Marketing Communications - marketing strategies of C&C's Bulmers & Essay

Marketing Communications - marketing strategies of C&C's Bulmers & Magners Brand Cider - Essay Example Figure 1 below illustrates the Blumer/Magner market in relation to the larger business domain of beverages. Having identified the operating space for the product, some companies choose to target and serve a single segment out of the market by practicing niche marketing strategies while others choose several segments out of the market and offer differentiated offers. Some companies on the other hand do not segment the market but target the whole market with a single offering. Figure 2 below illustrates the different targeting strategies available for a company. Segmentation, which is the first step of targeting, divides the market in to distinct groups of buyers with different needs, characteristics or behavior. Next step of targeting involves evaluation of each market segment’s attractiveness and selecting one or more of the market segments to enter (Wisner 1996). In the case of Magners & Bulmers a niche marketing strategy is being adopted. Although segmenting can be based on factors such as demographics or geographic segregation or on economic classifications, the more sophisticated segmenting tools combine above factors with â€Å"Key Benefits Sought† (KBS) Analysis. These KBS are dependent on the alcohol content, taste and texture of the cider as well as the image factors. Table 1 below provides the segmentation of the cider market, which can be targeted by Magners/Blumer, based on â€Å"Key Benefits Sought† and further qualified by demographic, and Psychographics factors. From the above three target markets, the Magner is focusing on the Social Drink segment. In this category the product can effectively compete with mild and mid strength beers as well as wines provided the product image is developed to high standards. The Magner image has to change further to appeal to the sophisticated UK premium drinker category. The packaging still falls behind

Paul’s Missionary Journey Essay Example for Free

Paul’s Missionary Journey Essay The Apostle Paul was the great leader in the momentous transition which characterized the apostolic age, the transition from a prevailingly Jewish to a prevailingly gentile Christianity. Under his guidance Christianity was saved from atrophy and death, which threatened it if it remained confined in Palestine. At the same time, by reason of his insight into the truth of the Gospel and fidelity to it, as well as by his devotion to the Old Testament and loyalty to the highest Jewish ideals in which he had been reared, he saved Christianity from the moral and religious degeneracy to which it would surely have been brought if it had broken with its past, and had tried to stand alone and helpless amid the whirl of Greek religious movements of the first and second Christian centuries. In Paul a great force of onward movement and a profound and conscious radicalism were combined with fundamentally conservative principles. Paul appears to have been born at not far from the same time as Jesus Christ. According to Acts, Paul was born in Tarsus (Acts 9:11; etc. ), received the double name Saul/Paul (13:9), and through his family possessed Tarsian and Roman citizenship (22:25-29 (Murphy-OConnor 32-33). Overall, Paul can be described as an able and thoroughly trained Jew, who had gained from his residence in a Greek city that degree of Greek education which complete familiarity with the Greek language and the habitual use of the Greek translation of the Scriptures could bring. At bottom he ever remained the Jew, in his feelings, his background of ideas, and his mode of thought, but he knew how to make tolerably intelligible to Greek readers the truths in which, as lie came to believe, lay the satisfaction of their deepest needs. At Jerusalem Paul entered ardently into the pursuit of the Pharisaic ideal of complete conformity in every particular to the Law. He was, he tells us, found blameless (to every eye but that of his own conscience), and, he says, I advanced in the Jews religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. With fiery passion he entered into the persecution of the Christian sect, was present and took a kind of part at the murder of Stephen, and undertook to carry on the work of suppression outside of Palestine at Damascus, whither he journeyed for this purpose with letters of introduction from the authorities at Jerusalem (Murphy-OConnor 52-57). At this time took place his conversion. That he was converted, and at or near Damascus, his own words leave no doubt. I persecuted, he says in writing to the Galatians, the Church of God. . . But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mothers womb, and called me through his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus (Gal i. 13-17). The change evidently presented itself to Pauls mind as a direct divine interposition in his life. It came to him in a revelation of Jesus Christ, whereby (and through no human intermediary) he received the Gospel which he preached, and the commission to be an apostle. He refers to it as to a single event and an absolute change of direction, not a gradual process and development; the two parts of his life stood sharply contrasted, he did not conceive that he had slid by imperceptible stages from one to the other. What things [i. e. his advantages of birth and Jewish attainment] were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ . . . or whom I suffered — as if in a single moment —the loss of all things (Phil. iii. 7. 8). From Pauls own words, then, we know that he was converted from a persecutor to a Christian, at a definite time and at or near Damascus, by what he considered to be the direct interposition of God; and it seems to be this experience of which he thought as a vision of the risen Christ (Hubbard 176-77). After Pauls conversion, which took place in the latter part of the reign of Tiberius (14-37 a. d. ), about fifteen years passed before the missionary career began of which we have knowledge from Acts and from Pauls own epistles. During this time Paul was first in Arabia, that is in some part of the empire of which Damascus was the most famous city, then in Damascus, and later, after a brief visit to Jerusalem, in Cilicia, doubtless at his old home Tarsus. In this period we may suppose that he was adjusting his whole system of thought to the new centre which had established itself in his mind, the Messiahship of Jesus. With the new basis in mind every part of his intellectual world must have been thought through. Especially, we may believe, will he have studied the relation of Christian faith to the old dispensation and to the ideas of the prophets. The fruit of these years we have in the matured thought of the epistles. They show a steadiness of view and a readiness of resource in the use of the Old Testament, which testify to through work in the time of preparation. Epistles written years apart, like Galatians, Romans and Philippians, surprise us by their uniformity of thought and unstrained similarity of language, in spite of the richness and vivacity of Pauls thought and style. So, for the most part, the characteristic ideas even of Epliesians and Colossians are found suggested in germ in Corinthians and the earlier epistles. Pauls epistles represent the literary flowering of a mind prepared by years of study and reflection (Murphy-OConnor 90-95). At Pauls missionary journey and the beginning then made of churches in Asia Minor we have already looked in a previous chapter. After his return to Antioch followed that great and pivotal occasion of early Christian history, the so-called Council, or Conference, at Jerusalem, described in the fifteenth chapter of Acts and by Paul in the second chapter of Galatians. At that time Paul established his right to carry on the work of Christian missions in accordance with his own principles and his own understanding of the Christian religion. His relation with the Twelve Apostles seems then and at all times to have been cordial. His difficulties came from others in the Jewish Church. To this we know of only one exception, apparently somewhat later than the Conference, the occasion at Antioch when Peter under pressure from Jerusalem withdrew from fellowship with the gentile brethren, and called out from Paul the severe rebuke of which we read in Galatians. There is reason to believe that the rebuke accomplished its purpose. At any rate, at a later time there is no evidence of a continued breach. The idea of missionary travel had evidently taken possession of Paul, for after returning from Jerusalem to Antioch he soon started out again, and was incessantly occupied with missionary work from now until the moment of his arrest at Jerusalem. Leaving Antioch on his second journey he and his companions hurried across Asia Minor, stopping only, it would appear, to revisit and inspect churches previously established. They were led by the Holy Spirit, as the writer of Acts believed, to direct their course westward as rapidly as possible to Greece, which was to be the next stage in the path to the capital of the world. In Macedonia and Achaia Paul and his companions worked with varying success at Philippi, Thessalonica, Ber? a, Athens, Corinth. At Corinth, the chief commercial city of Greece, the Christians arrived in the late autumn. The work opened well, and Paul remained at that important centre until a year from the following spring. The date of his arrival cannot be exactly determined, but is probably one of the five years between 49 and 53 a. d. While at Corinth he wrote the First and (if it is genuine) the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. Somewhere about this time, perhaps before leaving Antioch for this journey, the Epistle to the Galatians was written. The churches of Galatia, to which it is addressed, were probably the churches known to us in Acts as Pisithan Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. After a flying trip to Syria and perhaps to Jerusalem Paul returned to Ephesus in Asia Minor, where he settled down for a stay of three years. A few incidents of this period have been recorded in the Book of Acts, and are among the most striking and realistic that we have. They include a remarkable number of points of contact with facts known to us from archeological discoveries, and in no chapters of Acts is our confidence more fully reassured in the contemporary knowledge and the trustworthiness of the writer of the book. While at Ephesus Paul had much communication with Corinth, and wrote I Corinthians, which had clearly been preceded by another letter. There are indications in II Corinthians that after this he found the difficulties in the church at Corinth such that he wrote them at least one letter which has been lost, and made a short, and in its outcome exceedingly painful, trip to Corinth and back to Ephesus. Finally he was impelled by danger to his life to leave Ephesus, and went through Macedonia to Corinth. On the way he wrote, to prepare for his own presence, the epistle we call II Corinthians. Arriving at Corinth in the early winter he stayed until spring. His literary impulse continued active, and to this winter we owe the Epistle to the Romans. Earlier letters had been called out by special need in one or another church; in Romans Paul comes nearer to a systematic exposition of his theology than in any of his earlier writings. He knew the importance that would surely belong to the Christian Church of Rome. He had made up his mind to go there. But first he must go to Jerusalem, and there were dangers both from the risks of travel and from hostile men. Of each hind his life had had many examples. Accordingly he provided for the Roman Christians a clear statement of his main position, together with a reply to several of the chief objections brought against it, notably the allegations that his presentation of Christianity involves the abrogation of Gods promises to his chosen people, and that it opened the way to moral laxity. This letter Paul sent as an earnest of his own visit to Rome. He had been for a year or more supervising the collection by the churches of Asia Minor and Europe of a contribution for the poor Christians at Jerusalem; the gentile churches should thus make a repayment in carnal things to those who had made them to be partakers of their spiritual things. This contribution was now ready, and Paul himself with a group of representatives of the chief churches took ship at Philippi and Troas for Jerusalem. The voyage is narrated in detail in Acts, evidently by one who was a member of the company. At last Paul reached Jerusalem, and was well received by the church; but, followed as he was by the hatred of Jews from the Dispersion who had recognized the menace to the Jewish religion proceeding from the new sect, he was set upon by a mob, rescued only by being taken in custody by the Roman authorities, and after a series of exciting adventures which will be found admirably told in the Book of Acts, was brought to C`sarea. There he stayed a prisoner for two years and more until on the occasion of a change of Roman Governor his case was brought up for trial, when he exercised the right of a Roman citizen to appeal from the jurisdiction of the Governor to that of the imperial court at Rome. It was late autumn, but he was dispatched with a companion whom we may well believe to be Luke the beloved physician, and from whom our account certainly comes. The narrative of Pauls voyage and shipwreck, of the winter on the island of Malta, and the final arrival at Rome early in one of the years between 58 and 62 a. d. is familiar. It is the most important document that antiquity has left us for an understanding of the mode of working an ancient ship, while the picture which it gives of Paul as a practical man is a delightful supplement to our other knowledge of him(Murphy-OConnor 324). In Rome, while under guard awaiting trial, Paul probably wrote Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and the circular letter, seemingly intended for churches in Asia Minor, known to us as Ephesians. They show some new development of ideas long present with him, and some new thoughts to which his other writings give no parallel, and the style of some of them has changed a bit from the freshness of Galatians and Romans; but these are not sufficient reasons for denying that Paul wrote the letters. They are, indeed, as it seems to me, beyond reasonable doubt genuine. The Book of Acts ends with the words, And he [Paul] abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him. This period of two years is sufficient to include the composition of the four epistles to which reference has just been made, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and Epliesians, the so-called Epistles of the Captivity. What happened at the expiration of the period? Apparently Pauls case, long postponed, then came to trial. Did it result in his release or his execution? The evidence is meager and conflicting, and opinions differ. It is perhaps a little more likely that he was released, and entered on further missionary work, probably carrying out his original purpose of pushing on with the proclamation of his Gospel to the west, and establishing it in Spain; but of this period there is no narrative. If after two years Pauls imprisonment at Rome ended with his release, as the absence of well-founded charges against him would lead us to expect, he must have been later again apprehended, probably in connection with the persecution artfully turned against the Christians at the time of Neros fire in July of the year 64. It is probable that he was beheaded, to which privilege his Roman citizenship entitled him, and that he was ultimately buried on the Ostian Way at the spot where now stands the splendid basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The Design of Molecular Magnets

The Design of Molecular Magnets Ashlea Hughes 1. Polyoxometalates Polyoxometalates (POMs) are clusters consisting of linked metal oxide polyhedral. They are commonly anionic, although some cationic species have been reported.1 Due to this charge, counter ions are often associated with POMs. The metal ions which form the POMs often belong to group 5 or group 6 in the periodic table and possess a high oxidation state causing an electron configuration of either d0 or d1. The nuclearity of POMs differs widely from single monomeric species to high nuclearity (i.e. over 100 metal ions) species. The three major transition metals that form POMs are: vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten. 1.1 Structures The building blocks of polyoxometalates often correspond to tetrahedral, tetragonal pyramids, and octahedra, sharing corners and edges which results in a variety of caged, ribboned, wheel or basket like structures e.g. [P6Mo18O73]11-.2 It is this variety in potential structures of POMs that causes a number of complex molecular spin arrays to be available. Figure 1: Five Baker-Figgis isomers adapted from Zhou et al. 3 The keggin structure, named after J. J. Keggin who determined its structure, is a very common structure found in POMs.4 It consists of a central tetrahedrally coordinated atom, caged by 12 octahedrally coordinated atoms. Five rotational isomers, known as Baker-Figgis isomers, of the keggin structure exist, and are shown in Figure 1, as do defect structures known as lacunary structures.3 Due to the conformation of these structures they have high stability and so aid in the exchange coupling between other keggin molecules. The POMs comprising of the transition metal, tungsten, all favour this structure and larger tungsten POMs can be considered to be made up of keggin subunits. The Dawson structure and Anderson structure are similar structures that have also been reported many times within literature. The wheel structure is yet again another commonly found structure and is desired for POM formation. The cavity/cavities the wheel contains are accessible and allow the coordination of other clusters, and form chains in a step by step growth, forming very large POMs. 1.2 Traditional synthesis POM based clusters are traditionally made via a one-pot synthesis. The aggregation and condensation of the reagents is controlled via experimental variables.5 These variables can include: concentration, pH, temperature, ligand effects, counter ions and various other experimental variables. The synthesis usually begins with the acidification of the metal salt, sequentially followed by condensation of the molecules forming a variety of architectural structures. 1.3 Uses Polyoxometalates possess a wide variety of properties. Their diversity means that they are used for many applications. They are used as catalysts in a range of organic reactions. The acidity and solubility of POMs make them ideal candidates to use as homogeneous catalysts, as well as their redox abilities. They have many uses in biological systems, in particular the POM ferritin, which is the protein responsible for iron storage and is a cofactor in the photosynthesis process within plants. This property in particular has inspired research into many energy and photosensitive related devices using POMs. In addition there is also research being done into medicinal applications as potential uses in antiretroviral drugs for diseases such as AIDS. 6 Aside from all these applications, and many others, certain POMs also bear magnetic properties that I shall discuss herein.5 2. Magnetism Magnetic properties arise from the spin and orbital angular momentum of unpaired electrons. Paramagnetism is a property of compounds which contain unpaired electrons. These compounds have a relative permeability greater than one and consequently attract magnetic fields. When a field is applied the spins of electrons start to align parallel to each other. The magnetisation of paramagnetic materials is directly proportional to the magnetic field that is applied; this, however, does vary with temperature. This relationship between temperature and magnetization is described by Curies Law: Where M is the resulting magnetisation, B is the applied magnetic field, T is the temperature and C is the Curie constant which is specific for each individual material. Figure 2: Hysteresis Curve 7 Hysteresis is a property of paramagnetic materials. If a magnetic material is magnetised in regard to a direction and the material does not relax back to zero magnetisation then the material is exhibiting hysteresis. If an alternating field is applied a hysteresis loop is formed as shown in Figure 2. Bulk magnets exhibit hysteresis, as do some polyoxometalates.8 This provides many advances into information storage as exhibiting hysteresis means the material has magnetic bistability, meaning the material can present two stable phases and can change between the two with response to an external stimulus, a vital property for memory elements. 2.1 Magnetic POMs POMs commonly contain transition metal centres, some of which are paramagnetic with respect to their spin states. The paramagnetic transition metal centres therefore correspond to the d1 electron configuration mentioned above, e.g. polyoxovanadates (IV). When the paramagnetic metal ions are brought together they interact and can give rise to a wide variety of magnetic properties. The magnetic interaction between the ions is defined by the Heisenburg Hamiltonian. These POMs which possess magnetic properties are known as single molecule magnets. Polyoxovanadates are the most common magnetic POM. [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- is a relatively large oxovanadium (IV) POM whose magnetic properties have been widely investigated.7 2.2 Quantum or classical behaviour? POMs are relatively large, organically bridged, molecular magnets, and are thought to potentially be the bridge between the quantum properties of the smallest atoms and the classical properties possessed by larger magnets that we know in our day-to-day lives. Events in classical physics are either allowed or forbidden in contrast to the events in quantum physics which all have a various probability of occurring. It has been thought that the mesoscopic size of the POMs would cause the classical properties seen in bulk magnets to also be observed in these intermediate sized magnets. Some magnetic POMs are thought to behave quasi-classically as they can exhibit both quantum as well as classical magnetic properties.8 This 15 vanadium centred POM was however, found not to behave in a classical way. Though, it has been reported that the quantum/classical behaviour is not just based on the size of the magnet, but also the individual spins of the metal ions. If the individual ions within the POM have a small spin (S= 1/2) then quantum models approximate properties of the material the best, however when reaching relatively high spins similar results to the quantum models are shown by using classical models. This has been confirmed in smaller clusters which contain larger spins.7 It is interesting that smaller clusters with higher spins possess more classical magnetic properties, opposed to larger clusters which possess small spin ions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a technique used to study materials with unpaired electrons, i.e. paramagnets. Line widths present in EPR spectra can dictate whether a material is expressing quantum or classical behaviour. 9 2.3 Spin frustration Figure 3. Spin fustrastion within [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- 7 To achieve a large spin ground state is a difficult challenge for scientists. However, spin frustration effects can lead to isolated systems that contain this property. The layered structure of [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- comprising of three layers, with the central layer only having three interacting centres, then the spin cannot be resolved by Hund’s rule and is said to be frustrated, as shown in Figure 3. Much research has been done into the use of large POMs as magnets, however with current technology allowing the miniaturisation of most devices, the question posed is who can make the smallest POM in which both quantum and classical effects coexist? For this to be answered the synthesis of POMs needs to be carefully controlled and fine-tuned. 2.4 Mixed valence clusters The magnetic properties of mixed valence clusters are often more difficult to interpret due to their electrons which are delocalised over the structure as opposed to the simpler localised valence species, described above. The mixed valence cluster [Mn12O12(O2CCH3)16(H2O)4].2CH3COOH.4H2O, comprising of Mn4IV and Mn8III has been found to exhibit both quantum and classical properties. It has been established that this cluster behaves like a small bulk magnet when subjected to low temperatures. 2.5 Single molecule magnets Single molecule magnets (SMMs) are usually based on first row transition metals. They require a high spin ground state along with a negative uniaxial anisotropy. A relatively high blocking temperature (the temperature at which relaxation of magnetisation is slow) is also desirable.9 Flexibility in the structure of SMMs provides difficulties in the regulation of intermolecular exchange coupling, however, due to their rigid conformation, POMs have an environment which is ideal for magnetic structures. To produce SMMs the intermolecular magnetic interactions between molecules must be negligible. 2.6 POMs as ligands Although POMs themselves can have magnetic properties, due to their variety of shapes if they possess defects, as in the lacunary structure, and the cavities the wheel structure often has, they can also be used as multidentate ligands.10 They can bind to paramagnetic coordination clusters, causing encapsulation of small clusters of magnetic ions.11 By doing this the POM ligand effectively dilutes the smaller, encapsulated molecule and therefore reduces the dipolar interactions that are undesirable for SMMs. The magnetic molecule encapsulated could possess both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic properties; however, which property is expressed could potentially be determined by the POM surrounding it. The wheel structure, due to the nature of its shape also possesses a cavity, which could also be used to bind smaller clusters, increasing the distance between the magnetic molecules and in doing so reducing the interactions between them. 12 3. Designing POMs The design of molecular clusters with magnetic properties, or as ligands for small clusters, that possess magnetic properties is challenging. The traditional one-pot synthesis controlled by numerous variables does not give the desired purity of species or the fine tuning abilities required to design SMMs. The degree of functionality required for these systems relies upon directed assembly of the building blocks into disciplined architectures.13 3.1 Solvothermal and ionothermal synthesis Solvothermal synthesis reduces the limitations of the experimental variable of temperature used in the regular synthesis. Water and common organic solvents used in the regular synthesis limit the temperature the system can reach; however, autoclaves used in the solvothermal process reduce this limitation and create the opportunity for higher temperatures and pressures of the reaction mixture. Reproducibility of these reactions is very difficult as it requires tight control of experimental conditions. Ionothermal synthesis adapts this solvothermal synthesis by using an ionic liquid as a solvent. These ionic liquids influence the assembly of the POMs by functioning as templates and can potentially create selective architectures.14 3.2 Linking clusters Lacunary structures have been used as precursor molecules with other metal ions as linkers to produce high nuclearity POMs.11,15 This is often known as the ‘building block strategy’.{16} It opens up opportunities to expand the POM size beyond what has currently been synthesised. However, difficulties have been found due to the architecture of the potential building blocks rearranging and reorganizing due to not being stable enough in solution. Due to the stability of tungsten POMs this methodology is widely used within tungsten chemistry; however, these limitations cause problems for other complexes such as molybdenum. Stabilising the initial building blocks is currently a task being researched widely by several research groups.11,16 3.3 Counter ion effect As previously mentioned, POMs are charged species, generally anionic, and so must possess a counter ion. Anionic POMs possess cationic counter ions and vice versa. The properties of the counter ion i.e. size, charge etc, can affect the reactivity of the POM. The larger the counter ions, the more stable the POM is against aggregation. Amines are a common example of bulky counter ions which provide this stability. Organic amines have also been found to be capable of directing the self-assembly of small building blocks, enabling the creation of the desired structure.17 3.4 Top down A novel â€Å"top down† synthesis has been reported.18 Opposed to all previously mention syntheses this is a truly unique and novel idea. It suggests the idea of a pH controlled decomposition of a very large POM into smaller fragments. The large POM; [P4W52O178]24- , has confirmed this approach to be successful with the controlled fragmentation of [P3W39O134]19-, the scheme is shown in Figure 4.5 Not only could this technique potentially enable the formation of new architectures, but it could also help to identify the building blocks that made the POM in the first place, revealing new insights into the mechanism of formation. 4. Conclusion Polyoxometalates are a very versatile class of compounds. Their potential has been subdued in the past due to a lack of understanding and the traditional one-pot synthesis. With the discovery of the importance of POMs in their various applications, and in particular as molecular magnets, there have been many developments within the past decade with regard to their careful and controlled synthesis. However, the mechanism of formation of POMs is still not fully understood. The controlled design of the structure and function of POMs is still being investigated and there is little doubt it will lead to the engineered functionality required for many capabilities POMs are already showing to have. The debate between quantum and classical mechanics has been going on for centuries. Quantum properties describe those with discrete levels, whereas classical properties have a continuous scale. The idea that POMs can be used as a â€Å"stepping stone† between the quantum and classical magnetic behaviour has started to unite both the theories and has started collaborative research between both physicists and chemists. This breakthrough enables the development and use of POMs in quantum computing and miniaturisation of devices, paving the way for new and exciting technologies. 5. Reference List G. Johansson, Acta Chem. Scand., 1960, 14, 771-773. W. G. Klemperer, T. A. Marquart, and O. M. Yaghi, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 1992, 31, 49-51. B. Zhou, B. L. Sherriff, F. Taulelle, and G. Wu, Can. Mineral., 2003, 41, 891-903. J. F. Keggin, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A, 1934, 144, 75-100. H. N. Miras, J. Yan, D. L. Long, and L. Cronin, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012, 41, 7403-7430. W. Rozenbaum, D. Dormont, B. Spire, E. Vilmer, M. Gentilini, C. Griscelli, L. Montagnier, F. Barre-Sinoussi, and J. C. Chermann, Lancet, 1985, 1, 450-451. M. T. Pope, A. Muller, and Editors., Polyoxometalates: From Platonic Solids to Anti-Retroviral Activity. Kluwer, 1994, 411. D. Gatteschi, A. Caneschi, L. Pardi, and R. Sessoli, Science, 1994, 265, 1054-1058. E. C. Yang, C. Kirman, J. Lawrence, L. N. Zakharov, A. L. Rheingold, S. Hill, and D. N. Hendrickson, Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 3827-3836. J. Liu, J. Guo, B. Zhao, G. Xu, and M. Li, Transition Met. Chem., 1993, 18, 205-208. H. Abbas, A. L. Pickering, D. L. Long, P. Kogerler, and L. Cronin, Chem. Eur. J., 2005, 11, 1071-1078. J. Lehmann, A. Gaita-Arino, E. Coronado, and D. Loss, Nat. Nanotechnol., 2007, 2, 312-317. A. Muller, F. Peters, M. T. Pope, and D. Gatteschi, Chem. Rev., 1998, 98, 239-271. A. S. Pakhomova and S. V. Krivovichev, Inorg. Chem. Commun., 2010, 13, 1463-1465. D. L. Long, H. Abbas, P. Kogerler, and L. Cronin, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 13880-13881. J. M. Cameron, J. Gao, L. Vilà ¡-Nadal, D. L. Long, and L. Cronin, Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 2155-2157. Y. Jun, L. De-Liang, N. M. Haralampos, and L. Cronin, Inorg. Chem., 2010, 49, 1819-1825. C. P. Pradeep, D. L. Long, C. Streb, and L. Cronin, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 14946-14947.

Death and the Regeneration of Life :: essays research papers

Death and the Regeneration of Life Death and the Regeneration of Life written by Maurice Bloch and Jonathan Parry focuses on the significance of symbols of fertility and rebirth in funeral rituals. Their book includes many theories that anthropologist have studied with the idea of life and death. The idea of death and the regeneration of life changes with each culture and tradition. Everyone has his or her own opinion of how it shall work. With the help of many contributors to the book, one is able to read the different types of ways some cultures value their own rituals. The notions of fertility and sexuality often have a considerable prominence in funeral practices. These practices have excited the attention of anthropologists for almost one hundred years. It all began with Swiss anthropologist Bachofen in 1859. Bachofen was one of the first anthropologists to focus any attention on mortuary symbolism. In 1859, he published his first book Versuch uber Grabsymbolik der Alten, meaning "An essay on ancient mortuary symbolism" (1). He focused most of his study with the Greek and Roman symbolism, particularly as manifested in the Dionysian and Orphic mystery cults. He started by studying the significance of eggs as symbols of fertility and femininity in Roman tombs and in funerary games. Each of the eggs was painted half-black and half-white, representing the passage of night and day and the re-birth of life after death (1). After Bachofen's study he believed that, "The funeral rite glorifies nature as a whole, with its twofold life and de ath giving principle†¦That is why the symbols of life are so frequent in the tomb." (1). After Bachofen's studies, many other writers and anthropologists began to study his themes and other themes related to the topic. For example, J. Frazer took Bachofen's ideas and looked more at the materials of ancient mystery cults. His question was, "How could killing be a rite of fertility and renewal, and in particular how does the killing of a divine king help regenerate the fertility of the community?" With questions similar to Frazer's, other anthropologists have questioned themselves all the time. Many could not understand the theme of life and death. For many years, anthropologists would take works from others and try to combine them to make them more understandable. With all the different essays written throughout of the years, one is now able to compare the differences between death related practices in different societies.

Do you believe that Macbeth is a complete villain Essay

Macbeth is a play, which was written by William Shakespeare, and first published in 1623 (during the reign of King James I of England). Macbeth was a hero and also a loyal subject and friend of the King, Duncan. He gave no quarter on the battlefield, due to his brutal courage, e.g. Macbeth â€Å"unseamed† a Norwegian â€Å"from the nave to the chaps† and â€Å"fixed his head† onto the Scottish battlements, during the battle at the beginning of the play. This proved his patriotism for his country, and his respect for the King. By fighting for his country, Scotland, he achieved in return the respect that he deserved from the King. Macbeth was plagued with conflicting qualities; for example, one was the humane and courteous way he treated his wife, i.e. Macbeth referred to his wife (in his letter to her – in Act 1, Scene 5) as â€Å"my dearest partner of greatness†. Also in this scene, he addressed her as â€Å"My dearest love†. On the other hand, this did not prevent him from acting in the opposite way in battle as a cruel warrior. Once the witches had prophesised that Macbeth would be king â€Å"hereafter† (Act 1, Scene 3), Macbeth seemed to have been drawn in by this advance information i.e. he started, and seemed â€Å"to fear†. This reaction indicates that he was a very gullible being, who tended to believe what was said. Then again, if one were informed that one was to be king, then one might believe it, as it is a desirable privilege. This represents honest ambition, at this stage, without seeming to involve any nefarious actions on Macbeth’s part. Also, the mental images that would come into one’s mind could heighten one’s level of gullibility and boost one’s self-esteem. This scene also tells us, as readers, that Banquo, on the other hand, is not so easily convinced, and to us, this demonstrates a stronger character. Banquo obviously doubted the witches’ predictions, as he questioned Macbeth’s response by asking, â€Å"why do you start, and seem t o fear†. Another important part of the story, which points out a particular frailty of Macbeth’s, occurs later on in Act 1, Scene 3, when Macbeth lied to Banquo. He pretended to Banquo that his â€Å"dull brain was wrought† to divert Banquo’s thoughts about him, by being devious – as one might expect from a villain – so that Banquo would no longer believe that Macbeth trusted the witches’ predictions. Even after finding that the first prediction of the witches was true, Banquo warned him, basically, that even if the witches told him some little truth, later they would deceive him. Another example of Macbeth’s deceit against Banquo comes in Act 2, Scene 1, when Macbeth denied that any thoughts of the witches were in his mind: â€Å"I think not of them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In the next scene (Act 1, Scene 4), irony and duplicity emerge. This happens because Shakespeare emphasised Duncan’s respect for Macbeth, with Duncan saying such things as â€Å"worthiest† whilst addressing Macbeth. However, as Macbeth later on in the story kills Duncan, this belies his true political intention of power seeking, and perhaps not solely of his own volition, but driven by his wife’s ambitious self-interest. Macbeth does not seem to be a villain, but rather a considerate man who actually has redeeming qualities. When he arrived home a few days after the battle, he advised his wife, Lady Macbeth, of the King’s arrangements to sleep at their castle that night. Shakespeare revealed her to be a ruthless schemer, who cared about nobody when it came to power. This is proved when she decided that they had to kill Duncan, to fulfil the witches’ prophecies. Later on (in Act 1, Scene 7), Macbeth is seen in the soliloquy, expressing his doubts to the reader. As readers, we see his good side when he’s explaining that he’s not a vagabond, by expressing his hesitancy to kill Duncan. One of his comments is, â€Å"First, I am his kinsman and his subject†¦then, as his host†¦Ã¢â‚¬  What Macbeth is actually saying here is that he is a trusted member of Duncan’s kin and army, and also that Duncan is a guest protected by the law of hospitality. This would make t he murder even more unholy, as it’s a form of criminal intent against the unsuspecting king prior to the deed. So here Macbeth is seen actively contemplating murder, on the one hand, while on the other, his conscience tries to inhibit the act. Herein afterwards in this scene, Lady Macbeth uses her persuasive and guileful tactics on Macbeth to change his mind, and agree to go ahead with the murder. Her methods are simple and psychological, since they criticise Macbeth’s manhood. She manages to ridicule his conscience under her scornful attack by using phrases such as â€Å"Was the hope drunk?† and â€Å"Art thou afeard†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Thus, by so doing, she labels him a coward, and coerces him into changing his mind under her pursuing peer pressure and her curses. She then makes things even worse, by threatening to commit the act herself! Now this, to Macbeth – a man – really taunts him into an agreement against his better judgement. In such a fashion, women succeed. After Macbeth murdered Duncan, he went downstairs and started talking to Lady Macbeth. He told her how he regretted his evil deed. He was a man of action, but was confused when he lost his sense of right and wrong. He carried on with the murder, but displayed guilt, remorse and fearful superstition afterwards. An example of his guilt came after he killed Duncan (in Act 2, Scene 2), whilst he was informing Lady Macbeth of his doings and what he heard from Malcolm and Donalbain’s room, next door. He told her what they said during their sleep. His guilt was then admitted: â€Å"But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’? I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.† Evidence that he was full of remorse, came right at the end of Act 2, Scene 2, â€Å"Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst!† This sentence clearly indicated his regretful state of mind, and the quote supports the fact that Macbeth did have some redeeming qualities of conscience. He even has a trace of fearful superstition in his head, as he † heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep,’ – the innocent sleep.† These mental images inside his own mind blatantly reflect that he is aware and stricken by them. Therefore, he is still able to discern between good and evil even after the foul deed has been accomplished. When Macbeth kills the two servant guards â€Å"in anger†, he is seen to extend his evil deed and perhaps this can be considered as the point where he has become the â€Å"complete villain†. In spite of a nagging conscience in killing Duncan, he had to continue his evil ways to silence the two innocent guards: â€Å"O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them.† Here is a further example of his commitment to evil in spite of conscience and so, his tendency towards malfeasance does not abate. In addition to this unfolding character change, he also deceives all others, including Duncan’s two sons. He deceitfully assumes the role of the angry Thane, driven to lash out at the two guards, who, on the face of it, had killed the king. Once more, he shows duplicity in ‘confessing’ another lie, â€Å"Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man: the expedition of my violent love outran the pauser reason.† So, his conscience is now being overtaken by his evil actions and reflects his weakness in becoming a pawn by acting out the will of his accomplice, Lady Macbeth, and exposes a diminishing personal integrity to the reader. This change in Macbeth develops and is reflected in his fore-planning soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1, while awaiting the two murderers to enter. He exposes his own discontent, even after becoming King. Fearing Banquo and his son’s succession, any refraining influence of conscience is now deliberately put aside, â€Å"To be thus is nothing†¦our fears in Banquo stick deep†¦to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, and champion me to the utterance!† By the end of this scene, Macbeth’s complete change of character is painfully evident, showing his complete absence of concern. At this stage, gone are any troubled thoughts so evident when either considering or enacting Duncan’s demise. Instead, an evil commitment is observed in his cruel remark as Act 3, Scene 1 closes: â€Å"It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight.† Macbeth’s mind, irrespective of conscience, is now refocused on action – to rid himself of his last nagging fear of Banquo’s lineage superseding his own. It can be argued that from this point, Macbeth has indeed ‘crossed the Rubicon’. He was totally committed to whatever evil deeds the future might hold. He demonstrates this change of mind when replying to his wife’s exhortation in Act 3, Scene 2, â€Å"what’s done is done.† Also, his attitude and mental state is highlighted as he says: â€Å"But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly.† Again, at the end of this scene, when Macbeth has planned Banquo’s murder, he keeps his wife in the dark about this: â€Å"So, pr’ythee, go with me.† During the banquet, in Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth is advised of Banquo’s death and Fleance’s escape. This unsettles Macbeth. He feels trapped, â€Å"but now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears.† Yet he successfully puts on a face for his guests, until Banquo’s ghost appears. Consternation rules and suspicion reigns. Macbeth’s superstitious fear and guilt return, yet his courage does not fail him when the apparition appears: â€Å"Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me.† Also When Lady Macbeth asked him, â€Å"Are you a man?†, Macbeth replies, â€Å"Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that which might appal the devil.† The appearance of Banquo’s ghost sitting in Macbeth’s place signifies that Banquo’s descendants would replace Macbeth’s. Macbeth decides his delusions are a beginner’s fear and lack of experience: â€Å"My strange and self-abu se is the initiate fear, that wants hard use: we are yet but young in deed.† In doing so, he ignores the horrific effect of his outrageous crimes in his country, and reveals the depth of his treason and treachery. It comes as no surprise to discover that Macbeth has a covert intelligence network, â€Å"There’s not a one of them, but in his house I keep a servant fee’d.† So Macbeth’s deviousness and villainous activity persists to support his grip on power over Scotland. Therefore, Macduff, in joining Duncan’s son Malcolm in England, realises only force of arms will recover the situation, since: â€Å"Each new morn, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face, that it resounds as if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out like syllable of dolour.† When Macbeth went to consult the Witches after the Coronation feast, it was because he again followed his own evil self-interest: â€Å"More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, by the worst means, the worst. For mine own good all causes shall give way†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This pursuit of self is matched by their own evil intention, to ‘Set him up’; â€Å"As, by the strength of their illusion, shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate†¦and you all know, security is mortals’ chiefest enemy.† Upon meeting the witches again, Macbeth’s chagrined reaction to the apparitions of the eight Kings – with Banquo’s ghost following – is to curse the event and experience a resurrected fear; † Let this pernicious hour stand aye accursed in the calendar!†, and â€Å"†¦damned all those that trust them!† After this, Macbeth decides to act independently by matching thought to action, and eliminating Macduff’s lands and family. â€Å"This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool†. By doing so, Macbeth has now sunk to his lowest ebb in cowardly treachery against innocent victims. His motive is to punish Macduff for defying him, and lure him back to Scotland as a result of Macduff’s anger. There, Macduff would clearly be in his grasp. Macbeth would then be able to kill him. However, if one compares Macbeth’s despicable characteristics as a king only one quality emerges where it can be safely said he is comparable. This is his courage. In spite of his villainy, his physical courage in facing unpalatable situations of all kinds is never in question. Alas, who would connect him with the qualities that Malcolm (in Act 4, Scene 3) enumerates? – â€Å"†¦justice, verity, temperance, stableness, Bounty, Perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Macbeth came to realise his own corrupt ways when he faces Macduff on the battlefield, â€Å"Of all men else have I avoided thee: But get thee back, my soul is too much charged with blood of thine already.† Macbeth reacts with Lady Macbeth’s death Stoically but without any true compassion. â€Å"She should have died hereafter†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Towards the end of the play, Macbeth has come to accept his defeat, yet on a personal level he still superstitiously clings to the three hags words, that no man born of woman can harm him, â€Å"I bear a charmed life.† Even after Macduff quotes the details of his caesarean birth, Macbeth is still courageously defiant: † I will not yield†¦and damned be him that first cries ‘Hold, enough’.† Macduff calls to Macbeth, â€Å"yield ye, coward,† and â€Å"We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are, painted upon a pole, and underwrit, ‘Here may you see the tyrant’.† Here even Macduff labels Macbeth as a complete and utter ‘tyrant’! In the end, Macbeth’s only virtuous quality proved to be his courage and it was this undaunted approach to all danger in life, which somehow endeared him in death, in spite of his evil ways, as a black hero. However, his gradual change, after showing this virtue at the start of the play, does point to the truth of the adage, â€Å"power tends to corrupt and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely†. How many of us can discern the shadow of Macbeth in our own lives? Thomas Way 10:C – Macbeth – English GCSE Coursework

Like Used in Idioms and Expressions

'Like' Used in Idioms and Expressions The following English idioms and expressions use the word like. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help ​your  understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with like. Eat like a horse Definition: usually eat a lot of food Tom eats like a horse! Make sure to grill three hamburgers for him.He doesnt usually eat like a horse. Eat like a bird Definition: usually eat very little food She eats like a bird, so dont make too much for dinner.He weighs 250 pounds even though he eats like a bird. Feel like a million Definition: feel very good and happy Im feeling like a million today. I just got a new job!After his promotion, he felt like a million. Fit like a glove Definition: clothes or apparel that fit perfectly My new shoes fit like a glove.Her jeans fit like a glove after she went on a diet. Go like clockwork Definition: to happen very smoothly, without problems The presentation went like clockwork.Her plans went like clockwork and she was able to join the company. Know someone or something like the back of ones hand Definition: know in every detail, understand completely She knows me like the back of her hand.I know this project like the back of my hand. Like a bat out of hell Definition: very fast, quickly He left the room like a bat out of hell.They drove off like a bat out of hell. Like a bump on a log Definition: not moving Dont sit there like a bump on a log!She sits around all day like a bump on a log. Like a fish out of water Definition: completely out of place, not belonging at all He looks like a fish out of water on the football field.The boss felt like a fish out of water in San Francisco. Like a sitting duck Definition: be very exposed to something He felt like a sitting duck and moved to cover his position.Your investments have left you like a sitting duck in this market. Out like a light Definition: fall asleep quickly He went out like a light.I hit the pillow and was out like a light. Read someone like a book Definition: understand the other persons motivation for doing something She can read me like a book.I know you dont mean that. I can read you like a book. Sell like hotcakes Definition: sell very well, very quickly The book sold like hotcakes.The iPhone initially sold like hotcakes. Sleep like a log Definition: sleep very deeply I was tired and slept like a log.She went home and slept like a log. Spread like wildfire Definition: an idea that gets known very quickly His solution to the problem spread like wildfire.Her opinions spread like wildfire. Watch someone like a hawk Definition: keep a very close eye on someone, watch very carefully Dont make any mistakes because Im watching you like a hawk.She watches her son like a hawk whenever he goes outside to play.

Organic Chemist Job Profile

Organic Chemist Job Profile This is an organic chemist job profile. Learn about what organic chemists do, where organic chemists work, what type of person enjoys organic chemistry  and what it takes to become an organic chemist. What Does an Organic Chemist Do? Organic chemists study molecules that contain carbon. They may characterize, synthesize or find applications for organic molecules. They perform calculations and chemical reactions to achieve their goals. Organic chemists typically work with advanced, computer-driven equipment as well as traditional chemistry lab equipment and chemicals. Where Organic Chemists Work Organic chemists put in a lot of time in the lab, but they also spend time reading scientific literature and writing about their work. Some organic chemists work on computers with modeling and simulation software. Organic chemists interact with colleagues and attend meetings. Some organic chemists have teaching and management responsibilities. An organic chemists work environment tends to be clean, well-lighted, safe and comfortable. Expect time at the lab bench and at a desk. Who Wants to Be an Organic Chemist? Organic chemists are detail-oriented problem solvers. If you want to be an organic chemist, you can expect to work in a team and to need to communicate complex chemistry to people in other areas. Its important to have good oral and written communication skills. Organic chemists often lead teams or organize research strategies, so leadership skills and independence are helpful, too. Organic Chemist Job Outlook Presently organic chemists face a strong job outlook. Most organic chemist positions are in industry. Organic chemists are in demand by companies that produce pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and many other goods. There are teaching opportunities for Ph.D. organic chemists at some colleges and universities, but these tend to be highly competitive. A smaller numbers of teaching and research opportunities exist for organic chemists with masters degrees at some two and four-year colleges.

Self Efficacy essays

Self Efficacy essays In the Personality chapter, I have read and learned about perceived self-efficacy. The section about this important cognitive factor was very brief, but I gained a lot out of it. Based on Banduras cognitive theory, perceived self-efficacy is ones learned expectations about the possibility of achievement in assured situations. Seeing that this is an issue for me, I realize that my perceived self-efficacy about numerous things is very low in many cases. I have learned that an individuals evident behavior is controlled by their belief that they can successfully carry out a task. I think that a significance of having knowledge of perceived self-efficacy is that an individual with knowledge in this area can learn to look for the good in what I would call, not so good tasks/situations that may be presented to them in the future. What I mean by this is that, even if an individual may feel that they may continue to get dealt a bad deck of playing cards, they continue to play the game of life. Sometimes I feel like the odds of good things happening are against me. A prime example is this: I have put out so many job applications and resumes, yet I still havent received a phone call from any of the companies that I applied for. I know that I am qualified for many of the positions, since I have all of the credentials. If I didnt meet the qualifications, I wouldnt tell myself otherwise, due to my high perceived self-efficacy about working. I have come to believe that if anyone continues to see things in such a positive way, then they will become a better individual, and everything that they wish for will come to them if they truly deserve it. In high school, I had the most positive stance about everything I had attempted to do. My self-efficacy was pretty high at that point and time. Now, in college, things are different. I have had a negative mind-set about everything that I have ...

Describe how and explain why colonialism deployed and legitimized Essay

Describe how and explain why colonialism deployed and legitimized violence against women in colonial India - Essay Example poverty has been seen to be increasing as the population increases. In india, the act of infanticide of girls is high, which is an act whereby the girl child is killed after realization that it is a female. There is also high number of abortion cases of girl foetuses. India is currently marred by high number of cases relating to abuse of women. This can be evidenced by the recent case whereby a female student was gang raped. Other cases which are common are forced marriages, wife battering and other women related violence. The cases mentioned above are common in India and they happen frequently because few of them are reported to the authorities. The treatment of the Indian people by the colonialist is what has contributed highly to the current situation where women are abused in the society. The colonisers made Indians work in bad situations. The treatment they got from the coloniser made them hate themselves. This hatred they got from the abuse from the colonialism is what is curre ntly prevailing in the society. The colony violated women for some reasons, one of the main reason for violation was that women are part of recreation in the society, that is they give birth. The colonizers allowed the massacre of the native women and children so that they stop the continuation of Indian people through child birth. Additionally, the colonizers pointed out that control of the growing population will only be done by killing of native women and children in large numbers. Furthermore the massacre of the native women was a way of destroying the local tribes. The coloniser further encouraged abuse against women as a way of controlling the sexuality to destruct the continuation of giving birth. Control of woman's ability to reproduce continued even after the country became independent. Women have been subjected to various controls of their reproduction so as to control the ability to give birth and control the growing population (Anagol 2005). Colonialists took over India and massacred a lot of people, most of the people died as a result of hunger because they were subjected to hard tasks with limited food. Before the arrival of the colonialist to India, Indians had their own system of governances, this where they could solve their domestic issues by use of court. Due to the British expansion to the whole country after the takeover which was characterized by high number of deaths, they changed the system of governance by introduction of their own and destruction of Indian governance. For example, the common courts which the Indians use to solve their issues such as caste Panchayats were abolished. This act by the British made the Indian women vulnerable. This is because the traditional system use by the Indian courts had full knowledge of the Indian women. Because of the abolition of the Indian traditional courts, the colonialist defined new ways of crime. This saw the emergence of various ways of female crimes. Infanticide is of the crime activities identified by the colonialism, infanticide as explained above is killing of the female child after birth. Other criminal activities according to the colonialist are window marriages, husband poisoning and wife beating. Those activities were common before the colonialist governance took over. Colonialists identified criminal activities based of the tribal groups. This affected certain group of women which the colonialist had classified them as the criminal tribes.

Measuring Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Measuring Performance - Essay Example And, gross margin in 2011 was (26,978,000 / 57,400,000) = 0.47. (a) (ii) If, gross margin of a firm is higher in one year compared to previous year, then it can be said that the company has shown higher efficiency in converting its raw materials into revenues in that year compared to the last year. Thus, companies always want to make higher gross margin. But, it has been found that for Maldives Plc gross margin has declined from 2010 to 2011. It indicates that the company has been less efficient in converting its raw materials into revenues in 2011 compared to 2010. Thus, the performance of Maldives Plc has deteriorated in 2011 from 2010. Hence it can be said that, financial health of Maldives Plc was better in 2010 than in 2011. (Zairi, 1994) (b) (i) Issuing ordinary shares is a method of financing a company’s productive activities. Total number of ordinary shares that the Maldives Plc had in issue in 2010 was (14,300,000/ 2.86) = 5,000,000. Total number of ordinary shares th at the Maldives Plc had in issue in 2011 was (16,320,000/ 2.72) = 6,000,000. (b) (ii) A company finances its productive activities either through equity or trough debt. Equity financing implies issuing ordinary shares to public. On the other hand, debt financing implies taking loans from various organizations or individuals. Increasing in the volume of debt is not good for a company’s financial health as debt is huge liability for a company. (Spitzer, 2007) It is found that the number of ordinary shares issued by Maldives Plc has increased in 2011 from 2010. It implies that the company has put more stress on equity financing in 2011 than in 2011. However, in order to get clearer picture about the financing activities of Maldives, it is necessary to have information on long term and short term debt financing of Maldives Plc in 2011 and 2010. Although, it is not still clear from the number of ordinary shares in 2010 and 2011 whether the burden of debt has increased or decreased . The increase in the number of ordinary shares in 2011 will be a good indictor for the financial health of the company if it is coupled with decreased in debt financing. Hence, I would like to have more information on long term and short term debt of Maldives Plc in 2010 and 2011. (Spitzer, 2007) (c) (i) Price earning ratio of a company is generally measured by dividing the market price a stock in a particular year by earnings per share in that year. Here, the market prices of ordinary share issued by Maldives Plc in 2010 and 2011 had been ? 42.90 and ? 38.08 respectively. Now, earnings per ordinary share had been ? 2.86 and ? 2.72. Thus, price-earning ratio for 2010 was (42.90/2.86) = 15. And, price-earning ratio for 2011 was (38.08/2.72) = 14. (c) (ii) The price earning ratio for a stock in reality reflects the association between the market price of the ordinary shares issued by the company and the earnings per share issued by the company in a particular period. This ratio is ex tensively used determine profitability of a company. The market uses the information on profitability of a company to determine the price of the stock issued by that company. If profitability shows an increasing trend, then market also responds by increasing price per ordinary share. But, a downward trend in profitability acts as a bad signal regarding the performance of the company to the market. The market generally responds to a decline in profitability by

ELL Concepts Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ELL Concepts - Research Paper Example The notion of â€Å"providing practice† is generally defined as the praxis of supplying practice-based items so that learners have â€Å"multiple opportunities† (Lanin-Thompson & Vaughn, 2007). A guided practice includes the finding of, or comprehending, the subtle distinction of the words â€Å"downpour,† â€Å"drizzle,† and â€Å"sprinkle,† which according to Lanin-Thompson & Vaughn are different descriptions of the fall of precipitation. Since the characteristic of explicit skill instruction is routine or repetitive, English Language Learners are gradually able to acquire these words. Giving this kind of learners an ample time for them to practice is undoubtedly empirical. Muniz-Swicegood argues that students who received explicit skill instruction and guided practice â€Å"can then practice the skills and strategies they have learned† (as cited in Lanin-Thompson & Vaughn). This practice could be done substantially through group discussion or interaction. Such strategy certainly increases the interaction among English Language Learners. Question 2 The basic stages of second language acquisition have great implication both to the teacher’s pedagogy and to the L2 student.

Lecture Analysis & Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Lecture Analysis & Plan - Essay Example Added to that, while some of the students have a health and life sciences background, obtained from courses taken at the university or high school, approximately half of the students had not. To further complicate matters, there are quite a few non-native speakers in the group numbering approximately nine. The implications of the aforementioned group characteristics are pertinent to lecture delivery and subsequent group absorption/assimilation, insofar as it means that some students have a pre-existing understanding of the material, while others do not, just as some will find the linguistic comprehension of the lecture quite challenging, while others will not. As for the lectures themselves, they are delivered in a large group lecture room in the science building. The lecture room is fitted with a number of technical visual aides. The diversity which characterizes this particular group means that group members have different learning styles and will respond best to particular teaching approaches. It is, accordingly, contingent upon the lecturer to vary his learning style as a strategy for reaching out to the audience and facilitating their understanding of lecture content. Some students are not cognizant of the university-level learning skills they need to develop, such as recognition of key lecture points, note-taking, critical thinking, and independent learning, such as which requires that they pursue independent learning and reading on lecture topics (Leonard, 2002). Conduct mini evaluation of lecture at the end so the lecturer will get an idea of how the students felt about the teaching/learning experience (these ideas have been produced from the authors own experience as a student & clinical teacher). Pace lectures so as not to cram too much information in too short a time, culminating in much of that information simply passing students by. In other words, â€Å"try to teach less, so students learn more† (Bligh, 2000, p. 216). Remind

Women Trafficking and the Industry of Prostitution Research Paper

Women Trafficking and the Industry of Prostitution - Research Paper Example It is now a fiercely debated topic within the academic, legal, and social communities. This paper discusses and analyzes the debate over the legalization of prostitution. The argument of the paper is not to legalize prostitution. The points of the debate that the paper focuses on are the issue of ‘professionalizing’ prostitution, protecting the sexual wellbeing of prostituted women, and making a rational decision to engage in the industry of prostitution. But according to a large number of empirical findings, legalization of prostitution brings more harm than benefit to sex workers. A discussion of studies conducted in countries where prostitution is legalized is carried out in order to determine the actual nature and consequences of legalization of prostitution. Further research is needed on this subject in order to conclusively determine the merits and disadvantages of the legalization of prostitution. More country-specific studies are needed in order to decisively det ermine the universality of the harm prostitution brings to its victims. Introduction Prostitution is the ‘world’s oldest profession’. For centuries, women and children are dragged into a world that does not respect individual dignity and morality. Today, millions of women are trafficked into prostitution all over the world. Women trafficking and prostitution have been a challenging and complex issue for policymakers, the academic community, feminists, and social activists at the international, regional, and national levels. The problems posed by women trafficking and prostitution concern not just the abuse of women’s body by profiteers, but also the commodification and denigration of female dignity. The discourse on women trafficking and prostitution has spurred a rigorous debate on the legalization of prostitution as a solution to the growing problem of women trafficking. Prostitution should not be legalized. Prostitution will always be a form of ‘v ictimization’ because it is damaging to those who are involved in it. Legalization of prostitution will only further encourage women trafficking and prostitution. And prostitution could never be an unforced or voluntary form of labor because victims are not able to make a rational decision to take part in prostitution. The choices of these women are limited to economic survival only, which prevent them from making rationally based decisions. Prostitution is always involuntary and coerced because it is rooted in universal supremacy of men over women and is naturally and essentially a contemporary kind of sex slavery that is abusive, demoralizing, and damaging. The Debate Prostitution is widely described as a ‘crime without a victim’, particularly by those who argue that it should be legalized. But the truth is prostitution is a form of ‘victimization’: it is damaging to those who are involved in it, and it is usually coerced on an individual by severa l factors, mostly by poverty. Legalizing prostitution does not raise the status of the women; it merely professionalizes the industry of prostitution (Kara, 2010). Ditmore (2011) explains that the supporters of legalization of prostitution generally do not understand that legalization implies decriminalization of the entire industry of prostitution, not only the women trapped in it. But supporters of legalization respond to this by arguing that if the sex industry is legalized, it â€Å"would be subject to standard labor and occupation safety regulations, and it would be easier for women to fight the abuses and crimes that accompany their work† (Flowers, 2011, p. 49). Majority of prostituted women view legalization of the

How memory works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How memory works - Essay Example This is stored with the usage of three ways. First of all, the human mind changes matter into storage forms. This is done by integrating memory with known events which can be things are seen, heard or experienced. This method is referred to as encoding. The second step is storage whereby the human mind places information in the memory for storage. The final part is the ability of a human being to recall and recover the stored information in times of need that is when a person needs to utilize the memory. An interesting aspect of human memory which is unique to the human memory is that their memory functions as a multi unit. The three basic divisions include the sensory memory, the short term memory and the long term memory. The sensory memory is one which comes directly from the persons five senses. This memory is not very long lasting and stays for around 350 milliseconds. This memory does not possess ways for improvement. In 1960 an experiment was conducted by George Sperling to test this memory. According to the procedure a group of people was shown twelve letters arranged in three different rows. Different subjects were asked to repeat the different letters present in different rows. The subjects recalled what they saw but they could not remember it for a long time. The experiment suggested that the sensory memory got erased after some time and the maximum capacity of the sensory memory that a person could retain was around twelve letters. The short term memory is the next step which is reached when the events are moved from the sensory part to the area of realization and perception. This information is also short lived but the time duration of this memory is greater than that of the sensory memory. This time is around 30 seconds and this memory is used basically in short tasks. But this memory does have space for improvement by a method which is known as chunking. Chunking as the name implies means to break in to pieces. An

Lecture Analysis & Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Lecture Analysis & Plan - Essay Example Added to that, while some of the students have a health and life sciences background, obtained from courses taken at the university or high school, approximately half of the students had not. To further complicate matters, there are quite a few non-native speakers in the group numbering approximately nine. The implications of the aforementioned group characteristics are pertinent to lecture delivery and subsequent group absorption/assimilation, insofar as it means that some students have a pre-existing understanding of the material, while others do not, just as some will find the linguistic comprehension of the lecture quite challenging, while others will not. As for the lectures themselves, they are delivered in a large group lecture room in the science building. The lecture room is fitted with a number of technical visual aides. The diversity which characterizes this particular group means that group members have different learning styles and will respond best to particular teaching approaches. It is, accordingly, contingent upon the lecturer to vary his learning style as a strategy for reaching out to the audience and facilitating their understanding of lecture content. Some students are not cognizant of the university-level learning skills they need to develop, such as recognition of key lecture points, note-taking, critical thinking, and independent learning, such as which requires that they pursue independent learning and reading on lecture topics (Leonard, 2002). Conduct mini evaluation of lecture at the end so the lecturer will get an idea of how the students felt about the teaching/learning experience (these ideas have been produced from the authors own experience as a student & clinical teacher). Pace lectures so as not to cram too much information in too short a time, culminating in much of that information simply passing students by. In other words, â€Å"try to teach less, so students learn more† (Bligh, 2000, p. 216). Remind

How memory works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How memory works - Essay Example This is stored with the usage of three ways. First of all, the human mind changes matter into storage forms. This is done by integrating memory with known events which can be things are seen, heard or experienced. This method is referred to as encoding. The second step is storage whereby the human mind places information in the memory for storage. The final part is the ability of a human being to recall and recover the stored information in times of need that is when a person needs to utilize the memory. An interesting aspect of human memory which is unique to the human memory is that their memory functions as a multi unit. The three basic divisions include the sensory memory, the short term memory and the long term memory. The sensory memory is one which comes directly from the persons five senses. This memory is not very long lasting and stays for around 350 milliseconds. This memory does not possess ways for improvement. In 1960 an experiment was conducted by George Sperling to test this memory. According to the procedure a group of people was shown twelve letters arranged in three different rows. Different subjects were asked to repeat the different letters present in different rows. The subjects recalled what they saw but they could not remember it for a long time. The experiment suggested that the sensory memory got erased after some time and the maximum capacity of the sensory memory that a person could retain was around twelve letters. The short term memory is the next step which is reached when the events are moved from the sensory part to the area of realization and perception. This information is also short lived but the time duration of this memory is greater than that of the sensory memory. This time is around 30 seconds and this memory is used basically in short tasks. But this memory does have space for improvement by a method which is known as chunking. Chunking as the name implies means to break in to pieces. An

Black Female Executives in Corporate America Essay Example for Free

Black Female Executives in Corporate America Essay Black female executives are a symbol of what determination and hope can achieve that despite the odds and perceptions, people can achieve anything they set themselves on regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Reaching the top for these women has been a journey which dates back way before slavery when women lived and followed the African traditional settings which governed every aspect of their lives. In this setting, the women were subordinate to their men and their duty was to look after their families. Evolution has since changed these perspectives after the civil war that liberated the black people such that they were able to own property and even work in state organizations. In addition, the African people had the power to be educated. Over the years, African women have continually struggled to be the best academically as well as professionally such that they have even outshone their fellow men. â€Å"By 1994, there were more black women as compared to the black men who were employed especially in white collar jobs in corporate America (Tucker, 1994). † Thanks to institutions like Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there has been significant growth of blacks taking up leadership roles in corporate America (Benjamin, 84). In the managerial positions, black men are slightly more than the black women but still the number of women in managerial positions between the years 1982-1992 had increased by 64% (Tucker, 1994). This positive figure has encouraged other black women to undertake leadership roles hence adding up to the increasing figure. Black women representation in the corporate organizations cannot be compared to the rise of white women in the top managerial positions whose numbers have increased over the last decade. This is illustrated by 32% of white women managers who were executive leaders as compared to 14% African American women in similar positions who earned less than them in the year 2000 (Ely, 2003). This shows that as much as the black women are making it ‘big’ there are several factors that hinder their rise to such positions. â€Å"By the year 2001, African American women remained in the shadows and remained invisible hence they were ranked in the corporate businesses either according to gender as well as race (Bell Nkomo, 2003). † Reasons for lack of black females in executive positions Though there are a few known black women executives in the corporate world it does not necessarily mean that they are not learned enough or that the positions are limited. The major issues limiting the black woman from getting to the top of the corporate ladder are gender and race. Certain stereotypes which are mostly negative are likened to the black female. â€Å"They are considered to be aggressive and very direct (Caver, 2002). † Such characteristics make them unsuitable for leadership positions in big organizations hence limiting their chances of advancing their careers. Black women are not exposed to educational opportunities like their male counterparts as well as white people. This is because most of them come from poor backgrounds and therefore their education is limited up to a certain level when the funds they have can allow. That is why they usually get casual jobs and work as subordinate staff in organizations. Another issue that has contributed to the lack of black females in executive positions is the perception that such positions are the strongholds of men hence organizations mostly employ male colleagues. These factors make it harder for the black women to be promoted to executive positions as they are not only judged by the way their race but also according to gender. Challenges the black women executives face The rise of the women in the corporate world does not really mean that it is all rosy at the top. Though the experience is rewarding some of them are frustrated. The few African American women in executive positions are faced with several challenges in the course of their work. They have to continually convince people and prove to their colleagues that they have what it takes to run organizations. To begin with their salaries are low as compared to those of their fellow black men in similar leadership positions. Most of the African American women in the top managerial positions are considered as vulnerable employees. They are given those positions that can be easily scrapped off when the company restructures itself (Tucker, 1994). They do not therefore get the chance to play major roles in organizations especially in terms of decision making as sometimes they do not have jobs to do. This makes them feel inactive and feel as if they were just put in those positions to enhance the good image of the companies they head as being good an equal employer. â€Å"Some companies just put the women up there so that they can show their corporate allies that they are not biased against any race or gender (Lamont Molnar, 2002). † †¢ Lack of strategic relationships Relationships define how people will relate with each other in the organization. When the black women are not supported by their employers, then it becomes hard for them to relate with them in proper ways and this affects their work relationship. The relationship between black and white women in the workplace is also strained. This is because white women do not interact often with black women on organizational matters hence they have little knowledge on some of the racial perspectives; the black women have to deal with. â€Å"They feel white women do not care about black women issues and concerns (Caver, 2002). † This has made the black women feel betrayed by them and no wonder they do not relate with them well (Bell Nkomo, 2003). This scenario has strained communication between the two groups and they never engage in constructive activities. They have been reduced to clicks that support their own members and rarely will they support the promotion of the opposite colleagues to such leadership positions. If the black women cannot relate well internally with their colleagues, it is therefore hard for them to form corporate relationships with people from other organizations as well as their clients as they do not have people within the organization to link them to other business relations. †¢ Lack of mentoring and support African American women are never mentored; and if, on a limited scale. â€Å"This is because they are thought to have nothing in common with their white counterparts as well as black men (Caver, 2002). † Moreover, it is difficult for the black woman to fit in the white male-oriented ‘positions’ which is limited by the negative, historical, sexual racism between black women and the white men (Benjamin, 2005). For this reason, they do not get to improve on their leadership skills hence it is hard for them to be promoted to higher positions. In addition, when other people will start performing better than them, they are said to be incompetent and therefore they risk losing their jobs. The society is also not showing support for the black women corporate leaders who have managed to beat all odds and be the best. This is more so seen in the African American community where people think that they use their high positions to intimidate them. No wonder it is hard for them to find suitable husbands as the males feel threatened. †¢ Trust issues The few black women executives who are there are not trusted to make strategic and informed decisions by other colleagues in the workplace and that is why they have to struggle so much to build this trust which takes a long time. This is why some black women who can no longer cope with the pressure resign from their jobs. This has led to an increasing number of black women quitting their jobs. This is why the CEO as well as other colleagues in the workplace are left to wonder if race determines commonality or whether gender connects across racial lines and if the black women have their own leadership style that helps them navigate in the hierarchy (Bell Nkomo, 2003). †¢ Lack of access to business development opportunities Leaders need to continually sharpen their skills so that they are able to tackle problems that arise in the business cycle. Black women are usually sidelined in major activities and this limits their chances of growth in terms of acquiring skills and building strategic alliances. For example, a project may be designed which may entail people going for training but surprisingly, countable black women; if any, will be short listed. This makes them feel like an extra burden to the organization. †¢ Balancing work and personal life Just like all women, African American women have to place their families before everything else. They therefore have to ensure that they balance their personal lives as well as their works lest they fail in all of them. Sometimes it is not easy as in every place they are faced with issues and sometimes they do not have colleagues whom they can turn to for help. Impact on the black female work population The statistics might show that black women positions in leadership positions have increased but the experiences of African American women in such positions reveal another thing. Some women have said that they have watched their subordinate colleagues some who are not qualified be promoted to higher ranks while they, who have served the companies for longer periods, are stagnant in the same positions. â€Å"In addition, when they give ideas on anything, they are not taken seriously and this is adding up to their frustrations (Hesselgrave, 2009). † Such scenarios have made them feel diminished, have low self esteem and not feel like part of the organization. This has made them emotionally as well as psychologically disturbed as they cannot come to terms as to why so much hatred and seclusion is still in the society. The lack of back women executives in corporate America is not doing much to encourage young black women professionals to take managerial careers. They see on a daily basis on how their fellow black women in the corporate world are treated and nothing much is done to solve the issues. Some black women have had to succumb to offering sexual favors and bribes if they really want the positions. Such negative factors make the young ladies not wanting to be in such vulnerable positions hence they will opt to choose careers that they find pleasure in. Another impact is that organizations have been divided along racial and gender lines when ‘their own’ are not promoted to executive positions. This has inhibited progress in the organizations as decisions can not be made effectively because employees are not communicating and they are not performing well at their work because their issues are not being addressed. â€Å"This has also brought in unhealthy competition in the workplace as the different groupings of people have to find fault in each other so that they can use the raised issues as an excuse to make them appear better so that they can be favored (Ivancevich Gilbert, 2000). † In some instances, it has led to the formulation of policies which the minority group in this case, the African American women, use to give them an edge over other colleagues. Recommendations Women of all races play a major role in corporate organizations and that is why they should be encouraged to take the top most leadership positions if they are qualified. Some of the factors that need to be considered in promoting African American women in leadership positions include: ? Encouraging more black women to pursue leadership positions Educating and sensitizing the young black girls at a young age is important so that they take up leadership courses. This will make them more open minded at an early. The Federal State therefore should ensure that there is equitable distribution of resources such that black children can access proper schools like the rest of the children in major cities. African American women also need to be trained on political skills so that they are able to lead people in the proper manner thus become competent. ? Equal treatment Affirmative actions and the formation of women movements have played a vital role in rallying for equal treatment of women. More needs to be done so that the women can feel like they are part of the organizations they serve. The managers should therefore diversify employee groups and continually monitor to see how they are progressing and help then overcome the challenges they face. â€Å"The top managers should also be able to identify black women who are skilled and help them grow within the organizations they head (Lamont Molnar, 2002). † The human resource heads should therefore ensure that they recruit they staff equitably and not based on any kind of biasness so that when it comes to making decisions or selecting the right candidate for a particular top office, all the people will be represented therefore the right candidate will be chosen regardless of their back grounds. ? Respect and trust Respect starts with an individual when they identify their needs and they treat others the way they would like to be treated in return. Respect is a very important virtue that should be in every code of conduct since it determines how people will be treated. â€Å"Sometimes when white male superiors and black female subordinates as they are trying to amend their relationships they are faced with difficulties because of the lack of basis for identification which is mainly attributed to the fact that the motives behind them are not sincere (Thomas Gabarro298). † Without respect, then there is no trust as individuals will not trust people who treat them badly. People therefore need to learn to respect black women because it is the only way that will help them salvage their relationships, ease communication and enhance understanding each other so that productivity of the company can improve. It is also advisable to find trust agents if the matters in the organizations are too complex for the members to solve. Having an independent party helping employees and management to solve their problems will be good as they will not be biased. ? Educating the other employees on the negative effects of discrimination is also a positive step towards creating room for black female executives. Conclusion Operations in organizations are changing slowly by slowly to accommodate cultural diversity and people are beginning to embrace the work done by the black women as well as other minority groups. Black women executives nowadays can be found in almost all departments in the workplace and have even gone a step further to head multinational organizations. â€Å"Even in the wake of civil rights and women movements which have helped bring about gender equality, black women executives still face many challenges. African American women need to work harder to face out racism especially in this ever changing diverse world (Burk NCWO). †These women need to be supported in the work they do rather then being put down as they are also human and they deserve respect just like other individuals in similar positions in the society. Corporations therefore need to change their cultures and philosophies so that they attract more black women and retain them. Black women also need to show that they deserve the executive positions by being passionate about the jobs and ensuring that they are qualified for the positions. References Bell, E. L. J. Nkomo S. M. (2003). Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity. Harvard Business Press, 5, 239, 5 Benjamin L. (2005). The Black elite: still facing the color line in the twenty-first century 2nd Ed. Rowman Littlefield, p. 70 Caver K. A. (2002). Leading in black and white: working across the racial divide in corporate America. John Wiley and Sons, 78, 80, 81 Ely R. J. et al. (2003). Reader in gender, work, and organization, Wiley-Blackwell, 2003 p. 343 Hesselgrave B. (2009). Business and economics. Under the Glass Ceiling? Throw Stones! Retrieved on April 2, 2009 http://www. miller-mccune. com/business_economics/under-the-glass-ceiling-throw-stones-1023 Ivancevich, J. M. Gilbert, J. A. (2000). Diversity Management: Time for a New Approach Journal of Public Personnel Management, Vol. 29 Lamont, M. Molnar, V. (2002). The Study of Boundaries in the Social Sciences Annual Review of Sociology journal, p. 12 National Council of Womens Organizations Burk M. (2005). 50 ways to improve womens lives: the essential womens guide for achieving equality, health, and success World Library, 2005 p. 124 Thomas, D. A. Gabarro J. J. (1999). Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America, Harvard Business Press, Tucker S. H. (1994). Black women in corporate America: the inside story; executive women discuss real-life workplace issues that face black women today Retrieved on April 2, 2009 http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n1_v25/ai_15643636/

Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Analysis

Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Analysis Science is a Good Servant but a Bad Master Science has now known sin. The life of man was very different from what it was a hundred years back. Today, we are all living in a world of modern Science that revolutionized our present day society. We can see how it eventually changed our lives by making everything easier and faster. Science has helped man to lead a better life than ever before through communication, health, security, transportation and entertainment but on the other hand, Science is not just for our own good. It has created deadly and destructive weapons which is mostly used for war. Guns, rifles and grenades are some of those weapons that made man more violent, but the atomic bomb which can potentially wipe out the whole world had caused a lot of suffering and death of innocent people. The quotation above is from the novel Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut that talks about the failure of Science as it was used to create the most destructive weapon on Earth, killing all life forms on Earth. In relation to that, the title itself of the novel is a childrens game that loops strings to create figures and the way it was used in the novel is to explore on how humans shape the world through Science and their own stupidity of misusing it that has led to their own destruction. The novels recurring themes like technological advancements and destruction of humanity illustrates a cross connection and relevance to the real world. It warns that if technological advancement continues without a concurrent growth in ethical awareness, annihilation of the human race is a real possibility. Based from the book Critical Companion to Kurt Vonnegut by Susan Farrell, it criticizes the same idea that Science has already known sin through its technological advancements, since the society had completely cut off from human considerations and I admit that what the author said is true because it is historically proven that the combination of Science with human stupidity will lead to a lot of complications and cause a lot of ecological destructions which put our lives in a great danger. It becomes clear to me that most people are becoming blind to moral basis because they put too much faith in Science and they think that they can understand and control everything through it. How the world works is still not enough to satisfy most human beings, in which greed could be the main source of our own destruction. Science has been a part of everyones lives that provided structure and stability. But some people may consider Science beyond sin, since it only seeks knowledge. As Science continues to be created in a moral vacuum and be used without appropriate consideration of the human consequences, all life on Earth would be in trouble and if it continues to seek in the wrong place and show no signs of correcting itself, it will only lead to the destruction of humanity because knowledge does not always mean progress and that progress is not always beneficial for everything has consequences. Most apocalyptic science fiction novels act as a warning with regards of too much abuse of Science and its technologies. It mostly explores the possible consequences that human may encounter in the future if scientific discovery and research continues in a wrong way. Global events such as the World War II had greatly contributed to the popularity and growth of this form of literature when the possibility of widespread destruction and human extinction caused by nuclear weapons became a large public issue and a dominant threat. While some novels just serve as a mirror to our real world and provide caution about the dangers of nuclear wars, novels like Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut represents a realistic structure of the world we live in. It was created with a personal tone which speaks about the authors personal experiences in World War II. It symbolizes on mans ability to destroy life on Earth with its creation of the real atomic bomb which was used to attack Hiroshima and Nagasaki dur ing the war in August 1945. The novel is an allegory that described on how the world was once destroyed by man through Science by means of nuclear bomb and it is also an authors warning in which this kind of disaster could possibly happen again and result in a terrible future for us. As stated by Fumika Nagano in her criticism from the book Blooms Modern Critical Views: Kurt Vonnegut, Cats Cradle is a novel that talks about the political abuse of Science through its technologies that created an atomic bomb, a weapon for mass destruction specifically in World War II. According to the book, it was reported that it killed a lot of innocent people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan and people also died from radiation poisoning but some who survived developed some genetic diseases in which they passed on to the next generation such as leukemia. Kurt Vonnegut stated in that book that he completely lost his faith in Science when we dropped scientific truth on Hiroshima. I know for myself that weve been still living in a world with these unending wars but the only way for us to survive is to think independently and reflect on ourselves. We should try to avoid being stupid unthinking sheep that simply do what everyone is doing and accepts whatever the society accepts. We ne ed to set ourselves apart from the rest of the ignorant society. Felix Hoenikker is not a common villainous antagonist in the novel. He is an absent-minded person that lacks interest in his family, especially with his children. He lacks an understanding of basic human emotions. But everyone appreciates his contribution to Science as he was considered the father of the atomic bomb and the creator of the weapon ice-nine, which later leads to the Earths destruction and the end of all lives. Ice-nine is a small substance that Dr. Hoenikker secretly created but eventually falls into the hands of the dominant government in the novel. It is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of 45.8à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã†â€™. When this substance comes into contact with liquid water that has a temperature below the melting point of ice-nine like the seas or oceans, it can cause the solidification of the entire body of water and will result to a chain of ecological destruction and end all life on Earth. Dr. Hoenikker is the antagonist of the story due to his perception and views of life. When he was asked about the relation of science and sin, he asks, What is sin? From these instances, he truly shows that he does not care about people or morality and his inability to understand can create destruction and violence around him. Vonnegut wanted us to see Dr. Felix Hoenikker as a representation of the so called saints in the field of Science, which are the scientists who pursue abstract truth and knowledge without considering human consequences. Most of them nowadays is being blinded by power and fame in which they just dont care about others. Some of them works for the government in which they are being manipulated and controlled to build weapons for war. The goal for some scientists is to make their inventions successful and the result of destroying nature and killing innocent people is not their concern. In support to that, according to Walter Shear on his literary criticism entitled Kurt Vonnegut: The Comic Fate of Sensibility, Science exists like a game for scientists in which they play without considering any ethical values and regardless of the destructive outcomes it can have like terrible wars and dehumanization of most individual in the society. I truly agree on his idea about scientists today because in my opinion, scientists consider themselves as masters of nature inspired by scientific advancements and I see them as cold men of Science who are cut off from human concerns. They made Science to commit sin and be manipulated as an evil tool that created the worst human sufferings and might lead to humanitys extinction in the future. The novel is a whole criticism to peoples ignorance. All of the ideas that a society holds about its progress and development including how it is achieved through research and discoveries by the use of Science. However, our worlds greatest or should I say the most destructive scientific discovery is the atomic bomb, which has the capacity of ending thousands of lives. So, a society pursuing a better world through Science is ironic because the further mankind dives into scientific discoveries without ethical understanding, the more destructive the society becomes. Human beings always crave a higher form of truth that will give meaning to their lives. Religions have supplied these higher form of truths in the past but because of Science, through its advancement and its credibility, it became a kind of false religion. This period of history became known as The Enlightenment. It began to free the peoples minds from the teachings of the church for thousands of years. They wanted to change everything and replace faith with knowledge and reason. Today, religions and spiritual truths have become a suspect in the 21st century. But from the criticism of Donald Morse, he brought up the negative outcomes of Science in the 21st century based from some of Kurt Vonneguts novels including Cats Cradle. He emphasized that we are preoccupied with the disastrous effect of weapons like atomic bombs but we havent given any attention on other unforeseen causes of Science that might as well lead to our extinction including pollution and environmental destruction. Modern Science is considered now as a large body of knowledge and nowadays it has a large gap between the stated mission of it to improve and better human life and its actual products, which include weapons of mass destruction. Due to humanitys greediness and being blinded by wealth, people would do anything to have full control of it, as it will eventually be used in wars. Science will lack a moral or unconcerned sense with the rightness or wrongness of something, if it ends up in the hands of an ignorant or greedy person. Human stupidity of misusing it can cause to our own self destruction. The event that happened in Nagasaki and Hiroshima created a new era for us as the world entered the nuclear age. For seven decades since the first atomic bomb was created, it became the scientists ambition to continue pursuing and develop these kind of weapons. Countries like U.S., Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea have admitted that they possess nuclear weapons. The recent atomic bombing event was the North Korean nuclear test that occur five times this year but the current one happened last September 9, 2016 and they did not immediately announce about the test. It is like our humanity is continuously discovering new ideas on how to destroy itself. Science will only be beneficial if it will be used as a common good for mankind and we know that it became our foundation in developing societies and improving human life, however all of us is also worried on the power that Science possesses to destroy life on Earth. It is true that Science can create wonders by all of its discoveries and inventions but the way it is used as a weapon of mass destruction that controls our existence is not its fault. Human stupidity and its unethical values is the main cause why we have these kind of weapons at the first place. Their different ideologies went too far that they had misused Science in creating destructive weapons instead of bettering our world. In the wrong hands, Science will have the capacity to ruin lives of innocent people and if we let it to become our master then it might be the end of the world for us and we will be wipe out from the face of the Earth. We should not let Science overpower us and control our way of life. Science sho uld be use as a support in expanding our knowledge for a great cause, promoting security and safety to everyone, establishing better societies, improving human life and strengthening our moral responsibility. Therefore, it should be our servant in a good way, and not to become our master.