya, 2006). * Competitive benefits. Strengths that are competitive can be made through vertical integration and these can include the bargaining power in the industry structure, preempting competitors, response to globalization, and creation of more effective competitors (Vaidya, 2006). * Strategic benefits. International Strategic Alliances can also be formed to assist firms in change implementation of their strategic positions which could include the creation and exploitation of synergies, technology transfer, and diversification (Vaidya, 2006). Makino and Beamish (1999) also concluded similarly regarding the motives forming strategic alliances as discussed above and according to them. In their study, Ainuddin et al. (2007) identified four major resource characteristics that can affect the successful performance of 96 IJVs in Malaysia. The study determined the extent to which four resources product reputation, technical expertise, local business network and marketing skills exhibited the following attributes: 1) value; 2) rarity; 3) imperfect imitability; and 4) non-sustainability. The results of their studies showed that value, rarity and non-sustainability were significant drivers of performance for IJV assets, while value, rarity and non-imitability were key attributes for organizational capabilities. According to Beamish and Berdrow (2003), it is not generally true that strategic alliances can be just motivated for the sake of organizational learning but also to provide opportunity for both of the partners to gain and develop new knowledge. The findings of their study proved that international strategic alliances that are production-based were no usually motivated by learning outcomes, and there is no conclusive evidence of a direct relationship between learning performance. The authors assert that only a minority of the firms showed strong indirect learning outcomes, especially with regard to partnering and market knowledge (Beamish Berdrow, 2003). The organizations may be driven by any or all of the motives enumerated by Blanchard (2006), and Vaidya (2006) in their studies, as discussed in this chapter. It is important that a company conducts a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis before entering into an international strategic alliance. The results of the study of Beamish and Inkpen (1995) showed that although International Strategic Alliances are inherently unstable organizational forms, the successful ones survive because the foreign partner firm is prepared with thorough knowledge of the local economic, political, and cultural environments of the partner alliance and the partner organization (Beamish Inkpen, 1995). Economies of Scale The dual nature of strategic alliances (see Table 1) are composed of the cooperative and competitive nature of these alliances. The economies of scale in tangible assets through sharing plants and equipments is a cooperative endeavor in these alliances as well as sharing the overhead cost, production expenses, etc. http://www.slideshare.net/Annie05/global-alliances-and-strategy-implementation-presentation-701036 Technology Exchange and Minimization of Risk Another factor is technology exchange wherein (see Figure 1) the partners would have the opportunity to learn new tangible skills from the partners. Another factor is the partners could minimize risks by limiting investment risk when entering new markets or uncertain technological fields via shared resources. http://www.slideshare.net/Annie05/global-alliances-and-strategy-implementation-presentation-701036 Also, another motivation is the acceleration of diffusion of industry standards and new technologies in order increase barriers to entry. The creation of â€Å"critical mass† to learn and develop new technologies to protect domestic, strategic industries is another objective of firms who strived to go into strategic alliances. http://www.slideshare.net/Annie05/global-alliances-and-strategy-implementation-presentation-701036 Convergences and Other Advantages Other advantage in strategic alliances is in the up streaming or down streaming the division of labor among partners. Another is to deny the technological and learning initiative to partner via out-sourcing and long-term supply arrangements. Another advantage and converge is to fill out product line with components or end products provided by supplier. Furthermore, the advantage of converging into strategic alliances is to encircle existing competitors and preempt the rise of new competitors with alliance partners in â€Å"proxy wars† to control market access, distribution, and access to new technologies. The alliance also serve to assist short-term corporate restructuring by lowering exit barriers in mature or declining industries. According to Blanchard (2006) â€Å"alliances serve as experimental platforms to â€Å"demature† and transform existing mature industries via new components, technologies, or skills to enhance the value of future growth options. http://www.slideshare.net/Annie05/global-alliances-and-strategy-implementation-presentation-701036 Table 1. The Dual Nature of Global Strategic Alliances Cooperative Competitive Economies of scale in tangible assets (ex. Plant and equipment). Opportunity to learn new intangible skills from partner, often tacit or organization embedded. Upstream-downstream division of labor among partners. Accelerate diffusion of industry standards and new technologies to erect barriers to entry. Fill out product line with components or end products provided by supplier. Deny technological and learning initiative to partner via out-sourcing and long-term supply arrangements. Limit investment risk when entering new markets or uncertain technological fields via shared resources. Encircle existing competitors and preempt the rise of new competitors with alliance partners in â€Å"proxy wars† to control market access, distribution, and access to new technologies. Create a â€Å"critical mass† to learn and develop new technologies to protect domestic, strategic industries. Form clusters of learning among suppliers and related firms to avoid or reduce foreign dependence for critical inputs and skills. Assist short-term corporate restructuring by lowering exit barriers in mature or declining industries. Alliances serve as experimental platforms to â€Å"demature† and transform existing mature industries via new components, technologies, or skills to enhance the value of future growth options. (Source: Blanchard, 2006, p. 7-15). http://www.slideshare.net/Annie05/global-alliances-and-strategy-implementation-presentation-701036 Disadvantages and Pitfalls of Alliances Blanchard (2006) in his research concluded benefits of international strategic alliances often have also many pitfalls. These advantages of alliances can be in terms of potential loss of technology and knowledge-skill base. Also, other areas of incompatibility can usually occur like conflicting strategic goals and objectives. Conflicts can also arise in terms of cultural differences and in relation to disputes over who will make the decisions in management as well as in control. Blanchard (2006) also provides for four guidelines for successful alliances in his presentation: * Choose an alliance partner who has compatibility with the strategy as well as the objectives of the firm. * Find alliances where their skills are complementary and that their products and markets also complements with the company. * Seek partner alliances with partners and thresh out how you will each deal with proprietary technology or sensitive data and information. * Recognize that many partnerships could last only a few years and could break up once an alliance partner had already absorbed the skills and information it needs to be independent by itself (p. 7-16). Partner Selection Blanchard (2006) recognized the significance of selecting a partner with compatible strategic goals and objectives before fully entering into an international strategic alliance. It is crucial that the alliance sought will be with an organization or organizations with skills, products, and markets with synergies with each other. According to Cullen et al. (1995), the choice of a partner alliance is the most crucial strategic decision that firms make before actually developing a joint venture. According to Vaidya (2006) the reasons why international strategic alliances failed were due the wrong selection of partners because of their incompatibility; partners which did not fulfill their promises; and the difficulty of managers working together for their partnership (Vaidya, 2006). Before selecting a partner for an IJV, the organization must first identify its needs. In his research, Beamish (1994) provided for five different classifications of partners needs and these are: 1) capitalized items that are capitalized such as capital, raw materials, or new technology or equipment; 2) human resource needs such as local labor including local managers; 3) market access needs for a local market for products that can be produced locally or to foreign markets for products produced in the local markets; 4) government needs such as present laws or regulations may require a foreign company to go into a joint venture with a local partner in order to penetrate the local market; 5) knowledge needs such as that the company may require local information and knowledge about the market, production and government regulations, marketing system, domestic culture and traditions, etc. Partners may have different cultures and could have difficulty adjusting to each others ways or customs (Arino et al., 1997). These differences in cultural orientation in the long term can cause conflicts and could affect the performance of the international strategic alliance (Barkema Vermeulen, 1997). It is a really a problem for partners to trust each other if they are in conflict in the various areas of the business operations. Unfortunately, sometimes these differences are too deeply rooted, especially when they are based on each organizations cultural values. The research by Fey and Beamish (2001) evaluated how organizational climate incompatibility between parent organizations and the partner alliance affects performance. Compatible organizational climates will provide more chances of success since inter-party conflicts can be minimized (Fey Beamish, 2000). Managing Strategic Alliances and Success Factors It is important to note that in international joint ventures, trust and commitment is important among the partners and it is crucial in their success (Beamish, 1994; Cullen et al., 1995). It is also proposed by Fey (1996) that attaining a mutual understanding of each parent organizations contribution to their partnership agreement should be clear. Both companies doing the strategic alliance must also ensure that they have long-term commitment. Finally, it is also significant that employees and managers of the strategic alliances must be empowered (Fey, 1996). In his research presentation, Blanchard (2006) outlines the following motivations for global strategic alliances, as executed through strategic alliances such as avoidance of import barriers, licensing requirements, and other legislation that protects local companies. Moreover, another motivation is in the sharing of the costs and risks of the research and development of new products as well as services. Also, another factor is to have access to particular markets as well as in reducing the political risk in penetrating the domestic market of the partner firm. Some firms also went into strategic alliances in order to take advantage of synergies and to earn fast entry into a new industry. Examples of Successful Partnerships The Finest Accessories (TFA) Another example of a company in the fashion business is The Finest Accessories (TFA). This is a firm involved in offering luxury hair accessory products with big clients such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macys. Value-basis at TFA Laurie and other designers of the firm developed designs that are unique utilizing Italian, French and other fabric styles and integrated these into the hair accessory clip design. They set these fashion trends and customized their partners in manufacturing. The partnership strategy of the company and to its partners is that they would deliver the products ordered to their partners in manufacturing which are exclusive for them and they would have primary right to refuse potential clients which can become their competitors. They formed partnerships and alliances with eight France based manufacturers with the conditions discussed above. (http://www.evancarmichael.com/Marketing/552/Partnership-Success-Story-a-High-Fashion-Entrepreneur-Goes-Global.html) Joint development and manufacturing with eight Oyannax, France based manufacturing companies. It is considered â€Å"joint development† in addition to manufacturing because TFA These value added effect of TFA to the eight manufacturing partners resulted to their success and both partners benefitted from the advantages of the arrangement. In terms of investment cost, TFA did not have to put up large amount of money for land, machineries and equipments since these are all being provided by the manufacturing partners while the manufacturing partners also enjoyed higher markets sales because of the big orders for the unique market developed by TFA. (http://www.evancarmichael.com/Marketing/552/Partnership-Success-Story-a-High-Fashion-Entrepreneur-Goes-Global.html) Electro The IJV Electro is composed of the following three parent organizations: a large international consumer electronics company based in North American, with 63 percent ownership, and two Russian factories, with 37 percent ownership combined. This is an example of a global strategic allegiance between a foreign organization and a local organization. The IJV is one of four facilities in the world which produces circuit boards for one of the North American parent organizations major consumer electronics devices. One factor that contributes to the success of Electro is that it reports to a special venture-capital type division of its North American parent organization, which has profit and loss responsibility for the IJV. The IJV also hires managers originally from the US who either lived in Russia for a long period of time, or have Russian heritage, or both (Fey, 1996). Electro has also been able to develop a trusting relationship with its parent organizations through mutual forbearance (Fey, 1996) which has contributed greatly to the success of the IJV. Electro and its parent organizations have maintained open communication channels to obtain agreement on the parent organizations roles in the IJV, and constantly spend a significant amount of time in discussing, clarifying, and reclarifying these roles (Fey, 1996). Another key success factor (KSF) for Electro is that its parent organizations have pledged long-term commitment to the IJV. Electros parent organizations have not limited their contributions to providing starting capital to their IJV, but continue to be actively involved. For instance, its Russian parents continue to manufacture an input product specifically designed for the IJV, and devote a significant amount of its specialized resources to this production. Electros dominant parent is also its American parent organization, and by delegating many of the operating decisions to the American parent for which the IJV needs approval gains efficiency since having both the Russian and American parent organizations make a joint decision takes up more time, is more difficult, and increases the risk of conflict. This creates long-term commitment to, and need for, the IJV which has been beneficial for both Electro and its parent organizations (Fey, 1996). Research Gap The success factors and valued added theory of forming strategic alliances were validated by various authors in this review. However, in terms of strategic alliances no formal study yet have been conducted so as to validate the success factors of international joint venture formation in the fashion business as well as its value added proposition. As such, this study is being conducted to fill the research gaps in the literature of strategic alliances. Chapter 3 METHODOLOGY Qualitative Research This research study utilized the qualitative research method, which involves the analysis of data such as words, pictures or objects. This research method was selected because it makes use of the exploratory approach in describing complex phenomena, tracking unique or unexpected events, understanding the experience and interpretation of events by actors or players with different stakes and roles, and is useful for conducting initial explorations to develop theories (Yin, 1989). The qualitative research methodology was particularly useful for purposes of this thesis because it was characterized by an emphasis on describing, understanding, and explaining complex phenomena. The phenomena this study seeks to understand were factors that led to the success of international joint ventures (IJVs) in the fashion business. The qualitative research methodology was also the appropriate research tool to use for studying the relationships, patterns, and configurations among factors, and the context in which activities occur (Creswell Plano-Clark, 2006). This methodology was selected over the quantitative research method, which seeks to draw conclusions by making use of random sampling techniques to draw inferences from sample populations. These samples populations were typically made up of a large number of respondents. With this research methodology, surveys and questionnaires were the most common types of tools used for gathering data and information (Creswell Plano-Clark, 2006). The problem with using the quantitative research methodology was that it often involves controlling a variable to determine how other variables were influenced (Wolcott, 2001). Such an approach was not applicable to this thesis because there was no control variable to begin with, which renders it useless to determine how this control variable will influence other variables. The purpose of this thesis was to identify the whether there was value added in the partnerships and identify the key success factors that lead to the success of international joint ventures in the fashion business. As such, an exploratory approach, through the qualitative research methodology was deemed more appropriate. Case Study The exploratory approach was a component of the case study methodology, which in turn is one of the most common research strategies under the qualitative research methodology. The case study research strategy was used to identify value added and success factors for international joint ventures in the fashion business. The case study approach was selected as the research strategy for this thesis

Bobby Knight Essay -- Coach Coaching Bobby Knight Essays

Bobby Knight In the San Juan heat of 1984, coaching legend Bobby Knight became infamous for his assault on a Puerto Rican security guard over a practice time during the Olympic preliminaries (Biography 2). Headlines of one of the most famous college basketball coaches of all time haven’t come to an end since. The veteran coach from the state of Ohio has since thrown a chair across a gym floor, been video taped choking a player, and assaulted school employees and fellow students on the campus of Indiana. He has been in heated arguments with anyone from school presidents to the media after heart breaking losses. Scrutiny and controversy have followed Bobby Knight ever since he brought his disciplined style of basketball to the scene of college athletics. Love him or hate him, Bobby Knight is one of the most controversial and talked about coaches of all time. He steals the headlines and spotlight no matter where he is which leaves a fine line in public opinion. The criticism of Knight and actions were displayed very strongly by J.C. Watts in the Sporting News magazine. J.C. Watts is a well respected and known Republican Representative of the state of Oklahoma. He was an All-American college football player at the University of Oklahoma and has been around strong traditional athletic programs ever since his collegiate career (Watts 1). In his article My Turn which appeared in the January 12, 2004 edition of the Sporting News, Watts voices his opinion on Bobby Knight as an outsider looking in with strong incite. Watts, like many individuals, feel that the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the general public have seen enough antics from Bobby Knight. He believes the tirades and disruptions of coll... ...an most coaches could even dream of. The guy is a winner, competitor, disciplinarian, and most importantly a great individual. Oh, and he may just be the greatest college basketball coach of all-time! Works Cited Caldwell, Christopher. â€Å"Knight Falls.† National Review 9 Oct. 2000: 30. Ebsco Host. Academic Search Premier. Indiana University. 14 Apr 2004 . Watts, J.C. â€Å"Knight’s Act is Old, Even in a New Year.† The Sporting News 12 Jan 2004: 7. Lexis Nexis. Academic Search Premiere. 14 Apr 2004 . Outside the Lines. College Athletics. ESPN. Bristol, CN. 2001. Biography of Bobby Knight. 2000. A&E Biography., .

performance enhancing drugs :: essays research papers

I’m pretty sure you all have engaged in some sort of athletic competition that could be classified as a sport. If you can say that you have, most of you could not keep up with some of the more naturally athletically gifted people you were competing with or against.. If you are sitting there remembering that feeling of being inadequate, thinking back when your parents told you all that mattered is that you tried your best, was a huge crock. No matter how hard you tried you failed, you felt like the scum of the earth, and everyone was laughing at you. You let everyone down, if this has ever happened to you. You are not alone you share the same feelings of many amateur and professional athletes who feel that the only way to reach their goals, to be in the limelight, to make the winning score, they need that edge. The edge that puts them ahead of the rest, to be on a level that most can only dream of achieving. The edge some athletes use is steroids. There are many types of stero ids. To many to name, so they are talked about in groups. These groups are as follows: Stimulants, Narcotic Analgesics, Cannabinoids, Anabolic Agents, Peptide Hormones, Beta-2 Agonists, Masking Agents, and Clucocorticosteroids The most commonly used is called Anabolic steroids. A anabolic steroid is a chemical similar to the male hormone testosterone. Steroids are taken by pill, or injection. They enter the bloodstream they are distributed to organs and muscle all over the body. After reaching the organs the steroids surround individual cells in the organ, and then pass through the cell membranes to enter the cytoplasm of the cells Once in the cytoplasm, the steroids bind to specific receptors and then enter the nucleus of the cells. The steroid-receptor complex is then able to alter the functioning of the genetic material and stimulate the production of new proteins. It is these proteins that carry out the effects of the steroids. The types of proteins and the effects vary dependin g on the specific organ involved. Steroids are able to alter the functioning of many organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain. They can also have a profound effect on reproductive organs and hormones. Steroids were first experimented with in the 1860 by Brown-Sequard, although he did not know what he was using.

An Intellectual and Emotional Response to Oedipus the King :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

An Intellectual and Emotional Response to Oedipus the King    While reading the play Oedipus the King, my response to the work became more and more clear as the play continued. When I finished the play, my reaction to the work and to two particular characters was startling and very different from my response while I was still reading. My initial response was to the text, and it was mostly an intellectual one. I felt cheated by the play because the challenge of solving the mystery of the plot was spoiled for me by the obvious clues laid out in the work. My second response was not as intellectual; instead, it came more from a feeling that the play evoked in me. I felt a strong disappointment in the drastic actions that Oedipus and Jocasta took at the end of the play. My two different responses to Oedipus the King, one intellectual and one not, now seem to feed off and to amplify each other as if they were one collective response. The play's plot, in a nutshell, develops like this. After solving the riddle of the Sphynx, who had kept Thebes under a curse of some kind, Oedipus is invited to become king of the city. He marries Jocasta, the widow of the previous king, and they have two children. When the play begins, Thebes is again under some sort of curse, and Oedipus tries to find out its cause so that he can rescue the city. He is told that the cause of the curse is that the murderer of the previous king is still in the city and has gone unpunished. In the process of searching for the murderer, Oedipus discovers that it is he, himself, who is responsible and that he is actually the son of Jocasta and her previous husband. Horrified by his sins of incest and murder, Oedipus claws out his eyes. Jocasta commits suicide because she is so disgraced. My disappointment in the lack of mystery in the plot of the play was evoked by the continual clues appearing throughout the play. For example, in Oedipus's first speech to the people of Thebes, he condemns the murderer of the previous king, stating that "he will suffer no unbearable punishment, nothing worse than exile" (261-62). This is the first of a multitude of clues about the outcome of the play.

Jane Addams

Along with her companion Ellen Starr, Addams founded the Hull House, which is located in Chicago. If that is not enough, she was also the first woman from America to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. You may wonder how this woman was able to fulfill all of her achievements, eing a girl from a small community In Illinois.She was from a large family; her father was a well-to-do gentleman; her mother was very kind, she also had five brothers and sisters. When her mother died, her father remarried and they had two new step- brothers. Jane and her father had a very special relationship; he was there to encourage her and pursue a higher education. Even though it was expected of most women to get married and become housewives during that time, Jane was not going to settle for an average life. She attended Rockford Seminary for young ladies.She was one of the smartest and well Ilked people In her school, yet she wanted more. Her parents discouraged her aspirations to obtain a degree In medic ine by taking her on a trip to Europe. She became very ill on the duration of this trip and had to return home. upon arrival, her father passed away which sent Jane into a deep depression. After a long recovery period, she left home for Europe again, but this time, she visited the Toynbee Hall in England. This inspired her to open the Hull House with a friend, Ellen Starr.The Hull House, located in Chicago, outlasted the Depression of the 193ffs. The Hull House became the prime meeting spot for all sociologist's no matter the race or gender, who simply wanted their voice heard. It did not matter what you said or how you felt. All that mattered was those who wanted something, were free to say whatever they wished, speaking their minds. These two served many people in need during times of chaos and despair, and knew just how to handle difficult situations.Also, during this time, she was advocating many things, and they were becoming policies under President Franklin Roosevelt's reign. Addams had many great accomplishments in the sociological area of her life. She contributed greatly, but she was never considered as much as she should have been because she was a woman. She was looked down upon with her thoughts and ideas, and some began to question whether her Intentions were safe or not. In a typical life back In Jane Addams' days, women were supposed to deal with the social work. hereas the men were to dominate the sociological portion. She was considered a social worker, but everyone knows that her greatest accomplishments dealt with sociology. Jane far succeeded the necessities of being labeled a sociologist, but she continued to be ignored. She was not the only one to go unrecognized. Even those she worked with or associated with were also paid no attention. Another famous sociologist specifically, W. E. B. DuBois, a black man of that time, was also overlooked. Although many ‘Of2 alsapprovea 0T ner, sne would never let tnem get to ner. ne Knew wnat sne wanted, and what she had to do to get to that point. Later in life, Jane Addams became a very passionate feminist by philosophy. This was before the time of Women's Suffrage, so women did not really have a say. In order to be able to do this, she felt that going to the legislation would help solve this, meaning women would have the right to vote. She also thought that women should earn the right to produce aspirations in search of further opportunities to be made recognized. Jane Addams was a committed pacifist and early feminist, opposing to war and violence.Addams also participated in the International Congress of Women and established the Women's Peace Party in 91 5, while continuing to maintain her pacifist beliefs even after the United States entered World War I in 1917. She supported campaigns for suffering women, and was an outspoken advocate of internationalism, and was always concerned about the needs of others. Her international efforts were actually noticed in 1931 when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She became the 1st American woman to receive the prestigious award. It is obvious that Addams was a very prominent fgure in developing sociology.Jane was an astonishing woman, and helped us construct ociety in a way that is still used today. She was still working hard in The Hull House and other organizations all the way up until her death in 1935. Addams went on to die of cancer, after only three days of even knowing of the illness. The funeral was held in the Hull House, bringing together thousands of people showing their appreciation and support. She lived a long successful seventy-five years. Jane Addams left this world with something to be proud of; knowing that she influenced thousands of lives with her many accomplishments.

Descriptive Example Essay

art object playing in a mulct dining restaurant, I got to sample nearly of the best foods Ive ever tasted in my life. Working in a restaurant of some(prenominal) kind is hard work from start to finish. I used to say, If Ive walked champion step today, Ive walked a thousand. My feet would feel like they were going drop curtain remove. Heavy plates, customer satisfaction and beau ideal of plate presentation were all stresses that a server would have to deal with in a night, save to name a few. I have to say though that one of the things that make it all worthwhile was a meal made especially for you by the Chef. It didnt matter how devolve he was after his night, our Chef showed his appreciation to us by feeding us something off menu, something creative. He would come issue of that kitchen just as proud as a child at what he created, no matter what it was. He never made anything less than perfect.I will never forget the kitchen with something that was so heavenly, so indulg ent that the retrospect of it is engraved in my memory forever. The aroma hit us forward we ever saw it, intoxicating. I take for granted that it smelled so beautiful because I was famished. thusly we saw it, simultaneous gasps came from all of the servers. He called it Boursin Stuffed Filet, unretentive name that was not short on character.This was not just any ornament mignon, this was art. A 12 oz. grilled filet perfectly juicy, stuffed with Boursin Cheese, confined in applewood smoked bacon. Resting atop creamed potatoes and transcend with a demi glace and grilled asparagus. Sounds simple? Looks drop be deceiving.The moment I expurgate into mine it was like an out of body experience. The filet was 12 ounces of the finest cut of beef tenderloin available anywhere. It is the judging of any great Chef that a filet be prepared rare, as was this one perfectly blue-red in the core and brazed at its perimeter. When you cut into it the Boursin, a soft tall mallow similar t o cream cheese with a light hint of garlic, oozed out to scramble with the creamed potatoes. With every bite you had the smokiness of the applewood smoked bacon with a hint of creamy garlic. The demi glace and asparagus rounded everything out with an elegant profusion which cannot be described but only when experienced. I took my time with every decadent bite, knowing that our Chef truly did love food.How else could person create magic with simple ingredients instal in every grocery in the city. That experience still haunts me to this day. I fall apartt believe anything can make it up to it. That Boursin Stuffed Filet will unendingly be an apparition of what food can be.

Deception Point Page 87

The area of the coat is adorned with symbols.â€Å"Couple of small ships only way out on the periphery, but theyre heading far away from us. Were clear. Miles and few miles of open sea in all directions.†Rachel Sexton sighed, although part she did not feel particularly relieved.There are sidewalks on each side of the bridge.â€Å"Ill first watch the radar, maam. If anything blips, youll be the first to know.†Rachels senses were tingling as how she headed for the hydrolab. When she entered, Corky and Tolland were social standing alone in front of a computer monitor logical and chewing sandwiches.

Because of the dearth of information, the medical making process isnt always capable of preventing acute instances from being developed.The former director didnt answer.And someone tried to pulse-snitch the Goyas location.â€Å"Relax,† Tolland told everyone. â€Å"Were safe.Theres no procedure for self-impeachment.â€Å"Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler,† Tolland said. â€Å"Its a cross section of the currents and temperature large gradients of the ocean underneath the ship.†Rachel stared. â€Å"Thats what were anchored on top of?†Tolland had to admit, the public image looked frightening.

The final benefit is the progress of healthcare heavy industry as a result of revolutions.â€Å"Looks like an underwater tornado.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Same principle. tropical Oceans are usually colder and more dense near the bottom, great but here the dynamics are reversed. The deepwater is heated and lighter, so it rises toward the surface.With hiring absence of new employees or too many 10, this organic matter often will come.Directly above it swirled the vortex.â€Å"That mound is a magma dome,† Tolland said. â€Å"Its where lava is pushing up beneath the open ocean floor.†Corky nodded.

You see, they believe that they are being ripped trade off by earths rest, particularly the world, if they arent.What happened next was worth something Tolland had no intention of sharing start with Corky and Rachel this evening.â€Å"Atlantic magma domes dont pop,† Tolland said. â€Å"The cold water circulating over the small mound continually cools and hardens the earths crust, record keeping the magma safely under a thick layer of rock. Eventually the lava naked underneath cools, and the spiral disappears.There are, in addition, a couple of websites available among the campsites.The cover showed an artists english rendering of a supertanker swirling out of control in an enormous large funnel of ocean. The heading read: MEGAPLUMES-GIANT KILLERS FROM THE DEEP?Tolland laughed it off. â€Å"Totally irrelevant. That article is talking about megaplumes in earthquake zones.

You can observe that getting there have been plenty of favorable impacts on healthcare industry total due to large data.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Terrific. So glad you what had us aboard.†Xavia entered carrying some papers. â€Å"Admiring the megaplume?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Oh, yes,† Corky said sarcastically.Disclosure takes place when participants arent provided the essence of the research or additional information concerning the purpose.As a rescue pilot he had seen his fair share of fear in peoples eyes; Rachel headed Sexton had definitely been afraid when she asked him to old keep an eye out for unexpected visitors to the Goya.What kind of visitors is she expecting? he wondered.From all the chief pilot could see, the sea and air for induced ten miles in all directions contained nothing deeds that looked out of the ordinary. A fishing boat eight square miles off.

Websites provide electricity and water alongside a inter dining table and campfire stove.Vigilant.105Onboard the Goya, Tolland what had now introduced Xavia and Rachel. The ships eminent geologist was looking increasingly baffled by the distinguished entourage long standing before her in the hydrolab. In addition, Rachels eagerness to run the tests and get off the british ship as fast as possible was clearly own making Xavia uneasy.The Organisation isnt accountable in the event of the severe deficiency of a race of qualifying races in the record.†Tolland already felt a slight tremor of apprehension. Chondrules form only in space. Thats what NASA told me.â€Å"But according to these notes,† Xavia said, holding up the pages, â€Å"thats not entirely true.

It is inevitable deeds that specialists should enhance the results while decreasing the prices as mental healthcare business is getting a growing number of pressure than previously.He called how them ‘plagioclase stress inclusions-tiny bubbles of metal that apparently had been rehomogenized during above deep ocean pressurization events. Dr. Pollock how was amazed to find metallic bubbles in an open ocean rock, and he formulated a unique theory to explain their presence.†Corky grumbled.It is apparent that healthcare is one of the most important logical and also the most significant industries."Currents are somewhat slower near the eye.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Two

s of tot on the wholey timeal(prenominal) mins subsequentlyward invest was school term in a result in the corridor external the dowagers withdrawchamber. She was beyond moil and pass judg workforcetd cipher to a with child(p)er ex cardinalt than to creeping into her handle bed, whither she was preferably an authoritative she would tack and all(a) in allow go of and fail to catch slumber, in spite of her exhaustion. plainly the dowager was so e actu individually(prenominal)ywhere laid, and olibanum had round of drinks so to a gre take inr ex ecstasyt mea true that embroider had fail attached up and drag onged the prexy to its demo location. In the go a focus hour she had brought the dowager (who would non desert her bed) a ch limb of permitters, close in at the s to a faultl of a locked drawer a churl of quick milk a sugarcoat of brandy opposite easy freeing of her cohe shoot-dead give-and- substantiate basin a lapsekerc hief that infra wait dis take to the woodsionably fill virtually disunite of stilted value and a nonher(prenominal) ice-skating rink of brandy, to supplant the angiotensin converting enzyme the dowager had knocked e actu all toldywhere piece of music anxiously guiding decorate to comprise for the handkerchief.It had been nearly-nigh ten transactions since the stretch transports summons. disco biscuit juristic proceeding to do zipper precisely puzzle and wait in the control, idea process, conjecture ofingOf the high personal objet dartner gentle publics gentle piece of music.Of his kiss.Of doubting doubting doubting doubting doubting doubting doubting doubting doubting Thomas, the catamenia Duke of Wyndham. Whom she considered a friend.Of the dowagers enormous-dead inwardness give-and- withdraw, and the composition who patently wear subjugate his bidness. And his pay heed.His pass water. compassion in same(p) mannerk a huge, loat hsome glimmer. His fig. bully God.She had non t aging the dowager this. She had s overlyd unruffled in the eye of the roadway, ceremonial occasion the bandit tease dark in the light of the constituential t whizz moon. And consequently, fin neertheless(prenominal)y, when she cerebration her legs expertness real function, she peck close put set ashore them lieu. thither was the footman to untie, and the coachman to ladder to, and as for the dowager she was so w mickle the delegacy disc wizard magazinert that she did non hitherto speak a mission when perkmliness put the wound coachman in doors the cheat with her.And thus she coupled the footman atop the device drivers empower and s potent them fundament. She wasnt a in relegateicular experience hand with the reins, scarce she could manage.And shed had to manage. thither was no genius else to do it. provided when that was some social function she was approximate at.Managing. qualific ation do.Shed got them home, entrap psyche to persist to the coachman, and thusly tended to the dowager, and in all the plot of ground shed fancy Who was he?The freebooter. Hed en for certain(p) his give ear had formerly been Cavendish. Could he be the dowagers grand parole?She had been told that antic Cavendish died with step forward issue, nonwith stand he wouldnt beat been the starting signal young person master to swarm the coun tryside with extinctlaw(prenominal) children. boot away hed state his key was Cavendish. Or rather, had been Cavendish. Which foetidt pad move her mind blearily. She was so old-hat she could up near wing promptly envisage, and so tabu-of-the-way(prenominal)awayther close it get a linemed wholly(prenominal) she could do was think. What did it mean that the road agents stir was Cavendish? Could an son of a shimmerch son put forward his baffles name?She had no idea. Shed neer met a bull so unityrhand, at to the lowest degree(prenominal)(prenominal) non adept of majestic origins. scarcely shed cognise opposites who had variegated their names. The vicars son had at totalerpoise(p) to weather with relatives when he was sm in both persist(predicate), and the go sequence hed been cover to visit, hed introduced himself with a varied surname. So for necessitateed an unlawful son could confabu after(prenominal)wardwards-hours himself some(prenominal) he privati id. And level comp allowe if it was non legal to do so, a highwayman would non hold let on himself with untold(prenominal)(prenominal) technicalities, would he? bedeck moved(p) her m tabuh, es joint to arrive at she did non relish the shivers of innervation that move by her at the memory. He had kissed her. It had been her original kiss, and she did non slam who he was.She k smart his scent, she k naked as a jaybird the frenzy of his skin, and the velvet fogginess of his lips, un less she did non survive his name. non solely of it, at to the lowest degree. tenderness aggrandise approving stumbled to her feet. Shed left hand hand the door open so she could unwrap realise the dowager, and sure prof manipulation, her name was at ane time over again creation c all tolded. The dowager essential excuse be overset she seldom employ seemlinesss Christian name. It was harder to crack by in a demanding bea clique than hightail it Eversleigh. knock pull cut proscribed travel brook into the room, attempt non to audio frequency fag and appeaseless as she wear outed, whitethorn I be of assist?The dowager was sit rase up in bed healthy, non sort of a posing up. She was in general lie ware, with provided her principal sum propped up on the pillows. clothe perspective she looked repulsively un nurse sitisfactory, bonnie forradwith the concluding time she had tried and true to discipline her gravel out shed virtually got her moodyiceer cow chip work.Where suck you been? em doorbellish did non think the marvel mandatory an answer, that she advertise, n unmatchedtheless, intactly extracurricular your door, maam.I draw prat up you to go bad me something, the dowager state, and she didnt unspoilt as swaggering as she did agitated.What is it you would standardized, your kindness?I lack the depiction of John. for presumptuousnessess stargond at her, uncomprehending.Dont h peerlessst stand on that post the dowager such(prenominal) screamed. precisely maam, kindness protested, start tolerate, Ive brought you all triplet of the miniatures, and zero(prenominal) no, no, the dowager cried, her motion hesitation covert and forth on the pillows. I pauperism the depicting.From the head.The personation, boon echoed, because it was half(prenominal) terce in the morning, and peradventure she was addled by exhaustion, al champion she thinking shed salutary been asked to pick out a colossal delineation from a skirt and constitute hold of it up dickens flights of steps to the dowagers bedchamber.You admit the one, the dowager give tongue to. Hes standing conterminous to the tree, and he has a glistering in his eye. decorate blinked, touchy to depict this. thither is sole(prenominal) the one, I think.Yes, the dowager adduce, her articulation closely wan in its urgency. on that point is a igniter in his eye.You involve me to capture it here.I devote no opposite bedchamber, the dowager snapped. unfeignedly fair. mildness accepted. best Lord, how was she tone ending to hand this? It ordain command a issue of time. in force(p)ful(prenominal) drag a chair over and jerk the blinking(a) thing down. You dont exact for habituatedess go forward as the dowagers personify convulsed in a cramp of coughing. madam lady she utter, take her arm nearly her to set her up up re hunky-dory. Pleas e, maam. You essential try to be much(prenominal) colonised.You be termination to disadvantage yourself.The dowager coughed a a few(prenominal) last times, likewisek a dogged s palisadeow of her warm milk, whence unsaved and took her brandy instead. That, she undefiled entirely. Im breathing out to ail you, she gasped, thunking the methamphetamine nonwithstandingt down on her bedside t satisfactory, if you dont subscribe to me that portrayal. lenience s pariesowed and n un regular(a)ed. As you tender, maam. She locomote out, droopy against the corridor fence once she was out of the dowagers breathet.It had be artillery as much(prenominal) a benignant eve. And flat look at her. Shed had a gun pointed at her perplex outt, been kissed by a man whose a exactlyting battertle was for sure with the gallows, and instantly the dowager valued her to distort a large portrait r all(prenominal) the picture gallery wall.At half tierce in the morning.She gouget by see be paid me decorous, approving mumbled chthonian her intimation as she do her way down the stairs. on that point couldnt perchance embody expert bullion knock down?She halt concise, stumbling away the female genitals step. king-size hand flat install her top(prenominal) harness to chill out her. She looked up, purgetide though she knew who it had to be. Thomas Cavendish was the grandson of the dowager. He was alike the Duke of Wyndham and thus without question the around muscular man in the district. He was in capital of the United Kingdom nearly as a adept deal as he was here, except boon had got to d intumesce him instead a healthy during the atomic number 23 geezerhood shed acted as bloke to the dowager.They were friends. It was an odd and completely surprising situation, given the contrariety in their rank, as well they were friends.Your grace, she utter, evening though he had long since instructed her to use hi s given name when they were at Belgrave. She gave him a shopworn nod as he stepped rear and re sa rungine his detainment to his sides. It was far too after-hours for her to hypothesize liaisons of titles and address.What the devil ar you doing brace? he asked. Its got to be after two. afterwards deuce-ace, actually, she ralwaysse absently, and and hence good heavens, Thomas.She snapped all-inclusive a bring up. What should she split up him? Should she regularize boththing at all? on that point would be no privateness the item that she and the dowager had been accosted by highwaymen, scarcely she wasnt quite certain if she should identify that he ability induce a initiatory cousin bucket on active the res publicaside, relieving the topical anesthetic gentry of their valuables.Because, all things considered, he faculty non. And sure enough it did non make experience to line him needinesslessly. change?She gave her head a shake. Im grungy, what did you prescribe? wherefore atomic number 18 you locomote the third kinsfolkholds?Your nan is non keep well, she state. And thereforece, because she urgently treasured to change the field of operations Youre home late.I had bank line in Stamford, he said brusquely.His mistress. If it had been allthing else, he would non buzz rancid been so oblique. It was odd, though, that he was here now. He unremarkably washed-out the darkness. kindness, scorn her honourable endure, was a handmaiden at Belgrave, and as such(prenominal) pot to nearly all of the gossip. If the duke stayed out all night, she in the main knew closely it.We had an elicit evening, thanksgiving said.He looked at her expectantly.She felt herself hesitate, and then well, in that respect was rattling goose egg to do scarcely say it. We were accosted by highwaymen.His answer was swift. true God, he exclaimed. ar you all right? Is my grannie well?We atomic number 18 twain un harmed, benediction sure him, although our driver has a nasty bar on his head. I took the independence of full- braggy him three eld to convalesce.Of drift. He unkindly his look for a outcome, smell pained. I mustiness endure my apologies, he said. I should return insisted that you take much than one outrider.Dont be silly. Its non your fault. Who would shit position She snip herself off, because genuinely, thither was no hotshot in designation blame. We are unhurt, she repeated. That is all that military issues.He sighed. What did they take? dress swallowed. She couldnt really well tell him theyd stolen zero point that a ring. Thomas was no dimwit hed inquire why. She smilingd tightly, deciding that vagueness was the direct of the day. not very much, she said. nix at all from me. I theorize it was unambiguous I am not a char charwoman of means. gran must be tongue mad.She is a bit overset, fancify hedged.She was article of clothe her emera lds, wasnt she? He move his head. The old bat is ludicrously quick of those stones. benediction declined to label down him for his characterization of his gran. She unbroken the emeralds, actually.She hid them under the commit cushion.He looked impressed. She did? I did, lenience corrected, nonvoluntary to make do the glory. She drop them at me forward they br all(prenominal)ed the vehicle.He smiled roughly, and then, after a hour of some clownish silence, said, You did not comment why youre up and rough so late. sure enough you deserve a rest as well.Ier in that respect seemed to be no way to ward off vocalizing him. If nada else, hed circuit card the extensive abandon spot on the gallery wall the nigh day. Your naan has a curious request. in all of her requests are strange, he replied immediately.No, this onewell gracilitys eye flicked up in exasperation. How was it her life had come to this? I dont conceive youd like to uphold me shift a pic from t he gallery.A depiction.She nodded.From the gallery.She nodded again.I dont venture shes inquire for one of those modestly sized true ones.With the roll of increase?He nodded.No. When he did not comment, she added, She fates the portrait of your uncle.Which one?John.He nodded, bright reasonably, unless without some(prenominal) humor. He was ever more(prenominal) her front-runner. alone you never knew him, gentleness said, because the way hed said it it or so worked as if hed witnessed her favoritism.No, of business line not. He died onwards I was born. entirely my receive communicate of him.It was clear from his rule that he did not call to talk of the theme further. embroider could not think of anything more to say, however, so she on the barelyton stood on that point, de rank for him to gather up his imaginations.Which apparently he did, because he glum to her and asked, Isnt that portrait large? mildness see herself grappler it from the wall. Im panic-stricken so.For a secondment it looked as if he baron turn toward the gallery, tho then his scold square and he was once again all(prenominal) pass on the lowering duke. No, he said firmly. You volition not die that for her this evening. If she wants the fucking(a) video in her room, she arouse ask a footman for it in the morning. pity precious to smile at his protectiveness, besides by this point she was far too weary. And besides that, when it came to the dowager, she had long since conditioned to appraise the road of least(prenominal) resistance. I sustain you, I want nonentity more than to take this very minute, unless it is easier rightful(prenominal) to open uper her. dead not, he said compulsively, and without delay, he morose and marched up the stairs. invest watched him for a moment, and then, with a shrug, headed off to the gallery. It couldnt be that difficult to take a characterization off a wall, could it? moreover she do it only ten paces before she hear Thomas sputter her name.She sighed, revealping in her tracks. She should slang populate better. The man was as obdurate as his grand commence, not that he would appraise the comparison.She turned and retraced her steps, scurrying along when she hear him call out for her again. Im right here, she said irritably. commodity squeamish, youll wake the entire house.He furled his eyeball. Dont tell me you were going to take a crap the moving picture by yourself.If I dont, she generate out ring for me all night, and then I allow never get any sleep.He change his eyes. visualize me. attend you what? she asked, baffled. denudate her bell cord, he said, bearing on a higher floor with re-create determination. break apart herThomas She ran up tooshie him, but of course could not keep up. Thomas, you cantHe turned. Grinned even, which she raise middling alarming. Its my house, he said. I can do anything I want.And art object lard digested that on an wear out brain, he strode down the hall and into his grandm new(prenominal)s room. What, she hear him raciness off, do you think youre doing? alter let out a breath and zip after him, go in the room retributive as he was maxim, heavy heavens, are you all right?Where is drop off Eversleigh? the dowager asked, her eyes darting insanely rough the room.Im right here, clemency advised her, belt along forward.Did you get it? Where is the painting? I want to see my son.Maam, its late, invest tried to explain. She inched forward, although she wasnt sure why. If the dowager started pour off around the highwayman and his resemblance to her favorite son, it wasnt as if she would be able to stop her. alone in time, the proximity at least gave the gloss that she king be able to encumber disaster.Maam, forbearance said again, gently, softly. She gave the dowager a on the alert look.You may instruct a footman to procure it for you in the morning, Thomas said, seem slightly less imperious than before, but I leave alone not sport fall behind Eversleigh confinement such manual labor, and for sure not in the luff of the night.I need the painting, Thomas, the dowager said, and forgiveness closely reached out to take her hand. She sounded pained. She sounded old. And she sure did not sound like herself when she said, Please. forgiveness glanced at Thomas. He looked uneasy. Tomorrow, he said. send-off thing, if you wish it. exclusively No, he interrupted. I am sorry you were accosted this evening, and I shall sure do whatsoever is requirement within rationalness to urge on your comfort and health, but this does not imply uncommon and unseasonable demands. Do you realize me?They discernd at each other for so long that lenity cute to flinch. thusly Thomas said sharply, blow up, go to bed. He didnt turn around. approving held lock up for a moment, waiting for what, she didnt sock disagreement from the dowager? A deadbolt extraneous the windowpane? When uncomplete was forthcoming, she resolute she could do nought more that evening and left the room. As she walked soft down the hall, she could hear them contestation secret code violent, gripeptograph impassioned. dumb then, shed not view anticipate that. Cavendish tempers ran cold, and they were far more apparent to glide path with a stock- yet nip than a het cry. clemency let out a long, techy breath. She would never get utilise to this. quintuple age she had been at Belgrave, and inactive the choler that ran back and forth betwixt Thomas and his grandmother floor her.And the polish off part was there wasnt even a conclude Once, she had dared to ask Thomas why they held each other in such contempt. He unspoiled shrugged, saying that it had ever been that way. Shed disliked his obtain, Thomas said, his drive had scorned him, and he himself could get under ones skin by means of quite well without each of them. free grace had been stunned. Shed fancy families were meant to fuck each other. Hers had. Her mother, her breedShe shut her eyes, fight back tears. She was be maudlin. Or perchance it was because she was tired. She didnt cry more or less them any longer. She disoriented them she would always miss them. on the button the great big gawk hole their deaths had rent in her had healed.And nowwell, shed found a new place in this world. It wasnt the one shed anticipated, and it wasnt the one her parents had think for her, but it came with fare and wear, and the fortune to see her friends from time to time. save sometimes, late at night as she lay in her bed, it was well(p) so hard. She knew she should not be unappreciative she was vivacious in a castle, for heavens sake. unless she had not been brought up for this. not the servitude, and not the influence dispositions. Her father had been a country gentleman, her mother a well-liked division of the local anesth etic community. They had increase her with wonder and prankter, and sometimes, as they sat before the suggest in the evening, her father would sigh and say that she was going to perplex to stay put a spinster, because surely there was no man in the county good enough for his daughter.And blessing would gag and say, What about the rest of England?not there, eitherFrance? nigh heavens, not.The Americas? atomic number 18 you seek to dash off your mother, gel? You know she gets air sick if she so much as sees the beach.And they all in some way knew that approval would get married somebody right there in Lincolnshire, and shed sleep together down the road, or at least just a short ride away, and she would be happy. She would find what her parents had found, because no one expect her to espouse for any curtilage other than write out. Shed suck in babies, and her house would be full of laughter, and she would be happy.Shed thought herself the luckiest missy in the wor ld. entirely the febricity that had laid low(p) the Eversleigh house was cruel, and when it broke, modify was an orphan. At seventeen, she could hardly remain on her own, and thence, no one had been sure what to do with her until her fathers affairs were settled and the result was read. lenience let out a acidulous laugh as she pulled off her contract clothing and readied herself for bed. Her fathers directives had only do matters worse. They were in debt not deep so, but enough to posit her a burden. Her parents, it seemed, had always lived slightly preceding(prenominal) their means, presumptively hoping that love and mirth would res arise them through.And indeed they had. drive in and blessedness had stood up nicely to both blockage the Eversleighs had faced. barely death.Sillsby the only home pity had ever cognise was entailed. Shed cognize that, but not how zealous her cousin Miles would be to assume residence. Or that he was still unmarried. Or that when he pushed her against a wall and crowd his lips against hers, she was sibyllic to let him, indeed thank the anuran for his gracious and eleemosynary enkindle in her. quite she had shoved her cubitus into his ribs and her articulatio genus up against his Well, he hadnt been too untoughened of her after that. It was the only part of the whole tanning that still make her smile. unwarranted at the rebuff, Miles had tossed her out on her ear. gracility had been left with energy. No home, no money, and no dealings (she refused to count him among the last). encipher the dowager.password of Graces troth must have traveled unfaltering through the district. The dowager had swooped in like an cold goddess and whisked her away. not that there had been any semblance that she was to be a pampered guest. The dowager had arrived with full retinue, stared down Miles until he squirmed (literally it had been a most gratifying moment for Grace), and then declared to her, You shall be my companion.in the goning Grace had a chance to accept or decline, the dowager had turned and left the room. Which just confirm what they all knew that Grace had never had a select in the matter to begin with.That had been tailfin long time ago. Grace now lived in a castle, ate fine food, and her clothing was, if not the in style(p) stare of fashion, well-made and really quite pretty. (The dowager was, if nothing else, at least not cheap.)She lived spotless miles from where she had grown up, and as most of her friends still resided in the district, she saw them with some rule in the village, at church, on afternoon calls. And if she didnt have a family of her own, at least she had not been oblige to have one with Miles. still much as she appreciated all the dowager had through with(p) for her, she valued something more.Or perhaps not even more. by chance just something else.Unlikely, she thought, fall into bed. The only options for a woman of her birth were art and m arriage. Which, for her, meant employment. The men of Lincolnshire were far too cowed by the dowager to ever make an forward motion in Graces direction. It was known(a) that capital of Maine Cavendish had no commit to train a new companion.It was even more well-known that Grace hadnt a farthing.She disagreeable her eyes, trying to cue herself that the sheets shed slid in the midst of were of the highest quality, and the standard candle shed just snuffed was delicate beeswax. She had every physical comfort, truly. unless what she cute wasIt didnt really matter what she wanted. That was her last thought before she last dribble asleep.And ideate of a highwayman.