North American Free Trade Agreement

Presentation The NorthAmerican unhindered commerce understanding (NAFTA) is an exchange understanding between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Affected in the year 1994, the understanding subbed the previous Canada-United States facilitated commerce understanding which just included the two countries.Advertising We will compose a custom exploration paper test on North American Free Trade Agreement explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper looks to talk about how the arrangement of the North American organized commerce Agreement influenced legislative issues and economies of the three nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. The paper will talk about the backgroundto the arrangement of the understanding, its terms and the impacts that the understanding has affected in the governmental issues and the economies of three part nations. Foundation of NAFTA Prior to the arrangement of the North American Free Trade Agreement, there existed an exchange under standing between the United States and Canada. The understanding that appeared to disconnect Mexico saw the nation of Mexico modify its structures and frameworks towards worldwide exchange request to determine its monetary emergency due to destabilized oil costs and overpowering outside obligations that Mexico had been encountering since the 1980s.Being attracted to universal exchange and the move that saw Mexico join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) constrained Mexico to survey its guidelines and terms to global exchange. The financial changes done through decrease of exchange boundaries, in an offer to conform to the globalization wave, spurred Mexico to exchange understandings other than the typical worldwide exchange. This subsequently prompted the status of Mexico to fashion a monetary coalition with the effectively settled Canada-United States organized commerce understanding. This prompted the arrangement of the North American Free Trade Agreement that was bu ilt up in the year 1992 (Kehoe 1). Terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement The organized commerce understanding made between the three nations had arrangements to help accomplish theobjectives of a facilitated commerce alliance and guidelines to help secure enterprises in the nations as far as upper hand. The understanding had arrangements to ensure patent rights and check creation of fake products. For the most part, the point of the understanding was to improve exchange among the three nations by all out evacuation of levies and different constraints to universal exchange, for example, worldwide exchange conventions and necessities. One of the arrangements of the exchange understanding was that the exchange among the three nations was to be liberated from government approaches which control universal exchange. It additionally given to opportunity to â€Å"cross guest administrations rules† (Trade1).Advertising Looking for research paper on worldwide relations? We s hould check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This implied organizations and associations inside the three nations had the opportunity to pick their exchange areas liberated from control by any of the administrations. The understanding likewise accommodated all inclusive access to governments’procurement forms in the three nations to empower providers offer for any open tenders in any of the nations without impediments. The understanding additionally accommodated the selection and utilization of comparable traditions manages in the three nations. In its terms, the North American Free Trade Agreement gave â€Å"protection against unjustified actions† (Trade1) by any nation against merchants from other part nations. It likewise guaranteed arrangements for â€Å"fairness for investors† among its part states. Under these arrangements, the modes for undertaking a â€Å"safeguard action† was laid out with a further arrange ment that any such activities expected pay to any part nation influenced by the activity. The conditions of the understanding likewise accommodated â€Å"environmentally solid investments† (Trade1), assurance to support giving organizations and security to â€Å"intellectual rights† among others (Trade1). Financial Impacts of NAFTA on its Member Countries The development and usage of the North American Free Trade Agreement impactsly affected the nations attributable to the way that hindrances to exchange were wiped out expanding the volume of exchange among the three nations. Mexico and NAFTA With thought to the exchange exercises between the United States and Mexico, there were huge effects in the Mexican economy got from the changed exchange. By and large terms, the exchange understanding carried critical advantages to the Mexican economy. In an examination led by the World Bank in the year 2005, it was understood that in its commitment to the Mexican economy, the No rth American Free Trade Agreement improved the advancement levels in Mexico. The examination really thought about the improvements in Mexico at the chance to that of the United States. This can be seen as lift to the Mexican economy thinking about that Mexico was in a monetary emergency two decades sooner. The changed exchange, as per the World Bank study, improved the innovation in the Mexican mechanical sector.The ensuing extension of the segment along with the improved innovation improved the â€Å"number and nature of jobs†(Villareal 17).Advertising We will compose a custom examination paper test on North American Free Trade Agreement explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More The exchange progression additionally uncovered the three part states to the affectability to each other’s economies. The free exchange of merchandise and enterprises among the nations has the effect of moving monetary ramifications along with the progression of products and ventu res. An expansion in the cost of crude materials in a single nation will affect on the cost of the finished result of the asset. This will be moved to different nations prompting its effect in the goal nation. It has likewise been set up that the exchange understanding was basic in the Mexican financial recuperation that was acknowledged in the year 1995. Through the provisions of the exchange understanding, Mexico changed its financial arrangements. This move helped the certainty of outside financial specialists and thus pulled in speculations into the nation. As for the reports from World Bank, Mexico has overwhelmingly experienced monetary turns of events and the improved financial status is ascribed toward the North American Trade Agreement. The exchange understanding additionally added to average change in the wages in Mexico. It is noticed that with the authorization of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the pay rate offered in Mexico expanded consistently between the ye ars 1990 and 2000. The compensation rate has from that point forward been fluctuating along a mean rate (Villareal 18).Mexico has especially been forced to bear the exchange understanding. Because of the expanded global exchange because of the NAFTA exchange understanding, the Mexican worldwide exchange expanded from around thirty five percent to more than 60% in a range of eight years. Fares in the modern areas have, for instance, expanded by around 300 percent because of the exchange advancement instigated by the exchange concession to the Mexican economy (Vazqueze and Chen 3). The United States and Canada Though more altogether felt in Mexico when contrasted with the United States and Canada, the North American Free Trade Agreement has had monetary effects among all its three part states.Advertising Searching for research paper on universal relations? We should check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Find out More The impact of the understanding expanded exchange the area and all around by not moving business exercises from different areas toward the North America, yet by making greater open door for business. The United States for instance found a rich market for its items in Mexico. The impacts of the understanding are additionally observed to have caused an adjustment in business frameworks in theUnited States and Canada. The adjustment in exchange designs and the business exercises because of the changed course of action prompted a move from â€Å"blue neckline jobs† to â€Å"white neckline jobs†. This move in the work structure has a killing impact of loss of business openings in a single calling and an ensuing formation of employments in another part of the economy. There will in any case be a net impact coming about because of this move in work structure since the compensation rates in these kinds of occupations are generally unique (Laursen 54). The General Impact NAFTA c an be professed to have â€Å"succeeded in boosting the three part states financial performance† (Chambers and Smith 244). There have been expanded degrees of global exchange among the three part nations. The affectability made by the exchange progression among the three nations likewise prompted improvement of universal exchange between the nations and the remainder of the world. Mexico, for instance, balanced from its previous prohibitive strategies that constrained worldwide exchange to monetary arrangements that are progressively bearable to universal exchange. The NorthAmerican Trade Agreement is additionally noted to have incited a by and large negative effect on the pattern of business rates among the part nations. An investigation of the business information pattern in Mexico shows that the activity creation in Mexico that is credited to the exchange understanding influenced the Mexicans in a fairly negative manner. The agreement,however, influenced the progression of laborers from the United States into Mexico; Americans are said to have overwhelmed Mexico. This had the ramifications of expanded rivalry for employments subsequently uprooting Mexicans from their occupations and expanding joblessness rates. A comparative danger to employmentsecurity was seen in Canada on the beginning of the previous exchange understanding among Canada and the United States. In the game plans Canada o

Conservation Assignment Essay --

Ailuropoda melanoleuca, otherwise called the Giant Panda, is one of the most imperiled species. It was first found and run all through the locale of southern and eastern China, just as northern Myanmar and northern Vietnam showed by the fossil records (Lã ¼, 2008). Today, goliath panda is just found and limited to six divided and disengaged mountains including Qinling, Minshan, Liangshan, Qionglai, Xiaoxiangling, and Daxiangling in Shaanxi, Gansu and Sichuan Provinces. The present populace is assessed to associate with 1000-2000. Wild goliath panda subpopulation is assessed to associate with 50. It shows a female-one-sided dispersal due the bigger measure of female contrast with male and rivalry for mating. This drove male pandas to set up domains close to the origin, making a uniform scattering. Monster pandas live in coniferous and calm woods alongside thick stands of bamboo at rises around 5000-10,000 feet. They tend to not rest however for the most part drop to bring down spots in the winter and take places, for example, empty trees, buckles and rock hole as their impermanent asylums. They spend around half of their day benefiting from various types of bamboos relying upon the seasons to amplify the ingestion of vitality, which includes 99% of their eating regimens. They get the water that they need from bamboos. Wild pandas once in a while eat grasses, little rodents and musk deer grovels yet these solitary make up 1% of their eating regimens. The mammoth pandas that live in the zoos eat for the most part bamboo and every so often other food that wild pandas don’t eat, for example, yams, carrots and some exceptional high-fiber scone (national zoo, 2012). One of the primary driver of the monster panda populace decay is the corrupted and confined living space. Gian... ...hough the expanded measure of panda isn’t as high, it despite everything worked. Works Cited Amsel, Sheri. â€Å"Environmental Issues.† Endangered Species - The Giant Panda. Investigating Nature Educational Resource. 2005. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. National Zoo. Mammoth Panda. Facts. National Zoological Park, 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. Loucks, CJ. Result Filters. National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Nov. 2001. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. Lã ¼, Z, Wang, D. and Garshelis, D.L. (IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group) 2008. Ailuropoda melanoleuca. In: IUCN 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. World Wildlife Fund. Panda's Natural Enemies and Defenses. WWF. World Wildlife Fund, 2008. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Zhan, XJ. Atomic Analysis of Dispersal in Giant Pandas. National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Sept. 2007. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

The Eight Essentials of Innovation

The Eight Essentials of Innovation In a world that is rocked by the constant threat of change as technology grows at an unprecedented rate, innovation has become a buzzword everywhere, particularly in the business world.Any company that is not prioritizing innovation is preparing to get run over or swallowed by the competition.The case of IBM getting surpassed by Microsoft and Apple offers a good example of how important innovation is.A related buzzword is “disruption”, which refers to the changes wrought upon an industry, market, or company by new technology or a younger company coming into the market with a revolutionary way of doing things.Companies are right to fear disruption. Entire businesses have fallen by the wayside due to not innovating fast enough.The only way for a company to sidestep disruption is by being one step ahead of the rest.The company should take innovation seriously, invest in research and development, and keep an eye on what its competitors are doing to avoid being out-innovated. Innovati on is particularly challenging for huge, well established companies, whose success is typically driven by established ways of doing things and optimization of existing business rather than innovation and game-changing creativity.So, how can established companies that want to remain ahead of the curve embrace creativity?In this article, we are going to look at the 8 essentials of innovation that every company should keep in mind: Source: McKinsey1. ASPIRATIONTo innovate, the company must first acknowledge that innovation is absolutely critical for growth.This is not always the case in many companies.Old ways of thinking and doing things dominate in many companies, causing them to perpetually lag behind, only adopting what others have already moved on from when it becomes inconvenient to continue using the old methods.Such companies have already failed at the first step: acknowledging the necessity of innovation and then developing cascaded targets to reflect this.It is not enough to accept that innovation is important. The company also has to demonstrate this in action by planning for it.The main way a company shows its commitment to a certain course of action is in the plans it makes.For instance, having a budget for RD indicates that the company is serious about innovation.Innovation is inspired by clear goals and targets. When a company has a big, hairy, audacious goal (“BHAG”) to chase after, it will stop at nothing to attain it.For instance, J. F. Kennedy’s directive that America should “put a man on the moon” was responsible for the immense innovation that led to exactly that outcome: a man walked on the moon.However, merely communicating a compelling vision is not enough.The company should craft an innovation aspiration that answers the following question: “how much innovation does the company require to meet its financial growth objectives?In other words, the innovation goals should be quantifiable. While a handful of companies incorporate this in their strategy and planning processes, most do not.When the innovation aspiration is quantified, a manager can make appropriate trade-offs that will ensure innovation takes place alongside the rest of the business activities.This is a company that walks its talk, unlike one where the CEO announces the company’s focus on innovation but other business activities dominate as usual in resource allocation.The best innovators b reak down their lofty aspirations into specific targets: “What exactly should we do to put a man on the moon?”The targets should have both quantitative and qualitative metrics.The targets should be cascaded throughout the organization. It should also be clear who will be involved in innovation and what specific aspects of the overall goal they are tasked with delivering.2. CHOICEThe second component of innovation concerns opportunity.Organizations should find out where the best market opportunities currently and potentially in the future are located.These market opportunities are known as innovation marketspaces.They are the boundaries within which a company will look for the insights it needs to unlock new forms of value. The boundaries may be business-model parameters, technical limits, or other constraints.The innovation investment choices the company makes should align with its long-term strategy. Ideally, these investments should form the foundation for the organization’s future growth.Company leaders often have to grapple with these tough choices, asking themselves questions like: “Is this technology going to have the impact we think it will?” “Is it going to work or will we lose money?” These questions can erode confidence.This uncertainty leads to procrastination in decision-making, which is lethal, given that younger, smaller, leaner competitors are probably not second-guessing themselves as much as the bigger companies (who have more to lose if they make the wrong bet).This uncertainty is most common during moments of industry transition, when it is absolutely crucial that the company makes the right bet/investment, exploring the innovations that are emerging around its core business.Decision makers in the company should sharpen their ability to recognize change signals and figure out which upcoming scenarios are most likely to increase positive outcomes and investment confidence.Another aspect of choice in innovation is portfolio manag ement.This refers to the company’s ability to evaluate and prioritize projects. Highly innovative companies understand what the competition or potential disruptors are working on.After a rigorous assessment of the expected risk, timing, and value of the different initiatives, these companies are able to figure out which innovations to invest in and at what ratio.Successful portfolio management usually involves bringing in people with the relevant experience and decision-making authority to discuss the projects/innovation pipeline.In many cases, innovation pipelines are filled with incremental projects rather than breakthrough innovations, mainly because of decision-makers allocating resources to their own passions when they are not checked by input from those who have relevant expertise.3. DISCOVERYDiscovery is about taking an introspective look at the current reality of the market and extrapolating a potential future reality from that.In other words, examine the existing context and imagine the most possible future scenarios, whether best case or worst case.Discovery requires intuition, observation, and inspiration, working within the selected innovation space and developing the most critical problems the company should focus on going forward.Uncovering actionable insights and identifying the problems worth solving requires skill and experience. Discovery involves merging different areas of knowledge in a creative, imaginative yet practical way.For this examination, there are three different lenses that decision-makers should use: technology, market/customer, and business.The technology lens is about the feasibility of new technology and the benefits to be gained from adopting it. Adopting the right technology will give your business a competitive advantage in the market.Technology affects all spheres of innovation, including products, services, business models, and processes.Most people think of software when someone mentions technology, but it could just as well be a service platform. Unfortunately, many companies have a narrow definition of technology.The technology lens enables the company to identify the future possibilities arising from new ways of doing things.These possibilities can bring about threats or opportunities, and it is up to the company to identify what each possibility means and how they can best react to it.The market lens enables the company to identify the preferences of its customers.Customer wants and tastes are ever evolving, and sometimes companies fail because they didn’t notice the change in their customers’ tastes â€" or they noticed, but did not make the appropriate adjustments to accommodate the changes.Understanding customer preferences requires a careful observation of their behavior â€" this is the importance of customer data.The business lens concerns the competitive context within which the company is operating, and the current economic conditions.Examining these realities enables the company t o competitively position itself in the value chain.When a company gains a good understanding of its relative market position and the flow of profits in its industry, it can make better innovation investment decisions.The company should go a step further and try to get a grasp of the developments in the competitive landscape, which includes any potentially disruptive emerging business models.The business lens also considers the regulatory regimes and the influence they have on the profits and positioning of firms in the industry.4. EVOLUTIONEvolution is the aspect that protects the company from disruption.A good slogan that perfectly encapsulates the need for evolution is “evolve or die”.For many businesses, this has become an all too real threat that they cannot wish away.The biggest fear among most chief strategy officers is that of new entrants coming into the market and disrupting the established way of doing things with process innovations and disruptive technologies.Product innovation is not enough to protect your company from competitors, not in this era.Other factors like business models and business processes must also undergo evolution and improvement for the company to maintain a competitive advantage â€" or even just to survive.Business model innovation is the kind of innovation that yields the most significant long-term value. An example of this is introducing new distribution and production methods.An innovative business model will disrupt the current paradigm and also impose powerful barriers to competition.For instance, when Coca-Cola realized that traditional distribution models such as trucks do not work well in the emerging urban areas of Africa, it partnered with local entrepreneurs who operate manual distribution centers (MDCs) â€" in this case, bikes and pushcarts.This gave Coca-Cola an edge over other beverage companies in the region.Ideally, companies should test new models before adopting them.Pilot projects and experimentation is n ecessary because it reveals whether a model will work and the problems that might be encountered once the new model is implemented.Experimentation also enables the company to make the best decisions, particularly on where to allocate resources.Amazon is highly skilled at constantly evolving and diversifying its business model.While retail is still the company’s core business, Amazon has improved billing options, added features for recommendation and personalization, and introduced other functions which enhance the customer’s experience.5. ACCELERATIONIf you are putting serious effort in innovation, your competition probably is too.Multiple companies can come up with the same innovation at the same time.In such a situation, the most likely winner of the race is the fastest mover â€" for instance, in filing critical patents and in bringing their product to the market.Having a first-mover advantage accrues benefits such as customer loyalty, brand recognition, and distribution or ma nufacturing scale.In some industries, having the first-mover advantage produces a winner-takes-all situation where the leader is able to capture anywhere between 50 and 100 percent of the market.For fast acceleration, the company should ask itself this question during the development process: what barriers stand between its great idea and the end-user?Internal barriers include lack of resources or functional silos.External barriers include unwillingness by partners and suppliers to support the intended innovation.In many cases, companies have developed overly elaborate “funnel” processes that involve committees which have to meet again and again to discuss and make decisions. In the process of going through the funnel, the idea gets watered down, losing its innovativeness.By the time end-users or customers are interacting with it, the end product is no longer the revolutionary, disruptive thing it was intended to be.To maintain high levels of innovativeness, the development proc ess should ensure that the end-users test the idea early on â€" that is before corporate dilution ruins it.Furthermore, the development team must maintain full focus on the customer value proposition throughout the process.Acceleration requires a strong project management team led by a capable project manager.Where there are multiple innovation teams, they should be structured in a cross-functional way, not just in paper but in reality. Cross-functional teams enable better work coordination under the authority of one leader.The members of an innovation team should dedicate either their full time or half of their time to the innovation project.This fosters a culture where the members are able to prioritize the success of the project over the success of their own function as a contributor.Cross-functional project teams should be co-located â€" that is they should operate in the same physical space.This makes co-ordination a reality, not just an ideal on paper.6. SCALINGFrom the very b eginning, the company must keep in mind the possibility of scaling its innovation.The ability to function at scale must therefore be designed into the core architecture of the innovation.For instance, at the time of Facebook’s launch in the US, a similar social networking startup known as Hyves was already in existence in the Netherlands. Both companies gained dominance in their local markets rapidly.Facebook attracted a lot of funds which helped fuel its constant innovation. Hyves’ growth on the other hand plateaued.The reason is that the architecture and set-up of Hyves was not designed to scale-up to several markets outside Holland which feature diverse languages and internet ecosystems.Meanwhile, Facebook became firmly established as a dominant player that was impossible to beat.Note, however, that not every innovative concept should be implemented at a global scale. The company should figure out the appropriate scale or reach of their idea. This will ensure it invests the a ppropriate amount of resources in it.Figuring out the appropriate scale also helps determine the amount of risk the company will face in implementing the idea. Stretched beyond its natural boundary, any idea will fail.On the other hand, there are some ideas that are successful only at large scale.In such a case, the company has to make a big bet â€" if not, it should invest its resources elsewhere.This point is well illustrated by the emergence of “winner-takes-all” digital businesses.7. EXTENDThe world is changing, and not just in adopting new technology, but also in new ways of thinking and doing things.For instance, innovation in a company has always been assumed to be a thing that should originate from the RD (research and development) department.However, things are changing, and organizations have begun to open their doors with the intention of spurring innovation.Thanks to the rapid pace of technological advancement and to globalization and lower capital economies, a unive rsity student can today create a multibillion-dollar innovation that disrupts industries.When companies extend their reach beyond the walls of the organization in looking for innovation partners, they can get greater returns on their investments. Collaborating with external partners is one of the established methods companies use to cut costs.Such collaborations also ensure the company gets the product faster to the market.Companies should learn to co-create with its business partners, and crowd source from its customers and other stakeholders as this can yield opportunities for more value to be extracted from the innovation investments.This is easier said than done. For many companies, this requires a shift in the company’s collective mindset.Such companies must learn to welcome ideas that come from elsewhere without any bias against innovations not developed in-house.It is worth noting that useful innovations do not always appear useful when you first look at them. Ideas should therefore not be dismissed too quickly.It is even rarer for companies to find exactly what they need or want from an external source.As a result, companies will need to tightly manage their interfaces with the external innovation community.In most cases, what is said by the external sources needs to be translated for the internal development team to accept it and use it.Companies must devote processes and resources towards the management of ideas flowing from outside.The company must also create formal and informal partnerships that will help ensure the organization has a steady pipeline of ideas.By forging strategic networks, companies can ensure a steady supply of novel perspectives, insights and ideas. Such networks include connecting with think tanks, universities, and research institutes.8. MOBILIZATIONIt’s all well and good to aspire for innovation, but these aspirations and plans must be turned into actual action.Mobilization is aptly captured by the Thomas Edison quote tha t innovation requires 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.The point is that the company must put in effort to create a culture of innovation.The desire for innovation may be held by the company’s top management, but it will require considerable effort to get everyone else in the company to adopt the pro-innovation approach.Company executives have the responsibility of creating a culture and environment that stimulates the intense, long, tedious work that is often required to create something innovative.Of all the essentials of innovation, having committed leadership is the most important. It is also the best predictor of innovation success.It is the leadership’s job to motivate the entire organization and provide the tools different people need to contribute to the work of innovation.One way of motivating employees to adopt a culture of innovation is through corporate innovation competitions.The company should have dedicated innovation resources which can act as a catalyst that motivates the entire organization.An example of such dedicated resources is an innovation team at the business-unit level, whose task is to frame opportunities and come up with new value propositions based on the market and on insights developed from observing customer behavior.There should be very clear roles and responsibilities in the company where the innovation agenda is concerned. Everyone should understand his/her expected contribution to creating innovation.Of course not everyone at the company will be directly involved with the innovation project. Those who are directly involved require meaningful incentives and rewards.The company must ensure the right people are working in the right positions and foster a supportive culture that encourages them to give their best.Every innovation needs at least one top management sponsor.This will ensure the idea as implemented by the team does not lose sight of the big picture.Employees in the lower levels of the company ma y tend to focus on their area of expertise alone.The top management sponsor, if he/she has done his/her homework, can see with clarity all the aspects of the idea and how they fit together and will give good advice to the team to ensure success.WRAPPING UPDisruption is a constant threat today, even when you think your company is safe.Consider that many disruptive companies such as Apple and Amazon were started in their founders’ garages.This means you have no idea who is out there working on the next big thing.Therefore, every company should put a lot of focus on innovation, unless it is comfortable with playing fiddle to competitors who are more innovative.It is not enough to experiment and call that “innovation”. In a world where everyone else is prioritizing innovation, particularly the industry leaders, companies must be smart about innovation.The 8 essentials listed here provide a useful structure for thinking about innovation.They ensure a company covers all the importan t elements in its pursuit of innovation.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 676 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/09/17 Category Health Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a condition that affects the prostate gland in men. In BPH, the prostate gland grows and may apply pressure against the urethra and can slow or decrease the flow of urine during urination. This particular enlargement being â€Å"benign† means that it isn’t due to cancer or infection. https://familydoctor. org/online/famdocen/home/men/prostate/148. tml Doxazosin combined with finasteride was found to be the most successful drug combination in the relief of symptoms and prevention of BPH progression, according to a trial performed by the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Syndromes, with their research being also supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, 2006) In doing my research for a herbal supplement in which I would like for a family member to try if they were faced with BPH, would be Saw palmetto. According to the American Botanical Coun cil, Saw palmetto is the leading herbal treatment for BPH in the United States. (Kirchheimer, 2003) I finally found the names of the certification symbols which should be (or at least I will) looked for when purchasing non FDA regulated supplements. These symbols of these three companies help the consumer by verifying the contents of that specific product. They are the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, and ConsumerLab. om certifications which can be found on SOME supplement labels. For more information on what all things each one checks for, because they all three are a little different, you can go to https://www. sparkpeople. com/resource/nutrition_articles. asp? id=506. It is so hard for me to say which one I believe is most effective in treating ailements, medicinal drugs or herbal treatments, because I have excellent result from both. My mother is all about herbal supplements, and while living in southeast Alabama, I really enjoyed listening to a Dr. Joel W allach, the author of Dead Doctor’s Don’t Lie. You can actually do a search and you’d probably really enjoy and be amazed at some of the topics he discusses, such as the average life expectancy for a doctor(58) being less than that of a couch potato! Anyway, he did teach me about several key remedies that I still use, one of those being the use of Glucosamine and Chondroiton to relieve arthritis symptoms and it DOES work. He claims that you can take a packet of gelatin (like you cook with, but not JELLO), mix it n with some juice and it’ll help – and it DID! Anyway, yes, he is a Nobel Prize nominee, and yes he does push his Longevity product line, but seriously, it’s good stuff! My neighbor started taking the colloidal vitamins and minerals daily and his hair literally turned from grey to brown! You know, just the reverse of what you see when someone bleaches their hair blonde, then their black or brown roots start to show as their hair grow s, but just the opposite! Last year I had a nasty fight with MRSA staph infection, and literally had to have several spots on my body drained of infection, and at 3 sites, I actually had to have tubes sewn into my back and left there for almost 2 weeks to drain continuously. After having such a nasty case of MRSA, I was told that I would most probably be susceptible to catching it again. My mother told me to try putting Grape Seed extract from a capsule,mixing with a few drops of water, and making a salve and putting it on any of those spots that appeared next time. I did it and it worked! It worked 10 times faster than the prescription meds that the doc gave me all those times before, even though it was indeed the same thing, MRSA. Bibliography Kirchheimer, S. (2003, Feb 04). Herbal Remedies Can Aid Prostate Health. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from WebMD: https://www. webmd. com/prostate-cancer/news/20030204/herbal-remedies-prostate Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hy perplasia. (2006). Retrieved September 13, 2010, from National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information: https://kidney. niddk. nih. gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/ Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" essay for you Create order

Animal Testing And The Cosmetic Industry - 994 Words

Synthesis paper In this paper there are three main topics that are going to be covered. They are alternatives to animal testing, animal testing in cosmetics, and the news in the cosmetic industry related to animal testing. For this paper there were four sources that were evaluated. All of them had a few things in common and through that it was easy to link them together through three different subtopics that will be evaluated later in this paper. The first source that I will be using is â€Å"The Science of Dermocosmetics and Its Role in Dermatology†. This article was written by Dreno, B., E. Araviiskaia, E. Berardesca, T. Bieber, J. Hawk, M. Sanchez- Viera, and P. Wolkenstein. The second article that will be effective in this essay is â€Å"New†¦show more content†¦They are the chemico approach, the vitro approach, the silico approach, computer simulator, and using humans to test called the human patch test (Vandebriel, Loveren 1). Most if not all of the articles discuss the vitro testing to some degree. Vitro testing involves using cellular/culture based toxicity tests to see how it would affect humans and other living organisms that might be exposed to the product (Mone, 2). As more research is being done on this method of testing it is becoming more evident among companies that are making the transition from animal testing to this method. In the Korean Cosmetics company article it included a section about a Norwegian and UK collaboration that wanted to further the research vitro testing. Another method that is becoming popular is silico testing. Silico testing is type of modelization (Dreno Et. Al.1). It is pretty similar to vitro testing but focuses more on the different pathogens that are involved and can pass through the vitro testing. The second topic that is going to be covered is animal testing in cosmetics. There are different tests that are performed on animals when they are being tested on. These tests often include sensitization tests to see how the active ingredients react with skin (Dreno etc. 2). When the animals are tested the research team looks for signs of redness or irritation among other things. When animals are being tested there are certain guidelines that have to be followed to ensure the animalShow MoreRelatedAnimal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry: An Increasingly Controversial Issue706 Words   |  3 PagesAnimal testing has become an increasingly controversial issue since the 1980s. This has been the case especially in the cosmetics industry, where esthetic value rather than necessity is at the core of the industry. Since information regarding the often unnecessarily cruel practice of animal testing has become public knowledge, many activist groups have targeted the industry to pressure manu facturers into stopping practices that have been deemed unacceptable. While some of these efforts have met withRead MoreCosmetic History And Facts About The Cosmetic Industry1731 Words   |  7 PagesThe cosmetic industry has become such an integral part of the human culture that it often goes on without notice. In the vast and various cultures across our planet cosmetics are used for multitudes of reasons from religious expression, camouflage for soldiers in combat, Hollywood sets, to getting ready for a date. In our culture the use of makeup is almost a rite of passage into young adulthood for young girls and their mothers. The one question that almost no one ask when they open the make-upRead MoreThe Fight Against Animal Testing1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe Fight Against Animal Testing in Cosmetics The makeup industry has flourished for as long as one can remember. The popularity of beauty bloggers, celebrity makeup lines, etc. have actually led to a record-breaking boost in makeup sales. Cosmetic brands have become more prominent, and makeup stores such as Sephora and Ulta continue to thrive. However, various demands must be met in order to keep up with the growing consumership, and one of the most controversial topics contributing to the successRead MoreAnimal Testing Should Not Be Banned1547 Words   |  7 PagesThe Humane Society estimates thousands of animal deaths a year in the United States alone that are caused by cosmetic animal testing. Animals typically used in this specific type of testing are guinea pigs, rats, mice, and rabbits. Today, we have technology that can replace jobs yet, we still use primitive procedures that no longer cater the best to our current society. Cosmetic animal testing is not only harmful but it is also ineffective Animal testing is unethic al and unnecessary, cruel and shouldRead MoreAnimal Experimentation Should Be Banned1426 Words   |  6 Pagesjudged by the way its animals are treated.† - Mahatma Gandhi. These famous words still ring true in today’s society as we struggle to overcome the scientific experimentation on animals. Animals have acted as the archstone of human civilization since the dawn of man, from a source of food, to companionship. However, in the past century, we have been blurring the line between environmental entitlement and environmental rape. Every member of the human race interacts and depends on animals, and we owe themRead MoreWhy Companies Must Reconsider Their Use For Cosmetic Industry911 Words   |  4 PagesRoder and ). if you are woman and interested in cosmetic, you will be familiar to the name. you may be using the products or want to get it. Cosmetic industry is the one of the hot industry in entertament. over 000 compnay release the products in the world and — ì†Å'ë ¹â€ž ì‹Å"ìž ¥Ã¬ Ëœ ê ² °Ãª ³ ¼. when I chose the new cosmetic, I am always looking what it include and what color it is. I naver consider how the lipstic and mascara are making. The brand are doing the animinal testing and tons of rabits and dogs are suffering forRead MoreShould Animals Be Used for Research in the Cosmetic Industry?533 Words   |  3 PagesShould animals be used for research in cosmetic industry? Animal testing is widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products. These experiments can cause pain to the animals involved or reduce their quality of life in other ways. Animal experimenters are aware of this problem and agree that the testing should be made as humane as possible. While this practice has been followed for years now, some people still strongly believe that it is a cruel act and should be permanentlyRead MoreAnimal Testing And Its Morality1283 Words   |  6 Pages100 million helpless animals will suffer and die from malicious chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics tests. Rabbits, Cats, birds, reptiles and amphibians are not covered by the minimal protections of the Animal Welfare Act, so they go unnoticed towards the millions of sufferers. Millions of rodents, birds, rabbits, primates, felines, canines, and other types of animals are locked inside barren cages in laboratories across the country. People have diverse opinions on animal tes ting and its morality.Read MoreAnimal Testing Is Not A Recent Occurrence Essay1359 Words   |  6 PagesThe cosmetic industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, catering to both men and women. Cosmetics seem to be so pervasive that everywhere you look, you can find some sort of cosmetic advertisement or commercial. Considering this high demand for cosmetics, many companies strive to produce products that will satisfy the consumer. However, in order for some cosmetic companies to manufacture their products, testing is conducted in the expense of animals. In the following report, we willRead MoreCosmetic Testing with Animals is Cruel Essay1302 Words   |  6 PagesCruelty of Cosmetic Testing on Animals    Each year, thousands of animals are brutally tortured in laboratories, in the name of cosmetic research. A movement to ban animal testing for cosmetic purposes has been gaining popularity, with many companies hopping on the bandwagon against this research. New alternatives have been developed to eliminate the necessity to test on animals. This is only a small beginning of what is necessary to end these immoral acts. Animal testing in cosmetics is useless

Assess the View That Sects Always Compromise and Turn Into Denominations Free Essays

Sects are usually very hostile groups and 9 times out of 10 they will be ‘world rejecting’, meaning that they reject the outside world and believe it is either corrupt or beyond redemption. Such groups tend to abandon the outside world and start their own community with their own way of life or attempt to transform the world with an evangelical approach. An example of a sect which has cut off from the world is the Unification Church, often known as ‘The moonies’ – they reject materialism and encourage its members to hand over all assets whilst imposing an ascetic lifestyle on them. We will write a custom essay sample on Assess the View That Sects Always Compromise and Turn Into Denominations or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sects and Cults are known for being quite short lived, and it is suggested that over time they will either turn into a denomination or disband and disappear all together. An example of this is the Methodists, they originally began as a world rejecting religious sect, with members living a lifestyle in opposition to existing society. However, they have evolved over time into becoming the world accommodating denomination that they are today. Neibuhr puts forward his explanation of this and calls it ‘denomination or death. ’ He believes that a Sect is a world rejecting organization that comes into existence because of a schism from an established church due to disagreements within either teachings or religious doctrine. He argues that sects are usually short lived because within one generation they will either compromise with the world, abandon their extreme beliefs and become a denomination or ultimately die out. One reason that Neibuhr puts forward is ‘the second generation’ – this refers to the children of the members who joined voluntarily, they lack the same enthusiasm and beliefs that their parents showed because they were born into it and will not express the same extreme beliefs. He also suggests, ‘the protestant ethic effect’ this is the result of the members living an ascetic lifestyle. People are most likely to join a sect because they are looking for a theodicy of disprivelage to legitimate their position in society, and after living this lifestyle where by they save their money and do not spend it on material goods. They will no longer need the theodicy of disprivelage and will be tempted to compromise with the world and become world accommodating. The Final suggestion, also stated in item A is that most sects have a charismatic leader, and when this leader dies they will either collapse or a new more bureaucratic leadership will take over, this will then transform them into a denomination. However, on the other hand Aldridge suggests that many sects have existed a long time while still retaining their features as sects such as Jehovah’s witnesses. In addition, sects maintain a strict conduct, so much so that if members fail to conform to these standards then they will be expelled, he also points out that sects are very good at socializing children into the acceptance of their beliefs and practices. Similarly, Stark and Bainbridge view religious organizations such as sects as moving through a cycle, they call this ‘the sectarian cycle. ’ The first stage is the ‘schism’, which is when there is tension and disagreement between the privileged, and deprived within a church, the deprived break away to form a world-rejecting sect with slightly different beliefs and practices. The second stage is ‘initial fervor’ which is when a charismatic leader will take over and form great tension between the sect and the outside world, thirdly the sect will then turn to a denomination for the same reasons suggested by Niebuhr leading to them finally, becoming an establishment. This sees the sect become world accommodating; within this stage there is usually a further schism, where more zealous members break away to form a new sect more true to the original message. On the other hand, not all sects are short – lived. Not all sects depend on a charismatic leader so the death of a leader would not affect the functioning of the sect enough for it to collapse and become a denomination; also Many sects have outlived one generation and have still retained their features. Wilson also argues that not all sects follow the pattern of turning into a denomination or dying out, he believes that whether or not this happens to sects depends on how they answer the question that they ask themselves ‘how can we be saved’? onversionist sects will try to convert as many people as possible through evangelism, these will be more likely to turn into larger more formal denominations. Where as Adventist sects such as the seventh day Adventists await the second coming of Christ and will hold themselves separate to society, this separatism will prevent them becoming a denomination. Wilson also argues that globalization will make it harder in the future for sects to keep themselves separate from the outside wor ld. On the other hand, it will also allow them to recruit in the third world, where there are large numbers of deprived people that will be attracted to sects. This is shown by the success of Pentecostalism. To conclude, the evidence suggests that although it is very easy for a sect to turn into a denomination, not all sects always do. They have means and ways of avoiding this and many have become established sects that will continue to socialize further generation and carry on the original message. How to cite Assess the View That Sects Always Compromise and Turn Into Denominations, Papers

Why Antony Lost Against Octavian free essay sample

After all, he was in fact the great Julius Caesar’s second in command. Through much of the internal conflict of his time, he did astoundingly maintain at least some support in Rome. However, his failing to acknowledge Octavian’s military and political potential was his first mistake. Octavian learned that as Julius Caesar’s adopted great nephew, he was entitled to be the legal principle heir of all that belonged to Caesar. Although taking on such a role was a high risk to his own safety, making him a target by association with Caesar and his agenda, he pressed forward with an insatiable ambition. Possibly driven by the Roman cursus honorum, a lust for power and riches, and a desire for avenging the death of his great uncle, Octavian already had an advantage from the beginning. The citizens of Rome were promised a sum of money, but had been refused payment by Antony. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Antony Lost Against Octavian or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The young New Caesar stepped in and raised his own money by selling his land and giving it to the people. Though only a mere 18 or 19 years of age, had not served in any Roman political capacity, nor had any military achievements under his belt, young Octavian had managed to muster up some support in Rome using only his newly assumed name, Caesar, and his overly liberal donations to the people. He was their connection to their beloved general, Julius Caesar, the â€Å"son of a god. † Octavian began to reinforce his strength with his personal forces with Caesars former loyal veterans. Underscoring his status as heir to Caesar and armed with a rising, dedicated military force of his own, he boldly marched to Rome. It was now that he was a definite political threat to Antony. However, Antony seemingly ignored this fact as he remained away from Rome in the east. Another major reason for losing was his lack of political support from Rome. Generally many viewed him as a brilliant general. He had a reputation of fighting alongside his own comrades at the front line, right in the heat of battle. This fact curried the favor of his legions from the ground up. Conversely, others viewed his personal life as detrimental to his reputation and by extension his ability to be a successful leader. Even prior to the assassination of Julius Caesar, he was slowly digging his own political grave. Plutarch reports that he was lazy, had a bad temper, and cavorted other men’s wives. His personal lifestyle later led to his lack of support from the general populace and the senate. It is reported that Cicero, an oratory enemy, stated that general members of society who are upright and moral â€Å"intensely disliked him, and were disgusted† by his drunkenness, making a showy display of his extravagances, and frolicking other men’s women. Ciceros speeches and publication of propaganda against Antony deeply impacted the Senates view of him. In fact, an army was sent to defeat him for bullying Lepidus in Cisalpine Gaul, whom Rome viewed as the rightful governor. It was largely Cicero’s oratory speeches that shifted the public opinion to such an extent that the Senate was moved to declare him an enemy of the state, driving him out of Italy. In the end, Antony loses his reputation and support from the state, something every rising, successful commander needs in order to survive and thrive in Roman politics. If only he would have remained in Rome, he could have at least had the opportunity to defend his position as Caesar’s second in command and repaired his reputation. However, in his absence, it was Octavian and Cicero who was there to slowly demolish his chances at political and military success. The alleged poor choice of habits that governed his personal affairs were generally recognized as a trigger for the increased factional schisms that eventually would prove injurious to his political career and ultimately an desertion from the Senate. Antony’s dealings with Cleopatra and Egypt proved to further soil his reputation among the Romans. His abandonment of the beloved Octavia, his legal Roman wife, in lieu of Cleopatra, a foreigner, didn’t sit well with the general public opinion in Rome. After having twins and yet another son with Cleopatra, he was deeply indebted to her, possibly both emotionally and politically. Onlookers must have imagined how such attachment must have been negatively viewed as deeds of a traitor in Rome. To top it all off, although by illegal means by Octavian it was later realized that Antony had secretly recorded in his will that the kingdoms conquered by Egyptian warfare be divvied up to the Egyptians, not Rome. This fact further alienated Antony as what he truly was, an enemy of the state, eliminating any possible assistance from Rome. As Rome hears the news, Octavian is gathering more and more backing from Rome in pursuit of Antony. In what some would say is the deciding battle in the drama with Antony and Octavian, two large forces collide at Actium in western Greece in 31 B.

Life Sciences SIG Gut Issues - Essay About Dietary Fibers Essays

Life Sciences SIG: Gut Issues - Essay About Dietary Fibers ===================================================== GUT ISSUES Life Sciences SIG ----------------------------------------------------- We share many experiences with the kings of old: pastries, for instance, and home entertainment and vacation trips to far-off lands. Ancient-day common folk knew nothing of such things. Then again, they weren't constipated... We are. Not all of us, of course. But enough Canadians so that some doctors call our a constipated society. And even if you're not constipated, your present day diet may be leading you to more serious complaints like disorders of the large intestine or colon. These, too, were afflictions of of the upper classes of old. Why? Because in general the rich refined their food, along with their lives, and so stripped it of an odd but essential ingredient called dietary fibre. Like its fellow carbohydrates, the various types of dietary fibre are the product of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide combining in green plants. Most form part of plant cell walls. But unlike the other carbohydrates, fibres do not break down into sugars in the human digestive system and then course through the blood stream fueling muscles and nerves. Rather, when eaten they tumble intact through the stomach and small intestine and end up in the colon where billions of bacterial feed on them - in turn producing intestinal gas. No wonder, then, that dietary fibre has been unwelcome in many of history's nicer neighborhoods. Even 20th century doctors reasoned that since the bulky material provided not a single nutrient, it would only strain already troubled guts. Accordingly, they recommended low-fibre diets for patients suffering from hemorrhoids and other colon disorders often found in the West. But then, about 15 years ago, the prescription was reversed as researchers found that poor Africans, who eats lots of fibre, rarely suffer from such complaints. Fibre, the researchers learned, actually eases the bowel's burden by mixing with water and other food residues to create large, Soon, nutritionists came to see the low-fibre diet of most North Americans as a culprit in the onset of disorders ranging from tooth decay to heart attacks. Increasing the consumption of certain kinds of fibre, they found, could slow the body's absorption of sugars to which diabetics are sensitive, and of cholesterol, which may lead to heart disease. Furthermore, fibres fight obesity. They're filling, especially the pectins in citrus fruit and the gums in some beans. And they're mainly indigestible. So dieters eating lots of fibre are likely to eat less of other, more fattening foodstuffs. As for why populations on high-fibre diets seem to experience fewer colon cancers, no one knows for sure. In any case, there is no doubt that fibre is nature's laxative, the dietary key to regularity. Nutritionists therefore advise you to stay away from foods containing processed and refined ingredients such as bleached flour and white sugar. Remember that meats contain little fibre and that overcooked vegetables and fried foods have lost much of theirs. Nevertheless, fibre supplements are usually unnecessary. Merely ensure that your diet is full of fresh fruits and vegetables - and some of the most fibrous foods such as bran cereals, whole wheat breads, peas, beans and lentils - and you, too, can eat like an old-time pauper.

Free Essays on Mental Disorder

Schizophrenia is a disorder that can effect anyone. It is the greatest disorder that effects teenagers. When someone is effected by the disorder it is not just that one person that has to learn to deal with it, the families of the patients must also learn to deal with it. There are many possible causes for the disorder with many doctors believing that there is more than one cause. What has been thought as the main cause for many years is a chemical imbalance in the brain. This could be an imbalance in the number of neurotransmitters and/or an imbalance in the amount of dopamine. Stress is not thought of as directly causing Schizophrenia, but often makes already present symptoms worse. Some doctors feel that Schizophrenia might be the result of a slow acting virus since the symptoms can be delayed many years after the first infection. Another possible cause for the disorder is a genetic disposition. This has yet to be proven but it is thought of as a likely cause s! ince children who have a parent with the disorder have a ten times greater chance of developing the illness than children who have abnormal parents. If both parents have the disorder the chance of their off spring having the disorder jumps to forty times that of of an off spring with normal parents. Some times as equally as important as finding what causes a disease is finding what does not cause a disease. It is said that Schizophrenia is: not caused by a domineering mother and/or a passive father, not caused by childhood experiences, poverty, or not caused by the feeling of guilt or failure. People who have schizophrenia can be divided up into three equal groups: those who only have one episode in their entire life, those who have continual episodes but live normal lives between them, and a third group who have never ending symptoms. The symptoms that define an episode of schizophrenia can generally be described as deterioration from a previous level of functioning. The ... Free Essays on Mental Disorder Free Essays on Mental Disorder Schizophrenia is a disorder that can effect anyone. It is the greatest disorder that effects teenagers. When someone is effected by the disorder it is not just that one person that has to learn to deal with it, the families of the patients must also learn to deal with it. There are many possible causes for the disorder with many doctors believing that there is more than one cause. What has been thought as the main cause for many years is a chemical imbalance in the brain. This could be an imbalance in the number of neurotransmitters and/or an imbalance in the amount of dopamine. Stress is not thought of as directly causing Schizophrenia, but often makes already present symptoms worse. Some doctors feel that Schizophrenia might be the result of a slow acting virus since the symptoms can be delayed many years after the first infection. Another possible cause for the disorder is a genetic disposition. This has yet to be proven but it is thought of as a likely cause s! ince children who have a parent with the disorder have a ten times greater chance of developing the illness than children who have abnormal parents. If both parents have the disorder the chance of their off spring having the disorder jumps to forty times that of of an off spring with normal parents. Some times as equally as important as finding what causes a disease is finding what does not cause a disease. It is said that Schizophrenia is: not caused by a domineering mother and/or a passive father, not caused by childhood experiences, poverty, or not caused by the feeling of guilt or failure. People who have schizophrenia can be divided up into three equal groups: those who only have one episode in their entire life, those who have continual episodes but live normal lives between them, and a third group who have never ending symptoms. The symptoms that define an episode of schizophrenia can generally be described as deterioration from a previous level of functioning. The ...

British Common Law is Effective for Protecting the Environment Term Paper

British Common Law is Effective for Protecting the Environment - Term Paper Example There is a need to promote a pattern of development that will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs as the current generation strives to meet her current needs. This development perspective is known as â€Å"sustainable development† (International Institute for Sustainable Development 2007, p. 3).   Zhang et al. (2007, p. 105) reported that the â€Å"worldwide food problem could not be overall resolved by 2030.†   Hirsch (2007, 6-20) reported that several forecasts/estimates pointed out a peaking in world oil production very soon. Earlier, in 2005, Hirsch estimated that world oil demand will increase by 50% in 2025 from the 2005 level (p. 3). This implies that the world’s resources would have to be recycled rather than wasted wantonly. Second, there is a need to conserve biodiversity or the biodiversity of flora and fauna worldwide.   Unfortunately, however, about a tenth of the world species and about one-fourth of the world’s mammals are being threatened with extinction (International Union for the Conservation of Nature 2002 as cited by The Royal Society 2003, p. 1).   From 0.5 to 1% of the world’s tropical forests are being lost annually (Food and Agriculture Office 2001 as cited by The Royal Society of London 2003, p. 1). Wild vertebrae populations have declined by about 33% since 1970 (Loh 2002 as cited The Royal Society 2003, p.1).   Because the lives of species are interrelated, these developments have likely impacts on food as well as on the availability of materials that can be developed for drugs or medicines. As The Royal Society has stated in 2003, â€Å"our dependence on biodiversity is absolute: without it humans would not be able to survive† (p. 1). Related to protecting b iodiversity worldwide, the United Nations has identified more than 18 million square kilometers of the earth’s surface whose biodiversity must be protected (United Nations 2003, p. 23).

Computer crimes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Computer crimes - Essay Example They also include access and use of software without developer’s rights meaning that the original software developer is denied the rights by counterfeit software. The criminal activities are a breach to the human and information privacy (Casey, 2011). Hacking is one of the most witnessed computer crimes. It involves illegal access of a computer system. However, not all hackers can cause serious damage to computer system. The criminal breaks all the initial security measures installed by the computer owner in order to commit an illegal event (Casey, 2011). Another event is the phishing crime. It is known as acquiring sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and other crucial information such as credit card information. The criminal disguises as a trustworthy source in order to acquire these credentials (Casey, 2011). Computer viruses are also another set of criminal activities. They are programmed to interfere with the normal working of the computer. They spread to other computers through networks and files send to those computers. Mostly viruses are spread through internet use. The best prevention for cyber crime is by installation of restrictions. Restrictions can be both physical and by using software walls such as anti-virus programs. Securing the computer with valid and strong passwords can also be a good method to guard it (Casey,

Chemical Engineering Innovation in Food Production

Chemical Engineering Innovation in Food Production The inherent safety, convenience, availability, nutritional content, aesthetic appeal, and variety that characterize food supplies are a hallmark of modern life. Chemical engineering knowledge can be accredited with improving the conversion of raw foodstuffs into safe consumer products of the highest possible quality. Among those, membrane-based separation and other filtration techniques are most common. Chemical engineers have applied their expertise to chemically synthesize fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides that promote crop growth and protect crops from weeds, insects, and other pests (AlChe, 2009). Its so easy to feel the contribution of chemical engineering in food sector if we observe the morning tea to late night beverage. All processed food stuffs around us is more or less subject to different types of filtration. One of the fastest growing parts of the whole sector is the mineral water and soft drinks sector, which has a sizeable requirement for fine filtration (Suther land, 2010). Modern techniques are used to improve the flavour, texture, nutritional value, safety, appearance and overall aesthetic appeal of various foods. Modern food processing can also improve the quality of life for people with food allergies and for diabetics. Foods processed using aseptic packaging retains their vitamins, minerals, and desired textures, colours, and flavours more effectively than those processed with traditional canning. Nestlà ©, Wal-Mart, Unilever, PepsiCo etc. are some world famous food companies without whom modern life cannot be imagined. Filtration in food processing Filtration is a process where solid particles present in a suspension are separated from liquid or gas employing a porous medium (Srikanth, 2012). Surface, depth and cake filtration are different types based on filtration mechanism. Two types of filtration theory are widely known which are gas filtration theory and liquid filtration theory. These theories have also some limitations. There are some criteria for choice of filter medium such as particle size that has to removed, permeability of clean medium, solid holding capacity of the medium, flow resistance of medium etc. Filter aid is a very important factor which forms a surface deposit to screen out the solids and it also prevents the plugging of the supporting filter medium (Srikanth, 2012). Chemical engineers have invented a variety of engineered processes that allow food processors to remove impure substances to improve food quality, safety, and aesthetics. Todays membrane-based separation is used widely to remove impurities during food processing by pressure to force unwanted substances in food ingredients to pass through a semi permeable membrane and it is also applied majorly in the dairy industry, mainly as a processing phase in production soft cheeses. Chemical engineers strive to maximize the available surface area in filter, reduce membrane pore size, minimize the pressure drop the fluid will experience when flowing through the unit and maximize cost-effectiveness (AIChe, 2009). For food industries, there are some specific requirements to choose filter media such as dissipation of electrostatic charges, high abrasion resistance, available clean-in-place system etc. In this dissertation, some food processing industries have been presented where different types of filtration are the key factor. Among those cane and beet sugar industry, starch and sugar industry, beverage industries like wine, beer etc. are notable. Filtration should be the most prior subject to enhance food safety management of an industry. It can help to remove physical, chemical and other microbiological contaminants with great efficiency. This also focuses on advantages of self-cleaning filters over manual and mechanical cleaning. Advances in filtration technology include the development of continuous processes to replace old batch process technology (Patel R. et al, 2010). FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES Chemical engineering innovation in food production If the grass on the other side of the fence appears greener . . . it must be all the fertilizer they are using. Kevin Rodowicz. The food industry is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that supply much of the food energy consumed by the world population. Before modern engineering advances were widely adopted by the food industry, the variety of foods available at stores were determined by what was produced locally, since transportation limitations predicted the distance that perishable foods could travel (AIChe, 2009). Chemical engineers routinely develop advanced materials and techniques used for, among other things, chemical and heat sterilization, advanced packaging, and monitoring and control, which are essential to the highly automated facilities for the high-throughput production of safe food products (AIChe, 2009). Chemical engineering unit operations and procedures, established for other industrialized reasons, are used by the food industry like drying, milling, extrusion, refrigeration, heat and mass transfer, membrane-based separation, concentration, centrifugation, fluid flow and blending, powder and bulk -solids mixing, pneumatic conveying, and process mode ling, monitoring, and control. Among these, membrane-based separation and other filtration techniques are mostly common (AIChe, 2009). Technological milestones: Over the years, engineered solutions have increased the production of processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and poultry, and seafood products, and have allowed more widespread distribution of such foods. The following are some of the most revolutionary improvements in food processing noted in the Milestones of the Twentieth Century by the Institute of Food Technologists (AIChe, 2009). 1900s: Vacuum packaging, which removes the oxygen from inside the food package, was invented to prolong the shelf life of foods, and the widespread practice of freezing foods began with fruit and fish. The first ready-to -eat cereals using many chemical engineering unit operations appeared as well (AIChe, 2009). 1920s: Fast-freezing practices for foods were first commercialized by Clarence Birdseye, whose name has become practically known with frozen foods. Birdseye found that by blanching vegetables (cooking them for a short time in boiling water) just before freezing, the process could deactivate certain enzymes that cause off-colours and off-flavours, thereby enhancing the quality of the thawed vegetables. The first commercial use of puffing to produce such cereals as Cheerios and puffed rice also began (AIChe, 2009). 1930s: Freeze-drying processes were pioneered in this decade, and frozen foods are dried after deep freezing, in which the entrained water is removed by a process known as sublimation by heating the frozen product in a vacuum chamber. Freeze-dried foods in turn become shelf-stored foods that quickly regain their original flavour, aroma, size, shape, and texture after rehydration. The removal of water slows spoilage, thus providing longer shelf life, and reducing the weight of the food, which makes it cheaper and easier to transport (AIChe, 2009). 1940s: The advent of automated processes to concentrate, freeze, and dehydrate foods enabled a greater variety of foods to be mass-produced and packaged for shipment overseas to military personnel during World War II. Disease-free packaging extremely improved food quality, safety, and nutrient retention (AIChe, 2009). 1950s: During this era, monitored-atmosphere packaging using plastic increased the shelf life of fresh foods. The process controls oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside the packaging environment to reduce respiration by fruits and vegetables (similar to human breathing) and reduces the amount of off-gas ethylene produced, which delays maturing and damage (AIChe, 2009). 1960s: The first commercial-scale producing machine began producing cold-dried foods and coffee. Advances in aseptic processing allowed shorter heating times for sealed food containers (AIChe, 2009). 1970s: The period of the 1970s saw growing usage in the chemical process industries (paint, textile, oil recovery, pulp and paper). In this decade, the major effects of this technology is in the food and biotechnology processing industries, where ultrafiltration and cross-flow microfiltration are finding increasing uses as a gentle and efficient way of fractionating, concentrating and clarifying a variety of food from milk products, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages to fermentation broths, protein fractions and wastewaters (Cheryan M, 1986). 1980s: Advanced-atmosphere packaging began to be used widely during this era and It is a more progressive difference of controlled-atmosphere packing, in which the head space atmosphere within a food package or the transportation/ storage vessel is modified by flushing it with a blend of inert (nonreactive) gases (AIChe, 2009). 1990s: High-pressure processing was commercially applied first to fresh packaged foods to kill microorganisms that cause spoilage without altering flavours, texture, or appearance (AIChe, 2009). After 2000: Recent food trends are actually based on fat calculation but tasty, healthy and doctor-designed. Different types of cupcakes, cheese, pizza, fast foods etc. are peoples first choice. Also various types of grain made foods are getting popularity day by day (AIChe, 2009). Advances in chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides Early mankind experimented with human and animal wastes, seaweed, ashes and other substances to fertilize crops and increase productivity. Chemical engineers have applied their expertise to chemically synthesize fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides that promote crop growth and protect crops from weeds, insects, and other pests. Today, the use of these products is more important than ever to meet the needs of an ever-expanding population (AIChe, 2009). Fertilizers Nitrogen is the most plentiful part of the air we breathe, present at 79% by volume and a prime nutrient (most often in the form of ammonia). Modern fertilizers stem from a chemical engineering breakthrough pioneered by Fritz Haber in 1908 that developed a process to synthesize ammonia by reacting hydrogen with nitrogen and in 1918, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery (AIChe, 2009). Working with industrialist Carl Bosch, Haber scaled up the successful Haber-Bosch process that allows ammonia to be produced cost-effectively in commercial quantities for use in nitrogen fertilizers. Habers original reaction was carried out under high pressures. The improved ammonia synthesis process carries out the reaction at lower pressures and temperatures, which helps save money by reducing the amount of energy required by the process (AIChe, 2009). Pesticides and herbicides Chemists and chemical engineers have also been helpful in the discovery, synthesis and commercial-scale manufacture of various chemical compounds that are used as pesticides (to kill insects) and herbicides (to kill weeds). For example, chemical engineers discovered that when glyphosate (the primary ingredient in Monsantos widely used herbicide Roundup) is applied to a crop, it inhibits a specific growth enzyme called the EPSP synthase. Glyphosate is rapidly metabolized by weeds, and unlike many other earlier herbicides, it binds tightly to soil so that it does not accumulate in runoff to contaminate surface waters or underground aquifers. According to its manufacturer, it eliminates more than 125 kinds of weeds, but does not affect mammals, birds, fish, or insects (AIChe, 2009). Advanced food processing techniques Today, imaginative and effective engineered approaches many drawn directly from the chemical engineers toolbox routinely add nutrients, improve aesthetic appeal (in terms of a foods flavours, texture, and appearance), enable longer distance transport (leading to multi-seasonal availability), extend shelf life, and remove microorganisms that contribute to spoilage and are responsible for food-borne illnesses. Modern food processing can also improve the quality of life for people with food allergies (by removing or neutralizing the proteins and other substances that create allergic reactions in certain people) and for diabetics (by reducing sugar content and providing sugar-free alternatives). The roasting of coffee beans requires exceptionally precise control of the chemical and physical reactions over time. Depending on the progressive bean temperature experienced during roasting, final flavours characteristics can vary widely. Chemical engineers have devised ways to make timely adjustments to the roaster to moderate airflow rates and manipulate bean temperatures without changing the flavours (AIChe, 2009). Sterilizing and packaging perishable foods Sterilization is a key aspect of any food -packaging operation. The ability to sterilize foods to protect them against spoilage by oxidation, bacteria, and moulds has always presented an important engineering challenge. Throughout history, people have experimented with the use of dehydration, smoking, salting, pickling, candying and the use of certain spices. They include high-temperature pasteurization and canning, refrigeration and freezing, chemical preservatives (using such compounds as sulphite, sodium nitrite, ethyl formate, propionic acid, sorbic acid, and benzoic acid), and irradiation (AIChe, 2009). Pasteurization In the early years, no one knew how Nicolas Apperts process preserved foods successfully, but the ability to can foods meant that Napoleons army fighting a long way from home could be fed properly and safely and that British sailors could maintain a healthier diet by feasting on fruits, vegetables, and meats while on long voyages overseas. More than 50 years later, Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) explained the mystery by proving that the growth of microorganisms is the primary cause of food spoilage and food -borne illnesses and that a high percentage of them could be killed by heating liquids to about 130 °F (55 °C) or higher, for relatively short periods, without altering the chemical makeup of the food. This simple process became known as pasteurization and was quickly and widely adopted (AIChe, 2009). Aseptic packaging First introduced in the U.S. in the early 1960s, it provides major advantages over traditional canning. It allows many products once considered perishables such as milk and juice to be packaged, distributed, and stored for months or longer without the need for refrigeration, irradiation, or chemical preservatives. In general, during aseptic packaging, both the food and packaging are sterilized at high temperatures for very short periods (AIChe, 2009). The original technology superheated steam to sterilize cans. Pressurized heat exchangers and holding tubes allows the foods and beverages to be sterilized at around 300 °F. Foods processed using aseptic packaging retains their vitamins, minerals, and desired textures, colours, and flavours more effectively than those processed with traditional canning. In 1989, aseptic-packaging technology was voted the food industrys top innovation of the last 50 years by the Institute of Food Technologists (AIChe, 2009). Some world famous food companies In terms of corporate size, food manufacture has no companies to match the giants of other sectors (Sutherland, 2010). Although still by far the largest of the food producers, Nestlà ©, with annual sales in 2009 of about $95 billion (well down on 2008), is only a quarter of the size of the largest petroleum companies such as Exxon or Shell (Sutherland, 2010). (There are, of course, food retailers much larger than Nestlà ©, especially Wal-Mart whose 2009 sales of $400 billion made it the third largest company in the world in terms of turnover, with Carrefour a long way behind at second in the list of retailers, at $130 billion (Sutherland, 2010). The next largest company classified as a food producer is Unilever, with total 2009 sales of $53 billion (although the Unilever picture is complicated by its extensive range of non-food household goods businesses) (Sutherland, 2010). Unilever is closely followed by Cargill, the largest private company in the USA, and by Archer-Daniels-Midland, although both of these are large natural product commodity dealers as well. Then come ConAgra, Kraft Foods, Danone, Kellogg, General Mills, and H J Heinz (Sutherland, 2010). For some time, the leading beverage companies have been the soft drink makers Pepsico (2009 sales of $43 billion) and Coca Cola ($32 billion), some distance ahead of the brewers (Sutherland, 2010). This picture changed in 2008 with the purchase of Anheuser-Busch by InBev (itself the fairly recent merger of Interbrew and AmBev) to create a company larger than Coca Cola (although still behind Pepsi) and second in size of the brewers is now SABMiller (a 2002 creation), followed by Heineken and then Carlsberg (Sutherland, 2010). Further consolidation in the beverage sector is being driven by a search for markets, because beer drinking can be very regional. Thus, Heineken has acquired the beer business of Femsa in Mexico which holds 40% of its domestic market and nearly 10% of that in Brazil and one of the fastest growing parts of the whole sector is the mineral water and soft drinks sector, which has a sizeable requirement for fine filtration (Sutherland, 2010). FILTRATION Definition Filtration is a process whereby solid particles present in a suspension are separated from the liquid or gas using a porous medium, which retains the solid but, allows the fluid to pass through. It is a common operation used widely in sterile products, bulk drugs and in liquid oral formulation. The suspension to be filtered is called slurry. The porous medium used to retain the solids is known as filter medium and the accumulated solids on the filter are referred as filter cake and the clear liquid passing through the filter is filtrate (Srikanth, 2012). The pores of the filter medium are smaller than the size of particles to be separated. When feed is passed over the filter medium, the fluid flows through it by virtue of a pressure differential across the filter. Gravity is acting on the liquid column; the solids are trapped on the surface of the filter medium. After a particular point of time, the resistance offered by the filter cake is high that stops the filtration (Sambhamurthy , 2005). Types of filtration Based on the mechanism, there are 3 types of filtration which are surface filtration, depth filtration and cake filtration. Surface filtration It is a screening action by which pores or holes of the medium prevent the passage of solids. For this purpose, plates with holes or woven sieves are used (Matteson, 1987). An example is a cellulose membrane filter. Depth filtration This filtration mechanism retains particulate matter not only on the surface but also at the inside of the filter. It is extensively used for clarification. Ceramic filters and sintered filters are examples of depth filtration (Stephan, 2003). Case study of depth filtration (Carey, 2008): Several forces have driven changes in filtration technology during the last few decades, including environmental concerns, the health and safety of winery employees and wine quality. The major active component in traditional depth filtration is diatomaceous earth, which has several major problems. First, it is difficult to dispose because it does not decompose. Second, it can cause symptoms similar to coalminers black lung disease when inhaled over long periods of time. To overcome these drawbacks, cross flow filtration and ultra-filtration are being practiced in recent years. Cross flow filtration: It ranges between ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis and the nominal pore size of the membrane is typically below 1 nanometer (Wikipedia, 2012). Nano filtration membranes are still subject to scaling and fouling and often modifiers such as anti-scalants are required for use (Hillie, 2007). Ultra filtration: It is a pressure driven membrane transport process that has been applied on both the laboratory and industrial scale. It is becoming a powerful separation tool for the rapidly growing biotechnology industry (Goldsmith et al., 1974). Cake filtration By this mechanism, the cake accumulated on the surface of the filter is itself used as a filter. A filter consists of a coarse woven cloth through which a concentrated suspension of rigid particles is passed so that they bridge the holes and forma bed. Theory of filtration Depending on dispersing medium filtration theory is divided in two parts; Gas filtration Liquid filtration Gas filtration theory It mainly includes filtration of aerosols and lyosols. There are several mechanisms for this theory. They are as follows (Wilson Cavanagh, 1969). Diffusion deposition The trajectories of individual small particles do not coincide with the streamlines of the fluid because of Brownian motion. With decreasing particle size the intensity of Brownian motion increases and, as a consequence, so does the intensity of diffusion deposition. Direct interception This mechanism involves the finite size of particles. A particle is intercepted as it approaches the collection surface to a distance equal to its radius. Inertial deposition The presence of a body in the flowing fluid results in a curvature of the streamlines in the neighbourhood of the body. Because of their inertia, the individual particles do not follow the curved streamlines but are projected against the body and may deposit there. It is obvious that the intensity of this mechanism increases with increasing particle size and velocity of flow. Gravitational deposition Every particle has a definite sedimentation speed due to gravity. As a consequence, the particles deviate from the streamlines of the fluid and owing to this deviation; the particles may touch a fibre. Electrostatic deposition Both the particles and the fibres in the filter may carry electric charges. Deposition of particles on the fibres may take place because of forces acting between charges or induced forces. Liquid filtration theory The term solid-liquid filtration covers all processes in which a liquid containing suspended solid is freed of some or the entire solid when the suspension is drawn through a porous medium (Melia Weber, 1972). Kozeny Carman equation = . (1) Here, A = filter area V = total volume of filtrate delivered t = filtration time à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  P = pressure drop across cake and medium r = specific cake resistance  µ = filtrate viscosity l = cake thickness L = thickness of cake equivalent to medium resistance (Skilling, 2001). Limitations: This equation does not take into account of the fact that depth of the granular bed is lesser than the actual path traversed by the fluid. The actual path is not straight throughout the bed, but it is sinuous (Chowdiah et al., 1981). Poiseulles law This Law considered that filtration is similar to the streamline flow of a liquid under pressure through capillaries. = . (2) Cake resistance, RM = . (3) Specific cake resistance, ÃŽÂ ± = ÃŽÂ ±Ãƒâ€" ³Ãƒ ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  P. (4) The filter resistance is much less than the cake resistance (RC Filter media The filter medium acts as a mechanical support for the filter cake and it is responsible for the collection of solids (Srikanth, 2012). Minimum cake thickness of discharge for different types of filter is presented in Table 1 (Subramanyam et al., 2005). Table 1: Minimum cake thickness for discharge (Andrew et al., 2002) Filter type Minimum design thickness Belt 3.0-5.0 Roll discharge 1.0 Standard scraper 6.5 Coil 3.0-5.0 String discharge 6.5 Horizontal belt 3.0-5.0 Horizontal table 19.0 Materials used as filter media (Rushton, 2008) Different types of materials used as filter media for various applications industrially and domestically are presented in Table 2. Table 2: Type of filter media, features and their application (Patel R. et al, 2010). Type of filter media Features Application

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 26

â€Å"Why so blue, Kincaid?† I looked up from the information desk's computer screen to see Doug leaning lazily over the counter's edge. â€Å"Am I?† â€Å"Sure. You have the saddest look on your face I've ever seen. It's breaking my heart.† â€Å"Oh. Sorry. Just tired, I guess.† â€Å"Well, then, get out of here. Your shift's over.† Glancing down, I read the time on the computer. Five-oh-seven. â€Å"I guess it is.† He eyed me askance as I rose listlessly from the chair and made my way out from behind the desk. â€Å"You sure you're okay?† â€Å"Yeah. Like I said, just tired. I'll see you around.† I started to walk away. â€Å"Oh, hey, Kincaid?† â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"You're friendly with Mortensen, aren't you?† â€Å"Sort of,† I conceded cautiously. â€Å"Do you know what happened to him? He used to be here, like, every day, and now he's been gone all week. It's freaking Paige out. She thinks we offended him or something. â€Å" â€Å"I don't know. We're not that friendly. Sorry.† I shrugged. â€Å"Maybe he's sick. Or out of town.† â€Å"Maybe.† I left the store, stepping out into the dark autumn evening. Friday in Queen Anne brought people in droves, drawn by the area's assortment of activities and nightlife. Ignoring them, lost in my own thoughts, I walked over to my car, parked a block away. Immediately, a vulture in a red Honda slowed down and put her signal on, realizing my spot was about to be vacated. â€Å"You ready for this?† Carter asked me, materializing in the passenger seat. I fastened my seatbelt. â€Å"Ready as I'll ever be.† We drove up to the University District in silence, a hundred questions on my mind. Since removing Seth from my apartment last week, the angel had told me not to worry, that he would see to the writer's recovery. I'd still worried anyway, of course, about both Seth and the deal I'd made with Jerome. I was about to become the single greatest source of chaos and temptation in Seattle; even Hugh's stellar track record wouldn't look so good†¦ er, bad, anymore. I would be more than the slave Helena had claimed I was. The very thought made me ill. â€Å"I'll be with you,† Carter told me soothingly as we approached Seth's door minutes later. The angel flickered briefly in my vision, and I realized he'd gone invisible to mortal eyes, though not to mine. â€Å"What does he know?† â€Å"Not much. He's been awake more and more these last couple of days, and I've told him a little, but really†¦ I think he's been waiting for you.† Sighing, I nodded and stared at the door. Suddenly I felt unable to move. â€Å"You can do this,† Carter said gently. Nodding again, I turned the door handle and stepped inside. Seth's condo looked much the same as when I'd last been here, the kitchen still bright and cheery, the living room lined with boxes of unpacked books. Faint music drifted from the bedroom. I thought it was U2, but I didn't recognize the song. Moving toward the sounds, I reached Seth's bedroom, pausing in the doorway, afraid to cross the threshold. He was in bed, half sitting up, propped up by pillows. In his hands he held The Green Fairy Book, looking to be about a third of the way through it. He looked up at my approach, and I nearly sagged in relief to see how much better he looked. His color was back, his eyes bright and alert. Only that facial hair looked ragged and unkempt, the result of no shaving for a week, I guessed. That answered my question about whether or not Seth had maintained the thin, neat beard on purpose. He reached for a remote on the bedside table and turned the music off. â€Å"Hey.† â€Å"Hey.† I took a few more steps into the room, afraid to get any closer. â€Å"Do you want to sit?† he asked. â€Å"Sure.† Cady and O'Neill's faces scrutinized me from the bulletin board as I brought a chair alongside Seth. I sat down, looked at him, and then looked away, unable to handle the depth of those amber-brown eyes after seeing into his mind. Our old silence fell between us, the progress we'd made in conversation banished to the winds. Seth would not take the lead this time. As Carter had observed, the writer was waiting for me. I looked back up, forcing myself to meet his eyes. I had to do this. I had to do the explaining here, but I balked at it. It was ironic, I thought. Me, who half the time didn't know when to shut up. Me, famed for always having some catchy quip at the ready. Knowing it would never get any easier, I took a deep breath and let it all out, conscious of the weight of heaven at my back and the hell I'd just consented to stretching out before me. â€Å"The truth is†¦ the truth is, I don't really work in a bookstore. I mean, I do, but that's not really why I'm here, what my purpose is. The truth is that I'm a succubus, and I know you've probably heard of us before – or think you've heard of us before, but I doubt what you've heard is correct†¦Ã¢â‚¬  On I went. I told him. I told him everything. The rules of the succubus lifestyle, my dissatisfaction with it, why I wouldn't date people I liked. I told him about other immortals, angels and demons walking among us. I even explained about nephilim, hinting that Roman's presence in my apartment had been part of a lure on my part, but mostly skimming over the embarrassing circumstances Seth had found us in. On and on, I talked, not even knowing what I said half the time. I only knew I had to keep talking, keep trying to explain to Seth that which defied explanation. I finally reached the end, my stream of discourse exhausted. â€Å"So. So, I guess that's it. You can believe it or not, but the forces of good and evil – as humans perceive them, at least – are alive and well in the world, and I'm one of them. This city is filled with supernatural agents and entities; humans just don't realize it. It's probably just as well, really. Otherwise, if they knew too much about us, they might find out how pathetic and fucked up our lives actually are.† I shut up, thinking if Seth hadn't seen what he had already seen, he probably would have thought I was crazy. Hell, even after it all, he still probably thought I was crazy. He would be justified. Those brown eyes weighed me and my words in silence, and an annoying wetness welled up in my own eyes. I looked away to hide it, blinking rapidly, because while succubi might be accused of doing all sorts of bizarre things around mortal men, I was pretty sure crying wasn't one of them. â€Å"You said†¦ you said you used to be human.† He spoke the words awkwardly, no doubt trying to grasp the whole concept of mortal and immortal. â€Å"How then†¦ how did you become a succubus?† I looked back up at him. I could refuse him nothing in that moment, no matter how painful. â€Å"I made a bargain. I told you before that I was married†¦ that I had cheated on my husband. The consequences of that were†¦ not pleasant. I traded away my life – becoming a succubus – in order to repair the damage I had caused.† â€Å"You gave away eternity to fix one mistake?† Seth frowned. â€Å"That doesn't seem equitable.† I shrugged, highly uncomfortable with the topic. I had never spoken of it to anyone. â€Å"I don't know. It's done.† â€Å"Okay.† He shifted slightly in bed, the soft swishing of fabric the only sound between us. â€Å"Well. Thanks for telling me.† I recognized a dismissal when I heard one, and it dug into me like a blade. That was it. Done. Seth was through with me. We were finished. After everything I had told him, there was no way things could return to how they'd been, but really, wasn't that for the best? I hurriedly stood up, suddenly not wanting to be there any longer. â€Å"Yeah. Okay.† I moved toward the door, suddenly pausing to look back at him. â€Å"Seth?† â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Do you understand? Why I do what I do? Why we can't – why we have to – † I couldn't finish the thought. â€Å"It's impossible. I wish it were different†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yeah,† he said quietly. Turning, I fled his condo for my car. When I got into it, I buried my face into the steering wheel, sobbing uncontrollably. After a few minutes, gentle arms wrapped around me, and I turned toward Carter, crying into his chest. I'd heard reports of people who had angelic encounters, witnesses talking about the peace and beauty experienced by such moments. I'd never given any of it much thought, but as minutes passed, the terrible pain in my chest abated, and I grew calmer, finally lifting my head up to look at the angel. â€Å"He hates me,† I choked out. â€Å"Seth hates me now.† â€Å"Why do you say that?† â€Å"After everything I just told him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I suspect he's troubled and confused, yes, but I don't think he hates you. Love like that doesn't turn to hate quite so easily, though I'll admit the two intertwine sometimes.† I sniffled. â€Å"Did you feel it? His love?† â€Å"Not like you did. I sensed it, though.† â€Å"I've never felt anything like it. I can't match that. I like him†¦ like him so much. Maybe I even love him too, but not in the same way he loves me. I'm not worthy of that love.† Carter made a soft, chastising click. â€Å"No one is beyond being loved.† â€Å"Not even someone who just agreed to spend the next century hurting humans, corrupting souls, and leading them to temptation and despair? You must hate me for that. Even I hate me for that.† The angel watched me, expression steady and calm. â€Å"Why did you agree then?† I leaned my head back against the seat. â€Å"Because I couldn't stand the thought of me†¦ of that love being wiped out of his head†¦ of not being remembered.† â€Å"Ironic, huh?† I turned toward him, hardly surprised at anything anymore. â€Å"How much do you know about me?† â€Å"Enough. I know what you got for becoming a succubus.† â€Å"I thought it was the right thing then†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I murmured, my mind's eye turning to a faraway time and place, another man. â€Å"He was so sad and so angry at me†¦ he couldn't go on, knowing what I'd done. I just wanted to be blotted from his mind forever. I thought it would be better if he – if everyone – forgot about me. Forgot I'd ever existed.† â€Å"And now you don't agree?† I shook my head. â€Å"I saw him†¦ years later, when he was an old man. I shape-shifted to the form he'd known me in – that was the last time I've worn that face, actually – and approached him. He looked right past me, though. Didn't know me at all. The time we'd had together. The love he'd had for me. All gone. Gone forever. It killed me. I felt like one of the walking dead after that. â€Å"I couldn't let that happen. Not again. Not with Seth, after experiencing what he felt for me. Even if that love is ruined†¦ marred by what he thinks of me now. Even if he never speaks to me again. It's still better than that love never having existed at all.† â€Å"Love is rarely flawless,† Carter pointed out. â€Å"Humans delude themselves by thinking it has to be. It is the imperfection that makes love perfect.† â€Å"No riddles, please,† I told him, suddenly feeling tired. â€Å"I just lost the one person I might have loved again after all these years. Really, truly loved too. Not just pure excitement either, like with Roman. Seth†¦ Seth had it all. Passion. Commitment. Friendship. â€Å"Not only that, but I've agreed to go on ‘active duty' again as a succubus.† I closed my eyes, swallowing the bile in my throat. I thought of all the nice guys in the world, men like Doug and Bruce. I did not want to be their downfall. â€Å"I really do hate it, Carter. You have no idea how much I hate it, no idea how much I don't want to do this anymore. But it's worth it. Worth it if Seth can keep his memories.† I looked over at the angel uncertainly. â€Å"He can, can't he?† Carter nodded, and I exhaled with relief. â€Å"Good. At least there's one spot of hope in all of this.† â€Å"Of course there is. There's always hope.† â€Å"Not for me.† â€Å"There's always hope,† he repeated more firmly, a commanding note in his voice that startled me. â€Å"No one is beyond hope.† I could feel tears coming to my eyes again. Lord. I seemed to be crying all the time lately. â€Å"What about a succubus?† â€Å"Especially a succubus.† He put his arms around me again, and I gave way to my sobs once more, a damned soul taking momentary respite in the embrace of a heavenly creature. I wondered if what he said was true, if it was possible that there was still hope for me, but then I remembered something that made me half laugh and half choke all at once. Angels never lied.