The Hunters: Phantom Chapter 11

Elena hung up the phone. She and Bonnie had discussed everything that was going on, from the mysterious appearance of Celia's and Meredith's names to Margaret's upcoming dance recital. But she hadn't been able to bring up what she had real y cal ed to talk about. She sighed. After a moment, she felt under her mattress and pul ed out her velvet-covered journal. Dear Diary, This afternoon, I talked with Caleb Smallwood on the front lawn of my house. I barely know him, yet I feel this visceral connection with him. I love Bonnie and Meredith more than life itself, but they have no idea what it's like to lose your parents, and that puts a space between us. I see myself in Caleb. He's so handsome and seems so carefree. I'm sure most people think his life is perfect. I know what it's like to pretend to have it together, even when you're coming apart. It can be the loneliest thing in the world. I hope he has a Bonnie or a Meredith of his own, a friend he can lean on. The strangest thing happened while we were talking. A crow flew straight at us. It was a big crow, one of the biggest I've ever seen, with iridescent black feathers that shone in the sun and a huge hooked beak and claws. It might have been the same one that appeared on my windowsill yesterday morning, but I wasn't sure. Who can tell crows apart? And, of course, both the crows reminded me of Damon, who watched me as a crow before we even met. What's strange – ridiculous, really – is this dawning feeling of hope I have deep inside me. What if, I keep thinking, what if somehow Damon's not dead after all? And then the hope collapses, because he is dead, and I need to face that. If I want to stay strong I can't lie to myself. I can't make up pretty fairy tales where the noble vampire doesn't die, where the rules get changed because it's someone I care about. But that hope comes sneaking up on me again: What if? It would be too cruel to say anything about the crow to Stefan. His grief has changed him. Sometimes, when he's quiet, I catch a strange look in his leaf green eyes, like there's someone I don't know in there. And I know he's thinking of Damon, thoughts that take him somewhere I can't follow anymore. I thought I could tell Bonnie about the crow. She cared about Damon, and she wouldn't laugh at me for wondering whether there were some way he might still, in some form, be alive. Not after she suggested the very same thing earlier today. At the last minute, though, I couldn't talk to her about it. I know why, and it's a lousy, selfish, stupid reason: I'm jealous of Bonnie. Because Damon saved her life. Awful, right? Here's the thing: For a long time, out of millions, there was one human Damon cared about. Only one. And that one person was me. Everyone else could go to hell as far as he was concerned. He could barely remember my friends' names. But something changed between Damon and Bonnie, maybe when they were alone in the Dark Dimension together, maybe earlier. She's always had a little crush on him, when he wasn't being cruel, but then he started to take notice of his little redbird. He watched her. He was tender with her. And when she was in danger, he moved to save her without a second thought as to what it might cost him. So I'm jealous. Because Damon saved Bonnie's life. I'm a terrible person. But, because I am so terrible, I don't want to share any more of Damon with Bonnie, not even my thoughts about the crow. I want to keep part of him just for me. Elena reread what she had written, her lips pressed tightly together. She wasn't proud of her feelings, but she couldn't deny they existed. She leaned back on her pil ow. It had been a long, exhausting day, and now it was one o'clock in the morning. She'd said good night to Aunt Judith and Robert a couple of hours ago, but she didn't seem to be able to make it into bed. She'd just puttered around after changing into her nightdress: brushing her hair, rearranging some of her possessions, flipping through a magazine, looking with satisfaction at the fashionable wardrobe she hadn't had access to in months. Cal ing Bonnie. Bonnie had sounded odd. Distracted, maybe. Or perhaps just tired. It was late, after al . Elena was tired, too, but she didn't want to go to sleep. She final y admitted it to herself: She was a little afraid to go to sleep. Damon had been so real in her dream the other night. His body had felt firm and solid as she held him; his silky black hair had been soft against her cheek. His smooth voice had sounded sarcastic, seductive, and commanding by turns, just like the living Damon's. When she had remembered, with a sickening horror, that he was gone, it had been as if he had died al over again. But she couldn't stay awake forever. She was so tired. Elena switched off the light and closed her eyes. She was sitting on the creaky old bleachers in the school gym. The air smel ed of sweaty athletic shoes and the polish they used on the wooden floor. â€Å"This is where we met,† said Damon, who she now realized was sitting beside her, so close the sleeve of his leather jacket brushed her arm. â€Å"Romantic,† Elena replied, raising one eyebrow and looking around the big empty room, the basketbal hoops hanging at each end. â€Å"I try,† Damon said, a tinge of a laugh coloring his dry voice. â€Å"But you chose where we are. It's your dream.† â€Å"Is it a dream?† Elena asked suddenly, turning to study his face. â€Å"It doesn't feel like one.† â€Å"Wel ,† he said, â€Å"let me put it this way. We're not actual y here.† His face was serious and intent as he gazed back at her, but then he flashed one of his sudden, bril iant smiles and his eyes slid away. â€Å"I'm glad we didn't have gymnasiums like this when I did my studies,† he said casual y, stretching out his legs in front of him. â€Å"It seems so undignified, with the shorts and the rubber bal s.† â€Å"Stefan said that you played sports then, though,† Elena said, distracted despite herself. Damon frowned at Stefan's name. â€Å"Never mind,† she said hastily. â€Å"We might not have much time. Please, Damon, please, you said you're not here, but are you anywhere? Are you al right? Even if you're dead†¦ I mean real y dead, dead for good, are you somewhere?† He looked at her sharply. His mouth twisted a little as he said, â€Å"Does it matter that much to you, princess?† â€Å"Of course it does,† Elena said, shocked. Her eyes were fil ing with tears. His tone was light, but his eyes, so black she couldn't tel where the iris ended and the pupil began, were watchful. â€Å"Everyone else – al your friends – this town – they're al okay, though, aren't they? You have your world back. There are such things as col ateral damages you have to expect if you're going to get what you want.† Elena could tel from Damon's expression that what she said next would matter dreadful y. And, in her heart of hearts, hadn't she admitted to herself the other day that, as much as she loved Damon, things were better now, that everything could be good again with the town saved and her returned to her old life? And that she wanted it that way, even if it meant Damon was dead? That Damon was what he said: collateral damage? â€Å"Oh, Damon,† she said at last, helplessly. â€Å"I just miss you so much.† Damon's face softened and he reached for her. â€Å"Elena – â€Å" â€Å"Yes?† Elena murmured. â€Å"Elena?† A hand was gently shaking her. â€Å"Elena?† Someone stroked her hair, and Elena nuzzled sleepily into the touch. â€Å"Damon?† she said, stil half dreaming. The hand paused in its stroking and then withdrew. She opened her eyes. â€Å"Just me, I'm afraid,† said Stefan. He was sitting next to her on her bed, his mouth a straight, tight line, his eyes averted. â€Å"Oh, Stefan,† said Elena, sitting up and throwing her arms around him. â€Å"I didn't mean – â€Å" â€Å"It's al right,† Stefan said flatly, turning away from her. â€Å"I know what he meant to you.† Elena pul ed him toward her and looked up into his face. â€Å"Stefan. Stefan.† His green eyes had a distant expression. â€Å"I'm sorry,† she said pleadingly. â€Å"You have nothing to apologize for, Elena,† he said. â€Å"Stefan, I was dreaming about Damon,† she confessed. â€Å"You're right, Damon was important to me, and I†¦ miss him.† A muscle twitched at the side of Stefan's face, and she stroked his jaw. â€Å"I wil never love anyone more than I love you, Stefan. It would be impossible. Stefan,† she said, feeling like she might cry, â€Å"you're my true love, you know that.† If only she could reach out and show him with her mind, make him understand what she felt for him. She'd never ful y explored her other Powers, never ful y claimed them, but losing their telepathic connection felt like it might kil her. Stefan's expression softened. â€Å"Oh, Elena,† he said slowly, and wrapped his arms around her. â€Å"I miss Damon, too.† He buried his face in her hair and his next words were muffled. â€Å"I've spent hundreds of years fighting with my only brother, with us hating each other. We killed each other when we were human, and I don't think either of us ever got over the guilt and the shock, the horror of that moment.† She felt a long shudder go through his body. He sighed, a soft, sad sound. â€Å"And when we final y started to find our way back to being brothers again, it was al because of you.† His forehead stil resting on her shoulder, Stefan took Elena's hand and held it between both of his, turning it over and stroking it as he thought. â€Å"He died so suddenly. I guess I never expected†¦ I never expected Damon to die before I did. He was always the strong one, the one who truly loved life. I feel†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He smiled a little, just a sad twist of his lips. â€Å"I feel†¦ surprisingly lonely without him.† Elena entwined her fingers with Stefan's and held his hand tightly. He turned his face toward hers, meeting her eyes, and she pul ed back a little so she could see him more clearly. There was pain in his eyes, and grief, but there was also a hardness she had never seen there before. She kissed him, trying to erase that hard edge. He resisted her for half a second, and then he kissed her back. â€Å"Oh, Elena,† he said thickly, and kissed her again. As the kiss deepened, Elena felt a sweet, satisfying sense of rightness sweep through her. It was always like this: If she felt distanced from Stefan, the touch of their lips could unite them. She felt a wave of love and wonder from him, and held on to it, feeding the emotion back to him, the tenderness between them growing. With her Powers gone, she needed this more than ever. She reached out with her mind and emotions, past the tenderness, past the rock-solid love that was always waiting for her in Stefan's kiss, and delved deeper into his mind. There was a fierce passion there, and she returned it, their emotions twining together, as their hands held each other harder. Beneath the passion, there was grief, a terrible, endless grief, and farther stil , buried in the depths of Stefan's emotions, was an aching loneliness, the loneliness of a man who had lived for centuries without companionship. And in that loneliness was the taste of something unfamiliar. Something†¦ unyielding and cold and faintly metal ic, as if she had bitten into foil. There was something Stefan was holding back from her. Elena was sure of it, and she reached deeper into his mind as their kisses intensified. She needed al of him†¦ She started to pul back her hair, to offer him her blood. That always brought them as close as they could possibly be. But before he could accept her offer, there was a sudden knock on the door. Almost immediately it opened and Aunt Judith peeked in. Elena, blinking, found herself alone, her palms stinging from the speed with which Stefan had pul ed away from her. She looked around hastily, but he'd vanished. â€Å"Breakfast is on the table, Elena,† Aunt Judith said cheerful y. â€Å"Uh-huh,† Elena said, distracted, peering at the closet, wondering where Stefan had hidden himself. â€Å"Are you al right, dear?† her aunt said, her forehead creased with concern. Elena had a sudden picture of how she must look: wide-eyed, flushed, and disheveled, sitting in her rumpled bed and looking wildly around the room. It had been a long time since Stefan had needed to use his vampiric speed for anything as mundane as not getting caught in her bedroom! She gave Aunt Judith a reassuring smile. â€Å"Sorry, I'm stil half-asleep. I'l be right down,† she said. â€Å"I'd better hurry. Stefan wil be here to pick me up soon.† As Aunt Judith left the room, Elena final y caught sight of Stefan, waving from the lawn below her open window, and she waved back, laughing, the strange emotions at the bottom of Stefan's mind put aside for the moment. He gestured that he was going around to the front of the house and that he would see her in a minute. She laughed again and jumped up to get ready for the picnic at Hot Springs. It was nice to be the kind of girl who worried about getting grounded. It felt†¦ pleasurably normal. A few minutes later, as Elena, now dressed in shorts and a light blue T-shirt, her hair pul ed back in a ponytail, headed down the stairs, the doorbel rang. â€Å"That'l be Stefan,† she cal ed as Aunt Judith appeared in the kitchen doorway. Elena grabbed her beach bag and picnic cooler from the bench in the hal . â€Å"Elena!† Aunt Judith scolded. â€Å"You have to eat something before you go!† â€Å"No time,† Elena said, smiling at the familiarity of the argument. â€Å"I'l grab a muffin or something on the way.† She and Aunt Judith had exchanged these words, or similar ones, most mornings of Elena's years in high school. â€Å"Oh, Elena,† Aunt Judith said, rol ing her eyes. â€Å"Don't move, young lady. I'l be right back.† Elena opened the door and smiled up into Stefan's eyes. â€Å"Why, hel o there, stranger,† she said softly. He kissed her, a sweet touch of his lips on hers. Aunt Judith hurried back into the hal way and pressed a granola bar into Elena's hand. â€Å"There,† she said. â€Å"At least you'l have something in your stomach.† Elena gave her a quick hug. â€Å"Thank you, Aunt Judith,† she said. â€Å"I'l see you later.† â€Å"Have fun, but please don't forget Margaret's dance recital tonight,† Aunt Judith said. â€Å"She's so excited about it.† Aunt Judith waved good-bye from the doorway as Elena and Stefan strol ed toward the car. â€Å"We're meeting the others at the boardinghouse and caravanning to Hot Springs,† Stefan said. â€Å"Matt and Meredith are both bringing their cars.† â€Å"Oh, good, we won't be as crowded as we were yesterday. Not that I minded sitting on your lap, but I thought I might squish Celia in the middle,† Elena said. She turned her face up and stretched like a cat in the sunshine. A breeze tossed her ponytail, and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation. â€Å"It's a gorgeous day for a picnic,† she said. The world was alive with birdsong and with the rustle of trees. A faint tracery of white clouds underscored the bright blue of the sky. â€Å"Would it be jinxing ourselves to say it feels like the kind of day where nothing could go wrong?† she asked. â€Å"Yes, it absolutely would be jinxing ourselves to say that,† Stefan said, straight-faced, unlocking the passenger-side door for her. â€Å"Then I won't say it,† Elena said. â€Å"I won't even think it. But I feel good. I haven't been to Hot Springs for ages.† She grinned with pure pleasure, and Stefan smiled back at her, but Elena was struck once again by that certain something new – something troubling – in his eyes.

Breast cancer and possible solution of Mammograms

Breast malignant neoplastic disease occurs when chest cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably. It is the most common malignant neoplastic disease in the UK. This is indicated in the pie chart below where chest malignant neoplastic disease histories for the highest per centum happening among adult females, that is approximately 26 % . An estimated 46 000 adult females are diagnosed every twelvemonth. [ 1 ] The two chief hazard factors for chest malignant neoplastic disease are gender – being a adult female and age – turning older. [ 2 ] In fact 8 out of 10 of the diagnosed patients are adult females above 50 old ages old. [ 1 ] 90 % of chest malignant neoplastic disease is caused by environmental factors while the staying 10 % is due to familial defect. [ 2 ] Breast malignant neoplastic disease can be treated if it is detected at an early phase, doing the patients ‘ opportunities of endurance greater. Among the symptoms of chest malignant neoplastic disease are th e presence of a ball or thickener in the chest tissue. Figure 1: Cancer occurance among adult females.A Possible Solution – MammogramIn my sentiment all adult females particularly those above the age of 50 and those with a strong household history of chest malignant neoplastic disease should travel for regular mammographic showing. A mammogram is really of import for chest malignant neoplastic disease showing and early sensing. It is an X-ray exposure of the chests where consequences are studied to observe any abnormalcies or locations of leery tissue. Harmonizing to the National Health Service ( NHS ) UK, 1 400 lives are saved because of testing. [ 4 ] There are a few differences between testing mammograms and other mammograms. Screening mammography is carried out when there is no ball or seeable marks of malignant neoplastic disease. However, if a specific ball demands to be looked at, so a diagnostic mammography is done. Here my research is based on testing mammography. [ 25 ] There is a important difference in sentiment sing how frequently adult females should travel for mammograms. The American Cancer Society ( ACS ) suggests that all adult females over 40 should travel for mammograms one time every twelvemonth while the National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) of the US advises adult females to travel every 1-2 old ages. [ 5 ] I agree with NCI as their suggestion would intend that adult females are non exposed to radiation excessively frequently. Increased exposure to radiation increases the hazard of acquiring malignant neoplastic disease. Figure 2: Woman undergoing mammogram. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/06/mammoREX020606_228x179.jpg ) ( 396 words ) A mammogram is conducted on an outpatient footing and stopping points for about 30 proceedingss. [ 6 ] During the process, a qualified radiotherapist intially places merely one chest on a little level home base that has an X-ray home base under it. Above the chest there is another level home base. The machine presses the chest down between the home bases keeping the chest in place and bettering the acuteness of the image. When the chest is compressed, there is a small uncomfortableness. [ 7 ] Small explosions of radiation, something like wireless moving ridges is produced by the tubings in the machine and is passed through the chests. The image formed is recorded on photographic movie or a particular digital image entering home base. The chest is less heavy in comparing to the tumour. Therefore the chest appears in grey sunglassess on the mammography while the tumour is white and the air is black as it is the least dense. Figure 3: Breast malignant neoplastic disease tumour shown( hypertext transfer protocol: //breastcancer.about.com/od/mammograms/ig/Mammogram-Images/Breast-Tumor.htm )( 556 words ) A radiotherapist will analyze the images and look out for any marks of malignant neoplastic disease. A signed study is sent to the physician who will explicate the consequences to the adult female. When a adult female goes for this process, she is told non to have on any deodourant, pulverization or lotion in her axillas or her chest as these would look as calcium musca volitanss on the mammogram. [ 6 ] Sometimes alternatively of tumours physicians may happen cysts, calcifications and fibroadenomas on the mammograms. Calcifications are non breast malignant neoplastic disease but can be an indicant of precancer. They are little measures of Ca that appear in the soft tissue of the chest. Fibroadenomas are benign tumours made of hempen and glandular chest tissue that are removed as a precautional measure. Cysts are benign unstable – filled pouch that are non related to malignant neoplastic disease. [ 8 ] ( 693 words )EffectivenessFigure 4: Breast malignant neoplastic disease rates by phase Figure 5: Breast malignant neoplastic disease mortality rates( hypertext transfer protocol: //mole.health.state.ny.us/diseases/chronic/screening.htm )From the first graph, it is observed that the rate of early diagnosing of chest malignant neoplastic disease had significantly improved because of the addition in the figure of adult females who underwent mammography. Consequently, the rate of late diagnosing of chest malignant neoplastic disease decreased. The 2nd graph shows that when chest malignant neoplastic disease is detected early, there is a diminution in the mortality rate. [ 9 ] I strongly believe that naming chest malignant neoplastic disease early through mammography helps better adult females ‘s opportunities of endurance. ( 836 words ) A newspaper article by Reuters in Washington, US dated October 6th 2009 stated that a survey conducted by US research workers found that 75 % of adult females who died of chest malignant neoplastic disease ne'er had a mammogram, or were diagnosed after their first of all time mammogram. [ 22 ] Dr Blake Cady of Cambridge Hospital Breast Cancer and Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts said: â€Å" Womans who are in testing programmes have merely a 4.7 % mortality. Womans who are non screened have a 56 % mortality. †( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0644662320091006 )To further turn out mammogram effectivity, below is a drumhead from a existent life chest malignant neoplastic disease subsister. [ 10 ] Pam ‘s narrative ‘Diagnosed at 46 with chest malignant neoplastic disease, after holding skipped her mammogram for a twosome of old ages, Pam ‘s intervention involved mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She wants adult females to acquire an one-year mammogram, get downing at age 40, to catch malignant neoplastic disease early and avoid extended intervention like hers. ‘( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.mammographysaveslives.org/Stories.aspx? pl=stories & A ; item=1 # narratives )( 969 words )DeductionsWhile carry oning this research, I encountered one societal issue that is, non all adult females realize the importance of acquiring a mammogram. This degree of consciousness varied due to different degrees of instruction among the adult females. The graph below supports my statement. Percentage of US adult females aged 40 and older who Have Had a Mammogram in the last 2 old ages by Education Level Figure 6( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/screening.htm )Based on the graph adult females with more than a college instruction are most likely to hold had a mammogram in the last 2 old ages compared to adult females with lower degrees of instruction. [ 11 ] I think these adult females are cognizant of this of import showing tool. I besides feel at that place should be more public wellness instruction because a deficiency of information can take to misinformation. For illustration, Indian adult females with chest malignant neoplastic disease have to utilize separate utensils because of the mistaken believe that the disease is contagious. [ 24 ] ( 1133 words ) I would besides wish to turn to an economical issue refering the usage of mammograms. The American Cancer Society suggests that adult females above 40 should acquire a mammogram every twelvemonth but many adult females are forced to jump their mammograms because they merely can non afford it. Research workers at Brown University in 2002, discovered mammograms bing US $ 400 is a challenge for many adult females. [ 20 ] Despite this, conditions in the US are still non every bit bad as in some underdeveloped states as seen in quotation mark below. â€Å" The United States spends about US $ 8.1 billion to name and handle chest malignant neoplastic disease, but in the metropolis of Poona, India, place to 3.5 million adult females, merely one medical installation provides comprehensive chest malignant neoplastic disease diagnostic and intervention services. †( Masilamany J. , February 5th 2009, page 12 )Besides, adult females populating in destitute states like Kenya feel incapacitated and merely wait to decease because they can non afford to travel abroad for intervention. It is expected that by 2020, 70 % of all chest malignant neoplastic disease instances will be in hapless states. [ 24 ] This is why I think authoritiess should seek to happen a manner to guarantee all adult females get their mammograms done. ( 1325 words )Benefits and Risks of MammographyA picture by ‘NHS picks ‘ entitled â€Å" Having A Mammogram † highlights the advantages of holding a mammography as it can observe abnormalcies which are 3-4 millimetres in size. These abnormalcies are impossible to experience if a individual were to analyze her ain chests. [ 21 ] Sometimes a mammogram is more accurate than other diagnostic processs. A specific form of Ca sedimentations known to do chest malignant neoplastic disease can merely be seen clearly on a mammogram. [ 25 ] Having a mammography would non go forth any radiation in a patient ‘s organic structure. X raies usually have no side effects in the diagnostic scope. A tumour detected early is more likely to be cured. [ 6 ] Mammograms have certain defects nevertheless. Sometimes false-negatives can happen. This is when chest malignant neoplastic disease is present even though the mammograms appear normal. It happens largely in immature adult females because they have denser chests compared to older adult females whose chests are more fatty devising tumours easy seeable on mammograms. At the same clip, false-positives besides occur because radiotherapists erroneously decide the mammograms are unnatural when really there is no malignant neoplastic disease nowadays. This causes unneeded anxiousness and emphasis for the adult female. To avoid false-positives, an ultrasound and a biopsy is conducted. The doses of X ray in mammograms is really little but when it is done repeatedly it is harmful and can increase the hazard of acquiring malignant neoplastic disease. [ 13 ] ( 1546 words )Alternate SolutionsNew ‘Breast Pap Smear ‘An article titled New ‘Breast Pap Smear ‘ was written by Duke Medicine News and Communications. This trial is presently undergoing three clinical tests countrywide in the US. It works by utilizing a really narrow acerate leaf to take cells from subdivisions of the whole chest. [ 15 ] The quotation mark below farther explains the trial. Dr Victoria Seewaldt, a scientist and chest oncologist at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center said: â€Å" Merely as we do with a cervical pablum vilification, we can now study cells from the whole chest, analyze them under the microscope and trial for early alterations that frequently precede breast malignant neoplastic disease. Then we can give adult females a preventative agent to see if we can eliminate her unnatural cells and therefore prevent malignant neoplastic disease from developing. †( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/7450 )A specific cistron known as RAR beta controls how breast cells use vitamin A to guarantee their good wellness. Research done has shown that the cistrons in chest malignant neoplastic disease patients lose its ability to map. This ‘pap vilification ‘ trial can observe the presence or absence of this cistron. Without it, the possibility of developing malignant neoplastic disease is higher. Hence RAR beta Acts of the Apostless as a molecular marker to find the oncoming of malignant neoplastic diseas e. [ 15 ] I strongly believe that the new chest ‘pap vilification ‘ is an first-class discovery in the battle against chest malignant neoplastic disease. Once the clinical tests are deemed successful, this should be carried out on all adult females. ( 1785 words )Ultrasound ImagingUltrasound Imaging, besides known as Ultrasound Scanning provides images of the internal constructions of the chests. During an ultrasound, a doctor may utilize Doppler Techniques to measure the blood flow or deficiency of blood flow in a chest mass. At times it is possible to find the cause of the mass. Doppler ultrasound is a technique used to measure blood flow through a blood vas. Breast ultrasound maps to assist name breast abnormalcies detected during a physical scrutiny and to qualify possible abnormalcies seen on a mammogram. A chest lesion detected and classified sometimes can non be interpreted adequately through mammography entirely. An ultrasound can besides distinguish if an abnormalcy is solid or fluid-filled ( benign cyst ) or both solid and cystic. A solid may be a benign or malignant tumour. Ultrasounds show extra characteristics of the unusual countries on the chest. [ 14 ] Figure 4: A patient undergoing a chest ultrasound.( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.radiologyinfo.org/en/photocat/gallery3.cfm? image=LbreastMR-vnr-009.jpg & A ; pg=breastus & A ; pid=1, )( 1936 words )Beginning EvaluationIn my sentiment, the ‘National Health Service Choices UK ‘ web site ( nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female ) is really comprehensive and factual. This beginning aims to give nonsubjective information and counsel to the populace on chest malignant neoplastic disease. It is approved by a clinical expert and is funded by the Department of Health. It has been certified as a dependable wellness and societal attention information beginning by The Information Standard and has to run into certain editorial policies. So I think this is a reputable beginning. I retrieved information on the importance of holding a mammogram for early diagnosing of chest malignant neoplastic disease as stated on page 9. The undermentioned two web sites ; hypertext transf er protocol: //www.mammographysaveslives.org/Stories.aspx? pl=stories & A ; item=1 # narratives and hypertext transfer protocol: //www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm? pg=mammo # part_one besides provided the same information. An article from the Time magazine entitled The Changing Face Of Breast Cancer, volume 170 published in October 2007 is another dependable beginning. I believe this article was good researched because it has included positions from adult females across the universe. This article gives facts and figures supported by other beginnings. For illustration, the quotation mark on page 8 by Masilamany J, from the Sun newspaper can be found in this article. Besides, the information that chest malignant neoplastic disease is the most common disease among adult females is besides found in: hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File: Most_common_cancers_-_female, _by_occurence.png ) . ( 2143 words )

The Current and Futuristic Position of Etisalat Assignment

The Current and Futuristic Position of Etisalat - Assignment Example Furthermore, the report looks into the factors that limit the company’s efficiency and effectiveness on a global and national front. According to research carried out, it is notable that entering a foreign market can pose unique sets of problems that a company had not previously in the country of origin (Womack and Jones, p. 12). Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, which operates under the brand name Etisalat is a service provider in the telecommunication sector. The company is incorporated in the UAE and is operational in at least eighteen nations especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Mobile Network Code (MNC), a global regulator of the telecommunication industry asserts that, at present, Etisalat is ranked as the fifth biggest operator in the mobile telecommunication sector, having a massive consumer base of close to one hundred and twenty million people globally. MNC, which offers a list of mobile national codes under ISO 3166-1 country codes, asserts that Etisalat is a key player in the global telecommunication sector, having been founded in the year 1976. As at February 2011, Etisalat gives an account of a net income of AED 31.9 billion ($8.4 billion), with profit margins reaching AED 7.63 billion or $ 2.07 billion. The company is a joint-stock corporation held by local affiliates and int ernationally reputed companies such as International Aeradio Limited and another company based in Britain. The ownership structure of the company shifted significantly in 1983 when the government of the United Arab Emirates acquired up to 60% of the company’s shares, before trading the remaining 40% in the public market.

Political science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Political science - Essay Example In this essay, some major changes that have occurred in international relations since 1900 shall be reviewed. In the era of 1914s, there arose a phenomenon that came to be known as the Problem of Sovereignty and Great Power System. Sheehan (2006) explains that sovereignty concerns its self with the ideology that â€Å"political power is distinct from other organizations in the community—religious, familial, economic.† Further on, â€Å"sovereignty asserts that this public authority is preeminent and autonomous, that is, superior to institutions within the community and independent from those outside† (Sheehan, 2006). Before the 1914s, various nations of the world who were supposedly known as the world’s super-powers ventured into what came to be known as colonization. Colonization involved talking political dominion over another nation. However in the periods of 1914s, most nations who were colonized began fighting for common course of freedom to attain sovereignty and power over their own system of governance. The actors involved here were colonial masters and t heir colonized countries. Most colonial masters did not welcome the quest for sovereignty in good faith and there were reports of wars in most parts of the world. However as the demands began pressing, foreign treaties were signed to grant freedom to the pressing countries. The Problem of Sovereignty and the Great Power System was therefore a period of hostility among international relationships between colonies and colonial masters. The eventual sovereignties that were granted led to economic crises in most parts of the world as the colonial masters were no longer getting supply of free trade and payment of tax from their colonies. Economic retardation was therefore the global challenge that characterized the Problem of Sovereignty and the Great Power System. The middle of the twentieth century saw a new trend in international relation that

How Seattle Transform Itself by Edward Glaesor Essay

How Seattle Transform Itself by Edward Glaesor - Essay Example The Seattle region is growing faster than other metropolitan areas in the United States of America. During the early part of the 20th century Seattle’s economy was mostly based on the transportation industry. One of biggest companies in the air transportation industry, Boeing, has its corporate headquarters located in Seattle. In the 1950’s more than half of all jobs in Seattle were provided by Boeing.   Another industry that provided many jobs for the people of Seattle was the lumber industry.The author states that the economic model used by Seattle in the 21st century changed a lot since the early part of the 20th century. The key element that differentiates Seattle from other cities in the United States is that Seattle concentrated its efforts in creating an economy based on knowledge. The focus on education helped Seattle because it led to a flurry of innovations that led to the founding of some of the most innovative and successful companies in America. Companies such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft were founded in Seattle. The author is correct in his assertion that smart people look for each other and they learn from their interaction. Seattle is also home to one of most prestigious universities in America, University of Washington. The percentage of people with college degrees in Seattle is 56%. This figure is very large considering that only about 33% of the US population has a college degree. Seattle is a very attractive region for investors because it has a high population of educated workers.

Below the line marketing activities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Below the line marketing activities - Essay Example Below the line, efforts should â€Å"aspire to establish targeted relationships between marketers and individual consumers, and offer comparable ease in measurability (V12 Group, 2006: 2). The key term in this definition is measurability, which is something that below the line efforts provide. However, a below the line activity such as the distribution of target customer promotional cards would indicate the volume of promotional literature returned, offering a specific return ratio based on percentages sent and volume returned. When using this type of below the line marketing, it is clear to see that a significant advantage lies in measurability for the sake of strategic or operational planning. Carter (2006) offers a wider variety of activities associated with below the line marketing, including text message promotions, sales catalogs, trade shows and public relations events. Unlike above the line efforts which are generally variable in cost, below the line efforts are usually fixe d fees associated with the promotion. The development of various keychains or other logo-inspired products used for promotion would be common items of the below the line marketing activity. Flack (2008) offers the importance of below the line promotion by suggesting that the consumer population has evolved far beyond the traditional, promotional writing pen, thus companies need to come up with a more brand-focused and innovative series of promotional materials in order to capture the sophisticated consumer attention.

Strategic Plan for a Popcorn vending business Research Paper

Strategic Plan for a Popcorn vending business - Research Paper Example The names of management team members are John Smith, Jessica Wilson, Michelle Williams, Peter D’Souza and Tracy Crosby; the company was founded to meet the growing demand of high quality and efficient popcorn vending machines. The company has grown from one location in a shopping mall to five different locations in various parts of the town; the expansion has been done in a period of two years and it is expected that the number of locations will expand further in future as vending machine industry is expected to grow at an accelerating rate of about 10% (Gerdees, 4). In order to penetrate further in the vending industry, the company aims to introduce new and innovative commercial vending machines for restaurants along with food and beverage equipment. Currently, the company is employing a secretary, one general manager, two supervisors, ten paid line employees and an accounting manager. Since the company is small, there is also one Human Resource Manager, one Production, Operations & IT manager and one Marketing & Sales manager. The span of control and line of communication is shown in the following figure: The management team ensures that the communication in the organization is open so that the employees can have easy exchange of information and the business plans are effectively developed and implemented. With the help of the organization chart, everyone within the organization will be aware of their reporting responsibilities that who will be evaluating their job and performance. The chart will even ensure that everything is well-organized and co-ordinated. At present, the company is manufacturing the pop corn vending machines for small organizations and it is planning to design customized popcorn vending machines in the next two years that can be placed in public places so that the pop corns are easily accessible by the people. However, the company will offer newly designed coffee vending machines along with soft drinks vending machines so