Library System Essay

Library is a place where people focus their attention in reading and making research which can help everyone gains knowledge. It is organized and maintained for the use of public body, institution, corporation, or private individual. The school library provides opportunities for the individuals with the focus on the intellectual content and information literacy to the learner. It contains books and other reference materials made available to the users for reading, studying and getting references. The books and reference materials are arranged on shelves according to the classification system used for the convenience of the users. Placing similar materials in one location helps the users find multiple items on a given subject more efficiently than those some items scattered within the library. The generation of computer age can be very useful in bridging the demand for library services and ability to provide these services. Deciding the most effective program for establishing an automated circulation system is a task that confronts librarian today. There are major library problems experienced around the world. Aside from Philippines, India and other countries libraries suffer from lack of proper library facilities and facing the problem of poor services, and most importantly unorganized circulation system and process of retrieving data is not efficient. Local libraries also faced several problems these are lack of financial resources and high cost of computer accessories has reduced the trends in the adoption of automated library system in school libraries while such has limited access to a variety of information on stored data. The thesis writers observed that the process of inquiring books and retrieving the borrowed and returned book were done manually in Santa Monica Institute. In this, the borrower spent more time in every process of circulating books in Santa Monica Institute. Thus, the thesis writers were interested to design and to develop the Automated Library Circulation System of Santa Monica Institute – Mabini library to improve its operation in order to provide effective services. Literature Background The evolution of technology has undoubtedly increased the variety of resources available in libraries today. It is especially fueling increased user demands and expectations for information resources and their timely delivery. The impact of the changing technology helps in designing library automation. A. G. Nkhoma-Wamunza stated that â€Å"library automation is a process which involves linking computers electronically within and outside the institution, entering library resources in a database to create an Open Access Catalogue, which allows users to access and retrieve information in a timely manner. † It gained wide acceptance globally due to its many benefits potentials including improved performance efficiency and delivery of quality service in library. Library Circulation is one of those sections of the library that needs automation. It comprises the activities around the lending of  library  books and other materials to users of a  lending library. It provides lending services and facilities for return of loaned items. Renewal of materials and payment of fines are also handled at the circulation desk. Circulation staff may provide basic search and reference services, though more in-depth questions are usually referred to reference librarians. Librarian  is a person who works professionally in a  library, and is usually trained in librarianship and experts of finding, organizing and interpreting information needed. They are the guardians of materials inside the library. The reference desk of the library is a public in service counter where professional librarians provide direction to the materials, advice on the collections and services, and expertise on the multiple kinds of information from multiple sources to the library users. Library user is the borrower of the library materials which can be brought at home / classroom. It can be a student, teacher, patron and even outsider who are greatly benefited on the proposed system. School administration is an important part of our education system. Administrators face a variety of issues on a daily basis. Take a look at strategies and techniques used to combat those issues. The UP College of Science Library System located at Diliman, Quezon city is one of the existing library system that uses online library system. It has many capabilities it allows to view information about the library and its services. The system also provides information about new titles, library hours and has link that will allow user to contact the library through e-mail. UP College Science is similar to the proposed system because it allows searching of books and other library materials. The library system is implemented to provide user fast and quick access of information. Automated Library System referred as a cost effective and space saving alternative to common document shelving technologies, addressing the need for space efficiency, secure and automated document and records handling. ALS is a design and software solution focused on the reliability and maintainability. The solution, developed by team of experienced industry professionals is supported by comprehensive services including on-site maintenance, spare parts, modernization, upgrades and expansions. HK has been installing system utilizing this technology for the past forty years. ALS have been installed at institutions throughout North America. Automated Library System for Navotas City Library (2010). They have two computers in the library without automated library system. The Automated System for Navotas City Library is to facilitate the inventor, lending and returning of books in electronic, systematic and orderly manners. In addition, it aims to cope with the trends of technology today for the library and to the library and to have a system that will attract more users. to the library, therefore, appreciation on the library can contribute it to the information needed by the students, workers, and researchers especially to the people of Navotas City. Bodiongan (2000). The researcher found that the process of retrieving data and information are not efficient. So the borrower takes time in finding information because the materials are not properly returned to the right arrangement. The process of retrieving and keeping records of the borrowers is time consuming due to low quality of the borrower’s card. The library has a huge collection of books so the borrower takes time in sorting information from the card catalogue. The library assistant takes time in searching the borrower’s records because there are some instances that some of the borrower’s card are not properly returned. Curan (2011). In her study, the researcher observed that the process of inquiring books and retrieving the borrowed and returned book were done manually. In this, the borrower spent more time in every process of circulating books. The researcher conclude that the system has great help in minimizing the time consume in borrowing and retrieving data. The system provides accurate and secure keeping of data, and can generate report immediately. Code of ethics of Library Association adopted at the 1939 Midwinter Meeting by the ALA Council; amended June 30, 1981; June 28, 1995; and January 22, 2008 states that â€Å"we protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted. † Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. Identifiable information about users is confidential and the library keeps that information private and confidential on their behalf. This policy is intended to prevent the unauthorized use of our patrons’ personal information, and to protect the privacy of this information. Librarians are responsible for keeping the information’s security needed for the reference of the user and provide better service to the borrowers. Section 10 Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates that: Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The state shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate and self- reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s productive system and national life. Technology plays great role for the improvement of an institution. The continuous growth of technology leads to many inventions for the improvement of the institution one of this is the Santa Monica Institute. Technology help provide system that would provide user better service in this institutions. Section 12, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates stated: The state shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of technology from all sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of private groups, local governments and community-based organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology. Through the use of technology, it can help the institution to improve process with the use of the proposed system that involves private groups to indentify the features that needs improvement to provide better service. Section 13, Republic Act 8293 mandates stated: The state shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law. This states that the researchers should protect the right to defend the study and portability of data. In this study, the researchers should protect and secure the proposed system with the use of password to avoid the alteration of information. THE PROBLEM Statement of the Problem. The main purpose of the study is to design and developed Santa Monica Institute Library Circulation System that would serve as a proposal to minimize time in searching books and generate reliable and accurate reports. Specifically, the study answers the following questions: 1. What are the features of the system that needs improvement? 2. To what extent of the performance of the proposed system in terms of 3. 1 Security; 3. 2 Human Interface; 3. 3 Requirements; and 3. 4 Performance/ Reliability. Significance of the study The study would be beneficial to the following: School Administration. This study could be used as basis in implementing library improvement and development. Librarian. It enables her to respond to the borrower’s request immediately. Borrowers. They are greatly benefitted because they can get immediate response on their requests. Future Researchers. This study enhances the capability in making the system. It gives essence on how computerization really helps on developing one’s institution and on how library system operates. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Design The researcher used the Descriptive Survey and Experimental method with the use of a self-made questionnaire and software evaluation tool. The descriptive survey or questionnaire was used to determine the problems encountered by the librarian and library users, and the features of the existing system that needs improvement. The experimental method or the evaluation tool was used to ascertain the acceptability level of automated system. Environment and Participants The study was conducted in Santa Monica Institute, Poblacion 1, Mabini, Bohol. The school administration, librarian, borrowers were the respondents. The librarian will be the user of the proposed system. Data Gathering Instruments. The researcher used two instruments, the self-made questionnaire and the evaluation tool. Self-made questionnaire is a guide used to interview the respondents to get information about the Library Circulation System. This was constructed based on the present transactions at Santa Monica Institute. The evaluation tool was employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. This tool was secured from the internet and related books. The tool was modified and respond to the needs of user and tasked to rate the items using a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaire and evaluation tool are attached in appendix B and C. The researcher also used the context diagram, system flowchart, IPO (Input Process Output) and HIPO (Hierarchical Input – Process – Output) in designing the proposed software. These tools are necessary for the development of the system. Procedure The thesis writers interviewed the librarian to have an idea, information and other important details about the flow of operation in the library. Statistical Treatment To ascertain the level of acceptability of the system in library cataloging this formula was used: ?fx N ?fx N Weighted mean, X = where: f = frequency x = weight N = number of responses The Likert-type scale was used for scaling the acceptability level of the system software. Scale| Range| Categorical Response| Description| 5| 4. 20-5. 00| Strongly Acceptable| The system exceeds expectations and outstandingly performs the job requirements or 100% acceptable. | 4| 3. 40-4. 19| Moderately Acceptable| The system highly fulfills the job requirements or 80% acceptable. | 3| 2. 60-3. 39| Acceptable | The system meets the job requirements or 60% acceptable. | 2| 1. 80-2. 59| Slightly Acceptable| The system slightly meets the job requirements or 40% acceptable. | 1| 1. 00-1. 79| Not Acceptable| The system fails to meet the job requirements or 20% acceptable. | DEFINITION OF TERMS Automated library circulation system. It is a system that involves systematic storing of information which includes the book, borrowers and generating reports. Borrowers. Library users can be student or a teacher who can lend books which is brought at home/ classroom. Circulation system. It is the process of circulating of library materials which includes borrowing and returning of library materials. Context diagram. It is used by the thesis writers to scope the project as it provides a visual model of the interactions between the system and the outside entities that interface with the solutions . Data flow diagram. It shows the part of the system which includes the same process but being automated. It is involved in converting data to generate reports. HIPO. Hierarchical Input-Process-Output a high-level view of the functions performed by a system as its functions and software implementation. IPO. Input Process Output these are the components or elements that make-up the system. It is also described as tools on the design of the entire software. Library. A room or building where a collection of books, periodicals, etc. , are kept for reading or reference, or public or private institution in-charge of the care and circulation of such collection. Library materials. Use in this study in order to include books of various kinds, periodicals, newspapers, magazines, vertical files consisting of clippings, pamphlets and the audio-visual materials which include maps, globes, charts and pictures. Library system. It is a systematic way of placing books, journals, magazines and others that would provide the need of the users. System Flowchart. It is formalized graphic representation of a program logic sequence, work or manufacturing processes, organizing chart or similar formalized structsure. Chapter 2 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA A. Present System System Narrative Students/teachers inquired the librarian on borrowing and returning of books. If the students wanted to borrow, they were required to have their library card and place in the folder. For the teachers they were only required to give their ID card and pass it to the librarian. After receiving, the librarian gave the book card to the students / teachers and filled-up the information needed in borrowing the book and gave it back to the librarian before the book was given to the borrower. Borrowed book was returned before the due date. Upon returning it, the librarian gave the identification card of the borrower. If the book returned late, penalty was imposed. If cases of lost book, the borrower was required to pay the exact amount of the book or replaced the book either. Generating report was done after the inventory. It is done twice a year, before the school year starts and school year ends. * Borrowed Book * Library Card * Borrower’s Information Librarian Folder Borrower * Reports Administration * Borrowed Book * Library Card * Borrower’s Information Librarian Folder Borrower * Reports Administration Figure 1. 0 Conceptual Diagram Event Specifications 1. Student/ Teacher make inquiry. Student/Teacher 1. 0 Handle Inquiry Book Information * Response * Inquiry Student/Teacher 1. 0 Handle Inquiry Book Information * Response * Inquiry Borrower Borrower 2. Student/ Teacher borrows book. 2. 0 Handle Borrowing Borrowers Student / Teacher Student Record Book Information * Release Book. * Library Card * Book Card * Book Title * Borrower’s ID 2. 0 Handle Borrowing Borrowers Student / Teacher Student Record Book Information * Release Book * Library Card * Book Card * Book Title * Borrower’s ID 3. Borrower returns book. Borrowers Book Information * Borrowed Book * Borrower’s ID * Penalty Details Borrower 3. 0 Handle Returning Student Record Borrowers Book Information * Borrowed Book * Borrower’s ID * Penalty Details Borrower 3. 0 Handle Returning Student Record 4. Librarian generates reports. Borrowers Student Record Administration 6. 0 Handle Report Book Information. * Reports Borrowers Student Record Administration 6. 0 Handle Report Book Information * Reports Findings / Constraints The librarian took time in giving response to the inquiry of the student/teacher because records were not organized. To provide immediate response to the inquiry, data must be systematized. The student/teacher spent time in borrowing because the librarian got the problem in retrieving the records of available books, because some books were lost and not properly returned. To minimize the time consume in borrowing, all records must be automated for quick access. They had the same problem encountered in returning the books because the librarian found it hard in retrieving the students’ records. To provide fast process in returning, the records of the borrower must be computerized for quick access. The librarian has delayed in submitting reports. To generate early reports, the data must be systematized. Flowchart F T Main Menu Input User’s Name Input Password If Valid X F T Main Menu Input User’s Name Input Password If Valid X Begin Begin Log-in Log-in X X Display Message Display Message Main Menu Main Menu Display Main Screen Display Main Screen A A User Select Button. User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button T T Transaction Transaction If Transactions If Transactions F F T T If Records If Records Records Records F F T T If Reports If Reports Reports Reports F F T T If Utility If Utility Utility Utility F F T T If System User If System User System User System User F F T T If About If About About About F F A A Transactions Transactions Display Transaction Screen Display Transaction Screen Display Transaction Screen Display Transaction Screen B B User Select Button User Select Button If Borrow If Borrow T T Borrow Borrow F F T T Return Return If Return If Return F F. B B Records Records Display Records Screen Display Records Screen Display Records Screen Display Records Screen C C User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button T T If Books If Books Books Books Books Books If Books If Books F F O O O O If Accession If Accession Accession Accession If Accession If Accession T T F F If Borrowers If Borrowers T T Borrowers Borrowers If Borrowers If Borrowers F F T T If Book Penalty If Book Penalty Book Penalty Book Penalty If Book Penalty If Book Penalty F F T T If Placement And Classification If Placement And Classification Placement and Classification. Placement and Classification If Placement and Classification If Placement and Classification F F If Borrowers Penalty If Borrowers Penalty T T Borrower penalty Borrower penalty If Borrower penalty If Borrower penalty F F T T If Master List If Master List Master List Master List Master List Master List F F C C Reports Reports Display Reports Screen Display Reports Screen Display Reports Screen Display Reports Screen D D User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button T T If Book Information If Book Information Book Information Book Information F F If Borrowers Information If Borrowers Information T T Borrowers Information Borrowers Information F F If Top Borrowers If Top Borrowers Top Borrowers Top Borrowers T T F F T T If Due Books If Due Books Due Books Due Books F F If Lost Books If Lost Books T T Lost Books Lost Books F F D D Utility Utility Display Utility Screen Display Utility Screen E E User Select Button User Select Button If Backup and Restore Database If Backup and Restore Database T T Backup and Restore Database Backup and Restore Database F F T T If Clean Database If Clean Database Clean Database Clean Database F F E E System User System User Display System Screen. Display System Screen F F User Select Button User Select Button T T If User Account If User Account User Account User Account F F L L L L F F T T If Switch User If Switch User Switch User Switch User F F T T If Log Off If Log Off Log off Log off If Lock If Lock F F If Exit If Exit T T Exit Exit If Exit If Exit F F F F About About Display System Screen Display System Screen H H Display System Screen Display System Screen User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button User Select Button If Thesis Writers If Thesis Writers T T Thesis Writers Thesis Writers If Researcher If Researcher F F H H B. Proposed System. System Rules Library Circulation policy is to organize both book records and borrower‘s information and keep track for easy and quick access. This is encrypted with password and only the authorized person is allowed to access for the safety of the information. Some library materials such as pamphlets, magazine and CD’s are also included in the process. These materials are input in the system with the title and corresponding accession numbers, and it is sorted whenever it is needed. Borrowers are only allowed to borrow three (3) books per day for overnight and over week end and have duration of three (3) days. Overnight books are to be taken from 4:30 to 5:00 pm. and to be returned at 7:15-7:30 on the following day. The over weekend books are to be taken from the library on the Friday afternoon from 4:30-5:00 pm. , and to be returned at 7:15-7:30 on Monday morning. If the student exceed the given due date, penalty will be imposed. It will be calculated and will be paid. The payment of the penalty is done at the cashier and only official receipt is needed that is being input on the system. Context Diagram 0 Santa Monica Institute Library Circulation System Borrower Administration * Reports * Response. * Released Book * Penalty * Receipt * Inquiry * Library Card * Book Title * Book Card * Borrowed Book * Identification Card 0 Santa Monica Institute Library Circulation System Borrower Administration * Reports * Response * Released Book * Penalty * Receipt * Inquiry * Library Card * Book Title * Book Card * Borrowed Book * Identification Card Event List: 1. Borrower makes inquiry. 2. Borrower borrows book. 3. Borrower returns book. 4. Librarian generates report. Event Specifications 1. Student/ Teacher make inquiry. 1. 0 Handle Inquiry Student/Teacher Book Information * Response * Inquiry 1. 0 Handle Inquiry Student/Teacher Book Information * Response * Inquiry Borrower Borrower 2. Student / Teacher borrows book. 2. 0 Handle Borrowing Borrowers Student / Teacher Student Record Book Information * Release Book * Library Card * Book Card * Book Title * Borrower’s ID 2. 0 Handle Borrowing Borrowers Student / Teacher Student Record Book Information * Release Book * Library Card * Book Card * Book Title * Borrower’s ID 3. Borrower returns book. Borrowers Book Information * Borrowed Book * Borrower’s ID * Penalty Details Borrower 3. 0 Handle Returning Student Record Borrowers Book Information. * Borrowed Book * Borrower’s ID * Penalty Details Borrower 3. 0 Handle Returning Student Record 4. Librarian generates reports. Borrowers Student Record Administration 6. 0 Handle Report Book Information * Reports Borrowers Student Record Administration 6. 0 Handle Report Book Information * Reports Process Specification Process 1. 0 Student/ Teacher makes Inquiry Begin If student / teacher make inquiry Accept inquiry If inquiry about available book Open available book Retrieve list of available book Close available book Else if inquiry about registration Open book configuration form. Input borrower’s ID, borrower’s Full name, Address, cell number, age, gender, borrower’s type, year level and section. Register borrower End if End Process 2. 0 Student/ Teacher borrow book. Begin If borrower borrow book Accept borrowing If borrower is new Register borrower Open borrower’s configuration form Input borrower’s ID, borrowers name, address, cell number, age, gender, borrower’s type year level and section Close borrower’s configuration form Else if borrower is old Open book issue form Retrieve borrower’s ID, borrower’s name, book info, accession no, ISBN, book title, date issued, due date and purpose. Close book issue form End if End Process 3. 0 Borrower returns book. Begin Do while borrower’s return book Open return form Input borrower’s ID Retrieve borrower’s ID, borrowers name, accession no, ISBN, book title, date issued, due date, date returned and penalty Close return form End Process 4. 0 Librarian generates report. Begin Do while librarian receive memorandum Accept memorandum Retrieve list of books Generate repots of list of book If reports report about books Open inventory report Retrieve total number of books, damage. Lost Print report Close book report Else if reports about other library materials. Open other library materials Retrieved number of copies lost and damage Close library materials End if End Database Design It is a preliminary plan of software, where the collection of related data is organized for convenient access with the use of computer. Accession – contains the number of copies of the certain book. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| ID number of the user| Acession_no| Text| 30| Number of the copy of the book| Copies| Text| 80| Number of copies| ISBN| Text| 30| International Standard book number| Date_received| Text| 50| Date received|. Borrowers_fulln-ame| Text| 50| Borrower’s full name| Status| Text| 10| Lost / Returned| Account – contains the username and password of the user. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | User_ID| Number| Long integer| ID number of the user| User_Name| Text| 20| Name of the user| Complete_Name| Text| 30| Complete name of the user| Password| Text| 10| Password of the user| Account_Type| Text| 20| Limited/ administrator| User_Account| Yes/No| 20| Limited/ administrator| Log| Yes/No| 20| Log| Borrow| Yes/No| 20| Borrow| Return| Yes/No| 20| Return| Book| Yes/No| 20| Book|. Stat| Yes/No| 20| Status| Placement| Yes/No| 20| Features| Format| Yes/No| 20| Features| Borrowers| Yes/No| 20| Features of borrower| Up_penalty| Yes/No| 20| Penalty | Book_r| Yes/No| 20| Book| Return_r| Yes/No| 20| Date returned| Date_due| Yes/No| 20| Due date| Inventory_r| Yes/No| 20| Inventory reports| Catalog_r| Yes/No| 20| Catalog | Backup| Yes/No| 20| Back up files| Account_log – contains the time in and out of the user. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | Log_ID| Number| Long integer| ID number of the user| User_ID| Text| 10| ID number of the user|. Timer_login| Text| 20| Time log in | Timer_logout| Text| 20| Time log out| Dte| Text| 30| Date| Remarks| Text| 10| Remarks| Book – contains the information of the book. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Number| Long integer| ID number of the user| ISBN| Text| 30| Unique no of the book| Book_Title| Text| 200| Title of book| Other_title| Text| 200| Sub title of the book| Other_physical| Text| 200| Other Physical details| Author1| Text| 50| Name of the 1st author| Author2| Text| 50| Name of the 2nd author| Author3| Text| 50| Name of the 3rd author|. Notes| Text| 100| Notes| Publisher| Text| 255| Name of the publisher| Place_publication| Text| 200| Place of publication| Placement_code| Text| 20| Placement code| Book_no| Text| 10| Number of the book| Author_no| Text| 200| Author number| Subject1| Text| 255| Subject| Subject2| Text| 255| Subject| Subject3| Text| 255| Subject| Format| Text| 20| Book classification| Edition| Text| 200| Number of edition| Copyright_year| Text| 10| Copyright year| Date_received| Date/ Time| General date| Date received| Source| Text| 15| Donated/ purchased| Pages| Text| 5| Number of pages| Amount| Number| Long integer| Amount of the book| Total_copies| Number| Long integer| Total number of copies| Book_borrowed – contains the book borrowed by the borrower. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| User Id| Borrowers_Id| Text| 10| Borrower’s ID| Borrowers_Name| Text| 30| Borrower’s name| Accession_no| Text| 10| Number of copies of the book| Copies| Text| 10| Number of copies| ISBN| Text| 20| International standard book number| Book_Title| Text| 200| Title of the book| Date_Issued| Date/ time| General date| Date issued| Date_Due| Date/ time| General date| Due date|. Date_Returned| Date/ time| General date| Date returned| Time_Due| Date/ time| General date|Due time| Purpose| Text| 15| Overnight/ over weekend| Penalty| Text| 15| Paid/ unpaid| Status| Text| 15| In/ out| Remarks| Text| 10| Returned/ unreturned| Borrowers_info – contains borrower’s personal information. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| User ID| Borrowers_ID| Text| 30| Borrower’s ID| Complete_Name| Text| 100| Borrower’s Full Name| Gender| Text| 20| Gender| Age| Text| 10| Age of the borrower| Address| Text| 80| Address of the borrower|. Cell_Number| Text| 20| Cell number | Type| Text| 20| Student/ teacher| Year_level| Text| 50| Year level| Section| Text| 30| Section| No_borrowed| Number| Long integer| No of book borrowed| Total_borrowed| Number| Long integer| Total no of book borrowed| Event_list – contains of all the event done by the librarian on the system. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| Number of data| User_ID| Number| Long integer| User ID| Event| Text| 40| Event| Event_date| Date/ time| General date| Event time | Event_time| Date/ time| General date| Event date|. Format – classification of the book. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| Number of data| Format| Text| 200| Classification of book| Inventory – actual counting of all library materials. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| User ID| ISBN| Text| 50| International standard book number| Total_copies| Text| 10| Total copies| Copies_on_hand| Text| 10| Copies on hand| Copies_borrowed| Text| 10| Copies borrowed| Copies_lost| Text| 10| Copies lost|. Penalty – contains to the amount to be paid by the user. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID| Autonumber| Long integer| User ID| Format| Text| 200| Overnight/ over weekend| First_hour| Text| 10| Penalty for first hour | Next_hour| Text| 10| Penalty for the next hour| First_day| Text| 10| Penalty for the first day| Next_day| Text| 10| Penalty for the next day| Days_limit_for_borrow| Text| 10| Days limit| Placement – contains the code that is being replace. Fieldname Data Type Width Description Fieldname Data Type Width Description | | | | ID|.

English Is Important for Our Daily Life Essay

As we all know, English is the one of important language in this world. If we cannot speak English even a little bit, we are called as a very poor in this community. We also cannot improve our life if we worst in English. We will feel loser if we in the group that use English as a medium to speak. According to the research that have been made by the group of University Malay, 70% of undergraduate student especially Malay student are not use English as a medium to speak. It’s show that most of the student do not want to use English as a main language in their life. People always said that we must use our country language so that it indicate we love our country. The statement is not fault but we also must learn English for our future life such as to find a job, to communicate with foreigner, easy to understand if we find information through online and easy for student to survive in university life because most of the university in Malaysia use English as a medium to speak. One of the reason why we must learn English in our daily life is English is important to get a job. In this era, many people are jobless even though they have a degree. It is because they do not have a soft skill. Even though we got the best result in examination but we cannot speak in English, it is hard for us to find a job. Example is, if we want to work with a giant company such as Petronas, Sime Darby, Schlumberger and etc we need to face many process. One of the process is interview. Interview is one of the important process for us to face if we want to work with a giant company. Many giant company have a francais at the other country. So, they use international language that is English as a medium to communicate among the others. Therefore, they must do an interview in English to find an employee. If we have a soft skill like can speak fluently in English, the company will not hesitate to take us as one of their employee.

Higher Education Essay

In Classical vs. Modern Education: The Principal Difference article from the second issue of Classical Homeschooling Magazine, Patrick Carmack compares and critizes the both classical and new modern education models in terms of effectiveness and ethics. Within the samples from Socrates’ classical education understanding, the article points out that altering education system becomes an inanimate occurrence which ignores the soul of human beings and considers them as a sort of computer, a creation solely having a brain to use as a data storage. As the author clarifies at the article by giving definitions of either type of education, education is much more complex than it seems, not merely gain information but also widen self’s horizon and learn to differentiate between good and bad, then being able to aim to goodness. Therefore the basic content of the education, what Carmack claims, should involve feelings, emotions – the most mentioned in the article is love- in order to have ‘‘well-rounded, cultured gentlemen and ladies, capable of addressing any problem or situation in life with the maximum likelihood both of success and personal happiness’’ (para.5). Carmack also touches upon the homeschooling issue, in a positive perspective in consequence of children who is educated or continue it by their family -except paramount situations- in a habitual, loving environment. Despite many obstacles and disadvantages author considers homeschooling as ‘‘the single greatest advantage’’ of progressive education. Another point is, the adoption of the German kindergarten model has lessened the early home formation years of children’s. Moreover this has received the chance from kids to learn culture of their homes. As Carmack mentions at the beginning, since every individual has distinct features and characteristics, it should be taken into consideration that not everyone has the same IQ, interests and culture. Thus, it is essential for a child to know self’s own culture in the cause of built their own identity solidly and this can be only learned in an environment which provides the necessary cumulative cultural factors. All in all, writer engages attention to Socratic way of educating love and, defends it against the modern, in another words progressive education, clarifies the misunderstanding about the education’s aims and, emphasizes the necessity of consideration on individuals which have diverse characteristics; IQ, learning type, interests, culture, etc.

Giardiasis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Giardiasis - Research Paper Example Its existence in beavers informed the alternative name. Van Leeuwenhoek discovered Giardia in the year 1681, in the parasite’s trophozoite stage, though Giardia also exists in as cyst but Lambl developed more information on the parasite in the year 1959. The parasite was however believed to a non-toxic parasite until towards the year 1980 when it was known to cause diarrhea. The cyst stage of the parasite is a domant stage that allows Giardia to survive even in hostile environments. At this stage, the parasite can survive under cold temperatures, as cold as 80C. Giardia is common in water bodies such as streams and lakes (Chandlee, Clarke, Wisti, and Zucker, n.d.). Its primary habitant is the intestines of human beings and those of other animals and it is normally discharged in feces, and due to its ability to survive in its cyst form, can survive on or under the earth’s surface, and in water (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). In the United States, the infection is more prevalent among children between zero and 10 years old and adults between 35 and 49 years. Incidence rate also increased from the year 2009 to the year 2010, suggesting an increasing trend. Change in incidence rate by gender reflected this and incidence rate increased among Asians and Blacks but decreased among Native Americans and Whites. A total 19403 cases were reported in the year 2009 while 19888 cases were reported in the year 2010. The infection is also more prevalent in the northern region of the nation than in other regions and state incidence rates ranged from 2.6 cases per 100000 population to 29.6 cases per 100000 population (Yoder, Gargano, Wallace, and Beach, 2012). Globally, the infection is more prevalent in developing countries than it is in developed countries. While infection rates in developed countries such as in

Ask Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ask - Essay Example She says â€Å"She wasn’t at all serious when she had to be and nice when it requires. Interpreting her conversation wasn’t difficult. She made is clear that I wasn’t professional enough to be promoted† Did the vice president use the leadership styles in addressing the issue of the banker? 3. It is apparent that the banker was not happy because the vice president didn’t seem to pay attention to him/her. He/she says â€Å"When we started discussing the case, she was less interested and no eye contact was made between us (her eyes were always on her Monitor and very minimal on me)† Did the vice president use the correct communication style in addressing the banker’s issue? 4. During the conversation, the manager thought â€Å"I have been working for three years straight learned everything I can and how can I learn to become a fully-fledged manager if neither you nor the other managers have time to teach me anything to further assist me.† Could the banker’s feelings and thoughts have influenced the outcome of their conversation? 5. In terms of managerial skills, the vice president told the banker that he/she wasn’t professional enough to be promoted. What does the banker need to know about leadership before being promoted to a managerial post? The said subordinate is alleged to have gone against the rules of the company by disclosing important financial information. According to what transpired between him/her with the financial manager, the following insight questions can be deemed appropriate. 1. The manager is alleged to have jumped into conclusion even before conducting his own independent investigation on the alleged misconduct of the sub ordinate. Are these assumptions by the manager indicating good managerial skills? 4. The subordinate is seen to engage the manager in some heated conversation. He asked the manager â€Å"Is this always your leadership style?†

Enterprise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Enterprise - Essay Example f its customers by offering them timely services; clean vehicles and easy local accessibility which can reduce the cost for its customers while at the same time ensure that customer expectations are met. One of the key assets, firm has been able to develop over the period of time is the strong Human Resource Base. The quality of the HR is considered as one of the key assets because firm is not only the largest recruiter of the graduates but also put them through a systematic training which helped employees to understand the business from bottom up. Apart from this, firm has been able to develop a better customer services, large fleet, local management and truly customer focus. However, considering the overall change in dynamics, the management of the firm may use following strategies to achieve further growth : 1. Firm needs to develop alternative delivery channels to further penetrate into the market. Currently, though it is following all local strategy however, it needs to focus on developing alternative channels to achieve the growth. The changes in the technology may help the organization to achieve required level of growth therefore firm can use online web portals as well as mobile applications as alternative booking channels for its services. This can help firm to specially target those customers who are mobile and want to use rented cars for commuting long distances. 2. The current strategy of the firm is focused upon delivering local solutions to the customers through effective services, clean vehicles and cheaper rides. This strategy however, may not be viable as the overall demographics and consumer orientation changes. The current breed of customers require strong reviews, online social acceptance before they make any purchase decision. In order to cater to the needs of a customer base which is too mobile and have loads of information at access, it is critical that the firm shall match desired experience of such consumers. It needs to move out of its

Managing Change by Managing Risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managing Change by Managing Risk - Essay Example Technological development means keeping the technology up to date for the company in order to remain competitive in the market. Competitive environment forces the companies to retain good quality of the products and services in order to improve customer satisfaction. 3.2 Internal Forces of Change Internal forces of organizational change include such forces, which force the change to occur inside the company. These changes are very significant in order to increase employee satisfaction and employee commitment towards their job responsibilities. The changes include change in the working atmosphere, change in employment rules and regulations, and change regarding employee retention strategies. 4. Risk Management Harrison (n.d.) states, â€Å"Change is inherently ambiguous, and those who deal creatively with change will have a high tolerance for uncertainty†. In case of organizational change, we can say that organizational change needs proper management of risks in order to be suc cessful. Francois (n.d.) states, â€Å"A change management process is a series of business practices used to control and manage change within a large system or organization†. Risk management is one of those business practices that are needed to implement organizational change. â€Å"Much of risk management work is focused on the management of risk in a 'business as usual' and relatively stable environment† (Anderson 2004). Risk management is a process, which is used to identify and measure the risks being faced by a company or a firm. Risk management refers to the concept of keeping the risks under control so that they do not create any kind of dangerous situation for the company. This process of... According to the research there are two types of organizational change, which include external and internal forces of change. External and internal forces of change not only result in altering organizational policies concerning various business activities but also influence major functions of management. The external forces of change include competitive business environment, technological development, and political and social environment of an organization. Technological development means keeping the technology up to date for the company in order to remain competitive in the market. Competitive environment forces the companies to retain good quality of the products and services in order to improve customer satisfaction. Internal forces of organizational change include such forces, which force the change to occur inside the company. These changes are very significant in order to increase employee satisfaction and employee commitment towards their job responsibilities. The changes incl ude change in the working atmosphere, change in employment rules and regulations, and change regarding employee retention strategies. Changes are inevitable in every company or organization whether it belongs top construction industry or some other industry. Managers need to consider several issues related to different business activities before planning to bring some change to the organizational policies. Risk management also plays a key role in change management. Some of the risks related to construction companies include design assumption risk, structural development procedures, fire risk, and environment uncertainty risks.

Nursing Informatics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nursing Informatics - Essay Example The affiliation of the sponsors are outlined in the copyright section where the website delineates affiliation to credible sources such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version, A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, Patient Education Institute, Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, ORLive, HealthDay and Reuters, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There isn’t a link identified that will allow the user to contact the author however, Medline Plus has provided a contact form to answer users’ queries and if user’s browser does not work with forms, alternative emails and phone number are provided to communicate queries directly to the customer service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Funding. Most of the content of Medline Plus website is available at no charge. That is because the primary purpose of Medline Plus website is merely educational and not to sell product or service. Commer cial funding is not stated in the website but in the disclaimer section, it has been stated that the U.S. government provides fund for the website. Some advertisements are present in the website but Medline Plus makes sure that advertisers follow the advertising policy of Medline Plus by clearly stating the difference between content and advertising. Advertisers or sponsors must not play a role in selecting or editing information (Medline Plus, 2011). Advertisements and directories of health professionals, services, and facilities might be included in the website but Medline Plus does not recommend or endorse these services. In addition, any potential conflict of interest with the users will exclude linked organizations and Web sources from the... This essay discusses the connections between profesional nursing work and an Internet source named Medline Plus that is a most common and helpful today for health care employees. It is stated that some nurses prefer the Internet in answering clinical questions and searching for updates in the field of health care. In this case, nurses who are often using Internet searches are encouraged to develop a list of trusted health-information websites known for credibility. Several advance skills are necessary to evaluate and appraise a health-related website as well as a criterion guide to ensure the quality of websites being accessed routinely. The researcher develops the website critique which will be evaluated the Medline website in terms of source, funding, and validity. Medline plus caters links to different sources which specified individual authors of various specific articles. Medline Plus is being sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Most of the nurses around the globe vi ewed Medline plus as a credible source of information due to the reason that the information. The researcher also uses The Thede and Sewell criterion in critiquing a Website that is a very important tool not only for the health-allied professionals but also to the general users. The researcher then sums up that this website offers safety and security of information of users, credibility of author, protection of users’ interests, updated information free from biases, and preservation of users’ privacy.

Organization Development; contingency approach, content + process Essay

Organization Development; contingency approach, content + process theory;participative management;building effective groups, organizational structure - Essay Example Different scenarios and short term plans thus provide for a lot of cushion as far as vital tactical planning on the part of the said company is concerned and this indeed forms up as an important ingredient of the different processes that are running within the company. It might also be possible that the different departments present within a company have their own respective agendas that they have to meet and thus the long term planning can take a back seat in this equation. The administrative, decisional, interpersonal and other skills present within the repertoire of the management of the company have to understand that the long term planning has to make way for the tactical moves that are introduced within the company every now and then and which is for the betterment of all concerned, more than anything else, for the company and its stability in the long run itself. The skills just discussed have to come into play so that all of these unite and thus form up as a single, coherent message, a message that will take over the reigns of the company and talk about the problems that it is facing in the light of the completion and the eventual attainment of the strategic goals. The short term activities and tasks thus gain more and more attention from all concerned, not only the employees working within the company but also the stakeholders who have one thing or the other within the proper and sound functioning of the business, the consumers who want to know what exactly is happening with the company’s different products and services and why there is a lag at the retail side of those very products and services. Large corporations and entities need to have managers who have sound vision and proper tact within their grasps so that they can well understand the mannerisms of the ball game of satisfying the different publics, the customers and last but not the least the stakeholders. The requirement is to balance all of these so that the company

Benefits of Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Benefits of Strategic Management - Essay Example Companies that utilize strategic management can greatly benefit from its implementation. Strategic management allows managers the ability to forecast the future. The proper use of strategic management can increase the productivity and profitability of a business. An example of a strategic management decision is using only a few of the patents a company develops in order to postpone the release of new products for the future. An industry in which this occurs a lot is the pharmaceutical industry. Another benefit of strategic management is that it can be used to change the corporate culture of a company. The use of strategic management can also help an organization gain a competitive advantage. The accounting department benefits from strategic management because it allows the firm to make better budgeting decisions (Hainescentre, 2012). Planning for the future allows a firm the ability to predict future expenditures and income streams. Strategic management can also be used to improve decision making (Robinson, 2005). Robinson, R. (2005). The advantages and disadvantages of strategic management. Retrieved February 10, 2013 from

History of oil and gas in China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of oil and gas in China - Research Paper Example With a mounting population of more than 1.3 billion people, China depends greatly on other countries for prime resources, for example, oil and gas. In order to enhance its association with other Southeast Asian nations, China always considers diplomatic action over military intervention, especially in regards to disputed territories like the Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea. China is frequently involved in a political clash with Malaysia; perhaps, it is due mainly to the two countries' diplomatic dissimilarities. Nevertheless, China's ties with Malaysia are interdependent in that China relies on the huge oil and gas resources of Malaysia in return of China's defense policy and assurance for Malaysia. At the present, Malaysia is the largest producer of petroleum products in the Southeast Asian region, constituting more than fifty [Student’s Last Name] 2 percent of the oil and gas production in area (Global Security, "South China Sea and Natural Gas"). Ironically with China, while it possesses significant deposits of oil and gas reserves, they do not substantially account to the world’s aggregate oil supply; its natural gas reserves is merely one over twenty of the world’s oil and gas reserves (Li and Du 1). ... Early on in history, about 500 B.C., consistent with some historical accounts about China, the old Chinese express about wells with depth of 100 feet holding significant volume of water and natural gas. Also, the Chinese were pioneers in conceptualizing the use of bamboos to serve as pipelines to draw natural gas and oil from wells. These recovered gas and oil were originally used for lighting (Business Reference Services, "History of Oil and Gas Industry"). In addition, the Chinese eventually ventured in searching and excavating wells with depths of over 2000 feet (American Petroleum Institute, "All about Petroleum - As Old as History"). While China was the first country to venture in the exploration and excavation of oil and natural gas reserves, it was not the first country to take innovative approaches in developing petroleum products like kerosene, gasoline, etc. It commenced to adapt a modernistic method in developing oil and gas products only during the 1950s. Even up to the p resent, China is comparatively [Student’s Last Name] 3 fresher in modern oil and gas discovery and production compared to the US. Initially, China was an oil importer but later managed to become independent; and even became an exporter between 1965 and 1993; however, it went back to being an importer in 1993 (Li and Du 1). At first, China imported oil products such as Kerosene in 1863; and in 1949, the country independently produced crude oil; nonetheless, China’s need for oil exports from other countries was never eradicated until after the discovery of the enormous Daqing oil ground in the 1960s that made China ultimately oil-independent (1). Eventually, from being an oil importer, China turned out to be an oil exporter. In fact, between 1978 and 1985,

Hobbes and Locke Social Contract Theory Essay Example for Free

Hobbes and Locke Social Contract Theory Essay Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are two of the most influential political philosophers of the modern age. Their ideas on political philosophy, among other ideas, have helped shaped the Western World, as we know it. One of the most important theories that the two have both discussed, and written in detail on, is the idea of the social contract. Social Contract Theory is the view that moral and/or political duties depend on a contract that leads to the formation of a civil society. Thomas Hobbes was the first person to come up with the idea of a social contract in his text, Leviathan. As with any concept in history, other political philosophers have used Hobbes’ theory as a stepping-stone. One of those men is John Locke, who presents a very different account of how it is civil society is formed. Although both men have very different accounts on the social contract notion, there are some similarities between the two. Before putting pen to paper Hobbes had a front row seat to a quintessential moment in early English history—the English Civil War. The war was a dispute between King Charles I and his followers, the Monarchists and the Parliamentarians. The Monarchists preferred the traditional authority of the king, while the Parliamentarians demanded more power for Parliament, England’s quasi-democratic institution. Hobbes is somewhere in between the two groups with his own set of views. Hobbes believed that political authority is based on the self-interest of the members of the society, all of who are considered equal. He argued that no single individual had the power to rule over the rest. He also backed the conservative point of view that the sovereign must have absolute authority in order for society to last without disruption. It is in the rejection of the Monarchist point of view, that Hobbes and Locke find their first similarity. Both authors sought out to refute the positions presented by Robert Filmer’s Patriarcha, regarding the issue of the Divine Right of Kings. Filmer believed that God gave absolute authority to the king. Since God gives the power to the king, political society focused on obeying God unconditionally. Although Hobbes did agree that it was necessary for a king to have absolute authority in order to keep the people in line, he believed that authority came from the people living in the community and not God. Locke’s most influential political writings come from his Two Treatises On Government. His First Treatise is focused almost entirely on rejecting Filmer’s theory. Locke is in line with Hobbes in his belief that political authority comes from the consent of the governed. Along with this similarity, both men also agree on the idea that those people in a State of Nature will willingly consent to coming together to form a political society. They also agree on the belief that people would live in fear of each other regardless of their ability to use reason. Human nature allows men to be selfish. All people have the natural right to defend their own life, liberty, health and property. This fear is what leads many people to come together and form a state so that there would be a central authority to protect their life, liberty, health and property of all people within society. Along with creating the outline for the social contract theory, Hobbes was also a major contribution to the idea of the State of Nature, a hypothetical situation used to show how people lived before the establishment of society. In the State of Nature, life was â€Å"solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,† characterized by self-interest and the absence of rights and laws (Hobbes 89). Hobbes believed that man was fundamentally evil and required a central authority to keep them out of the conditions of the state of nature. Locke, on the other hand, saw individuals as exercising moral limits over their actions. In order to answer the question of why the people should be willing to submit to political authority, Hobbes uses the idea of a State of Nature. This is a completely hypothetical situation through which he imagines what life was like for men before the establishment of civil society. In the State of Nature, men are naturally and entirely self interested, resources are limited and there is no power that forces the people to follow the rules of society. Men are also considered equal to one another in that even the strongest man can be killed in his sleep. There is no ability for men to ensure the satisfaction of their needs and desires as humans, and no prolonged systems of cooperation among men. The state of nature is a state of constant fear and distrust, or as Hobbes puts it â€Å"a state of perpetual and unavoidable war† (Hobbes 90). Based on the previous definition of the State of Nature, it would seem that mankind is doomed for eternity. However, hope is not lost. Using the power of reason, they are able to understand the laws of nature, which lead man out of the state of nature and into civil society. A Law of Nature, (Lex Naturalis), is a Precept, or generall rule, found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do, that, which is destructive of his life, or taketh away the means of preserving the same; and to omit that, by which he thinketh it may be best preserved. (Hobbes 91) The first rule of nature is to seek peace when others are also willing to follow in the quest for peace, â€Å"That every man, ought to endeavour Peace, as farre as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps, and advantages of Warre† (Hobbes 92). In the pages leading up to the natural laws, Hobbes describes what it is that drives us to seek peace. â€Å"The Passions that encline men to Peace, are Feare of Death; Desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living; and a Hope by their Industry to obtain them† (Hobbes 90). These are the things that lead people out of the state of nature and into forming a political society. People want protection of their bodies, property, and commodious living. It is through reason that men are led to the construction of a Social Contract, allowing for a life better then in the State of Nature. The social contract is formed through the establishment of two other contracts. The first contract is that they must agree to establish society by renouncing the rights that they had in the State of Nature. The second is that they must choose a single person, or an assembly of people, that will have the authority to enforce the various parts of the contract. The sovereign has the power to punish those who violate the social contract, which leads people to adjust themselves to the rules of their society. In order to understand the purpose of the Social Contract, Hobbes sets forth a definition of a commonwealth, or civil society: And in him consisteth the Essence of the Commonwealth; which (to define it,) is One Person, of whose Acts a great Multitude, by mutuall Covenants one with another, have made themselves every one the Author, to the end he may use the strength and means of them all, as he shall think expedient, for their Peace and Common Defence. (Locke 121) Without a common power to exercise force, society would be the same as it was while in the State of Nature. The Social Contract is considered to be the fundamental source within society for all that is good, along with being the force that allows us to live well. On the opposite side of the spectrum is another major figure in political philosophy, Locke. Locke’s views are very different from that of Hobbes, besides the fact that Locke uses the State of Nature concept created by Hobbes. For Locke, the State of Nature is a state of complete and perfect liberty to live the best life possible, while being free from interference from others. We must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man. (Locke 5) In this state of equality no person has any power over any one else—everyone is subjectively equal. â€Å"The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one; and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it that, being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions† (Locke 5). The state of nature is not a state of license, or a state of authority, in that individuals have the ability to do whatever they want. Although this society is pre-government, morals guide the laws of nature. God gives the natural laws to commands and us that we do not harm others, since we are all equal in the eyes of God. For Locke, the State of Nature is more like a state of liberty that allows the people to pursue their own interests free from interference. It is considered a peaceful state because of the natural laws and its restrictions on the people. Hobbes saw the State of Nature as being a state of constant war, a drastic change compared to the views presented by Locke. Although Locke’s state is predominantly peaceful, there is potential for a State of War. According to Locke, the State of War starts between two or more people when one person declares war on the other. This is usually done by stealing something from the other, or trying to make another man a slave. Since there is no central power to mediate the dispute and the laws of nature allow for self-defense, people are allowed to kill anyone that brings force against them. Without a force to mediate, the duration of wars is much longer and more brutal. Political societies form when men come together in the State of Nature, and agree to give up their power to punish those who disobey the laws of nature and give that power to a central authority. It is through this that the people consent to the will of the majority. Through leaving the state of nature and forming a society, the people create a â€Å"one body politic under one government† and are thus subjected to the will of that particular â€Å"body† (Locke 55). The only way for one to become part of society is through our own individual consent, meaning we cannot be forced to join the society. By joining a society, people gain a few things that they lacked in the State of Nature. These aspects consist of laws, a judge to settle disputes regarding laws and most importantly an executive power to enforce the law. The executive power is created for the protection of the people, their property and general well being. It is when this protection is non-existent, or the King becomes a tyrant by acting against the interest of the people, that the contract can be thrown away. It is with this that the process of establishing a social contract can begin once again, and also the power. Both Hobbes and Locke agree on the fact that people living in a state of nature will come together to form a contract amongst themselves, which ultimately leads to the establishment of society. Both Hobbes and Locke also agreed that people living in a state of nature would be living in a constant state of fear of one another before society is established. Hobbes has a much darker view of Human Nature, seeing them as inherently evil, while Locke viewed man as being guided by â€Å"rational self-interest† with the ability to self-govern without the Leviathan watching over you. These two figures have helped shape our modern systems of government among many other things.

Maslows hierarchy of human needs

Maslows hierarchy of human needs Question 1 Abraham Maslow is revered as a great psychologist who lived from 1908 to 1970. He is renowned for the Maslows hierarchy of human needs. He came up with 5 levels of human needs. On the lowest quadrant of the pyramid lay the physiological needs which entailed food, sexual activity and breathing. Maslow considered these needs to be very basic and an essential for every human being. The next level of needs was the safety needs which encompass both financial and personal security as well as health and the well being of an individual. As the pyramid advances, there are other greater needs that human beings desire such as love and affection, esteem and self actualization. These needs are satisfied in order of their hierarchy such that one would not satisfy a high need without first satisfying a lower need within the Maslow hierarchy need. Maslow hierarchy of needs is indeed imperative in that it illuminates the most important and the least important needs of human beings. Through this theory, we are able to identify the most basic human needs. In addition, Maslows hierarchy of needs enables us to gain a succinct understanding of the theory of motivation. Most times, managers would first of all seek to meet the basic needs of their employees so that they can be able to motivate their employees to higher levels. Critics on the other hand suggest that human needs cannot be classified into hierarchies as Maslow did. A onetime philosopher argues that people are diverse and have different needs that they consider as basic. The hierarchy can therefore not be considered to be universal. What one considers to be a fundamental need may not be fundamental to another. Maslow was criticized for testing a small sample of about 100 students to come up with the hierarchy of human needs. The limited testing cannot therefore be construed to be sufficient. Question 2 In this experiment, patients with depression shall be sampled. A sample of 40 patients under new medication and suffering from depression will be taken. The effectiveness of the patients new medication against depression will be measured by determining the changes in behavior among the 40 patients. Hypothesis This study seeks to establish the effectiveness of new medication for treating depression Random assignment of participants The sample of 40 patients suffering from depression will be sampled from different hospitals across the state of Texas. These patients will consist of those suffering from depression and are using the new medication. The patients will be monitored for about a week to establish the effectiveness of the new medication. Independent variable The period of time for administering the new medication to patients with depression Dependent variable The rate of healing of the patients with depression The quantity of drugs administered to the patients suffering from depression Ethical guidelines Here, we shall monitor the patients improvement in terms of their behavior. The patients sampled will be monitored for a period of one week. Question 3 Psychology is the study of the mental mind and the disciplines and theories that surround the mental mind. Psychology therefore does not merely study the mental process but also encompasses the behavior of human beings and the likely effects that this behavior has to both the individual and the environment at large. Question 4 Operant conditioning implies using results to modify behavior towards the desired direction. This principle entails altering behavior that is based on the environment through first changing the environment. Drinking alcohol and driving can be changed via operant conditioning. This can be changed through making it illegal to drink and drive as well as closing drinking joints early. Positive reinforcement entails introducing an action that encourages the occurrence of a certain behavior. For instance, withdrawing law pertaining to drinking and driving is a positive reinforcement. On the other hand, negative reinforcement involves introducing behavior that inhibits the commission of a certain behavior; for instance, in the above example, introducing gadgets that will be used to detect drunk drivers on the road. This helps in shaping the behavior of drinking groups within the society. Negative reinforcement also leads to the extinction of undesired behavior. Reinforcing laws against drunk driving is also negative reinforcement. Punishment is one way of discouraging behavior. It is thus an effective way of limiting operant conditioning. Reinforcement cannot be effectively done at once. There is need for a schedule of reinforcement which indicates how the undesired behavior will be altered.

Measuring Skin Blood Flow and Vascular Permeability

Measuring Skin Blood Flow and Vascular Permeability The aim of this experiment is to compare the dose-related inflammatory response demonstrated by the skin following injection of histamine and bradykinin two inflammatory mediators. Methods used will demonstrate a non-invasive, quantitative way to measure blood flow and vascular permeability in the skin. INTRODUCTION The acute inflammatory reaction occurs to protect the body in response to a pathogen or other noxious substance. There are two components: adaptive immunological response (which is described as a more specific immune response) and the innate response which occurs immediately upon infection and consists of both vascular and cellular effects (Rang and Dale, 2007). The innate response will be studied in this experiment, specifically in the skin. Bradykinin and histamine are inflammatory mediators involved in the innate response and will be studied at different doses. The results can be used to provide a potential target for therapeutic use: further experimentation would allow the addition of inflammatory mediator antagonists to potentially reduce the four cardinal signs of inflammation: pain, heat, redness and swelling. The local oedema and vasodilation give rise to the wheal and flare. The reddening represents vasodilation of small arterioles, and the increased permeability of the post capillary venules is represented by the wheal. The flare occurs due to stimulation of sensory nerves causing release of vasodilators. This is known as the triple response. It will be the wheal and flare that will be measured and used to describe the action of the two inflammatory mediators. METHODS The methods used were in-vivo; the doses of inflammatory mediators (and saline control) were injected into 10 volunteers. It was confirmed there were no known allergies to either bradykinin or histamine and all correct health and safety procedures were followed. Each of the 10 subjects were injected first with 25ÃŽ ¼L of saline solution, used as a control to show there was nothing in the saline (that the inflammatory mediators were diluted with) causing an inflammatory response. This was followed by doses of 10, 30, and 100ÃŽ ¼M histamine for 5 subjects and the same doses of bradykinin for the other 5 was added, all at 30 second intervals. These were administered using a sterilised syringe which contained the correct concentration. The doses were injected into forearm intradermally and care was taken to ensure the complete volume of 25ÃŽ ¼L was taken up by the skin. Each successive administration was slightly further up the arm giving space for each of the four doses and to try and prevent the flares from overlapping. At periods of 2, 5, 10 and 15mins a clear sheet of acetate was placed over the centre of injection and the wheal and flare were circled using a non-wipe pen and repeated for each respective dose. This provided the area of the wheal and flare at each of the given concentrations at each of the given periods of time following injection, for each respective inflammatory mediator. The flare was cut from the acetate and weighed accurately to 4 decimal places. Subsequently, the wheal was cut from the centre of the flare and was also weighed. This process was repeated for each of the doses of inflammatory mediator (bradykinin and histamine) and for the saline control also. A 2cm2 square was ruled onto the acetate which was also cut out and weighed. This provided a conversion between weight and area, allowing the area of the wheal and flares to be calculated (credit to Dr. Dean Willis).This data was tabulated and can be found in the appendix and illustrated in the results. The data was checked for any anomalous values that could be defined as incorrect based upon logical criteria. Group 1 for the histamine set had flare sizes of 0cm2 however, had wheal sizes greater than this. Therefore this data was removed to all analysis as it is clearly incorrect. The data was then averaged for each of the 5 subjects for both histamine and bradykinin. There were two independent variables: time and concentration; and two dependant variables: wheal and flare areas. The independent variables were illustrated on separate graphs and the wheal and flare sizes were imposed on the same. To produce graphs to illustrate the change in area with concentration, first the largest average value recorded for each concentration was selected and tabulated. This allows comparison not only between different concentrations of the same mediator, but also between bradykinin and histamine. This also means time was irrelevant because it did not matter at which time recording the values were selected The increase in wheal or flare size due to inflammatory mediator was calculated (i.e. the difference between the wheal or flare recorded and saline). This increase in wheal or flare was plotted against the respective concentration and the concentration was plotted in log scale to illustrate a dose-response curve. To illustrate the change in area with respect to time, firstly, the data was scanned to select a concentration at which the change in wheal and flare was best illustrated. This concentration was taken to be 100ÃŽ ¼M (for both mediators to ensure continuity and to allow comparison). The Average wheal and flare size was then plotted against time for both bradykinin and histamine. RESULTS Removed data: (see appendix) Group 1 of the histamine section has a flare size of 0.000 recorded with a wheel size of greater than this. This is likely to be a systematic error in not realising the flare is indeed underneath the wheel and not visible, in this case the flare is the same area of the wheel. However this is just speculation, and in order to ensure all data used is correct saline recordings for each time interval both wheel and flare areas for group 1(histamine) were removed from analysis. The wheal size only increased slowly with increased concentration of bradykinin to a maximum of 0.414 at 100ÃŽ ¼M. The value at 10ÃŽ ¼M was actually lower than that for saline. This is not a significant decrease however as it was taken as a decrease of 0.04cm2, which is a small area and the limitations of the experiment are likely to be the cause. The flare size, however, increased more with increasing concentration. The size of the flare is likely to represent a dose-response curve with a classic sigmoid shape if the concentration of bradykinin were to be increased further. However, due to the nature of the experiment this would not be practical as a much large concentration of inflammatory mediator could be dangerous for the subject. It is also shown that the maximum flare area at 100ÃŽ ¼M was recorded at 10mins. It can therefore be deduced that it was relatively slow acting; however it cannot be determined whether the maximum value was indeed at 10mins recorded as 7.808cm2. Equally the flare area could have rose to a maximum between 5-10mins and decreased, or rose to a maximum after 10mins and reduced to that recorded at 15mins. It can be shown that at the lowest concentration (10ÃŽ ¼M) of histamine that there is only a small difference of 1.194cm2 between the maximum flare-area recorded by bradykinin. It can therefore be deduced that histamine caused a larger flare than bradykinin at the same concentrations. Ahe general trend is similar to that of bradykinin: small increase in wheal area, large increase in flare area. The maximum wheal area was only 0.03m2 larger than that recorded by bradykinin. Again, the wheal area had very little variation with time: increase of 0.2cm2. The flare area was at a maximum recording of 18.625cm2 after just 2mins. Therefore, it is likely to have been at the maximum area before 2mins. This shows that histamine is faster acting than the bradykinin. There is a relatively linear decrease with time to a minimum value of 9.120cm2 recorded at 15mins. The flare area did of course continue to decrease after the 15minute period until there was no apparent inflammation, likewise for bradykinin. DISCUSSION As mentioned previously, the innate inflammatory response consists of both vascular and cellular effects. Vascular events begin by dilation of post capillary venules, causing an increased blood flow. Vasodilation is caused by the action of histamine (and other inflammatory mediators), leading to increased local blood flow and an increased vascular permeability causing a local oedema. The fluid contains the components a proteolytic enzyme cascades producing bradykinin. Bradykinin is also an inflammatory mediator causing further vasodilation and vascular permeability leading to local redness and oedema respectively. This gives rise to the cardinal signs of inflammation: redness, swelling, heat and pain (also loss of function). The sensation of heat and pain ascend through sensory neurones via the spinothalamic tract. Upon the presence of a pathogen, pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are recognised on the surface of bacteria and causing the release of cytokines from macrophages. Cytokines are small polypeptides involved in cell-signalling and orchestrate inflammation. This allows expression of adhesion molecules in the endothelial cells. Phagocytes then adhere to the endothelium and migrate towards the bacteria where phagocytosis takes place. In addition, exudation of fluid occurs in response to an increased vascular permeability due to a combination of cytokine and inflammatory mediator action (as well as increased vasodilation in response to inflammatory mediators). The fluid allows four enzyme cascades to occur producing inflammatory further inflammatory mediators by proteolytic cleavage from their native (inactive) state. One of these cascades gives rise to bradykinin (Pocock and Richards, 2006). Histamine is released in response to products of other enzyme cascade pathways such as C3a and c5a which make up part of the complement system. C3a and C5a bind with receptors on the surface of mast cells, causing a rise in intracellular calcium leading to exocytosis of histamine. Simple injection of bradykinin or histamine mimics these pathways. Bradykinin is a vasodilator and also increases vascular permeability leading to a local swelling. This is consistent with the findings in this experiment. After Intradermal injection of bradykinin, the typical triple-response was apparent; there was a wheel and flare as described by Sir Thomas Lewis. Breakdown is by kininases and it is likely to have cleaved bradykinin at a relatively fast rate due to the short lasting effect at 100ÃŽ ¼M where the flare area began to decrease after just 10mins. Histamine has a similar action to bradykinin but found to act faster and also found to be more potent at each concentration tested. The flare area was at a maximum after just 2 minutes. Histamine acts on H1 receptors to dilate blood vessels, therefore it is likely there is a high expression of H1 receptors at the skin surface, or histamine has a great affinity for its receptor. It is likely to be a combination of both, however to confirm these ideas, experiments could be conducted on other tissue perhaps on organ tissue in-vitro using an animal model. This response is characteristic of the acute inflammatory pathway; however, more recent studies suggest that histamine has a role in chronic inflammation involved in the immune response (Jutel et al., 2009). There is regulation of T-cells (which make up part of the immune response) by H1 and H2 receptors. There is a 4th histamine receptor, H4 and further evidence for the role of histamine in chronic pathways comes from expression of H4 receptors on immune cells (Jutel et al., 2009). It is apparent from figures 1 and 3 that an increase in either inflammatory mediator resulted in an increase in wheel area. As previously described, this is due to release of vasodilators from sensory nerves in response to stimulation. So it can be deduced that a larger concentration of bradykinin or histamine indicates a larger infection and therefore the cascade process is accentuated. The wheal area stays relatively constant in both cases, this could be due to no addition action of inflammatory mediators on the vascular permeability, or indeed there is already a full effect i.e. the post capillary venules are a permeable as possible. However another hypothesis could be that additional permeability would only lead to a further decreased extracellular solute concentration which would simply be reabsorbed by osmosis. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS Strengths of the experiment were in that humans were used and methods were in-vivo. Therefore there is no reliance on animal models to use as a comparison. All subjects were of a similar age and gender was at random, hence, generally similar responses were found between each group. Limitations were found to be in injecting the inflammatory mediator intradermally. There was a tendency for not all of the solution to actually enter the skin, thus decreasing the number of moles of inflammatory mediator. This however did not seem to effect the results too greatly as 5 repeat groups would allow for some small error. It is still clear from the experiment that the aims were met and the mediators compared. Furthermore, measurement of the area was not particularly accurate. Firstly it was hard to judge the size of the wheel and flare and there was a tendency for the flares to overlap and was often left down to judgment of where to define the boundary. There were a few further cases where the w heel size exceed that of the flare (in addition the case described in the results) however these were only small differences and could easily have been to variations in the measurement of the weight. If the wheal and flare were the same size, the acetate could have been weighed twice and hence the small difference. This would not have affected the outcome of the experiment however so the data was accepted. Better methods of measurement of wheel and flare area would be to use an imaging technique and record the change in areas digitally. This would allow for calculation of the change in rate of area with respect to time (via differential equations) which would give a good indication as to the potency and allow for a more in-depth comparison.

Autism Essays -- essays research papers fc

Autism 1. Definition Autism- is a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before the age of 3, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. 2. Common Characteristics Inability to use speech for communication Withdrawal from people Unusual bodily movements and peculiar mannerisms Abnormal responses to one or more types of sensory stimuli, sound or touch Lack of appropriate play Preoccupation with hands (flapping) Fluctuation between passive vs. aggressive behavior Need for patterns or sameness 3. Teaching Strategies Use a consistent behavior modification program Teach in a less stimulating area Use an established routine with repetitive transition strategies Be predictable Use vigorous aerobic exercise to reduce self-stimulating behavior   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Be aware of safety hazards in their environment 4. Causes Scientists are unsure of the cause but evidence indicates that autism results from biological abnormalities in brain structure and function. Mutations in genes are important in causing autism. 5. Suggested Activities Any aerobic exercise: Walking, Jogging, running, bicycling, swimming, in-line skating, dancing, basketball, cross country skiing 6. How Autism effects movement Autism causes repetitive physical movements that can impair their learning and communication abilities. Autism I. Introduction Autism, also known as autistic disorder and infant autism, is a disorder that severely impairs development of a person's ability to communicate, interact with other people, and maintain normal contact with the outside world. The disorder was first described in 1943 by American psychiatrist Leo Kanner. Autism is a condition occurring in young children before the age of three years. One of the most common developmental disabilities, autism affects 2 to 5 out of every 10,000 children. It is four to five times more common in males than in females. II. Characteristics Autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder, a disorder in which symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity.... ...nd movements, social withdrawal, and impaired language development. The disorder appears before the age of four and affects only girls. Some experts regard these disorders as mild forms of autism rather than as separate disorders. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Autism is a disorder that impacts a person’s ability to communicate and interact with other people and the outside world. Symptoms of this disorder are evident during infancy and the earlier this disorder is diagnosed the better. With proper treatment symptoms can be suppressed to the point where it is difficult to see that the person is autistic. It is also very possible for an autistic person to lead a normal life. The best treatments for autism are physical therapy and aerobic exercise. Works Cited 1. Autism retrieved November 1, 2001, from www.content.health.msn.com 2. Gillberg, Christopher. What is Autism? Retrieved November 1, 2001, from www.autism-society.org 3. Sherrill, Claudine. (1998) Adapted Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport: 5th edition. Boston: McGraw Hill 4. Use of Physical Activity to Improve Behavior of Children with Autism. Retrieved November 1, 2001, from www.palaestra.com/autism

Hulk Smash Essay -- Art

Throughout history, the graphic form has been used as a means of conveying information of many forms such as story, words of warning, or even propaganda (Van Meter). In its more recent shape, the modern comic, the graphic work was often treated as a lowly form of art suitable primarily for adolescents and children seeking entertainment (Cengage). This mindset about comics continued until the mid 1980’s, at which point it was shattered by the arrival of â€Å"Maus†; a graphic novel that documented the experiences of a Holocaust survivor (Spiegelman). After winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, Spiegelman’s work opened the door to a whole world of possibilities for the graphic form in scholarly pursuits. Though this event brought about the birth of countless graphic narratives, each responsible for shedding light on modern historical travesties, it is my conviction that prior to the onset of â€Å"graphic reportage† comics held a more important socio-polit ical relevance. While less explicit with their messages, early comics such as â€Å"The Hulk† gave valuable insight into society by giving a direct look into pop-culture of the time, utilizing symbolism to convey public opinion, and spreading propaganda. When a work is created with the intent of being graphic reportage the author becomes painfully aware of the fact that they will be observed and scrutinized under this context, however when an entirely fictitious comic book is created its author is relieved from the constraints of this awareness of observation. Put more eloquently, comic book authors that create works of graphic reportage are vulnerable to a psychological phenomenon known as the Hawthorne Effect, which states that individuals that are aware that they are being observed will b... ... Works Cited Cengage, Gale. eNotes.com. 2004. 22 April 2012 . Conroy, Mike. "The True Origin of The Incredible Hulk." N/A: Marvel Comics, 2008. Gale, E.A.M. "The Hawthorne studies—a fable for our times? ." QJM (2004): 439-449. Lee, Stan-Writer Kirby, Jack -Penciller Reinman, Paul-Inker Simek,Art-Letters. "The Incredible Hulk." The Incredible Hulk #1. Marvel Comics, May 1962. Rocchi, James. X-Meta : An Outsider’s Guide to Symbolism in Superhero Cinema (wonder woman mention). May 2006. 22 April 2012 . Spiegelman, Art. " Maus: A Survivor's Tale." New York: Pantheon Books, 1986. Van Meter, Justine. "History Of Graphic Novels." Orange, CA, February 2012.

Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 26

I cannot say how long I ran. The night was clear and cold, and my heart felt as though it were pounding in my neck, in my brain, in my feet. I occasionally pressed my hand to the wound on my neck, which was still bleeding. The area was warm to the touch, and I felt dizzy whenever I put my hand on it. With each footstep, a new image appeared in my head: Katherine, bloodstained foam collecting at the corner of her mouth; Father, standing above her with a stake. Memories blurred, so I wasn't sure whether the red-eyed, shrieking monster who was on the floor was the same person who'd lunged at me with her teeth, who'd caressed me in the pond, who haunted my dreams and my waking hours. I shivered uncontrollably and lost my footing, tripping over a felled branch. I landed on the dirt, on my hands and knees, and retched repeatedly, until the iron-like taste in my mouth disappeared. Katherine was about to die. Father hated me. I didn't know who I was, or what I should be doing. The entire world was turned upside down, and I felt dizzy and weak, sure that no matter what I did, I would cause destruction. This was all my fault. All of it. If I hadn't lied to Father and kept Katherine's secret †¦ I forced myself to catch my breath, then stood up and began running again. As I ran, the scent of the vervain in my pocket filled my nostrils. Its sweet, earthy fragrance wafted through my body, seeming to clear my head and imbue my limbs with a wakeful energy. I turned left on the dirt path, surprised at the course I was choosing, but for the first time in weeks, I felt certain about my actions. I burst into the sheriff's office, where Sheriff Forbes sat with his feet up on the desk, asleep. In the one holding cell, the town drunk, Jeremiah Black, was snoring loudly, obviously sleeping off a bad night at the saloon. Noah, a young officer, was also nodding off on a wooden chair outside the cell. â€Å"Vampires! There are vampires at Veritas!† I yelled, causing Sheriff Forbes and Jeremiah to simultaneously snap to attention. â€Å"Let's go. Follow me,† Sheriff Forbes said, grabbing a club and a musket. â€Å"Noah!† he yelled. â€Å"Get the wagon and follow behind with Stefan.† â€Å"Y sir,† Noah said, jumping to his feet. He es, pulled a club from a hook on the wall and passed it to me. Just then, I heard a piercing noise, and I realized that Sheriff Forbes was ringing the alarm outside the sheriff's office. The bell clanged over and over again. â€Å"I can help. Please?† Jeremiah slurred, both hands on the bars. Noah shook his head and hurriedly ran through the building, his boots echoing against the wooden floor beams. I followed him, stopping to watch as he hastily hitched two horses to a long iron wagon. â€Å"Come on!† Noah called impatiently, holding his whip. I jumped up onto the seat next to Noah and watched as he cracked the whip, causing the horses to gallop at breakneck speed down the hill and into town. People were standing outside their houses in nightclothes and rubbing their eyes, some hitching horses to wagons and coaches. â€Å"Attack at the Salvatore estate!† Noah called, over and over again, until his voice almost broke. I knew I should help. But I couldn't. Instead, I felt fear grip my heart as the wind whipped my face. I heard the clip-clopping of horses in the distance, and saw doors being flung open and more townspeople in their nightclothes hastily grabbing rifles, bayonets, and any other weapon they could find. As we galloped through town, I noticed the apothecary was closed tightly. Could Anna and Pearl be at home? If so, I needed to give them a warning. No. The word came so strongly, it was as if my father had whispered it in my ear himself. I needed to make things right for me, for the Salvatore name. The only people I cared about were Father and Damon, and if anything happened to them †¦ â€Å"Attack at the Salvatore estate!† I yelled, my voice breaking. â€Å"Attack at the Salvatore estate!† Noah repeated, his words sounding like a chant. I looked up at the sky. The moon was a tiny sliver, and clouds obscured any hint of starlight. But suddenly, as we rode up the hill, I saw Veritas lit up like morning, with a mob of what looked like a hundred people brandishing torches and standing on the steps of the porch, yelling. Pastor Collins stood on the porch swing, calling out prayers, as several people watched him, kneeling on the ground and praying. Next to him was Honoria Fells, yelling to anyone who would listen about demons and repentance. Old Man Robinson was brandishing his torch and threatening to burn down the entire estate. â€Å"Stefan!† Honoria called as I jumped off the wagon before it stopped. â€Å"For your protection,† she said, proffering a branch of vervain. â€Å"Excuse me,† I called hoarsely, as I pushed through the horde, using my elbows, and ran to the carriage house and up the stairs. I heard angry voices from the chambers. â€Å"I will take her! We'll leave, and you won't see either of us again!† Damon's voice, as low and ominous as incoming thunder. â€Å"Ungrateful!† Father roared, and I heard a sickening crack. I bounded up the stairs and saw Damon, slumped against the doorway, a trickle of blood oozing from his temple. The door had cracked from the impact of Damon's body. â€Å"Damon!† I called, falling onto my knees next to my brother. Damon tried to struggle to his feet. I winced as I saw the blood flooding from his temple. When he turned toward me, his eyes blazed with anger. Father stood, stake in hand. â€Å"Thank you for getting the sheriff, Stefan. Y did the right thing. ou Unlike your brother.† Father reached out toward him, and I gasped, sure he would hit him again. But instead he stretched out his hand. â€Å"Stand up, Damon.† Damon slapped away Father's hand. He stood on his own, wiping the blood from his head with the back of his hand. â€Å"Damon. Listen to me,† Father continued, ignoring the look of pure hatred on Damon's face. â€Å"Y were bewitched by the demon †¦ by that ou Katherine. But now she will disappear and you must side with what's right. I showed you mercy, but these people †¦Ã¢â‚¬  He gestured toward the window and the angry mob beyond it. â€Å"Then let me be killed,† Damon hissed, as he stormed out the door. He brushed past me, hitting me hard with his shoulder as he ran down the stairs. From inside the room, an agonizing shriek emerged. â€Å"Sheriff?† Father called, swinging open the door to Katherine's chambers. I gasped. There was Katherine, a leather muzzle over her face, her white arms and legs bound together. â€Å"She's ready,† Sheriff said grimly. â€Å"We'll take her to the wagon and add her to the list. Gilbert's got the compass and is rounding up the vampires in town. By daybreak, we will have rid the town of this scourge.† Katherine stared at me, a desperate, pleading expression in her eyes. But what could I do? She was lost to me now. I turned down the stairs and ran.