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The author of the article reviews the German documentary “The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl”. The reporter describes the way the movie under consideration begins. He claims that it starts with a voice-over narration pointing out that the movie examines Riefenstahl’s career without prejudice. The author of the article indicates that it is not an easy task to scrutinize everything without preconception, as she has a reputation of Hitler’s favorite film director. Having such a name, nevertheless, Riefenstahl directed two highly successful movies, one of which was “Triumph of the Will”; it was commissioned by Hitler, another one “Olympia”, was generously funded by the Third Reich’s treasury. The author acknowledges that the filmmaker herself insists on the fact that her movies never did anything with the political program of National Socialism. She merely shot films looking at the world with a disinterested eye.

The author recounts that in “The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl”, the filmmaker is interrogated by Ray Muller and holds up impressively during the interview. Hence, the author argues that she is a monster anyway, though she represents herself as a tragic figure, an artist obsessively dedicated to aesthetic principles. The filmmaker paid a high price for her impertinent idealism; she has never shot a movie since the end of the war.

The author of the article concedes that Leni Riefenstahl had never heard of Hitler before she met him. According to the reporter, for her, “Triumph of the Will” was just a movie about peace and creating jobs, naturally, she did not consider it to deal with racial ideology. Riefenstahl was disillusioned at the end of the war, as she confronted the evidence of the Holocaust. The author observes that in Primo Levi’s final book “The Drowned and the Saved”, readers see that she seems to apologize for being a Nazi artist, making her beautiful images correspond to her leader’s deceitful words.
The author concludes by insisting that Riefenstahl’s thoroughly considered story has the same worthless and even pernicious beauty as her movies do.

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Theodore Dreiser is one of the prominent American writers who managed to convey the life of the American society through his books and characters, which he created. His novels were characterized by a high degree of realism and the author often slipped to naturalism, which helped him to reflect the severe reality and dramatic transformations that took place in the American society at his epoch. In this respect, his novel “Financier” is particularly noteworthy because this book is the novel revealing the process of formation of American financial elite, the upper class which actually ruled the USA and which role is still very significant in the USA. At this point, the book written by Theodore Dreiser turns out to be prophetic since the author foresaw the growth in power of the upper class of financial and business elite which actually makes the policy, while all the rest of the society is like puppets in hands of powerful puppeteers. In such a way, “Financier” is the novel that mirrors dramatic social and economic changes that took place in the American society in the late 19th century and which the author observed in the real life. At the same time, the book is particularly noteworthy since the author disguises the demoralizing consequences of social and economic changes in the American society and dehumanization of the ruling elite which peruses self-satisfaction and prosperity, ignoring needs and interest of other people. Thus, the author depicts the picture of a new type of American elite, egoistic, indifferent and concerned with its own needs and desires.
First of all, it is important to dwell upon the historical background of the novel since “Financier” mirrors the basic trends Theodore Dreiser witnessed in the real life of the USA at the epoch. In fact, the 19th century, especially its second half was the epoch of the rapid industrialization of the USA, especially its Northern states. The industrialization had brought a tremendous progress to the USA and led the country to prosperity. On the other hand, the industrialization had a number of negative social and economic effects. The process of industrialization was naturally accompanied by the urbanization of the USA. The later led to the emergence of new problems, such as growing unemployment and crimes, which definitely contrasted to the unparalleled prosperity of the upper class of the USA. The gap between the rich and the poor had grown wider. In such a situation, the American society had started to undergo dramatic changes, when traditional values and traditions fade away, giving the way to new values and traditions. The common trend, which became mainstream at the epoch of industrialization, was the pursuit of wealth, which was closely associated with an individual’s happiness. In such a way, it is possible to speak about a dramatic shift from traditional society of colonial America to the new society of the industrialized, new and independent country.
In this respect, the main character of the novel Frank Cowperwood is a symbol of the new elite, new ruling class which represents the future of the USA since it is people like Frank Cowperwood who will rule the country and substitute traditional elite which lives its last days. Thus, the author depicts the conflict between the old and new elite of the USA, which represent the upper class of the American society. The old elite is represented by Mollenhauer, Butler, and others, while the new elite is represented by Frank Cowperwood, whose ideas and lifestyle is challenging to the traditional ideas and lifestyle, but which is apparently progressive.
The old elite lives in accordance with old traditions. Mollenhauer, Butler as well as Frank’s father and other representatives of the old elite are unable to understand Frank’s ideas and way of thinking. They are influenced by Christian ideas, traditional morale, and conservative set of values. This is why they cannot understand the frivolous lifestyle of Frank Cowperwood. The latter, in contrast, easily challenges old traditions and rules. He does not like drinking whisky and other alcohol drinks as other people get used to. He makes his business being sober and well-prepared to any complications he may face. Instead, the old elite remind a kind of a club, where people get used to make their business rather informally, while drinking whisky and taking decisions secretly.
In contrast, Cowperwood is bold but he does not like to hide from the public. He keeps his plans in secret only if it is necessary for the success of his business. He started as a soap seller, but eventually he becomes a leading financier in Philadelphia. At the beginning he was an unknown but gifted financier, but gradually he joins the Philadelphian elite and, what is more, he starts competing with representatives of the old elite. Remarkably his business develops successfully, but he views his business only as a tool to satisfy his needs and desires. He does not really care of anybody but himself. He is a representative of a new elite – he is successful and egoistic. These qualities characterized perfectly well the new elite Dreiser observed in the real life since, in the epoch of industrialization, many new, young people grew fabulously rich in a short period of time, but they neglected old traditions and norms. They ignore traditional Christian and family values. Instead, they, like Cowperwood, were concerned with the satisfaction of their current needs.
In such a way, the author depicts the new elite, which representatives believe to be the rulers of the universe who care nothing but their desires and needs. This is probably why Cowperwood easily breaks conventional norms of the Philadelphian society, which were common to the conservative part of the American society at large. He, being a married man, seduces Aileen and want to marry her after his divorce. In such a way, he is ready to abandon his wife and children for the sake of another woman, but, in fact, he wants to do it for himself because he likes Aileen and he gets used to take what he wants. This fact proves the demoralization of the new elite of the USA and the total change of traditional set of values.
Remarkably, Cowperwood loses his struggle but he is not defeated. In fact, he loses the battle, but not the war. The Chicago fire puts the end to his financial empire in Philadelphia. He is sent to prison, but eventually he is freed and he is going to move to Chicago with Aileen where he plans to start a new life. In such a way, the author attempts to show the struggle of the old and new elite. At first glance, the old elite wins, as Cowperwood is imprisoned, but he is not defeated. His opponents win nothing, while Cowperwood, being released from prison, is full of hopes and great expectations. Moreover, he did get what he wanted – he got Aileen, while wealth is apparently secondary to him since he is certain that he will easily gain fortune in Chicago.
In fact, even the location and setting of the novel is quite symbolic since Dreiser shows the great shift in the American social and economic life. He shows that Northern states (Chicago) of the USA are more prospective, while the South (Philadelphia) does not have a great future. This is why the new generation of financiers, the new elite moves northward where it has larger opportunities to outpace the old and degrading elite which stays immobile in South, which social and economic life starts stagnating.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that Theodore Dreiser perfectly mirrors basic trends in the American life at the epoch of industrialization. He shows the formation of a new, ruling elite which apparently outpaces the old one. At the same time, he warns readers that the new elite is dangerous because it is too egoistic and too concerned on its own self, while old traditions and values fade away. Hence, the author depicts a dramatic shift which has changed the American society forever and which has laid the foundation to the modern American society.

Works Cited:

1. Beaugrande, Robert de. "Surprised by Syncretism: Cognition and Literary Criticism Exemplified by E. D. Hirsch, Stanley Fish, and J. Hillis Miller." Poetics 12 (1983): 83-137.
2. Bennett, Lerone. Before the Mayflower. Johnson Publishing Company, 1982.
3. Damrosch, David. What Is World Literature? Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003.
4. Dreiser, T. Financier. New York: Penguin Classics, 2002.

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The development of effective methods of reading is crucial for the process of language learning. In actuality, it is impossible to reach the language proficiency without well-developed reading skills. At the same time, the adequate of reading skills of students is also of the utmost importance because the adequate assessment of students achievements in reading can encourage him or her substantially. In this respect the study conducted by C. Brantmeier, “Adult Second Language Reading in the USA: The Effects of Readers' Gender and Test Method”. Forum on Public Policy: A Journal of the Oxford Round Table, is particularly noteworthy. The author focused her attention on the gender and test method and their effects on students’ reading skills and their assessment. In fact, the author has found out that gender does matter in the process of testing of students reading skills. Bratmeier argues that even though the mother language of students is very important but it still cannot fully eliminate gender differences which also affect students reading skills. At the same time, it is worth mentioning the fact that men and women have differences in comprehension, which may be a function of the type of assessment. Hence, men and women can have different results if different types of assessment are used.

Learning a foreign language, as well as learning at large, is a two-ways process, which involves not only students who learn the language, but also teachers. The role of educators can hardly be underestimated, but often professional educators ignore the fact that they should analyze and assess not only the work and achievements of students but also those of their own. At this point, it is possible to refer to the study conducted by R. Dresser, “The Effects of Teacher Inquiry in the Bilingual Language Arts Classroom” in Teacher Education Quarterly. The author mainly focuses on the teacher’s professional training and work. To put it more precisely, he argues that teachers should be reflective practitioners who assess their own teaching practices as a way to improve their instructions.

The use of audio-visual technologies in the process of learning the language is widely spread in the modern classroom. At the same time, the use of audio and visual testing may be a very complicated process for students. In this respect, students need to focus their attention on testing. In such a context, the amount of time they pay to a specific test. The study conducted by E. Wagner, “Are They Watching? Test-Taker Viewing Behavior during an 12 Video Listening Test” in Language, Learning & Technology, researched the behavior of students who took listening test composed of six separate video texts. The researcher found out that the participants oriented to the video monitor 69% of their time while the video text was played.
Finally, it is important to take into consideration the cultural background of students while teaching and assessing their language competence.  L .Valli, L. and others “Initiating and Sustaining a Culture of Inquiry in a Teacher Leadership Program” in Teacher Education Quarterly, have revealed the fact that teachers should be aware of cultural background of their students and encourage culture inquiry among students. At the same time, teachers should understand that different cultural background may need different approaches to assessment since students’ reaction on one and the same assessment may differ in different cultural groups.

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Rene Descartes influenced substantially western philosophy as well as science. His philosophical views laid the foundation to many modern scientific principles. In such a context, his famous idea “cognito ergo sum” (I think than I am) was one of the main ideas that stimulated and guided the development of science based on critical rationalism. In fact, “Discourse on Method”, being one of the major works by Rene Descartes reveals his views on the method he considered to be essential in regard to scientific knowledge. To put it more precisely, Rene Descartes stood on the ground that it was important to conduct analysis on the principle of deduction and critical evaluation. In such a way, he stood on the rationalist ground and believed that the truth can be found and correct judgments can be made only on the condition of the application of his method, which was based on principles of deduction.

On analyzing the method Descartes developed in his “Discourse on Method”, it should be said that he worded in four major rules which should be applied in terms of his method. He argued that “the first rule was that I would not accept anything as true which I did not clearly know to be true” (Descartes) In such a way, he implies that, at first, it is necessary to critically assess the subject of the analysis, which cannot be taken as true for granted. Moreover, it is necessary to question whether it is true or not and admit the possibility that the subject is false as long as the researcher does not prove the contrary, i.e. that it is true. The latter researcher should know for sure.
The second rule of Descartes’ method was “to divide each difficulty which I examined into as many parts as possible and as might be possible to resolve it better” (Descartes). In fact, this is the basic principle of analysis which is widely applied in the modern science. Obviously, this idea is quite logical since the examination of parts contributes to the better understanding of the whole, especially when these parts are taken as a whole after their examination.

However, at this point, it is important to take into consideration the third rule of Descartes’ method: “to conduct my thoughts in an orderly way, beginning with the simplest objects, the ones easiest to know, so that little by little I could gradually climb right up to the knowledge of the most complex” (Descartes). Hence, he logically assumes that on dividing the subject of analysis into parts, it is necessary to examine them and start constructing the knowledge of the subject at large.
This construction is supposed to be accomplished at the final stage, when Descartes suggested to “make my calculations throughout so complete and my examination so general that I would be confident of not omitting anything” (Descartes). In such a way, Descartes suggests to accomplish analysis in generalization, when all details are taken into consideration. In such a way, he supposed to achieve objective outcomes and true results of the analysis.

Obviously, his deductive method is quite effective since it implies the logical analysis and critical evaluation of the subject of the research. Modern science successfully implements these principles which have already proved their efficiency. At the same time, it is important to remember that such a method is quite complicated to apply because subjects of analysis may vary and they can be extremely complicated, while the risk of error in the process of calculations in terms of Descartes’ method, can lead to erroneous outcomes of the entire research. Nevertheless, being properly applied this method is quite effective.
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A quick history on the Volvo XC90. What is it?

The Volvo XC90 is actually a crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) and it is offered as a luxury SUV and is midsize. It has been created with the Volvo P2 platform that other Volvo vehicles also use. This vehicle is quite a sensation in the auto world in the United States for sales have been very kind to it. The Volvo XC90 has been created and produced by Volvo Car Corporation and the Ford Motor Company since 2003. Considered as its competition in the vehicle market are the BMW X5, Acura MDX, and the Infiniti FX.

And now, the Volvo has just announced that the existing Volvo XC90 line of vehicles would soon be welcoming a new variant. And they would be calling it the Volvo XC90 Sport. The company claims that this is all because of the demand from Volvo XC90 customers. And this new SUV would be offering consumers a dynamic chassis setting. It also would boast of a newer appearance plus, of course, added specifications.

According to Karin Falk, who is the head of the Special Vehicles division of Volvo Cars, “We have had numerous requests for a sportier XC90. They are from customers who appreciate the versatility and comfort of an SUV but who also want a bit more driving pleasure. We have developed the Volvo XC90 Sport especially for them, with a dynamic sport chassis, stiffer anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers, a sport-tuned, speed dependent steering system, and larger 19 inch wheels.”

Customers are sure demanding for a newer Volvo XC90 for it cannot be denied that the market’s preferences and lifestyles are changing. And with the sportier Volvo XC90, it sure goes to show that Volvo is listening to what their market is telling them. Stores that sell Volvo C70 custom parts and other Volvo products must be ready to supply replacement parts and accessories for this new Volvo crossover SUV.
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First off, I want to mention that, for most people, getting six pack abs is not an easy task. It requires dedication, but it is possible! Below is a general 2-step guide that, if followed religiously for 3 months, will produce results.

Step 1: Nutrition

This is the single most important part of the puzzle, hands down. You can have the most impressive set of abs, but if they're covered with a layer of fat, you won't see them! Break up your day with 5 or 6 mini-meals because this jump starts your metabolism. And stop eating the food that is preventing results: white bread, loads of pasta, soda, candy, fast food, hydrogenated oils, sugars and fructose corn syrup.

Instead, replace them with foods that will help you reach your goal: oatmeal, olive oil, whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, natural peanut butter, chicken, fish, protein and water. Be realistic- you'll slip here and there, but make a conscious effort to radically improve your eating habits because getting a six pack will be impossible if you don't.

Step 2: Exercise

You need to concern yourself with 3 different exercises: cardio, weightlifting and ab exercises. And aim to workout 3- 4 times a week.

The cardio you do can be anything: walking, running, biking, swimming....whichever cardio you don't mind doing so that you'll stick with it. Aim for 30-45 minutes, a minimum of 2 times a week.

Weightlifting is important because 3 pounds of added muscle burns as many calories as a 1 mile jog...and this is while you're just sitting around! Aim for 30-45 minutes, a minimum of 2 times a week. If you're confused as to what exercises to do for each body part, check out out the following website. It features professional bodybuilders, but the information is great and can be used by anyone.

The last exercise you need to incorporate into your workout is ab exercises. Aim to work your abs a minimum of 3 times a week. There are a ton of different ab exercises you can do so try to find 3 or so that you enjoy doing so you can mix it up.

Tip: mix up your workout routine every 2 weeks to keep your body guessing and changing. Add or take away different weight or ab exercises, or at the very least, vary the weight, reps or form of cardio you do.

Well, there you have it. Follow the above for 3 months religiously, and while results will vary from person to person, you will experience improvement.

It will take dedication on your part, but imagine the feeling you'll get when you look in the mirror and like what you see.

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For visitors to the capital of Ukraine offer modern furnished apartments with European design and a full range of services. Rental apartment - it is convenient and profitable alternative to a hotel. Various furnished apartments in Kiev with a set of hotel services to satisfy all requests.

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The apartments rent Vinnytsa have everything needed for comfortable living - you'll feel at home, which is not insignificant factor when you are traveling or visiting in the city of Vinnytsia.

Our site presents a variety of options Apartment in Vinnitsa. You can always see all the options, looking at their photographs, which greatly saves your time to choose an apartment. Near near each apartment you can find the coordinates of the owner of the apartment and you'll be able to communicate with him. All photos presented on our website are correct. Because the apartment in Vinnitsa is not the product that can be sold in a package - you всеравно'll see what apartment you zaezzhaete and abandon it in the event of a discrepancy Apartment in Vinnitsa.

For visitors to the capital of Ukraine offer modern furnished apartments with European design and a full range of services. Rental apartment - it is convenient and profitable alternative to a hotel. Various furnished apartments in Kiev with a set of hotel services to satisfy all requests.

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For this purpose we created a site offering a range of services such as apartment in Vinnitsa. On our site you will find the apartment owners to rent in the heart of the city, as well as in other parts of the city of Vinnytsia. If you appreciate home coziness, and the price of the hotel Vinnitsa, think, unreasonably high, then the rent of apartments in Vinnitsa for you!

The apartments rent Vinnytsa have everything needed for comfortable living - you'll feel at home, which is not insignificant factor when you are traveling or visiting in the city of Vinnytsia.

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For visitors to the capital of Ukraine offer modern furnished apartments with European design and a full range of services. Rental apartment - it is convenient and profitable alternative to a hotel. Various furnished apartments in Kiev with a set of hotel services to satisfy all requests.

Rent apartments in Kiev - is simply "private hotels of Kiev." European design and impeccable service of our apartment to our clients create a home, a cozy atmosphere and make the stay in Kyiv comfortable, safe and unforgettable. All apartments are located in the heart of the city of Kiev, close to major business centers, museums, theaters, restaurants, clubs, stadiums, near subway stations. Elite Apartments Lessors apartments are an excellent alternative to a hotel, but our prices are lower by 40-90%. Flats are offered without intermediaries - hence, the price of the apartment with accommodation not added fee.

If you are looking for apartment by the day or a few apartments in one day, should make an order for one to two days prior to arrival in Kiev. Orders apartment one day earlier than one or two days will not be accepted.

Apartments in Vinnitsa

For this purpose we created a site offering a range of services such as apartment in Vinnitsa. On our site you will find the apartment owners to rent in the heart of the city, as well as in other parts of the city of Vinnytsia. If you appreciate home coziness, and the price of the hotel Vinnitsa, think, unreasonably high, then the rent of apartments in Vinnitsa for you!

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As soon as Computerized Tomography or CT scans became accessible in the 1970s, they reformed the practice of neurology. They did the scans by transmitting x-ray streams all the way through the head at different positions and accumulating the x-ray streams on the other side that was not absorbed by the head. A sequence of images come into view on a computer monitor or on an x-ray plate as if the head had been sliced from side to side by a huge salami cutter and the slices were arranged out horizontally and in series.

After that, in the 1980s Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scams came into the picture and astounded the medical society by not just taking an image of the brain itself, but by doing so in a new way. MRIs concentrate on water molecules, as an alternative to imaging the degree to which the various parts of the head absorb x-rays. To be more specific, MRIs represent the speed at which rotating hydrogen atoms of water molecules inside various parts of the brain either line up or fall out of arrangement with a powerful magnetic field. These different values of de-magnetization or magnetization are inputted into a pc. Slice like images are formed in a sequence and put on view on a computer screen or x-ray type film in hues of gray. Irregular compositions, like brain tumors or the signs of multiple sclerosis, are shown in their own hues of gray and are also identifiable by their contours and positions.  Getting hold of a different set of images after a hypodermal injection of gadolinium, which is the MRI equivalent of x-ray dye, also adds to analytical information.

For a patient, the incident of having a CT and of having an MRI very much looks a lot like each other. In both situations the patient lies flat on a plane table that moves into and out of a hole in the scanner that looks a lot like an oversize doughnut hole. In the MRI machine the doughnut hole is narrower, so patients suffering from claustrophobia have to notify their doctors if this might be a hitch. Noise is also an issue with the MRI machine. A loud noise is produced every time the radio frequency coils are turned off and on. For either of these two scans the technologist may need to inject a needle in the patient's vein to dispense a distinct substance.

A situation in which MRIs are basically not done is when the patient has a heart pacemaker. This is for the reason that the MRI machine's magnet might disturb the pacemaker and stop the heart. No image is so essential and important that this peril would be worth taking. Another situation in which an MRI is evaded is when the patient is gravely ill. A serious patient can be effectively examined and sustained while getting a CT scan, but not while getting an MRI.

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