Implications of War on Terrorism on Public Relations Essay

The present Iraq War and War on terrorism have brought new dilemmas for the governments and businesses. How can the companies and government involve themselves in creating a society that is free of discrimination and respect personal freedoms. Even more important is how to avoid the pitfalls that turn out to be a public relations nightmare. One example of such an incident was when British Airways asked an employee to remove the cross she was wearing. British News paper published the news with the headline â€Å"British Airways allows Muslim headscarves, but not Christian symbols†. The woman at the center of the debate decide to sue the airline and the British Airways had to retract its notice after the public relations debacle that only brought it worldwide bad press. Former foreign Secretary, Jack Straw caused another furor by asking the Muslim women wearing veils, visiting his constituency surgery to remove their veils. In the present charged atmosphere, the simple request was seen as another attack on Muslim culture and British Muslims already feeling themselves cornered and persecuted made sure that the topic became a controversial subject. After all, Jack Straw is no Ayatollah Khomeini who has already told Iranian women to wear ‘hijab’ (dress similar to that of catholic nuns) but not cover their faces with veils. The ensuing debate caused high tempers both among traditional Muslims as an attack on personal freedoms at one end and from the mainstream British on banning the veil in public. Jack Straw finally issued a statement that his request was merely a suggestion to visiting constituency members and he did not insist on removal of veil. The war on terrorism and 7/7 tubes bombing has created a special need to sooth the fears of law abiding British Muslims who have just about as much to do with the bombings as any other citizen or the Brazilian shot in the aftermath of 7/7 tube bombing [Thompson et al, 2006]. The law enforcement institutions also have to ensure that the war-on-terrorism does not destroy the good public relations they have so laboriously built with all communities. The present world politics has necessitated a more sensitive handling of religious issues. Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and other religious minorities appear to have become incredibly sensitive and an important research issue is to survey how businesses varying from multi-national corporations to high street shops and industrial concerns have prepared themselves to avoid public relations disasters like British Airways ban on wearing religious symbols at work. Political parties and public figures and celebrities also need to prepare for being ethnically sensitive and religiously neutral. As a part of my 10 week research study I am proposing to survey the importance of religious symbols for our multi cultural society, investigate how the celebrities, public figures and industrial and business sector has prepared itself for the sensitivity of the present times. It would also be of interest to see if totally secular operating practices are acceptable and practical in a multi religious, multi cultural environment. The research is expected to prepare guidelines for various stakeholders to avoid public relation failures and unnecessary problems which result from over enthusiasm in this sensitive area. Bibliography 1. The Mail, (2006, Oct 16), Airline bans woman from wearing cross, [Online] Retrieved from Internet on 25 February 2007, cited in http://card. wordpress. com/2006/10/16/airline-bans-woman-from-wearing-cross/ 2. Guardian Unlimited, (2006, Oct. 05), Straw asks Muslim women to remove veil, [Online] Retrieved from Internet on 25 February 2007, cited in http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1888546,00.html#article_continue

Intelligent Enrollment System

Intelligent Enrollment System for Magmata Science High School A Project Presented to the Faculty of SIT college Global City In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology by Conge, ROI Carrel Davis, Aimed All Maxima, John Voltaire Pinned, Emmanuel Mr.. Emerson Floors Project Adviser July 7, 2014 INTRODUCTION 1. 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Magmata Science High School is one of the most prestigious high schools here in Magmata or even the country.Its population is mainly a mix of smart students and skilled or experienced teachers. Students who made it to the school are mainly picked based on grades and/or their performance in the school's entrance exam. All enrolled students here are scholars from government of Magmata. They are even given allowances aside from free tuition, all of these are done because the students of this school are expected to hold the future of our countries science and technology area. As a science school, a common misconception by people is that the school has an automated system already.This proved to be untrue for Magmata science high school. Processes such as purchasing, enrolment etc. Re done manually and with a lot of paperwork. Among these, the proponents will be focusing on the enrolment process of the school. More popular universities and colleges in the Philippines have good enrolment systems. Some of them are done on the web while some are Just more efficiently structured for fast enrollment (Bank payment of tuition, RIFF, etc). Magmata Science's current enrolment process compared to other science high schools is not that good.Other science high school's population is big compared to them but they're optimism is present because of the current system they use. Most of the current process is composed of papers going through the guidance and registrar departments. Papers are important for this school as well on the interview, the CIT coordinator said that less paperwork is go od. Inconsistencies on the manual processes have been uncovered throughout the data gathering process. Since the employees themselves want to maximize their time, a good enrolment system could take care of the Jobs that would take time for them.While Magmata Science's current enrolment is still not that efficient compared to the others, the developers are planning to create a system for the school. The developers are expecting a gradual rise of the student's population for upcoming years that is why the proponents will develop a mixture of ADS (Decision Support System) and MIS (Management Information System) namely an â€Å"Intelligent Enrollment System†. This is a computerized system with a decision support function that can remove the inconsistencies of the current manual process.Since people in the school wanted to hasten the Jobs like sectioning, report creation etc. This system will do it for them with minimal management. It will also feature an easy to learn interface t hat even the unfamiliarity's ones can easily adapt. . 2 PROJECT BUSINESS RULES ADMISSION PROCESS Before the admission for the incoming freshmen, the principal will set the schedule for admission test then the CIT Coordinator will post it to their website (www. Masterpiece. Deed. PH) including the requirements needed. Their admission are only for freshmen.The applicant for Grade VII must be a member of the 2014 graduating class from any public and government recognized private elementary school; Have a grade of at least 85% in Science, Mathematics and English subjects and at least 83% in all other subjects for the first and second grading periods of the rent school year 2013-2014. Grades obtained in the succeeding grading periods (3rd and 4th) lower than the grade requirements will be a ground for disqualification. Be in good health and be of good moral character.The applicant must present the following requirements: a certification of good health from a government physician, a certi fication of good moral character from the Guidance Counselor/Principal, a certification from the elementary principal that the applicant belongs to the upper ten percent of the graduating class, SYS 2013-2014, statement of parent that the applicant has no pending application as immigrant in the USA or any other country within the next six years, principals Certification of Grade VI 1st and 2nd quarter grades and the final average for grade IV and V, two (1 † X 1 ID pictures taken within the application period with name tag of the applicant.All certification are found in the application form; separate sheets for certification are not allowed. The application form can be obtained from the Guidance Office of Magmata Science High School or can be downloaded here, http://www. Masterpiece. Deed. PH/ admission. HTML/Application form moms extranet test. UDF Applicants for admission are to secure and to accomplish application forms from the Guidance Office or Registrar Office. Only stu dents with duly accomplished forms will be allowed to take the entrance examination. The test permit will be issued to the parents or guardian upon presentation of the accomplished form at the Guidance Office. There are an average of 900 applicants who take the exam every school year.Checking of the exam papers and the sectioning of the student are done and will be processed for at least 2 months. Students who passed will have a section made by he year level chairman who made their section by having a list of the qualifiers' names. And they will be informed through their website or on the school's bulletin board. The Successful applicants will then be interviewed by members of the administrative staff for classification purposes. Schedule of interview will be announced through MOMS website. Only Two hundred eighty (280) successful applicants will be admitted to Grade VII this school year 2014-2015, those students are also going to undergo general encoding.Those who will fail to enro ll within the enrolment period will be replaced by the next in rank. ENROLLMENT PROCESS Enrollment in this school is considered as a formal acceptance by the students of the obligation to faithfully carry out their responsibilities and their expression of willingness to collaborate with the school administration and faculty. Students shall enroll on the date set for their particular year level. They will undergo final General encoding in the BEES office where in their information are obtained all of which are: LEARN, Name, Gender, Birthday, Mother tongue, Religion, Address, Barraging, Municipality, Province, Parents, Mother's Maiden name, Father's Maiden name, Guardian and Contact number.They will input these details by encoding it in an excel spreadsheet on one of the six computers set-up by the school in the BEES office. Report Cards (Form 138), certification of good moral character and Barraging Captain Certification of residence (proofs if necessary) are required for the enrollm ent. This requirements will be collected still in the BEES room, from the students by a representative from the registrar's office. The information will be disseminated to the guidance office and the registrar's office where the information will be stored. After all the enrollment processes, the enrolled students shall receive a certificate of enrolment.They don't have to pay since the government pays for their studies. The students who fail to come on the prescribe enrollment period will be scheduled to enroll after the last day of 4th year enrollees. Transferees must be a student in science high schools only, otherwise they will not be eligible to enroll. School date is absolute so anyone cannot transfer to the school if the school year already started even if they came from another science high school. GRADING PROCESS At the end of every grading period, the teachers will pass the final grades of the student to the respective advisers. There will be a watch list for those who fail s to meet the standard grading requirement, which is a AWG of 85%.Inaccurate and unreliable transferring of student information to the registrar During the general encoding, the BEES sets up 6 computers in the BEES office for the encoding of the student's information. The students encode it in MS Excel spreadsheet. The problem with this is that the computers are not networked and so the details are all separated. What the CIT head does is to copy and paste the information encoded by the student to the separate file that she made. This process proved to be tedious and unreliable so she double checks it and takes more time. Inefficiency in handling student entry in general encoding During general encoding, the student enters his/her information in an MS Excel spreadsheet.New students doesn't have a problem since they still don't have existing information. However a problem arises when the old students do the general encoding. Because the school stores the general information in hardco py documents, their existing data isn't available for editing in excel, so every year that they attend general encoding, they enter personal information from scratch again. This proved to be inefficient because it takes more time. The problem in scheduling the teachers' class load The scheduling of the teacher's time is done by the department head. Schedules are done during summer by plotting the schedules on paper or through excel worksheets.That means they will know their exam score on the same day the exam is taken. It will ultimately save time for the school to check the exam papers. Create a networked database connection between the PC's to handle separated data. To systematically connect the data in the six (6) PC's, the proponents will create a networked database to store data on only one (1) data storage so that the CIT coordinator will not be having a hard time in collecting information. It will also save time and effort for the remaining process. Create a process for insta nt retrieval of existing student information during general encoding The proponents will create a function to retrieve the student information.

Physical Therapist College

Since I was a young I have always wanted to have a job that helps out other peoples’ lives for the better. I have gone from wanting to be a cop, fire fighter, EMT (emergency medical technician) and now I have made up my mind to become a physical therapist. After comparing and contrasting the pros and cons of numerous jobs I decided that doing physical therapy fits me best because I am getting to know several types of people. Also, knowing that I am improving the health of patients and uplifting their spirit is the perfect job for me.Although, it is going to be a long journey, I know it will definitely be worth it in the end. Physical therapy is dated back to 460 B. C. when physicians would use water therapy and massage therapy on their patients lower the levels of pain, reduce stress and anxiety, and encoruage healing. However, it was during the World War I (1917 – 1918) that physiotherapy was performed widely as a rehabilitation therapy for people who were injured in t he war. People employred for such rehabilitative work were known as reconstruction aides and they were trained nurses having background of physical education and massage therapy. buzzle Website) Shortly after, physical therapy started to spread across the world. PT’s used hydrotherapy (water therapy) or massage therapy. Now physical therapist can do a lot more thanks to our intelligence of the human body and its functions. What physical therapist do is treat individuals ranging from any age group who have had injuries or unhealthy conditions to health increase their range of motion and ability to move and improve their lives.They examine the person to make a plan that best fits the person according to their age, depth of injury, and many other factors. Such as decreasing the pain and properly regain their strength back to lower the chances of the injury reoccurring. They also â€Å"work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bureau o f Labor Statistics Website). In order to do this extensive training and practice is needed. Physical therapist can work in many places and environments.As long as they have the right equipment and tools the job can be performed. They can work from hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursery homes, and many other places. â€Å"About 60 percent of physical therapist worked in hospitals or in offices of other practitioners† (Bureau of Labor Statistics Website). Other physical therapist work in healthcare industries, care centers, or privately. Some PT’s also conduct research to accredit themselves with more knowledge or teach in colleges or institutions.It is estimated that â€Å"Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018† (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and by 2018 there will be 241,700 physical therapist working. The reason why the big percentage jump in a ten year span is because of the baby booming age is getting to about the age where they are more at risk for strokes, heart attacks, and more chances of injuries occurring. Therefore, calling for a higher demand in physical therapist to help aid them in their time of disabling injuries or disliked conditions.

Probability Theory in Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Probability Theory in Decision Making - Essay Example Firstly, it must be understood that the sale of juice by coffeeTime is a move to just boost the revenues of the company in the ongoing food festival. The second row (A2) of the table just goes to show that. The nil entries in all the 3 rows signify that any decision of the company against selling fruit juice will have no impact on the sales of coffee, which of primary interest to the company rather than selling fruit juice. There is also an interesting observation from the first row (A1). This row depicts that the sales for fruit juice are expected to register figures of a mere Rs.2000-3000 in the case of the mid-high range respectively. But, if the company suffers a low turnout, then the expected loss ifs around Rs.6000. This is much more than the sales for the highest possible sales turnover as has been previously mentioned. All this goes to show that the company is less likely to benefit in any major way and more likely to incur a loss in the eventuality of selling fruit juice. Th us, it is advisable not to proceed with the proposed plan of selling fruit juice at the south-Asian food festival. b. Firstly, the company can use the Bayesian logic for making any analysis only from data collected from other countries where it has its operations currently.

LEVERAGING BUSINESS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND DIVERSITY IN THE Essay

LEVERAGING BUSINESS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND DIVERSITY IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY - Essay Example This likewise has a leveraging repercussion in trade and commerce. Statement of the purpose. One of the objectives of this dissertation is to show how cultural capabilities and idiosyncrasies neutralize growth and opportunities in business. For instance, because of acute recession in the United States of America and in order to save big on wages and other payroll costs, American companies outsource jobs to countries like India and those in Asia where salaries are significantly lower. Such is the case in call centres where telemarketing and other allied on-line services are rendered. It is admitted that oral English communications skills are the only required credentials for call specialists. In this field, other cultures can compete with their counterparts in the larger economies thus leveraging business in the global scene. The levelling of business particularly comes from taxes on the earnings of the employees which go to the host country rather than the territory which is outsourcing the services. The same is true with the circulation of money g enerated by the outsourced business. Another example where cultural competency sets in is in the car industry. While the world economy hits low levels, people in third world countries tend more to settle for reconditioned used cars rather than buy brand new ones from companies controlled by corporations with main offices based in affluent nations. Circumstances like this become balancing factors in international business and commerce. In short, owning a second-hand automobile is a readily acceptable cultural notion in poor countries while it may not be so much in highly developed nations. On the other side, there are products made by people from impoverished territories which fascinate rich Western nationals and this kind of exchange likewise levels the trade playing field. Such products include furniture made of rare wood or indigenous materials and tiny handicrafts being worn as beauty accessories. These are among the factors to consider in presenting a study on how cultural compe tency leverage business. In the case of diversity in the global economy, the research will inquire into non-traditional resources and approaches. One good illustration is the source of fuel or energy which has always been mineral fossil oil or petroleum. This circumstance has a very

UK Retail Market and Financial Comparison of GAP and NEXT Case Study

UK Retail Market and Financial Comparison of GAP and NEXT - Case Study Example This paper illustrates that the top five clothing retailers, M&S, Next, Arcadia Group, Matalan, and BHS, claimed 44% of sector sales in 2004 making the UK one of the most concentrated clothing sectors in Europe. In spite of this, value-led retailers, such as TK Maxx, ASDA (George range) and Tesco outperformed the rest of the market, continuing to be the fastest growing channel and generating  £2 billion in clothing sales. Next retail also continued to grow, overtaking the Arcadia Group and moving into second place behind M&S. The value clothing market has become increasingly competitive. Not only have many of the retailers in this sector really got their act together in terms of upgrading store environments and enhancing their product offers - becoming, in effect, the new lower middle market, but the middle market has been fighting back. The last 18 months have seen a strong recovery at M&S, and BHS - that describes itself as premium value- is also a much stronger player. Therefore , there is more and better choice for consumers. However, while 2001 and 2002 were buoyant years for retail and for clothing, 2003 is seeing a significant slowdown. It is much quantifiably harder to persuade consumers to spend. A key factor is that value clothing retailers now know that they cannot succeed with low prices alone. Consumers expect a pleasant environment and mainstream-quality merchandise even if they are paying very little. So they have had to make very significant investments in their store estates - at a time when many are expanding rapidly too. Also, this space and product expansion has been very challenging. Many have found that their infrastructure, systems, IT and logistics have just not been up to it and this has affected their sales performance. In 2004, the competitive environment in the UK retail market has experienced a dramatic re-shape. This re-shape has been led by the acquisition of the Safeway supermarket chain by Morrisons, which has created the count ry's fourth-biggest retailer and has given Morrisons the chance to pose a real threat to Sainsbury's, in the fight for third place behind the UK's biggest retailers, Tesco and Asda. According to new research analyzing the Retailing industry in the UK by Euromonitor International, the move towards greater consolidation continue to impact the UK retail industry over the next five years. Euromonitor suggests that future mergers and acquisitions in UK food retailing are likely both to be on a smaller scale and to involve the take-over of convenience retailers by hypermarket chains wishing to strengthen their presence in the UK's high streets. According to Raphael Moreau, Retailing Analyst "Diversifying into convenience stores is on the agenda for the UK's top hypermarket chains because this retail format offers good growth prospects. Convenience stores have increased their share of the UK food retailing market from 20% to 21.9% between 1999 and 2003. Clearly, these stores are appealing to UK consumers, thanks to their convenient locations and extended opening hours. Hypermarket retailers want to make sure they don't miss out on this growing area of the UK market." High Street convenience stores are also particularly attractive to hypermarket retailers, due to strict planning rules restricting the opening of new out-of-town hypermarkets. Euromonitor International believes that this trend is likely to intensify in the next five years.

Spam (Computing) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Spam (Computing) - Essay Example Proponents of permission-based emails argue that the receiver can simply hit the delete button or use an opt-out option listed in the electronic advertisement if they do not want to view the email. (Godin, 1999, pg. 43). Opponents charge anything that arrives in the inbox that the recipient didn’t request is spam and that just because a purchase is made doesn’t give that company the right to inundate them with junk mail. The debate is joined whether this tactic serves to generate trade or to drive potential customers away. Spam is considered not only intrusive but is generally viewed as a scheme of some kind. Those that don’t differentiate between the two are driven away from these emails thus questioning their effectiveness. The question then becomes are permission based emails an unwanted and ineffective or a necessary and reasonable method of advertising? Argument Spammers have long attempted to justify their intrusive form of advertising. So-called permission -based marketing is just another example of spam. According to their logic, if a person forgets to check a button at the end of an online order form requesting no further correspondence, this constitutes permission. If a lawn care or maintenance man had access to your property does that give implied permission to sell you Viagra? When a service or product is purchased on the Internet, does this give implied permission for the company to suggest sell on a daily basis via your email account? If a consumer is required to type in an email address to visit the site or bought a related product from another company that, in turn, sold their email lists, this is all considered permission to inundate an email box with spam. An opt-in list can be purchased, on the Internet, of course, thus making even a respectable company’s permission list suspect. Many companies, including utility and service companies assume that an individual has granted spam permission if they have used a product or service of that company. These emails typically announce that this email is not spam; you have opted to receive this information. It goes on to espouse the company’s spam policy and that it’s policy prohibits spam of any kind. There seems to be a perception chasm between marketers and the consumer. (Dean, 2003). If the old adage ‘time is money’ is correct, then stolen time is stolen money. The theft of a few seconds will not cause a person to lose their livelihood but that is similar to saying stealing one item from a chain store won’t bankrupt the company. Wrong on a small scale is still wrong. Spammers may argue that junk mail does not have the same effect as stealing because there is an opt-out option choice on the email, but the time spent reading, following the link and then the steps necessary to stop the spam is time lost. Multiply that 30 seconds of effort by 100’s of spam emails and that is significant money stolen from an individ ual and/or their employer. (Rhode, 2003). Adopting Opt-in anti-spam email rules worldwide would limit spam messages, perceived or otherwise, as the consumer would have to make a deliberate choice to receive company generated email. The Opt-out option addresses the spam issue only after the unwanted message was sent. The loss of time and irritation to

Strategic management of small firms Research Proposal

Strategic management of small firms - Research Proposal Example Such firms include entrepreneurial ventures and also business trading entities. The paper is an exploratory study and draws upon existing literature and case studies of small firms to develop the proposed model. Future research scope and applicability has also been discussed. Small firms have been long neglected over the strategic management roles and issues. The problems of identification of factors that influence small firms’ strategic decisions have been restricted to leadership roles and planning techniques. The paper is aimed at resolving this very issue by identification of a framework for strategic management within small firms. Small scale industries have been the key to economic development for most of the countries during their development stage. Studies prove that they contribute towards a major portion of a country’s GDP and growth. This has also led to a huge rise in research in the economic activity of small scale enterprises. However, most research in the field did not prove to be quite resourceful, primarily, owing to the failure of identification of problems associated with the study of small scale companies. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate and develop a framework of strategic management within small enterprises by evaluation of strategies adopted by small companies. The research shall also seek answers to the source of competitive advantage of small enterprises that emerge as successful businesses and thereby analyse the strategic management factors that influence success in small firms. The research rationale in the context of this study is whether there exists any significant difference between the strategic management employed within small firms and that within large firms. If this holds true then, the research seeks to explore the factors that are responsible for strategic management within small firms. The research

Law Enforcement Information Sharing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Law Enforcement Information Sharing - Essay Example es and technology (National Institute of Justice, 1999).   Organized criminals, taking advantage of these developments, have become more agile than governmental agencies (Brock et. al. 2006). On the other hand, though technology and other infrastructure are available to law enforcement agencies, democratic governments require a consensus among leaders and citizens to establish priorities and allocate funds before significant changes are implemented. (Broude & Teichman, 2009). This constraint slows down government progress and makes law enforcement a complex process. Thus, making policy change and implementation becomes difficult and is not always successful (Broude & Teichman, 2009).  In contrast, criminals act independent of bureaucracy, advancing their own interests (Beare, 1997).  The agility of the criminal enterprises makes it difficult to anticipate criminal activity, making such activity an insurmountable threat (Williams & Godson, 2002).  The reluctance of some commun ities to recognize a developing or already present criminal threat can also contribute to the growth and entrenchment of crime. (Mackenzie, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Available literature on the topic chronicles twentieth and twenty-first century efforts undertaken by the federal government to combat transnational crime. (Dowling et al. 2006).   However, there is a dearth of literature on the trends in criminality from the perspective of federal law enforcement officers (Small & Taylor, 2006).   Statement of the Problem: Transnational crimes, especially terrorism, have remained a huge threat to nations all over the world from time immemorial. Experts in the fields of law enforcement and counter terrorism believe that proper sharing of information among various intelligence agencies in different countries... From this research it is clear that events of September 11, 2001 demonstrate what can happen when the law enforcement community fails to adequately share and analyze information available to them. Those events are an extreme example, but many other terrorism and transnational crimes threatened society long before 9/11 and continue to do so today. The U.S. Government recognized key information sharing gaps that contributed to the terrorist’s ability to execute their attack and took measures to curtail such gaps in the future. One noticeable paradigm shift was the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, merging 170,000 employees from 22 federal agencies, and move by DHS leadership to develop unique â€Å"one-DHS† culture. The purpose of this case study is to describe what measures federal law enforcement agencies have implemented, and what steps can still be taken, to enhance information sharing with State and local partners and other peer agencies. A review of t he literature on sharing in the law enforcement community includes an exploration of factors related to (a) An awareness of transnational criminal and terrorist threats before and after 9/11, (b) Human factors related to the sharing of information in person and through technological tools, (c) Organizational changes contributing to information sharing, (d) Factors affecting sustainability of information sharing initiatives. While modern transportation and technology enhanced the developmental activities on one hand, it also accelerated the country’s illegal enterprises on the other.

The way and need to improve upon treasury department in islamic banks Essay

The way and need to improve upon treasury department in islamic banks - Essay Example If we comprehend both definitions into fewer words, a bank may be called a financial institution which deals in money. ISLAMIC BANKS: Islam has laid down certain principles and rules in every aspect of human life. These principles have had a great impact on the living standards and behaviors of Muslims all over the world. This also distinguishes the life style of Muslims from other nations. Islam has also laid down certain rules and regulations for the management and performance of financial activities in the society. They may be, to some extent, repugnant to the financial standards generally observed all over the world. ‘Islamic Banking is defined as a banking business the objectives and functions of which do not involve and include any element repugnant to the teachings of Islam’ (Interpretation). The rules framed for Shariah banking are strictly in accordance with the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet (Peace Be upon Him). These banking rules sometimes affi rm the rules of modern banking system while on the other times they contradict these rules. One of the main guideline given by Islamic banking system is the prohibition of ‘Interest’ or ‘Ribah’. ... However, Islam does not prohibit trading or other businesses conducted for the purpose of making. Moreover, investment in any such business is also permitted by Islam. So, one of the main aspect of Islamic banking system emerges from these guidelines. Islamic banks do not generate profits by way of charging interest on the loans given to its customers. The main source of income for them is the investment in the business. These businesses use these investments for achieving their goals and making profits. The bank is a stakeholder of such businesses and thus has a share in the profits of these businesses. These profits are then divided by the bank among the depositors. The main feature of the Islamic banking system is the compliance with the rules and regulations of Shariah. However, the interpretation of Shariah may be different in different parts of the world. However, this problem is overcome by constituting a body called Shariah Supervisory Board. The body consists of Ulemah who a re well-versed in Islamic law and may make recommendations to the banks for compliance with Shariah rules. The board also defines the status of products and transactions in the eye of Islamic law. The sources of funds for a bank working in compliance with Shariah are more or less same as that of other banks. The main source of funding is the amount deposited by the depositors and the customers of the bank. The deposits can have any of the following forms; demand deposit, time deposit or saving deposit. Another major source of funding is the paid-up capital of the bank. Such capital is paid by the shareholders or in other words owners of the banks. Bank reserves and retained earnings are also a major category of the bank’s funds. According to S.Mishkin, 70% of the total bank funds

Jury Nullification Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Jury Nullification - Case Study Example v. Morgentaler’s case whereby the cited law did not adequately apply (R. v. Morgentaler, 1988). However, this has always been the norm due to the de facto power granted to juries whereby despite judge’s role of instructing and advising them to act based on the law in question cannot interfere with their final verdicts. For instance, in R. v. Morgentaler’s case the accused were acquitted after the jury found s.251, which they argued violated women’s privileges was true and did not in anyway seem to hold them accountable for their actions. In most cases, jury nullification as evident in the case aforementioned prompt some individuals especially those who have done grievous crimes prefer their arbitration because they are aware of receiving fair judgments incomparable to the magnitude of their charges or all together acquitted. This is evident in R. v. Morgentaler’s case though the involved parties did not prompt the same but owing to then unfolding ci rcumstances about laws’ interpretation disregarded the charges, hence acquitting the accused (R. v. Morgentaler, 1988). Acquittal occurs if jury finds the stated law inapplicable, oppressive as well as unpopular based on their interpretation and other aspects that may influence their irrevocable verdicts them like morality. For instance, in R. v. ... What do you think of jury nullification? Despite numerous negative responses anti jury nullification, I think its role is more of upholding the execution of justice with consideration of morality. However, this in many incidences may differ with both judge and claimants’ anticipations concerning varied laws, which they cite the accused might have infringed based on the case at hand. Since, in all their undertakings and verdicts juries make certain fundamental considerations whose core purpose is to ensure fair trial of all parties involved in the case. However, due to their contrary verdicts to those of the involved parties may seem either unwise or favoring a particular party/side. This is especially evident when the jury nullifies a law that renders one guilty of having violated whereby with the aid of their interpretation pronounce it being conflicting. Hence, the accused acquitted for having done wrong as in the R. v. Morgentaler case where the claimant was very sure the s pecialists were quilt. However, the case overturned when the specialists cited s.251 violated women’s rights by compelling them to carry to term fetus that may in process subject them to both emotional and psychological distress (R. v. Morgentaler, 1988). This is upholding of morality, justice and vulnerable people’s rights as well as protecting those who may not have adequate knowledge concerning interpretation of a certain laws. However, with the intervention of jury the accused end up getting fair judgment or acquitted if the law is oppressive or unpopular as in the case R. v. Morgentaler where the prosecution’s side ended up using another law to defend the cited infringed law (R. v. Morgentaler, 1988). Based on my opinion, this does not imply judges compared to juries are

A Literature Review About Mecication Errors Essay Example for Free

A Literature Review About Mecication Errors Essay Introduction An error rate of 5% is acceptable in most industries, however, in the health care industry; one single error can result in death. (Berntsen, 2004, p5) This paper discusses medication errors in relation to pharmacology and drug treatment. It will summarize three academic peer reviewed journal articles, followed by general information in relation to medication errors, the impact of medication errors on client care, strategies to prevent medication errors  and conclude with the relationship to nursing. Summary of Articles Related to Medication Errors. The first article is by Karin Berntsen, 2004, and is entitled How Far Has Health Care Come Since To Err is Human? Exploring Use of Medical Error Data. This is a review of what changes have been made since a medication error report written by the Institute of Medicine was published in 1999. This article depicts how the health care system has changed since this 1999 report was written, and how the information was utilized for our benefit. They concluded that in the USA, medical errors were one of the top 8 leading causes of death. They reported the cost for these errors was between $17 Billion to $29 billion dollars. Until a new report is completed, health care providers will be unaware whether their goals in increasing patient safety were accomplished. The article finalizes that there has been progress in regards to prevention of medication errors and health care leaders feel passionate about increasing patient safety. (Berntsen 2004) The second article is by William N. Kelly, 2004, and is titled Medication Errors: Lessons Learned and Actions Needed and highlights the death of a one year old child who was diagnosed with cancer. She subsequently died, not from the cancer, but from receiving an incorrect dosage of a drug that she was being treated with. This report indicates that medications are systematically checked and balanced and errors are usually caught before a drug is administered to a patient. The article states that problems are not being solved in a timely manner since the industry has been putting band aids on problems that need major surgery.(Kelly 2004). In conclusion, the article questions whether or not they are taking the right approach in preventing errors. Many people are trying to fix this problem however; errors are still made too frequently. (Kelly 2004) The final article is by Rosemary M. Preston, 2004, and is titled Drug Errors and Patient Safety: A Need for Change in Practice. This article presents that errors continue to happen for many reasons. It concentrates upon calculations errors, lack of knowledge of drugs, over/under dosing drugs,  interactions with drugs and food, and legalities regarding drug administration. It also presents recommendations to minimize the risk of drug errors with good communication and honesty. The article closes by stating that nurses should never estimate the skills needed for safe administration of medicines. (Preston 2004) Key aspects: medication errors and their causes. To understand the impact that medication errors have on a patient, we have to understand what a medication error is. According to Health Canada online, a medication error is defined as: Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labelling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use. [Developed for use by the National Coordinating Council on Medication Error Reporting and Prevention]( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/index.html) Medication errors occur for a variety of reasons. An error can affect all areas of a health care facility from health care management, staff, physicians, pharmacy and especially patients. Studies have indicated that errors will usually occur when the staff demonstrates signs of fatigue, stress, are over-worked or encounter frequent interruptions and distractions. When physicians display bad handwriting, ineffective communication with patients, and do not educate staff and patients effectively, a medication error is more likely to happen. Poor management can result in more medication errors when there is an emphasis on volume, over service quality. This results in inadequate staffing and disorganization. Medication errors affect all components of the health care environment. (http://www.napra.org/docs/0/95/157-/166.asp) Impact on client care. As disturbing as it sounds, one miniscule error can result in a patients injury or can even lead to their death. According to the American Journal of Medicine, statistics reveal that more than two million American hospitalized patients suffered a serious adverse drug reaction in relation to injury within the 12-month period and, of these, over 100,000 died as a result. http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news) Death and injury is a sad reality to any single error. The government established six rights of drug administration to prevent medication errors and ensure accuracy. These six rights include: Right drug, right dose, Right client, right route, right time and right documentation. (Kozier Erb 2004) Injuries that result from a medication error are called adverse drug events. Usually, these unpleasant effects can be eliminated and injury can be avoided. However, every drug produces harmful side effects, but the severities of these effects vary from individual to individual. These side effects also depend on the drug and the dose given. (Kozier Erb 2004) Health care professionals must report all errors and are accountable for their actions. No matter how insignificant, nurses are taught to document and report all mistakes. When statistics show what types of errors are made, an analysis can be done. This analysis can be used to plan ways to prevent them medication errors. (Berntsen, 2004)When a nurse does not report a mistake, the probability that it will happen again will increase. Medication errors have a huge impact on client care. They can result in death, injury, and result in unwanted effects of drugs. It is our responsibility as nurses to comply with the clients six rights of drug administration, to prevent errors from taking place. Strategies to prevent medication errors. There are many efficient ways to prevent nurses from making an error. To ensure patient safety in all aspects of client care, nurses are taught to think critically, and to problem solve. Nurses use critical thinking to ensure safe, knowledgeable, nursing performance and they must be able to keep up with updated health facts by constantly educating themselves with new information. (Kozier Erb 2004) Critical thinking assists in the prevention of medication errors. The six rights in drug administration help prevent medication errors from occurring. It is important to maintain the highest standards of practice of these rights for a drug to be prepared properly. Failure to adhere to any one of these rights will definitely result in a medication error. (Clayton Stock, 2004) Take your time when preparing medications and research any unknown drugs. Rushing should be avoided when preparing, administering and reading medication labels. Proper research must be done before an unfamiliar drug is administered it to a client. Even when in a rushed emergency situation, drugs should be looked at carefully to know the correct concentration and name of the drug, to prevent injury. (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/index.html) Labels should be read carefully and accurately. Before a drug is given to a patient, three checks should be done to ensure you are giving the proper drug and dose. In a situation where you are unsure of a drug order, you are expected to refuse the order and clarify it by law. If an individual is unfamiliar with a particular drug, the drug should not be given. (http://www.napra.org/docs/0/95/157-/166.asp) When a label is unclear, do not try not to examine the drug order yourself. Do not ask an associate, or ask for anyone elses interpretation of the drug. To get the correct information, contact the individual who ordered the drug to clarify the label. In order to decrease the chances of error, verify all unclear hand writing, abbreviations, decimal points, decimal places and dosages. (http://www.napra.org/docs/0/95/157-/166.asp) Use of dosage abbreviations should not be used to avoid drug miscalculations. Dosage abbreviations are misinterpreted more often, than any other type of abbreviation. Using standardized abbreviations, would assist in preventing misinterpretation of abbreviations. (Preston 2004) A drug check should be done three times prior to the administration of a drug. The drug label should correspond with the physicians orders. The three checks should be done; Before removing the drug from the shelf or dosage cart, before preparing or measuring the actual prescribed dose, and before replacing the drug on the shelf or before opening a unit dose container, just before administering a dose to a patient. (Clayton Stock, 2004) Do not make assumptions regarding drugs. Physicians, pharmacists, make mistakes and other parts of the health system may be flawed. For example, when documentation shows the patient has no drug allergy, it is wrongful to assume the patient will have no adverse reaction to a new drug. This could result in detrimental results to a clients health. Therefore no assumptions should ever me made. (http://www.ismp.org-/ToolsAllina-Orientation.html) A quiet environment for preparing medications will prevent prescription errors from occurring. Sometimes, nurses are repeatedly interrupted when preparing a medication. Distractions interfere with processing information and decision making. Errors will least likely occur when preparations are done when there are no distractions. (http://www.ismp.org-/ToolsAllina-Orientation.html) When preventing errors, staff must be certain all dosage calculations are correct and clarified. It may be beneficial to ask a colleague to assist you in checking doses, to minimize the chance of miscalculations. Other suggestions to minimize error include; making pre-calculated conversion cards, always use a leading zero before a decimal, never use a zero after the decimal and include indications whenever possible. Miscalculations are preventable if proper methods of inspecting calculations are used. (Preston  2004, p.72) Assess for the effects of drugs to avoid harming a client. A client must be assessed before and after a drug is given. For instance, before giving an oral medication, assess whether the client can swallow or feels nauseated. An appropriate follow up should be done after a medication is administered. It is important to check if the client experienced the desired effect of the drug. Significant abnormal responses to drug should be reported to the physician. (Kozier Erb 2004) Conclusion. To finalize this assignment, medication errors are mistakes that can cause harm to patients and can even result in death. The articles that have been summarized illustrate situations where medication errors have occurred and review what the health care industry is doing to prevent errors. A medication error is preventable and errors can be caused by a variety of reasons. This paper has discussed the impact medication errors have on client care and strategies of how to prevent errors from occurring. As a nurse, this knowledge will assist me in keeping beneficence a priority for client care. References Clayton, Bruce D., BS, RPh, PharmD, and Yvonne N. Stock, MS, BSN, RN. Basic Pharmacology for Nurses. 13th ed. United States of America: Mosby, 2004. Government of Canada Online. (2004, Summer). Retrieved July 18, 2004, from Health Canada Web site: (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/index.html) Kelly, William N. Medication Errors. Professional Safety 49: 35. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Assiniboine Community College. 22 July 2004 . Government of Canada Online. (2004, Summer). Retrieved July 18, 2004, from Health Canada Web site: (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/index.html) Kozier Erb, Barbara, et al. Fundamentals of Nursing. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004. Minimizing Medication Errors. (n.d.). In NAPRA: National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Retrieved July 17, 2004, from NAPRA: National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities Web site: http://www.napra.org/docs/0/95/157/166.asp Preston, Rosemary M. Drug errors and patients safety: the need for a change in practice. British Journal of Nursing (BJN) 13: 72. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Assiniboine Community College. 22 July 2004 .

Management Objectives for a Semi-natural Woodland

Management Objectives for a Semi-natural Woodland Niamh Fitzpatrick An effective and long term successful management plan of Derrybeg woodland is critical to conserve and protect the biodiversity of the site. To do this, the first and most important step is the implementation of a bassline study. This bassline study will provide information on the flora and fauna that is present on the site, allowing you to devise an appropriate management plan. The first management objective of Derrybeg Wood is to manage the mixed broadleaf woodlands which includes, oak-ash-hazel and wet willow-alder-ash. The management of these woodlands is imperative as they are natural or semi natural woodlands of high ecological importance. Throughout the management its vital that one firstly maintains and if possible restores the woodlands natural ecological diversity. The main technique for the management of these woodlands is coppicing. However, as Derrybeg Wood has not been actively managed for several decades, firstly it would be necessary for the standards to be thinned out. This will allow more light for the understory. By thinning the broadleaf species, it removes the less desirable or trees that are not as healthy as well as giving the remaining trees more space to develop (Betts Ellis, 2009). Thinning allows light onto the woodland floor, thus encouraging an understorey of small plants, shrubs and trees to grow. This generally occurs naturally in many woodlands i.e. as weaker trees die, thus this step is not causing any negative impacts on the surrounding flora and fauna and is simply working with nature (Betts Ellis, 2009). In terms of coppicing these broadleaved woodlands, all the multi-stemmed broadleaved trees and shrubs that occur together will be cut down to ground level. The size of the coppice coupes will need to be proportional to the woodland area (Betts Ellis, 2009). For this woodland, coupes of 1-2 ha would be suitable. For optimum coppice growth to be achieved, their density will be kept between 30% and 50% of the canopy. It is preferable to maintain coupes that are irregular and elongated in shape compared to those that are square or regular in shape because they create richer edge habitats (Betts Ellis, 2009). Coppicing works extremely well for the woodland on a whole. It creates ideal conditions for many different species. The influx of light is optimal for some wild flowers in the first few years after cutting. Also as the coppice grows and becomes denser, excellent conditions are created for nesting birds which are present on site (Betts Ellis, 2009) This is a long-term management objective that needs to be monitored and carried out over several years. According to a study by (Betts Ellis, 2009) the stools are expected shoot and in 5 to 20 years they will produce a crop of poles that will need to be cut again. As Red Deer are present in this woodland the advantage of the richer edge habitats may be lost unless they are kept out for the saplings to be able to regenerate. Deer can cause major problems as they are tall and the coppice takes a lot longer to grow beyond the reach of the Red Deers mouth (Betts Ellis, 2009). In order to prevent the deer from entering this site, a deer fence is the most effective form of protection. In terms of natural barriers, brash is an excellent and effective alternative. Objective two: The second objective is to remove the rhododendron that is present in approximately half of the woodland. From the bassline study, we found that the level of infestation varies throughout this woodland i.e. near the pools in the centre of the woodland and under the birch and oak, there is heavy infestation as well as near the eastern half of the woodland, within the conifer stands. These heavily infested areas are priority and will be cleared first. The bushes that are largest and most mature need to be removed first, therefore removal will begin in the middle and work outwards rather than starting on the edges with the youngest bushes. Its important to remove these bushes first because they have the highest yield of seeds, thus causing the biggest threat to the eradication of this area. Once these major seed sources have been tackled, the minor seed sources will become a priority. (Edwards, 2006) The technique chosen to remove the invasive will depend on many factors such as; the height in which its growing, the level of invasion and the accessibility to the area. for this site the removal of the invasive will be broken up into three different steps; The initial removal of the invasive the stumps will be cut therefore leaving no live shoots or branches. This will occur from September to March and the cut material will be removed to a suitable area to be burned. Only a small number of burning sites will occur as it creates more areas of bare ground, thus providing more areas for the seeds to thrive. (Kent Wildlife Trust, 2017) Controlling the stems and roots young bushes, residual seedlings and any regrowth will be treated using a foliar spray that contains an adjuvant to enhance the performance of the herbicide. This is necessary to remove the waxy layer that is present on the surface of the leaf (Kent Wildlife Trust, 2017). This will occur from May to October, preferably when the weather is dry. Mature bushes will then be treated using a stem injection treatment, i.e. cutting the main stem to allow a hole to be drilled enabling the use of the herbicide. (Edwards, 2006) Follow up treatments Its critical that these treatments are carried out thoroughly ensuring all ground is covered before moving on to a new site. If not, the invasive will re-establish. The rhododendron must be monitored and re surveyed at the end of every growing season to identify if there is any re-growth (Edwards, 2006). From this any follow up treatments can be established. Herbicides dont transport within the phloem of the plant, thus its necessary to repeat this process to ensure that the invasive is dead and cannot re-grow. (Betts Ellis, 2009) Its extremely difficult to achieve the complete elimination of rhododendron and it is a very time consuming process, however if its controlled until the surrounding trees close canopy then shading will halt its development (Betts Ellis, 2009). Additionally, as much of the rhododendron invasion occurs within the conifer stands, the dense evergreen crowns of these conifer species have a heavy shade, thus preventing the Rhododendron regenerating within the stand (Betts Ellis, 2009). In a report from the forestry commission (Edwards, 2006), it was recommended that the management plan should occur over a seven-year period, therefore these steps including the follow up treatments will take place over seven years to ensure the complete eradication of the invasion of rhododendron in this woodland. (Edwards, 2006) Objective three: The third objective for Derrybeg wood is the development of rides or glades. A ride is a linear open space within a wood that is formed for the need of access (Stephens, 2005). Rides generally have a hard-surfaced track which make up some of the width and they are usually made up of several zones. A path or track becomes a ride when it is wide enough for there to be an opening in the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the ground (Stephens, 2005). The first step in this objective is to survey all potential rides to establish which rides to open or create. This step is critical to choose the ones with greatest potential. All archeological features i.e. wood banks will be carefully considered to prevent damage in the process of creating or widening a ride (Stephens, 2005). The depth of the ride will be equal to or greater than the height of the adjacent canopy. Rides that are less than this width quickly lose any benefit gained in the early years (Stephens, 2005). The rides will have a wavy edge as this has a greater wildlife benefit. The wavy edge maximises the woodland edge, thus increasing the habitat diversity. In areas where wood mice and red squirrel are present pinch points will need to be included at no more than 100-metre intervals (Stephens, 2005). This is important as they are arboreal mammals which generally dont like to travel along the ground. Thus, they require aerial runways to cross open spaces. Rides that are w ider can also cause disturbances to the population and subsequent decline if links across them are not provided. The rides will be opened out to ensure maximum sunlight. It will run on the east-west line rather than the north-south line because east-west lines are in the sunlight for longer (Stephens, 2005). They warm up earlier in the year and cool down later and warmth combined with sunlight will promote the greatest wildlife benefit. The sunny ride edges will rapidly develop grasses and several plants that may be scarce or not found elsewhere in the wood e.g. violets (Stephens, 2005). Shrubs may grow on ride edges and this is a great food source for many butterflies and other insects which are present in the wood. Many flowers and butterflies present favour open-space environments at the woodland edge and therefore should thrive from this being extended (Betts Ellis, 2009). The careful management of open habitats is significant as it introduces greater habitat diversity. It enco urages a larger range of species as many prefer the edge of habitats for feeding due to the higher level of herbs and the larger invertebrate population (Betts Ellis, 2009). Once the rides have been identified and created, its important that they are maintained and managed appropriately for the following 20 years by doing the following; Mowing the area where the greatest amount of sunlight occurs every year. Cutting a herb or shrub zone once every three to five years. Cutting a transition zone between the herb / shrub zone to the high forest on an eight to twenty-year coppice rotation. Controlling the presence of deer, as this is required over an extensive area, culling is the most practical method as opposed to fencing. (Stephens, 2005) Objective Four: The management of the wildlife present in Derrybeg Wood is another significant objective. Many species present in the wood are protected or threatened per the IUCN red lists for example the red squirrel and the lesser horseshoe bat. These species are protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. In addition, the lesser horseshoe bat is also protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Given the conservation importance of these species its important to follow guidelines in relation to their management and the overall management of the wood. The red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, is a significant species present in this woodland, and it is critical that they are managed effectively to prevent their decline. As grey squirrels are not present in this woodland, food supply is one of the most important factors affecting the red squirrels population density. The management of the conifer species is important to provide a continuous food supply for the red squirrel. Generally, conifer species are of variable quality in terms of being a food source (Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017). The amount of seed produced depends on factors such as the age of the trees, thus conifers should be managed depending on the state of the woodland (Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017). The management of the conifer species in this wood will include; Sustaining a permanent proportion of the forest that is made up of stands of seed bearing age. This is important because conifer species dont generally produce cones every year. Many species can take up to seven years between cycles and some species dont start to cone until they are 15-20 years old. (Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017). Maintaining a significant amount of a variety of species, i.e. not just Sitka spruce. This is important to ensure diversity of species. (Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017) Ensuring a constant tree canopy that is not disturbed. To do this, the structure of the conifers will need to consist of stands of trees that are of a similar age. This will also help to reduce forest vulnerability to wind throw. (Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017) The lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros is also protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. As this species has such specific requirements i.e. needing dense vegetation to forage and linear sites to travel, it is given added legislative protection under the Habitats Directive (McAney, 2017). To protect this species, the woodland will firstly be surveyed to identify trees that contain roosts. This survey will be carried out in both summer and winter. This will be repeated every 5 to 10 years after this initial survey to evaluate any changes in the population (Foresty Commission , 2005). After surveying, a natural reserve will be created to provide security and permanency for the species. The careful management of the rest of the woodland is vital and will enhance the feeding areas of the bat species as well as other species present in the wood. The natural reserve will be monitored and reviewed every 5 years. (Foresty Commission , 2005) Objective Five: The final management objective that will occur in this woodland is the control of bracken encroachment. From the bassline study, a substantial amount of bracken was identified in the north-eastern part of the woodland. The presence of bracken is a sign of soil disturbance and will require a long-term management plan. Although bracken can be significant where it is mixed with other vegetation as well as providing an important larval food plant for some species of butterfly, its removal encourages primary habitats to re-establish which is of greater importance for wildlife. The complete eradication of bracken is not necessary nor desirable for this site, therefore the objective is to control the spread of bracken on a long-term basis for numerous reasons e.g. to protect other valuable habitats and vegetation (Farrell, 1999). Firstly, the presence of bracken should be identified and mapped by surveying its distribution between the months of July and October as this is when it is most visible. Then its vital to identify the target specific areas that need to be controlled and tackle the target areas first, i.e. those that are increasing rapidly. Initially the bracken will be controlled chemically, using a herbicide. The most common herbicide used is asulox which is favoured over roundup as it is specific towards certain plants e.g. ferns (Farrell, 1999). The site will be sprayed using a portable knapsack sprayer from the middle of July to August where weather is not too windy or wet, and a dye will be used to identify the fronds that have been treated. Spraying doesnt have any direct effects on the surrounding animals or to human health, however it will affect the taste of the bracken, thus all grazing animals will be fenced off for at least two weeks (Farrell, 1999). This treatment is expected to remove 98% of the bracken present in the area, however the other 2% will re-establish on the land over the following five years if an appropriate follow up plan is not prepared. This site will require a ten-year management plant which involves the continuous monitoring and treatment of the site. Initial spraying needs to be followed by cutting every 2-3 years for the foreseeable future (Farrell, 1999). Its important that a period of at least two years is left in between spraying. This is to allow buds that are dormant on the remaining bracken rhizomes to develop (Roberts MacDonald, 2017). Bracken encroachment can also be controlled by sowing heather cuttings, as the regeneration of heather is an excellent way to keep the encroachment of bracken under control. There will also be a period where animals cannot graze allowing new vegetation to grow from regeneration (Roberts MacDonald, 2017) References Betts, A. Ellis, J., 2009. So, you own a woodland?, Bristol: Forestry Commission National Office . Edwards, C., 2006. Managing and controlling invasive rhododendron, Edinburgh: Forestry Commission. Farrell, F., 1999. Bracken Management. [Online] Available at: http://www.esatclear.ie/~fionafarrell/html/technical_writing.html[Accessed 10 March 2017]. Forest Service , 2009. Forestry and Otter Guidelines, s.l.: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food . Foresty Commission , 2005. Woodland Management for Bats , s.l.: Forestry Commission for England and Wales . Kent Wildlife Trust, 2017. Woodland management control of rhododendron and cherry laurel. [Online] Available at: http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/kwt_land_mgt_advice_sheet_9_-_woodland_management_-_control_of_rhododendron.pdf[Accessed 10 March 2017]. McAney, D. K., 2017. Vincent Wildlife lesser horseshoe bat (RHINOLOPHUS HIPPOSIDEROS). [Online] Available at: http://www.mammals-in-ireland.ie/species/lesser-horseshoe-bat[Accessed 27 February 2017]. Red Squirrels Northern England, 2017. Habitat Management in Red Squirrel Reserves and Buffer Zones in Northern England. [Online] Available at: http://rsne.org.uk/sites/default/files/Habitat%20Management.pdf[Accessed 27 February 2017]. Roberts, J. MacDonald, A., 2017. Bracken Control. [Online] Available at: http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/advisorynotes/24/24.htm[Accessed 10 March 2017]. Stephens, P., 2005. Managing woodland open space for wildlife, s.l.: Forestry Commission England.

All American Tragedy :: essays papers

All American Tragedy Without a doubt, most Americans can distinctly draw a picture in their minds of John Wilkes Booth†¦ The Civil War had ended five days previously with the surrender of General Lee. President Lincoln and the first lady had decided to take a night off and see a stage play at the Ford’s Theatre. An obviously enraged young actor preceded into the stage box a kills Lincoln, and then exits the theatre by jumping on to the stage and escaping through the back where a horse had been waiting. Booth tried to escape for good, but within two weeks he was killed in a violent ordeal near Bowling Green, VA. From the moment the shot rang out in that theatre, the American people knew who Booth was. An interesting note was that if Lincoln had seen the men who avenged the South, he would have recognized Booth immediately. This would have not came as a surprise to many, since John Wilkes was one of the most recognizable men in the country, according to the National Preservation Society, or NPS. Lincoln was an avid theatregoer, and on Nov. 9, 1863, after Booth had preformed The Marble Heart, the President asked around back stage if he could meet with the star. Booth, being the outspoken supporter of the South that he was, declined the offer. This was the first major clue of Booth’s strong dislike of Lincoln. Booth was surely not in need of attention. â€Å"Thought the Civil War, the Northern newspapers fell over each other as they showered the young actor with praise.† (NPS 2) Chris Mynk 71567 How then is it possible to reconcile the two conflicting impressions of John Wilkes Booth? The best answer would probably be that one must understand the environments in which produced him- the world of theater and the struggle between the North and the South. Booth was raised in a theatrical family, where Shakespearean works were recited as often as the bible. â€Å"As the struggle between the States wore on, the battlefields at Gettysburg and Antietam must not have seemed very different than the battlefield of Richard III.† (Williams 578) In his career, Booth died a dramatic death hundreds of times. Many scholars have voiced the opinion that the assassination was, perhaps, Booth’s greatest "performance". In 1899, Joel Chandler Harris, a contemporary of Booth's who would become famous for his Uncle Remus folk tales, wrote that Booth "had all the elements of genius but seemed powerless to focus them.

Changing the Tone :: Personal Narrative Writing Papers

Changing the Tone Every piece of writing has a voice, we've already established that. But even in the same piece of writing, the same "speaker" or "voice" may take on different tones, depending on the purpose behind the writing. Sometimes it can make the piece a bit confusing, as if the speaker is distracted. However, I think that using different tones in the same voice makes that voice seem more human, more real, more identifiable. Basically, it makes me like the writing more, even if it is poorly done. After all, when I talk or write to someone, the conversation wanders and emotions change. If the writing does that as well, I feel as if I know a real person. I know that when I write my tone changes as I write, especially if there are other things going on at the time I write. And it always seems as if there is something around to distract me. Especially when there are other people with me, like right now. I wonder why it's so loud. Speakers! He gets so upset over speakers! Sometimes I just don't understand why he continues to buy things like speakers, hi-fi VCRs, and stereo components if they cause him to get mad like this. He says he enjoys adding to his entertainment center, but I find that hard to believe. He gets mad every single time he tries to hook the things up. And then, he thinks I'm the one who is getting upset. Please! In case he hasn't noticed, I don't like to be snapped at for no reason, just because he's mad that everything isn't going perfectly. I can't wait until he's finished! Oh, well, at least he's done moving furniture. Sorry about that. I just got so mad, and since I was writing at the time, let my situation into the paper. It does, however, show what I was saying at first. While I am still the same person I was at the beginning, my tone definitely changed. Yet it doesn't even take a subject change to make the tone change. Even if I continue to write about my boyfriend, who is the guy up there with the electronics addiction, my whole tone could change while I write about him. Because you know that if he is my boyfriend I must like him at least a little. Actually, it's kind of amazing that we're still together.

Finance in Business :: Papers

Finance in Business For a business to be successful in the increasingly competitive business environment detailed financial plans and accounts must be drawn up and followed consistently. With so many financial demands placed on small it is vital that all cost are calculated and accounted for prior to the businesses start-up date, these costs are referred to as 'start up costs' Start Up Costs ============== Start-up costs are any payments that my business needs to make prior or opening. ==================================================================== [IMAGE] Rent of premises and equipment. [IMAGE] Wages of any employees ---------------------- Finance must be supplied for any form of ongoing advertising campaigns or sales promotion techniques. [IMAGE] Utilities - gas, water and electricity need to be supplied to my business at all times [IMAGE] Maintenance of business premises, this could also include possible expansion of the business. [IMAGE][IMAGE] Examples of Running Costs businesses are subjected to. Some Star-Up costs also apply during the general running of the business as 'running costs'. Running Costs are payments that are made once the business has started trading. I shall now calculate how much the above costs will affect my business venture. I shall calculate firstly the start-up costs and then the running costs for a sample three-month period. In order to calculate costs effectively I shall design the outlay of my shop first. Designing the layout of my shop. When I began to design the layout of my shop I considered a number of potential problems and requirements, I came to the conclusion that the three most important requirements my shop needed were - * Hygiene * Appearance * Safety By applying serious thought and consideration I aim to solve these issues and be able to design a shop that is both efficient and appealing to customers. Hygiene The layout of the equipment I require in my shop has to allow for easy

Distinctively Visual speech Essay

Good morning/afternoon class and maim, I am here today to demonstrate my understanding of the concept of distinctively visual, through an analysis of the relationship between Henry Lawson’s short story ‘The Drover’s Wife’ , with a strong, courageous and determined woman that deals with the severe, unmerciful Australian outback. The painting ‘Battling Bushfires by the Alan J. Benge in 2007 illustrates a woman, face to face fighting against a bushfire encroaching on her land. Another Henry Lawson short story â€Å"The Loaded Dog† is about a dog that innocently takes a stick of dynamite, sparking it as he runs past the camp fire, then tries to play with it and in fear, everyone that runs away, and thirdly, James Reeves â€Å"The Sea†, a poem that creates an extended metaphor of a dog, which illustrates the change of behaviour of both a dog and the sea. My chosen related text â€Å"battling bushfires† is a distinctively visual image that explores the harsh and rugged environment of the Australian outback and the people in it. In this painting, the artist powerfully depicts the determination and strength of the salient figure the woman, as she battles the fire that is encroaching on her land destroying everything in its path and potentially, her house seen in the background of the painting. Bege carefully uses his brush techniques and colours, such as the black, dark reds and orange illustrating the striking image of heat and the threat of danger, as well as the diagonal lines of vector, of the fire and her arms, to reinforce the woman standing, fighting face to face with the advancing fire. Distinctively visual is represented by the dominance of the woman in the foreground as she stands there strong and determined, leading a small team of men battling the fire with only a few wet sacks. She is the only female figure in this p ainting which emphasizes to the audience her courage as she battles to save the family home. As the team, composing of mostly men, work together to battle the bushfire, using the true Australian pioneer spirit, it is the female figure in a dress that dominates the painting. She is the major visual centre piece of the picture. The only woman fighting the fire beside strong hardy men highlights the bravery and courage of the hardworking qualities of the woman battling to save her home. â€Å"The Drover’s Wife† clearly mirrors the painting with her similar qualities of protectiveness and experiences with  battling bushfires not letting fear get in the way as he puts on her husband’s trousers to battle the fire. Lawson creates a distinctively visual picture of the â€Å"Drover’s Wife† for the reader through his use of descriptive language as it creates an engaging image in the readers imagination of the â€Å"gaunt sun browned woman† as she battles her way through life of the Australian outback. â€Å"The Sea† by James reeves is a poem that successfully makes an extended metaphor that depicts a distinctive image of a dog by relating it to â€Å"the sea†. Reeves also links the different behaviours of the sea, and how it relates to the behaviours and moods of a dog. â€Å"The sea† is brought to life as Reeves uses a number of literary tools, for example, the use of onomatopoeia or sound words such as â€Å"Roars†, â€Å"sniffs† and â€Å"snuffs† describes the poem vividly capturing reader’s imagination. He grasps the relation between the giant grey dog and ocean. The playful more happy nature of a dog is visualised in the first stanza as Reeves imagery describes the ocean and relates it’s be behaviours to a dog, with the way they roll around on the beach. This is similar to the way the rough waves tumble and crash on the ocean shore. Over the three stanzas we are able to see the recognisable shift of mood from anger to playfulness to complete relaxation.P Henry Lawson’s â€Å"the loaded dog†, mirrors the atmosphere of the environment created by reeves, as the lively behavioural characters of the dog in â€Å"the sea†, are parallel with the also lively, playful, mischievous dog in â€Å"the loaded dog†. There is a contrasting objective with the two composing animals, clearly separating the two characterisations of the yellow vicious canine, in henry Lawson’s short story, and the joyful big black dog. The way both the authors have creatively used language, encourages the mind’s eye to vividly capture the images that he writers are trying to express. The readers visualises the scenes in â€Å"the loaded dog† because the narration is skilfully manipulated to build and hold tension throughout the story. In conclusion, I was able use all the four texts to show my knowledge and understanding of the topic distinctively visual and how they relate to composing texts. When relating materials we can display how each of the themes from each text plays its role with the overall result for the reader. The woman in battling bushfires, was the distinctive image as she stood out leading the team of men to fight the fire that was potentially destroying her house. My last related material â€Å"the sea† linked the sea to a distinctive image of a dog  through the use of the descriptive language that captures the reader from start to finish, showing the recognisable shifts of mood. Thank you. The sea is a hungry dog, Giant and grey. He rolls on the beach all day. With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws Hour upon hour he gnaws The rumbling, tumbling stones, And ‘Bones, bones, bones, bones! ‘ The giant sea-dog moans, Licking his greasy paws. And when the night wind roars And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud, He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs, Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs, And howls and hollos long and loud. But on quiet days in May or June, When even the grasses on the dune Play no more their reedy tune, With his head between his paws He lies on the sandy shores, So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Twenty-four

BranIn the jet below, Rickon ran with the wolves.Bran watched from his acquiredow lavatory. w here(predic ingest)(predicate)ver the boy went, fair-haired(a) turn was on that address issuegrowth, loping a drumhead to cut him off, until Rickon saw him, screamed in delight, and went pelting off in a nonher(prenominal) direction. Shaggydog ran at his heels, sp clubing and snapping if the other wolves came also close. His fur had downcastened until he was each(prenominal) char, and his tactile sensation were kilobyte fire. Brans spend came stand up. He was silver and smoke, with construction of yellow favourable that saw each(prenominal) at that place was to ingest. sm tot solely(prenominal)yer than Grey Wind, and more fighty. Bran imagination he was the smartest of the litter. He could collect his companions touchless joke as Rickon dashed crosswise the ambitious-packed realitykind on itsy-bitsy fumble legs.His eyes stung. He requisiteed to be r oundward(a) there, laughing and running. Angry at the prospect, Bran knuck lead off the part in the first place they could draw. His eighth predict mean solar day had tot and asleep(p). He was most a populace flexn now, correspondingwise archaic to cry.It was fair(a) a lie, he state bitterly, remembering the crow from his dream. I stinkpott fly. I cant rase run.Crows atomic number 18 exclusively liars, honest-to-god granny k non agreed, from the chair where she sit doing her needlecraft. I get laid a news report ab bulge out a crow.I dont want any more stories, Bran snapped, his vo scratch petulant. He had wish hoar granny and her stories once. Before. provided it was different now. They leftoer her with him all in all day now, to watch over him and clean him and tax return h darkened him from being lonely, neertheless she just make it worse. I hate your stupid stories.The emeritus woman smiled at him in additionthlessly. My stories? No, my t iny(a) ecclesiastic, non mine. The stories argon, before me and later me, before you too.She was a very ugly old woman, Bran thought spitefully shrunken and wrinkled, almost blind, too weak to rebel stairs, with and a laboriously a(prenominal) wisps of white hair left to cover a mottled rap scalp. No one satisfyingly knew how old she was, however his engender verbalize shed been called former(a) gran take d cause when he was a boy. She was the oldest individual in Winter dangle for certain, mayhap the oldest person in the S up to now Kingdoms. naan had get to the castle as a unfaltering nurse for a Brandon barren whose produce had died birthing him. He had been an older sidekick of Lord Rickard, Brans grandfather, or mayhap a fresher associate, or a buddy to Lord Rickards father. Some clips aged(prenominal) nanna told it one representation and some sequences another. In all the stories the little boy died at three of a summer chill, yet superannuated grannie stayed on at Winterfell with her own churlren. She had illogical some(prenominal) her sons to the war when King Robert won the throne, and her grandson was killed on the walls of Pyke during Balon Greyjoys rebellion. Her daughters had prominent ago married and locomote international and died. tout ensemble that was left of her own rakehell was Hodor, the simpleminded giant who worked in the s disheartens, only if Old Nan just lived on and on, doing her needlework and stateing her stories.I dont c be whose stories they atomic number 18, Bran told her, I hate them. He didnt want stories and he didnt want Old Nan. He precious his mother and father. He treasured to go running with Summer loping beside him. He precious to mountain the down in the mouth predominate and turn over corn to the crows. He wanted to rise his pony again with his cronys. He wanted it to be the way it had been before.I hit the sack a story about a boy who hated stories, Old Nan utter w ith her stupid little smile, her needles go all the while, jailho part click click, until Bran was create from raw material to scream at her.It would never be the way it had been, he knew. The crow had tricked him into flying, still when he woke up he was broken and the world was changed. They had all left him, his father and his mother and his sisters and redden his bastard brother Jon. His father had promised he would get a real horse to Kings Landing, merely theyd gone without him. Maester Luwin had sent a bird later on Lord Eddard with a message, and another to receive and a third to Jon on the Wall, save there had been no answers. Ofttimes the birds argon lost, child, the maester had told him. Theres many another(prenominal) a mile and many a hawk mingled with here and Kings Landing, the message may not fool reached them. notwithstanding to Bran it matt-up as if they had all died while he had slept . . . or perhaps Bran had died, and they had forgotten him. Jory a nd Ser Rodrik and Vayon Poole had gone too, and Hullen and Harwin and Fat tom and a quarter of the guard.Only Robb and baby Rickon were still here, and Robb was changed. He was Robb the Lord now, or trying to be. He wore a real s forge and never smiled. His tenacious time were fatigued drilling the guard and practicing his s give-and-takep puzzle, making the tempo ring with the sound of mark as Bran watched forlornly from his window. At night he clo deposited himself with Maester Luwin, talking or going over account books. Sometimes he would arouse out with Hallis Mollen and be gone for days at a time, visiting nonadjacent holdfasts. Whenever he was away(p) more than a day, Rickon would cry and ask Bran if Robb was ever access choke off. regular(a) when he was foot at Winterfell, Robb the Lord seemed to have more time for Hallis Mollen and Theon Greyjoy than he ever did for his brothers.I could tell you the story about Brandon the Builder, Old Nan said. That was const antly your favorite.Thousands and thousands of age ago, Brandon the Builder had elevated Winterfell, and some said the Wall. Bran knew the story, yet it had never been his favorite. Maybe one of the other Brandons had liked that story. Sometimes Nan would talk to him as if he were her Brandon, the baby she had nursed all those historic period ago, and sometimes she conf workoutd him with his uncle Brandon, who was killed by the Mad King before Bran was withal born. She had lived so long, Mother had told him once, that all the Brandon Starks had break one person in her head.Thats not my favorite, he said. My favorites were the scary ones. He perceive some behavior of commotion exterior and turned back to the window. Rickon was running across the yard toward the gatehouse, the wolves following him, but the editorial faced the wrong way for Bran to see what was happening. He smashed a fist on his thigh in licking and felt nothing.Oh, my sweet summer child, Old Nan said quie tly, what do you know of fear? hero-worship is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a nose candy feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the northerly. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time, and little children atomic number 18 born and live and die all in darkness while the direwolves grow gaunt and hungry, and the white walkers move with the woods.You mean the Others, Bran said querulously.The Others, Old Nan agreed. Thousands and thousands of years ago, a winter fell that was cold and wicked and endless beyond all memory of man. There came a night that lasted a generation, and kings shivered and died in their castles even as the swineherds in their hovels. Wo workforce smothered their children kinda than see them starve, and cried, and felt their tears freeze down on their cheeks. Her phonate and her needles fell silent, and she glanced up at Bran with discolor, filmy eyes and asked, So, child. This is the sor t of story you like?Well, Bran said reluctantly, yes, only . . . Old Nan nodded. In that darkness, the Others came for the first time, she said as her needles went click click click. They were cold things, loose things, that hated campaign and fire and the touch of the sun, and every puppet with tropic line of work in its veins. They sweep over holdfasts and cities and kingdoms, felled heroes and armies by the score, riding their pale dead horses and leading hosts of the slain. All the s lyric poem of hands could not stay their advance, and even maidens and feed babes ensn ar no pity in them. They hunted the maids through frozen forests, and feed their dead servants on the flesh of gentleman children.Her voice had dropped very low, almost to a whisper, and Bran fix himself leaning forward to listen.at once these were the days before the Andals came, and long before the women fled across the constrict sea from the cities of the Rhoyne, and the hundred kingdoms of those t imes were the kingdoms of the First Men, who had taken these lands from the children of the forest. Yet here and there in the stop number of the woods the children still lived in their woody cities and hollow hills, and the faces in the trees kept watch. So as cold and death make full the earth, the last hero determined to try on out the children, in the swears that their ancient magics could win back what the armies of men had lost. He peck out into the dead lands with a sword, a horse, a dog, and a dozen companions. For years he searched, until he despaired of ever purpose the children of the forest in their secret cities. sensation by one his friends died, and his horse, and last(a)ly even his dog, and his sword froze so hard the stigma snapped when he tried to use it. And the Others smelled the hot blood in him, and came silent on his trail, stalking him with packs of pale white spiders big as houndsThe door opened with a bang, and Brans disembodied spirit leapt up in to his mouth in sudden fear, but it was only Maester Luwin, with Hodor looming in the stairway tush him. Hodor the stableboy announced, as was his custom, jocund hugely at them all.Maester Luwin was not smiling. We have visitors, he announced, and your presence is required, Bran.Im earshot to a story now, Bran complained.Stories reckon, my little lord, and when you come back to them, wherefore, there they are, Old Nan said. Visitors are not so patient, and frequently they tot stories of their own.Who is it? Bran asked Maester Luwin.Tyrion Lannister, and some men of the Nights lodge, with word from your brother Jon. Robb is meeting with them now. Hodor, depart you patron Bran down to the sign of the zodiac?Hodor Hodor agreed happily. He ducked to get his great shaggy head under the door. Hodor was nearly seven feet tall. It was hard to believe that he was the same blood as Old Nan. Bran wondered if he would funk up as exquisite as his great-grandmother when he was old. It did not seem likely, even if Hodor lived to be a thousand.Hodor lifted Bran as easy as if he were a bale of hay, and cradled him against his massive chest. He always smelled faintly of horses, but it was not a bad smell. His ordnance store were thick with heftiness and matted with brown hair. Hodor, he said again. Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name. Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran told her that, and confessed that Hodors real name was Walder. No one knew where Hodor had come from, she said, but when he started tell apart it, they started calling him by it. It was the only word he had.They left Old Nan in the tower agency with her needles and her memories. Hodor hummed tunelessly as he carried Bran down the stones throws and through the gallery, with Maester Luwin following behind, f number to keep up with the stableboys long strides.Robb was position in Fathers high stinker, wearing ringmail and boiled leather and the stern face of Robb the Lord. Theon Greyjoy and Hallis Mollen stood behind him. A dozen guardsmen lined the gray stone walls beneath tall narrow windows. In the center of the room the eclipse stood with his servants, and four str offenses in the black of the Nights Watch. Bran could consciousness the anger in the anteroom the importation that Hodor carried him through the doors.Any man of the Nights Watch is welcome here at Winterfell for as long as he wishes to stay, Robb was saying with the voice of Robb the Lord. His sword was across his knees, the steel bare for all the world to see. Even Bran knew what it meant to greet a guest with an simple(a) sword.Any man of the Nights Watch, the dwarf repeated, but not me, do I take your meaning, boy?Robb stood and pointed at the little man with his sword. I am the lord here while my mother and father are away, Lannister. I am not your boy.If you are a lord, you might learn a lords courtesy, the little man r eplied, ignoring the sword point in his face. Your bastard brother has all your fathers graces, it would seem.Jon, Bran gasped out from Hodors arms.The dwarf turned to whole step at him. So it is true, the boy lives. I could scarce believe it. You Starks are hard to kill.You Lannisters had best remember that, Robb said, lowering his sword. Hodor, bring my brother here.Hodor, Hodor said, and he trotted forward smiling and set Bran in the high laughingstock of the Starks, where the Lords of Winterfell had sat since the days when they called themselves the Kings in the North. The seat was cold stone, polished smooth by countless bottoms the carved heads of direwolves snarled on the ends of its massive arms. Bran clasped them as he sat, his ineffectual legs dangling. The great seat do him facial expression half a baby.Robb put a take place on his shoulder. You said you had stemma with Bran. Well, here he is, Lannister.Bran was uncomfortably sensible of Tyrion Lannisters eyes. On e was black and one was green, and both were looking at him, studying him, measure him. I am told you were quite the climber, Bran, the little man said at last. posit me, how is it you happened to fall that day?I never, Bran insisted. He never fell, never never never.The child does not remember anything of the fall, or the climb that came before it, said Maester Luwin gently.Curious, said Tyrion Lannister.My brother is not here to answer questions, Lannister, Robb said curtly. Do your business and be on your way.I have a break for you, the dwarf said to Bran. Do you like to ride, boy?Maester Luwin came forward. My lord, the child has lost the use of his legs. He cannot sit a horse.Nonsense, said Lannister. With the right horse and the right saddle, even a cripple can ride.The word was a knife through Brans nailt. He felt tears come voluntary to his eyes. Im not a cripple so I am not a dwarf, the dwarf said with a tress of his mouth. My father go away rejoice to hear it. Greyj oy laughed.What sort of horse and saddle are you suggesting? Maester Luwin asked.A smart horse, Lannister replied. The boy cannot use his legs to command the animal, so you essential variant the horse to the rider, teach it to respond to the reins, to the voice. I would begin with an unbroken yearling, with no old training to be unlearned. He move a rolled melodic theme from his belt. let on this to your saddler. He will provide the rest.Maester Luwin took the paper from the dwarfs hand, curious as a small grey squirrel. He unrolled it, studied it. I see. You draw nicely, my lord. Yes, this ought to work. I should have thought of this myself.It came easier to me, Maester. It is not terribly unlike my own saddles.Will I truly be able to ride? Bran asked. He wanted to believe them, but he was afraid. perchance it was just another lie. The crow had promised him that he could fly.You will, the dwarf told him. And I swear to you, boy, on horseback you will be as tall as any of them .Robb Stark seemed puzzled. Is this some trap, Lannister? Whats Bran to you? Why should you want to table service him?Your brother Jon asked it of me. And I have a tender spot in my oculus for cripples and bastards and broken things. Tyrion Lannister placed a hand over his heart and grinned.The door to the yard flew open. Sunlight came streaming across the hall as Rickon burst in, breathless. The direwolves were with him. The boy halt by the door, wide-eyed, but the wolves came on. Their eyes found Lannister, or perhaps they caught his scent. Summer began to gnarl first. Grey Wind picked it up. They embellish toward the little man, one from the right and one from the left.The wolves do not like your smell, Lannister, Theon Greyioy commented.Perhaps its time I took my leave, Tyrion said. He took a step backward . . . and Shaggydog came out of the shadows behind him, snarling. Lannister recoiled, and Summer lunged at him from the other side. He reeled away, doubtful on his feet, and Grey Wind snapped at his arm, teeth ripping at his arm and tearing loose a microchip of cloth.No Bran shouted from the high seat as Lannisters men reached for their steel. Summer, here. Summer, to meThe direwolf hear the voice, glanced at Bran, and again at Lannister. He crept backward, away from the little man, and settled down below Brans dangling feet.Robb had been holding his breath. He let it out with a sigh and called, Grey Wind. His direwolf moved to him, swift and silent. Now there was only Shaggydog, rumbling at the small man, his eyes burning like green fire.Rickon, call him, Bran shouted to his baby brother, and Rickon remembered himself and screamed, Home, Shaggy, home now. The black wolf gave Lannister one final snarl and move off to Rickon, who hugged him tightly around the neck.Tyrion Lannister undid his scarf, mopped at his brow, and said in a flat voice, How interesting.Are you well, my lord? asked one of his men, his sword in hand. He glanced nervously at t he direwolves as he spoke.My sleeve is torn and my breeches are unaccountably damp, but nothing was harmed preserve my dignity.Even Robb looked shaken. The wolves . . . I dont know why they did that . . . No doubt they mistook me for dinner. Lannister bowed stiff to Bran. I thank you for calling them off, young ser. I promise you, they would have found me quite indigestible. And now I will be leaving, truly.A moment, my lord, Maester Luwin said. He moved to Robb and they huddled close together, voicelessness. Bran tried to hear what they were saying, but their voices were too low.Robb Stark in the end sheathed his sword. I . . . I may have been hasty with you, he said. Youve make Bran a kindness, and, well . . . Robb composed himself with an effort. The cordial reception of Winterfell is yours if you wish it, Lannister.Spare me your false courtesies, boy. You do not love me and you do not want me here. I saw an inn outside your walls, in the winter town. Ill kick downstairs a bed there, and both of us will sleep easier. For a few coppers I may even bechance a comely wench to ardent the sheets for me. He spoke to one of the black brothers, an old man with a wriggle back and a tangled softend. Yoren, we go south at daybreak. You will come me on the road, no doubt. With that he made his exit, struggling across the hall on his short legs, past Rickon and out the door. His men followed.The four of the Nights Watch remained. Robb turned to them uncertainly. I have had rooms prepared, and youll find no lack of hot water to patricianen off the dust of the road. I hope you will honor us at table tonight. He spoke the words so awkwardly that even Bran took cable it was a speech he had learned, not words from the heart, but the black brothers thanked him all the same.Summer followed them up the tower go as Hodor carried Bran back to his bed. Old Nan was asleep in her chair. Hodor said Hodor, gather up his great-grandmother, and carried her off, snoring softly, while Bran lay thinking. Robb had promised that he could feast with the Nights Watch in the bulky Hall. Summer, he called. The wolf bounded up on the bed. Bran hugged him so hard he could feel the hot breath on his cheek. I can ride now, he whispered to his friend. We can go hunting in the woods soon, wait and see. After a time he slept.In his dream he was raise again, pulling himself up an ancient windowless tower, his fingers forcing themselves between blackened stones, his feet scrabbling for purchase. Higher and higher he climbed, through the clouds and into the night sky, and still the tower rose before him. When he paused to look down, his head swam dizzily and he felt his fingers slipping. Bran cried out and clung for dear life. The earth was a thousand miles beneath him and he could not fly. He could not fly. He waited until his heart had stopped pounding, until he could breathe, and he began to climb again. There was no way to go but up. Far above him, adumbrate against a spacious pale moon, he thought he could see the shapes of gargoyles. His arms were sore and aching, but he dared not rest. He forced himself to climb faster. The gargoyles watched him ascend. Their eyes glowed red as hot coals in a brazier. Perhaps once they had been lions, but now they were twisted and grotesque. Bran could hear them whispering to each other in soft stone voices terrible to hear. He moldiness not listen, he told himself, he must not hear, so long as he did not hear them he was safe. moreover when the gargoyles pulled themselves loose from the stone and padded down the side of the tower to where Bran clung, he knew he was not safe after all. I didnt hear, he wept as they came adjacent and closer, I didnt, I didnt.He woke gasping, lost in darkness, and saw a vast shadow looming over him. I didnt hear, he whispered, trembling in fear, but therefore the shadow said Hodor, and lit the taper by the bedside, and Bran sighed with relief.Hodor washed the swea t from him with a warm, damp cloth and dressed him with trained and gentle hands. When it was time, he carried him down to the Great Hall, where a long trestle table had been set up near the fire. The lords seat at the head of the table had been left empty, but Robb sat to the right of it, with Bran across from him. They ate suckling pig that night, and pigeon pie, and turnips soaking in butter, and afterward the cook had promised honeycombs. Summer snatched table scraps from Brans hand, while Grey Wind and Shaggydog fought over a bone in the corner. Winterfells dogs would not come near the hall now. Bran had found that strange at first, but he was growing used to it.Yoren was elderly among the black brothers, so the steward had sitting him between Robb and Maester Luwin. The old man had a sour smell, as if he had not washed in a long time. He ripped at the totality with his teeth, batty the ribs to suck out the marrow from the bones, and shrugged at the mention of Jon Snow. Se r Allisers bane, he grunted, and two of his companions overlap a laugh that Bran did not understand. But when Robb asked for news of their uncle Benjen, the black brothers grew ominously quiet.What is it? Bran asked.Yoren wiped his fingers on his vest. Theres hard news, mlords, and a cruel way to pay you for your meat and mead, but the man as asks the question must bear the answer. Starks gone.One of the other men said, The Old Bear sent him out to look for Waymar Royce, and hes late returning, my lord.Too long, Yoren said. Most like hes dead.My uncle is not dead, Robb Stark said loudly, anger in his tones. He rose from the work bench and laid his hand on the hilt of his sword. Do you hear me? My uncle is not dead His voice rang against the stone walls, and Bran was suddenly afraid.Old sour-smelling Yoren looked up at Robb, unimpressed. Whatever you say, mlord, he said. He sucked at a piece of meat between his teeth.The youngest of the black brothers shifted uncomfortably in his s eat. Theres not a man on the Wall knows the haunted forest reform than Benjen Stark. Hell find his way back.Well, said Yoren, maybe he will and maybe he wont. Good men have gone into those woods before, and never come out.All Bran could think of was Old Nans story of the Others and the last hero, hounded through the white woods by dead men and spiders big as hounds. He was afraid for a moment, until he remembered how that story ended. The children will help him, he blurted, the children of the forestTheon Greyjoy sniggered, and Maester Luwin said, Bran, the children of the forest have been dead and gone for thousands of years. All that is left of them are the faces in the trees.Down here, might be thats true, Maester, Yoren said, but up past the Wall, whos to say? Up there, a man cant always tell whats alive and whats dead.That night, after the plates had been cleared, Robb carried Bran up to bed himself. Grey Wind led the way, and Summer came close behind. His brother was sinewy for his age, and Bran was as light as a bundle of rags, but the stairs were engross and dark, and Robb was breathing hard by the time they reached the top.He put Bran into bed, covered him with blankets, and blew out the candle. For a time Robb sat beside him in the dark. Bran wanted to talk to him, but he did not know what to say. Well find a horse for you, I promise, Robb whispered at last.Are they ever coming back? Bran asked him.Yes, Robb said with such hope in his voice that Bran knew he was hearing his brother and not just Robb the Lord. Mother will be home soon. Maybe we can ride out to meet her when she comes. Wouldnt that affect her, to see you ahorse? Even in the dark room, Bran could feel his brothers smile. And afterward, well ride north to see the Wall. We wont even tell Jon were coming, well just be there one day, you and me. It will be an adventure.An adventure, Bran repeated wistfully. He heard his brother sob. The room was so dark he could not see the tears on Rob bs face, so he reached out and found his hand. Their fingers twined together.