Political economy free essay sample

Political economy, branch of social science that studies the relationships between individuals and society and between markets and the state, using a diverse set of tools and methods drawn largely from economics, political science, and sociology. The term political economy is derived from the Greek polis, meaning city or state, and oikonomos, meaning one who manages a household or estate. Political economy thus can be understood as the study of how a country†the publics household†is managed or governed, taking into account both political and economic factors. Historical development Political economy is a very old subject of intellectual inquiry but a relatively young academic discipline. The analysis of political economy (in terms of the nature of state and market relations), both in practical terms and as moral philosophy, has been traced to Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle as well as to the Scholastics and those who propounded a philosophy based on natural law. We will write a custom essay sample on Political economy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A critical development in the intellectual inquiry of political economy was the prominence in the 16th to thel 8th century of the mercantilist school, which called for a strong role or the state in economic regulation. The writings of the Scottish economist Sir James Steuart, 4th Baronet Denham, whose Inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy (1767) is considered the first systematic work in English on economics, and the policies of Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-83), controller general to Louis XIV of France, epitomize mercantilism in theory and in practice, respectively. Political economy emerged as a distinct field of study in the mid-18th century, largely as a reaction to mercantilism, when the Scottish philosophers Adam Smith (1723-90) nd David Hume (1711-76) and the French economist Franpis Quesnay (1694-1774) began to approach this study in systematic rather than piecemeal terms. They took a secular approach, refusing to explain the distribution of wealth and power in terms of Gods will and instead appealing to political, economic, technological, natural, and social factors and the complex interactions between them. Indeed, Smiths landmark work†An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776), which provided the first comprehensive system of political economy†conveys in its title the road scope of early political economic analysis. Although the field itself was new, some of the ideas and approaches it drew upon were centuries old. It was influenced by the individualist orientation of the English political philosophers Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and John Locke (1632-1704), the Realpolitik of the Italian political theorist Niccol ¶ Machiavelli (1469-1527), and the inductive method of scientific reasoning invented by the English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Many works by political economists in the 18th century emphasized the role of ndividuals over that of the state and generally attacked mercantilism. This is perhaps best illustrated by Smiths famous notion of the invisible hand, in which he were the self-interested acts of individuals. Individuals intend to advance only their own welfare, Smith asserted, but in so doing they also advance the interests of society as if they were guided by an invisible hand. Arguments such as these gave credence to individual-centred analysis and policies to counter the state-centred theories of the mercantilists. In the 19th century English political economist David Ricardo (1772-1823) further eveloped Smiths ideas. His work†in particular his concept of comparative advantage, which posited that states should produce and export only those goods that they can generate at a lower cost than other nations and import those goods that other countries can produce more efficiently†extolled the benefits of free trade and was pivotal in undermining British mercantilism. About the same time the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), James Mill (1773-1836), and Mills son John Stuart Mill (1806-73) fused together economic analysis with calls for the expansion of democracy. Smiths notion of individual-centred analysis of political economy did not go unchallenged. The German American economist Friedrich List (1789-1846) developed a more-systematic analysis of mercantilism that contrasted his national system of political economy with what he termed Smiths cosmopolitical system, which treated issues as if national borders and interests did not exist. In the mid-19th century communist historian and economist Karl Marx (1818-83) proposed a class-based analysis of political economy that culminated in his massive treatise Das Kapital, the first volume of which was published in 1867. The holistic study of political economy that characterizes the works of Smith, List, Marx, and others of their time was gradually eclipsed in the late 19th century by a group of more narrowly focused and methodologically conventional disciplines, each of which sought to throw light on particular elements of society, inevitably at the expense of a broader view of social interactions. By 1890, when English neoclassical economist Alfred Marshall (1842-1924) published his textbook on the Principles of Economics, political economy as a distinct academic field had been essentially eplaced in universities by the separate disciplines of economics, sociology, political science, and international relations. Marshall explicitly separated his subject† economics or economic science†from political economy, implicitly privileging the former over the latter, an act that reflected the general academic trend toward specialization along methodological lines. In the second half of the 20th century, as the social sciences (especially economics but also political science) became increasingly abstract, formal, and specialized in both focus and methodology, political economy was revived to provide a broader ramework for understanding complex national and international problems and events. The field of political economy today encompasses several areas of study, the comparative study of political and economic systems, and international political economy. The emergence of international political economy, first within international relations and later as a distinct field of inquiry, marked the return of political economy to its roots as a holistic study of individuals, states, markets, and society. As many analyses by political economists have revealed, in actual government ecision making there is often a tension between economic and political objectives. Since the 1970s, for example, the relationship between the United States and China has been replete with difficulties for both countries. China consistently has sought integration into the world economy†an effort best illustrated by its successful campaign to Join the World Trade Organization (WTO)†but has resisted domestic political liberalization. The United States often has supported Chinas economic reforms because they promised to increase trade between the two countries, but the U. S. overnment has been criticized by other countries and by some Americans for rewarding China with most-favoured-nation trading status despite that countrys poor record of upholding the basic human rights of its citizens. Likewise, Chinas government has faced domestic criticism not only from supporters of democracy but also from conservative Chinese Communist Party members who oppose further economic reforms. This example reflects the complex calculus involved as governments attempt to balance both their political and their economic interests and to ensure their own survival. In contrast to the pure economic analysis of tariff policies, political economic analysis examines the social, political, and economic pressures and interests that affect tariff policies and how these pressures influence the political process, taking into account a range of social priorities, international negotiating environments, development strategies, and philosophical perspectives. In particular, political economic analysis might take into account how tariffs can be used as a strategy to influence the pattern of national economic growth (neo-mercantilism) or biases in the global system of nternational trade that may favour developed countries over developing ones (neo- Marxist analysis). Although political economy lacks a rigorous scientific method and an objective analytic framework, its broad perspective affords a deeper understanding of the many aspects of tariff policy that are not purely economic in nature. Economics and political economy The relationship between political economy and the contemporary discipline of economics is particularly interesting, in part because both disciplines claim to be the descendants of the ideas of Smith, Hume, and John Stuart Mill. Whereas political economy, which was rooted in moral philosophy, was from the beginning very much a normative field of study, economics sought to become objective and value-free. Indeed, under the influence of Marshall, economists endeavoured to make their precise, and elegant and the foundation of a broader intellectual enterprise. With the publication in 1947 of Foundations of Economic Analysis by Paul Samuelson, who brought complex mathematical tools to the study of economics, the bifurcation of political economy and economics was complete. Mainstream political economy had volved into economic science, leaving its broader concerns far behind. The distinction between economics and political economy can be illustrated by their differing treatments of issues related to international trade. The economic analysis of tariff policies, for example, focuses on the impact of tariffs on the efficient use of scarce resources under a variety of different market environments, including perfect (or pure) competition (several small suppliers), monopoly (one supplier), monopsony (one buyer), and oligopoly (few suppliers). Different analytic frameworks examine the irect effects of tariffs as well as the effects on economic choices in related markets. Such a methodology is generally mathematical and is based on the assumption that an actors economic behaviour is rational and is aimed at maximizing benefits for himself. Although ostensibly a value-free exercise, such economic analysis often implicitly assumes that policies that maximize the benefits accruing to economic actors are also preferable from a social point of view. National and comparative political economy The study of domestic political economy is concerned primarily with the relative alance in a countrys economy between state and market forces. Much of this debate can be traced to the thought of the English political economist John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946), who argued in The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (1935-36) that there exists an inverse relationship between unemployment and inflation and that governments should manipulate fiscal policy to ensure a balance between the two. The so-called Keynesian revolution, which occurred at a time when governments were attempting to ameliorate the effects of the worldwide Great Depression of the 1930s, contributed to the rise of the welfare state and to an increase in the size of government relative to the private sector. In some countries, particularly the United States, the development of Keynesianism brought about a passive state and an economy guided by the invisible hand of the market to the view that the state should actively intervene in the economy in order to generate growth and sustain employment levels. From the 1930s Keynesianism dominated not only domestic economic policy but also he development of the post-World War II Bretton Woods international economic system, which included the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Indeed, Keynesianism was practiced by countries of all political complexions, including those embracing capitalism (e. g. , the United States and the United Kingdom), social democracy (e. g. , Sweden), and even fascism (e. . , the Nazi Germany of Adolf Hitler). In the 1970s, however, many Western countries experienced stagflation, or simultaneous high unemployment and inflation, a phenomenon that ontradicted Keyness view. The result was a revival of classical liberalism, also known as neoliberalism, which became the cornerstone of economic policy in the United States under President Ronald Reagan (1981-89) and in the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1979-90). Led by the American economist Milton Friedman and other proponents of monetarism (the view that the chief determinant of economic growth is the supply of money rather than fiscal policy), neoliberals and others argued that the state should once again limit its role in the economy by selling ff national industries and promoting free trade. Supporters of this approach, which influenced the policies of international financial institutions and governments throughout the world, maintained that free markets would generate continued prosperity. Opponents of neoliberalism have argued that the theory overlooks too many of the negative social and political consequences of free markets, including the creation of large disparities of wealth and damage to the environment. In the 1990s one focal point of debate was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which reated a free-trade zone between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Since it went into effect in 1994, the agreement has generated a good deal of controversy about whether it has created or eliminated Jobs in the United States and Canada and about whether it has helped or harmed the environment, labour conditions, and local cultures in Mexico. Comparative political economy studies interactions between the state, markets, and society, both national and international. Both empirical and normative, it employs sophisticated analytic tools and methodologies in its investigations. Rational-choice theorists, for example, analyze individual behaviour and even the policies of states in terms of maximizing benefits and minimizing costs, and public-choice theorists focus on how policy choices are shaped or constrained by incentives built into the routines of public and private organizations. Modeling techniques adapted from econometrics are often applied to many different political economic questions. Political economists attempting to understand domestic macroeconomic policy often study the influence of political institutions (e. g. , legislatures, executives, and

Understanding Legacy Status for College Admissions

Understanding Legacy Status for College Admissions A college applicant is said to have legacy status at a college if a member of the applicants immediate family attends or attended the college. In other words, if your parents or a sibling attend or attended a college, you would be a legacy applicant for that college. Why Do Colleges Care About Legacy Status? The use of legacy status in college admissions is a controversial practice, but it is also widespread. Colleges have a couple reasons for giving preference to legacy applicants, both having to do with loyalty to the school: Future Donors. When a family includes more than one person who attended a college, its likely that the family has greater-than-average loyalty to the school. These positive feelings often turn into alumni donations down the road. This financial side of legacy status shouldnt be underestimated. University relations offices fundraise millions of dollars a year, and their task is easiest when alumni families are highly committed to the schoolYield. When a college extends an offer of admission, it wants the student to accept that offer. The rate at which this happens is called the yield. A high yield means a college is getting the students that it wants, and that will help the school meet its enrollment goals. A legacy applicant is coming from a family that is already familiar with the college, and that family familiarity and loyalty typically leads to a better yield than the general applicant pool.   Do Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, or Cousins Make Me a Legacy? In general, colleges and universities are most interested in seeing if your immediate family members attended. For example, if you are using The Common Application, the Family section of the application will ask you about the education level of your parents and siblings. If you indicate that your parents or siblings attended college, youll be asked to identify the schools. This is the information that colleges will use to identify your legacy status. The Common Application and most other college applications do not have a space for indicating if more distant family members attended, although some will ask a rather open question such as Have any of your family members attended our college? With a question such as this, it wont hurt to list a cousin or aunt, but dont get carried away. If you start listing third cousins twice removed, youre going to look both silly and desperate. And the reality is that in most cases cousins and uncles really arent going to play a role in an admissions decision (with the possible exception of a relative who is a million dollar donor, although you wont find colleges admitting the crass financial reality of some admission decisions). Some Common Mistakes Related to Legacy Status Assuming your legacy status will make up for a mediocre academic record. Highly selective colleges and universities are not going to admit students, legacy or not, who are unlikely to succeed. Legacy status tends to come into play when the admissions officers are comparing two equally qualified applicants. In such cases, the legacy applicant will often have a slight advantage. At the same time, this doesnt mean that colleges wont lower the admissions bar slightly for legacy applicants from prominent and/or extremely wealthy families (but youll rarely hear colleges admit this fact).Using the Additional Information section of The Common Application to draw attention to a distant connection to the college. You should use the additional information section of The Common Application to share important information not reflected in your application. You could use this section to explain extenuating circumstances that may have affected your grades, or you might use it to present interesting information about yourself that doesnt fit elsewhere on the application. This type of information can enrich your application. The fact that your great-great-grandfather attended Prestigious University is rather trivial and is an ineffective use of your opportunity to provide additional information. Making monetary threats. For good or bad, a colleges interest in your legacy status is often related to money. Family loyalty to an institution often leads to alumni donations. That said, it will reflect badly upon you if you suggest that your parents donations to the college might end if you arent admitted. The college already considers such possibilities when making admissions decisions, and raising the issue yourself will seem crass.Placing too much emphasis on your legacy status.  Aside from listing family members who attended the college or university, you dont need to draw more attention to your legacy status. The focus of your application needs to be you and your merits, not those of a parent or sibling. If you try to overplay your hand, you may look either desperate or obnoxious.   These Factors Matter More Than Your Legacy Status College applicants are often frustrated by the advantage that legacy applicants have. This is for good reason. An applicant has no control over legacy status, and legacy status says nothing about the quality of the applicant. But be sure to keep legacy status in perspective. Some colleges dont consider legacy status at all, and for those that do consider it, legacy status is just a small factor in admissions decisions, Colleges know that being a legacy is a rather dubious distinction. When a college has holistic admissions, several pieces of the application will almost always carry more weight than legacy status. First of all, you will need to have a strong academic record. Without it, you are unlikely to be admitted whether youre a legacy or not. Along similar lines, SAT scores and ACT scores are going to be important unless a school is test-optional. Selective colleges will also be looking for meaningful extracurricular involvement, positive letters of recommendation, and a winning application essay. Legacy status wont compensate for weaknesses in any of these areas.

Plato vs Aristotle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Plato vs Aristotle - Essay Example For Aristotle, appreciation of â€Å"goods† like friendship, pleasure, virtue and more is what only required to living well (Rasmussen and Uyl 171). Aristotle said, â€Å"†¦and if all were to strive towards what is noble and strain every nerve to do the noblest deeds, everything would be as it should be for the common weal, and every one would secure for himself the goods that are greatest, since virtue is the greatest of goods† (Aristotle 157). This is the reason that Aristotle would most likely to agree in order to propose the idea that a leader should not enhance his own power, but create an atmosphere where followers will be able to achieve their potential. This is what Aristotle believed to be the essential point in order to live in a moral environment. Leadership is more of appreciation rather than training, and so the value of intelligence or knowledge may not be of high priority, but of what the reality speaks, which should not only be primarily based on re asons alone. However, for Plato, leadership with strong political sense should be strongly under the influence of intelligence and not superior force. Intelligence according to Plato leads to the achievement of the knowledge of the moral truths and the appropriate direction of political power that will serve the interest of the people. At one point, Like Plato, Aristotle believed that the ethical virtues that will hinder man from corruptions are the necessary requirements of a leader, because these are essential, but complex rational, emotional and social skills (Garver 199). For Plato, based on his â€Å"The Republic† argued that self-interest should not affect the quality of leadership (Chambliss 488). It is for this reason that those leaders who are serving for the public should not engage in activities where there is a need to be actively involved in economic interests, because the danger will be to use political power and political decisions for own interests of the

BP's Macondo Blow-out, Gulf of Mexico Research Paper

BP's Macondo Blow-out, Gulf of Mexico - Research Paper Example This explosion caused injuries to 17 people and led to 11 deaths of those who were working on the platform. The gushing wellhead was capped on July 15, 2010 after releasing nearly 4.9 million barrels of crude oil, the equivalent of 780,000m3.it was approximated that per day there was a loss of 53,000 barrels from the well before it was capped (Freudenburg and Robert 23). The daily flow rate had diminished with time beginning with around 62,000 barrels per day and this decreased as the hydrocarbons reservoir feeding the gusher depleted gradually. The relief well process was completed successfully on September 19, 2010. The location was at the Gulf of Mexico near Mississippi River Delta, United States. The spill date was between 20th April and 15th July 2010. It was officially sealed on 19th September 2010. The main cause was a wellhead blowout. The main operator who was working at the well was Transocean under contract for BP. The amount of the spill was approximately 4.9 million barr els in volume covering an area of between 2,500 to 68,000 square miles. The Gulf of Mexico is renowned as a rich hydrocarbon province. The oil and gas in deep water reservoirs in this area is often under extremely high pressure, which was a challenge to the drilling of the well. Prior to the blowout, the exploratory well was at a water depth of nearly 5,000 feet (1,500 m) (Freudenburg and Robert 23). ... In addition, the operations would have used complicated set of anchors, connected with cables that would have needed to be miles long. Initially, BP’s Macondo well was to explore prehistoric leftovers in the form of oil that was seen as a petroleum geologist’s version of literary license (Read 17). Prior to the blowout, the rig was constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries, which was a South Korean company. Its ownership was by Transocean and was under lease to BP from March 2008 to September 2013. The principle developer and main operator of the Macondo Prospect was BP with a 65% share while Anadarko Petroleum Corporation owned 25% and, Moex Offshore 2007, which is a unit of Mitsui, owned 10% share (Read 25). After the accident, President Obama created the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to investigate the main cause. The commission summarized that the accident occurred due to oversights, a number of different risk factors, and outright mistakes including overwhelming of the safeguards supposed to avert such an event. According to the White House report on January 2011, the report accused BP and its partners for deliberately making a sequence of cost – cutting decisions. Lack of a system that would ensure well safety was another accusation. The spill caused extensive damage to wildlife and marine habitats and as well as affecting the Gulf’s tourism and fishing industries. Its effects were also felt worldwide (Macondo report 5). The team recognized a number of risk factors that were technical in the design, testing and execution of the Macondo well. A responsible personnel management, risk, and communications by BP and its partners would certainly have averted the

How Will Computer Information System Fit Into Your Professional Life Essay

How Will Computer Information System Fit Into Your Professional Life - Essay Example Python provides constructs that allow clear programs on both large and small scale (Zelle, 2004). Python supports multiple programming paradigms such as object-oriented, functional and imperative programming or procedural styles. Interpreters of Python are available for installation in numerous operating systems. It can be packaged, using third-party tools such as Pyinstaller or Py2exe, into stand-alone executable programs for many popular operating systems (Zelle, 2004). Java is an object-oriented, class-based programming language. It tops the list among the most demanded programming languages. It is standard for web-based content, enterprise software, Android operating system, mobile applications, and games. Java is designed to be used across multiple platforms of software (Van & Haridi, 2004). It is designed to have few dependency implementations. It is intended to allow app developers â€Å"write once, run anywhere. Java apps are categorically compiled to bytecode that can, regardless of computer architecture, run on any Java virtual machine. Some of the commonly used mobile programming languages besides Java and Python include C language, C++, C#, Objective-C, PHP, Ruby, JavaScript, and SQL among others (Van & Haridi, 2004). Mobile computing is continually changing life. Mobile solutions are today, part of many lives. From laptops to tablets, pagers to cell phones, technology continue to change daily lives and businesses. Some of the notable changes include paperless offices where people conduct business on the phone, read newspaper online, and even shop online. The world of music has also changed significantly, with many people reviewing, purchasing, streaming and downloading music instantly. Television shows, movies, and live programming can be accessed through mobile. Mobile video capabilities are also enabling people to capture moments (Bukhari & Kurylo, 2008). Mobile computing has also changed communication

Evaluation Of Progesterone And Estrogen Biology Essay

Evaluation Of Progesterone And Estrogen Biology Essay Steroid hormones viz. progesterone, estrogen were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner i.e. 2.5mg/ml, 5.0mg/ml for 30 45 minutes and, 0.2mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml for 30 45 minutes respectively. Progesterone and estrogen were stained with 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 and were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner.Different steroid hormones travel at different rates due to the differences in their attraction to the stationary phase and because of differences in solubility in the solvent. These Rf values obtained from both the hormones were then compared and it was found that there was a reasonable difference. Further, a study on the interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins was undertaken using a spectrophotometer. Steroid hormones viz. progesterone and estrogen were made to interact with measured amounts of alcohol, stearic acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and their absorbance were recorded at the excita tion wavelength of 410 nm using a spectrophotometer. Progesterone (conc.2mg/ml) and estrogen (conc. 0.5mg/ml) were each mixed with 0.1 ml, 0.2ml and 0.4ml of stearic acid (conc. 0.5mg/ml) and 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg of BSA separately and their absorbance were noted at 410nm. A slight shift in the absorbance was found on the overall interaction of steroids: progesterone and estrogen with alcohol, stearic acid and BSA respectively, when excited to 410 nm. Thus an attempt was made to establish a valid spectrophotometric procedure for the study of interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins. Key words: Progesterone, estrogen, stearic acid, bovine serum albumin, chromatography Running title : Evaluation of progesterone and estrogen Introduction: Steroids are a class of compounds that have a cyclopentano-perhydro-phenanthrene skeleton and that occur in nature and in synthetic products. The bile acids, androgens, estrogens, corticosteroids, ecdysteroids, sterols and vitamin D are compounds included in the class of steroids. Steroids and their metabolites are analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in a variety of samples such as biological samples or plants and pharmaceutical formulations. TLC continues to be an important method for the determination of steroids because of its advantages. Many samples can be analyzed simultaneously and quickly at relatively low cost, multiple separation techniques and detection procedures can be applied and the detection limits are often in the low nanogram range and quantitative densitometric methods are accurate. The albumin-mediated hepatic uptakes of free fatty acids [1], bile acids and Rose Bengal [2] have been reported, but the kinetics are not sufficiently clear. It was suggested by some experimental results in vitro using a liquid membrane system (hexane source phase/bovine serum/hexane receiving phase) that the rate of uptake of steroids from blood to intracellular space is controlled not only in the free form but also in forms bound with serum proteins such as albumin [3]. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that the fractions of steroids which bind with high affinity to plasma proteins such as globulins are less easily available to tissues. Although steroids bind with low affinity to human serum albumin (HSA), most of the circulating steroids were bound to HSA due to the high concentration of albumin [4]. Recent studies have shown that, in addition to free steroids, those bound to albumin in plasma may also be available to tissues [5]. The binding of steroids to albumin is affected by temperature, pH, fatty acid and competing ligands. Plasma levels of FFA vary throughout the day [6] and the availability of steroids to tissues is changed by FFA binding to alb umin. Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the circulatory system, accounting for 60% of the total serum protein . In mammals, albumin is synthesized by the liver and possesses a half-life in circulation of 19 days. Its principal function is to transport fatty acids, a great variety of metabolites and drugs such as anti-coagulants, tranquilizers and general anesthetics. Serum albumin has been one of the most studied proteins for over 40 years because its primary structure is very well known for a long time and its tertiary structure was determined a few years ago by X-ray crystallography. It is known that progesterone and estrogen were bound to the same site on serum albumin (SA) [7] and consequently a competition effect exist probably between these two steroid sex-hormones. Then, even if in vivo, the balance between the progesterone and the estrogen rate was controlled by multiple mechanisms and Gleasons observation could be explained by an enhancement of the progesterone displacement to its SA binding site by estrogen when Mg2+ cation concentration increased [8]. SA is the major plasma protein responsible for the reversible binding of a wide range of drugs [9]. Extensive studies on different aspects of drug-SA interactions are still in progress because of the clinical significance of the process, especially in the case of tightly bound drugs (K > 105Mà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1) [10]. Numerous analytical techniques are used for protein binding studies and they are continuously being added to, along with extending knowledge about the complex mechanisms involved in the drug-SA binding process [11]. It has recognized that an inverse relationship exists between the number of polar groups in a steroid and the strength of interaction with serum albumin. With the aid of a spectrophotometric procedure (12), the validity of which was established by a comparison with the method of equilibrium dialysis, the influence of structural alterations in sex steroids on the interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated. It was found that introduction of 0x0 or hydroxyl groups in various positions weakens this interaction, and that introduction of methyl groups has the opposite effect. Characteristic differences were noted for CY substituents in their influence on the strength of association. Furthermore, the elution profiles of gel-filtration chromatography clearly showed that progesterone and testosterone are easily liberated from the steroid/BSA complexes and that FFA potentiates the binding of these steroids to BSA. In the case of HSA, the binding affini ties of progesterone and testosterone were not greatly affected by bound FFA [13,14]. This study was undertaken towards chromatographic evaluation of progesterone and estrogen using the H2SO4 staining method and spectrophotometric analysis of the interaction of both the sex steroids with BSA and stearic acid. Materials and Methods: Drugs and chemicals: Progesterone, Estrogen, Silica gel (ACME Chemicals, India) Sulphuric acid reagent, benzene, ethyl acetate, bovine serum albumin, stearic acid, ethanol, propylene glycol TLC Equipment: All the equipments used for TLC used were from ACME synthetics, Mumbai, India. Acme applicator, TLC glass plates, Beakers, Capillary pipettes for spotting solutions, Rulers, hot plates, Gloves were used for all chemical usage. Thin layer chromatography: This  is a chromatography  technique used to separate mixtures.  Thin layer chromatography is performed on a sheet of glass, plastic, or aluminum foil, which is coated with a thin layer of  adsorbent  material, usually  silica gel, aluminium oxide, or  cellulose. This layer of adsorbent is known as the  stationary phase. After the sample has been applied on the plate, a  solvent  or solvent mixture (known as the  mobile phase) is drawn up by the plate via  capillary action. Because different  analytes ascend the TLC plate at different rates, separation is achieved. In steroid analysis, TLC is the method of choice, especially when many simultaneous analyses have to be carried out, hundreds of analyses can be performed in a short time and with small demands on equipment and space. Samples can be analyzed with minimal clean up, and analyzing a sample by the use of multiple separation steps and static post-chromatographic detection procedure is also possible because all sample components are stored on the layer without the chance of loss. The time required in TLC analysis is about 10-60 min. As little as 0.001  µg of steroids/spot can be can be detected by TLC. Using a TLC plate with thicker adsorbent layers (0.5-2 min), several grams of substance can be isolated. Sulphuric acid staining method: After plate development, the plate is dried and sprayed with a 50% v/v aqueous solution of sulfuric acid in a fume hood. The hood was exposed to extremely corrosive materials and, thus, all fittings were made of glass or acid resistant plastic. After spraying, and while still in the fume hood, the plate is heated to about 80ËÅ ¡C for about 45 minutes on a hot plate or in an oven. The solutes are partially oxidized leaving behind a charred deposit of black carbon that is easy to distinguish. This method will detect most in volatile organic compounds. Sulfuric acid spray reagent was found to be particularly suitable for differentiating natural estrogens from diethylstilbestrol in both a mixture of natural steroids and in biologic preparations under daylight as well as ultraviolet light. Solvent system: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 Spectrophotometric evaluation: Spectrophotometric techniques are used to measure the concentration of solutes in solution by measuring the amount of light that is absorbed by the solution in a cuvette placed in the spectrophotometer. Spectrophotometry takes advantage of the dual nature of light. Namely, light has: 1. A particle nature which gives rise to the photoelectric effect 2. A wave nature which gives rise to the visible spectrum of light. The spectrophotometer can measure the amount of light (of certain frequency) transmitted or adsorbed by the solution. This light that has not been absorbed by the solution in the cuvette, will strike the phototube. The photons of light that strike the phototube will be converted into electrical energy. This current that is produced is very small and must be amplified before it can be efficiently detected. The signal is proportional to the amount of light which originally struck the phototube and is thus an accurate measurement of the amount of light which has passed through (been transmitted by) the sample. Different compounds having dissimilar atomic and molecular interactions have characteristic absorption phenomena and absorption spectra. Concentration of every component may be found from the spectrophotometer measurements and calibration curve made using the samples of known concentration. In this study the spectrophotometer used was Ultrospec III (Pharmacia). All samples were an alysed at an absorbance of 410 nm and optical density was recorded. SULFURIC ACID SPRAY CABINET Experimental Protocols: 1) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN (BSA) The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with stearic acid and BSA in three different concentrations and the absorbance is noted at 410 nm. 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 5mg BSA 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 10mg BSA 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 15mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 5mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 10mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 15mg BSA 2) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH ALCOHOLS The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with ethanol and propylene glycol in the following concentrations and the absorbance of each sample is noted at 410nm. 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml propylene glycol 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml propylene glycol 3) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH STEARIC ACID The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with ethanol and stearic acid in three different concentrations and the absorbance is noted at 410 nm. 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.1 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.2 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.4 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.1 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.2 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.4 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) Results: The results of experiments conducted with chromatographic and spectrophotometric evaluation of progesterone and estrogen are depicted in Table 1 2 and Figures 1 2. The results show appreciable difference in Rf values of progesterone and estrogen depending on the elution time. Similarly the addition of BSA to the reaction mixture of progesterone and estrogen showed appreciable difference in optical density as depicted in Figures 1 2. Stearic acid (0.5mg) was also able to shift the absorbance values of progesterone. TABLE 1: Conc. H2SO4 STAINED PROGESTERONE S.NO PROGESTE- RON CONC. (mg/ml) TIME DURATION (min) DIST. MOVED BY SOLUTE (cm) DIST. MOVED BY SOLVENT (cm) RETENTION FACTOR (Rf) 1 2.5 30 6.6 7.2 0.916 2 2.5 45 9.3 9.8 0.948 3 5.0 30 6.7 7.2 0.930 4 5.0 45 9.5 9.8 0.969 0.1ml progesterone (25mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 0.2ml progesterone (25mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 SOLVENT SYSTEM: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 TABLE 2: Conc. H2SO4 STAINED ESTROGEN S.NO ESTROGEN CONC. (mg/ml) TIME DURATION (min) DIST. MOVED BY SOLUTE (cm) DIST. MOVED BY SOLVENT (cm) RETENTION FACTOR (Rf) 1 0.2 30 6.6 7.8 0.858 2 0.2 45 6.7 8.2 0.804 3 0.4 30 6.8 7.8 0871 4 0.4 45 6.8 8.2 0.829 0.2ml estrogen (1mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 0.4ml estrogen (1mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 SOLVENT SYSTEM: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 Figure 1 Figure 2 Discussion: Steroids and their metabolites are analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in a variety of samples such as biological samples or plants and pharmaceutical formulations. TLC continues to be an important method for the determination of steroids because of its advantages [15].Many samples can be analyzed simultaneously and quickly at relatively low cost, multiple separation techniques and detection procedures can be applied and the detection limits are often in the low nanogram range and quantitative densitometric methods are accurate. The results of this study suggest the novel mechanism using concentrated H2SO4 to identify the eluted progesterone and estrogen on a thin layer chromatography plate. The results of the TLC obtained were satisfactory and although this technique is comparatively old but can be applied to find out the Rf values of the steroids in a simple manner. The benzene and ethyl acetate combination proved to be an effective mobile phase. There was some difference i n the Rf values based on the time duration of TLC but it was marginal. The results are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. To evaluate the effect of fatty acid and protein, stearic acid and BSA, we conducted studies on the absorbance using the spectrophotometer. Our results suggest that addition of BSA to the reaction mixture caused significant change in optical density in both steroids i.e progesterone and estrogen (Fig.1 2). The cellular effects elicited by estrogen and progesterone [16] covalently conjugated to membrane impermeable BSA have been attributed to non-genomic actions mediated by membrane associated hormone receptors. It has previously been established that for physiological concentrations of progesterone and albumin in the circulating blood, approximately 99% of the steroid is bound to albumin. If more than one molecule of the protein participated in the binding of one molecule of progesterone, dimerization or complexing of more than two albumin molecules would result and should be demonstrable by the viscosity and by the sedimentation behavior of the system. Determination of viscosity an d sedimentation constants under the conditions outlined in the experimental part failed to reveal any differences between the albumin solutions with and without progesterone. It was concluded from these findings that only one molecule of human serum albumin complexes with one molecule of progesterone. It would seem reasonable to assume that a similar molar relationship exists in the interaction of other steroid molecules with serum albumin. The steric relationship between the two components in the complex was investigated by measuring the strength of interaction between albumin and epimeric steroids. Such a comparison should permit conclusions as to the spatial arrangement of the interacting molecules. Thus there are multiple reasons for the change in absorbance with addition of BSA to the reaction mixture [17]. Furthermore, fatty acid tends to minimize or eliminate the well-known differences in affinity between bovine and human albumin for interactions with these two steroids [18]. The values for binding affinity in the interaction of testosterone with these batches of human serum albumin are significantly higher than those previously published by some authors and the value for progesterone-bovine albumin interaction is not in accordance with the polarity rule. Studies of these same interactions by ultraviolet difference spectroscopy give further evidence of the augmentation in binding but, in the case of defatted bovine albumin only, the aromatic difference troughs are indicative of tyrosine perturbation whereas refatted bovine albumin, defatted and refatted human albumin manifest tryptophan perturbation. Quantitative correlation of perturbation with level of bound steroid suggests that fatty acid alters the ratio (possibly hydrogen-bonded to non hydrogen-bonded) of two forms of bound ster oid. This concept gains in validity when one considers the nature of the binding forces between steroid and protein. For lack of specific knowledge as to these forces, the binding between neutral steroids and proteins may best be interpreted as mediated by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces [19]. Common to both of these binding mechanisms is the low energy of the bond, of the order of 5 to 10 kcal per mole, which explains the ready dissociation of the complexes. Furthermore, they are highly dependent upon the distance; the van der Waals forces for spherical atoms are inversely proportional to the seventh power of the distance between the atomic centers. For efficient interaction, therefore, a close fit of the steroid and protein surfaces would be required. Whether the presence of stearic acid alone in any way alters chemical configuration and affects the absorbance by spectrophotometer can only be ascertained by specific chemical tests The change in stearic acid mediated absorbance with progesterone can be attributed to interplay of chemical forces between the steroid and the fatty acid. Studies with lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid showed that the decrease of binding affinity for progesterone was proportional to the amount of fatty acid added to albumin, and to its chain length. These results confirm and extend other findings of inhibition of progesterone binding to human albumin by saturated fatty acids. In conclusion this study describes a novel H2SO4 staining technique to visualize the sex steroids, progesterone and estrogen and a change in spectrophotometric absorbance of progesterone and estrogen by BSA and stearic acid. Legend for Figures and Tables Table 1: Table 1 describes the thin layer chromatographic evaluation of progesterone (2.5 5 mg) conducted using the concentrated H2SO4 staining technique and eluted for a duration of 30 and 45 minutes. The last column of the table shows the Rf values obtained. Table 2: Table 2 describes the thin layer chromatographic evaluation of estrogen (0.2 0.4 mg) conducted using the concentrated H2SO4 staining technique and eluted for a duration of 30 and 45 minutes. The last column of the table shows the Rf values obtained. Figure 1: Figure 2 describes the optical density values at absorbance of 410 nm obtained with estrogen (0.25 1 mg), ethanol (2ml), bovine serum albumin (10mg) and stearic acid (0.5 mg) alone or in combination. Figure 2: This figure describes the optical density values at absorbance of 410 nm obtained with progesterone (1 4 mg), ethanol (2ml), bovine serum albumin (10mg) and stearic acid (0.5 mg) alone or in combination.

To His Coy Mistress :: essays research papers

Seduction has been the game most played through out the centuries, as males attempt to convince and invite females into their beds. In Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and Donne's "The Flea", the speakers, propose a peccadilloes offer, which is so cunningly backed up by a liberalistic argument and is presented to each female when the generous request has been declined. These arguments are designed to induce thoughts of a carnal nature. The persuasions used by each are completely different but are structured entirely for one purpose. To corner or trick the maiden into saying "Yes". Though both arguements are supurb, Marvell's has a nicer, refined style to it. In "To His Coy Mistress" and "The Flea", there is an exemplification of just how crafty men can be during the hunt. The speakers, in both poems, makes a "modest" but declinable offer for sex to their maiden of choice. And, upon rejection, each male begins a fluent yet rh etoric arguments on why the maiden should accept his simple offer of passion. For Marvell, the argument was that there wasn't enough time left in the world, and that the maiden should partake in indulgence before it is too late." But at my back I always hear/ Times winged Charriot hurrying near"(lines 21-22). He also states the unpleasuarble thought of the worms enjoying her verginity instead of him. Suggesting that if she continues to waste time she will die a virgin. "then Worms shall try/ that long preserv'd Virginity:"(lines 27-28). Whereas Donne's argument revolves around a metaphorical flea. Which as claimed by the speaker, represents his union with the maiden in matrimony, since the flea has taken blood from them both."It suck'd me first and now sucks thee/And in this flea our two bloods mingled be"(lines 3-4). And, since their bloods have already mingled together, intercourse with him wouldn't be a sin and no honor would be lost if she yields to him."Though know'st that this cannot be said/A sin nor shame nor loss of maidenhood:" (lines 5-6) Though however similar the gist of the poems might be, the art of seduction used by each speaker is quite different. The speaker in "To His Coy Mistress" seems to change his tone of persuasion rapidly from stanza to stanza. At first he is sweet, comming across as a gentleman and overstating how many ages he would spent on a single part of her anatomy "A hundred years should go to praise/Thine Eyes.

Early Childhood Education Essay

I used my experience and expertise got as a Preschool Teacher and handled the responsibilities of Program Manager-Preschool with efficiency. I took the task of making plans for lessons each week. I also managed and coordinated the team of teachers and recorded my observation about children and teachers which would be presented to director in meeting. I also monitored and presented the needs of children and teachers namely childcare facilities, facilities needed for teachers to the management. Preschool Teacher, Playschool Center, Atlanta, May 2001-Jan 2002 Responsibilities: As Preschool Teacher I took the responsibility of teaching theoretical lessons, practical sessions of lessons taught, coordinating games and fun activities among children. I took the responsibility of teaching and executing children’s projects from conception to completion. I took care and educated of age from 1-6. I was responsible for not only making lesson plans abut also for managing the whole class allotted to me. I planned and organized variety of activities both for individuals and group activities namely play, dance, singing, games, arts and crafts which helped children to bring out their talents and improve their skills. Preschool Teacher, Jan 1999 – May 2001 Play Kids School, Atlanta Responsibilities: I used various fun activities, play and interactive activities to develop language and vocabulary among children. This approach of combining play and interactive activities made children to learn with ease, increased their interest and attention on academic learning, helped them to learn letter recognition, helped children to learn numbers, science and nature with ease and interest. Preschool Teacher, Dec 1996 – Jan 1999 Daycare Center, Atlanta Responsibilities: I took the responsibility of taking story telling sessions for children and there by helped the children to increase their vocabulary and creative thinking. I was also trained and made use of audio visual aid in my teaching to children and by this children could learn lessons interestingly with ease. I took care of each child individually and attended their problems in lessons and also coordinated with their parents to communicate about their children. Responsibilities: I worked as a Assistant Preschool Teacher with children of ages 2-7 years old. I assisted the team of Preschool Teachers with various teaching activities of children. I prepared the lessons given by Preschool Teachers for teaching. I also underwent training from Preschool Teachers to use various teaching methodologies and learnt the techniques of handlings different age group children effectively and efficiently. Education, as we all know is a lifelong process of learning. This important process starts in childhood. The first eight years of a child’s life greatly shape up rest of his life. More so, in the field of education, what a child learns in his first eight years has lifelong influence on his career and more importantly, his personality. Though, a number of new career avenues have opened up but to compete and to compete well, one needs to have good education background. In that context, role of preschool education is very crucial. The importance of early childhood education is manifested in the development of child’s emotional, physical, intelligence and social learning. The major roles in the development of these aspects are played by teachers and parents. The learning process begins when a child is born. But getting into a preschool opens up new vistas of learning. To get the maximum benefits from an early child development program offered by nursery schools or kindergartens, parents need to be involved in the process. According to psychological researches, a child learns at the fastest pace when he is between the age ranges of 0-6 years. Based on this premise, preschools design their course curriculums so that the process of child’s natural learning becomes more effective. But point to ponder here is, just following a scientific methodology of teaching will not serve the purpose. A child also needs soft touch, proper nutrition, care and love from everybody involved. In order to make an early child development program a success, schools need to devise well defined courses along with affection, proper treatment and due attention from the caregivers. Absence of these factors will make child lag behind in the course of life. In reality, different preschools have different types of course curriculum, each one based upon a certain theory. However, despite the presence of different theories in the course curriculum, one essential element is always present in all kindergartens and that is of catering to the individual needs of a child. It is very important to build the self-esteem of a child in best possible way. The role of play in early childhood education cannot be neglected. In fact, play helps in fostering so many wonderful qualities in the child. Team spirit, social behavior, understanding other children etc are some of the common benefits of a child education program. Preschools incorporate different types of interesting games in the course that helps in the personality development of a child. Childcare institutes prove extremely beneficial in the development of a child’s social skills and emotional intelligence. He learns to interact with others. He also discovers how best to interpret his emotions and that of others. The incorporation of these skills in a child’s personality plays a major role in the later stages of his life. Education programs offered by preschools are essential for the overall growth and development of children. They facilitate the learning process and help in building up bright new future of an entire generation. The Benefits of Early Childhood Education The writer of Proverbs 22:6 wrote: â€Å"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it†. Early Education has benefits that can follow well into adult hood. Early childhood education is the organized practice of educating those who are in early childhood. According to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), early childhood spans the human life from birth to age eight (Early Childhood Education, para. 1). Before 1960, educating young children was primarily dealt with in the home. Today most children spend a large part of their day away from their parents. Most attend a center based program until kindergarten. Attendance at a center-based program is becoming the norm at ages three and four. In 1999, center-based program participation was 70% at age four and 45% at age three. This paper will focus on the importance of early education on children from infancy to age 4. Early education has been shown to increase benefits in academic achievement, delinquency, career success and economic growth. Early education has been shown to positively effect academic achievement. Most studies have resulted in a lifetime lasting increase in IQ by 5 IQ points. Multiple meta- analyses have been conducted and found that preschool education can raise acheivment test scores from the 30th percentile to the 50th percentile. A recent study proved that early education has significant lasting benefits on school progress (ie. Grade repetition, placement in special education and high school graduation rate). The Abecedarian study evaluated the effects of full day year round educational programs on children around four months to kindergarten entry. The study followed 111 children from the time they started the program through age 21. The program had a great effect on grade repetition and placement in special education, decreasing both by 23%. Both high school graduation rates and†¦ Outline for Writing an Expository Essay I. Introduction (Note: A-C are in one paragraph) A. Attention Getter: 1) a quotation 2) a fact or statistic 3) a rhetorical question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no 4) a general observation about the topic at hand) B. Context (background information—name of the work, the author, and a very brief summary of the work) C. Thesis Sentence II. Body: Paragraph One Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence, A. Transition:__________________________ B. Topic Sentence______________________ C. Concrete Detail D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_ E. Concrete Detail F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_ 111. Body: Paragraph Two Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence. A. Transition:__________________________ B. Topic Sentence______________________ C. Concrete Detail D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_ E. Concrete Detail F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_ IV. Body: Paragraph Three Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence. A. Transition: __________________________ B. Topic Sentence. __________________________ C. Concrete Detail__________________________ D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)__________________________ E. Concrete Detail__________________________ F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)__________________________ V. Conclusion Note: The transition and thesis may be in one sentence. A. Transition word or phrase:__________________ B. Restate thesis sentence __________________________ C. Summarize arguments/points (should only be one sentence) 1)___________________________________ 2)__________________________ 3)__________________________. D. Call to action/†So what? â€Å" Do any of the following things: 1) Explain why the topic is universal in its nature—how it affects the reader 2) Expand on the narrow topic to a more universal observation about life, history, literature, etc. 3) Motivate the reader to take a certain action or think in a certain manner. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Types of Chemical Bonds in Proteins

Types of Chemical Bonds in Proteins Proteins are biological polymers constructed from amino acids joined together to form peptides. These peptide subunits may bond with other peptides to form more complex structures.  Multiple types of chemical bonds hold proteins together and bind them to other molecules. Take a closer look at the chemical bonds responsible for protein structure. Peptide Bonds The primary structure of a protein consists of amino acids chained to each other. Amino acids are joined by peptide bonds. A peptide bond is a type of covalent bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another amino acid.  Amino acids themselves are made of atoms joined together by covalent bonds. Hydrogen Bonds The secondary structure describes the three-dimensional folding or coiling of a chain of amino acids (e.g., beta-pleated sheet, alpha helix). This three-dimensional shape is held in place by hydrogen bonds. A hydrogen bond is a dipole-dipole interaction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, such as nitrogen or oxygen.  A single polypeptide chain may contain multiple alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet regions. Each alpha-helix is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the amine and carbonyl groups on the same polypeptide chain. The beta-pleated sheet is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the amine groups of one polypeptide  chain and  carbonyl groups on a second adjacent chain. Hydrogen Bonds, Ionic Bonds, Disulfide Bridges While secondary structure describes the shape of chains of amino acids in space, tertiary structure is the overall shape assumed by the entire molecule, which may contain  regions of both sheets and coils. If a protein consists of one polypeptide chain, a tertiary structure is the highest level of structure.  Hydrogen bonding affects the tertiary structure of a protein. Also, the R-group of each amino acid may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions Some proteins are made of subunits in which protein molecules bond together to form a larger unit. An example of such a protein is hemoglobin. Quaternary structure describes how the subunits fit together to form the larger molecule.

The Brain of an athlete essays

The Brain of an athlete essays What is the brain? How does the athletes brain develop and achieve with precision the complex connections and interactions needed to perform? How does the brain adapt itself to such demands? From the cell to the performance, what have researchers discovered? How does belief, self-talk act as performance enhancement in the intrecate brain chemistry? As a young athlete, I daily live this complex workout of my brain with my body. This is why I want to share what I have learned and discovered about it. The brain and the nervous system are the most important and complex parts of the human body. We cannot live without them. Their job is to regulate the internal bodily functions and coordinate the responses to the outside world. The brain makes us think. It is also a little journal that keeps memories and makes us experience emotions like fear, laughter and so on. The nervous system contains nerve cells, or neurons (about 100 billion neurons), that coordinate the action that a person makes. The nervous system also does involuntary functions such as regulation of breathing and heart rate. All cells pass information form one part of the human body to another. The brain has two hemispheres, the left and the right. For most of us, our ego resides in the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls the right side of the body and the right hand. The side of the brain uses a sequential way of thinking. It controls reading, writing, and arithmetic forms of intellect. It thinks in yes/no, on/off like digital computer. The left hemisphere tends to divide everything into two categories, black and white, good and evil, but nothing between. The right hemisphere is oriented to spatial, artistic kinds of intelligence. The intricate coordination of many areas of the brain plays a key role in the balance and muscle coordination. Harmony in movement comes from the lesser brain for its cortex and ...

CSR of Google Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

CSR of Google Company - Essay Example A Brief Outline of Google Company Google Company began as a research project, conducted by two Stanford students. In the year 1996, Larry and Brin conducted a search engine using a distinctive method of grading search results. Since they required a relevant search engine using the internet, the need grew further and, as a result, registered Google.com domain and officially created Google, Inc. in 1998 (Girard, 2009 p. 14). As a search engine during the time, Google had advantages over other search engines because the search results were organized in a relevant manner. Google grew as a popular search engine, which was easy to use. The company has grown to employ over 12,000 individuals worldwide. The company has acquired several acquisitions to permit continuity of innovation. For instance, the company has acquired DoubleClick and YouTube companies. The company’s mission is to organize the world’s report and make it useful and accessible universally. The company takes pa rt in various philanthropic donations (Girard, 2009 p. 21). Corporate Social Responsibility Issues Facing Google Company Although Google Company ranks among the top companies practicing corporate social responsibility under the Corporate Social Responsibility Index (CSRI), the company faces several challenges doubting its ethics and responsibility as an international company. One of the ethical issues facing Google Company is that the company has proved to be deceptive and not outspoken (Meiners, 2011 p. 20). Google has publicly claimed to respect the users’ privacy, inform and disclose to the consumers what they do with their private data. To the contrary, in 2008, a consumer poll indicated that 93 percent of individual interviewed preferred internet companies to ask for authority before accessing personal information. Hence, Google words do not match consumer expectations (Drushel, 2011 p. 47). This is evident from the consumer watchdog, where they have gathered a video on how Google harms the privacy of consumers and unfairly represent what they do. Google does not represent its business fairly or disclose its incompatible interests. The company has always claimed to work for users, but the users pay the company nothing. The company works for advertisers, which indicates a conflict of interest. The company’s cofounders had foreseen and understood the conflict, which the company hides from users as written in their PHD dissertation (Jennings, 2010 p. 57). There is also enough evidence showing that the company’s undisclosed conflicts poses serious risks to users of either defraud or harm. If Google Company cared for its users, it would have bothered having a customer service or would protect the safety and privacy of users. The company is even deceptive in philanthropy. The philanthropy arm of the company has deceptively created the impression that the company’s philanthropy is devoid of a profit aim, which is not true (Miller, 201 1 p. 76). Another ethical issue facing the Google Company is avoiding legitimate accountability, designed to protect others. There is enough evidence indicating that Google Company does not consider it is subject to the same principles everyone is. For instance, One World Trust ranked the company worst in the world survey of accountability. Also, Audit Integrity Firm ranked Google Company in the bottom 2% of all publicly traded organizations, in terms of, governance risk and accounting. In addition, the company founders developed a two-tier

Economics Paper in MLA format including 2 primary source documents Term

Economics in MLA format including 2 primary source documents - Term Paper Example The price where the curves intersect is called the market price and this is where both the consumers and producers are willing to supply a certain quantity. The demand curve is downward sloping due to the fact that as the price reduces, the ability and willingness to purchase on the consumers’ part increases meaning that there is negative relationship between the quantity demanded and price of the product. On the other hand, the opposite can be said for the supply curve. A positive relationship exists between the quantity supplied and price. As the price increases, the producers are more capable and willing to supply the product and hence the upward sloping curve. Consumer surplus is when a consumer is getting to buy a product at a price which is lower than that which the consumer is willing to pay. Therefore all the area between the demand curve and the market price line is classified as consumer surplus. Producer surplus is the excess which the producer earns as a result of the difference in the market price and the quantity the producer is willing to supply at certain prices. Producer surplus is the area below the market price and above supply curve. Business and Labor The mergers process may be beneficial for the industry in the short run specifically for industries which involve huge costs and research and development projects. The greater financial pool available to these companies is required to undertake large research operations and improve new technologies. It also is about the efficiency of the companies that is if they have been able to increase their efficiency through this process and whether they have passed this efficiency to the buyers. The mergers process may increase the efficiency because now at a larger operations base, the company may be able to achieve economies of scale which is the reduction of average production costs as a result of the increase in production. Coming towards the minimum wage laws, the governments often introduce the policies of minimum wage which acts as a floor to the price of labor employed. When the government enforces the laws of minimum wages, then the market forces are disturbed and equilibrium ceases to exist creating a gap between the demand and supply, which is of labor in this case. The disequilibrium in theory results in a rise in the supply of labor but the demand reduces as the labor is now more costly. However, the magnitude by which this disequilibrium is caused depends upon the circumstances prevailing in each economy and varies from country to country. United States Finance The economy of United States of America was performing very well at the start of the century but then went under deep recession in the year 2008 with the credit crunch and all the financial institutions seem to crumble at the same time. People started to default, and the society and institutions started to face liquidity issues. Soon with this credit crunch, the debts started to rise and the economy sta rted to experience its effects which included the rising unemployment rates and decreasing gross domestic product (GDP) of US economy. Since the financial crisis struck in the year 2008, the US debt has been very high. According to a recent news article, the United States debt is nearly as much as the total value of all its goods and services produced in the US during the financial year. CNBC reports that the total value of the US debt is $14.96 trillion which means that the