Memoirs of the innocent Essay Example

Memoirs of the innocent Essay I jolted, as I felt a wet, slippery canine tongue slide down the side of my polished cheek. Are you ok, Emily? My mother enquired, with concern. Fine mum, Basil just scared me. Thats all, I replied, wiping my cheek of the thick slobber down the side of my face. Something had obviously excited Basil. Nearly there, I can already see the mailbox outside our new home. My mother enthusiastically shouted. We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Bet it feels just like home, doesnt it dad? I asked, knowing well that he and mum used to live in this village, years ago. Indeed, He plainly replied. He never wanted to move back, not after Sophies death, it was always Mothers plea that made him agree. I never knew why though, it was described to me to be such a communal and bliss town, and I was never really told what happened to Sophie, she would have been twenty four this year. Describe it to me, mum. I want to know everything. I pleaded, joyfully. I heard the car window unwind. Ok dear, on either side of the long, concrete path leading to our wooden front door are two, great oak trees, surrounded by two fields, covered vastly with lush green grass. I sat anxiously, visualising the home, and beautiful surroundings in which soon, I would be able to gaze upon with my own eyes. I felt the car grind slowly to a halt. Here we are, your dad will help you out of the car, My mother calmly muttered, in her attempt to conceal her utmost excitement. I sat silent for seconds, before my dad retracted the door gently from beside me. I felt a cold, yet sweaty hand pull gently on my arm. Out you get, nice and gently, dont forget your cane now, My dad told me. I grasped my stick from my seat and placed my feet firmly on the warm, rough Texas ground. I was hastily followed by the energetic, panting Golden Retriever Basil. My father led me along the path, as Basil brushed his soft, matted hair against by bare legs. I occasionally poked my cane against the floor as I created a mental image of my surroundings. My father stopped me at the door, I heard my mother frantically in her excitement jostle her key in the large oaken door; and heard the heavy swoop of the door as my mother forcefully pushed it open. I took a step inside: My mother gasped. Its beautiful, absolutely beautiful! My Mother cried. She took her satisfied hand to mine as she led me towards a small, spiral staircase. Basil frantically ran up the staircase, and I heard a piercing bang onto what I assumed to be my new bedroom door. I squeezed my mothers hand tightly, and with one hand clasped tightly on the rough banister, made my way up the staircase. I got to the top and removed my cramped, cushioned trainers, to feel the brush of the smooth cotton carpet underneath my perspiring feet. Your room is just down the corridor Emily, Get some sleep; you have a big day tomorrow. Ill get you to your bed. She guided me down the corridor and helped me undress in my room. I put my nightdress on, placed my guide stick on my window sill and climbed into my bed. Night darling, sweet dreams, My mother murmured through my door, closing it behind her. I tilted my head back onto the pillow, and closed my distorted eyes for the last time. I felt Basil jump onto my legs, and settle calmly. CHAPTER 2 I woke, opening my eyes languidly, only to feel the heavy blow and foul stench of Basils breath against my face. I called for my mother. Im awake! I shouted emphatically down out of my door, and down the wooden staircase. Moments passed. Finally I heard my Mother, hastily pacing the length of the corridor leading to my bedroom. Morning Emily, She called. What times my appointment mum? I replied, as I heard her unzip my suitcase. In two hours darling, so Ill get you dressed, we can have some breakfast and well get going, ok? She replied, exultant in her refrain. I pushed Basil from my bed, and retrieved my walking cane from the window sill. My mother dressed me, and took me to the kitchen. I managed to make it there successfully without bumping into anything, I felt somewhat at ease, knowing that these could be my last moments without vision. Cornflakes? My Father questioned, grumpily. He wasnt a morning person, always stubborn and cantankerous when tired. Ok. I replied, simply. I heard my mother sip the last of her tea and leave the room. Moments later she came back in rattling her keys. Come on then Emily, She called; placing her hand on my arm. I took one last mouthful and dropped my spoon into the milky bowl, and picking up my cane I stood up, rigidly from my seat. Out of the door she guided me, as the potent smell of lavender and fresh grass filled my sinuses. I thought to myself, if only I could witness the beauty of which I already understood so well. We got into the car, and drove off into the horizon. A flutter of adrenaline rushed through me as I pondered on what was to come. The car finally grinded to a halt. I opened my door and felt the touch of my Mothers calming hand upon my skin. We walked. Nearly there Emily, once we get in, well be able to see the doctor, Dr.Burkala. My mother assured me. We stood stationary for a split second, before I heard quiet mechanical doors open violently. We made our way through, and with my cane I felt a few chairs to the left of me, and a large wooden desk to the front of me. Name? The female receptionist asked politely. Emily, Emily Stanford, here for her eye implants. My Mother replied, somewhat assertively. Ok, would you like to go through the corridor, and its the second door on your left, Dr.Burkala will be waiting for you. The kind voice directed. My mother helped me through a sea of chairs and through yet another automatic door. Down the corridor we paced, by this point my heart hummed fiercely, and pounded loudly as a brash battle drum would. I felt my mother stop, and her tight grip loosen, as she opened the door before me, and guided me through gently. Afternoon, take a seat. The doctor stated, in his foreign Asian accent. I shuffled my stick around the cold, laminate flooring, to find the hollow teak legs of what, when I perched myself upon it, I found to be a gloriously quilted, chez-long sofa. I sat comfortable and nervously upon the sofa, waiting for the silence to be pierced. Ok Emily, I trust your Mother has told you of the events to come? The doctor enquired, I took a moment to comprehend and understand what he said, and replied in an eager and patience less tone. Yes, I know everything, I just want vision, Dr.Burkala paused for a moment. I heard the rustle of sheets of paper and eventually he stopped, and read the following aloud: The eyes you will be receiving during this operation are those of your sisters, who with the consent of your mother and father offered herself and her body to the cause of scientific research. Success is not always assured during these operations, and your health is not of our liability, before, during or after the procedure Your mother will have to sign this on your behalf, and we can crack on with the operation. The doctor cosily told me. Here, here, and here. The doctor told my mother, passing her a pen. I heard the pen gliding across the paper, and with each swoop I felt nearer to vision my dream. My Mother was silent, obviously recounting the hazy events of Sophies death, I heard her sniffle, and the pen scratch the paper for the third time. Ok Emily, Ill bring the nurse through and shell help you onto the bed, and well get going. The doctor told me, as I heard the door behind me swing open, and felt the nurse lift me from my chair. She walked me six paces to my left; I heard the curtain rain clank behind me, she helped me into my robe, and laid me down onto the smooth bed. For a while, I lay there thinking. Thinking of the sister I never knew, the sister I now loved unconditionally for the gift she was unconsciously bestowing upon me Sight. Out of the door in which I came and down a long, winding corridor. I felt a heavy jolt through the operating theatre doors, and we halted. My mouth dry, and my hands, drenched in sweat, I lay nervously in anxiety and elation of what was to come. This will only prick for a second, Emily. The tender nurse explained, as she punctured a needle through my moist skin. Youll start to feel dizzy, and then youll be off to sleep, youll be able to see after all of this, Emily. Butterflies filled my stomach, as I felt a surge of numbness creep up my arm. CHAPTER 3 I awoke, with my Mothers vernal hand clenched tightly upon my own. It was still dark. I felt my heart in my throat as I drew my hand to my face to feel a light, cotton bandage ravelled around my eyes. I felt a hand, the hand of Dr.Burkalas gliding up through my hair, and onto the bandage. He rolled the bandage off of my head, and with each circular motion I felt an ominous glow seep through the . It was off; a massive array of light bombarded my eyes. I blinked heavily, to see the tearful face of my Mother before me. Beauty was merely elementary to what I saw before me. The room, the doctor, myself. I looked now, down upon my turquoise robe, and pulled my feeble, pale white hands into my wonderful line of sight. I looked over to my mothers beautiful face. Thank you, Thank you so much! I cried, as I felt a cool, salty tear drop down my cheek. Exhausted, I laid my head back onto the white, cotton pillow and took a calm moment to reflect upon this gift, bestowed upon me. Before I knew it, I was sat, comfortably, in my Mothers car, waiting anxiously to gaze upon the house described to me so beautifully well. Your father said hell give you a tour of the village; when you get in. He knows the area well, he used to live there yknow. My mother spoke, happily. I looked over to her, slouched elegantly in her long, white, frilled linen dress; with her hands, perched gently upon the leather coated steering wheel. I glued my face to the window, gazing readily out, and admired the scenery, the landscape, the artistry. It was only now that I fully recognised the beautiful pure nature of nature itself. I saw before me, winding valleys, scattered leaves and elegantly dancing trees. The car eventually pulled up beside our house. I withdrew myself confidently from the passengers seat, to see a rather large, slim faced and bearded man with dark long hair casually dressed staring gleefully towards me, on the porch balcony. I knew it was my dad. I sprinted into his arms, repeating joyously; I can see Dad! I can really see! I know dear, I know. So how about that tour youve so patiently waited for, aye? My father squeezed me tightly in his arms. First, I want to see our garden! I heartily replied. Alone, I made my way through the house and into the garden. I stood at the back door, astonished. Flowers blossomed with unimaginable colour, trees danced in the wind, and grass grew lushly upon the stretch of land before me. Though, beautiful as it was, it laid barren. Apart from a large, empty stable barn to the back of the garden, I could only just make it out through the vast leaves of the trees scattered before it. I started making my way towards it in curiosity. CHAPTER 4 Emily! My Father cried from within the house. Come on, you dont want to be late, the sweet store will be shut! I pulled my eyes from the barn and made my way back through to the front of the house. He took me by the hand, and led me down the path into the village square. We went, hand in hand around the village square. Through sneaky alleyways, and over dew sparkling meadows, until we came to a halt close to the edge of town. We stood upon a large field; facing toward a small, aphetic shack, and to the left of us sat a grand, weary graveyard. The grass seemed to become browner, and darker, the closer the shack it came, and a shroud of dense, polluted fog organised itself in an almost human spectrum surrounding the shack. I could just make out, through my primarily squinted eyes; the figure of an old and frail woman standing inanimately on her door step, facing into the dark cosmos. My father turned towards me, perch on one knee and, as though he was whispering, told me. That there, what you see before you, is the house belonging to the witch-doctor. Possessed by an anti-ageing divine spirit; she is able to utilize godly powers. She specialises in devil worshipping and otherworldly experiences. Promise me; promise me Emily, you will never go near that house, promise me I glanced over to the house once more, pulling my eyes from my fathers. Ok dad. I sighed. He pulled himself from the ground and we continued in the opposite direction toward the graveyard. Time to meet your sister, My father said, almost artificially. Really? I cried, once again gripping tightly my fathers hand. He didnt reply, he only walked me towards the graveyard, surrounded magnificently by large aesculus trees, and neatly arranged, small potted plants. My Father creaked the gate open, and led me through the winding graves, onto a small plot of land. The land had upon it a moderately sized, gravestone reading: In memory of Sophie Chelvase. Who was murdered age seven, upon this very Texas plain. Loved, and never forgotten. I knelt upon the grass before me and felt my eyes swell with tears for a sister I never knew. How? I cried; looking up at my Father. He simply placed his hand upon my shoulder, and looked towards the grave. I burst into tears, and fell into my Fathers arms, mortified by the thought of what Sophie had experienced. Come on dear, lets go. I Father sympathetically muttered. He grabbed my hand tightly and lead me back through the graveyard, and back through the wooden slatted gate. We walked solemnly into the town centre, where my Fathers mood quickly changed. We stopped outside a terraced, thatched cottage general store, surrounded by pretty potted roses. Now, lets try the sweets, aye? My dad suggested, with a brimming smile on his face. He slowly walked me in. All around me I paid witness to mountains upon mountains of sugary treats, all around me, lay colours of which I never imagined possible. My Father ran gleefully straight to the counter, where awaited a young, almost teenage woman: Waiting to fulfil my Fathers elementary wishes. My father dug his hand deep into his suede pocket, to reveal a fifty dollar bill, slammed it down upon the table, and told the shocked woman behind the counter; Thirty dollars, of anything, and twenty of whatever it is my daughter wants. I was still stood speechless on the entrance mat, gasping in astonishment. I made my way to the counter, looked high above the woman, and pointed. Those, I cried, pointing toward a large box of strawberry cables on the top shelf. She gathered our sweets while my father stood, fidgeting, awaiting the sweets hed splashed out for so willingly. Finally, after frantically collecting and weighing various sugary treats, she handed us a huge bag, filled to the brim. We made our way home, a different way to the way we came, scoffing hastily the sweets we had just purchased. For the third time I found myself making my way up the beautiful pathway to my old, rustic home. To bed now, Emily My Father, intoxicatingly said. I tutted. Ok. I bluntly replied, as I made my way up the stairs and into my bed, already half filled by Basil. I undressed myself, for the first time and got myself into bed. I knelt upon my bed, and gazed through my misty window. Thoughts filled my mind, of my sister, and her death, I felt an urge to wander back to her grave, an almost alien urge. I blinked heavily, trying to remove the urge from myself. I wondered, a feeling of curiosity consumed me. I pulled myself from the window, and forced my eyelids shut, and with that, drifted willingly off into the darkness. CHAPTER 5 I felt a hand grip my throat, I shook, and I ran. Along a meadow I sprinted with intent away from my home Pointless. You little slut! The young man screamed. I felt my body pulling itself away, but to where? Too late. I felt the pull of my blouse from my body. He slapped me, and dragged me fiercely back, into a small, isolated barn. He slapped me again. I cried. You will learn! He shouted again, ripping my top from me, revealing my shivering flesh. I felt his hands rummage up my stomach and onto my breasts. I screamed in discontent, and tried to fall to my knees. He pulled my skirt from me and violated me. I shook, and shook, in a desperate attempt to break free. There was no use. Yet another clenched fist threw itself at my body, I vomited, as I felt a foreign object penetrate me. He pulled my feeble hands to himself and tied them, then the other end to the roof. I hung. I hung by my hands from the ceiling, two feet from the floor; as I felt this animal brutalize me. He stopped. Silence. I hung, loosely. Until I felt the sharp sting of a blade slice my windpipe. I tried to scream, only to conjure blood from my inners. Nothing more. I felt my mothers caring hands grasping my arms, and shaking me gently. I opened my fluttering eyes, to see a tear drop cascaded down my mothers face. You were shaking, My Mother cried. A horrible, horrible nightmare, I replied. Almost real. My Mother clasped me tightly to her bosom, I explained my dreamful ordeal to my mother. Its o.k. dear, go back to sleep. It was just a dream. my dad was staring, bewildered from my door. I fell back into my pillow, and felt my mothers hand caress my hair, as I fell back to sleep. I slowly drifted back into reality, and was more alert than ever before. The door was still purged open, hanging slightly off its hinges from the night previous; from when my Father answered my unconscious screams of displeasure. I jumped from my bed, and opened the linen drapes, to be blinded by a stream of sunlight streaming through my window, I blinked heavily, and walked slowly towards my wardrobe, opening it to reveal a huge array of colourful, and pretty garments. I scanned the contents heartily, to find a small, pink dress from the far left of the wardrobe. I removed it and dressed myself. My mind still focused on what I referred to as my dream, I couldnt help but be tempted to visit Sophies grave yet again, and I had a slight feeling that my dreams bear some resemblance to her. What if she was in fact the girl in my dream, what if that was how she was murdered? I slumped back onto my bed, bearing the thoughts of Sophies death, it couldnt be true. I had to find out for myself. I made my way confidently down the corridor towards the oaken spiral staircase, I heard whispers from the kitchen below me as I made my way down, I heard my name being mentioned occasionally as I made my way toward the kitchen, and as I pushed the door to, the room momentarily fell silent. Morning Emily, how are you feeling? my Father said as the silence was broken. Anxious, I bluntly replied. How was it you said Sophie died? I demanded, as I made my way over to an invited bowl of sugared porridge. I sat down on the opposite end of the table of my Father, peering along it towards him and my Mother; I felt the sun warming my neck through the window behind me. Emily, you know youre Fath- My Mother was interrupted. It doesnt concern you! My Father aggressively shouted, staring directly towards me. My Father seemed slightly taken aback by my questioning and stern in his refrain. I slumped back into my bowl of porridge. CHAPTER 6 A figure of a long black haired man appeared before me, holding a knife towards me. I blinked to find myself back in my kitchen, staring down at my empty bowl. I gasped, I darent say anything to my parents, instead I made my way toward the sink, placed my bowl effortlessly beside the draining board and walked out of the kitchen. Where are you going? My Mother pleaded as I stepped through the archway. To clear my head I falsely pleaded in return, knowing fully I was going back to Sophies grave. Dont be long She cried, as I pulled my shoes over my cotton socks. As I shut the door behind myself I sprinted through the warm humid haze and through the town centre, I knew the way, I couldnt forget it. As I ran my mind filled itself of thoughts, impossible thoughts; why wouldnt my Father tell me? What was he hiding from me? I had to find out, I would find out. I found myself once again standing through the narrow under path gazing upon warm, dew glazed field, I glimpsed toward the witch doctors shack as a thought became me: Maybe she could help me? By this point I cared little of what my Father expected of me. I peered closer and closer towards the darkened shack, I saw her; still standing almost thoughtlessly out of the door of her shack. My quickened pace shortly became a sprint as I endeavoured fully to reach the house, I finally came within the dingy cloud surrounding the shack, and turned to look behind me, then back again. The old lady was gone. The door was closed and there was no sign of life with in the small house. I slowly walked towards the door and raised my hand to knock gently upon it I felt a hand upon my shoulder, and as I turned to look it was the hand of a frail, old woman dressed almost elegantly in purple robes and petite ribbons. I looked up towards her face, to see that frighteningly, she had no eyes. I darent say a word of it.The skin on the face staring towards me sagged motionless, almost dead, and as she pulled her chapped, slim lips apart to speak I gasped I-I-Im sor- It is o.k She replied in a tender, caring voice, fitting that of a princess. I sense you need my help? She enquired, taking her hand from my shoulder and placing it by her side. Well. Its my sister, Sophie Sophie, we share the same name. The woman replied, facing towards me, staring at me from her empty eye sockets. Sophie Chelvase. I told her. Chelvase?! The woman interrupted, the girl murdered not far from this very plain? She is dead The woman interrupted. On this very plain? I replied, anxiously. At the back of a young mans house, her Fathers old house, your Father? She asked. Yes, that makes perfect sense, he used to live here. In that house, hes home now. I replied. But where? Where exactly did it happen, I dream of my sisters death, have flashbacks, I see her being raped, I feel her. The old lady gasped, and turned away from me, looking over the field and towards the graveyard. I am weak, She said. I can take you to the barn in which she was killed, but not much further, you will find more there, maybe envision her killer. She turned back towards me and placed took my hand in hers. For I am but a ghost, trapped within this realm of mortals, I too was killed as a young girl She solemnly told me. I chose to walk this earth as a soul, protecting the innocent. I cant usually talk to the mortals, but you, youre different. I feel a bond to you. She placed a stone into her palm and placed my fingers onto it. You will soon know your sister, I can sense it. Only in death do things seem clear. CHAPTER 7 Close your eyes I felt a spiral of winds churning me, and found myself in a small barn, filled with hay, and ropes. An awful aroma of excrement filled the barn. I must go I heard. As I turned to see the woman, a cloud of white, fluffy smoke stood in her place. I saw her go, but still felt a presence in the room, I ran to the large oak door at the front of the barn. I pushed it open to reveal a glimpse of my garden; I went to walk through the door but felt a hand pull me back by my blouse. I saw the figure of the killer in my dream before me, I blinked, to see the figure of my Father standing before me. NO! I screamed, as he pushed me to the ground. I scuttled backwards on my backside. I knew youd find out, one day. He shuddered, twitching his neck and revealing from behind him a small, sharpened axe. You will share her fate The figure told me. Walking towards me slowly. He grabbed me by the throat; I straggled, and broke free. I ran screaming towards the house. I made it inside, and sprinted into the front room, where my mother was sat knitting. What ever is wrong? She cried, placing down her yarn. I watched out of the back window, my father walking in through the back door, still holding the blade. Its dad! He killed Sophie! Hes trying to kill me! I screamed, in complete disgust. Oh its ok dear, come here. My Mother held out her arms and pulled me in tight towards her bosom, still sat on the sofa. I heard my Fathers footsteps as he walked into the room. I tried to break free of my Mothers arms, but she held on tight. I struggle for freedom. I felt the axe penetrate deep into my back. As I regurgitated blood from my inners I felt my Mother push her fingers deep into my eye sockets, I watched my body fall limp to the floor. As my parents lifted it and left the room with it, I kept screaming, I watched my own body being mutilated, but felt no pain. I felt if anything, solemn. I embrace the moment, devastated, yet calm. And with that, I walked slowly toward the door, to where my parents took my body. I floated to the door, and before I could leave, a bright white cloud appeared before me. It vanished, to reveal the old lady with no eyes from before. She began to change, and within seconds, before me, appeared a young lady before me. Hello She said, in the same voice as the old ladys. Its me, your sister.

A Look into Euthanasia essays

A Look into Euthanasia essays Wouldnt it be nice to die peacefully and not suffer? Its bad enough to die, but to go through a lot of pain before dying would just be miserable. Euthanasia, or mercy killing, is the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals, human or animal, in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy. Euthanasia helps ease the pain of the hopelessly suffering. Pain, doesnt that send shivers down your spine when you think of what it causes. Does it make you feel sorry for someone lying there on their death bed suffering? How does it make you feel when they ask you to just let them die? Dont you wish you could ease their suffering a different way? What about someone who has no hope of living, and theyre lying there unable to speak because theyre in so much pain? I know it breaks my heart to see anything in pain. I wish there was no pain in this world, but there is. There are different ways to cope with pain. Some people take medicine, some just say its all in their head and if they dont think about it then it doesnt bother them. What about all those people lying in their death beds suffering? Yeah medicine is keeping them alive, but is that any way to live. All they do is lie there, not being able to move. I know I wouldnt want to live like that, I would want to die. Is it murder when a dying patient willingly asks you to take their life? To some people it is, but the law states that doctors could withdraw treatment from terminally ill patients so long as the patient is willing The Right to Die. What about someone who cant say that they wish to die? The law states that when a patient cannot consent to withdraw treatment, then the family has the right to make the decision The Right to Die. Diane Collinson states that: ...

Eusociality in a mammal (naked mole-rats) Research Paper

Eusociality in a mammal (naked mole-rats) - Research Paper Example Considering the three features of eusociality described above, naked mole-rats are the only eusocial mammals that we have ever known. Known taxonomically as Heterocephalus glaber, and belonging to group Rodentia of family Bathyergidae, the naked mole-rats are generally found in the hot, semiarid regions of Africa. They usually live in large colonies present underground in subterranean tunnels (Ciszek) where on average 75 mole-rats live in each colony. Only one female mole-rat reproduces by breeding with a few males of the community, while the rest of the males and females form the labor force which perform tasks like maintenance of colonies, nest building, transportation of soil, and defense. The workers keep busy in construction and provision of food. Being sterile, they do not have a direct offspring but work cooperatively together to look after the offspring of the queen. However, as Ciszek states in his research, these workers are not â€Å"obligatory sterile†, meaning tha t they are capable of reproducing but when they have to live in colonies, they are not supposed to breed. But, if they are separated from their colonies, then they are able to actively reproduce. This is the concept of inclusive fitness (Hamilton 1; Axelrod and Hamilton 1390) according to which an individual is fit for reproduction even if he/she does not have a direct offspring. This is the sharing of genes and the overall fitness is measured by also including the fitness of those who just share the genes even if they have not bred. Thus, the trouble that how the worker mole-rats are able to transmit their genes to the next generation if they are sterile, is solved through the concept of inclusive fitness according to which if the worker mole-rats share genes with their mother queen, then they are able to assist her in raising future queens thus enabling the workers to transmit their genes. This assistance is a special feature of eusociality. Hence, we see close inbreeding in these mole-rats since there is high genetic similarity (Faulkes, Abbott and Mellor). This close inbreeding eliminates the chances of out-breeding in mole-rats which increases their relatedness to the queen’s offspring. This close genetic relatedness maximizes the workers’ potential to do more work. Jarvis (571) talks about frequent workers, infrequent workers, and non-workers. Frequent workers are those who are assigned the responsibilities of digging the soil, construction, maintenance, and food provision. They make trips inside the colonies with food without taking pauses to eat themselves. Infrequent workers assist the frequent workers in work and make half the amount of effort frequent workers make. It is interesting that Jarvis found that the largest proportion of mole-rats is that of non-workers and that their roles are not clearly identified (571). He claims that the male members of these non-workers mate with the breeding female. He studied that since most of these non-workers are most of the time sleeping, thus the overall energy requirement for the colony is reduced. Their main role, he guesses, is the assistance in the brought up of the offspring. Jarvin further affirms that female mole rats of all these categories are non-breeding and will never reproduce.

Conversations with History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Conversations with History - Essay Example In large part Scheuer identifies these elements as a sort of religious awakening that occurred in Suni Islam after the Afghanistan war with Russia in the late 1970s. In believing that America was Bin Laden’s creator, Scheuer argues that the United States is doing itself a disservice, as Bin Laden transcends such easy categorization and has taken on a sort of mythic Robin Hood like status within the Arab world. Scheueur’s comments are interesting, but one wonders a number of questions related to them. For instance, what is the reason behind Bin Laden vengeance against the West? In some regards, one wonders if Scheuer is merely giving the listener the company line and shifting blame for Bin Laden’s creation to obscure political and Middle Eastern elements. 2. Remark Critique One remark Michel Scheuer makes concerns the nature of intelligence information. Scheuer had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and because of his affiliation with this organization has a unique insight into a number of policy and information elements related to their operations. The remarks Scheueur made concerns the nature of gathering intelligence.

Ocean of information Essay Example for Free

Ocean of information Essay Information seeking skills are needed whenever there is a search for new information. With the advent of the internet there is suddenly a lot of information available at the click of a mouse and yet, one needs to have some knowledge and skills to obtain the relevant information from the vast ocean of information on the internet. When it comes to searching on the internet, there are many search tools available: search engines, subject directories / virtual libraries, invisible (deep) web databases, Meta search engines, etc (Barker, 2007). Search engines such as Googleâ„ ¢, AlltheWeb, MSN, Teoma, AltaVista and Wisent provide specific information (Bazac, 2006). Metasearch engines such as ez2Find, Division, Info Grid, Info NetWare, boogie, etc can be used when searching for a unique search term, or in-depth information on a particular subject (Bazac, 2006). Web directories such as Googleâ„ ¢ Directory, Open Directory Project (ODP), Yahoo! Zeal, JoeAnt and Gimpsy provide general information on popular topics, and scholarly information is best got from virtual libraries such as Librarians Index to the Internet, INFOMINE, and Internet Public Library (Bazac, 2006). Real time information is best obtained through deep web which are specialized databases (MU, 2007). Examples of excellent invisible web databases are Profusion, Invisible-web. net, Complete Planet, Resource Discovery Network and direct search (Moore, 2007). Robert Muldrow Cooper Library, attached to the Clemson University, is known for its automated information retrieval system, the Clemson facilities (CU, 2007). Numerous periodical indexes are housed on-line and available for automated searching. The collections deal mainly with agriculture, natural and physical sciences, economics and technology. Many of the databases that include full text of many articles are available for access through the internet. There are many links to web indexes, search engines, and tips on searching and evaluating sources (CU, 2007). The essential steps in an internet-based search strategy are having a focus, identifying and understanding the key concepts of the topic, finding alternative terms for these concepts and identifying the place for searching and this includes synonyms, plural/singular forms, spelling variations, variations of root words and acronyms (MU, 2007). If the initial information is too little or too much, the search terms should be modified. A search may be broadened by any of the following steps: reducing the number of concepts, using an OR search, looking for alternative terms, using more general search terms, using subject headings as search terms or using alternate spellings. On the other hand, a search may be narrowed by using an AND or NOT search, looking for more specific alternative terms, using subject headings as search terms, or using more precise terms (MU, 2007). Journal websites that can provide full text articles for nursing students and professionals include NursingCenter, Medscape, Hardin MD and Online Journals (Research Medical Library). CINAHL sources provide links to websites of interest to various journals of interest to nursing and allied professions (CINAHL, 2007). CINAHL stands for Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Other important websites for nursing information include Medscape, Toxline and AIDSLINE, Journal of Nursing Management, NursingCenter, and The American Journal of Nursing (AJN). The AJN site allows one to find articles from more than 50 trusted nursing journals, including AJN and Nursing2007. Registration is free (AJN, 2007). Thus, the internet is a treasure trove of information for the searcher with the right set of searching skills. Bibliography: CINAHL (2007). http://www. cinahl. com/csources/csources. htm Barker, Joe (2007). Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial. http://www. lib. berkeley. edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo. html MU (Monash University) (2007). Library Online Tutorials. http://www.monash.edu/library

The Mayans of Mesoamerica Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Mayans of Mesoamerica   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The ancient Mayans were a very well developed society with a very accurate calendar, skilled architects, artisans, extensive traders and hunters. They are known to have developed medicine and astronomy as well. All of this was developed while the Europeans were still in the Dark Ages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Their empire covered an area of roughly 400,000 to 500,000 square kilometers. This area included the present day countries of Belize, Guatemala, western Honduras and El Salvador, and also southern portions of Mexico. These lands have a very diverse terrain, from the mountainous highlands to the tropical lowlands. The wide range of geographical features meant that the Mayans food sources varied depending on their location.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Mayan hunters pursued large game like jaguars, wild boars, and snow leopards as well as small game like hares, rabbits, and squirrels. The three animals that seem to be the most prevalent in Mayan writings are the deer, iguana, and the quetzal bird. This has led archeologists to believe that these animals must have been more than just a food source. It is believed that the quetzal bird was not killed but only captured. While it was captured, they would pluck the feathers from it because they were considered very valuable. The Maya viewed hunting as more than just a food source, similar to the other native peoples we have studied. They had certain rituals t...

Warning: This Is a Rights-Free Workplace

The article states about the economic factor in America. It sensitizes on the justice the workers in America should be given. The article talks about how the workers in America are treated with injustice. This is shown well when the article starts by, â€Å"If the laws of economics were enforced as strictly as the laws of physics, America would be a workers' paradise. † Visit the article in this link: http://www. barbaraehrenreich. com/workersrights. htm. Employee Rights in the Workplace The idea of employee rights involves many complex issues.An employee’s right to a workplace free of discrimination and harmful environmental factors is obvious. Yet, other issues surrounding privacy, personal expression, and communication monitoring are not as clear-cut. While employees may feel that they have the right to express their opinions and use business communications while working, not only may they be fooling themselves but they are acting in a way that is unethical. While bu sinesses do not have the right to control employee behaviors outside of the workplace, they do have the right to monitor and control communications and employee actions during paid time.As such, employees have the right to reasonable expectations in terms of communication, yet cannot (within limits) ethically demand a right to privacy, private communication, or personal expression while they are utilizing business property or on business time. Workplace privacy has been a hot issue in the last decade, as more and more workplaces incorporate email and Internet-use into the office environment. Many employees now use email and the Internet daily, not to mention the telephone (Nord, McCubbins, & Nord, 2006).With high volumes of communicatio employee privacy rights in the workplace Introduction Often the issues regarding privacy rights in the workplace focuses on employee rights to privacy in the workplace . Most advocacies support employee rights and criticize the efforts of companies t o monitor employees . However , despite the importance to protect every employee ‘s privacy , there should be a realization that Whether or not privacy is protected by law or contract , fostering a workplace culture where privacy is valued and espected contributes to morale and mutual trust and makes good business sense . Thus , privacy is not limited to rights but also entails employees ‘ responsibility to ensure that it is never abused and is not to the determent of the company ( Privacy in the Workplace , 2005 Challenges for Employers Employers have the right and responsibility to monitor their place of business to protect themselves and their employees from invasion . The irony is that this can only be possible if an employer is able to monitor communications and exchanges .Therefore , for a company to be able to afford the protection that employees need , they must surrender in trust their privacy to the company As much as a company should not invade the rights of i ts employees , it has the equal responsibility of ensuring that its privacy and that of its employees are not divulged or used in any personal intent by other employees . According to Nyman (2005 , more companies are being held accountable by employees whose privacy was compromised in the workplace because of what is seen as a lack in its measures to ensure their privacy .Therefore , if employers are being held accountable for such situations , Nyman believes that they should be given enough power to protect themselves from such liabilities An example given by Nyman is the case between Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA ) and Integrated Information Systems (IIS The allegation was that the latter allowed its employees to infringe the copyrights of MP3 s that the employees shared over the company ‘s networks . The settlement of the suit with RIAA cost IIS a million dollars .Aside from the settlement , the company also faced a public relations issue regarding the all eged sharing : IIS main service is electronic transmission of copyrighted material It would be safe to assume that the employees were aware of the issues regarding sharing and despite the IIS did not allow for the behavior , the fact that it did occur cast liability over the company The issue is not so much as an issue of whether the company was responsible for the sharing of the s but rather that it happened over its network Security RealitiesTechnology has afforded the transfer of a significant amount of information over the wires and with that has increased the risk that not just sensitive data or even whole databases and programs can easily be transferred in that manner . At the same time , other technologies in imaging have also increased the channels by which a person ‘s privacy can be compromised . From the perspective of employees , this has allowed for†¦If the laws of economics were enforced as strictly as the laws of physics, America would be a workers' paradise . The supply of most kinds of labor is low, relative to the demand, so each worker should be treated as a cherished asset, right? But there have been only grudging gains in wages over the last few years, and in the realm of dignity and autonomy, a palpable decline.What we need is nothing less than a new civil rights movement — this time, for American workers. Who will provide the leadership remains to be seen, but clearly the stakes go way beyond â€Å"labor issues,† as these are conventionally defined. We can hardly call ourselves the world's pre-eminent democracy if large numbers of citizens spend half of their waking hours in what amounts, in plain terms, to a dictatorship.