Saturday, January 25, 2020

The Jesuits Essay -- essays research papers

The Jesuits missionaries in America faced many problems, one in particular dealt with relations between the missionaries and the Natives. The letter deals with the treatment of prisoners after a brief military engagement and in addition, attempts by the Jesuits to convert the captured Iroquois. The treatment of the prisoners seems benevolent, compared to the past modus operandi used by the Church to hasten conversion. Furthermore, the letter exemplifies the hypocrisy of the missionaries after the prisoners, willingly, convert. This letter is a perfect of the Counter Reformation, and Church's attempt to expend its areas of influence as well as to "save" more souls from the Devil. Furthermore, the content of the letter can be easily proven to be bias towards the Iroquois in order to promote Catholicism. This letter, being one of many, is a part of the Counter-Reformation and serves as propaganda for the Catholic Church. The author of the "Relations" letters, Jerome Lalemant, tells of a victory over the Iroquois. The first paragraph describes how the Algonquins, allies of the French, easily defeat the Iroquois without a single loss of their own. Immediately, the letter seems to embellish the victory of the Algonquins. The Iroquois were one of the most powerful tribes in the French America, possessing a large army of veteran, gun armed, warriors. In fact by 1675, the Iroquois had wiped out or absorbed four tribes, and destroyed most of the Huron country (Eccles, 138). Do to the strength of the Iroquois, it seems unlikely that the Algonquins would have been able to defeat the Iroquois, without inquiring a single loss of their own. In the second paragraph, the Jesuit priest describes the treatment of the captured foe. The author acknowledges that the first action that the Algonquins take, however, is to ".return thanks to Heaven." The meaning of that can be interpreted in two ways. The first, is that the Algonquins are going to thank their native Gods. However, since this letter is being written to the Vicar General in France and the Papacy in the Vatican, however, it seems unlikely that Jerome would discuss native offerings. The second interpretation can be that the Algonquins have infact converted to Catholicism. Jerome continues with his observation of the treatment of the captives, by noting that they are not tortured. .instea... ...er Helene to meet their death with firmness in the possession of the Faith. This letter seems to be more of propaganda than a report. Infact, the mission reports, "Relations Letters", were sent to the Propaganda, the Roman Congregation overseeing all missionary activity. It seems ironic the name of the Congregation, that received letters from around the world from their missionaries would be called Propaganda. Furthermore, the letter was published, and in the interest of spreading Catholic sentiments during the Counter-Reformation, however, for that reason the letters were reviewed in Paris and were edited. In conclusion, it seems that Father Jerome Lalemant seems to present ironic situations, most likely in order to please the Vicar General as well as the Propaganda Council. Some of the actions and relations seem embellished and exaggerated. Although the letter contains certain uncertainties, however, the letter does provide a case study of the relations between the European and native "governments", relations between native tribes, attempt at pro-Catholic propaganda, and the affects the Counter-Reformation had on religious policies towards the New World.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 10. SCENT

IT WAS ALL VERY CHILDISH. WHY ON EARTH SHOULD EDward have to leave for Jacob to come over? Weren't we past this kind of immaturity? â€Å"It's not that I feel any personal antagonism toward him, Bella, it's just easier for both of us,† Edward told me at the door. â€Å"I won't be far away. You'll be safe.† â€Å"I'm not worried about that.† He smiled, and then a sly look came into his eye. He pulled me close, burying his face in my hair. I could feel his cool breath saturate the strands as he exhaled; it raised goose bumps on my neck. â€Å"I'll be right back,† he said, and then he laughed aloud as if I'd just told a good joke. â€Å"What's so funny?† But Edward just grinned and loped off toward the trees without answering. Grumbling to myself, I went to clean up the kitchen. Before I even had the sink full of water, the doorbell rang. It was hard to get used to how much faster Jacob was without his car. How everyone seemed to be so much faster than me. . . . â€Å"Come in, Jake!† I shouted. I was concentrating on piling the dishes into the bubbly water, and I'd forgotten that Jacob moved like a ghost these days. So it made me jump when his voice was suddenly there behind me. â€Å"Should you really leave your door unlocked like that? Oh, sorry.† I'd slopped myself with the dishwater when he'd startled me. â€Å"I'm not worried about anyone who would be deterred by a locked door,† I said while I wiped the front of my shirt with a dishtowel. â€Å"Good point,† he agreed. I turned to look at him, eyeing him critically. â€Å"Is it really so impossible to wear clothes, Jacob?† I asked. Once again, Jacob was bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of old cut-off jeans. Secretly, I wondered if he was just so proud of his new muscles that he couldn't stand to cover them up. I had to admit, they were impressive – but I'd never thought of him as vain. â€Å"I mean, I know you don't get cold anymore, but still.† He ran a hand through his wet hair; it was falling in his eyes. â€Å"It's just easier,† he explained. â€Å"What's easier?† He smiled condescendingly. â€Å"It's enough of a pain to carry the shorts around with me, let alone a complete outfit. What do I look like, a pack mule?† I frowned. â€Å"What are you talking about, Jacob?† His expression was superior, like I was missing something obvious. â€Å"My clothes don't just pop in and out of existence when I change – I have to carry them with me while I run. Pardon me for keeping my burden light.† I changed color. â€Å"I guess I didn't think about that,† I muttered. He laughed and pointed to a black leather cord, thin as a strand of yarn, that was wound three times below his left calf like an anklet. I hadn't noticed before that his feet were bare, too. â€Å"That's more than just a fashion statement – it sucks to carry jeans in your mouth.† I didn't know what to say to that. He grinned. â€Å"Does my being half-naked bother you?† â€Å"No.† Jacob laughed again, and I turned my back on him to focus on the dishes. I hoped he realized my blush was left over from embarrassment at my own stupidity, and had nothing to do with his question. â€Å"Well, I suppose I should get to work.† He sighed. â€Å"I wouldn't want to give him an excuse to say I'm slacking on my side.† â€Å"Jacob, it's not your job -â€Å" He raised a hand to cut me off. â€Å"I'm working on a volunteer basis here. Now, where is the intruder's scent the worst?† â€Å"My bedroom, I think.† His eyes narrowed. He didn't like that any more than Edward had. â€Å"I'll just be a minute.† I methodically scrubbed the plate I was holding. The only sound was the brush's plastic bristles scraping round and round on the ceramic. I listened for something from above, a creak of the floorboard, the click of a door. There was nothing. I realized I'd been cleaning the same plate far longer than necessary, and I tried to pay attention to what I was doing. â€Å"Whew!† Jacob said, inches behind me, scaring me again. â€Å"Yeesh, Jake, cut that out!† â€Å"Sorry. Here -† Jacob took the towel and mopped up my new spill. â€Å"I'll make it up to you. You wash, I'll rinse and dry.† â€Å"Fine.† I gave him the plate. â€Å"Well, the scent was easy enough to catch. By the way, your room reeks.† â€Å"I'll buy some air freshener.† He laughed. I washed and he dried in companionable silence for a few minutes. â€Å"Can I ask you something?† I handed him another plate. â€Å"That depends on what you want to know.† â€Å"I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything – I'm honestly curious,† Jacob assured me. â€Å"Fine. Go ahead.† He paused for half a second. â€Å"What's it like – having a vampire for a boyfriend?† I rolled my eyes. â€Å"It's the best.† â€Å"I'm serious. The idea doesn't bother you – it never creeps you out?† â€Å"Never.† He was silent as he reached for the bowl in my hands. I peeked up at his face – he was frowning, his lower lip jutting out. â€Å"Anything else?† I asked. He wrinkled his nose again. â€Å"Well . . . I was wondering . . . do you . . . y'know, kiss him?† I laughed. â€Å"Yes.† He shuddered. â€Å"Ugh.† â€Å"To each her own,† I murmured. â€Å"You don't worry about the fangs?† I smacked his arm, splashing him with dishwater. â€Å"Shut up, Jacob! You know he doesn't have fangs!† â€Å"Close enough,† he muttered. I gritted my teeth and scrubbed a boning knife with more force than necessary. â€Å"Can I ask another one?† he asked softly when I passed the knife to him. â€Å"Just curious, again.† â€Å"Fine,† I snapped. He turned the knife over and over in his hands under the stream of water. When he spoke, it was only a whisper. â€Å"You said a few weeks. . . . When, exactly . . . ?† He couldn't finish. â€Å"Graduation,† I whispered back, watching his face warily. Would this set him off again? â€Å"So soon,† he breathed, his eyes closing. It didn't sound like a question. It sounded like a lament. The muscles in his arms tightened and his shoulders were stiff. â€Å"OW!† he shouted; it had gotten so still in the room that I jumped a foot in the air at his outburst. His right hand had curled into a tense fist around the blade of the knife – he unclenched his hand and the knife clattered onto the counter. Across his palm was a long, deep gash. The blood streamed down his fingers and dripped on the floor. â€Å"Damn it! Ouch!† he complained. My head spun and my stomach rolled. I clung to the countertop with one hand, took a deep breath through my mouth, and forced myself to get a grip so that I could take care of him. â€Å"Oh, no, Jacob! Oh, crap! Here, wrap this around it!† I shoved the dish towel at him, reaching for his hand. He shrugged away from me. â€Å"It's nothing, Bella, don't worry about it.† The room started to shimmer a little around the edges. I took another deep breath. â€Å"Don't worry?! You sliced your hand open!† He ignored the dish towel I pushed at him. He put his hand under the faucet and let the water wash over the wound. The water ran red. My head whirled. â€Å"Bella,† he said. I looked away from the wound, up to his face. He was frowning, but his expression was calm. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You look like you're going to pass out, and you're biting your lip off. Stop it. Relax. Breathe. I'm fine.† I inhaled through my mouth and removed my teeth from my lower lip. â€Å"Don't be brave.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Let's go. I'll drive you to the ER.† I was pretty sure I would be okay to drive. The walls were holding steady now, at least. â€Å"Not necessary.† Jake turned off the water and took the towel from my hand. He twisted it loosely around his palm. â€Å"Wait,† I protested. â€Å"Let me look at it.† I clutched the counter more firmly, to hold myself upright if the wound made me woozy again. â€Å"Do you have a medical degree that you never told me about?† â€Å"Just give me the chance to decide whether or not I'm going to throw a fit over taking you to the hospital.† He made a face of mock horror. â€Å"Please, not a fit!† â€Å"If you don't let me see your hand, a fit is guaranteed.† He inhaled deeply, and then let out a gusty sigh. â€Å"Fine.† He unwound the towel and, when I reached out to take the cloth, he laid his hand in mine. It took me a few seconds. I even flipped his hand over, though I was sure he'd cut his palm. I turned his hand back up, finally realizing that the angry pink, puckered line was all that was left of his wound. â€Å"But . . . you were bleeding . . . so much.† He pulled his hand back, his eyes steady and somber on mine. â€Å"I heal fast.† â€Å"I'll say,† I mouthed. I'd seen the long gash clearly, seen the blood that flowed into the sink. The rust-and-salt smell of it had almost pulled me under. It should have needed stitches. It should have taken days to scab over and then weeks to fade into the shiny pink scar that marked his skin now. He screwed his mouth up into half a smile and thumped his fist once against his chest. â€Å"Werewolf, remember?† His eyes held mine for an immeasurable moment. â€Å"Right,† I finally said. He laughed at my expression. â€Å"I told you this. You saw Paul's scar.† I shook my head to clear it. â€Å"It's a little different, seeing the action sequence firsthand.† I kneeled down and dug the bleach out of the cabinet under the sink. Then I poured some on a dusting rag and started scrubbing the floor. The burning scent of the bleach cleared the last of the dizziness from my head. â€Å"Let me clean up,† Jacob said. â€Å"I got this. Throw that towel in the wash, will you?† When I was sure the floor smelled of nothing but bleach, I got up and rinsed the right side of the sink with bleach, too. Then I went to the laundry closet beside the pantry, and poured a cupful into the washing machine before starting it. Jacob watched me with a disapproving look on his face. â€Å"Do you have obsessive-compulsive disorder?† he asked when I was done. Huh. Maybe. But at least I had a good excuse this time. â€Å"We're a bit sensitive to blood around here. I'm sure you can understand that.† â€Å"Oh.† He wrinkled his nose again. â€Å"Why not make it as easy as possible for him? What he's doing is hard enough.† â€Å"Sure, sure. Why not?† I pulled the plug, and let the dirty water drain from the sink. â€Å"Can I ask you something, Bella?† I sighed. â€Å"What's it like – having a werewolf for a best friend?† The question caught me off guard. I laughed out loud. â€Å"Does it creep you out?† he pressed before I could answer. â€Å"No. When the werewolf is being nice,† I qualified, â€Å"it's the best.† He grinned widely, his teeth bright against his russet skin. â€Å"Thanks, Bella,† he said, and then he grabbed my hand and wrenched me into one of his bone-crushing hugs. Before I had time to react, he dropped his arms and stepped away. â€Å"Ugh,† he said, his nose wrinkling. â€Å"Your hair stinks worse than your room.† â€Å"Sorry,† I muttered. I suddenly understood what Edward had been laughing about earlier, after breathing on me. â€Å"One of the many hazards of socializing with vampires,† Jacob said, shrugging. â€Å"It makes you smell bad. A minor hazard, comparatively.† I glared at him. â€Å"I only smell bad to you, Jake.† He grinned. â€Å"See you around, Bells.† â€Å"Are you leaving?† â€Å"He's waiting for me to go. I can hear him outside.† â€Å"Oh.† â€Å"I'll go out the back,† he said, and then he paused. â€Å"Hold up a sec – hey, do you think you can come to La Push tonight? We're having a bonfire party. Emily will be there, and you could meet Kim . . . And I know Quil wants to see you, too. He's pretty peeved that you found out before he did.† I grinned at that. I could just imagine how that would have irked Quil – Jacob's little human gal pal down with the werewolves while he was still clueless. And then I sighed. â€Å"Yeah, Jake, I don't know about that. See, it's a little tense right now. . . .† â€Å"C'mon, you think somebody's going to get past all – all six of us?† There was a strange pause as he stuttered over the end of his question. I wondered if he had trouble saying the word werewolf aloud, the way I often had difficulty with vampire. His big dark eyes were full of unashamed pleading. â€Å"I'll ask,† I said doubtfully. He made a noise in the back of his throat. â€Å"Is he your warden, now, too? You know, I saw this story on the news last week about controlling, abusive teenage relationships and -â€Å" â€Å"Okay!† I cut him off, and then shoved his arm. â€Å"Time for the werewolf to get out!† He grinned. â€Å"Bye, Bells. Be sure you ask permission.† He ducked out the back door before I could find something to throw at him. I growled incoherently at the empty room. Seconds after he was gone, Edward walked slowly into the kitchen, raindrops glistening like diamonds set into the bronze of his hair. His eyes were wary. â€Å"Did you two get into a fight?† he asked. â€Å"Edward!† I sang, throwing myself at him. â€Å"Hi, there.† He laughed and wrapped his arms around me. â€Å"Are you trying to distract me? It's working.† â€Å"No, I didn't fight with Jacob. Much. Why?† â€Å"I was just wondering why you stabbed him. Not that I object.† With his chin, he gestured to the knife on the counter. â€Å"Dang! I thought I got everything.† I pulled away from him and ran to put the knife in the sink before I doused it with bleach. â€Å"I didn't stab him,† I explained as I worked. â€Å"He forgot he had a knife in his hand.† Edward chuckled. â€Å"That's not nearly as fun as the way I imagined it.† â€Å"Be nice.† He took a big envelope from his jacket pocket and tossed it on the counter. â€Å"I got your mail.† â€Å"Anything good?† â€Å"I think so.† My eyes narrowed suspiciously at his tone. I went to investigate. He'd folded the legal-sized envelope in half. I smoothed it open, surprised at the weight of the expensive paper, and read the return address. â€Å"Dartmouth? Is this a joke?† â€Å"I'm sure it's an acceptance. It looks exactly like mine.† â€Å"Good grief, Edward – what did you do?† â€Å"I sent in your application, that's all.† â€Å"I may not be Dartmouth material, but I'm not stupid enough to believe that.† â€Å"Dartmouth seems to think that you're Dartmouth material.† I took a deep breath and counted slowly to ten. â€Å"That's very generous of them,† I finally said. â€Å"However, accepted or not, there is still the minor matter of tuition. I can't afford it, and I'm not letting you throw away enough money to buy yourself another sports car just so that I can pretend to go to Dartmouth next year.† â€Å"I don't need another sports car. And you don't have to pretend anything,† he murmured. â€Å"One year of college wouldn't kill you. Maybe you'd even like it. Just think about it, Bella. Imagine how excited Charlie and Rene would be. . . .† His velvet voice painted the picture in my head before I could block it. Of course Charlie would explode with pride – no one in the town of Forks would be able to escape the fallout from his excitement. And Rene would be hysterical with joy at my triumph – though she'd swear she wasn't at all surprised. . . . I tried to shake the image out of my head. â€Å"Edward. I'm worried about living through graduation, let alone this summer or next fall.† His arms wrapped around me again. â€Å"No one is going to hurt you. You have all the time in the world.† I sighed. â€Å"I'm mailing the contents of my bank account to Alaska tomorrow. It's all the alibi I need. It's far enough away that Charlie won't expect a visit until Christmas at the earliest. And I'm sure I'll think of some excuse by then. You know,† I teased halfheartedly, â€Å"this whole secrecy and deception thing is kind of a pain.† Edward's expression hardened. â€Å"It gets easier. After a few decades, everyone you know is dead. Problem solved.† I flinched. â€Å"Sorry, that was harsh.† I stared down at the big white envelope, not seeing it. â€Å"But still true.† â€Å"If I get this resolved, whatever it is we're dealing with, will you please consider waiting?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"Always so stubborn.† â€Å"Yep.† The washing machine thumped and stuttered to a halt. â€Å"Stupid piece of junk,† I muttered as I pulled away from him. I moved the one small towel that had unbalanced the otherwise empty machine, and started it again. â€Å"This reminds me,† I said. â€Å"Could you ask Alice what she did with my stuff when she cleaned my room? I can't find it anywhere.† He looked at me with confused eyes. â€Å"Alice cleaned your room?† â€Å"Yeah, I guess that's what she was doing. When she came to get my pajamas and pillow and stuff to hold me hostage.† I glowered at him briefly. â€Å"She picked up everything that was lying around, my shirts, my socks, and I don't know where she put them.† Edward continued to look confused for one short moment, and then, abruptly, he was rigid. â€Å"When did you notice your things were missing?† â€Å"When I got back from the fake slumber party. Why?† â€Å"I don't think Alice took anything. Not your clothes, or your pillow. The things that were taken, these were things you'd worn . . . and touched . . . and slept on?† â€Å"Yes. What is it, Edward?† His expression was strained. â€Å"Things with your scent.† â€Å"Oh!† We stared into each others eyes for a long moment. â€Å"My visitor,† I muttered. â€Å"He was gathering traces . . . evidence. To prove that he'd found you?† â€Å"Why?† I whispered. â€Å"I don't know. But, Bella, I swear I will find out. I will.† â€Å"I know you will,† I said, laying my head against his chest. Leaning there, I felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and glanced at the number. â€Å"Just the person I need to talk to,† he murmured, and then he flipped it open. â€Å"Carlisle, I -† He broke off and listened, his face taut with concentration for a few minutes. â€Å"I'll check it out. Listen . . .† He explained about my missing things, but from the side I was hearing, it sounded like Carlisle had no insights for us. â€Å"Maybe I'll go . . . ,† Edward said, trailing off as his eyes drifted toward me. â€Å"Maybe not. Don't let Emmett go alone, you know how he gets. At least ask Alice keep an eye on things. We'll figure this out later.† He snapped the phone shut. â€Å"Where's the paper?† he asked me. â€Å"Um, I'm not sure. Why?† â€Å"I need to see something. Did Charlie already throw it out?† â€Å"Maybe. . . .† Edward disappeared. He was back in half a second, new diamonds in his hair, a wet newspaper in his hands. He spread it out on the table, his eyes scanning quickly across the headlines. He leaned in, intent on something he was reading, one finger tracing passages that interested him most. â€Å"Carlisle's right . . . yes . . . very sloppy. Young and crazed? Or a death wish?† he muttered to himself. I went to peek over his shoulder. The headline of the Seattle Times read: â€Å"Murder Epidemic Continues – Police Have No New Leads.† It was almost the same story Charlie had been complaining about a few weeks ago – the big-city violence that was pushing Seattle up the national murder hot-spot list. It wasn't exactly the same story, though. The numbers were a lot higher. â€Å"It's getting worse,† I murmured. He frowned. â€Å"Altogether out of control. This can't be the work of just one newborn vampire. What's going on? It's as if they've never heard of the Volturi. Which is possible, I guess. No one has explained the rules to them . . . so who is creating them, then?† â€Å"The Volturi?† I repeated, shuddering. â€Å"This is exactly the kind of thing they routinely wipe out – immortals who threaten to expose us. They just cleaned up a mess like this a few years ago in Atlanta, and it hadn't gotten nearly this bad. They will intervene soon, very soon, unless we can find some way to calm the situation. I'd really rather they didn't come to Seattle just now. As long as they're this close . . . they might decide to check on you.† I shuddered again. â€Å"What can we do?† â€Å"We need to know more before we can decide that. Perhaps if we can talk to these young ones, explain the rules, it can be resolved peacefully.† He frowned, like he didn't think the chances of that were good. â€Å"We'll wait until Alice has an idea of what's going on. . . . We don't want to step in until it's absolutely necessary. After all, it's not our responsibility. But it's good we have Jasper,† he added, almost to himself. â€Å"If we are dealing with newborns, he'll be helpful.† â€Å"Jasper? Why?† Edward smiled darkly. â€Å"Jasper is sort of an expert on young vampires.† â€Å"What do you mean, an expert?† â€Å"You'll have to ask him – the story is involved.† â€Å"What a mess,† I mumbled. â€Å"It does feel that way, doesn't it? Like it's coming at us from all sides these days.† He sighed. â€Å"Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren't in love with me?† â€Å"Maybe. It wouldn't be much of a life, though.† â€Å"For me,† he amended quietly. â€Å"And now, I suppose,† he continued with a wry smile, â€Å"you have something you want to ask me?† I stared at him blankly. â€Å"I do?† â€Å"Or maybe not.† He grinned. â€Å"I was rather under the impression that you'd promised to ask my permission to go to some kind of werewolf soire tonight.† â€Å"Eavesdropping again?† He grinned. â€Å"Just a bit, at the very end.† â€Å"Well, I wasn't going to ask you anyway. I figured you had enough to stress about.† He put his hand under my chin, and held my face so that he could read my eyes. â€Å"Would you like to go?† â€Å"It's no big thing. Don't worry about it.† â€Å"You don't have to ask my permission, Bella. I'm not your father – thank heaven for that. Perhaps you should ask Charlie, though.† â€Å"But you know Charlie will say yes.† â€Å"I do have a bit more insight into his probable answer than most people would, it's true.† I just stared at him, trying to understand what he wanted, and trying to put out of my mind the yearning I felt to go to La Push so that I wouldn't be swayed by my own wishes. It was stupid to want to go hang out with a bunch of big idiot wolf-boys right now when there was so much that was frightening and unexplained going on. Of course, that was exactly why I wanted to go. I wanted to escape the death threats, for just a few hours . . . to be the less-mature, more-reckless Bella who could laugh it off with Jacob, if only briefly. But that didn't matter. â€Å"Bella,† Edward said. â€Å"I told you that I was going to be reasonable and trust your judgment. I meant that. If you trust the werewolves, then I'm not going to worry about them.† â€Å"Wow,† I said, as I had last night. â€Å"And Jacob's right – about one thing, anyway – a pack of werewolves ought to be enough to protect even you for one evening.† â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Of course. Only . . .† I braced myself. â€Å"I hope you won't mind taking a few precautions? Allowing me to drive you to the boundary line, for one. And then taking a cell phone, so that I'll know when to pick you up?† â€Å"That sounds . . . very reasonable.† â€Å"Excellent.† He smiled at me, and I could see no trace of apprehension in his jewel-like eyes. To no one's surprise, Charlie had no problem at all with me going to La Push for a bonfire. Jacob crowed with undisguised exultation when I called to give him the news, and he seemed eager enough to embrace Edward's safety measures. He promised to meet us at the line between territories at six. I had decided, after a short internal debate, that I would not sell my motorcycle. I would take it back to La Push where it belonged and, when I no longer needed it anymore . . . well, then, I would insist that Jacob profit from his work somehow. He could sell it or give it to a friend. It didn't matter to me. Tonight seemed like a good opportunity to return the bike to Jacob's garage. As gloomy as I was feeling about things lately, every day seemed like a possible last chance. I didn't have time to procrastinate any task, no matter how minor. Edward only nodded when I explained what I wanted, but I thought I saw a flicker of consternation in his eyes, and I knew he was no happier about the idea of me on a motorcycle than Charlie was. I followed him back to his house, to the garage where I'd left the bike. It wasn't until I pulled the truck in and got out that I realized the consternation might not be entirely about my safety this time. Next to my little antique motorcycle, overshadowing it, was another vehicle. To call this other vehicle a motorcycle hardly seemed fair, since it didn't seem to belong to the same family as my suddenly shabby- looking bike. It was big and sleek and silver and – even totally motionless – it looked fast. â€Å"What is that?† â€Å"Nothing,† Edward murmured. â€Å"It doesn't look like nothing.† Edward's expression was casual; he seemed determined to blow it off. â€Å"Well, I didn't know if you were going to forgive your friend, or he you, and I wondered if you would still want to ride your bike anyway. It sounded like it was something that you enjoyed. I thought I could go with you, if you wished.† He shrugged. I stared at the beautiful machine. Beside it, my bike looked like a broken tricycle. I felt a sudden wave of sadness when I realized that this was not a bad analogy for the way I probably looked next to Edward. â€Å"I wouldn't be able to keep up with you,† I whispered. Edward put his hand under my chin and pulled my face around so that he could see it straight on. With one finger, he tried to push the corner of my mouth up. â€Å"I'd keep pace with you, Bella.† â€Å"That wouldn't be much fun for you.† â€Å"Of course it would, if we were together.† I bit my lip and imagined it for a moment. â€Å"Edward, if you thought I was going too fast or losing control of the bike or something, what would you do?† He hesitated, obviously trying to find the right answer. I knew the truth: he'd find some way to save me before I crashed. Then he smiled. It looked effortless, except for the tiny defensive tightening of his eyes. â€Å"This is something you do with Jacob. I see that now.† â€Å"It's just that, well, I don't slow him down so much, you know. I could try, I guess. . . .† I eyed the silver motorcycle doubtfully. â€Å"Don't worry about it,† Edward said, and then he laughed lightly. â€Å"I saw Jasper admiring it. Perhaps it's time he discovered a new way to travel. After all, Alice has her Porsche now.† â€Å"Edward, I -â€Å" He interrupted me with a quick kiss. â€Å"I said not to worry. But would you do something for me?† â€Å"Whatever you need,† I promised quickly. He dropped my face and leaned over the far side of the big motorcycle, retrieving something he had stashed there. He came back with one object that was black and shapeless, and another that was red and easily identifiable. â€Å"Please?† he asked, flashing the crooked smile that always destroyed my resistance. I took the red helmet, weighing it in my hands. â€Å"I'll look stupid.† â€Å"No, you'll look smart. Smart enough not to get yourself hurt.† He threw the black thing, whatever it was, over his arm and then took my face in his hands. â€Å"There are things between my hands right now that I can't live without. You could take care of them.† â€Å"Okay, fine. What's that other thing?† I asked suspiciously. He laughed and shook out some kind of padded jacket. â€Å"It's a riding jacket. I hear road rash is quite uncomfortable, not that I would know myself.† He held it out for me. With a deep sigh, I flipped my hair back and stuffed the helmet on my head. Then I shoved my arms through the sleeves of the jacket. He zipped me in, a smile playing around the corners of his lips, and took a step back. I felt bulky. â€Å"Be honest, how hideous do I look?† He took another step back and pursed his lips. â€Å"That bad, huh?† I muttered. â€Å"No, no, Bella. Actually . . .† he seemed to be struggling for the right word. â€Å"You look . . . sexy.† I laughed out loud. â€Å"Right.† â€Å"Very sexy, really.† â€Å"You are just saying that so that I'll wear it,† I said. â€Å"But that's okay. You're right, it's smarter.† He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest. â€Å"You're silly. I suppose that's part of your charm. Though, I'll admit it, this helmet does have its drawbacks.† And then he pulled the helmet off so that he could kiss me. As Edward drove me toward La Push a little while later, I realized that this unprecedented situation felt oddly familiar. It took me a moment of thought to pinpoint the source of the dj vu. â€Å"You know what this reminds me of?† I asked. â€Å"It's just like when I was a kid and Rene would pass me off to Charlie for the summer. I feel like a seven-year-old.† Edward laughed. I didn't mention it out loud, but the biggest difference between the two circumstances was that Rene and Charlie had been on better terms. About halfway to La Push, we rounded the corner and found Jacob leaning against the side of the red Volkswagen he'd built for himself out of scraps. Jacob's carefully neutral expression dissolved into a smile when I waved from the front seat. Edward parked the Volvo thirty yards away. â€Å"Call me whenever you're ready to come home,† he said. â€Å"And I'll be here.† â€Å"I won't be out late,† I promised. Edward pulled the bike and my new gear out of the trunk of his car – I'd been quite impressed that it had all fit. But it wasn't so hard to manage when you were strong enough to juggle full-sized vans, let alone small motorcycles. Jacob watched, making no move to approach, his smile gone and his dark eyes indecipherable. I tucked the helmet under my arm and threw the jacket across the seat. â€Å"Do you have it all?† Edward asked. â€Å"No problem,† I assured him. He sighed and leaned toward me. I turned my face up for a goodbye peck, but Edward took me by surprise, fastening his arms tightly around me and kissing me with as much enthusiasm as he had in the garage – before long, I was gasping for air. Edward laughed quietly at something, and then let me go. â€Å"Goodbye,† he said. â€Å"I really do like the jacket.† As I turned away from him, I thought I saw a flash of something in his eyes that I wasn't supposed to see. I couldn't tell for sure what it was exactly. Worry, maybe. For a second I thought it was panic. But I was probably just making something out of nothing, as usual. I could feel his eyes on my back as I pushed my bike toward the invisible vampire-werewolf treaty line to meet Jacob. â€Å"What's all that?† Jacob called to me, his voice wary, scrutinizing the motorcycle with an enigmatic expression. â€Å"I thought I should put this back where it belongs,† I told him. He pondered that for one short second, and then his wide smile stretched across his face. I knew the exact point that I was in werewolf territory because Jacob shoved away from his car and loped quickly over to me, closing the distance in three long strides. He took the bike from me, balanced it on the kickstand, and grabbed me up in another vice-tight hug. I heard the Volvo's engine growl, and I struggled to get free. â€Å"Cut it out, Jake!† I gasped breathlessly. He laughed and set me down. I turned to wave goodbye, but the silver car was already disappearing around the curve in the road. â€Å"Nice,† I commented, allowing some acid to leak into my voice. His eyes widened in false innocence. â€Å"What?† â€Å"He's being pretty dang pleasant about this; you don't need to push your luck.† He laughed again, louder than before – he found what I'd said very funny indeed. I tried to see the joke as he walked around the Rabbit to hold my door open for me. â€Å"Bella,† he finally said – still chuckling – as he shut the door behind me, â€Å"you can't push what you don't have.†

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

The Electronic Health Record And Clinical Decision Support

Evaluation Project: Part 1 Arcandrice Richardson Walden University System Design, Planning, and Evaluation NURS 6431 Dayna Herrera September 24, 2015 Evaluation Project: Part 1 The scenario selected for this evaluation project focuses on the electronic health record. The scenario involves patient documentation, clinical decision support, and performing nursing notes. The project involves evaluation and implementation of EHR. The electronic health record and clinical decision support are not only relevant to my current organization but also are particular interest of mine. The electronic health record has helped to reduce the amount of paper which was a nightmare to maintain with the number of new patients being admitted daily. The electronic health record has also reduced the amount of missed documentation and errors. Any clinician can testify to the wasted time and poor communication among providers that sometimes results because antiquated paper records still predominate in our offices and on the hospital wards (Shortliffe, E. H., Tang, P. C., Deimer, D. E., 1991). The clinical decision support system has been a great assistance to clinicians. Nur ses, health visitors and midwives, as the largest group of healthcare professionals, record and generate most of the information used to maintain and improve patient care (Levy, S., Heyes, B., 2012). Clinical support systems (CDSS) integrate information (ideally from high-quality research studies) with theShow MoreRelatedFramework For Clinical Decision Support Systems With Considering The Distributed Electronic Health Records And Centralized Knowledge Engines2088 Words   |  9 Pagestual Framework for clinical Decision Support Systems with Considering the Distributed Electronic Health Records and Centralized Knowledge Engines Hassan Ghaedi1,*, Hassan SHakeri2, Elham Gholami3, Alireza Chamkoori4 1,4Department Of computer, Khormuj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khormuj, Iran *Hassan.ghaedi@yahoo.com chamkoori_alireza@yahoo.co.uk 3Department Of computer, Shirvan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shirvan, Iran Gholami.elh@gmail.com 2Department Of computer, Mashhad Branch, IslamicRead MoreHealthcare Informatics Essay1001 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to AHRQ, although adoption rates for new technology have progressed over recent years; however, overall rates are still low. â€Å"Clinical health information technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs), computerized provider order entry (CPOE), and electronic medication administration record (eMAR) systems are problematic areas (AHRQ, 2011). The Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) reported that one of the main reasons why some rural areas are slow to adopt more efficient and advancedRead MoreClinical Decision Support For Best Practice1096 Words   |  5 PagesClinical Decision Support for Best Practice Advisories Jennifer Hervey B00742889 East Carolina University COHE 6450 Decision Support in Health Care Executive Summary An interview with an Assistant Professor at Duke University Health System in the Department of Medicine, Maestro Care Provider Champion and Clinical Content Architect. This physician works to incorporate clinical decision support tools into the electronic health record at Duke Health System. He manages the best practice advisoryRead MoreHealth Information Technology For Economic And Clinical Health1283 Words   |  6 PagesIn 2009, the U.S. Government passed The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (Mangalmurti, Murtagh and Mello 2060). The HITECH Act authorizes grants and incentives to promote the â€Å"meaningful use† of electronic health records (EHR) by providers (2060). The effect is a high commitment to a technology-led system reform, urgingRead MoreBenefits Of Electronic Health Records1313 Words   |  6 Pagesproviders who reported that the electronic health records are readily available at the point of care is 94% and the percentage of the providers who stated that the electronic health records showed the clinical benefits is 88%. The percentage of the physicians who reported that the electronic health records enable them to provide the enhanced care to the patients is 75% (Jamoom, Patel, King, Furukawa, 2012). According to the authors, the use of electronic health records also aided in enhancing the riskRead MoreChallenge Facing Implementation Of Knowledge Management System1243 Words   |  5 Pagesneed to cooperate efficiently among member organizations and to clearly define system communication goals and system-level objectives. For example, hospitals are a very complex organization due to the heterogeneity of health specialists’ direction, the composite networking and the decision-making processes. Change, whether in management, ownership, or employee turnover, can lead to distress and thus create a barrier to KM at the individual level. Information overload can also create barrier to effectiveRead MoreElectronic Health Record Essay1099 Words   |  5 Pagesaffecting an electronic health record (EHR) system is change. A successful switch from paper-based charts to electronic health records (EHRs) in a clinic requires cautious synchronization for the many components. A myriad of perplexing decisions must be made, extending from selection and application to training and updates. Operating new software is typically easier than the interruption and reconfiguring of a practice’s procedures as well as how to handle its existing paper records. Clinician’sRead MoreMeaningful Use For Nurses : Implications And Recommendations1530 Words   |  7 Pagesand patient administration; as a result of Meaningful Use (MU) legislation that provides incentive payments to hospitals and other providers that use certified electronic systems and encode clinical data with standardized terminologies (Dykes Collins, 2013). It can also be defined as a set of standards that have must be adhered to by health care providers that wish to continue to receive incentives under these Medicare and Medicaid MU programs. These metrics can be found on the Centers for MedicareRead MoreThe World s First Professional Organization For Informatics1138 Words   |  5 PagesMedical Informatics Health Informatics is a highly interdisciplinary field that can be defined as â€Å"An evolving scientific discipline that deals with the collection, storage, retrieval, communication, and optimal use of health related data, information, and knowledge. The discipline utilizes the methods and technologies of the information sciences for the purpose of problem solving, decision-making and assuring highest quality health care in all basic care and applies areas of biomedical sciencesRead MoreThe Electronic Health Record Implementation Cycle Essay1040 Words   |  5 PagesWhy do RECs exist Regional Extension Centers , equipped with personnel and resources exist to provide support and advise eligible providers in all stages of the electronic health record implementation cycle. To make EHR implementation easier, these centers act as support and resource centers thus help increase the quality of care offered while maximizing overall productivity by helping in the achievement of meaningful use. According to McBride, (2011) The sole reason for the existence of RECs exist

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Analysis Of The Poem Fear Of Narrative And The Skittery...

In his article â€Å"Fear of Narrative and the Skittery Poem of Our Moment,† Tony Hoagland argues that modern poetry is â€Å"oblique,† â€Å"fractured,† and â€Å"discontinuous†. He believes that poems no longer have systematic structure or development, making them appear random with skittish tendencies. Because of the poems that Hoagland feels are different, he categorizes most new poems to be like the kind he describes in his article. He further evaluates new poetry by claiming that â€Å"narrative poetry is tainted by overuse† and that the time we live in is â€Å"simply not a narrative age.† He uses several poems to support his argument such as, â€Å"Couples† by Mark Halliday and â€Å"First Person Fabulous† by Matthea Harvey. He utilizes these poems because they possess no true focal point and the structure restricts them from having a clear narrative. While the poems he uses in his article may depict skittishness and an elusive voice, many of the poems in The Best of the Best of American Poetry edited by Robert Pinksy represent modern poetry as having a focal point and self-consciousness of narrative. This anthology contains poems from the best of American poetry from recent years that have appeared in magazines and other published articles. Hoagland may think that narrative and continuity are things of the past but this compilation of today’s poetry illustrates a different take on the argument at hand. Many pieces throughout the anthology reflect poems of self-consciousness; something that Hoagland

Monday, December 23, 2019

Plato s Views On Morality And Virtue - 1819 Words

In this dialogue we see Socrates in intellectual argument with a fellow philosopher: Protagoras who claims to be Sophists (professional expert in wisdom) they both use various arguments and counter arguments to prove their arguments on the topic of piety and virtue. Socrates believed that Virtues is something that could not be taught or learned, where Protagoras claimed that he can teach people â€Å"good judgement† in both personal affairs, civil issues and teach political science so that his students will become good citizens. The argument begins with Protagoras claiming that he can teach Hippocrates â€Å"good judgement† in both personal affairs and civic issues. He also claims to be able to teach political science in a way so that his students will become good citizens. To this Socrates replies that he did not know this was something that could be taught and in consequence he poses one of the central questions of this dialogue: is virtue teachable? Socrates’ reason for doubting that virtue can be taught is that virtuous parents often have unvirtuous children. Socrates explains this argument by illustrating many examples in which this has been proven to be true. Pericles was a leading figure for Athens, a good and a virtuous citizen. However when Clinias (the brother to Alcibades) was placed into Pericles’ care in an attempt to separate him from negative influences, and to teach him how to be a good virtuous citizen of Athens, he was returned after six months in Pericles’ careShow MoreRelatedEssay about Morals and Ethics1134 Words   |  5 Pages Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Nietzsche all had their own ideas for which one could reach happiness in his/her life. All have similarities in there reasoning except Nietzshe, who contradicts the others entirely. Plato states that to understand virtue is happiness. In turn virtue suffices for happiness and is necessary. Also he intuits that human reasoning prevails over spirited element or a person?s appetite. Aristotle?s arguments relate with Plato, but he builds more to it and finds his ownRead MoreKant And Kant s Philosophy On Ethics970 Words   |  4 Pagesquestion. A dictionary describes ethics as-moral principles that govern a person s or group s behavior. Is there a universal ethical behavior ? Are all countries ethical ? Theses very same questions many philosophers have tried to figure through time from Socrates to Immanuel kant (and to this very day for the matter!). While comparing two great eathist Plato and Immanuel Kant I, the writer argue that Kant s ideological views on ethics were far superior to Plato’s due to several factors. For one KantRead MoreSocrates : The Suicide Of Socrates1405 Words   |  6 Pagesscience and into the abstract realm of ethics and morality. When Socrates teachings were being taught in school, they all taught some form of morality as their foundational tenet, no matter the differences of the schools. However people interpreted those teac hings, it was clear that Socrates main focus was on how to live a good and moral life. A quote that backed that up was an unexamined life is not worth living (Apology, 38b), which is said by Plato. It is argued that Socrates believed idealsRead MorePlato s Euthyphro And Apology893 Words   |  4 Pagescharacteristics of wisdom. Though Plato was one of the earliest philosophers, the topic of wisdom is still debated by modern philosophers today, contemplating questions such as â€Å"What are the classifications of ‘wisdom’?† According to Plato’s two dialogues, the characteristics of wisdom have a strong correlation with the characteristics of â€Å"being a good person†. This concept highlights the values of virtue and selflessness and at the same time juxtapose views on virtue while taking into account the differentRead MorePlato And Aristotle s Theories Of Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics1408 Words   |  6 PagesThe ancient theories of Plato and Aristotle differ greatly from the contemporary theories of Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. Plato and Aristotle focused on the importance of virtue in an individual’s life. Plato believed that purity of the soul was the most important thing in life and can be achieved by mastering the four virtues: justice, wisdom, courage, and moderation. Aristotle believed that the goal of human life was to achieve happiness, which is made possible by the cultivation of a justRead MoreSocrates And Aristotle s Life1491 Words   |  6 Pagesdepends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. The earliest accounts of human history chronicle the struggle for survival against all odds. It is therefore remarkable that roughly 2400 years ago the question of virtue was raised, let alone contemplated at great length, forming a foundation upon which Western philosophers build to the present day. Socrates and Aristotle were two key individuals credited for their roles in the advent of Classical philosophy. MenRead MoreEvaluating Historical Views of Leadership Essay1194 Words   |  5 Pages Evaluating Historical Views of Leadership March 9, 2014 University of Phoenix Evaluating Historical Views of Leadership This paper evaluates the leadership views of Plato, Aristotle, Lao-Tzu, and Machiavelli from the point of view of the modern military leader. The process of evaluation includes an examination of the commonalities and disparities between these views of leadership. The paper explores a definition of modern military leadership. The paper includes an assessment of theRead MoreAristotle on Happiness and Virtue Essay1749 Words   |  7 Pagesimportant study on ethics, personal morality and virtues is ‘The Nicomachean Ethics’, which has been greatly influencing works of literature in ethics and heavily read for centuries, is believed to be written 2000 years ago. However, it still serves as an iconic work of literature for readers as it provides modern readers with new perspectives to known human behaviors and needs. In his writing, Aristotle insisted that there are no particular standard set for morality and that any ethical theory mustRead MoreDifferences Between Plato s And Kant1184 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferences and similarities between Plato’s and Kant’s works. It is very apparent that both philosophers are speaking to the necessity of man developing personal ethics, but each thinker approaches this universal question using different principles. Plato uses Socrates’ dialogue to assess how one acquires wisdom through the acknowledgement of inherent ignorance. Kant evaluates the causes of people remaining in willful ignorance and the methods by which they can lift themselves out of such a state intoRead MoreAristotle And Marcus Cicero s Perceptions Of Virtue Ethics And The Development Of Economic Society1623 Words   |  7 PagesBut philosophers have always questioned the morality of how one conducts himself in society. In this essay, we will examine Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Marcus Cicero’s perceptions of what virtue ethics are, and how they facilitated the development of economic soc iety. Morality, distinctly defines what is right and what is wrong, but theory of virtue ethics is the mechanism an individual uses to make those moral decisions. Virtue is essentially having a good moral character

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Enterococcus Free Essays

Enterococcus By Richard Guilford Enterococcus Enterococcus, or more appropriately enterococci, are a family of bacteria in the division firmicutes (meaning strong skin and referring to the cell wall) and the class bacilli (which refers to its rod like shape). They look just like streptococcus bacteria from physical characteristics alone. In fact, members of the genus Enterococcus were classified as Group D Streptococcus until 1984 when genomic DNA analysis showed that a separate genus classification would be appropriate. We will write a custom essay sample on Enterococcus or any similar topic only for you Order Now Enterococci are part of the normal intestinal flora (good bacteria) of humans and animals but are also important pathogens responsible for serious infections. They are considered gram-positive, meaning they stain dark blue or violet. They also mostly occur in pairs or short chains. Enterococci are facultative anaerobic organisms, meaning they can thrive in both oxygen rich and oxygen poor environments. They do not form spores as many bacteria do, meaning they do not have a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and survival for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Nevertheless, they are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions: such as extreme temperature (10-45 °C), pH (4. 5-10. 0) and high sodium chloride concentration. In bodies of water, the acceptable level of contamination is very low, for example in the state of Hawaii, with among the strictest tolerances in the United States, the limit for water off its beaches is 7 colony-forming units per 100 ml of water. Anything above that, the state may post warnings to stay out of the ocean. In 2004, Enterococcus spp. took the place of fecal coliform as the new federal standard for water quality at public beaches. It is believed to provide a higher correlation than fecal coliform with many of the human pathogens often found in city sewage (eww right? ). There are many strains of enterococcus. Important clinical infections caused by Enterococcus include urinary tract infections, bacteremia, bacterial endocarditis, diverticulitis, and meningitis. Sensitive strains of these bacteria can be treated with ampicillin and vancomycin, two well known and often used antibiotics. An important feature of enterococcus is the high level of intrinsic antibiotic resistance, meaning its inherent ability to ithstand some of the more common antibiotics. Some enterococci are intrinsically resistant to beta-lactam-based antibiotics (those include some penicillins and virtually all cephalosporins) as well as many aminoglycosides (an amino-sugar that can sometimes function as an antibiotic). In the last two decades, particularly virulent strains of enterococcus that are resistant to vancomycin (vancomycin-resistant E nterococcus, or VRE) have emerged in nosocomial (infections caught in hospitals while care is being given) infections of hospitalized patients especially in the US. Other developed countries such as the UK have been spared this epidemic, and, in 2005, Singapore managed to halt an epidemic of VRE. VRE may be treated with quinupristin/dalfopristin (a special antibiotic developed to fight VRE) or Synercid with response rates of approximately 70%. Enterococcus avium is a species that is most commonly found in birds. Rarely, it is also a cause of infection in humans, and in such cases, may be vancomycin-reistant. It is referred to as VREA. VREA cases in humans have been successfully treated with linezolid (a synthetic antibiotic). Enterococcus durans and enterococcus faecalis are very similar. They are often mistaken for one another in determining infections. They inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals. It is among the main parts of some probiotic food supplements. Like other species in the genus enterococcus, E. faecalis can cause life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial environment. The naturally high levels of antibiotic resistance found in E. faecalis contribute to its ability to infect. E. faecalis has been frequently found in root canal-treated teeth in prevalence values ranging from 30% to 90% of the cases. Root canal-treated teeth are about nine times more likely to have E. faecalis than cases of primary infections. Enterococcus faecium is an alpha hemolitic or nonhemolitic, bacterium. It is used as a probiotic in animals. It can be commensal (a harmlessly coexisting organism) in the human intestine, but it may also be pathogenic, causing diseases such as neonatal meningitis. Enterococcal meningitis is also a rare complication of neurosurgery. It often requires treatment with IV or intrathecal (something introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord) vancomycin, yet it is uncertain whether its use has any impact on outcome. The removal of any neurological devices is an important part of the management of these infections. Enterococcus solitarius and Enterococcus gallinarum are two more species of enterococcus. The genus Enterococcus includes more than 17 species, but only a few cause clinical infections in humans. Infection control programs were created three decades ago to control antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections, but there has been little evidence of control in most facilities. After long, steady increases of MRSA and VRE infections in hospitals, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Board of Directors made reducing antibiotic-resistant infections a strategic SHEA goal in January 2000. After 2 more years without improvement, a SHEA task force was appointed to draft an evidence-based guideline on preventing nosocomial transmission of pathogens, focusing on the two considered most out of control: MRSA and VRE. Medline searches were conducted spanning 1966 to 2002. Many interpretations of unpublished studies providing sufficient data were included. Frequent antibiotics in healthcare settings provided a small advantage for resistant strands, but patients with MRSA or VRE usually acquire it through spread. The CDC has long-recommended contact precautions for patients colonized or infected with these pathogens. Most facilities have required this as policy, but have not actively identified infected patients with surveillance cultures (lab tests performed to determine possible abnormalities or infection) and tests, leaving most infected patients undetected and not isolated. Many studies have shown control of endemic (exclusively native to a place) and/or epidemic (everywhere) MRSA and VRE infections using surveillance cultures and contact precautions. Active surveillance cultures are essential to identify the infected to prevent spread of MRSA and VRE infections and make control possible using the CDC’s long-recommended contact precautions. Testing for enterococci can be tricky. Enterococci have been recognized to be of fecal origin since the beginning of this century. The usual ecological home for the Enterococcus species is the intestines of humans and other animals. However, enterococci are ubiquitous (present everywhere) and can be found free-living in soil, on plants, or in dairy products. Enterococcus comprises gram-positive cocci that are catalase (a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms that are exposed to oxygen, where it functions to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen) negative, usually facultative anaerobic acteria. There is clear evidence of the genotypic (concerning the genetic makeup) identity of Enterococcus, based on molecular studies. Enterococci have also been related to human diseases, becoming established as major nosocomial pathogens. The isolation of strains resistant to many antibiotics has become important in public health concerns. In addition, Enter ococcus and Streptococcus have been proposed as indicators of fecal contamination in water because of their high abundance in feces and their long survival in the environment. Although the ratio of fecal coliforms to fecal streptococci has been ruled out as an indicator, the identi? cation of species associated with a given environment or host might provide additional information about the origin and the source of fecal contamination. The ability of enterococci to grow under particular conditions is widely used in their selective identification. This characteristic allows the detection and enumeration of enterococci with a selective medium (template used to grow bacteria) M-enterococcus agar or KF streptococcus agar, and by using bile-esculin-azide agar (another medium) as a further test for con? mation. Although this approach can distinguish Enterococci from other bacterial species, some may be identi? ed wrongly. The use of these media can hurt either selectivity (choices of bacteria found) or productivity (ability for bacteria to grow). Even though this approach was to identify enterococci species, it is unsuitable for the detection of certain enterococ ci species because they do not grow on these media. In addition, other bacterial species such as Streptococcus are able to grow on the media, presenting results similar to those of Enterococci. Enterococci are diverse and enigmatic. There are many strains and many complications that can arise from them. They are both harmless and deadly, useful and destructive. They can be used to aid digestion, or feared in a hospital setting. They are indeed a medical paradox. With continued study, we hope to learn from and understand these bacteria if not to aid us in our expansion of knowledge, then to rid us of a potentially critical threat in our hospital settings. Gilmore MS, (2002). The Enterococci: Pathogenesis, Molecular Biology, and Antibiotic Resistance. Fisher K, Phillips C (June 2009). â€Å"The ecology, epidemiology and virulence of Enterococcus†. Jin G, Jeng HW, Bradford H, Englande AJ (2004). â€Å"Comparison of E. coli, enterococci, and fecal coliform as indicators for brackish water quality assessment†. Carlene A. Muto, MD, MS; John A. Jernigan, MD, MS; Belinda E. Ostrowsky, MD, MPH; Herve M. Richet, MD; William R. Jarvis, MD; John M. Boyce, MD; Barry M. Farr, MD, MSc (May 2003). â€Å"SHEA Guideline for Preventing Nosocomial Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus† How to cite Enterococcus, Papers

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Positive Accounting Attains a Wider Platform †Free samples

Questions: What Is The Rationale Behind The Actions Of The Auditors For Performing The Accounting Operations? What Do The Auditors Charge Variable Fees? Why Is There Biasness In Terms Of Completing Audit In The Cases? Answers: Introduction Positive accounting attains a wider platform in this research. Key highlights of the positive accounting, covered in this research is the relationships within the human behavior. The utilization of the statistics and hypothetical testing methods smoothens out the complex nodes within the behavioral conduct (Freeman et al. 2014). The epistemological ontology of the program is so advanced that it covers even the deficiencies of the methods. Typical example in this direction is the casualty in the constructions of the theoretical models for testing. Along with this, insufficiency in the replication of warranty confidence is also highlighted in this research. This replication plays an important role in protecting the potential loopholes in the accepted findings. The need for this application initiates due to the lack of interest expressed by the personnel in obtaining the numerical reading of the accounts (Bebbington, Unerman and O'Dwyer 2014). This is an enhancement in the parameter of accounts. The major highlight of the research is the excavation of drawbacks, which contradicts the completeness in the findings. Viewing it from other perspective, it also leads to the achievement of findings, which does not assist the personnel to achieve stability in the accounting activities. Suggestion of relevant recommendations makes this paper more special for the companies and organizations. Apart from this, ways have been sought out in this research to add positivity in the financial activities in its full potential. Moreover, the focus of this research paper is on the prosperity of accounts in the future (Boone et al. 2017). Summary of the article The speculation of the usual conventions regarding the human behavior sets the ground for this research. Delving deep into the article results in the excavation of the fact that various religious beliefs and scientific judgments compel humans to expose certain behavior in response to the situations and circumstances that they encounter. In view of these findings, it can be said that same human being displays different behavioral conduct in two similar situations. Placement of focus on this particular point enhances the standard of the research paper. This enhancement adds positivity to the subject matter of the research. Within this, an important component is the variation, which depends on the humans and their surrounding circumstances (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2013). Review of other research in this regard has stated the fact that 80% of the human behavior consists of rational application. Technicality and automation in the accounting operations has reduced the interactions between humans. The net result of this is the addition of orientation within the business procedures. One of the major concerns in this direction is the difficulty in assessing the human behavior, due to the increased dependence upon the machines. Reliance upon the machines to such an extent attaches the attribute of obscurity in the peculiar behaviors exposed by the humans. The epistemological ontology reflects the ways and means in which positive research is conducted in the accounts operations (Bublitz, Philipich and Blatz 2015). Provision of in-depth insight in this direction acts as a limitation in terms of enhancing the knowledge about the societal contributions of positive research accounting. This paper projects the widespread utilization of positive accounting research, which is something beyond solving the complex puzzles. This action detaches the companies and organizations from achieving betterment in the financial activities. The recurrence of the instabilities every now and then necessitates the need for efficient and flexible software, which automatically does the accounting operations (Ridley and Bull 2015). This research paper acts as a secondary source of information for the future generations. This future scope possesses flexibility to add efficiency in the current futile practice versions of the research. Herein, lays the effectiveness of the recommendations, which teaches the personnel to cope up with the potential challenges that come across their ways. Owing to the inability to make effective contributions, the terms outdated, orthodox seem appropriate for the research. Envisioning the filtering of positive accounts, by the policy makers, result in the framing of better plans, in terms of financial stability. The platform of positive research is widespread, which is beyond the theoretical framework. The major drive behind this is the accompaniment of standards, rules and regulations proposed by the policy makers (Vernimmen et al. 2014). Within the environment of the positive amounting research, the other elements are pricing and reporting decisions undertaken by the auditors along with the expert opinions of the academicians. However, the theories selected for this purpose cannot be placed on a high pedestal. Taking a cue from the statistical projection of 80% rationality in the human behavior, assumptions can be made that 20% fail to expose rationalistic approach in terms of the events that are taking place in their surroundings. This 20% people are exception to the statistics (Bublitz, Philipich and Blatz 2015). This exception acts as an answer to the managerial tendency regarding error of judgment in spite of the considering the feedbacks to identify and specify the major drawbacks. In view of these findings, linkages can be established between positive accounting theory and contractual value of the firm. Countering this, pressurization of the contractual views aggravates the complexities of the personnel in terms of executing the accounting policies. This is due to the lack of following the policies and methods laid out. In spite of strong criticisms, conservation practices have projected noticeable differences (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2013). The main purpose of these in-depth illustrations is to prove the widespread nature and broader perspective of the positive accounting theory. This wideness adds positivity in the research in spite of an absence of rationality in the parameter of human psychology. In view of this categorization, positive tone can be attached to this research paper. The utilization of hypothetical and statistical methods for assessment of rationality in the human behavior have been in vain. Owing to the dependence on the dependence on hypothesis, the reality the achievement of positive results seemed a distant hope. Moreover, selection and analysis of the data collection and analysis broadened the gap between the real and the anticipated outcomes (Boone et al. 2017). Delving deep into the issue, hypothesis limits the scope of the research within the parameter of one variable. This contradicts the inner purpose of a research, which is to establish linkages between the two variables. This proves true even for the current research, the aim of which is to connect the accounting operations and the human behavior on the grounds of rationality. These shortcomings shift the focus of the research paper towards the framing of effective and flexible theories and models, which would prove beneficial in testing the presence of rationality within the human behavior. This necessitates the need for framing alternative methods for achievement of better results (Bebbington, Unerman and O'Dwyer 2014). Establishment of measurable concepts is an advancement of the analysis from the initial level to the testing level. Maintenance of consistency in the search for alternative methods of testing shifts the focus of the research from the interrogative parameter towards the certainty in the achievement of guaranteed results. This consistency paves new avenues for advanced research in the field of accounts. Establishment of accuracy in the accounts would add positivity in the research. Presence of predicting facilities in the testing machines would help the personnel to achieve growth in the financial parameter (Freeman et al. 2014) All these points reflects the gradual advancement of the research from the rationale behind the current predicament of the accounting operations to the ways and means in which benefits can be achieved by the personnel of the accounts departments. The negative and the positive hypothesis addresses these questions after a thorough testing of the proposed assumptions (Bebbington, Unerman and O'Dwyer, 2014). Apart from this, there are several other questions, which needs the assistance of the other methods for the achievement of effective resolutions. The main purpose of the hypothesis is to bring out the reality behind the null hypothesis. The samples selected for testing is the main ground for projecting the reality behind the hypothesis. The techniques used for selecting the samples play an important role in a research. High intensity of improper specification leads to Type 1 error. As a matter of specification, the major drive behind this error is the lack of assessment in terms of its validity and relevance to the requirements specified by the auditors (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2013). Herein, the importance of the sampling technique gets diminished. The results obtained by the identification of the hypothesis is not the real outcome, which compels the individuals to question the achieved outcomes. In view of all these facts, it can be concluded that hypothesis would aggravate the complexities of the auditors in terms of the accounting research. The literature review of the paper assesses the efficiency in the quantitative and qualitative tests through the means of appropriate methods. Determination is crucial in this direction for the achievement of concrete answers (Bublitz, Philipich and Blatz 2015). Along with this, arguments of the critiques occupy an important place in this research regarding the success of the theories. Theoretical framework The success of the accounting profession depends on the effective adherence to the standards and norms of the regulatory framework. Within this, there are other elements such as the taxation, and statutory guidelines. Violation of these standards is accounted as punishable in the eyes of law. As per the current functionalities of the accounting operations, the auditors abided by these standards, which reflects uniformity in the business operations (Ridley and Bull 2015). Exposure of conscious attitude in this direction mitigates the chances of errors within the accounting operations. Inspections are carried out for auditing purposes. Therefore, there is a need for further study in this direction, which provides an in-depth insight into these concepts. Auditors are human beings and this focus the subject matter of the research on the rationalistic independence. Delving deep into the issue, the humans are exempted from enjoying real independence. This is owing to the presence of biasness and prejudice in terms of the homogenization of the humans in terms of bearing same predicament. This biasness adversely influences the thought process of the individuals in terms of performing the basic actions (Vernimmen et al. 2014). In this basis, the aim of the theoretical framework is to speculate and review the methods used for analyzing the behaviors. This study is important in terms of creating a proper framework for averting any kind of discrepancies within the outcomes. Hypothesis is considered as a representation of the selected samples from the total population. For proving the reality, different alternatives at hand needs to be enlisted and evaluated for averting the misinterpretations within the accounts (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2013). Significance and limitations of the article The strength of the article is that the detection of the loopholes opens new avenues in terms of the current position of the accounting operations (Zhou 2015). Even though it is not effective at the current stage, the theoretical framework possess flexibility to upgrade the standards of the accounting procedures. Motive to conduct further research on this topic uplifts the quality of the accounts in every business. Taking into consideration different viewpoints helps the researchers to deduce conclusions regarding the rationalistic behaviors exposed by the humans. This speculation enhances the judgmental quality of the researchers (Bublitz, Philipich and Blatz 2015). Limitations of the article is projected through the focus on the critique. Provision of many other recommendations with examples would have made it easier for the common people to grasp the subject matter of the research. This would have made the research paper more meaningful. Along with this, the research states that the theories on rationalistic behavior of the humans are true. However, delving deep into the issue, there have been transformations in the propositions of the theories, which questions the reality of these theories. Along with this, most of the theories used lacks proper testing, which raises doubts upon their existence and usage (Freeman et al. 2017). Utilization of statistics would have proved beneficial in terms of the effective utilization of the accounting operations, however, it is prone to misinterpretations as there are variations in case of the samples. Within this, consideration of the sampling is an essential issue. One wrong step in this direction would put the nationality of the whole population at stake (Ridley and Bull 2015). Conclusion The conclusions drawn from this research is distant from the identified and the specified objectives. However, application of the theoretical assumptions and intention of further research would help the personnel to detect the errors in the accounting operations and emerge successful in attaining stability in the financial parameter. References Bebbington, J., Unerman, J. and O'Dwyer, B., 2014.Sustainability accounting and accountability. Routledge. Boone, J.P., Khurana, I.K., Raman, K.K., Chen, L.H., Chung, H.H.S., Peters, G.F., Wynn, J.P.J., Chen, Y., Knechel, W.R., Marisetty, V.B. and Truong, C., 2017. Auditing: A Journal of Practice Theory A Publication of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association. Brigham, E.F. and Ehrhardt, M.C., 2013.Financial management: Theory practice. Cengage Learning. Bublitz, B., Philipich, K. and Blatz, R., 2015. An Example of the Use of Research Methods and Findings as an Experiential Learning Exercise in an Accounting Theory Course.Journal of Instructional Pedagogies,16. Freeman, R.J., Shoulders, C.D., Allison, G.S., Smith Jr, G.R. and Becker, C.J., 2014. Governmental and nonprofit accounting: Theory and practice.JPAEJOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDUCATION VOLUME 20 NUMBER 3, p.441. Ridley-Duff, R. and Bull, M., 2015.Understanding social enterprise: Theory and practice. Sage. Vernimmen, P., Quiry, P., Dallocchio, M., Le Fur, Y. and Salvi, A., 2014.Corporate finance: theory and practice. John Wiley Sons. Zhou, Y., 2015. Research on the System for Government Accounting Information Quality Based on Information Transparency.Journal of Accounting and Economics,3, p.