The Pilgrim’s Progress

If there is one book that tops the list of most translated books, surprisingly even more than the Bible, it is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, a famous religious writer in the English language. Bunyan is said to have a minimal proper education and a modest background, probably the reason for his simple, narrative, allegorical English writing style. It is also assumed that his learning of the English language may have come from his readings of the Bible since some parts of his book are being compared to the latter. He is regarded as a religious man who was put in jail for preaching without properly obtaining a license for such act. It was during his second time of imprisonment that the book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, materialized. The complete title of his book is The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to that which is to come. The first part was published in 1678 and the second part was in 1684. The first part of story is about a man named Christian who leaves his home upon reading in the book that he is holding that his house will burn down, but his family thinks he has gone mad. A man named Evangelist instead advised him to start his journey, passing from one mysterious place to another in search of redemption in the Celestial City. The second part engages his wife, the inspired Christiana, and their children following the same journey that he takes. The Pilgrim’s Progress is an intense Christian writing that has influenced generations, and making it as one of the Christian books in English widely read by both the young and adult readers, particularly for Christians who are taking the journey to achieve spirituality against the temptations of life. It is considered to be one of the greatest writings of English literature, and in that it has released more than one hundred copies in translated languages. II. Body A. Themes of the Poem 1. Major Themes a. Path to Salvation The philosophy of the story is that people do not reach heaven by practicing their religion and maintaining the good nature of one’s character, but rather they are particularly chosen by God to enter the gates of Heaven. However, a closer reading of the text also proves that a true believer must show that he is willing to face anything – obstacles or difficulties along the way – to achieve salvation, because even if chosen by God, he is not excused from worldly temptations around him. He is continuously tried everyday of his life to prove his devotion to Him. In real life, especially to the Catholic religion, this is not the case though. Catholics believe that to achieve salvation and witness Heaven one must be good to oneself, to other people, and repent for one’s sins aside from the fact that one must hold on to that religion by heart. Salvation or God, for that matter, do not choose people who will experience eternal gratification. Instead it is the people themselves who choose themselves to lead a life into the goodness of God. And through this, God opens his heart to those who believe in him and may eventually enter the gates of heaven. b. Faith over Family Since this is a Christian book, the reader may attempt to question if the actions of the protagonist Christian are ethically correct – choosing to pursue the path to salvation over staying with his family. The argument lies whether one should pursue what he thinks is right to his religious faith against his social responsibility of being a father to his family. Isn’t choosing social responsibility also ethically correct because it’s for a collective good? But as for the Catholics, we are also expected to take God first above all else as stated in the Ten Commandments. Therefore, the story takes its readers on a tug of war between faith and family significance. c. Lessons from Seeking Travel Journey has always been a wonderful experience for any person. And in this book, Bunyan clearly presents to us the relevance of finding oneself and growing within this journey that one seeks. Life may be rough because one learns from his mistakes as he goes through that journey, but these difficulties prepare him to be a worthy person to the gates of Heaven. He becomes not only a traveler but a pilgrim who seeks to grow spiritually. Christian here is described as a pilgrim who takes his mistakes as lessons and eventually learns from the experience so as not to commit the same mistakes again. Bunyan also points out that what makes a pilgrim different from a plain traveler is the understanding of the whole experience of journey. Our life today is already considered a personal journey towards self discovery. We are tested everyday as to how much faith we can keep inside of us against worldly temptations. However, with the current states of mind of different people, not everybody takes home a nugget of lesson and learn from it. Some people let themselves fall prey into the pitfalls of human weakness and be immersed in the world of sin. d. Significance of Reading The book emphasizes throughout the whole story why reading the Bible is significant in any Christian life. Like Christian’s readings, reading the Bible is one of the keys to achieving happiness and salvation because it shows us the ways to enter Heaven. Take for example the part where Christian is crying while holding a book firmly in his hands and finds out a fearful revelation that leads him to seeking God. That book is the Bible, revealing to him the pains and truths about life. Reading is not only acquiring knowledge. To read a book is to understand deeply what it says and apply it in our daily lives. To read the Bible is to be one with the words of God and to accept Him in our lives. e. Importance of Social Interaction If the first part of the books offers pilgrimage as an individual activity of Christian, the second part shows Christian’s wife, Christiana, who welcomes her own pilgrimage as a social activity, where more people get involved in the journey to salvation. It is Christiana’s strength as a socially active person that makes her pilgrimage a more productive one than Christian’s journey, because the former brings forth a communal force towards enlightenment. The story awakens in us the need for other people to share in our discovery for true salvation and how it makes it easier for all of us to closely work together in achieving happiness. 2. Minor Themes Bunyan also plays with some minor themes such as the value of suffering in one’s life, the perseverance required to an individual to win the pursuit to happiness and salvation, spirituality over material interests, and that only few could make it to the gates of Heaven. Most of all, it reminds us that as long as we keep our faith in God, his grace is sufficient enough to help us make it through the difficult journey in life. B. Comparison to the Bible Much has been discussed about the implications of the writings in the Bible with Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Critics say the book is similar to the Bible with regard to its subjects, linguistic styles and techniques, symbolism or imagery as presented in the style and form of the Bible. For one, his English language is said to be the English of the Bible that one already sees all phrases as a natural expression or means of his own thoughts. He is relating the existing observation of a biblical approach in his book. He stands up to his use of allegory by requesting to look into to the patterns in the Bible. However, the book extends the significance of still writing religious texts in an artistic language: â€Å"Solidity indeed becomes the pen Of him that writeth things divine to men,† (Bunyan 4) Plus, he argues specifically about his use of allegory: But must I needs want solidness, because By metaphors I speak; was not God's laws, His gospel-laws in older time held forth By types, shadows and metaphors? Yet loth Will any sober man be to find fault With them, lest he be found for to assault The highest wisdom. † (Bunyan 4) He validates the belief that the Bible has become his model in writing since the text comes from God, the absolute power of knowledge. Another similarity that can be derived between the two texts is seen in this statement by Christian, â€Å"I sink in deep waters, the billows go over my head, all his waves go over me, Selah†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bunyan 126). This quotation is adapted from Psalm 42:7, â€Å"He has sent waves of sorrow over my soul†, and Psalm. 9: 2, â€Å"I am sinking in deep mud, and there is no solid ground; I am out in deep water, and the waves are about to drown me. † (Good News Bible) It validates the argument that Bunyan knows his Bible very well, so as not be to be mistaken as accidental quotes. More is to be said about the relating qualities of Bunyan’s book with the Bible, it’s as if the words of the Bible are encrypted in his head, obviously making him als o the character in the pilgrimage – journeying, making mistakes, and learning from it until he achieves salvation. But far more important than anything else is the shared theme of Bunyan’s book and the Bible – to reveal the truth about the gates to salvation and eternal happiness. III. Conclusion While it has been suggested also that several other books may have been used as sources in The Pilgrim’s Progress, it is however clear that the book’s masterpiece is due to Bunyan’s creativeness and extensive knowledge of the words of the Bible. The subject of human life being a spiritual pilgrimage that each person has to pursue may have long been a subject for many other literary writings, but Bunyan’s wit and inventiveness makes the book as notable as the Bible. The book expresses a somber, deep, and serious tone all throughout the story in its vision of man’s journey to the gates of Heaven. The trials that these pilgrims have to face are rather traumatic but overwhelming. These obstacles are dealt with great patience and perseverance The two parts of the book are concentrated and drenched on the philosophical idea of puritanical salvation and the ultimate quest for eternal happiness. Ideas and themes presented are far more essential than the plot or the actions within the story. Its allegorical features make it a point for the reader to instill in his life the values that are shared, to understand the story rather than just merely reading it, and to live by it to attain the gratification of seeing the gates of Heaven open on him. And the realistic account, closer-to-life style brings weight to the inspiring reflections in the book. Like most of the writings of John Bunyan, his themes offer us spiritual guides, notes on personal awakenings from a dark past, answering the call to your personal or social duties, and the goodness we achieve from God’s graces. Among his many writings include The Holy War, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, and The Life and Death of Mr. Badman.

Religious Extremism, Drug Addiction: Two of the greatest threats to civilization

Of the many problems facing society, few ring a tone as drug addiction and religious extremism. Not only are their numbers increasing, but so is the money in their pockets and with each new member comes more hunger and desire. But what is it they to need consume? What is it they need to perform? What drives these hordes of religious fanatics on their quest for heaven? How could something such as religion be turned into something so murderous? What hurls forward streams of addicted zombies on their thirst for a disease called drugs?In my opinion the two most important question are who are they and what the dangers they pose? Religious extremists can be described as the following: armed terrorists who believe that through their acts they are enforcing God’s will. Religious extremist have a sinister agenda, which is based on their fanatical interpretation of religion that they wish to fulfill. All around the world religious fundamentalists believe that their understanding of reli gion is correct and moral, which drives them to commit violent acts to enforce their will.But where in any holy book of any religion would you find it written that killing innocent people is the road to heaven? The last time I checked such actions came under the one way ticket to hell section. If you look at your average human beings, whether they are devout followers of their particular religion or not, you will find that they do not go around carrying AK 47s or M16s and shooting whoever strays from the â€Å"path of God†. Unfortunately groups such as the Taliban and AL Qaeda believe that their acts of terror are holy and justifiable, which is why they are a very serious threat to society.This menace that comes in the form of violence is persistent enemy that has no shame or feeling. This reminds me of how Templar Knights shouted â€Å"God wills it† before they murdered women and children during the Crusades and how a Taliban fighter would scream â€Å"God is greatâ €  before he blows himself up. This blind belief that God blesses these inhumane actions makes religious fundamentalists a very determined and ruthless enemy of us all. Meanwhile, a drug addict just wants to get high and can offer no real explanation for this impulsive hunger other than it â€Å"feels good†.They simply take a drug then they want another and another and yet another. This endless frenzy rages on for apparent reason, which begs the question why did they become addicts in the first place? Drug addicts have money to spend and what better way to throw it away and have fun than on marijuana. Yes, fun this elusive feeling, which addicts believe can be only experienced in the highest quality through drugs. There are some who try to put a more humane spin on this point, as they claim that some addicts are just sick people who are suffering from the pressures of life.To those people I say that there are numerous ways to tackle depression and one of the most effective methods is to go see a doctor. Such people use drugs to lift the burden of the world off their shoulders and to ensure they fulfill their essential desire to feel good. Unlike the religious fundamentalists addicts pose a more social threat to civilization. All around the world communities have become centered on drugs, whether it is the selling of drugs or the consumption of it, and are thus fit uneasily with the outside world. Now do the rest of us wish for the global community to be the same?I think not, but the danger is very real. Furthermore, the origins of these two calamities are very different. Religious extremisms’ roots stem from the long standing problem of ignorance, as from the first day of every religion there were those who took a wrong turn somewhere. Their lack of understanding of the world fills such individuals with hatred, and when you combine hatred with ignorance you get religious fundamentalists. For example, the Klu Klux Klan, who out of contempt atta cked anyone who was not of the same skin colour or religion.On the other hand, drug addiction is a symptom of modern society, with all of its crazy ideas that are welcomed just because they are new. Unlike the religious fanatics whose ignorance has haunted us for the last thousand years, addicts are a new enrolment in the filth of the world club and their ideologies behind their actions differ from the fundamentalists. In our modern age there is a desire to senselessly carry out new activities with no regard of the consequences. All of the good things we have come up with were not enough.We had to have different types of addictions, such as loss of life trying to conquer mountains for no sensible purpose and countless other â€Å"new things†. As a result we have to contend with drug related violence all around the world, which is highlighted by the drug war in Mexico and the rise of armed gangs making profits off cocaine and heroin in South America. This goes to show the dang ers addicts pose to civilization at large. However, these two abominations of nature have one thing in common, which is that they are both addicted to something.Religious fanatics are hypnotized by their quest for heaven and can see nothing else. Not only are they blinded by their beliefs, they are hell bent to drag everyone down. They see no alternative for their obscene acts and strive to influence the way others live. While, their cousins the addicts feel that each time they take drugs they go to the Garden of Eden. They live on the fringes of society with their illusions of how we should follow in their path and â€Å"feel good†. Both of these groups minds’ are cloaked by an addiction that isolates them form the real world, as they live in their own fantasy dream land.In religious extremism and drug addiction we have two very serious threats to our society, which are ever increasing in magnitude. Religious fanatics have plagued us through the ages, while drug addic tion is the latest addition of the junk the modern age has brought us. If we do no step up our efforts in tackling these monstrosities we shall be engulfed by decay and chaos. The means that we would require to end these thorns in our modern civilization’s side, but the outcome should be the same. Total annihilation, as we cannot move forward while we are hindered by these public enemies.

Global Financing and Exchange Rate

Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms March 07, 2009 Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms Hard currencies are a currency, usually from a highly industrialized country, that is widely accepted around the world as a form of payment for goods and services. A hard currency is expected to remain relatively stable through a short period of time, and to be highly liquid in the forex market (Investopedia, 2009). The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average traded value that exceeds $1. 9 trillion per day and includes all of the currencies in the world. There is no central marketplace for currency exchange; trade is conducted over the counter. The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, and currencies are traded worldwide among the major financial centers of London, New York, Tokyo, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris and Sydney (Investopedia, 2009). Another criterion for a hard currency is that the currency must come from a politically and economically stable country. The U. S. dollar and the British pound are good examples of hard currencies (Investopedia, 2009). Soft currency is another name for â€Å"weak currency†. The values of soft currencies fluctuate often, and other countries do not want to hold these currencies due to political or economic uncertainty within the country with the soft currency. Currencies from most developing countries are considered to be soft currencies. Often, governments from these developing countries will set unrealistically high exchange rates, pegging their currency to a currency such as the U. S. dollar (Investopedia, 2009). Hard Currency is used in global financing operations by developed nations. Hard currency is easily traded and bartered throughout the world. Using hard currency ensures that there is an even playing field for all parties in the transaction. Hard currency is important in managing risks because â€Å"a company can counter an imminent devaluation by speeding up collections of receivables, postponing bill paying, and converting cash into hard currency† (Feist, Helly, & Lu, 1999) . Another way that hard currency manages risks is by utilizing or adopting it, it is least likely to be a factor in the loss of funds. World organizations which invest internationally face the prospect of uncertainty in the returns after they convert the foreign gains back to their own currency. Unlike the past when most U. S. investors ignored international investing alternatives, investors today must recognize and understand exchange rate risk, which can be defined as the variability in returns on securities caused by currency fluctuations. Exchange rate risk is sometimes called currency risk. This risk is true for the nations also. For example if a currency is free-floating, its exchange rate is allowed to vary against that of other currencies. Exchange rates for such currencies are likely to change almost constantly as quoted on financial markets, mainly by banks, around the world. This can lead to lot of speculation and also losses especially for weak economies. Moreover investors generally prefer hard currencies to soft currencies at times of increased inflation (or more precisely increased inflation differentials between countries), at times of heightened political or military risk, or when they feel that one or more government-imposed exchange rates are unrealistic. In some cases, an economy may choose to abandon local currency altogether and adopt a hard currency as legal tender. Examples include the adoption in Ecuador and Panama of the US dollar, and the adoption in Kosovo and Montenegro of first the German mark and later the euro. â€Å"Countries open to capital flows can adopt a wide range of arrangements, from free floating to a variety of crawling pegs with broad bands around them (under which the central exchange rate is frequently and marginally adjusted), as well as very hard pegs sustained by policy commitments such as currency boards, dollarization (or, more generally, the adoption of another foreign currency as legal tender), or membership in a currency union† (Finance & Development, 2001). Hard pegs are defined as â€Å"In economics, a policy in which the authorities insist on some permanent, precise guarantee of the value of the local currency to some other thing: a unit measure of gold, the US dollar, the euro, or the pound. Historically, the US dollar had a hard peg to gold from 1946 to 1971, while other currencies in the developed world had a hard peg to the US dollar. Since 1971, most of the world's money is in floating currency (whose relative value is set by the free market)† (Urban Dictionary). A floating currency is â€Å"A currency whose value is set by the currency markets; money whose exchange rate relative to other currencies is determined mainly or entirely by unrestricted trading in the currency. Most currencies are dirty float |dirty floats, which means that the government issuing them attempts to manage their traded value in some way; or else hard peg |hard pegs, in which the value is tied to something specific. When a currency is floating, then its value may rise because the county is running a trade surplus, or it is running a capital account surplus. Floating currencies are not fiat money, although they are often confused for each other† (Urban Dictionary). In some cases the US dollar is considered fiat money because it is deemed â€Å"money that (a) derives its value entirely from the mandate of the government, and (b) cannot be freely traded. Fiat money is not the same thing as floating currency, because if a floating currency is intrinsically worthless then its lack of worth will be reflected in the forex markets. Fiat money, on the other hand, does not require a disciplined monetary of fiscal policy on the part of the issuing authorities; exchange rates are fixed by decree, which means the state also controls supplies of hard (foreign) currency† (Urban Dictionary). â€Å"Times change, and a currency that is considered weak at one time may become stronger, and perceived as a hard currency later on. For example, the pound sterling was considered structurally weak and liable to depreciate (in real terms) for much of the post World War II period; now it is considered to have re-established fiscal and monetary soundness and to be strong. The U. S. dollar (USD) has been considered a strong currency in recent years, and importantly a safe-haven in times of international tension or war, but the USA has large fiscal and trade deficits and an unresolved problem that many Asian currencies are pegged to the dollar and therefore do not appreciate as their trade surpluses with the USA grow; some commentators believe that these considerations imply that the U. S. dollar will now enter a period of weakness, especially that there are signs that China may be relaxing the rate at which the yuan is pegged to the dollar† (Answers, 2007). Soft Currency is used in global operations by underdeveloped or unstable nations. Soft currency is also used as local currency like the Mexican peso. Soft currency is important in managing risks because it is a warning for companies to take proactive measures to reduce currency exchange losses. Soft pegs may lead speculation, which can be costly in industrialized countries, but are frequently harmful to emerging market countries, as in Latin America (Mexico and Ecuador), East Asia (Thailand, Korea, and Indonesia) and Turkey. The breakdown of soft pegs in emerging market countries is as damaging as it is because their debt structure is generally short term and is denominated in foreign currency. Thus a successful speculative attack leads to a sharp deterioration in balance sheets, which in turn leads to a financial crisis. Hard pegs may be desirable, particularly in countries whose political and monetary institutions are especially weak; they can used to stabilize the economy. However, hard pegs will not be successful in promoting a healthy economy unless government policies create the right institutional environment. Thus Pegging has typically been a way to substantiate the value of a local currency against the world's convertible currencies and to stabilize the exchange rate. References Investopedia, (http://www. investopedia. com/terms/s/softcurrency. asp) Feist, William R. , Heely, James A. , & Lu, Min H. (1999). Managing A Global Enterprise. , Greenwood Publishing Group. International Financial Management by Madhu vij Finance & Development, (http://www. imf. org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2001/06/fischer. htm) Urban Dictionary, (http://www. urbandictionary. com/define. php? term=hard%20peg)

Case study on Google.com Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case study on Google.com - Essay Example The company also serves corporate clients, including advertisers, content publishers and site managers with cost-effective advertising and a wide range of revenue generating search services. Google's breakthrough technology and continued innovation serve the company's mission of "organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful.""( http://www.google.com.au/profile.html) As a company Google holds the reputation of the pioneer company in website maintenance, and maintains a website which is one of the most popular in demand. It serves the need of a five year old as well as fifty year old. The search engine has attracted interest of great number of internet users because of its simple design and user-friendly interface. Google has been able to achieve this by maintaining an index of more than 8 million web pages on the web. The versatility of the search engine has appeal to wide range of customers and any one with an Internet connection can use this website to search for information. Google has achieved the status of brand name search engine because of its popularity, ease of use and the wide indexing of categories. The user interface is user-friendly and has versatility and appeal to hundreds of languages worldwide. It is also a very popular advertising medium for other sources, and this is the main source of revenue. "The company generates revenue t hrough the advertising programs. The advertising program consists of advertisers advertising with Google and then Google uses its search technology selecting which web page should host the ad. Every time someone clicks the ad revenue is shared between Google and the publisher of page where the ad is being hosted." (http://www.19.5degs.com/element/19344.php) Revenue is also accumulated through Google Search Appliance, which is hardware and software solution that companies can use to implement Google search technology to their internal and external information. Google maintains a very efficient network of support in 14 countries with 25 sales offices spread out in major locations.. Apart from providing support to existing users there exists direct sales teams. These teams target advertisers with large advertising budgets and are more in a role of relationship building than one off sales. (http://www.19.5degs.com/element/19344.php) Google has been primarily recognized as company with primary interest and focus in the area of web content. Google had made attempts to diversify its umbrella with experimenting interest in other markets like radio and print publications. This is confirmed by the fact that in 2006, Google announced its first purchase of a radio advertising company "dMarc", which provides an automated system that allows companies to advertise on radio. (Levingston, 2006) Google is making strides to combine tow niche advertising media-the internet and radio. This strategic union of the two synergistic media streams combined with Google's ability to penetrate and focus on the tastes of the consumers, is an invincible attribute of the company. In the process of diversification Google has also focused on selling advertisements from his advertisers in offline newspapers and magazines. They have been filling unsold space in the newspaper that would normally have been used in for

OSHA Legal Aspects of Safety and Health Research Paper - 1

OSHA Legal Aspects of Safety and Health - Research Paper Example Employers at this point if all the standards had been followed would stand to be offered citations unfairly. The other is impossibility of compliance defense whereby at that time of the hazard it was not functionally possible for the business to comply with OSHA standards or alternatives were unavailable. Greater hazard in compliance defense is the other whereby compliance will result in greater hazard than non-compliance. Lack of employer knowledge defense offers an avenue for employers in case they prove to have no prior knowledge of conditions that caused violation (Bitter, 1992). Equipment not in use defense acts to enable a vacation of a citation where the cited equipment was not being used. Marshall v. Barlow’s case went that OSHA searched Barlow’s business without a warrant with a claim that they had the power to do that. OSHA’s claim and conduct was ruled out by the Supreme Court but under that particular circumstance (OSHA, 2010). Atlas Roofing Co. v. OSHRC is the other case where OSHRC was given a green light by the Supreme Court to decide the instances of violations (OSHA,

Super Size Me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Super Size Me - Essay Example Reality started checking in on the day my father read that article. The facts were astounding, the report detailed that 35.7 percent of adults and 16.9 percent of children aged 2-19 were obese. Further, the report talked of obesity risk factors, the condition’s link to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease and cancer. The information presented awakened my interest in obesity and I have learnt to appreciate every form of knowledge that would help in addressing the growing epidemic. Therefore, when I looked at the assignment â€Å"Super Size Me† the whole experience replayed in my mind and I felt grateful for another opportunity to learn something extra on obesity. Super Sizes Me is an American documentary film produced and starred by Morgan Spurlock. Morgan Spurlock is an American, independent film maker whose prominence came from this film. The film documentary which was released in 2004 runs for 98 minutes, it details a drastic lifestyle change to depict the eating habits adopted by most Americans. The star, Morgan Spurlock, takes the viewer through a 30 day period, from February 1 to March 2, 2003, a period in which he engages in unhealthy eating habits at a famous fast food outlet, the McDonalds. McDonalds epitomizes Americans culture of fast foods, it has for long been associated with food that has high fat content. Habitual eaters from the chain and others offering similar menus report higher weights and are most likely to suffer from obesity. This is a general thought, in the film Spurlock undertakes to experiment by taking three meals from the outlet and test the truth behind such an observation. Throughout the thirty days, Spurlock turned up for breakfast, lunch and dinner and consumed every item on the chain’s menu. Prior to the experiment, Spurlock maintains an absolutely healthy life and his diet is closely monitored by Alexandra, a vegan chef. Besides the diet, Spurlock keeps to his trainer’s

Exam3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Exam3 - Essay Example In the 1820s and the 1830s, the scenario was not about excessive trusts running monopolies like the Rockefellers and the other robber barons, or scandals of hedge funds and financial markets like recently witnessed. The 1820s and 1830s were times of excessive banking operations that were thought to stifle the welfare of the ordinary citizen who did not have meaningful financial enlightenment and economic power. Jacksonians therefore viewed themselves as breaking the mighty alliance created by the Federal Bank and the Second Bank of the United States with their massive powers over the economy. The struggle was provoked by the recognition among elites that foreign money from European Jewish investors would give such foreigners excessive power over the very government and the Jacksonians successfully affected a redress. The Jacksonians therefore believed in expanded suffrage, manifest destiny by enriching the whites, patronage of elected officials appointing their supporters to positions and strict constitutionalism to avoid the meddle of the private institutions encroachment of state sovereignty. They believed thus in laissez-faire economics so that individuals would channel their destinies. Jacksonians reviled the centralization of political and economic power in the state. The central government was seen as the enemy of individual liberties and they effectively initiated reforms in the Democratic Party to make useful changes. 2. Use TWO of the following categories to analyze the ways in which African Americans created a distinctive culture in slavery: Family, Music, Oral traditions, Religions. African Americans created distinctive slave cultures due to the conditioning they received from their masters. The interactions between masters and slaves was characterised by indoctrination and Christianization. Whereas the slave always viewed his master as a monarch, their languishing in helplessness would only intensify their quest for spiritual redemption in

Sean Connery and his screen character James Bond Essay

Sean Connery and his screen character James Bond - Essay Example I choose Sean Connery as the actor who best portrays the British as a person and institution. He has won an Academy Award and has been knighted, which tells us that he is recognised in the U.S., as well as his homeland, the U.K. He is the first actor to play the role of James Bond on film. Connery has a distinctive Scottish accent which adds to his popularity as a British actor. Although he only found fame when he started acting as James Bond in 1962 at the age of 32, Connery was admired for his good looks. His fan base has remained loyal to him throughout his James Bond film career from 1962 – 1983. At his last unofficial Bond film, Never Say Never Again, he was older than most male movie star sex symbols but he still commanded great screen presence. Fans from all over the world were introduced to Britain, and all things British because of James Bond.Connery is a world icon in his representation of the British Secret Service agent/ In accordance with the screen image of Bond as the world’s super intelligent British Intelligence Secret Service agent, the scripts were written to include locations world-wide. I have chosen to examine From Russia With Love in detail because the bulk of the setting was located within Britain, namely, its capital, London. The producers of the Bond films started with a very small budget for their initial Bond movies so this second Bond movie was filmed mainly at their home ground, Britain. ... Ian was an active serviceman during World War II. He worked in the intelligence division. He put his skills and experience to good use in writing his James Bond novels. The British world of Britain's top British fictional character had such a realistic and elaborate architecture that there have been many writers who have cashed in on reconstructing this fictional and yet realistic world in books. One such writer is Griswold. (Griswold 2006). It was because of Fleming's careful construction of his fictional world of Bond and its relative realism that made Bond so successful as a fictional character. Whenever we think of Bond, we think of the British too. The public identify the image of Bond with the image of the British. Connery came under the tutelage of British film director, Terence Young, who took great pains to teach him how to move gracefully to polish up his suave image for the Bond role. Connery, Fleming and Young are all British and they have put in great effort to present Bond as a British character worthy of praise. However, after the fifth Bond film, Sean called it quits from playing the Bond character. He said he was tired of the repetitive similar plots, the seeming lack of character development for Bond, the overwhelming violation of his privacy from the public and his fear that his career was stalemate being stereotype cast as Bond. In a way, he was so entwined with the Bond character that Connery feared he was being taken over Bond. EON Productions then hired another actor, George Lazenby, for On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). The continuity of the Bond character was severely disrupted when George quit even before the movie was officially released. There

The Contemporary Practice Of Political Spin Essay

The Contemporary Practice Of Political Spin - Essay Example The United States of America is the world’s most prominent democracy, and though never openly calling itself secular, it has been overt in proving its colorblindness in the matter of religion. But without doubt, Americans are probably more devoutly religious then any other people of the West. This devoutness has been the target of the Republican party of the United States ever since George W. Bush won the election in the year 2000. The stance taken by the present government in the issue of gay marriages and the status of immigrants in the United States provides ample proof of the importance of ambiguity and ‘spin’ in U.S political rhetoric. The Republican Party cannot openly show its opposition to the proposition of same-sex marriages, considering the position that gay people have managed to win in society. Neither can the US government openly state that it considers closing the borders of the country a viable option for ensuring home security, considering that a giant portion of the American workforce comprises of immigrants living and working illegally. Thus in both cases the government has cultivated the backing of the Christian right by using religious terminology and hyperbole.

The Medium Is the Massage Mcluhan Essay Example for Free

The Medium Is the Massage Mcluhan Essay This change in our perceptions of reality is the metaphor. â€Å"Our metaphors create the content of our culture. † (Postman, 1986) Postman compares the prophecies of George Orwell’s 1984 with the Aldus Huxley’s Brave New World. Orwell’s warning is of an â€Å"externally imposed oppression† while Huxley’s warning is of â€Å"people who will come to love their oppression, to adore their technologies that undo their capacities to think,† amusing their selves to death (Postman, 1986). Our culture is in danger of trivialization due to the distractions, amusements and limitations of our media today. It is our esponsibility to study the effects of our technologies to prevent any detrimental unanticipated consequences they may have on our society. Samuel Morse when he invented telegraphy, predicted that it would make â€Å"one neighborhood of the whole country. † According to Postman telegraphy â€Å"destroyed the prevailing definition of information, and in doing so gave a new meaning to public discourse. † It is with telegraphy and its union with the press that the value of information changed. Information became context- ­? free and a commodity. Information was bought and sold irrespective of its use or eaning, 1 and this is how the value of news has come to rely on its novelty, interest and curiosity and not on its functionality (Postman, 1986). â€Å"Television speaks in only one persistent voice – the voice of entertainment,† (Postman, 1986). Like the primitive technology of smoke signals, television is a medium restricted by its form. A Cherokee philosopher cannot communicate his ideas with smoke signals. Likewise, television with its inherent bias cannot be used for complex discussions. â€Å"The average length of a shot on network television is only 3. 5 seconds so that the eye never rests, lways has something new to see. † (Postman, 1986) Television favors fascinating dynamic visuals over ‘boring’ complexity and coherence- ­? which do not play well on television. All content is presented as entertainment, â€Å"requiring minimal skills to comprehend it, and is largely aimed at emotional gratification. † (Postman, 1986) However, this does not mean that there is anything wrong with entertainment or that all TV programs are useless. What is wrong is to turn to television for anything serious, expecting the meaningful. It is our obligation to be aware of the metaphor. The metaphor is new culture centered on the need to be entertained and incapable of filtering information, distinguishing what is relevant, or questioning what needs to be questioned. As we are now experiencing the boom in social media with 955 million active users on Facebook in June 2012 (Wikipedia, 2012), it is apparent that we should follow the advice of McLuhan and Postman, and study the elusive effects of social media on our culture today. Facebook tends to encourage people to only show how wonderful their life is. They engage in a form of personal propaganda, indulging in narcissistic behaviors n an environment where it is the norm to do so. It is true that social media brought the world closer together but it has also distanced us. We stay in touch without actually having a conversation through broadcasts and status messages. People compete to have as many friends as possible, making relationships shallow and communications superficial. With more than half of Facebook users accessing Facebook on their mobile devices, it is also important to note the distractions and disconnect these devices cause in our relationships in the real world. â€Å"People know what they do; they frequently now why they do what they do; but what they don’t know is what what they do does† Foucault (Mahon, 1992). In a world where technology is the way of life, it is crucial for us to investigate the effects these tools have on our societies. These tools are extensions of our human experience and therefore must be examined as phenomena that shape the very form of our existence, altering our day- ­? to- ­? day lives and dynamically influencing our culture. These influences maybe indirect and subtle and it is our responsibility to be simply conscious of their effects regardless of whether they are eneficial or not. It is through this awareness that we would be able to 2 prevent the changes that we decide do not suit our visions and goals for the human race. References: †¢ McLuhan, M. (1994). Understanding media: The extensions of man. (pp. 721). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Postman, N. (1986). Amusing ourselves to death. New York, NY: Penguin Group. Mahon, M. (1992). Foucaults nietzschean genealogy: Truth, power, and the subject. (p. 130). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. Wikipedia. (2012, August 20). http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Facebook    Facebook. Retrieved from †¢ †¢ †¢ 3

Principles Of Management Nokia Marketing Essay

Principles Of Management Nokia Marketing Essay When Nokia phones were first introduced, they needed a lot of promoting and advertising because they were not recognized enough to sell based on their quality and offers to their consumers, so this is where Nokia spent the biggest quantity of money promoting their goods and establishing their brand as a leader in the communications market. These refer to government policies, regulations and legal issues in the country of operation. For example, employment laws, taxation policy and government stability. Political decisions can impact on many important areas for business such as the education of the workforce, the nation health and the quality of the economy infrastructure such as the road and rail system. Legal constraints, such as 3G, must be considered because many businesses plan to make a profit so they may be tempted to misinform their customers about pricing, products quality and the availability of their goods. Also, they may try to cut expenses by using lower quality materials in their products, such as weaker resources for Nokia cases and batteries. Also some companies may set out their waste in ways that harm the environment without ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety in the workplace. Including, outlet stores, which are illegal and can cause legal problems for companies. In 2000, the UK Government started to accept bids from thirteen companies who wanted to run a licence to sell next-generation mobile phones. It raised  £22.47, a neat sum to anybody. Some businesses see profits as more valuable than a strong ethical code and this can run behavior and business conduct. Some unethical practices are illegal and companies can not become involved in them. However there are also some practices that are legal by law but are considered highly unethical by the consuming public. Companies who take on in these practices can lose a lot of market share if they are caught. For example, cosmetic testing on animals is legal, but some of the general public arent happy about it and boycott. Because of this companies, companies must be very cautious about how they conduct themselves. In the communications market, technology is most probably the most important factor that companies like Nokia have to take into account. They must keep up to date with all the newest technological advances, such as camera and video phones, if they intend to obtain the biggest market share and keep ahead of their competitors, such as Sony and Panasonic.

Properties of Zeolites as Cataystics

Properties of Zeolites as Cataystics 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO ZEOLITES Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates, composed of TO4 tetrahedra (T = Si, Al) with O atoms connecting neighbouring tetrahedral, that contain pores and cavities of molecular dimensions (Breck, 1974). Many occur as natural minerals, but it is the synthetic varieties which are among the most widely used sorbents, catalysts and ion-exchange materials in the world (Barrer, 1982). The channels are large enough to allow the passage of guest species. In the hydrated phases, dehydration occurs at temperatures mostly below about 400 °C and is largely reversible. The framework may be interrupted by (OH, F) groups: these occupy a tetrahedron apex that is not shared with adjacent tetrahedra. Zeolites are different from other porous hydrates, as they retain their structural integrity upon loss of water. The Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association identifies each framework with a three-letter mnemonic code (Baerlocher et al., 2001) e.g. Amicite- GSI; Faujasite- FAU etc. 1.1 IMPORTANCE OF GREEN PROCESSES In the chemical industry, the acceptability of a process is not only governed by cost and yield but in terms of eco-friendliness and pollution abatement. Choosing a more efficient catalytic route has greatly improved the efficiency of chemical processes. Green chemistry has been defined as the design of chemical products and processes in order to reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous substances (Armor, 1999). The principles of green chemistry listed by Armor (1999) employs future approaches to new chemical processes. It includes: efficient use of raw materials, energy efficiency, use of biodegradable products and other subtle features. 2.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ZEOLITES 2.1 NATURAL ZEOLITES Research in the field of zeolite science and technology made its first steps with natural zeolites and was mostly focused on natural zeolites until the beginning of the 1950s. The history of zeolites began in 1756 when Swedish mineralogist A.F. Cronstedt discovered the first zeolite mineral, stilbite when studying its apparent properties discovered its strange behaviour upon heating although there is no certain proof of its identity. The term ‘zeolite was coined from two Greek words, ‘zeo (to boil) and ‘lithos (stone). On the contrary, the first zeolite, chabazite, described by Bosch DAntic in 1792 has clear evidence in literature. Several other zeolites were discovered in the following years and around 1850, only about 20 zeolite types were reported in mineralogy books, including analcime, brewsterite, chabazite, edingtonite, epistilbite, faujasite, gismondine, gmelinite, harmotome, heulandite, laumontite, levyne, mesolite, natrolite, phillipsite, scolecite, stilbi te, and thomsonite. Starting from the middle of the 19th century until about 1975, there was a moderate increment in the number of zeolites discovered (about one new type every 6-7 years) and a clear acceleration in the last twenty five-thirty years. About 40 natural zeolites are known (Tschernich, 1992). Most zeolites known to occur in nature are of lower Si/Al ratios, since organic structure-directing agents necessary for formation of siliceous zeolites are absent. Sometimes natural zeolites are found as large single crystals, though are very difficult to make in the laboratory. The catalytic activity of natural zeolites is limited by their impurities and low surface areas. However, interests in natural zeolites shifted towards zeolite synthesis and synthetic materials, as they offered a series of advantages such as wider versatility, more open frameworks( for adsorption and catalysis),and quality in constitution and chemistry. As a result, research on natural zeolites, was mainly devoted to ion exchange process which was discovered around 1850 (Thompson, 1850; Way, 1850). Few years later, Eichhorn observed that chabazite and natrolite behaved as reversible ion exchangers. In the early decades of the 20th century, ion exchange selectivity of a variety of zeolites for peculiar cations, e.g., ammonium was performed (Barrer, 1950) and starting from the end of the 1950s, found uses in various sectors of environmental relevance, e.g., treatment of wastewaters and soil rebuilding and remediation. The most recent frontier in the application of natural zeolites is in the field of life sciences. One of the drawbacks of natural zeolite research for application purposes is due to the limited availability of zeolite as it is a precious mineral, compared to the synthetic counterparts which could be mass produced at a lower cost (Colella, 2005). 2.1.1 Formation The pathway of natural zeolite formation is similar to the laboratory synthesis of zeolite. Zeolite nucleation, crystallisation and crystal growth take place as a result of slow to fast cooling of warm to hot magmas(of volcanic origin), which are basic, oversaturated in silicate and aluminate species and contain alkaline and/or alkali-earth cations. hot fluid + volcanic ash oversaturated basic magma zeolite crystals {solution + gel) The magma is obtained via hydrolysis of the original glassy material and is responsible for the tetrahedral coordination of aluminium and together with silicon. The main factors responsible for the structural formation are temperature, chemistry of the ash and the chemical composition of the resulting solution. Gel is formed along the process but is however not directly connected to nucleation and growth, as there is evidence that zeolite nuclei form from the oversaturated solution at the glass shards / solution interface (Aiello et al., 1980). Temperature and time are two factors which differentiate natural zeolitisation from laboratory synthesis. 2.1.2 Physico-chemical properties i.Cation exchange: The ion exchange properties of natural zeolites depend on their chemistry which ismainly in terms of selectivity. Selectivity depends on the framework topology, ion size and shape, charge density on the anionic framework, ion valence and electrolyte concentration in the aqueous phase (Barrer et al., 1978). ii.Reactions with alkalis: Oncein alkaline environments, zeolites become unstable as they tend to transform, similarlyto glassy systems, into more stable phases, usually into other framework silicates (Goto and Sand, 1988). The interaction of zeolite-rich materials with Ca(OH)2 give rise to calcium silicates and aluminates, which upon hydration are able to harden in both aerial and aqueous environments. This behaviour makes them to be known as pozzolanic materials Thermal properties: Heating of zeolite powder induces physical and chemical changes, which have been shown to include water loss (which causes expansion on heating), decomposition and gas evolution, phase transition, structure breakdown, re-crystallisation, melting etc (Colella, 1998). This property enables zeolite tuff stones to display good sound-proofing and heat insulation and serve as good building materials. Depending on zeolite nature, chemical composition and rock constitution, the tuff expands as a result of quick heating at temperatures of 1250 °C or above, inadvertently followed by a rapid quenching to room temperature. 2.2 SYNTHETIC ZEOLITES Early work could be traced back to the claimed synthesis of levynite by St Claire Deville in 1862 as there were no reliable methods for fully identifying and characterising the products. The origin of zeolite synthesis however, evolved from the work of Richard Barrer and Robert Milton which commenced in the late 1940s. The first synthetic zeolite unknown as a natural mineral later found to have the KFI structure (Baerlocher et al., 2001 ) was discovered by Barrer when investigating the conversion of known mineral phases under the action of strong salt solutions at fairly high temperatures (ca. 170-270  °C). Robert Milton was the first person to use freshly precipitated aluminosilicate gels to carry out reactions under milder conditions. This led to the discovery of zeolites A and X (Milton et al., 1989). Initially, the synthesis of zeolites required the use of only inorganic reactants but was however expanded in 1961 to include quaternary ammonium cations leading to the discovery o f silica-rich phases (high-silica zeolites). Subsequently, more synthetic zeolites have been discovered (Baerlocher et al., 2001), as well as zeolite-like or zeolite-related materials (Szostak, 1989) known as zeotypes- represented by microporous alumino- and gallo phosphates (AlPO4s and GaPO4s) and titanosilicates. Studies on understanding zeolite synthesis have continued to be carried out upto the present day (Table 1). This has been due to discoveries of new materials, advances in synthetic procedures, innovations in theoretical modelling methods and, especially, by the development of new techniques for the investigation of reaction mechanisms and the characterisation of products. Table 1: Evolution of materials development in the zeolite field ‘‘Low Si/Al zeolites (1-1.5) A, X ‘‘Intermediate Si/Al zeolites (f2-5) A) Natural zeolites: erionite, chabazite, clinoptilolite, Mordenite Synthetic zeolites: Y, L, large-pore mordenite, omega ‘‘High Si/Al zeolites (ËÅ"10-100) By thermochemical framework modification: highly silicious variants of Y, mordenite, erionite By direct synthesis: ZSM-5, Silicate Silica molecular sieves silicalite Source: Flanigen (1980) 2.2.1 Mechanism of Hydrothermal Synthesis Experimental observations of a typical hydrothermal zeolite synthesis Due to its chemical reactivity and low cost, amorphous and oxide-like Si and Al which make up the microporous framework are mixed with a cation source usually, in a basic water-based medium. The resulting aqueous mixture is then heated in a sealed autoclave at above 100ËšC allowing the reactants to remain amorphous for sometime (induction period) after which crystalline zeolites are detected (Figure 2). Gradually, an approximately equal mass of zeolite crystals which is recovered by filtration, washing and drying replaces all the amorphous materials (Cundy and Cox, 2005).The bond type created in the crystalline zeolite product (e.g. zeolite A or ZSM-5) which contains Si-O-Al linkages is similar to that present in its precursor oxides, therefore the enthalpy change is not great. This process reduces nucleation rates, thereby forming larger crystals. Reactivity of the gel, temperature and pH affect the rate of zeolite formation as an increase in pH and temperature leads to increase in the rate of formation of zeolite crystals. In their mother liquors, the zeolitic phases are metastable, thereby transforming the initial zeolite into an undesired thermodynamically more stable phase (Ullmann, 2002). 2.2.3 Synthesis from Clay minerals Kaolin and metakaolin (calcining kaolin at 500-700 °C) are two important clays used for the production of the zeolites NaA, NaX, and NaY (Breck, 1974; Barrer, 1978) because binder-free extrudates and granules which offer advantages in adsorption technology are produced. 2Al2Si2O5(OH)4 2Al2Si2O7+4H2O Kaolin Metakaolin Depending on the zeolite, the clay is shaped and, SiO2and seed crystals are added and while in the preformed shape, the zeolite crystallises. Alternatively, zeolite is formed when the binder component of metakaolin undergoes hydrothermal treatment with sodium hydroxide solution (Goytisolo et al., 1973; Chi and Hoffman, 1977). Using ultrasonic radiation, reaction rate is enhanced and there is energy saving and lower production cost due to lower temperatures. This process is less often used as it could cause odor of the product due to impurities present in clay e.g. iron 2.2.2 Industrial Zeolite Synthesis Zeolite synthesis is an extremely broad area of research and due to differences in the preparation of each zeolite type, two representative zeolite types, TPA-ZSM-5 and zeolite Na-A, are chosen for a more detailed presentation of the synthesis {Table 2} (Jansen, 2001). Table 2: Synthesis mixtures, physical chemical properties of the representative zeolites Molar oxide ratio Na-A TPA-ZSM-5 SiO2 1 1 Al2O3 0.5 Na2O 1 0.16 H2O 17 49 TPA2O 0.3 T (ËšC) > 150 Physical Chemical properties Pore arrangements 3D, cages connected via windows 2D, intersecting channels Bronsted activity low High Affinity hydrophilic Hydrophobic Pore volume (cm3/g) 0.37 0.18 Source: Jansen (2001) The composition of zeolite product can be expressed by the cation type and its overall Si/Al ratio. In the preparation of zeolite, nucleation is the rate determining step which is influenced by a range of factors dependent on the temperature of the reaction mixture. Low Temperature Reaction Mixture: Here, the reaction mixture is prepared at low temperature, At high pH, condensation occurs when the nucleophilic deprotonated silanol group on monomeric neutral species is attacked (Figure 5). The acidity of the silanol group depends on the number and type of substituents on the silicon-atom (Jansen, 2001). Temperature raise of the reaction mixture from High Temperature Reaction Mixture: At this temperature, zeolites are formed from amorphous material which involves, reorganisation of the low temperature synthesis mixture, nucleation and precipitation (crystallisation). During the induction period, gel and species in solution rearrange from a continuous changing phase of monomers and clusters which disappears through hydrolysis and condensation, in which nucleation occurs (Jansen, 2001). The process particles become stable and nuclei forms, followed by crystallisation which could occur in metastable solid, highly dispersed or dense gel forms. Product quality, reaction time and yield influence efficient production of zeolites by optimising their composition. 2.2.2 Secondary Synthesis Methods Catalytic or adsorbent properties that cannot be achieved by direct synthesis utilise post-synthesis (secondary) treatments to increase catalytic activity, shape selectivity or porosity and thermal/hydrothermal stability. Dealumination and ion exchange are used to carry out these modifications. Dealumination The zeolite structure is selectively dealuminated by acid solutions, washing out aluminium out of the crystal, as was observed for zeolite A. However, for higher silica containing materials (clinoptilolite), a fully decationated structure is produced after continuous acid treatment. The metal ion is replaced with H3O+ followed by (Al+3 + H3O+) removal, generating a hydroxyl nest. Aluminium is removed from the framework but not the crystal by hydrothermal dealumination. The heterogeneity in the concentration of the framework and non-framework of aluminium depends on the type of modification used. Hydrothermal treatment causes the amorphous aluminium to collect on the crystal surface which through fluorosilicate treatment can reduce aluminium centred acid sites. Often, a secondary pore system is generated and hydroxyl nests can be annealed. In order to enhance the catalytic properties as well as stability, silicon, aluminium and other metal ions are introduced into the framework (Szostak, 2001). Other methods of producing thermally and hydrothermally stable cracking catalysts include: use of EDTA, SiCl4 vapor, and (NH4)2SiF6. Acid mediated dealumination process via aluminium extraction and generation of hydroxyl nest (Szostak, 2001) Ion Exchange This is an important technique in pore-size engineering for the production of zeolitic adsorbents (Breck, 1974). Ion exchange used in the production of Brà ¸nsted acid sites has major importance in the synthesis of solid acid catalysts (Ullmann, 2002). Ion exchange can be achieved also, for certain intermediate-silica and high-silica zeolites (e.g., mordenite) by treatment with mineral acids although involves the risk of dealuminating the zeolite framework (McDaniel and Maher, 1976). An indirect route via an ion exchange with ammonium salt solutions must be followed, producing the â€Å"ammonium form† calcined at ca. 400 °C to liberate ammonia and give the hydrogen form (Ullmann, 2002). When cations to be exchanged are positioned inaccessible cages, a sieve effect is produced. pH is an important factor in ion exchanging of highly charged transition metal ions in order to prevent metal hydroxide precipitation especially at low pH. 2.3 CHARACTERISATION OF ZEOLITES In order to determine the relationships between the physical and physicochemical as well as sorptive and catalytic properties of zeolites, it is important to know the structural, chemical and catalytic characteristics of zeolites. Several standard techniques are employed in zeolite characterisation. The most common of which is X-ray diffraction used in determining the structure and purity of zeolites. Others include: x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) or atomic absorption spectrometry, used to analyze elemental composition, sorption analysis to study the pore system, IR-spectroscopy, typically using adsorbed probe molecules to characterize the acid sites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for determining the size and morphology of zeolite crystallites, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, temperature programme desorption (TPD) and many others (Schà ¼th, 2005). 3.0 GENERAL APPLICATIONS OF ZEOLITES Zeolites are used primarily in 3 major applications: ion-exchange, adsorbents, and catalysts. Natural zeolites play an important role in bulk mineral applications. Adsorbent applications: Common adsorbent applications focus on removal of small polar molecules and bulk separations, by more aluminous zeolites and based on molecular sieving processes respectively (Table 3). Table 3: Zeolite commercial applications as adsorbents Purification Bulk separations Drying: natural gas (including LNG), cracking gas (ethylene plants), refrigerant Normal/iso-paraffin separation, Xylene separation CO2 removal: natural gas, flue gas (CO2 + N2) cryogenic air separation plants Olefin separation, Separation of organic solvents Pollution abatement: removal of Hg, NOx, SO Separation of amino acids, n-nitrosoamines Sweetening of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas Separation of CO2, SO2, NH3 Source: Flanigen (1980). Catalyst applications: Zeolites have the greatest use in catalytic cracking. They also play a role in hydroisomerisation, hydrocracking and aromatics processing. The strong acidity of zeolites plays a role in hydrocarbon processing. Asides this, they are finding increasing use in synthesis of fine chemicals and organic intermediates in isomerisation reactions, nucleophilic substitution and addition etc. Table 4: Zeolite applications in Catalysis Inorganic reactions: H2S oxidation, NO reduction of NH3, CO oxidation, reduction Hydrocarbon conversion: Alkylation, Cracking Organic reactions: Aromatization (C4 hydrocarbons), Aromatics (disproportionation, hydroalkylation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, nitration, etc.) Dehydration Epoxidation Beckman rearrangement (cyclohexanone to caprolactam) Methanol to gasoline Chlorofluorocarbon decomposition Shape-selective reforming Source: Flanigen (1980); Galarneau et al (2001). Ion-exchange applications: Zeolite properties are directly exploited in several applications such as in the detergent industry, where zeolites are used for water softening or ‘building, animal food supplementation and in the treatment of wastewater (Townsend and Coker, 2001). Zeolite A has selectivity for Ca2+, thereby providing a unique advantage. Also, natural zeolites can be used to remove of Cs+ and Sr 2+radioisotopes through ion-exchange (Payra and Dutta, 2003). Table 5: Applications and advantages of Ion-exchange Applications Advantage Metals removal and recovery High selectivities for various metals Removal of Cs+ and Sr2+ Stable to ionizing radiation Detergent builder zeolite A, zeolite X (ZB-100, ZB-300) Remove Ca2+ and Mg2+ by selective exchange, no environmental problem Ion exchange fertilizers Exchange with plant nutrients such as NH4+ and K+ with slow release in soil Source: Flanigen (1980) Other Applications: Zeolites also play important roles in health-related applications (such as antibacterial agents, vaccine adjuvants, drug delivery, bone formation, biosensors and enzyme mimetics), oil refining, and petrochemical processes. Zeolite powders are used for odor removal and as plastic additives. Zeolitic membranes offer the possibility of organic transformations and separations coupled into one unit (Payra and Dutta, 2003). 3.1 ZEOLITES AND THE ENVIRONMENT Nearly all applications of zeolites are driven by environmental concerns, from cleaning toxic (nuclear) wastes, to treatment of wastewater, thereby reducing pollution. Zeolites have now been used to replace harmful phosphate builders in powder detergents due to water pollution risks. Zeolite catalysts help to save energy as they make chemical processes more efficient, minimising un-necessary waste and by-products. When used as solid catalysts and redox catalysts/sorbents, they reduce the need for corrosive liquid acids and remove atmospheric pollutants, (such as engine exhaust gases and ozone-depleting CFCs) respectively (Bell, 2001). In wastewater, zeolites (clinoptilolite, mordenite) are used to remove ammonia and ammonium ions (Townsend and Coker, 2001), as well as heavy metal cations and transition metals. 3.2 ZEOLITE CATALYSTS IN GREEN CHEMISTRY Zeolite catalysts have contributed to the design and synthesis of novel materials and development of new methodologies in organic synthesis, displacing the conventional and waste generating reagents thereby maximising atom utilization and reducing waste generated (E-factor). Zeolites play an important role in acid-catalyzed reactions such as acylation, alkylation, isomerisation and condensation, cyclisation and electrophilic aromatic substitution. Acylation of aromatic substrates: used in fine chemicals manufacture although has proven unsuccessful in less reactive aromatic compounds due to adsorption imbalance, unless performed in vapor phase using H-ZSM-5 (Singh and Pandey, 1997). 4.0 CONCLUSION Due to the role zeolites play mainly as catalysts in the environment as well as in chemical industry, the efficiency of the zeolite catalysts has been greatly improved. The yield and selectivity of the zeolite process is quantitative and in addition, reduces energy requirements, capital costs and complexity of equipments. Over the years, the synthesis process of zeolites have encompassed the principles of green chemistry as described in the report which has included waste prevention, energy efficiency, fewer environmental impacts, safer solvents, renewable materials, process intensification, catalysis and reduction in capital cost. Though present techniques seem to apply some of the principles of green chemistry, further research is still being employed to improve the overall process. 3.0 REFERENCES Aiello, R., Colella, C., Casey, D. G. and Sand, L.B. 1980. In L.V.C. Rees, ed. Proc. 5th Int. Conf. on Zeolites. Heyden Son, London, U.K. pp. 49. Armor, J. N. Applied Catalysis A: 189 (1999) 153-162. Baerlocher, C., Meier, W.M., Holson, D. 2001. Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types. 5th ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Barrer, R. M. 1978.Zeolite and Clay Minerals as Sorbents and Molecular Sieves. Academic Press, London. Barrer, R.M. 1978. In L.B. Sand and F.A. Mumpton, eds. Natural Zeolites. Occurrence, Properties, Use. Pergamon Press, Elmsford, NY. pp. 385. Barrer, R.M. 1982. Hydrothermal Chemistry of Zeolites; Academic Press: London. Barrer, R.M. J. Chem. Soc. (1950) 2342. Bell, R.G. 2001. Zeolites. [Online]Available at http://www.bza.org/zeolites.html. [Accessed 1 May 2010]. Breck, D.W. 1974. Zeolite Molecular Sieves. New York: Wiley. Colella, C. 1998. In J. Ma. Rincon and M. Romero, eds. Characterization Techniques of Glasses and Ceramics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, Germany. pp. 112. Colella, C. 2005. Natural zeolites. In J. Cejka and H. van Bekkum, eds.Stud Surf Sci Catal 157. Cundy, C. S., Cox, P. A. 2003 .The Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zeolites: History and Development from the Earliest Days to the Present Time. Chem. Rev.103, pp.663-701. Cundy, C.S. and Cox, P.A. 2005. The hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites: Precursors, intermediates and reaction mechanism. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials. 82, 1-78. Damour, A., Hebd, C. R. Seances Acad. Sci. 44 (1857), pp. 975; also Ann. Chim. Phys., 3rd series, 53 (1858), pp. 438 (in French). De Gennaro, M., Colella, C., Franco, E. and Stanzione, D. Neues Jahrb. Mineral.-Mon.hefte. H.4(1988)149. Flanigen, E.M. 1980. Pure Appl Chem 52:2191-2211. Galarneau, A., Di Renzo, F., Fajula, F., Vedrine, J. eds., 2001. Zeolites and Mesoporous Materials at the Dawn of the 21st Century. Stud Surf Sci Catal 135. Goto and L.B. Sand. 1988. In D. Kallo and H.S. Sherry, eds. Occurrence, Properties and Utilisations of Natural Zeolites. Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, Hungary. pp. 161. Jansen, J.C. 2001. The preparation of oxide molecular sieves: synthesis of zeolites. In H. Van Bekkum, E.M. Flanigen, P.A. Jacobs, J.C. Jansen, eds. Introduction to zeolite science and practice.2nd ed. Stud Surf Sci Catal 137. Lancaster, M. 2002. Green Chemistry: an introductory text. Cambridge: Royal society of chemistry. Ch.4. McDaniel, C.V., Maher, P.K. In J. A. Rabo, ed. Zeolite Chemistry and Catalysis. ACS Monogr.171(1976) pp.285 Milton, R.M. In M.L. Occelli, H.E. Robson, eds. Zeolite Synthesis. ACS Symp. Ser. 398 (1989) pp.1 Payra, P., Dutta, P.K. 2003. Zeolites: A Primer. In S.M. Auerbach, K. Carrado, P.K. Dutta, eds. Handbook of zeolite science and technology.New York: Marcel Dekker Inc. Ch.1. Schà ¼th, F. 2005. In J. Cejka and H. van Bekkum, eds. High-throughput experiments for synthesis and applications of zeolites. Stud Surf Sci Catal 157. Sheldon, R.A. 2000. A special topic issue on green chemistry: Atom efficiency and catalysis in organic synthesis. Pure Appl. Chem., 72(7), pp. 1233-1246. Singh, A. P., Pandey, A. K. J. Mol. Catal. A: Chemical 123(1997), 141 Szostak, R. 1989. Molecular Sieves Principles of Synthesis and Identification. 2nd Edition: Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, Blackie, London. Thompson, H.S. J. Royal Agric. Soc. Engl. 11 (1850), pp. 68. Townsend, R.P., Coker, E.N. 2001. Ion exchange in zeolites. In H. Van Bekkum, E.M. Flanigen, P.A. Jacobs, J.C. Jansen, eds. Introduction to zeolite science and practice. 2nd ed. Stud Surf Sci Catal 137. Tschernich, R.W. 1992. Zeolites of the World. Phoenix: Geoscience Press. Ullmann: Encyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry. 2002. Zeolites. Wiley Interscience. W.R. Grace Co., DE2707313, 1977 (C. W. Chi, G. H. Hoffman). W.R. Grace Co., US3906076, 1973 (J. A. Goytisolo, D. D. Chi, H. Lee). Way, J.T. J. Royal Agric. Soc. Engl. 11 (1850), pp. 313.

A Technophobic Confession :: Personal Narrative Computers Papers

A Technophobic Confession I am a technophobe. There, I admitted it. The Unabomber, George Orwell, my hardheaded grandfather and I are all members of the same fraternity. I am in the closet no longer. Just because I don't blow up buildings doesn't mean I'm not afraid of the unrelenting onslaught of technology. I went to high school in a small town in rural Illinois, and until the age of sixteen, I was able to survive without touching a computer. In fact, the only one I remember seeing on a regular basis was the one in the corner of the public library. Up until my junior year in high school, that computer was just about the loneliest thing in the world. Most of the people in town used a computer for one of two things: word processing or playing video games, and anybody who really had any desire to do either of these owned a computer or had access to one at work. The librarian's daughter used to set books on top of that computer when she was sorting them out to be reshelved. I always thought of the computer as just that, an overglorified bookrack. I laughed to see a tall, precariously balanced pile of books on top of the monitor, which was all but hidden by its dust cover body bag. I laughed because I am a technophobe, and to see it being used in this manner reassured me that computers were, quite obviously, a waste of time and money. Then the e-mail epidemic began cropping up in cities across the nation, and it spread quickly. Like all innovations, it eventually made its way to the Middle West. The outbreak in my hometown started where I least expected it: in that eternally slumbering computer sitting underneath the stack of book returns. It happened overnight. The computer was wired to the Internet. The small weekly local paper pushed the Knights of Columbus hall off the front page to run a story about the Information Superhighway. Clouds brooded on the horizon and little children tossed uneasily in their sleep. I was good friends with the librarian’s daughter. We went to the same high school. She was in my circle of friends. We were juniors. She was the first to get an email address.

Comparison of Michelangelo8217s and Bernini8217s Davids Essay example -

Comparison of Michelangelo8217s and Bernini8217s Davids â€Å"The greatest artist has no conception which a single block of marble does not potentially contain within its mass, but only a hand obedient to the mind can penetrate to this image.† Michelangelo describes in the above quote what it is like to carve a likeness of a person out of a large block of marble. As we know from seeing his work, he did an excellent job with this task. Bernini did just as fine a job on his, but in a much different way as you will see in the following pages. Michelangelo Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy, a tiny village, owned by the nearby city-state of Florence. His father was the mayor. He attended school in Florence, but he was preoccupied by art. When he was 13, his father agreed to apprentice him to some well-known painters in Florence. Michelangelo was unsatisfied with these artists, because they would not teach him their artistic secrets. He went to work under another sculptor hired by Lorenzo de Medici. When Michelangelo was 21, he went to Rome, where he was commissioned to carve a group of marble statues showing the Virgin Mary supporting the dead Christ on her knees. His sculpture was called Madonna Della Pieta, and it made Michelangelo famous. A few years later, in 1501, he accepted a commission for a statue of David. He took on the challenge of carving this beautiful work out of a â€Å"huge oblong chunk of pure white unflawed Carrara marble – some 18 feet high and weighing several tons - that had been badly block out and then abandoned by an earlier sculptor† (Coughlan 85). This piece had always fascinated Michelangelo, but neither he, nor anyone else, could think of what to carve from it, until now (Coughlan 85). Thus began a new era in art, the High Renaissance. He began carving this statue for the city of Florence. It would become a symbol of this city, â€Å"a city willing to take on all comers in defense of its liberty† (Coughlan 91). The statue acquired this meaning by the way Michelangelo depicted this biblical character. Instead of presenting us with the winner of the battle, with the giant’s head at his feet and a sword in his hand like Donatello did many years before, he portrays David right before the battle begins. David is in the moment where his people are hesitating and Goliath is mocking him. He is placed... ...that will live on forever, just as their names and sculptures will. Works Cited Ceysson, Bernard. Sculpture: The Great Tradition of Sculpture from the Fifteenth Century to the Eighteenth Century. New York: Rizzloi International Publications, Inc, 1987. Coughlan, Robert. The World of Michelangelo:1475-1564. New York: Time-Life Books, 1966. Gilbert, Creighton. Michelangelo. New York: McGraw-Hill Books Co, 1967. Hartt, Frederick. Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Heusinger, Lutz. The Library of Great Masters: Michelangelo. New York: Riverside Book Co, 1989. http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Choir/4792/david.html http://www.murrayco.com/eleganza/238David.html http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/euroart/117euroart/berninidavid.html Janson, H. W. History of Art. 4th ed. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1991. Keutner, Herbert. Sculpture Renaissance to Rococo: A History of Western Sculpture. Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1969. Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1995. Wallace, Robert. The World of Bernini: 1598-1680. New York: Time-Life Books, 1970. Comparison of Michelangelo8217s and Bernini8217s Davids Essay example - Comparison of Michelangelo8217s and Bernini8217s Davids â€Å"The greatest artist has no conception which a single block of marble does not potentially contain within its mass, but only a hand obedient to the mind can penetrate to this image.† Michelangelo describes in the above quote what it is like to carve a likeness of a person out of a large block of marble. As we know from seeing his work, he did an excellent job with this task. Bernini did just as fine a job on his, but in a much different way as you will see in the following pages. Michelangelo Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy, a tiny village, owned by the nearby city-state of Florence. His father was the mayor. He attended school in Florence, but he was preoccupied by art. When he was 13, his father agreed to apprentice him to some well-known painters in Florence. Michelangelo was unsatisfied with these artists, because they would not teach him their artistic secrets. He went to work under another sculptor hired by Lorenzo de Medici. When Michelangelo was 21, he went to Rome, where he was commissioned to carve a group of marble statues showing the Virgin Mary supporting the dead Christ on her knees. His sculpture was called Madonna Della Pieta, and it made Michelangelo famous. A few years later, in 1501, he accepted a commission for a statue of David. He took on the challenge of carving this beautiful work out of a â€Å"huge oblong chunk of pure white unflawed Carrara marble – some 18 feet high and weighing several tons - that had been badly block out and then abandoned by an earlier sculptor† (Coughlan 85). This piece had always fascinated Michelangelo, but neither he, nor anyone else, could think of what to carve from it, until now (Coughlan 85). Thus began a new era in art, the High Renaissance. He began carving this statue for the city of Florence. It would become a symbol of this city, â€Å"a city willing to take on all comers in defense of its liberty† (Coughlan 91). The statue acquired this meaning by the way Michelangelo depicted this biblical character. Instead of presenting us with the winner of the battle, with the giant’s head at his feet and a sword in his hand like Donatello did many years before, he portrays David right before the battle begins. David is in the moment where his people are hesitating and Goliath is mocking him. He is placed... ...that will live on forever, just as their names and sculptures will. Works Cited Ceysson, Bernard. Sculpture: The Great Tradition of Sculpture from the Fifteenth Century to the Eighteenth Century. New York: Rizzloi International Publications, Inc, 1987. Coughlan, Robert. The World of Michelangelo:1475-1564. New York: Time-Life Books, 1966. Gilbert, Creighton. Michelangelo. New York: McGraw-Hill Books Co, 1967. Hartt, Frederick. Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Heusinger, Lutz. The Library of Great Masters: Michelangelo. New York: Riverside Book Co, 1989. http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Choir/4792/david.html http://www.murrayco.com/eleganza/238David.html http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/euroart/117euroart/berninidavid.html Janson, H. W. History of Art. 4th ed. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1991. Keutner, Herbert. Sculpture Renaissance to Rococo: A History of Western Sculpture. Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1969. Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1995. Wallace, Robert. The World of Bernini: 1598-1680. New York: Time-Life Books, 1970.