Vector by Robin Cook Essay Example for Free

Vector by Robin Cook Essay The novel Vector is basically about the concept of bioterrorism and the extent by which it can be utilized as a weapon of mass destruction. Allowing such weapon to fall into the wrong hands can be equated with devastation of unknown proportions, especially with the increasing discontent, poverty, limited resources and other problems plaguing the world today. Dr. Jack Stapleton is the Medical Examiner assigned to investigate the death of Jason Papparis, a rug dealer who died because of anthrax powder inhalation. The cause behind Jason’s death was not easily diagnosed, and primarily, it was seen as influenza aggravated by pneumonia. Upon autopsy however, Dr. Stapleton was able to determine that it was not just a simple case of flu and pneumonia, which somehow led to some presumptions that the anthrax virus may have come from the rugs Mr. Papparis sold. Conducting his own private investigation on this case allowed Dr. Stapleton to collect further evidence that the virus did not come from the rugs but from a mysterious source. As the story unfolds, it relates the story of Yuri Davydov, a Russian immigrant to the US. Yuri used to work in a biochemical lab in Russia, and he was quite knowledgeable in creating bio-weapons. The accidental death of his mother and the loss of his brother lured him to try his luck in the land of milk and honey. He married an African-American woman to get his green card, but his alcoholism and inability to rise above his poverty were starting to depress him and making him hate what used to be the country of his dreams. He was able to meet two underground terrorists who created the People’s Aryan Army, Curt Rogers and Steve Henderson, and together, they devised a plan which they called Operation Wolverine. With this plan, they intended to spread a biochemical weapon through the airconditioning system of the Jacob Javits Building by faking a fire incident, and then spraying another batch of the virus in Central Park. Yuri is responsible for the anthrax virus which was sent to Mr. Papparis supposedly as a test of its potency, and was later found to be of good quality. Yuri gets to meet Dr. Stapleton initially during the latter’s investigation of Jason Papparis’ office. Dr. Stapleton and Yuri’s paths meet again as Yuri’s wife, Connie, dies allegedly because of asthma and some respiratory illness. In actuality, Yuri poisoned her with Botulism toxin as part of their plan to secure Operation Wolverine, a finding which Dr. Stapleton eventually came to find out but did not really expect Yuri to have been responsible for. Dr. Stapleton only wanted to forewarn Yuri about the possibility of the poison still being in their house and Yuri is caught red-handed so he locks up Jack and Laurie Montgomery in the basement but he made them his witnesses by telling them everything about the PAA’s plans. This is due to the fact that Yuri senses Curt’s personal bias and he anticipated being just another pawn in their game, and eventually being eliminated. Curt ultimately shoots Yuri in the head, and the original plans proceed but are foiled because Yuri creates a fake mixture which Curt and Steve believe to be the anthrax virus, hence, the city is saved. Meanwhile, as Curt, Steve and their comrades are celebrating while escaping the supposedly successful operation, they excitedly opened the envelope from Yuri which contained the instructions for making the anthrax mixture. The envelope contained the anthrax powder which was sent with a puff into the air inside the vehicle, and was Yuri’s way of getting back at the group which double-crossed him. 1) The importance of Jason Papparis owner of the Corinthian Rug Company with the anthrax virus is that he is the first victim in the story which became the precedent for the interest and deeper investigation by Dr. Jack Stapleton into the concept of biochemicals and bioterrorism. If not for his case, and the natural inquisitiveness of Dr. Stapleton, things would have gone differently, especially since the initial investigation yielded a very common case of influenza and pneumonia. Influenza and pneumonia are two very common illnesses which can be remedied with rest, fluids and sufficient antibiotics. But since Jason Papparis’ case was different specifically because of the swift progression of the illness which took only more or less 24 hours, Dr. Stapleton suspected something fishy going on. It was just fortunate that an autopsy was conducted and the extent of damage and bleeding to the victim’s upper respiratory system was discovered at the outset. The absence of pneumonia on the lungs further confirmed Dr. Stapleton’s original suspicions that this was not just an ordinary case. And then again, later on, when the brain was examined and found to be bleeding as well, Dr. Stapleton was able to arrive at a better diagnosis for the illness which afflicted Mr. Papparis, brought about by anthrax inhalation as related to a similar case which he was fortunate to have handled previously. 2) Curt and Steve thought that Yuri was a loose cannon because his thoughts and ideas were very different from theirs. They found Yuri a mysterious person because someone with his capabilities should not be driving a cab in New York. In addition, Yuri also defended Stalin, a renowned Russian leader who caused the killing of millions, as not being that bad – an idea which Curt and Steve found unacceptable, due to the great number of deaths associated with this leader. Not having any knowledge about Yuri’s bio-weapons background further added to this weird notion, especially since they had to supply Yuri with â€Å"crazy stuff† like dirt from a cattleyard in Oklahoma and fermenters from a microbrewery in New Jersey. Curt and Steve somehow wanted to get some proof that Yuri’s claims were legitimate and that he really knew something about bio-weapons. And then again, when Yuri tried to contact them at the Fire Department, Yuri was regarded as jeopardizing the security of the operation because he was Russian and both Curt and Steve did not want anybody to know about their possible involvement with a foreigner, which could possibly implicate them with terrorist activities and ruin their plans altogether. 3) Yuri’s disillusionment at the extensively-hyped American dream was the deep-seated bias against foreigners which is predominantly shared by the pure white Americans. It was also wrongly perceived by the people in communist Russia, where the situation is not really that bad, since there is lesser social conflict compared to the situation in the US. After all the hardships that Yuri had gone through just to make it to America, his expectations of freedom, riches and a good life were all shattered because in the US, he had to work for 12-14 hours daily just to survive. What’s more, he even had to become a victim to either the criminals in Washington, or the tax collectors in the government. Yuri had already come to a point where he already wanted to give up on his life in the US and go back to Russia, hence his cynicism directed at the Americans, and his resolve to use his knowledge to exact his revenge. On the other hand, Curt and Steve had their own share of negative experiences with the US government having both been part of the military. Curt became the leader of an elite Marine reconnaissance team wherein a recruit died, and upon inquiry, Curt was held responsible for the blame, thereby precluding any further opportunities for advancement in his career. Thus, Curt opted out. Similarly, Steve’s application as part of the Green Beret was lengthy and frustrating but he finally landed the post. However, within the 21-day assessment process, Steve came down with the flu and had to give up his training. Upon returning, Steve was informed that he had to go through the same grueling procedure from the beginning, leading to Steve’s disgust and final decision to give up his military career. Curt and Steve felt that they were shortchanged for their efforts since they merely wanted to serve their country, and yet they were rejected and not given the credence they thought they deserved. 4) Yuri was important to Curt and Steve because Yuri was knowledgeable in bio-weapons, having been a former laboratory technician working in biochemical labs in Russia and Siberia. Yuri is instrumental to creating the weapons that they were planning to use in bringing to fruition their plans of actualizing Operation Wolverine. Yuri worked for two years at the Sverdlovsk pharmaceutical plant, and Yuri knew that it was not really a factory for medicines but a KGB cover for the massive Soviet bio-weapons program. The factory where Yuri worked was called Compound 19, and he was tasked to do cleaning jobs of the inner biocontainment core. This was where Yuri was working when the accident occurred where Yuri unintentionally released anthrax spores into the atmosphere and killed hundreds of people, including his own mother Nadya. Yuri was pointed to as the scapegoat for this disastrous occurrence and Yuri suffered much, but had to be held in military stockade for a while. After that, he was sent to Siberia, and Yuri had the opportunity to work in another biochemical facility called Vector, where he specialized in improving Botulinum toxin and weaponized Anthrax. His brother Yegor was not affected by the anthrax, but he was not allowed to visit Yuri either in the military stockade or in Siberia. Later on, after he graduated, Yegor signed up for the military and became one of the first casualties in Afghanistan. 5) The People’s Aryan Army or PAA is a group which was spearheaded by Curt Rogers. It is a group which is based in New York, and its members are mostly skinheads, who do the dirty work for the group leaders. The group head/s capitalize on the hatred and violent nature of their recruits and were bound by a common denominator of hatred for the Americans. The PAA provided the manpower for the accomplishment of the group’s mission, while Yuri provided the biochemical weapons. Basically, the group’s dedicated mission was to destabilize the government and get back at the system which somehow worked against them and hurt their chances at establishing a better future for themselves. Curt recruited members with the same inclinations and leanings a trait which Yuri also demonstrated hence, they used each other for their mutual benefit and advancement of interests. 6) The first casualty is of course Jason Papparis, the owner of the Corinthian Rug Company who is significant being the novel’s first anthrax victim. He is important because his case triggered interest in bio-weapons and its use in the US. Another casualty is Connie, the wife of Yuri, whose case added color to the otherwise drab and monotonous routine of the medical examiners. Hers was initially called a case of asthma and respiratory illness, but later on was discovered to be a case of poisoning through botulism toxin, another bio-weapon. Nadya, the mother of Yuri, was also a casualty in this novel, when she also became an anthrax victim because of the unintentional spread of the toxin when the factory’s filters were opened, causing the spread of the anthrax spores to the environment. Yegor, Yuri’s brother was also another casualty after having gone to war without his mother, and his brother detained without any visiting rights. His role is significant because he adds to the melodrama in the life of Yuri, after losing his job, his mother, his freedom, and then his brother. Lastly, the policeman who was run down by Curt while they were taking the sprayer truck which Yuri requested is also another casualty in this novel, who is also significant since his appearance on the scene and how he was quickly eliminated illustrates how inhuman the PAA group can be. 7) Operation Wolverine is the PAA’s plan of calling the attention of the world to their cause. This operation was meant to create panic, chaos and death to a large segment of the US population. With the use of the anthrax virus which Yuri was tasked to create in his basement laboratory, the plan was to put the anthrax powder into the airconditioning system of the Jacob Javitz Federal Building which is a government agency, thereby poisoning its occupants as well as its immediate neighborhood. There was also a plan to spray the anthrax powder by means of a sprayer truck at the Central Park so that a greater number of the masses will be affected and not merely the government employees. By resorting to these plans of action, each member would somehow be able to get a dose of his revenge at the negative manner by which the US has maltreated them as individuals. Ideally, this is the scenario which Curt and his group wanted to happen but the circumstances changed especially when Curt decided to shoot Yuri on his forehead which only set off what Yuri had already forethought. 8) Curt and Steve conducted a fake inspection of the Jacob Javits Federal Building because they wanted to check the access points and the manner by which they could carry out the plan they outlined for Operation Wolverine. Curt managed to come up with an alibi based on an violation which happened during the last fire inspection of the same building. Upon seeing that the violation was already corrected, Curt manipulated the situation further so that the building’s electrician would allow them to check the HVAC system, the main control console and the main air induction mechanisms in the building. Everything was shown to them with the building assistant not having a slightest idea that he was already being an accessory to setting up the final stages of a terrorist plot. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning System and its main purpose is â€Å"to help maintain good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration and provide thermal comfort† (US Environmental Protection Agency). The HVAC sucks in fresh outdoor air into the building, and also disposes the stale air outside so that a good quality and supply of air circulates throughout the building. Without it, working or staying in a building for a long time will not be possible because of lack of air.

Essay --

Truworths Looking good is one of the priority that people always want to keep especially when it comes which retailer store you do your shopping. In this essay our work will be based on Truworths, as Truworths is one of the retail stores and leading fashion retailers. We will also look at how it incorporates with other well-known fashion stores. Profile One of the oldest retail stores in South Africa, Truworths is amongst the fashion store that is big in the industry of fashion. According to Truworths (2012) it is one of South Africa’s leading fashion retailers, with over 500 stores in South Africa and 5 franchise operations in Africa. However, it forms part of Truworths International, an investment holding company listed on the JSE, whose companies are engaged in the retailing of fashion apparel and accessories. The Truworths International Retail Group incorporates Identity, YDE and Uzzi. Just like Mr Price incorporates Mr Price home, Mr Price Sport, Milady’s and Sheet Street. According to Truworths (2012), Truworths traces its roots back to 1917 when The Alliance Trading Company opened its first store on a site not far from the Group’s present head office in Cape Town. However, the name changed to Truworths Fashion House in 1935 and by the 1950’s 80 stores had opened. Furthermore, credit was introduced into the business in 1955 and by 1959 sales reached R1 million for the first time, Truworths continued to expand nationally and by the late 1970’s had 280 specialised boutique stores. Truworths (2013) is proud of its market leading position in fashion retailing in South Africa with growing market share in both ladies wear and menswear. The Group now employs more than 9 400 permanent and flexi-time employees and supports the South... ... to post recent videos, it is still useful as people can see their advert online. According to Barker and Angelopulo (2006:290) online advertising performs the same function online as advertising does in the physical marketplace. The primary goals are to create awareness, communicate benefits, promote trial and urge consumers to action. This means that the website can communicate information about products, prices and / or distribution. Summary Truworths is the biggest retail store in the country with other branches in African countries like Namibia and Swaziland (just to mention a few). In the coming years to come Truworths hopes to achieve what none other retail store have ever done by having their branch anywhere in the continent. It has scooped several awards including the best retail in fashion South Africa. In summary, Truworths is the best in fashion clothes.

Eurocrisis and Monetary&Fiscal Policy

The government will have to borrow from overseas or International Monetary Funds to pay for the differences between the import spending and export costs. The European Union lend to Greece 109 billion of euros to bailout (Foreleg and Walker, 2011, July 23). This is really a burden for a country and it may bring negative effects to the government policy and function, because the government will have to response the imbalance in both the government spending and policies. It is a real social cost. Meanwhile, the confidences of the foreign will be effect. They may care about the external imbalance in their partner country because it is related to their profits and stability.The external imbalance may make investors feel risky and then reduce the investment or charge more on the loans, which will make the imbalance worse. And for the country, it is really a risk because the economic imbalance has negative influences on many different factors, such as the value of the currency and the natio nal credit rating. Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain (PASS) face the decreasing of value of their credit rating. Now Greece is C and Portugal is B+ (Hawkers, 2012, January 14). Both of them are not optimistic. When government face recession they will consider increase public expenditure and cutting taxes to stimulate demand and decrease the unemployment rate (Quailing, Eastward and Holmes, 2009).However, in this case, the crisis countries have so many debts that make their government deficit large enough to do no actions. What they have to do is to austerity their fiscal policy to reduce the deficit. So Greece executes the 5 years plan to get loans. Comparing to other European countries, PASS are relatively falling behind. Their economies are more relied on labor force type of industry such as globalization, companies are seeking for cheaper labor forces; their advantages are no longer existed. If these countries do not adjust their industry structure, they will e much frag ile than now during the financial crisis. Also, the labor forces among European Union are also not liquid.Companies from different country have different tax system so their funds become bubbles. The theory of optimum currency area is based on labor mobility, price and wage flexibility as the preconditions. Also the mobility can instead of the floating of exchange rate. Euro zone creates a system that labor can move freely, however, because of the culture, language, welfare and social norms, the labor forces inside European Union cannot achieve completely liquid Robinson, 2008). Monetary Policy The central bank of Europe has set several targets to help to achieve and maintain the macro economic objectives. The main target is to keep the prices stable and achieve the low inflation level in the medium term.And it also set targets of maintaining financial system stability and improves the payments system. The purpose that the central bank of Europe sets these targets is to achieve the economic objectives, promoting the healthy growth of the whole economy (Paula, 2009). And the most common and effective measure used by it is the monetary policy. The central bank helps to achieve the macroeconomic objectives through meeting its targets, with using the monetary policy. Using the monetary policy, the central bank can change the interest rate to adjust the aggregate demand, and then help to achieve the macroeconomic objectives. When the inflation occurs, the central bank will carry out the cash rate target, bringing up the official interest rate.And then, the central bank will sell the government securities to commercial banks. The interest rate for cash will be increased, because the decrease of the cash supply. In order to maintain heir profits, financial institutions charges more rates on loans and so does the deposits. Therefore, the households and firms will borrow less and prefer to save money in the banks rather than spend quickly. It means that the aggregate d emand is reduced and so does the inflationary pressure. The reduction of demand brings the prices down, so domestic produced goods will have advantage in the prices in the international market. More export earnings will be got and the external balance will be achieved.In addition, the low prices may attract more foreign investors to invest, which will benefit to the long term economic growth and full employment. It means that although the higher interest rate will reduce the production and make people lose their Jobs in the short term, it could bring chances for the future development. The similar theory is suitable for the opposite condition. When the aggregate demand needs to be pulled up, the central bank will decrease the interest rate and encourage economic activities, stimulating the growth of the economy so European Central Bank decreased interest rate in December 2011 by 0. 25% to increase aggregate demand (European Central Bank, 2012).Also, European Union has the same monet ary policy but without the same fiscal policy (Brittany, Timelier, Bergsten, Exchanging and Meltzer, 2010). Government financial policy serves internal to increase economic growth and decrease the unemployment rate. Indeed, these two on the allocation efficiency, currency policy serves external to keep low inflation rate and the stable currency exchange rate (Hudson and Quailing, 2009). Currency system and government financial system are not unedited so the coordination is difficult. When European Union was founded, they do not consider the quitting system, so hen there come problems, the costs of negotiations are very high (Repack, 2010). It leads the problems to the Euro crisis.When one or two membership countries have problems with their economics, they only can discuss inside the meetings to solve the problems. Then the market will face the strong fluctuations, and these fluctuations also make the problems unsolved. The banks among Euro zone have other European Union countries' debts. This makes European banks' credit expansion crazily, and the management risks increase fast. Their ratio of total capital and Tier 1 capital is even Geiger than the banks in supreme crisis in the USA (Beg, 2009). Conclusion Overall, although investors are losing confidence with euros, the monetary policy keeps the Euro price stability at an acceptable range. MIFF also lend huge amount of euros to save the market.

Comparison of the Poems The Tyger and The Lamb Essay

Comparison of the Poems The Tyger and The Lamb In William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience we are confronted with a powerful juxtaposition of nature. The innocuous ‘lamb’ and the ferocious ‘Tyger’ are designed to be interpreted in comparison with each other. Both creatures innovatively define childhood, they provide a contrast between youthful innocence and the experience of age contaminating it. ‘The Lamb’ is simplistic in vocabulary and style, Blake uses childish repetitions nostalgic of children’s nursery rhymes. â€Å"Little Lamb I’ll tell thee, Little Lamb I’ll tell thee:â€Å" This childish concept is significant as the reader is informed in the second stanza that the voice of the poem is of a child: ‘I a child †¦show more content†¦The image of a wild animal existing in the shadows of ‘the night’ proposes that it is the beastly alter-egos, or parts of our personality that we would preferably keep hidden in our dreams rather than appear in the light of day. With experience humans recognise the floors in their personality whether it be jealousy, arrogance etc. Children are at the beginning process of learning, and are naà ¯ve of their attributes as they are stil on the path of discovery. The Lamb symbolically represents the endearing curiosity that is commonly associated with that of a child’s. A child is inquisitive in spirit, often asking questions and expecting answers like the poem ‘The Lamb’. This poem implies that children possess an untainted conception of creation and an adoration for all things celes tial: â€Å"Gave thee clothing of delight, /Softest clothing wooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice,† Questioning in ‘The Tyger’ differs from ‘The Lamb’, it consists of rhetorical questions directed at the ‘Tyger,’ though they are much directed at the reader. The poem questions the identity of the creator and discusses how the ‘Tyger’ could have been created. The fact that there are no answers in ‘The Tyger’ adheres to the complexity of adult life differentiating from ‘The Lamb’ where answers are provided. The Tyger is a creature both cruel and awe-inspiring to humans, it is this duplicity that makes the poem ambiguous: ‘What immortal hand or eye,/ Could frameShow MoreRelatedComparison of Two Poems: the Tyger and the Lamb844 Words   |  4 PagesI chose to do the comparison between ‘The Tyger’ and ‘The Lamb’ because they both have similar themes but are concerned with very different aspects of life. ‘The Tyger’ concentrates on the dangers to be faced in life and nature while ‘The Lamb’ celebrates nature as seen through the innocent eyes of a child. Blake examines different, almost opposite or contradictory ideas about the natural world, its creatures and their Creator. William Blake is the narrator of both poems which emphasizes hisRead MoreThe Contrasting World Views in William Blake’s â€Å"the Lamb† and â€Å"the Tyger†941 Words   |  4 PagesThe Contrasting World Views in William Blake’s â€Å"The Lamb† and â€Å"The Tyger† A person’s view of the world is very situational, depending on their life experiences and their religious beliefs. William Blake examines two different world views in the poems â€Å"The Lamb,† and â€Å"The Tyger.† These poems were written as a pairing which were shown in Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience respectively. While the first poem deals with a view of the world as innocent and beautiful, the other suggestsRead MoreThe Lamb and the Tyger Essay1437 Words   |  6 PagesThe Tyger and The Lamb by William Blake, written in 1794 included both of these poems in his collection Songs of Innocence and Song of Experience, takes readers on a journey of faith. Through a cycle of unanswered questions, William Blake motivates the readers to question God. These two poems are meant to be interpreted in a comparison and contrast. They share two different perspectives, those being innocence and experience. To Blake, innocence is not better than experience. Both states haveRead More, Allusion, And Symbolism In The Tyger By William Blake771 Words   |  4 PagesIn the poem â€Å"The Tyger† by William Blake, the use of rhyme, repetition, allusion, and symbolism all help the reader understand the theme and what was going through the authors thoughts while writing. William Blake was a mystic poet who channeled his thoughts and questions to write poems. He questioned the creator of both the Tyger and lamb, how could the same God create a destructive creature like the Tyger and on the other hand create a gentle animal, the lamb. This ties into the theme of theRead MoreWilliam Blake s The Lamb And The Tyger1493 Words   |  6 Pages(1794). Two standout poems, â€Å"The Lamb† and â€Å"The Tyger,† respectively taken from Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, demonstrate Blake’s meditation on how innocence and experience in life create a binary and complementary relationship that is observable in our outer world as well as in our inner being. As one of the titles in his Songs of Innocence, William Blake chooses the lamb, naturally gentle and docile, as a representative of the concept of innocence. In Blake’s poem, a child shepherd addressesRead MoreWilliam Blake in Contrast of Songs of Innocence and of Experience1452 Words   |  6 PagesEN 222-Intro to British Lit. II April 21, 2012 William Blake in contrast of Songs of Innocence and of Experience William Blake, an engraver, exemplified his passion for children through his many poems. Blake lived in London most of his life and many fellow literati viewed him as eccentric. He claimed to have interactions with angels and prophets, which had a great influence on his outlook of life. Blake believed all prominent entities, those being church, state, and government had become sick withRead MoreEssay about The Tyger1558 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Tyger†- Magnificence of a Tiger Many of the creatures of the world have exquisite and beautiful characteristics in their appearance which puts us in a state of awe and wonder. According to the speaker in â€Å"The Tyger†, the tiger is a creature with an admirable appearance and leaves the speaker in awe and amazement. â€Å"The Tyger† consists of a series of rhetorical questions that attempt to reconstruct the process of the formidable animal’s creation (Explanation of: The Tyger by WilliamRead MoreEssay on The Symmetry: A World with Both Lamb and Tiger1063 Words   |  5 Pagespain and terror? The Tyger by William Blake, written in 1794 and included in his collection Songs of Innocence and Experience, takes readers on a journey of faith. Through a cycle of unanswered questions, William Blake motivates the readers to question God. Blake sees a necessity for balance in the world, and suggests to the readers that God created a world with a balance of good and evil so that humanity can see goodness more clearly through contrast and comparison. This theme is achievedRead MoreWilliam Blake : The Common Symbolism Of The Lamb1677 Words   |  7 Pagesand mild lamb, and the child can clearly make that inference. â€Å"Little Lamb I’ll tell thee, Little Lamb I’ll tell thee! He is called by thy name† (Blake 723). The previous quote described that Christ was a lamb, and every person was a young lamb admired by God at one time. â€Å"The Lamb† was part of Blake’s Songs of Innocence and the viewpoint was from a child’s perspective. The child recognized the lamb’s gentleness and generosity. As a result, the lamb was symbolic of Christ, the lamb of God. BlakeRead MoreComparison between the Tyger and the Lamb518 Words   |  2 PagesComparison between the Tyger and the Lamb The Tyger and the Lamb were printed five years apart within two separate collections of poems. The Lamb was within Songs of Innocence (1789), and the Tyger was within Songs of Experience (1794). The two collections came together to be Songs of Innocence and of Experience Showing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. This should be viewed as significant because the revised name itself shows the two poems contradictions. The two poems display contrasting