What Do You Think Is Unethical?

What do you think is unethical? The countrywide approved everyone to get their loans, no matter they have jobs or not, no matter they have income or not, no matter they have assets or not. The criteria they use may be unethical. They don’t care whether the documents are valid, whether they can verify the income, whether the appraisal is any good. They just care about getting the loan closed, in order to do another loan. The underwriters/ contractors looked through the loan as quick as they can. The loans are not looked at like they should have been looked at. They won’t think through with the common sense which is reasonable or not. teacher 10,000, waitress 12,000). On the instruction of their supervisor and lead. In the world of due diligence, they don’t use the word â€Å"fraud†. Even if it is suspected, they will say it seems like incorrect. 60% to more than 80% of the loans did not meet their policy. Clinton Holdings perform due diligence to two dozen banks, who were buying the mortgage from the Countrywide, Ameriquests, the New Centurys, packaging those loans, selling them to other investors. In each of these banks, The Clinton Holdings find a substantial portion of the loans did not meet the standards of the bank buying those loans.The banks did not tell the investors that the loans were defective. Blankfein was unapologetic. Do you think they know that you think something is a piece of crap when you sell it to them and then bet against it? When the supervisor go to the work, he find out that for example 50% of their loans are defective, than the standard will be loosen. So he can make these loans not defective, and make it qualified. Department of justice (prosecutor) worried about the lawsuit might result in at a large financial institution, which should not be their responsibility to care about the health of a bank. They should only focus on pursue justice.

Nutrition and Dietetics Proposal-Discussion/Conclusion

Introduction The main aim of this project was to assess the relationship of CVD risk factors and diet in Cuban Americans. More specifically, this project was aimed to see the association of omega 3 fatty acid with CVD biomarkers, homocysteine and CRP in Cuban Americans with and without type 2 diabetes. These aims were targeted with the views to providing information on cardiovascular disease risk factors and its association with diet and type 2 diabetes.The results suggested positive association between omega 3 fatty acid andhomocysteine quartiles, suggesting the significant role of omega 3 fatty acids in the regulation of homocysteine level. However, the association of omega 3 fatty acid was not found with CRP levels, which suggested the very little or no role of omega 3 fatty acid in lowering the level of CRP. Moreover, diabetic status was not found to be associated with either homocysteine quartiles or CRP levels. This finding concluded that homocysteine and CRP may not be involved in regulat ing the blood circulating blood sugar. The result of the statistical t-test showed that waist circumference was directly associated with diabetes, which indicated obesity as a major indicator of diabetes. This finding supported several other previous findings that studied the association between obesity and type 2 diabetes (Daousi, et.al. 2006 and Yajnik and Ganpule, 2010). Interestingly, another CVD risk factor, total blood cholesterol was found to be significantly higher in non-diabetics. However, whether HDL or LDL was higher non-diabetics was not measured, making it difficult to draw any conclusion from this finding. Other factors, such as BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were not found to be associated with diabetes. These results seemed slightly contradictory as previous studies have found the correlation between these parameters and diabetes (Bays, et.al. 2007 and Mancia, 2005)., Interestingly, linkage was found between diabetes and glycosylate haemoglobin and omega 3 fatty acids, which suggested the implication of thee tow factor in diabetes risk. These findings corroborate with similar other findings. Edelman, et.al (2013) reported that high level of HbA1c was associated with higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. Similarly, another study by Virtanen, et.al (2013) suggested that intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid w as associated with long-term lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the results showed no association between CRP and diabetes, which contradicted the inflammatory pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (Muqabo and Renier, 2010). Another important finding was that diabetic status was directly associated with the distribution of homocysteine quartiles, which supported the previous findings by Ndrepepa, et.al (2008) and Badiou, et.al (2012) as explained earlier. Relationship between omega 3 fatty acid and homocysteine This study showed positive association between omega 3 fatty acid and homocysteine level, suggesting the role of omega 3 fatty acids in regulating the level of homocysteine in the body. As discussed earlier, homocysteine is an important biomarker of CVD and control of which may reduce the risk of CVD. These findings support previous finding by Kulkarni, et.al (2011) who studied the association of omega 3 fatty acid with homocysteine concentrations. In the study they found that altered omega 3 fatty acids (mainly docosahexaenoic acid) may lead to increased homocysteine concentration. However, majority of studies have focused on the association between omega 3 fatty acids and other CVD markers such as LDL, blood sugar and clotting factors (Yeh, et.al. 2009; Etherton, et.al. 2002). Thus, further long term studies should be done to unravel the possible association between omega 3 fatty acid and homocysteine. Limitations Despite some interesting findings, the study had few limitations. The association of omega 3 fatty acids with homocysteine and CRP was only studied in diabetics and non-diabetics. The study would have given much clearer conclusion if the implication of omega 3 fatty acids and its biomarkers was also investigated in CVD patients. Moreover, although the study found the correlation between cholesterol and diabetes, it did not assess whether HDL or LDL had greater implication in diabetics. Clinical implications of the findings and future research Diabetes and CVD disease are two chronic conditions that are the major killers among all the diseases. Preventive measures and early diagnosis remains the key for proper management of the disease. This study suggests the beneficial role of omega 3 fatty acids in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. More so, the study also showed the association of omega 3 fatty acids with CVD markers such as homocysteine, cholesterol, as well as diabetes marker such as HbA1c. Thus, people who are at risk of developing CVD and diabetes can be encouraged to intake diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids. But , the association of omega 3 fatty acid with inflammatory maker, CRP remained inconclusive. Also, whether increased homocysteine in diabetics was associated with CVD was beyond the scope of this project and demands further studies. Future studied should be done to see the effects of omega 3 fatty acids in altering homocysteine level and CRP in CVD patients. References Bays, H.E., Chapman, R.H., Grandy, S. & SHIELD Investigators’ Group 2007, â€Å"The relationship of body mass index to diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemia: comparison of data from two national surveys†, International journal of clinical practice, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 737-747. Daousi, C., Casson, I.F., Gill, G.V., MacFarlane, I.A., Wilding, J.P. & Pinkney, J.H. 2006, â€Å"Prevalence of obesity in type 2 diabetes in secondary care: association with cardiovascular risk factors†, Postgraduate medical journal, vol. 82, no. 966, pp. 280-284. Edelman, D., Olsen, M.K., Dudley, T.K., Harris, A.C. &Oddone, E.Z. 2004, â€Å"Utility of hemoglobin A1c in predicting diabetes risk†, Journal of general internal medicine, vol. 19, no. 12, pp. 1175-1180. Etherton, P.M.K., Harris, W.S andAppel, L.J, 2002. AHA Scientific Statement. â€Å"Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease†, vol. 106, pp. 2747-2757. Kulkarni, A., Mehendale, S., Pisal, H., Kilari, A., Dangat, K., Salunkhe, S., Taralekar, V. & Joshi, S. 2011, â€Å"Association of omega-3 fatty acids and homocysteine concentrations in pre-eclampsia†, Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 60-64. Mancia, G. 2005, â€Å"The association of hypertension and diabetes: prevalence, cardiovascular risk and protection by blood pressure reduction†, ActaDiabetologica, vol. 42 Suppl 1, pp. S17-25. Mugabo, Y., Li, L. &Renier, G. 2010, â€Å"The connection between C-reactive protein (CRP) and diabetic vasculopathy. Focus on preclinical findings†, Current diabetes reviews, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 27-34. Virtanen, J.K., Mursu, J., Voutilainen, S., Uusitupa, M. &Tuomainen, T.P. 2013, â€Å"Serum Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Men: The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study†, Diabetes care. Yajnik, C.S. &Ganpule-Rao, A.V. 2010, â€Å"The obesity-diabetes association: what is different in indians?†, The international journal of lower extremity wounds, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 113-115. Yeh, E, Wood, R.D, Leeson, S and Squires, E.J, 2009.British poultry science. â€Å"Effect of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on clotting activities of Factor V, VII and X in fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome-susceptible laying hens†, vol. 50, no.3, pp. 582-392.

Byrons Don Juan

Byrons Don Juan Essay Byrons Don JuanOne writer who has not recieved nearly enough credit for his works isGeorge Gordon, who later became known as Lord Byron. This is the man who wrotehis own poetical version of Don Juan. Don Juan is a man who is known for beingable to arouse the desires of women and to love every one he meets. This DonJuan can be viewed, however, as a loosely disguised biography of Byron. Lord Byrons father, Captain John, has ancestors that go back as far asthe Buruns in the time of William the Conqueror. Back in this time it was verycommon for people to marry their own cousins. Captain John was married threetimes and was considered to be very smooth with the ladies. Byron was born on January 22, 1788 in London, and the following year heand his mother moved to Aberdeen, Scotland. His father soon followed, but itwouldnt be long before he would disappear to France and end up dying in 1791. It was just as well because his parents never got along very well. In Lord Byrons early years he experienced poverty, the ill-temper ofhis mother, and the absence of his father. By 1798 he had inherited the titleof 6th Baron Byron and the estate of Newstead Abbey. Once hearing this news, heand his mother quickly removed to England. All of Byrons passions developed early. In 1803 he had his firstserious and abortive romance with Mary Chaworth. At the age of15 he fellplatonically but violently in love with a young distant cousin, Mary Duff(Parker 10). He soon had another affair with a woman named Mary Gray. Soonhereafter he was involved with many liaisons with such women as Lady CarolineLamb and then Lady Oxford. Then just as Byron was beginning to live his life the way he had alwayswanted to, his mother dies in 1811. The following year he became immenselyfashionable and notorious. By 1813 he had began another affair with his half-sister Augusta. Continuing his search for the woman of his dreams, he marrysAnabella Milbanke in 1815 and has a daughter the same year. The next year Lady Byron leaves him to visit her parents and neverreturns. Separation papers are signed and he begins another liaison with ClaireClairmont. The following year(1817), they have a baby named Allegra. Not toolong after this he falls in love with yet another woman, named Marianna Segati. His next love happened two years later, Countess Teresa Guiccioli. Manysay she was his last love and his first. Byron met Teresa at an evening party. They soon began meeting secretly because she was married to Count AlessandroGuiccioli. She had auburn curls, large lovely eyes, beautifully shapedshoulders and arms, and an abundant bosom. She was completely intrigued byByrons beauty. Maybe they both felt that fate brought them together. It wascustomary in the code of serventismo for a married woman to have a lover andthe husband wasnt allowed to be jealous. Count Alessandro did know aboutTeresa and Byrons love for each other, but never spoke of it (Trueblood 99). After this liaison ended, Byrons life began to exhale love and devotionin vast quantities. Then his daughter, Allegra, and one of his close friends,Shelley, died in 1822. Two years later Lord Byron himself died. His body wasthen brought to England and buried in family vault at Hucknall Torkard nearNottingham. At his death he was the most famous poet in Europe and the mostnotorious sexual adventurer. READ: The Image of God EssayLord Byron was a professional poet. His letters and journals prove hisconcern to be the best poet around and to be famous was consistently deep andserious. Ambition for power and popularity came first and remained always theprinciple reason for writing. Byron had a great range of interests andexperiences of ideas and emotion than your average man ever did (Boyd 4). Don Juan is, all-in-all, a legendary lover. Familiar with the Don Juanlegend, Byron deliberately altered the traditional character and made him theinnocent victim of womankind. He experiences love by natural disaster, slavery,war, the court, and the aristocracy. Its two main epic themes are love and war(Joseph 74). The first two cantos of the poem Byron wrote were published without anauthor or a publisher. Many thought the poem was novel and powerful, and causedgreat misgivings for Byrons publisher. Others hoped for the poem to bediscontinued. The first sample of Don Juan got a very mixed reception. Byronspublisher, Murray, told him the poem was too outrageously shocking and to reviseit. He did not listen to Murray. He believed in what he had created and hewanted to continue it.

Entrepreneurial Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Entrepreneurial Marketing - Essay Example They also strive towards safeguarding the environmental safety by reducing the carbon print of the breweries and introducing various green technologies. These green technologies have earned them both local and international awards. The brewery can maintain a great sense of sustainability, community, and passion for the best ale. The recent industry trends report over the last five years produced by various independent bodies including SIBA indicates that there is a continuing success that is visible in the Ale sector with yearly growth and emerging categories often gaining their market share. One emerging market sector is in the growth of the 330ml packaged beer bottle. This is attracting a younger audience. Since Hobsons is in need of venturing into this market with a sub-brand, it requires ample market research and analysis. This paper seeks to fulfill that by developing a sub-brand that is not detrimental to the other brands of the brewery. It also seeks on the target audience and means of engaging them and marketing the product this new product in the market. The main consideration of this project is to come up with a sub- brand for Hobson brewery, which is not detrimental to the existing brand of the brewery. This is due to the emerging growth of the market for the 300 ml bottle of beer. This beer is attracting a younger audience of above eighteen years and considering that they make a high percentage of the total population in the area, tapping into this market is beneficial for the company. The brewery company has to come up with the best strategies to market and engage their target audience. They also aim at knowing what additional beer styles to create to maintain a competitive advantage. Moreover, they aim at coming up with a communication activity where they would gather the required feedback from the targeted market. The brewery also aims at coming up with promotional activity to ensure that they attract and retain more customers in their targeted

Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Contract Law - Essay Example In equity, injunctions may be administered or sometimes exact contract performance. Both solutions offer the party that has incurred losses an upper hand in terms of the bargaining benefits or in other words expectation damages that may be of higher value as compared to just reliance damages with regard to promissory estoppels. Generally, one may define a contract in nonprofessional’s language as a promise or responsibility that is legally enforceable to oversee the occurrence or no occurrence of something. However, a contract may not be equalized to a legal promise especially when the agreement larks consideration. Several elements validate a contract as stated below (Richard, 2007). Elements of a contract 1. An offer: This is the willingness expressed by the offering party, on a given set of terms, with a motive that in any case the other party accepts that offer; a contract will bind him or her. It is optional in that it may be written, or it can be orally done. 2. Acceptan ce This is the willingness expressed by a party, to absolutely and unconditionally, accepts all the terms that have been set out in the offer. It can either be done orally or written, and the approval must be a reflection of the initial offer that was made. 3. Consideration A consideration is a valuable offering exchanged between the promisee and the promissor with a reciprocal as an assurance. An act or a payment may be regarded as the valuable thing also an act of forbearance is acceptable. 4. Mutual assent Mutual assent is normally achieved by offer and acceptance under common law, in that, here an unqualified party and that accept an offer causes no variance to the terms of the offer. A counter-offer A counter-offer cannot be equalized to an acceptance. It extinguishes the initial offer. In this case, one is not eligible to accept the initial offer after making a counter-offer. However, asking for more information or clarification may not be regarded as a counter-offer and thus does not render the offer extinguished but the party is still eligible to accept if it so desires. Max-Eco Ltd case study In this project, I will assess Max-Eco Ltd, which has been involved in a business deal with Jack’s company to supply timber according to Fred’s set standards. Fred is the director of Max-Eco Ltd. However, after six months, Fred discovers that Jack was not meeting the standards set in their previous deal and feels like the other party had breached the contract they set together. According to the agreement, Jack was supposed to supply Max-Eco Ltd with timber only from the U.K and that they must be treated with only plant-based varnish. Instead, Jack decided to treat the timber, which sometimes he ordered from South America due to its unavailability in the U.K, with chemical-based varnish. Now Fred wants compensation from Jack for failing to meet the set standards. Contract terms Prior to making a contract agreement, often variety of statements are mad e by either party with an aim of enticing or encouraging the partnering party to sign into the contract. The two parties are required to agree as to which of the made statements qualifies to be a part or a term of that particular contract agreement. At the same time, they must identify which statements should be considered as not a part or a term that make up the contract and should be regarded as just pre-contract talks. Therefore, terms server a pivotal role in the establishment of a contract as they bind the

Equity and trust law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Equity and trust law - Essay Example eform proposals are in the process of being finalized into legislation, it has been the relevant case law which has served as a guide in order to determine whether or not an organization can qualify for charitable status. The case of Commissioners for Special Purposes v Pemsel2 laid out four categories that would automatically qualify an organization to receive charitable status, which are (a) advancement of religion (b) advancement of education (b) advancement of religion (c) relief of poverty and (d) other purposes beneficial to the community. The Charities Bill of 19933 also has the provision whereby, when a charitable trust fails due to difficulties in literal compliance with the intention of a testator, the doctrine of CyPress can be applied as a flexible policy option to prevent a trust resulting to its donors or the crown. Applying the Pemsel qualification, New Dawn must qualify under the category of advancement of religion, Democracy under the category of advancement of educa tion and Medi Aid under the category of other purposes beneficial to the Community. Ans 1: One of the criteria for determining whether or not a trust could be deemed to be charitable would depend upon whether it can be described as a valid purpose trust. In the case of Re Lipinski4 Oliver J draws a distinction in a testamentary disposition, between a purpose which is invalid (excluding tombs, animals and monuments cases), and a ‘people trust’ which is valid. Another case that highlights the question of purpose is A.G. of the Caymen Islands v Wahr Hansen5 . In this case, the Privy Council rejected the formulation of charitable trusts on the basis of a general purpose, since a general purpose demonstrates an intention that is wider than that which will benefit objects that are strictly charitable. In the case of Chicester Diocesan Fund v Simpson6, a similar application of a broad purpose had been examined, where a distinction was made between a gift that was â€Å"benevolent† and

Marketing Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing Management - Essay Example One of the greatest differences between marketing to business and marketing to consumers is that B2B marketing is more dependent on relationship building, thus increasing the value of relationship and building brand identity on the basis of personal relationship. Another difference is that the target market is smaller and should be carefully identified. A marketing strategy for the business market should be developed taking into consideration multi-step buying process and longer sales cycle. In addition, while the goal of consumer marketing is to make a shopper a customer (emotional buying decisions can be made), the major aim of business marketing is to provide the business with business value – organizations, in most cases, make rather rational buying decisions. Therefore, multiple individuals within the target organization should be educated on the value of the product, because business procurement is a multi-step process. Historically, the auto industry is heavily affected by the 5 external environments (macro-level). For each of the five (social/cultural, political and legal, competitive, technological, and economic) discuss three aspects within each environment that would impact the marketing planning for the next couple of years.

Inherent risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Inherent risk - Essay Example The impact of this on the total shareholdings needs to be independently addressed by the auditors. Undervaluation of shares: The management believes that the shares of the Company have been undervalued and hence has reduced the holdings on 30.6.2007 by buying back 5.2.Million Shares valued at $9.3m. (Speciality Fashion Group Annual Report. 2007. P. 8). Its impact on the present holdings needs to be reviewed by auditors. Climatic Risks that impinge upon Co.'s business: It is seen that the Company, which specializes in women's garments has had lowered business trends during the winter months, especially the peak Christmas season. Moreover the various seasonal competitions has also slackened business prospects. Risks associated with the rapport and reliability of key employees: The management functions as a closely knit operational team and decisions are made on consensus. Although the members of the team are highly motivated, committed and dependable, there are always risks of management employees' attrition, for better prospects and higher positions. This could be perceived as an inherent risk in this Company Risks Risks associated with need for strategic growth: The women's garment industry in Australia and New Zealand are the main areas of marketing focus by this Company. There is always a dormant risk that customer preferences and tastes may change, due to conspicuous changes in fashion industry needs and competitive environment, in which the Company operates. Although the Company has designed garment wear for all age groups, income stratas and lifestyles, the inherent risks of a high degree of fashion obsolescence cannot be ruled out, which could affect demand for the products and cost of carrying inventories. Supply Chain Management risks and strategic vendor relationships: The Company presently has 784 locations situated in Australia and New Zealand. (Speciality Fashion Group Annual Report. 2007. P. 10). Many more stores are going to be opened to future to cater to the increasing clientele and it is necessary to have the necessary efficient logistics in place so that all the stores are well stocked with stocks at all times. It is therefore a test for the supply chain management systems in operation to build up efficiency and prompt dispatches and also have excellent vendor network so that goods are speedily replenished and restocked at all locations. The inherent risks arise when, due to failure of the system, ordered supplies are not available on demand, which could reflect upon the reordering systems in vogue.

Discuss the benefits to a retailer of operating multiple formats Essay

Discuss the benefits to a retailer of operating multiple formats. Illustrate your answer with three examples from the UK retail - Essay Example Sainsbury’s, for example, has introduced a credit card that enables a customer to earn loyalty points whenever they shop at the supermarket. Tesco, on the other hand, is working on an application on Facebook, which will enable customers to gain double Club Card points by sharing or liking the facts about the products they buy from the supermarket. The Blackberry Company, on the other hand, uses TV and Billboards to launch new products. It also uses sales promotions to obtain advance payments in the short term sales (Chadwick, Doherty, Anastasakis, 2006). The Benefits of Using Multiple Formats to a Retailer The use of multiple formats has proved to be of immense importance to retailers because multiple formats normally offer unique opportunities for retailers to use services such as geo-location to market their products. This is applicable when using formats like social media. Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, used by Tesco tend to be hyper social platforms (Varley, 2 005). Multiple formats also tend to benefit organizations in that; some of the formats used by retailers tend to influence the consumers. For example, in that case of Sainsbury’s, where a consumer uses their credit card to shop, and eventually earns points. The use of advertisements by companies such as Tesco is also a format that can be used by a retailer to attract more customers and obtain more profits. For instance, Tesco has normally used flyers and websites to increase awareness among customers in the UK (Varley, 2005). Theory of Social Media as a multiple format used by retailers Berman and Evans (2004) discuss ways in which social media assists as a multiple format when it comes to skills that help retail marketing. Ellis-Chadwick, Doherty and Anastasakis (2006) reveal that social media helps its users view themselves in other ways by using their fresh data and presenting it in a manner that is planned. Using social media leads to increased consumer engagement and may result in quick sales in case a company has offers for consumers at a given time. Using such social media, retailers are in a position to create brand awareness, therefore, attracting more customers. The use of social media results in increased product awareness among consumers. Provision of consumers with information, such as price of products and location of the stores, where such products can be found, increases sales for the retailers (Healey and Baker, 1997). Porter’s five forces theory Porter’s five forces theory is a format that helps retailers to understand their positions in the competitive market. The retailers can normally use competition to evaluate their weaknesses. It enhances retailers with the ability to evaluate whether the goods and services offered are profitable. Retailers may use this format to evaluate their buyer power, the capabilities of their competitors, their supplier power, the threats accompanied by substitution, and the threats they may face in case they make a new entry into the market (Porter, 2008). An examination of the Mintel report reveals that; if a company manages to analyze the other companies in the market, the company can be in a position to track its competitors, and this leads to the identity

The Invasion of Privacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Invasion of Privacy - Essay Example The invasion of privacy is always a very serious and sensitive matter. But, then again, Cobb’s team is not made to appear in good light with regards to their job which is why there are severe dangers to their profession. But with permission, accessing of thoughts (although far from the fictitious modus operandi of Cobb and team) is used by psychologists for therapeutic purposes in order to unburden their patient’s subconscious and give them better internal peace. The Inception concept could also likewise be used in the same light but, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Such technology is fatal in the wrong hands, and this would be alarming if is popularly used. As evident in the movie, although Fischer is put in the villain spotlight, it is disturbing to consider how they can manipulate him into destroying a whole business conglomerate only for the benefit of another businessman. This clearly depicts that because of their drive fueled by selfish m otives and intentions, they blatantly disregard the damage that they could have inflicted on their victim, be it moral or any other. It is also noteworthy how the victims are very much vulnerable and susceptible to these kinds of intrusions. By implanting an idea deep into the subconscious, the probability would dictate that on several occasions such implanted idea might result in a negative interpretation by the host. This can pose several psychologically damaging issues to the Fischer and might even result to the instability of his personality. Cobb and his team were also insensitive enough to destroy relationships of the host to other people. Though they were proud to state that they might have cured the relationship with his father, it was not a primal intention, and even if so, they are playing god by toying with the affairs and manipulating the actions of their victim. Freud’s theory of the unconscious states that there are three different levels might operate. These ar e the conscious, preconscious, and the unconscious (Clarke 208). The film also works in this premise when they operated with their victim. Subscribing to Freud’s theory of the unconscious, it states that the id represents the passion of the human being and is entirety unconscious (Ocay 14). This is thus what Cobb and his team targeted to incept with. They harnessed the vulnerability of their victim’s relationship with his father and his commitment to continue his father’s legacy. This is the id, and this is the passion of the host that they manipulated into thinking their own bidding. 2) Mill raised the question as to whether one would prefer to be a pig satisfied or a Socrates dissatisfied? In this regards elaborate upon his views? Mill employs the concept of Utilitarianism, which is also known as the Greatest Happiness Principle (Mills 4). Happiness is defined as the presence of intended pleasure and the absence of pain. Therefore, the key elements of happines s are the presence of the quality of pleasure and the lack of pain, and some other pleasures are enacted in order to even avoid pain. Mill argues that some pleasures might be instinctually better than others but only independently so. By acting on our personal selfish pleasures, we can be easily satisfied. By only settling on these pleasures Mill likens an individual to that of a pig.  

Im Bored- What your Child Is Really Telling You Essay Example for Free

Im Bored- What your Child Is Really Telling You Essay In the short essay, I’m Bored: What Your Child is Really Telling You, by Linda Morgan, children everywhere are having issues with saying what they really mean when they say they are bored. Whether at home or in school, when a child says those two words, â€Å"I’m bored†, he may be in need of parental attention, redirection of school work, and direction in completing projects and activities. In today’s world, technology takes over a child’s extra time. Instead of going outside to play with friends or having a specific hobby, adolescents find themselves caught in an Xbox or computer game. Yet after they have beaten the game or moved on to something else they still complain that they are â€Å"bored†. But what does that really mean? According to Dr. Danielle Kassow, when a child states that they are uninterested in whatever they are doing or working on, it could mean that they simply want their parents, teachers, and daycare provider’s attention. It’s common for a child to want the attentiveness of an adult. Being a kid in society today, direction is still needed by the parent; whether in school or not. Adolescents need that extra push in order to make up their own mind about what they want to do next or what they are interested in. In order to help a child make up their mind, it could help to ask them questions like â€Å"what’s your favorite hobby† or give the child educational projects to do. These questions and projects will stimulate their minds and allow them to actually pay attention to something. Unlike a project that is hands on, games on any kind of technological device will allow them the chance to put their attention on something. If a child comes home from school and starts their homework, says he is bored in the middle of the assignment, it could mean that he needs a redirection of school work. His assignments may not be as challenging as they need to be for him. He is not becoming engaged in his school work, therefore he gets bored while doing or listening to his lessons. Also, it could mean that he needs a clearer pathway as to what he should start on or how he should start the homework. Children need a coach, whether it’s the parent or the teacher. Help him become motivated and less confused as to how or where he should start. Make his understanding grow a little clearer when pushing him in the direction to where he needs to start. This â€Å"coach† persona will help to child pick up an understanding about how to layout or outline his projects or assignments. It will not only give him a head start it will help him with all the assignments he may have some trouble with in the future. At times, a child saying they are bored could mean that they are independent and wants to organize their own activities. When adolescents get caught up in the technological world, they lose sight of how to rely on themselves to create their next activity. This causes them to want the guidance from the parent or teacher. While there are still children that find themselves independent, they may get bored because they don’t know how to entertain themselves. Kids need to find activities that they are able to do on their own. Things like drawing, simple building, or going outside to socialize or play with friends. Children need the time to be allowed to decide what they want to do, something that they are able to do. Giving them this time will help them reconnect with physical activities and not so much mental activities. When kids are doing their homework, and they seem to rely on their parents or teachers too much, you could give them a little time to themselves. In order to get them to think on their own without their parent saying â€Å"you aren’t doing this right† or â€Å"this is wrong do it again, let them work the assignment without any interruptions and eventually they will understand why they didn’t get the right answer at first and how they got the correct answer in the end. After they are done the parent or teacher could check their work and then tell them what they got wrong or right. This is important for the child so they can be able to learn on their own without needing the help from the teacher or parent all the time. These little techniques will come to the guardian as an advantage. Not only is the child engaging in the activity, but he or she is enjoying the process. It’s important to know what a child means when they say they are bored so they can be helped. Whether it’s tough to figure out or there is a very easy solution, in the end there will be a drastic change in the child attention skills. Boredom is a concurring epidemic in today’s society because of all the technology we rely on. Kids do not need to be exposed to all these advantages we have at a young age. Being able to rely on themselves is important in the early stages of life. Although sometimes kids say those words some parents hate to hear â€Å"I’m Bored†, it could have a complex meaning to it. Children may need attention from the parent or teacher, redirection of their school work, and some direction in completing projects and assignments. There are many ways to help children fall away from spending too much times playing computer games, or PlayStation games and allowing them to have the responsibility of choosing their own activities. Helping them move in the right direction in school work, whether they are not getting the challenge they need or simply needing that extra help starting an assignment will ultimately have a positive effect on their progress. Independent children will need the time to figure out the correct answer on their own. The guardian will also get a positive result from giving them that time to correct their issues. Children are all different, when they say they are bored, it could be something drastic or something ve ry simple. It’s up to the parent or teacher to decide what the next move is for the child.

Research proposal Essay Example for Free

Research proposal Essay Roselle Jardin Ranario, DPA Research Adviser October 2013 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Thinking that this was impossible to achieve made us realize that everything would be possible especially with enough help and support from people around us. Not only motivating us but also helped us to pursue our goal. They gave us the courage to do good and guided all throughout. It is our pleasure to thank those who made this possible. To our Heavenly Father, for His divine providence and for giving us enough strength. To our families, for their moral and financial support especially during difficult times. To our very supportive adviser, Dr. Roselle Jardin-Ronario, DPA for giving us words of wisdom and guiding us all throughout. Thank you also for the patience and encouragements. TABLE OF CONTENTS TitlePage Number INTRODUCTION Rationale4 Theoretical Background7 Statement of the Problem13 Significance of the Study14 RELATED LITERATURE15 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY22 Research Design Research Environment Research Respondents Research Instrument Selected based on the performance Data Gathering Procedures23 Treatment of Data DEFINITION OF TERMS24 BIBLIOGRAPHY25 APPENDICES28 CURRICULUM VITAE29 Introduction Rationale The love and eagerness to know is the beginning of a beautiful journey towards learning. The moment we want to know about any concept, we tend to  develop attachment towards it. By then, we would like to learn more about the concept and would do anything to know better. Statistically, Mathematics has been the academic subject that has presented the greatest challenge to many students. Many researchers suggest that difficulties in learning mathematics begin as early as pre-school. They argue that inadequate knowledge and ineffective teaching by some teachers plant the seed for future complications in the mathematics classroom. In an effort to address the challenge of poor academic performance in math, there is an abundant amount of literature and research on improvement in methods of math instruction. Since then, teachers are trying to utilize their creativity and initiative to grasp more strategies on how to develop the mathematical ability of learners effectively. The students start to dislike math because they do not understand. It builds up each grade level to the point that they hate it because they have difficulty in learning. The learners were not able to master the competency that they need to master each grade level. And because of this, learners develop attitude and anxiety towards math. Computer assisted instruction being used by many Asian countries in school especially in teaching math subject is of great help for both teachers and students. This can help learners understand well the concept of numbers, symbols, and objects through clear visual, accurate, and fast learning process and develop more of their mathematical ability. Through this, learners are now more confident to learn math and learning is more effective when teaching-learning method is incorporated with both verbal and visual entity with the use of computer assisted instruction. This concern draws an interest to the researchers to know the Asian people’s math attitudes and anxieties in computer assisted instructions. The researchers attempt to help the learners to appreciate math more and with it, they will be able to start learning math better. In the long run, the learners will be able to develop their mathematical ability and be able to make use of it on their future chosen field. With the findings, the  researchers may also be able to relate it to the math learners since the researchers themselves are also a math instructor in one of the schools in Asia. The researchers may come up with effective strategies in the teaching-learning environment with the learners to improve their math performance. Theoretical Background This study is anchored by these two theories; Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and Vygotsky’s Social Constructivist Theory. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory is composed of four processes of goal realization: self-observation, self-evaluation, self-reaction and self-efficacy. These components are interrelated, each having an effect on motivation and goal attainment (Redmond, 2010). Self-observation–Observing oneself can inform and motivate. It can be used to assess one’s progress toward goal attainment as well as motivate behavioral changes. There are two important factors with regards to self-observation: regularity and proximity. Regularity means the behavior should be continually observed, whereas proximity means the behavior should be observed while it occurs, or shortly after. Alone, self-observation is insufficient because motivation depends on one’s expectations of outcomes and efficacy (Zimmerman Schunk, 2001). Self-evaluation– Self-evaluation compares an individuals current performance with a desired performance or goal. It is affected by the standards set and the importance of the goals. Goals must be specific and important; therefore, goals such as, do your best are vague and will not motivate. Schunk and Zimmerman (1994) state that specific goals specify the amount of effort required for success and boost self-efficacy because progress is easy to gauge. If one has little regard for his goal he will not evaluate performance. There are two types of self-evaluation standards: absolute and normative. For example, a grading scale would be an example of a fixed or absolute standard. A social comparison such as evaluating one’s behavior or performance against other individuals is an example of a normative standard  (Zimmerman Schunk, 2001). People gain satisfaction when they achieve goals that they value. When individuals achieve these valued goals, they are more likely to continue to exert a high level of effort, since sub-standard performance will no longer provide satisfaction (Bandura, 1989). Self-reaction– Reactions to one’s performance can be motivating. If the progress made is deemed acceptable, then one will have a feeling of self-efficacy with regard to continuing, and will be motivated towards the achievement of their goal. A negative self-evaluation might also be motivating in that one may desire to work harder provided that they consider the goal to be valuable. Self-reaction also allows a person to re-evaluate their goals in conjunction with their attainments (Bandura, 1989). If a person has achieved a goal, they are likely to re-evaluate and raise the standard (goal); whereas, if a person has not achieved the goal, they are likely to re-evaluate and lower the standard (goal) to an achievable goal. Self-efficacy– One’s belief in the likelihood of goal completion can be motivating in itself (Van der BijlShortridge-Baggett, 2002). Self-efficacy refers to peoples judgements about their capability to perform particular tasks. Task-related self-efficacy increases the effort and persistence towards challenging tasks; therefore, increasing the likelihood that they will be completed (Barling Beattie, 1983, as cited in Axtell Parker, 2003, p. 114). Vygotsky (as cited by Whitcomb, 2002) stresses that cognitive development is a social activity. â€Å"Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological).† Adolescents develop their own thoughts and attitudes through social interaction and communication with peers and other members of society. (Rogoff, et al, 2007). They can also learn by observing the activities and interactions of others in a social setting. Adolescent students must have access to a more knowledgeable person or persons with whom they can communicate and interact socially. Realizing this will help keep teachers aware of just how meaningful their interactions and attitudes  are to a student, and how what they say and do can influence a student. Depending on the social context of the classroom, a student may benefit from being able to interact freely and socially with other students as they learn. The teacher may be socially less approachable in the classroom context. A ten year study at Harvard (Crouch, Mazur, 2001) showed that most students learn more from group learning activities than they do studying alone or listening to the teacher dispense information. When students are required to explain their ideas to their peers in a dialogue, rather than recite whatever â€Å"correct† explanation the teacher has told them, they more fully engage their minds, using their own cultural tools and opening their own personal beliefs to eventual modification. Vygotsky’s important notion state that students learn most effectively when they are given tasks which are a little too difficult for an individual to accomplish alone but can be mastered through social cooperation, is called teaching in the students’ Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). What he means is that if the lessons and tasks given to a student are not close enough â€Å"proximal† to what the student finds challenging, then the student will not develop. Trivial exercises result in mostly boredom and little to no cognitive development. On the other end of the spectrum, if a task is too difficult for students, even when they can work together, then they will simply fail at it and also achieve little development. So there is an optimal zone, or â€Å"magic middle†, where students are challenged, but can cooperate socially to increase their mastery of the task. Such a task is said to be within the ZPD. The concept of a ZPD can also be applied to the way adolescents think and develop. Most adolescents want to develop into adults and join adult society, perhaps to be free from their diminished status below the adults within society, particularly in our culture. If we consider that operating within the ZPD is the most efficient way to develop the cognitive and social functions of an adult, then it is only natural that adolescents tend to form groups of their peers and then attempt to understand and imitate adult social and cultural behaviors. The ZPD is very strongly evidenced by classroom studies. A study at the University of Illinois (Wenning, Wenning, 2006) on the implementation of new inquiry-based lab activities, which are more challenging and more work for  both students and instructors, found that these new and difficult activities must be introduced gradually. The research group achieved great success when they began the course with lab activities that were the easiest to understand within the pre-existing scaffolding (in this case, their educational background) and within the students’ ZPD. As the course progressed, the lab activities became increasingly complex, but the students continued to succeed and increased their skills and understanding. By working within their ZPD, they were able to shift it ever higher and achieve mastery, just as Vygotsky would have predicted. When I become a physics teacher, I know I will have to use this same approach: First I will have to investigate and identify my students’ ZPD, as they did in the Illinois study.(Wenning, Wenning, 2006). Statement of the Problem This study aims to examine the relationship of Math attitude and anxiety of students in computer assisted instruction across Asian countries. Specifically, this study aims to know the following: 1. What is the Math attitude of the learners across Asian countries? 2. What are the levels of Math anxiety of the learners across Asian countries? 3. What are the types of computer assisted instruction in Math across Asian countries? 4. What are the effects of computer assisted instruction in Math attitude of the learners? 5. What are the effects of computer assisted instruction to the levels of Math anxiety of learners? Significance of the Study The results of this research study categorically benefited from many sectors of the educational institutions by providing information on the results of the performance in terms of students language achievement that will enable the teachers to know the students areas of difficulty and strength, thereby guiding them in reconstructing their program of teaching to suit their needs. Among the persons who will be directly or indirectly benefited are the following: To the principal concerned, the results of this research  study may give her insights which would encourage her to plan projects designed to improve the quality of language teaching in the public school like Minglanilla National Science High School as the lead school of all public secondary schools in the Municipality of Minglanilla, Cebu Province. The district coordinator in English of the Municipality of Minglanilla as a researcher will benefit from the experimental study for future references. He has been provided with the d ata and information necessary for his experimental analysis utilizing the macro-skills learning performance intended for High School students, particularly in science classes. This will help the English teachers in Science High School realize in order for them to understand the new approaches in teaching and to be able to use the techniques and procedures effectively. Thus, it is necessary to bring their training up-to-date. They should as well encourage independent thinking and free communication of notions among the students concerned using the tools of expressions acquired in English class because this is the eventual aim of language teaching. To the first year teachers assigned to teach pilot classes as formative years in first year, it may enable them to realize that they should understand evaluation and procedures with emphasis on experimental viewpoints and learning approaches not only them as teachers but also their students so they can integrate with their own teaching and testing. More significantly, they will realize that in fairness to their students, they should test what they really teach. The secondary freshmen as student entrants of Minglanilla National Science High School will further ameliorate their savvy based on the structured lessons and differ mentally according to the departmentalized lessons, advanced lessons presented, and general learning performance based also on their intellectual aspects of learning. It will enable the students in general to grasp at the innovative teaching-learning approaches shared with them not only by the teachers but also by the freshmen pilot classes in terms of the four (4) areas of English language teaching, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing as sequenced in the lessons. Finally, the learning institution should initiate and institute a re-training program for the students as the training ground for them to go for the next higher level. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The learning of mathematics is affected by the confidence of learners in their mathematical abilitiesand the attitudes, beliefs, and feelings they harbour towards mathematics (Coben, 2003 as cited by Kerlinger 2004). Their conceptions of the subject and their perceptions of themselves and of their relationship to mathematics lie at the heart of their mathematics learning behaviour (Philippou Christou, 1998). For fear of embarrassment, many adults go to great lengths to avoid admitting that they experience reading difficulties, yet it appears to be normal, even acceptable, in modern life to readily admit to a dislike and misunderstanding of mathematics. Sewell (1981) suggested that at least half the population, including many with high mathematical qualifications, had negative attitudes to mathematics, ranging from lack of confidence to anxiety and even fear. According to Bandura’s sociocognitive theory, student’s motivation is a construct that is built out of individual learning activities and experiences, and it varies from one situation or context to another as cited by Pantzaira Philippou, 2007. Schereiber (2000) said that those who have positive attitudes towards Mathematics have better performance in Mathematics. Latterell (2008) writes in her book about the â€Å"Math Wars† that â€Å"Japanese people believe in gambae. Gambae means that one is successful if one works hard enough to be successful. One’s attitude and behavior must match the belief that hard work leads to success† (p. 126). Considering the results of the TIMSS, American students are no competition for Japanese students in mathematics. Japanese and other Asian students consistently outperform American students in mathematics (Latterell, 2008) and innumeracy. â€Å"Those with low mathematical abilities are likely to have more negative attitudes toward the subject and less inclination to make the effort to improve their mathematical abilities† (p. 212). Hammerman and Goldberg (2003) also state that to become successful in mathematics requires a positive attitude and belief in one’s ability to succeed. The factors affecting mathematics anxiety were mathematics achievement,  attitude toward mathematics, trait anxiety, and debilitating anxiety.^ Mathematics attitude, mathematics achievement, field indepedence, and the anxiety measures were found to be significant predictors of level of mathematics anxiety. Math anxiety is a real problem facing students, teachers, and parents. Teachers and parents that are afraid of mathematics pass that on to their students and children (Furner Duffy, 2002). Students who have math anxiety face real and long-lasting consequences. Ashcraft and Kirk (2001) describe the common belief that because of â€Å"long-term avoidance of math, and their lesser mastery of the math that couldnt be avoided, high-math-anxiety individuals are simply less competent at doing math† (p. 224). Extensive literature demonstrates that anxiety, stress, lack of confidence, and phobic reactions in the face of mathematical problems are exhibited in most modern cultures (Macrae, 2003), and math- anxiety is commonly characterized by feelings of tension, apprehension, or fear that impacts on mathematical performance (Ashcraft, 2002). It is associated with loss of self-esteem in confronting a mathematical situation (Acelajado, 2004), negative reactions to mathematical concepts and evaluation procedures, and with many constructs including working memory, age, gender, self-efficacy, and mathematics attitudes (Cates Rhymer, 2003). Students faced with the dual burdens of intractable content and math-anxiety a posteriori tend to have weak or negative mathematics self-efficacy beliefs. Bandura (1986) defined self-efficacy beliefs as â€Å"people’s judgements of their capabilities to organize and execute courses of action required to attain designated types of performances† as cited by Chiu 2009. Self-efficacy beliefs are a better predictor of success than an inventory of skills or prior achievements, and relationships have been found between self-efficacy for solving mathematics problems and mathanxiety, mathematics attitudes, general mental ability, mathematics self-concept, and mathematics experience (Finney Schraw, 2003). Yà ¼ksel-Åžahin (2008) said that Mathematics anxiety has to do with a sense of discomfort while required to work on mathematical problems (Hadfield   Trujillo, 1999; Ma, 2003). Low grades or failure in mathematics could also lead to mathematics anxiety or exasperate students’ existing levels of anxiety for mathematics (Ma Xu, 2004; Norwood, 1994; Reynolds, 2001; Satake Amato, 1995; Townsend, Moore, Tuck, Wilton, 1998). Failure in mathematics, fear and anxiety about it could cause extreme feelings of dislike about mathematics. Indeed, Hopko et.al. (2003) observed that persons with mathematics anxiety make more mistakes in dealing with mathematics problems. Poor performance in mathematics has been linked to an increase in mathematics anxiety (Furner Duffy, 2002; Hopko et.al., 2003). Megan R. Smith (2004) said that Math anxiety is a real problem facing students and teachers today. The mathematics teacher especially needs to understand the causes and effects of math anxiety as well as ways to help students overcome it. There are many symptoms of math anxiety including an unwillingness to attempt mathematics problems, a fear of taking advanced mathematics classes, and being unusually nervous when in mathematics class. Math anxiety hinders students working memory (Perina, 2002). It occurs at different ages in different people for different reasons. The main cause of math anxiety is the teacher himself It has been shown that students tend to internalize their instructors interest in and enthusiasm for teaching math (Jackson and Leffingwell, 1999). It is imperative when teaching mathematics that the teacher progresses from simple problems to complex ones (Schwartz, 2000). The students also need to have support systems in mathematics, whether this comes from their parents at home or with other students at school (Schwartz, 2000). The greatest prevention of math anxiety is the teacher himself. As stated before, the teacher needs to have a positive attitude when in class and needs to be willing to help students. The teacher must believe in the students even when they do not believe in themselves. Math anxiety is a real problem facing students, teachers, and parents. Teachers and parents that are afraid of mathematics pass that on to their students and children (Furner Duffy, 2002). Students who have math anxiety  face real and long-lasting consequences. Ashcraft and Kirk (2001) describe the common belief that because of â€Å"long-term avoidance of math, and their lesser mastery of the math that couldnt be avoided, high-math-anxiety individuals are simply less competent at doing math† (p. 224). Indeed, Hopko et.al. (2003) observed that persons with mathematics anxiety make more mistakes in dealing with mathematics problems. Such mistakes lead to lower grades in mathematics which in turn increases anxiety about math. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) is a narrower term and most often refers to drill-and-practice, tutorial, or simulation activities. Computer based tools and applications are used to assist the teacher or school administrator in the management of the learner and instructional process. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) A self-learning technique, usually offline/online, involving interaction of the student with programmed instructional materials. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is an interactive instructional technique whereby a computer is used to present the instructional material and monitor the learning that takes place. Computer – based instruction is a remediation or instruction presented on a computer according to the American Institute of Research, 2004. Johnson (2000) said that the computer opens a wide range of resources. When correctly used, they give learners a different level of experience and bring new style and height of analysis in the classroom. In the Philippines, the Department of Education is in the final stage of completing the five – year Information and Communication Technology for Education Strategies Plan as Lapus (2008) puts it. Computer – based instruction is a remediation or instruction presented on a computer, the American Institute of Research (2004) reiterated. CAI is also known as Computer Assisted Instruction. Examples of CAI applications include guided drill and practice exercises, computer visualization of complex objects, and computer-facilitated communication between learners and teachers. CAI can dramatically increase a learners  access to information. The program can adapt to the abilities and preferences of the individual student and increase the amount of personalized instruction a student receives. Many students benefit from the immediate responsiveness of computer interactions and appreciate the self-paced and private learning environment. Moreover, computer-learning experiences often engage the interest of students motivate them to learn and increase independence and personal responsibility for education (Microsoft Encarta, 2008 as cited by Vibar et. Al, 2010). As mentioned by Hergenhahn and Olson (1997) Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) motivates students to learn in ways that traditional instruction may not by providing immediate feedback, personal attention, exciting visual displays, and a game-like atmosphere. In fact, students are often so motivated by CAI that depriving them of their turn with the computer acts as punishment, and giving them additional time with the computer that acts as re-enforcement. Research Methodology Research Design This study will employ quantitative approach of data analysis and presentation. It utilizes descriptive correlation method of deriving data from 4 different Asian countries namely: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines. Research Respondents The respondents of the study will be selected using data mining technique. The 4 Southeast Asian countries including Philippines are among the many that joined the Trends In Mathematics and Science Survey and based on the records, among the Southeast Asian countries, only four joined namely, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines based on the 2003 TIMSS records. Research Environment The research will be conducted within the Four Southeast Asian Countries namely: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines. Research Instrument For the empirical phase of the study, the researchers will make use of the record sheet based from the Trends In Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMSS 2003). Research Procedures Gathering of Data Academic performance will be downloaded from Trends In Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMSS 2003). Through data mining technique, fou different South East Asian countries will be selected based on their performance in Math. Treatment of Data The cluster sampling will be utilized to identify the four South East Asian Countries and Pearson r correlation coefficient will help determine the relationship between Math anxiety and Math Attitude. DEFINITION OF TERMS For a better and clearer understanding of this study, the following terms are operationally defined in the context of this investigation. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) refers to the method of teaching that uses computers to interact with students in the teaching-learning process. Math Anxiety refers to the feeling of tension or fear in Math. Math Attitude refers to the behavior towards Math TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS) international assessment of the mathematics and science knowledge of students from different grade levels across countries. DATA MINING TECHNIQUE getting information from a data set and makes it understandable for further use. BIBLIOGRAPHY Crouch, C. H., Mazur, E. (2001). Peer Instruction: Ten years of experience and results. American Journal of Physics, 69(9), 970-977. (Peer Instruction and Inquiry)doi:10.1119/1.1374249 Daniels, H. (2007). Pedagogy. In H. Daniels, J. Wertsch, M. Cole (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to Vygotsky. New York: Cambridge University Press. Dilber, R., Karaman, I., Duzgun, B. (2009). High school students’ understanding of projectile motion concepts. Educational Research and Evaluation, 15(3), 203-222. Ibrahim, B., Buffler, A., Lubben, F. (2009). Profiles of Freshman Physics Students’ Views on the Nature of Science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 46(3), 248–264. Mason, A., Singh, C. (2010). Helping students learn effective problem solving strategies by reflecting with peers. American Journal of Physics, 78(7), 748-754. Rogoff, B., Moore, L., Najafi, B., Dexter, A., Correa-Chavez, M., Solis J. (2007). Children’s development of culture repertoires through participation in everyday routines and practices. In J. E. Grusec P. D. Hastings (Eds.), Handbook of socialization. New York: Guilford. Pachler, Norbert, Center of Excellence for Work-based Learning for Education Professionals, Dept. of learning, Curriculum Communication, Institute of Education, University of London. 2004. Using fuzzy statistics to determine Mathematics Attitude and Anxiety, Necla Turanli (2013), Middle East Journal of Scientific Research 13 (4): 568-572, IDOSCI Publications. Megan R. Smith. (2004). Math Anxiety: Causes, Effects, and Preventative Measures. Internet Sources glwhitcomb.iweb.bsu.edu Tago et al, Mobile Learning, Challenges and Potentials. www.inderscience.comfilter.php http://www.edpubs.org. PatrickGonzales (2004). Highlights from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS) 2003. [emailprotected] http://www.icmeorganizers.dk/tsg15/ APPENDIX E BUDGET SUMMARY 1. Supplies: Drawing book P 46.00 Clear FolderP 16.00 Cost of Services: a. Print out P 30.00 Total P 76.00 Prepared by: ARMESTIDES M. BARGAYO VI RESEARCH TEAM TREASURER Curriculum Vitae PERSONAL DATA Name:Odessa M. Bonjoc – Avenido Address:Luyang, Carmen, Cebu Birthday:November 15, 1983 Civil Status:Married Sex:Female Age:29 Spouse:Ariel B. Avenido EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Elementary: Luyang Elementary School Year Graduated: 1996 Secondary: Cebu Academy Year Graduated: 2000 Tertiary: University of the Visayas – Main Campus Year Graduated: 2004 Course: Bachelor in Elementary Education – Area in Mathematics Graduate Studies: Cebu Normal University Graduated: Present Course: Master of Arts in Education – Major in ELT Employment Record: Position: Teacher 2 Designation:ICT Teacher School: Luyang Elementary School – DepEd Province PERSONAL DATA Name: Armestides M. Bargayo VI Address: Lower Pakigne, Minglanilla, Cebu Birthday: October 22, 1981 Civil Status: Single Sex: Male Age: 31 years old EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Elementary: Minglanilla Central School Year Graduated: 1994 High School: Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy Year Graduated: 1998 College: University of San Carlos Year Graduated: 2002 Course: Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Math Graduate Studies: Cebu Normal University Year Graduated: Present Course: Master of Arts in Education major in Math Employment Record: Position: Math Teacher School: University of Cebu – Main Campus PERSONAL DATA Name: Jun Antoinette Z. Navaja Address: 4- E Gorordo Avenue, Kamputhaw, Cebu City Birthday: January 27, 1988 Civil Status: Single Sex: Female Age: 25 years old EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Elementary: Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Year Graduated: 2001 High School: Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Year Graduated: 2005 College: University of San Carlos Year Graduated: 2009 Course: Bachelor of Education major in Special Education Graduate Studies: Cebu Normal University Year Graduated: Present Course: Master of Arts in Education major Special Education- Mental Retardation Employment Record: Position: Substitute Teacher School: Barrio Luz Elementary School, DepEd Cebu PERSONAL DATA Name: Angelie Lopez Senarosa Address: Catmaran, Basak, Compostela, Cebu Birthday: April 25, 1982 Civil Status:Single Sex: Female Age: 31 years old EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Elementary: Panangban Elementary School Year Graduated: 2000 High School: Compostela National High School Year Graduated: 2003 College: Cebu Normal University Year Graduated: 2007 Course: Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Math Graduate Studies: Cebu Normal University Year Graduated: Present Course: Master of Arts in Education major in Math Employment Record: Position: Math Teacher School: Mulao National High School, DepEd Cebu

Biology Essays Factors affecting mammal population in the neotropics

Biology Essays Factors affecting mammal population in the neotropics An essay on the factors affecting mammal population in the neotropics and the challenges managing these populations. Introduction The Neotropics includes Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Southern Florida and it also hold the greatest amount of standing forests. These wooded wildlands are mosaic in a variety of green that together add up to some 1.37 million acres. Mammals in these areas are affected by several factors which affect their livelihood and sustenance. As a result, any of these species are either being extinct or reduced. Mammals are described as any of a large group of warm-blooded vertebrate animals characterized by having mammary glands in the female, which is used for suckling the young. Other features includes hairs which are very reduced in some species such as whales, a middle ear formed from three small bones (ossicles), a lower jaw consisting of two bones only, seven vertebrae in the neck and no nucleus in the red blood cells. Mammals belong to the class Mammalia. They are divided into three groups. Eutherians (Placental mammals), this is where the young develop inside the mother’s body in the uterus and receives nourishment from the blood of the mother via the placenta. The Marsupials (Pouched mammlas), where the young’s are born at an early stage of development and develop futher in a pouch on the mother’s body where they are attached to and feed from a nipple and the final group being, Monotremes (Egg- laying mammlas), this is where the young hatch from an egg outside the mother’s body and then nourished with milk. The monotremes are the least evolved and have been largely displaced by more sophisticated marsupials and placentals, so they are only a few types surviving platypus and echidna. Placental mammals have spread to all parts of the globe where they have competed with marsupials; they have in general displaced the marsupial types. However, marsupials occupy many specialized niches in South America and especially Australia. There are over 4000 species of mammals, adapted to almost every way of life, with the smallest shrew weighing 2g/0.07oz and the largest the whale up to 140 tons. According to the Red list of endangered species published by the World Conservation Union for 1996, 25% of mammal species population is threatened with extinction. The Red list of endangered species is a scientific assessment of the status of the world’s animal species. Although it carries no legal force this international compilation is seen by many scientist and conservationist as a warning of global decline in the wildlife biodiversity. The report also sates that 24 of the 26 orders of mammalian species are at the brink of extinction globally with an excess of 50% of the neotropical mammalian species. A leading cause of this decline in population is due to habitat degradation and destruction which is mostly due to human population and economic development, such as, over hunting, pollution and deforestation. There is also the introduction of non native species that plays a significant threat to mammalian species survival along side climatic changes. This assignment will discuss the factors affecting mammal population in the neotropics and also I will seek to list the challenges managing these populations. Factors affecting mammals of the neotropics Humans are the chief cause of neotropical mammalian loss. They destroy the plants which provide food and also shelter for the animals and also hunt for them and utilize their meat as food and their skin for clothing. Plants are generally taxonomically diverse and omnipresent. They function as primary producers hence; they are the most critical components in the maintenance of a vibrant functional mammalian population. It provides food for almost all mammals, coverings for numerous organisms, stabilize water sheds functioning and also provide a variety of other critical ecological functions such as stabilizing the earth’s oxygen content and nitrogen fixation which are vital for the animals’ survival. Most of this destruction by humans (a mammal) occurs to clear land for agriculture and cattle grazing, even though much of the forested land is inappropriate for farming or ranching. Cutting down of the plant removes most of the nutrients from the ecosystem, leaving soil tha t will only be able to support intensive agriculture for a couple of seasons. Over the past decade, Large-scale forest fires, timber extraction by local and foreign companies, mining, the building of dams, and population growth have also made significant contributions to forest loss in the neotropics. Population growth and economic expansion have led to the construction of new roads and buildings that both physically and ecologically fragment the forest, reducing its vitality. The now plantless lands or once forested areas are subsequently being used for the construction of homes, and consequently animals are being forced to migrate form these areas resulting in reduction in the species population. Habitat fragmentation could result in the loss and strain on the mammalian population. Some animals can benefit from the fragments of land while others may not. Depending on the size of the island patches large animals like jaguars can find it very difficult to obtain sufficient food for their survival. Many mammals such as manatees, cows, pigs, and sheep just to name a few are hunted and used by humans for food purposes. In addition to be hunted for food purposes some animals are hunted primarily for clothing and ornamental purposes. Wildlife trade also reduces the population or destroys the habitat of many neotropical mammals. Wild life trade is the third largest illegal trade in the world and it has an estimate of $1 billion on the Brazilian market alone. It affects most of the species that are officially listed as endangered species. As it relates to Brazil wildlife animals are officially being held in captivity including the threatened species such as the golden lion tamarin and the capuchin monkeys. Over the years, penalties have been enforced on poachers and people who obtain the wild animals. Mammals that are being taken out of their natural habitat are being trained and used as game animals for exhibition and economical purposes. Neotropical environments are also threatened by intensifying and poorly planned developments. Such development has resulted in ecosystem devastation. Pollution of rivers, beaches and other water beds by industrial, municipal and human waste has resulted in the loss or illness of many aquatic mammals such as dolphins. In the most industrialized country, Brazil, pollution in the area has often resulted in acid rain over the forest remnants. Fires such as campfires and accidental forest fires play a critical role in the depletion of the species. Noise pollution also plays a part in the disturbance of mammals’ population especially underwater noise pollution which is a disturbing problem that is quickly degrading the ocean life. This type of pollution can be described in many ways, simply because the ocean is filled to the brim with loud noises coming from various sources for example, military sonar, used for defensive and research purposes, fishing boats, merchant ships, research vessels, and oil rigs. Some of these noises are as a result of human activity. The increase of noise in the ocean has adverse effects on marine mammals in almost every aspect of their life, one of which is their behaviour. In order to communicate with each other, many species of whales depend on hearing calls from other whales. These calls can easily be hidden behind acoustic masking from sounds in the same frequency ranges. For example, the calls of baleen whales (humpback, blue, fin, and grey whales) are frequencies that range from 20 to 500 Hz. Sonar and even natural sources frequencies of sounds can mask the calls of whales and other marine mammals and significantly alter their natural behaviors. This noise can also cover other behaviors such as dolphin special echolocation skills used for navigational purposes, foraging for food, and communication within the specific group members. You can get expert help with your essays right now. Find out more The building of roads and other building can divide biomes and isolate many animals in the neotropics through the clearing of trees. Road traffic also causes pollution and also kills many of the animals. Many highways and buildings have been built without necessary environmental impact reports, and many are left unfinished, leaving neighboring areas vulnerable to severe erosion, that can have negative outcome on the animals’ survival. Climatic changes can also have impacts on the species population. High environmental temperatures can lessen male fertility by damaging or killing sperm, While, it can also trigger blood flow changes that reduce the flow of blood to the uterine tract, damaging or killing developing embryos in females thus lowering, their fertility rate. All the above factors can have and is having a great impact on the neotropical mammal population. Challenges managing the factors affecting the neotropic mammal population Although neotropical mammals, are faced with many challenges in dealing with their continuous existence, various managing schemes are being put in place to prevent these hazardous impacts to control their population. Conservation projects have being established in selected areas in an attempt to reverse the trend in declining population sizes. These projects play a vital part in the development of ecotourism in almost all parts of the neotropics and also the protection and conservation of various animal species. In terms of ecotourism development, tourists will have to pay to visit areas with interesting natural and cultural features. Conservationists from the various projects can also work along with local communities to educate people about the value of the wildlife in the area, to eliminate illegal hunting and to assist communities in developing farming and logging methods that are habitat and also animal friendly. The implementation of national parks and other private organizations can also play a part in conservation activities that can help to eradicate and protect the neotropical animals who lives are at stake. In addition to the development in ecotourism, the establishment of protected areas can also play a part in protecting the species diversity. Protected areas establishment will tend to have important economic as well as social function in conserving biodiversity. Captive breeding is another managing scheme which can help with this. It focuses on the reproduction of rare animals in captivity. The legal practice of captive breeding increases the population of many endangered species world wide. Species that are being held captive in this way can serve as a demographic and genetic reservoir for the species. Examples of few neotropical mammals held captive are the golden lion tamarin the capuchin monkeys, seals manatees and wildcats such as jaguar. A penalty of a fixed amount should be enforced to the various people of the different regions who practice the illegal capturing and use of the animals in the wild for their own purposes such as exploitation and over hunting. In 1975, the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) treaty prohibited international trade on most wild cats and was dramatically effective in curtailing trade of jaguar skins. In closing it can be noted that a wise approach towards the neotropical regions can be of great importance in the conservation of the animals species diversity. Although many of these approach are being taken by humans (a mammal), much more measures should be put in place try and curb this situation, because they are some heartless people who are still practicing these unlawful activities and should be punished for their heartless actions. With this in place there will be a rich mammalian population not only in the neotropical regions but also other parts of the world. References Lindley, David (1998) Webster’s New World Dictionary of Science, Helicon Publishing Limited Whitmore, T.C. (1998) An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests, Second Edition Oxford University Press New York www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/cerrado/biodiversity.xml date accessed 2008-02-26 http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/aar.cfm?id=conservation date accessed 2008-02-26

Timelessness of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay -- Shakespeare, Ro

The classic play Romeo and Juliet by the famous playwright William Shakespeare is one of the most beautiful love stories of all time and has captured and inspired readers everywhere. Regardless of the fact that it was written in the 1500’s, it is still being performed and extolled today. There is a multitude of reasons for such continuance of the play. First of all, its everlasting themes of love and hate enable people to deeply relate to the story. Secondly, its memorable characters deeply imprint on the minds of readers. And lastly, above all, is its magnificent language which many writers today regard in awe. These three elements make the acclaimed play, Romeo and Juliet, one of the most timeless stories of our lives. First of all, the themes of Romeo and Juliet such as love and hate are essentially the same in all its facets and colours whether it is in the 1500’s or the present time. The play is still accepted universally because people can closely relate to themes such as love and hate, and life and death, and these themes are the basis of the play. For example, there is the i...

The Renaissance :: European Europe History

The Renaissance In the 1400's, the feudal system became weak and national governments became stronger. People put more emphasis on humanism than on the church. This period was called the Renaissance. I believe that this period led directly to the Age of Exploration. During this time, technology became more advanced. Martin Luther started the Reformation against the Catholic church. As the effect of the Reformation, a middle class emerged making it possible for people to travel more. During the Renaissance, technology became more advanced and more available to the common public. The printing press was invented during this time. This invention made it possible for books to be published, not hand written. Ideas of the Renaissance were spread in some of these books and common people could own a copy of the bible. Some other inventions were the astrolabe, the quadrant, and the compass. These devices were used in sailing. The astrolabe and the quadrant told a person where they were at a direct point and the compass told which direction was north. Two faster, larger ships were also invented during this time. They were called the carrack and the caravel. The weakening of the Roman Catholic Church, brought about by the Protestant Reformation, changed the way people felt about the church and it's importance in their life. Then, because the church was not so dominating, people felt free to learn about new lands. People started learning about Rome and Greece. They learned a bout these two countries' culture and art. This also helped the Age of Exploration to begin because the Catholic church wanted more souls. They thought they could go to America and convert Native Americans. As trade grew, a wealthy middle class of doctors, bankers and lawyers emerged. These people had more money so they became more educated and more self-sufficient. They didn't have to rely on the feudal system anymore and national government became more powerful. With more money, the middle class could fund trips across the ocean. They could also buy books, paintings and other classical things.

Erosion of Shorelines Essay -- Nature Environment Papers

Erosion of Shorelines The erosion of shorelines is a natural process that can have beneficial or adverse impacts on the creation and maintenance of habitats. Sands and gravels eroded from the shores of coastal bays maintain the beach as a natural barrier between the open water and coastal wetlands. Beaches move back and forth onshore, offshore and along shore with changing wave conditions. The finer-grained silts and clays derived from the erosion of shorelines are sorted and carried as far as the waters of wetlands or tidal flats, where benefits are derived from addition of the new material. However, excessively high sediment loads can smother submerged aquatic vegetation beds, cover shellfish beds and tidal flats, fill in riffle pools, and contribute to increased levels of turbidity and nutrients (http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/Chapter6/ch6-4.html). Longshore drift is the movement of sand parallel to the shoreline, in the â€Å"along-the-shore† direction (H. Nepf). Longshore drift is caused by the water waves breaking against the shore. As the waves break, they thrust water forward, creating movement of water in the direction the wave is traveling. If a wave approaches a beach at an angle, the forward rush of water is directed partially parallel and partially perpendicular to the shore. The parallel component of motion creates the longshore current, a steady movement of water parallel to the shoreline, that carries sand and contributes to the longshore drift. The longshore current is confined to the region where the waves break, called the surf zone (the frothy, white water created by the breaking waves). In regions of strong wave activity the longshore drift steadily carries sand away, eroding the coast. In... ...tions are poor or where little penetration is possible, a gravity-type structure such as a stone revetment may be preferable. However, all vertical protective structures (revetments, seawalls and bulkheads) built on sites with soft or unconsolidated bottom materials can experience scouring as incoming waves are reflected off the structures (http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/Chapter6/ch6-4.html). Shoreline erosion is a problem widely attributed to by commercial and residential development. Many methods can be used to prevent erosion and promote sand accumulation. However, most man-made structures are simply made to protect buildings and surrounding land, not the entire beach. Some believe beachfront homeowners should move their houses or simply move. Whatever the decision, erosion is a natural process and will continue whether a house exists in its path or not.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 28

Matt had no idea what time it was, but it was deep dusk under the trees. He was lying sideways in Elena's new car, as if he'd been tossed in and forgotten. His entire body was in pain. This time he awoke and immediately thought, Elena. But he couldn't see the white of her camisole anywhere, and when he called, first softly, then shouting, he got no answer. So now he was feeling his way around the clearing, on hands and knees. Damon seemed to have gone and that gave him a spark of hope and courage that lit up his mind like a beacon. He found the discarded Pendleton shirt – considerably trampled. But when he couldn't find another soft warm body in the clearing, his heart crashed down somewhere around his boots. And then he remembered the Jaguar. He fumbled frantically in one pocket for the keys, came up empty, and finally discovered, inexplicably, that they were in the ignition. He lived through the agonizing moment when the car wouldn't start, and then was shocked to see the brightness of its headlights. He puzzled briefly about how to turn the car while making sure he wasn't running a limp Elena over, then dug through the glove compartment box, flinging out manuals and pairs of sunglasses. Ah, and one lapis lazuli ring. Someone was keeping a spare here, just in case. He put it on; it fit well enough. At last his fingers closed over a flashlight, and he was free to search the clearing as thoroughly as he wanted to. No Elena. No Ferrari either. Damon had taken her somewhere. All right, then, he would track them. To do that he had to leave Elena's car behind, but he had already seen what these monsters could do to cars, so that wasn't saying much. He would have to be careful with the flashlight, too. Who knew how much charge the batteries had left? For the hell of it, he tried calling Bonnie's mobile phone, and then her home phone, and then the boardinghouse. No signal, even though according to the phone itself, there should have been. No need to question why, either – this was the Old Wood, messing with things as usual. He didn't even ask himself why it was Bonnie's number he called first, when Meredith would probably be more sensible. He found the tracks of the Ferrari easily. Damon had sped out of here like a bat†¦Matt smiled grimly as he finished the sentence in his mind. And then he'd driven as if to get out of the Old Wood. This was easy, it was clear that either Damon had been going too fast for proper control or that Elena had been fighting, because in a number of places, mainly around corners, the tire tracks showed up clearly against the soft ground beside the road. Matt was especially careful not to step on anything that might be a clue. He might have to backtrack at some point. He was careful, too, to ignore the quiet noises of the night around him. He knew the malach were out there, but he refused to let himself think about them. And he never even asked himself why he was doing this, deliberately going into danger instead of retreating from it, instead of trying to drive the Jaguar out of the Old Wood. After all, Stefan hadn't left him as bodyguard. But then you couldn't trust anything that Damon might say, he thought. And besides – well, he'd always kept one eye out for Elena, even before their first date. He might be clumsy, slow, and weak in comparison to their enemies now, but he would always try. It was pitch-dark now. The last remnants of twilight had left the sky, and if Matt looked up he could see clouds and stars – with trees leaning in ominously from either side. He was getting toward the end of the road. The Dunstans' house should be coming up on the right pretty soon. He'd ask them if they'd seen – Blood. At first his mind flew to ridiculous alternatives, like dark red paint. But his flashlight had caught reddish brown stains on the roadside just as the road made a sharp curve. That wasblood on the road there. And not just a little blood. Being careful to walk well around the red-brown marks, running his flashlight over and over the far side of the road, Matt began to put together what must have happened. Elena had jumped. Either that or Damon had pushed her out of a speeding car – and after all the trouble he'd taken to get her, that didn't make much sense. Of course, he might have already bled her until he was satisfied – Matt's fingers went up to his sore neck instinctively – but then, why take her in the car at all? To kill her by pushing her out? A stupid way to do it, but maybe Damon had been counting on his little pets to take care of the body. Possible, but not very likely. Whatwas likely? Well, the Dunstans' house was coming up on this side of the road, but you couldn't see it from here. And it would be just like Elena to jump out of a speeding car as it rounded a sharp corner. It would take brains, and guts, and a breathtaking trust in sheer luck that it wouldn't kill her. Matt's flashlight slowly traced the devastation of a long hedge of rhododendron bushes just off the road. My God, that's what she did. Yeah. She jumped out and tried to roll. Jeez, she was lucky not to break her neck. But she kept rolling, grabbing at roots and creepers to stop herself. That's why they're all torn up. A bubble of elation was rising in Matt. He was doing it. He was tracking Elena. He could see her fall as clearly as if he'd been there. But then she got flipped by that tree root, he thought as he continued to follow her trail. That would have hurt. And she'd slammed down and rolled on the concrete for a bit – that must have been agony; she'd left a lot of blood here, and then back into the bushes. And then what? The rhododendron showed no more signs of her fall. What had happened here? Had Damon reversed the Ferrari fast enough and gotten her back? No, Matt decided, examining the earth carefully. There was only one set of footprints here, and it was Elena's. Elena had gotten up here – only to fall down again, probably from injury. And then she'd managed to get up again, but the marks were weird, a normal footprint on one side and a deep but small indentation on the other. A crutch. She found herself a crutch. Yeah, and that dragging mark was the mark of her bad foot. She walked up to this tree, and then around it – or hopped, actually, that's what it looked like. And then she'd headed for the Dunstans'. Smart girl. She was probably unrecognizable by now, and anyway, who cared if they noticed the resemblance between her and the late, great Elena Gilbert? She could be Elena's cousin from Philadelphia. So she'd gone, one, two, three†¦eight steps – and there was the Dunstan house. Matt could see lights. Matt could smell horses. Excitedly, he ran the rest of the way – taking a few falls that didn't do his aching body any good, but still heading straight for the back porch light. The Dunstans weren't front porch people. When he got to the door, he pounded on it almost frenziedly. He'd found her. He'd found Elena! It seemed a long time before the door opened a crack. Matt automatically wedged his foot in the crack while thinking, Yes, good, you're cautious people. Not the type to let a vampire in after you'd just seen a girl covered in blood. â€Å"Yes? What do you want?† â€Å"It's me, Matt Honeycutt,† he said to the eye that he could see peering out of the slit of open door. â€Å"I've come for El – for the girl.† â€Å"What girl are you talking about?† the voice said gruffly. â€Å"Look, you don't have to worry. It's me – Jake knows me from school. And Kristin knows me, too. I've come to help.† Something in the sincerity of his voice seemed to strike a chord in the person behind the door. It was opened to reveal a large, dark-haired man who was wearing an under-shirt and needed a shave. Behind him, in the living room was a tall, thin, almost gaunt woman. She looked as if she had been crying. Behind both of them was Jake, who'd been a year senior to Matt at Robert E. Lee High. â€Å"Jake,† Matt said. But he got no answer back except a dull look of anguish. â€Å"What's wrong?†Matt demanded, terrified. â€Å"A girl came by here a while ago – she was hurt – but – but – you let her in, right?† â€Å"No girl's come by here,† said Mr. Dunstan flatly. â€Å"She had to have. I followed her trail – she left a trail inblood , do you understand, almost up to your door .† Matt wasn't letting himself think. Somehow, if he kept telling the facts loudly enough, they would produce Elena. â€Å"More trouble,† Jake said, but in a dull voice that went with his expression. Mrs. Dunstan seemed the most sympathetic. â€Å"We heard a voice out in the night, but when we looked, there was no one there. And we have troubles of our own.† It was then, right on cue, that Kristin burst into the room. Matt stared at her with a feeling of d ¦j vu. She was dressed up something like Tami Bryce. She had cut off the bottoms of her jeans shorts until they were practically nonexistent. On top she was wearing a bikini top, but with – Matt hastily turned his eyes away – two big round holes cut just where Tami had had round pieces of cardboard. And she'd decorated herself with glitter glue. God! She's only, what, twelve? Thirteen? How could she possibly be acting this way? But the next moment, his whole body was vibrating in shock. Kristin had pasted herself against him and was cooing, â€Å"Matt Honey-butt! You came to see me!† Matt breathed carefully to get over his shock.Matt Honey-butt . She couldn't know that. She didn't even go to the same school as Tami did. Why would Tami have called her and – told her something like that? He shook his head, as if to clear it. Then he looked at Mrs. Dunstan, who had seemed kindest. â€Å"Can I use your phone?† he asked. â€Å"I need – Ireally need to make a couple of calls.† â€Å"The phone's been down since yesterday,† Mr. Dunstan said harshly. He didn't try to move Kristin away from Matt, which was odd because he was clearly angry. â€Å"Probably a fallen tree. And you know mobile phones don't work out here.† â€Å"But – † Matt's mind spun into overdrive. â€Å"You really mean that no teenage girl came up to your house asking for help? A girl with blond hair and blue eyes? I swear, I'm not the one who hurt her. I swear I want to help her.† â€Å"Matt Honey-butt? I'm making a tattoo, just for you.† Still pressed up behind him, Kristin extended her left arm. Matt stared at it, horrified. She had obviously used needles or a pin to prick holes in her left forearm, and then opened a fountain pen's cartridge of ink to supply the dark blue color. It was your basic prison-type tattoo, done by a child. The straggling letters M A T were already visible, along with a smudge of ink that was probably going to be another T. No wonder they weren't thrilled about letting me in, Matt thought, dazed. Now Kristin had both arms around his waist, making it hard to breathe. She was on tiptoe, talking to him, whispering rapidly some of the obscene things Tami had said. He stared at Mrs. Dunstan. â€Å"Honest, I haven't even seen Kristin for – it must be nearly a year. We had an end of the year carnival, and Kristin helped with the pony rides, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mrs. Dunstan was nodding slowly. â€Å"It's not your fault. She's been acting the same way with Jake. Her own brother. And with – with her father. But I'm tellingyou the truth; we haven't seen any other girl. No one but you has come to the door today.† â€Å"Okay.† Matt's eyes were watering. His brain, attuned first of all to his own survival, was telling him to save his breath, not to argue. Telling him to say, â€Å"Kristin – I really can't breathe – â€Å" â€Å"But Ilove you, Matt Honey-butt. I don't want you toever leave me. Especially for that old whore. That old whore with worms in her eye-sockets†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Again Matt felt the sense of the world rocking. But he couldn't gasp. He didn't have the air. Pop-eyed, he turned helplessly toward Mr. Dunstan, who was closest. â€Å"Can't – breathe – â€Å" How could a thirteen-year-old be so strong? It was taking both Mr. Dunstan and Jake to pry her off him. No, even that wasn't working. He was beginning to see a gray network pulsating before his eyes. He needed air. There was a sharp crack that ended with a meaty sound. And then another. Suddenly he could breathe again. â€Å"No, Jacob! No more!† Mrs. Dunstan cried. â€Å"She let him go – don't hit her anymore!† When Matt's vision cleared, Mr. Dunstan was doing up his belt. Kristin was wailing, â€Å"Just youwaaa -hate! Just youwaa-haate! You'll besor- ry!† Then she rushed from the room. â€Å"I don't know if this helps or makes it worse,† Matt said when he'd gotten his breath back, â€Å"but Kristin isn't the only girl acting this way. There's at least one other one in the town – â€Å" â€Å"All I care about is my Kristin,† Mrs. Dunstan said. â€Å"And that†¦thingisn't her.† Matt nodded. But there was something he needed to do now. He had to find Elena. â€Å"If a blond girl does come to the door and asks for help, will you please let her in?† he asked Mrs. Dunstan. â€Å"Please? But don't let any guys in – not even me if you don't want,† he blurted. For a moment his eyes and Mrs. Dunstan's eyes met, and he felt a connection. Then she nodded and hastened to get him out of the house. All right, Matt thought. Elena was headed for here, but she didn't quite get here. So look at the signs. He looked. And what the signs showed him was that, within a few feet of the Dunstan property, she had inexplicably turned sharply right, deeply into the forest. Why? Had something scared her? Or had she – Matt felt sick to his stomach – somehow been tricked into hobbling on and on, until at last she left all human help behind? All he could do was to follow her into the woods.