Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Sociology - Essay Example We dint even bother about our luggage and the hotel people did all that to us and we just got to enter the room and relax. Since we knew English, it was easy for me to converse with the people over there. The only problem that I faced was the food and even that wasn’t an insurmountable problem because we always had different kinds of breads and egg and juices to fill our stomach when their dry preparations weren’t interesting enough for us. We went for site seeing and all with a tourist guide the night cruise in the Nile was simply fantabulous. We dint have problem washing our clothes because we were back to our room by 6 pm and we had enough time. My trip to Israel needs to be explained because that was the place where we saw ladies who were identical to the Virgin Mary. Their flawless skin and the glittering pink colour made me look at them without a wink. But one disappointment was that, when I was going through the shops along the way of the cross I bought some small memento like key chains and metal articles which were very expensive and only later I came to know that it wasn’t worth that amount. Then we left for Jordan and the greeneries and the flowers there impressed me a lot. The people all over the Middle East weren’t all the same in making us feel at

CutePet Store Essay Example for Free

CutePet Store Essay 1. Who is the target market for CutePet Store? Why? Target Markets This analysis requires the marketing department to recognize the needs of various consumer and business groups. 1. Benefit sought- company marketers will identify the benefits customers 2. Methods of reaching markets seeking and determine the various ways to reach customers. 3. Appeal to each market. 4. Needs not being met- needs and wants of individual groups 5. Demographic and psychographic profile of each market. (Promotion’ book) 1. Benefit sought One of the benefits that CutePet Store has is they offers the high-quality pet food, pet accessories and; healthy and care for the pet. Therefore, the suitable CutePet Store target markets are likely among specific individual customers, design professionals, pet care professionals and government agencies. 2. Methods of reaching markets CutePet attract their current customer and potential customers by communicate the products and services that they have offering. Customers have concerned and interested about CutePet Store through the products and services’ benefit, which have meet their need and wants. 3. Appeal to each market. As CutePet Store have offers the healthy and care for the pet, CutePet Store strategically placed near design professionals offices, veterinary offices and governments agencies, therefore, these target market can easily reach. CutePet also reaching the market are through Internet such as Facebook and website. Through the Internet, individual customer especially pet owner can explore the detail information about CutePet Store. 4. Needs not being met * Consumers consider the issue of quality of their pet foods, accessories and; healthy and care. For these things, they want give more money at premium price. CutePet Store have these following needs, consumers can have high quality product. * Consumers such as police departments need the collars for their dog to teach a pet not to bark. CutePet Store has sells high-tech collars such as those that use ultrasonics collars and this make CutePet Store some comparability to other pet store. * Consumers who want their pet healthier and clean. CutePet Store provides pet grooming. The main reasons for pet grooming include: * decreased chance of various health problems, such as thrush, scratches, and other skin problems * general cleanliness of the dog * monitoring of the dogs health by checking for cuts, heat, swelling, lameness, or changes in temperament, all of which could be indicative of illness * forging of a closer bond between dog and owner * Reducing infestation load of external parasites on skin. 5. Demographic and psychographic profile of each market. Individual consumers, design professionals, pet care professionals, and government agencies were selected as CutePet Store’s target market. a) Individual consumers Individual consumers such as pet owners of course CutePet Store target market. As well CutePet Store offers their consumers the high-quality pet food, accessories and; healthy and care, therefore, the demographic groups also have been specific narrow. CutePet Store more targeting the women, as well women make more pet purchasing decisions more than men since women are the consumers who subscribe to pet magazines and become more educated on pets and pet products. Women are also the consumers who take their time at pet stores to get themselves familiar with products. Women also spend time doing other research through the internet, gather information through word of mouth and listen to the advice given by veterinarians. Therefore, CutePet Store target market for individual consumers are likely to be individuals who are married, between the age of 35-54, lives in a town area, earns an income of approximately RM3000 and has one child. b) Design professionals Design professionals such as interior designer’s professionals, architects, and landscape architects, has been selected as a target market for these products as high-end models are designed to suit the needs of animals owner. Designers who have clients with pets will have access to a solution that is essential for their design, not outdated. c) Pet care professionals Next, pet care professionals such as veterinarians, breeders, kennels and pet day care centers also have special access to the most appropriate solution for their customers. Veterinarians recognize high health benefits for digestive health eating animals, as well as for joint, muscle and bone health of older animals. They also recognize the benefits and preferential flow instead of animals for stagnant water and can offer products to customers to address their healthcare customers required. Breeders, kennels and pet daycare centers can all have animal facilities. Some of these facilities meet the high-end customers who want the assurance that their pets are an existing or future well-kept. Special units of various animals we can meet the need to eat and drink animal and pet owners pet care professionals need to know that their pet receives the highest quality treatment. Veterinary medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury in animals. Veterinary medicine is a broad scope, covering all species of animals, both domesticated and wild, with a variety of conditions that can affect different species. It is suitable as a unique target market for professional work field can influence other customers to try the products offered health. In addition, these people are also those who can give confidence to the consumers to buy as field work that reliability and dependability. d) Government Agencies Lastly, target market is government agencies. Government agencies such as police departments and fire departments have dog as their pet their animal services. CutePet Store take government agencies as target market by offer them to buy high-tech collars for their use when do dog training and also do hygienic care to make sure the dog stay clean.

The Role of Wiglaf in Beowulf Essay -- Beowulf Wiglaf Essays

The Role of Wiglaf in Beowulf Seemingly minor character Wiglaf plays a central role in the conclusion of Beowulf. A young knight who has never before seen battle, Wiglaf steps forward to help his lord, hero, and cousin Beowulf in a time of peril. With his failure in battle and resulting death, the narrator shows that Beowulf is, after all, a prideful and mortal being; thus begins the transfer of heroic status from the old king to the young knight. The narrator argues that Wiglaf is worthy of his abruptly acquired status even though his intentions may seem questionable. The end of the poem devotes a significant amount of lines to dialogue spoken by Wiglaf, signifying his newly crucial role in his kingdom and in the story. Inevitably, the noble youth progresses to a position of epic heroism, continuing Beowulf’s legacy and fulfilling his figurative role as the â€Å"treasure†¦won,/ bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death† (2843-2844). Beowulf’s strength fails him for the first time when he confronts the dragon. As he loses the futile battle that he pridefully insists on fighting alone, the narrative breaks from Beowulf’s peril and focuses on Wiglaf. With â€Å"wise and fluent words,† (2632) Wiglaf delivers a monologue in the poem rivaled in length and power by Beowulf alone. Clearly, Wiglaf has something profound to add to the story as the narrator spends considerable time quoting his sentiments while Beowulf is trying to slay an angry dragon in the background. Like the knight in The Wanderer, Wiglaf recounts the happy days in the mead hall with longing, and wishes to serve his lord with all his strength. Without Beowulf, the knights would be displaced, lonely, and without purpose. To inspire his comra... ...m â€Å"big and brave† (2837). Wiglaf has truly lived up to the poet’s and to Beowulf’s expectations. Upon Beowulf’s death, he says, â€Å"I give thanks / that I behold this treasure here in front of me, / that I have been allowed to leave my people / so well endowed† (2795-2798). As most of the gold ends up burning on the king’s funeral pyre, it is likely that the treasure Beowulf speaks of is Wiglaf, himself. The young knight has proven his abilities and will certainly serve his people well. The poet explains that â€Å"the treasure had been won, / bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death† (2843-2844). Wiglaf rises to the most significant role in the poem, as he achieves a level of heroism matched only by Beowulf in his younger years. He proves to be the treasure that compensates the king’s death, filling the resulting void in his kingdom and in the narrative.

Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy  is an intelligent, tall, fine, handsome, wealthy and reserved gentleman, who often appears haughty or proud to strangers. Mr. Darcy has a strong moral fibre and a natural and somewhat embarrassed kindness. Mr. Darcy is the owner of the fictional estate of  Pemberley, he is described as the perfect landlord, a sensible and honourable manager of the estate. He has a great responsibility to keep the estate running – and the locals who depend on it for a livelihood are lucky to have such a good master.Mr. Darcy's inflated personal pride, snobbish indifference and arrogance causes him to consider  Elizabeth Bennet  as low-born and plain, â€Å"tolerable† and â€Å"not handsome enough to tempt him†. However, afterwards he becomes attracted to Elizabeth, and courts her clumsily while struggling against his continuing feelings of superiority. His arrogance and rudeness enhance his desirability, and they are reconsidered later as a sign of his repressed passion for Elizabeth. Pride and Prejudice Writing StyleSurprising Turns of Phrase, Sarcastic, Subtle, Pointed Austen is the total master of the slow, subtle burn. It's like poetry in motion – you just watch as sentence after sentence starts out nice and predictable and then – BAM! – right in the kisser. Let's watch and learn how a pro does it in this paragraph that introduces Sir William Lucas, Charlotte's dad: Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty.The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business, and to his residence in a small market town; and, in quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled by business, occupy hims elf solely in being civil to all the world.For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James's had made him courteous. (5. 1) First we go swimmingly along, as Sir William is shown to be a well-off guy who even gets to make a speech in front of the king. Then, though, check out the long third sentence, as the narrator asterfully goes from Sir William's point of view (he now finds actually working for a living â€Å"disgusting† and moves to a house in the country) to an outside perspective on Sir William's growing egotism (all he does now is â€Å"think with pleasure of his own importance†), and then, finally, rounds it off with an amazing judgment on the way climbing the social ladder creates a useless man out of an industrious one (Sir William is free from the â€Å"shackles† of his work and now just spends his time b eing â€Å"civil†).Funny – but we're not done yet. The problem isn't really just that Sir William himself has become totally purposeless ever since getting his knighthood and becoming too high class for his business. The narrator next expands the issue further, pointing to the culture at large, which is more than happy to go along with Sir William and his new attitude.Check out how, because he's all fancy and titled, in the eyes of his neighbors he gets a fancier adjective to describe his behavior (instead of simply â€Å"friendly† he's become â€Å"courteous,† which also carries the pun of â€Å"court† (as in royal court) inside it – the place where Sir William has picked up his new status). By the ‘two themes' I assume you mean pride as one theme and prejudice as the other? Because there are many, many more themes to the text than that: don't be led astray into thinking they're the only ones (or the most important; the novel's title is somewhat arbitrary).One of my personal favourite ways Austen plays with language in P&P is how, once married, Charlotte Lucas is often lumped into conversation as if she is property and little more than an animal (the quote that comes to mind is something about Lady Lucas enquiring of the ‘welfare and poultry of her eldest daughter' after the visit to Rosings — apologies I don't have to text to hand to find the exact quote). If you're looking for Irony, look carefully at practically anything Elizabeth says, particularly in conversations with her mother.Elizabeth says an awful lot in jest, where as her mother is very literal and very closed-minded. In fact, any exchange that involves Mrs Bennet tends to include some irony as she never realises she is being laughed at. Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful? Ironic, arch, wry, full of witticisms and bon-mots, arm's length Reading this novel is kind of like having a conv ersation with someone who says snarky things in a deadpan voice while onstantly raising her eyebrow. You know what we mean? Austen is just so clearly amused by her characters and their nonsense and also totally committed to discretely pointing out their foibles. It's not that she hates them or is disinterested or anything, but her narrator definitely keeps a distance and functions as an observer who is always elbowing the reader to look at the next funny thing. Check out this description of the aftermath of Mr. Collins proposing to Charlotte: In as short a time as Mr.Collins's long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained. 22. 2) Both Charlotte and Mr. Collins are clearly mocked here, although, obviously, Mr. Collins is a much easier and bigger target. Look at the different ways the mockery works, though. First, we've got the overhead view, meaning the narrator takes in the scene and shows us the ridiculous in all its glory: it's funny to try to picture just how not â€Å"short† Mr. Collins's â€Å"long speech† would be. There's also that great joke in the idea that the proposal is â€Å"settled to the satisfaction of both† (because the satisfaction is kind of pragmatic since Charlotte is Mr.Collins's third choice and he is her choice only because he's got a job and a house and it beats living at mom and dad's). Next, we get to laugh at Mr. Collins more from Charlotte's point of view. Even though they aren't in quotes, the words about his â€Å"stupidity† and the lack of â€Å"charm† in his â€Å"courtship† are clearly her thoughts as he goes on and on in his pompous way. Finally, we circle back around to the narrator mocking the characters again, as we check out how Charlotte is going to deal with the fact that she can see how lame Mr. Collins is. Answer: she's going to wait as long as possible to actually get married. ) What’s Up With the Title? You know what's funny about this title? Well, you know how nowadays, the book jackets for novels written by the same author are usually really similar – same font, same general layout, and so on? (Think about those endless  John Grisham novels. ) That's because publishers are going for an if-you-liked-that-you'll-also-love-this approach. Pride and Prejudice  is basically the result of the same kind of thing, turn of the 19th century-style.Originally, the novel was going to be calledFirst Impressions, but after Austen hit the big time with the blockbuster sales of  Sense and Sensibility, her publisher asked if they could try for a little branding magic by sticking to the same title formula: noun-and-noun. This is all well and good, and sure enough, this new novel went over like gangbusters. Does anything change, though, about how we might see the novel when we go from the first title to the second? Well, with  First Impressions, readers are right off the bat being shown things from the characters' point of view.After all, it's Darcy and Elizabeth that are going be to be making and having these impressions, and, this title suggests, we're going to experience these impressions right alongside them. Also, think about what first impressions are all about – people interacting with each other. A novel called  First Impressions  puts the idea of people meeting with and reacting to other people front and center. The focus is on manners, behavio r, and outward appearance. Not to mention, oftentimes first impression are wrong. On the other hand,  Pride and Prejudice  turns the thing around 180 degrees.With a title like that, we're no longer looking at things through the characters' eyes. Instead, the title sounds like someone is being called names – and it's up to the reader to try to figure out who is who. The reader isn't buddy-buddy with the characters any more, but is instead totally supposed to be all judgy and superior from the get-go. With  Pride and Prejudice  as the title, our novel BFFs aren't Darcy or Elizabeth at all. Instead, our main pal is the narrator, who knows ahead of time that someone's full of pride and someone else is probably full of prejudice.Also, we've now moved into some deep psychological territory here. Feeling prideful and being prejudicial are things we do in the privacy of our thoughts, not things we wear on our sleeve. A novel named in this way makes readers immediately get rea dy for being all up in the characters thoughts, seeing how they make decisions and what their value systems are all about. Which title do you prefer? Why? ————————————————- Style Pride and Prejudice, like most of Jane Austen's works, employs the narrative technique of  free indirect speech.This has been defined as â€Å"the free representation of a character's speech, by which one means, not words actually spoken by a character, but the words that typify the character's thoughts, or the way the character would think or speak, if she thought or spoke†. [8]  By using narrative that adopts the tone and vocabulary of a particular character (in this case, that of Elizabeth), Austen invites the reader to follow events from Elizabeth's viewpoint, sharing her prejudices and misapprehensions. The learning curve, while undergone by both protagonists, is disclosed to us so lely through Elizabeth's point of view and her free indirect speech is essential  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ for it is through it that we remain caught, if not stuck, within Elizabeth's misprisions. â€Å". [8] Clear, Witty, Sarcastic In this dialogue-driven novel, wit and sarcasm predominate the text. Pride and Prejudice is often an exercise in reading between the lines, as Austen’s characters must almost always use polite language to mask their true intentions. The greatest exception is, of course, when Elizabeth chews Darcy out after his proposal. ) We’ll offer two examples up for you. Mr. Bennet’s response to his wife after she subjects him to a play-by-play of Mr. Bingley’s actions at the ball: â€Å"If he had had any compassion for me,† cried her husband impatiently, â€Å"he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners. O that he had sprained his ankle in the first place! † Mr. Bennet clearly doesn’t mean the se things. What he’s really saying is that he wishes his wife would spare him the details.The following snippet of conversation between  Lady Catherine  and Elizabeth takes place at the end of a long interrogation from Lady Catherine. â€Å"‘Upon my word,’ said her ladyship, ‘you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age? ’ ‘With three younger sisters grown up,’ replied Elizabeth, smiling, ‘your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it. ’ Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence. See what we mean? Elizabeth dodges Lady Catherine’s question, but does so in the politest way possible. We call it†¦polite resistance, and it requires a great deal of quick thinking. STYLE Jane Austen's graceful, economical narrative style was un ique in her time. It was an era in literature given to flowery wordiness and emotional excess. Readers of the day could take their choice among collections of sermons to improve their minds, tales of sin and punishment to improve their morals, and horror stories to stimulate their circulation.Pride and Prejudice is told in a readable prose without a single superfluous word, and it frequently breaks into dialogue so lively and so revealing of characters that entire scenes have been lifted bodily from the novel and reproduced in dramatized versions for stage and screen. In some passages the author enters into the mind of one or another of her characters, most often into her heroine Elizabeth's, and there she reveals her character's capacity for humor and self-criticism. Austen's style is so deceptively lucid that we can hardly believe she submitted her writing to so much polishing and revision. | POINT OF VIEW Pride and Prejudice is mostly written from the objective view of an externa l observer. However, from time to time the novel departs from this objective storytelling approach to explore the thoughts and feelings of a character-either Darcy as he slips little by little into love with Elizabeth, or Elizabeth as she considers her own behavior and the behavior of others. Whatever the approach whether through Elizabeth's mind or through the voice of a narrator, the point of view is always and unmistakably Jane Austen's.It is always her sharply critical eye, youthful though it was when she wrote the novel, that observes and subtly comments on her society's follies and foibles, making us laugh but also making us aware. When we finish her book we know very well the defects she saw in the people of her world, but we also know how much she enjoyed her life among them, faults and all. FORM AND STRUCTURE Like her writing style, the structure of Jane Austen's novel is deceptively simple. She appears to be telling a straightforward story, character by character and happe ning by happening, exactly as it occurred in chronological sequence.We can in fact read the novel that way. But on closer look we find that Pride and Prejudice is not merely a record of events. Instead, it is an interweaving of plot and subplots, an intricate pattern with various threads. The main plot follows the far from smooth course of the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy and the conflict of his pride and her prejudice. Their feelings, born of first impressions, are not the only obstacles between them. Three subplots complicate their relationship. The first is Bingley's attraction to Jane Bennet and Darcy's intervention to save his friend from what he sees as an undesirable marriage.The second is Wickham's involvement with the Darcy family, and his ability to charm Elizabeth and deepen her prejudice against Darcy. The third is Charlotte Lucas' marriage to Mr. Collins, which throws Elizabeth and Darcy together and sharpens their differences. Elizabeth ends up rejecting Darcy i n what we come to see as the first dramatic climax of the story. The Wickham subplot brings on the second dramatic climax: his elopement with Lydia and the scandal and probable ruin of the entire Bennet family. Austen maintains an air of suspense to the very end. She also keeps her three subplots alive with a novelist's juggling skill.In the end, all three subplots contribute to the resolution of the principal plot, and the hero and heroine come together in happiness at last Writing Style: In Pride and Prejudice there is very little focus on natural surroundings such as trees, bushes, flowers, or descriptions of the weather. Rarely does Austen describe character’s psychological states, instead this aspect of the characters is revealed through dialogue. The unnaturally flowery language in Pride and Prejudice may be seen by modern audiences as â€Å"cold† or â€Å"sterile,† but it is this use of language that helps to develop the characters and themes.Exaggeration and hyperboles (in a melodramatic form) are also common writing styles of Austen. In terms of style conventions, the usage of â€Å"Miss† and â€Å"Mr. † in Pride and Prejudice makes it at times unclear which character is talking, and therefore at times very confusing to follow the story. The frequent dialogue between characters also makes it difficult to distinguish which character is speaking. A number of plot points are also advanced in Pride and Prejudice through the writing of letters between essential characters, which tend to be some sort of monologue regarding a possible theme or conflict in the story.

Meaning of life Essay

Philosophy is â€Å"the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc†¦; a particular set of ideas about knowledge, truth, and meaning of life; and a set of ideas about how to do something or how to live† (Philosophy, 2014, para. 1). Philosophy plays a huge role in all of our lives. Studding of philosophy influences our lives in many ways and has many purposes. Philosophy has five major branches metaphysis, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and logic. Each of these branches plays a role with culture to develop thoughts in human beings by wondering, a dynamic  process, the truth, and wisdom. â€Å"Philosophy is an attempt to reason clearly and critically about all areas of experience: science, religion, art, politics, and mortality† (What is Philosophy, Para, 1). The purpose of philosophy is to try to understand and evaluate our most basics, beliefs, values, and to integrate them into a coherent view of each of us and the world around us (What is Philosophy, 2014). Studying philosophy is important because it continues to play an important role in shaping the future of all human existence, Philosophy enhances personal growth,  professional opportunities, improves reading skill, critical thinking, communication, and helps in arguments by showing your philosophical knowledge (What is Philosophy, 2014). There are five major basic branches of philosophy. The branches are the metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and logic. The metaphysics branch is the study of existence. For example, a few questions one might ask them self would be PHILOSOPHY 3 what else is out there, why I am here, and what is my purpose in life (Important of Philosophy, 2014). Epistemology branch is the study of knowledge. Individuals like to know as much as possible to help their selves understand what is going in life and around then. For example, a question one might ask their selves would be how I know about certain things. In philosophy, knowledge is looked at as factual senses, and not just guesses. People that are epistemology rather use statements and questions in factual form, such as, dogs are mammals (Important of Philosophy, 2014). Ethic branch is the study of actions. This is the branch of philosophy that helps the decision making in what is right and what is wrong; beliefs and values. An example of ethics is your conscious. On one side there is the devil telling you to do the wrong thing, and the angel on the other side telling to do the right thing. Many ethical people try to avoid judgment, but have high moral beliefs in specific things. Ethics also plays a role in religion and faith (Important of Philosophy, 2014). The Aesthetics branch (also known as politics) is the study of action. This is the branch that shoes what actions are permissible. An example, would be how politics work in the world. What laws should be made, and how they should come to be. Politics are the ethics that are applied to people based off what they are told to do or believe (Important of Philosophy, 2014). Finally, the last branch of philosophy is logic or esthetics. This is the study of art. The main question is what can life be like? This is the branch that allows mankind to see the world in an abstract way. According to Importance of Philosophy (2014) PHILOSOPHY 4 Esthetics is important because it delves into the reason why art has always existed, the burning need of mankind through the ages to see the world in a different, clear way it  further evaluates art by the standards of human life, and whether it accomplishes the job of satisfying man’s intellectual needs, or whether it tends to hurt or make worse those needs (Para. 3). Esthetics is bringing the emotion and idea together to make a decision (Important of Philosophy, 2014). Within all the branches there are arguments, these arguments helps in philosophy to create creative thinking and growth. We all have questions, and beliefs to the meaning of life, and we will continue to argue trough ethnic, logic, politics, and beliefs. Each of the five basic philosophy groups have to face basic arguments, These  arguments are structure of arguments, evaluating arguments, types of arguments, and informal fallacies (Chaffee, 2013). The structure of arguments includes: reason, reason, and conclusion. Evaluating arguments include truth of reason, validity of structure, and soundness of argument. There are two types of arguments deductive: conclusion follows necessarily from premises (reasons), and inductive: conclusion supported by premises to some degree. Finally, there are informal fallacies, these are unsound arguments that appeal to emotion and prejudice (Chaffee, 2013). Philosophy and culture interact to develop thought because there are so many different beliefs in the word. Philosophy is love and wisdom, while in culture there is so much hate. The more we talk about our beliefs, and talk out the way we each feel it creates creative thinking, and more open minds. For example, scientist see things one PHILOSOPHY 5 way, but when we are more philosophical it shows us that there are more than one answer to each question. Science believes in evolution, religions believe in god, while the rest of us are still trying to find the meaning of life. When it comes to me, I think ethics represents me the most. I believe in right and wrong, and I have faith. I believe that taking actions against wrong in the world is very important. In our culture, there is so much hate, and I am a very big advocate for equality. I fight for equality for all humans, and I also fight for the rights of animals. Philosophy is â€Å"the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature, and meaning of life (Philosophy, 2014, para. 1). There are five major basic groups, and there will always be questions to create creative thinking, and open minds. Philosophy has  been around from the beginning of time, and will be around until the end of time. We will always want to know the meaning of life and why we exist. PHILOSOPHY 6 References: Chaffee, J. (2013). The philosopher’s way: Thinking Critically about Profound Ideas (1st Ed,). Pearson Education, INC. Importance of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http://www. importanceofphilosophy. com/FiveBranchesMain. html Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http://www. merriam- webster. com/dictionary/philosophy What is Philosophy? (2014). Retrieved from http://www. etsu. edu/cas/philosophy/whatis. aspx.

Georges Character Critcal Analysis Essays

Georges Character Critcal Analysis Essays Georges Character Critcal Analysis Essay Georges Character Critcal Analysis Essay This extract recounts the experiences of a young boy named George. He is the main character, and the passage focuses on his perspective of the world. The first and main relationship is with his mother. George being very timid and naive turns to his mother who teaches him to understand the world around him, disciplines him into obeying and stating what boundaries he has. The writer uses a third person narrator in this extract but the point of view is limited to Georges world and his understanding of it.This limited view lets the reader experience the naivety of George and how he reacts to the world around him; for instance when George started crying because of the sudden hoarse bellow the cow utters, the passage only describes the actions of his father and does not go into any other detail. Georges character is conveyed in simple diction in the passage, which mirrors and continues to emphasise his age and naivety.George is a young boy, who is obedient to his parents and very timid. His mother disciplines him and tells him what he is not allowed to do such as shout[ing], run[ing] and soiling [him]self. The things he is not allowed to do are written in a form of a list, as if he is remembering them. This emphasises the notion of how everything ought to be his mother compels on him. George is suspicious of the world beyond what he is familiar with.When his father returns from beyond the Vicarage wall, he speaks of people who are old, and sick, and poor and children who are liars, and that builds a view that there are unexpected noise and unexpected happenings that lead him to the notion of distrust in the world beyond what is known to him. : In the passage, the reader is presented with the Christian faith. In the first lines of the passage, George starts to mourn his late uncle but his mother tells him that excessive weeping is unchristian.Moreover, later in the passage we find out that both his parents have affiliations with the church. His father writes and preaches sermons and his mother teaches Sunday school at the Vicarage (church). The passage is very literal and there is a lack of metaphors and imaginary that may depict a notion that has to be taken into further analysis. Having a very neutral tone this extract describes the life of a young boy growing up. Through the third person limited perspective and simple diction, we are able to view his world in his own terms and try to understand and live his experiences.

What is The IFRS

What is The IFRS Free Online Research Papers International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) are the standards which are principal based in nature. These are the standards, framework and the interpretation promulgated by International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), an international standard setting-body based in London. IFRS has a specific structure as it establishes rules and also gives guidelines on the various procedures to be followed for treatment. Started by IASC (International Accounting Standards Committee) for formulating the standards, IASC decided to dissolve itself in 2001 and form a professional board IASB. IASC trustees appoint members for IASB, IFRIC (International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee) and SAC (Standards Advisory Council). IASB emphasizes on developing standards based on sound and clearly stated principles which requires interpretation. During the existence of IASC, it formulated 41 standards which are known as International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements ( Barry J. Epstein Eva K.Jermakowicz). Some of the standards formulated by IASC have been withdrawn since then like IAS 30, Disclosures in the Financial Statements of Banks and Similar Financial Institutions or superseded like IAS 22, Business Combinations was superseded by IFRS 3, Business Combinations. IASB framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements defines the concepts which form the basis of preparation and presentation of financial statements. It includes the objectives, assumptions, characteristics, definitions and criteria that administer financial reporting and the framework is also known as conceptual framework due to these features. The frameworks defines the objective of the financial statement, underlying assumptions, qualitative characteristics that specifies the usefulness of information in financial statements and the definition, identification and measurement of elements used to construct the financial statement. The framework is not a standard and also, it does not have to be implemented like a standard. The sole purpose of framework is to assist and guide IASB while developing new or revising the existing standards, to assist in setting of standards at national level consistent with international principles and to assist during the prepar ation of financial statement in judging the circumstances which are addressed by any standard. The framework inherited by IASB from IASC states that the objective of financial statements is to provide information about the financial position, performance and changes in financial position of an enterprise that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic decisions. Accounting policies are promulgated by IASB by the framework and the standards of IFRS. The framework states that the users of financial statement have to evaluate the ability of the entity to not only generate the income but also the timing and assurance of doing so. The framework also specifies that financial statement should be true and fair. Two differences and similarities between IFRS and GAAP Similarities IFRS and GAAP both have the same approach for treatment of foreign currency translation. The criteria to determine the functional currency of an entity are defined separately in both GAAP and IFRS; however they lead to same determination which is the primary currency of entity. The transaction of foreign currency has to be re-measured in the entity’s operational currency and the amount from translation in currency is booked under income. Also, both IFRS and GAAP state that the operational currency has to be re-measured in operational currency before translation in reporting currency. IFRS and GAAP define that Earnings per Share should be disclosed by the entities which issue shares in market or are in the process of share trading. They require that the diluted and basic EPS should be presented on the face of income statement. Treasury stock method is required for determining the impact of stock options on diluted EPS calculation. Differences In GAAP, the lease for land or building which involves transferring of ownership to lessee or involves the bargain purchase option is classified as capital lease by lessee. In IFRS, land and building are considered as separate while evaluating the indicators. In GAAP if the fair value of land at starting in more than 25% of fair value of lease then the land and building component are considered separately for evaluation purpose whereas in IFRS, there is no condition of 25% and the land and building has to be considered separately only for evaluation In GAAP, equity method investments are accounted at fair value and in case of entity not willing to go for fair value accounting, equity method of accounting can be used as an option whereas in IFRS investors have to use equity method of accounting for their investments. Mutual funds, venture capital entities and unit trusts are excluded from this standard. IFRS also requires the uniformity of accounting policy between the investor and investee while GAAP does not have such requirement, the accounting policy of investor and investee can be different. Work Cited Barry J. Epstein Eva K.Jermakowicz. Interpretation and Application of International Financial Reporting Standards. Wiley, 2010. Research Papers on What is The IFRSThe Project Managment Office SystemIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalOpen Architechture a white paperPETSTEL analysis of IndiaResearch Process Part OneMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductTwilight of the UAWDefinition of Export QuotasThree Concepts of PsychodynamicCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite Religion

NOT SO SCARY ONCE YOU DO IT

NOT SO SCARY ONCE YOU DO IT This week several readers have given me pause, making me remember from whence I came and that Ive learned. We read the blogs and newsletters from people who seem to be way over our heads in power, ability and talent, and too often we discount our own abilities. In mentioning the recent rash of face-to-face interviews Ive done lately (Skype and in-person), someone commented about how scary that was. As Im writing this, Im nervous about a 20-minute talk Im giving this evening to a MENSA chapter in Columbia, SC. These folks are often accomplished with pretty decent levels of intellect. Here I am, coming off 15 appearances, yet Im a bit ill-at-ease about this one. Instead of being too afraid to accept, however, I had to make fun and remind myself, as Will Smith said in the movie Men in Black, First off, you chose me, so you recognize the skills In another situation, where I taught about entering contests and recognizing the scams, half the readers seemed afraid if not angry about contests, believing they were all scams. One guy was sure that if a contest charged a fee, they were opportunists at our expense. I reminded him that all publishers were in the business to make a buck, and all of them charged: some in advance, some after sales.In traditional or self-publishing circles, the publishers arent all that charitable, doing what they do for the sake of God or humanity. Plus contests are such opportunities. And on Facebook, someone fussed about editors and how they are evil minions intent on changing our stories to their own. He was concerned that editors would overstep their bounds and rewrite the content, not just make corrections. I reminded him that writers pick and choose whats edited. Even with traditional publishers that want manuscripts changed before agreeing to publish, you can negotiate. I did. The underlying theme in all of these concerns and complaints is that of fear. Fear someone will make fun. Fear someone will steal our work or our money. Fear someone will take advantage of our deep-seeded, emotional urge to publish. Were pouring our souls into print, and the last thing we need in the midst of our trepidation is someone who also robs us of money,rights or self-esteem. Do . . . it . . . once. Do an interview in person. Speak to a small group. Enter a contest. Let an editor lay hands on your work. Whats the worst that can happen? The interview goes badly? The host wants a good interview more than you do, trust me. The speech goes awry? You learn from it. The audience got no satisfaction from your trip-up. They were up their with you. So you lose the contest. So the editor doesnt like your writing. You decide if you walk away unscathed. Not them.

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 9

Business Ethics - Essay Example s to show the possible impacts of developing Tea For All Ltd as an ethical organization and also, to realize its impact on the environment, fair trading and employee relationships of the company. The project also evaluates the code of conduct, which has been followed by Starbucks in dealing with its business partners. This is because Starbucks is the leading coffee shop company in the world, with a spectacular scale of operation. The ways through which Starbucks can improve its ethical operations have also been highlighted. The final segment of the project discusses possible ways of implementation of the code of conduct of Starbucks on Tea For All Ltd. Tea for All Ltd. is a tea producing and supplying company, which wishes to emphasize on code of ethics for establishing itself as one of the successful global companies. This essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages that can be faced by the company, if it wants to position itself as an ethical organization. The first and foremost argument that can be put forward for establishing the company as an ethical organization is the fact that it will provide the company with a competitive advantage over the competitors. Ethical leadership can facilitate good business leadership in the company. The research conducted by James A. Mitchell shows that companies with an ethical advantage demonstrate better financial performance than those without it (Mitchell, 2001). The advantages of using a sound ethical code of conduct, as far as the environment, trading practices and workplace relationships are concerned, are highlighted below. The ethical objective of the company is to reduce its adverse impact on the environment as much as possible. The problem of the company is that it involves extensive farming techniques which can have corrosive action on the soil and wastage of water Ethical leadership is not a sufficient condition to create a successful business venture, but it is definitely a necessary one (Mitchell, 2001).

An Evaluation of Recent Digital Resources that Have Been Developed to Essay

An Evaluation of Recent Digital Resources that Have Been Developed to Support Teaching and Learning in ICT - Essay Example You may find it useful to write the assignment before making a presentation and then fine tune your work in the light of feedback from that occasion. Abstract Applicable with the use of the old ICTs (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and digital videos), the role of the recent digital resources in primary school education is to bridge the teaching and learning gap between the primary school teachers and the student. Aside from making it easier to address the specific teaching and learning needs of each student, significant changes in the features of interactive whiteboard, Blackboard, COSE, and MOODLE are useful in terms of promoting e-security and facilitating better communication and interaction between the primary school teachers and the students and/or among the primary school students. Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents ...................... ......................................................................................... 3 I. ... ...................................................................................... 10 IV. Conclusion and Recommendations ....................................................................... 14 References ......................................................................................................................... 17 Appendix I – Sample of Scientific-based Study on Human Lung Capacity ..................... 22 Appendix II – Sample of a Napoleon’s Theorem Diagram Drawn Using an Excel Worksheet ........................................................................................ 22 Appendix III – PowerPoint Presentation on Multiplication Using a Combined Plain Text and Cartoon Character .............................................................. 23 Figure IV – PowerPoint Presentation on Multiplication Using Plain Text ........................ 23 Appendix V – Using PowerPoint Slides in Conducting a Whole Class Review Activi ty . 24 Appendix VI – Movie Trailer on How to Use iMovie ........................................................ 25 Appendix VII – Two-way Interaction Using MOODLE .................................................... 25 Appendix VIII – Using MOODLE for Individual or Group Math Homework .................. 26 Introduction Since 1999, ICT has become a significant part of the curriculum of the UK primary schools. To improve the quality of teaching and learning, primary school teachers are required to incorporate the use of ICT tools in their teaching and learning curriculum. Since primary school teachers in UK are required to use ICT in teaching, most of them buy Maths and English packages to allow the students to practice. These packages would also

Does corporate Social Responsibility influence consumers behaviors Essay

Does corporate Social Responsibility influence consumers behaviors - Essay Example According to Philip L. Cochran and Robert A, if CSR tend to be negatively correlated with financial performance of firms, managers should be paying more attention to this area. On the other hand, a positive relationship indicates the CSR principles of the firm are good for company. In addition, the social responsibilities can help companies improve the brand image and enhance the reputation, and attract more employees and potential business partner (Tsoutsoura, 2004). They are finally creating more value of the firm. Some recent article also exam CSR as having positive relationship with consumers’ behaviour. The study of Rahim, Jalaludin and Tajuddin (2011) indicates that all of the CSR components (economic, legal, ethical, philanthropic) have a significant relationship with consumers' buying behaviour in Malaysia. Problem Statement The 2009 report, dubbed ‘Green to the Core’ published by Consumer Focus (soon to be a victim of the cuts), rated the UK’s top nine supermarkets on how well they inform consumers about sustainability issues and help them to make more sustainable choices; both through provision of products and information. In this report, Sainsbury’s and M&S were ranked A. (Ethical consumers 2011). Many studies have been done in CSR regarding consumer purchasing decisions in countries. However, not many studies have been conducted in organizations, such as food retailers. CSR activities should enhance a corporation's image. According to Lafferty, Barbara and Ronald (1999), a positive corporate image is positively correlated to purchase intention and also helps consumers to differentiate between companies and their product or service offerings. Therefore, loyalty and commitment from customers are likely to increase if companies act responsibly and accountably in terms of their social and environmental impact (Brown & Dacin, 1997; Pirsch, Gupta, & Grau, 2007). Ethical consumers 2011 shows Corporate Social Responsibility Scores (see the table above) of the 8 main food retailers in UK. The research was divided into seven main area: animal welfare, climate change, health, toxics, waste, water and worker’s right. Co-op was the leading retailer on CSR with 56 %, and following is M&S (39%) and Sainsbury’s (29%) (Ethical consumers 2011). Aims and Objective The aim of the current study is to use M&S as a case to analyse the consumers’ behavior on CSR. Marks and Spencer plc (also known as M&S) is a UK based retailer and it is mainly committed to the selling of high quality food products, stylish clothing and home products. It was set up in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds. Today, over 78,000 employees are hired by M&S PLC in the UK and abroad, and M&S has 731 branch UK stores and 387 stores across 43 areas around the world. According to the Annual Report of M&S (2012), there are 21 million people visiting the indoor stores every week. M&S is listed at the London STOCK Exchange and joined FTSE 100 index. Based on Interbrand 2012 Best Retail Brands Report, Marks & Spencer as the second most valuable retail brand in the UK and its brand value increased by 3% to. $6,256m (Perella, 2012). Significance of the Study M&S aims to become the world’s most sustainable retailer. Plan A is an environmental and ethical programme launched by M&S in January 2007 and set out 138 commitments in 2012. Plan B focus on climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable raw materials, trade ethically and help customers to

Southwest trading company-finance case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Southwest trading company-finance - Case Study Example It is the work of financial experts to analyses this information and establishes the negative side of the information. It is important to understand this side of things because, from there is when financial institutions can decide whether their money is safe or not. On an outward view of proposals, it would be very difficult for financial experts to identify unscrupulous borrowers, which prompt for a deeper look into their financial history. A comprehensive credit analysis by a loan officer should begin with an analysis of prior bank relationships, customers, suppliers, and dealings (Koch and MacDonald 603). All this information can be analyzed using a basic four stages process that checks the overview of firm, size and financial ratios, its cash flow, and finally the borrowers projected financial position. The following analysis is carried out on Southwest trading company’s credit worthiness following the four-part process. Analysis Overview of management, operations, and the firm’s industry An overview of the Mahan’s Southwest trading company reveals three things. ... Furniture and jewelry are luxury goods, and most of them sell during high season. This comes around in summer when there is an influx of tourist and it is portrayed as a time people have more disposable money. Following Steven’s extensive contact base in Dallas and Houston, there is a high possibility of the business being a lucrative especially factoring in the fact that he has already received order prior to opening. Working as both a supplier and a retailer also shows an extended risk. However, it is worth indulging into following the high demand of Jewelry and furniture in Texas where the company will be supplying. The third issue is the quality of data presented by Steve. The data shows a positive trend and the business seem lucrative enough. Steve is a holder of an economics degree, an MBA and has had several years of work experience. His projections can appear substantial enough and following their lump sum investment in the business then the quality of data can be rega rd as significant and worth consideration. Common size and financial ratio analysis A review of Southwest Trading Company’s financial projection statements reveals a number of salient factors. Starting with the income statement it shows a very positive trend I the company’s financial performance for the following five years. Sales are increasing in the first three years after which they stabilize and become consistent. In terms of expenses, the projections are under estimated because considering the business will be involved with exportation to Houston, Texas and Dallas. Delays, transportation costs, warehousing and currency difference ought to be incorporated in costs section of the financial statement.

Swot analysis of BP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Swot analysis of BP - Essay Example The company is responsible for converting natural resources into power energy. Now British Petroleum is trying to find fuel resources that reduce carbon footprint and greenhouse gases. The company is trying to accomplish its sustainability mission by finding alternative fuel resources like wind power, solar power, fossil fuels, hydrogen, and natural gas. On the basis of market capitalization British Petroleum is the second largest operating oil and gas company of United State and has number of strengths. First, the strength of the company lies in its successful operations and ability to generate high revenue. Just after a year of the most annihilating oil explosion occurred at British Petroleum’s oil resource in the Gulf of Mexico, the company successfully earned profit of $5.3 billion Stonaker, (2011). This shows the strength of the company because it recovered very soon. It has been argued by many researchers that the oil spill occurred due to mismanagement and poor safety precautions but the quick recovery and ability to bounce back shows how efficient the company is in its operations. Second, important strength of BP is its increasing demand. Bob Dudley in his speech said that the demand of British Petroleum’s products is continuously increasing day by day due to our efficient production and supply, and our search for oil and gas reserves is one of our greatest strength. He further said, 96% of our demand growth comes from developing countries like India and China, this shows we are still market leader in oil and gas industry around the globe. One, criticism on Mr. Dudley’s speech is that he disguised the potential problems that BP is facing in setting up its operations in emerging countries due to their poor law and order situation and terrorism. Petroleum is leading deep-water company because it possesses largest deep-water oil spills and these oil spills

Southwest trading company-finance case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Southwest trading company-finance - Case Study Example It is the work of financial experts to analyses this information and establishes the negative side of the information. It is important to understand this side of things because, from there is when financial institutions can decide whether their money is safe or not. On an outward view of proposals, it would be very difficult for financial experts to identify unscrupulous borrowers, which prompt for a deeper look into their financial history. A comprehensive credit analysis by a loan officer should begin with an analysis of prior bank relationships, customers, suppliers, and dealings (Koch and MacDonald 603). All this information can be analyzed using a basic four stages process that checks the overview of firm, size and financial ratios, its cash flow, and finally the borrowers projected financial position. The following analysis is carried out on Southwest trading company’s credit worthiness following the four-part process. Analysis Overview of management, operations, and the firm’s industry An overview of the Mahan’s Southwest trading company reveals three things. ... Furniture and jewelry are luxury goods, and most of them sell during high season. This comes around in summer when there is an influx of tourist and it is portrayed as a time people have more disposable money. Following Steven’s extensive contact base in Dallas and Houston, there is a high possibility of the business being a lucrative especially factoring in the fact that he has already received order prior to opening. Working as both a supplier and a retailer also shows an extended risk. However, it is worth indulging into following the high demand of Jewelry and furniture in Texas where the company will be supplying. The third issue is the quality of data presented by Steve. The data shows a positive trend and the business seem lucrative enough. Steve is a holder of an economics degree, an MBA and has had several years of work experience. His projections can appear substantial enough and following their lump sum investment in the business then the quality of data can be rega rd as significant and worth consideration. Common size and financial ratio analysis A review of Southwest Trading Company’s financial projection statements reveals a number of salient factors. Starting with the income statement it shows a very positive trend I the company’s financial performance for the following five years. Sales are increasing in the first three years after which they stabilize and become consistent. In terms of expenses, the projections are under estimated because considering the business will be involved with exportation to Houston, Texas and Dallas. Delays, transportation costs, warehousing and currency difference ought to be incorporated in costs section of the financial statement.

Cultural Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Cultural Tourism - Essay Example A thriving cultural economy can often improve the socio-economic status of a city and contribute positively to local community life. An improved packaging and marketing of The Thames Gap which consists of the Hampton Court Palace, the Richmond Park, the Kew Gardens and the view from Richmond Hill will result in higher revenues in the form of higher visitor arrivals for this cultural venue. Hence, the management of The Thames Gap must derive useful inputs from the SWOT Analysis which is tackled in this paper. A better and improved marketing strategy will redound to higher revenues and ultimately, the greater well-being of the residents of the City of London. Various tourism studies have highlighted the importance of cultural tourism and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the City of London. Von Eckardt (1980:140) has emphasised that culture is something that rises up from below. This development is a result of the new cultural planning which leads to community development. Fox-Przeworski et al. (1991:250) suggest that there is no single set of measures that can bring about successful urban economic regeneration for all cities. Hence, a cultural planning approach aims to combine cultural planning with other urban policies covering the. economic, environmental, social, political, educational, symbolic parts to ensure a more integrated development (Bianchini, 1993). Evans (2001) provides a complete analysis of the development of arts and cultural planning within the context of urban renaissance. Von Eckhardt (1980:142) again emphasised the integral nature of cultural planning by emphasizing that the art of architecture, the art of urban design, the art of winning community support, the art of transportation planning, and the art of mastering the dynamics of economic development.In addition, Harvey (1989) argued that cultural tourism is inextricably linked in the context of urban development. planning has a significant economic dimension, as stated by Von Eckhardt (1980): Good cultural planning is quite similar to good economic planning. Smith (1996:57) suggests that 'the so-called "urban renaissance" has been stimulated more by economic than cultural forces'.In the past, heavy focus been placed on the economic imperative in regeneration strategies. Fox-Przeworski et al. (1991:237) claim that the basic basis for successful local economic regeneration is an honest evaluation of the challenges and opportunities facing the local economy. Social, cultural and welfare issues whic h are crucial to the welfare of local communities has not been neglected by key officials.Cultural tourism requires global competitiveness. For instance, specific measures to enhance the competitiveness of the local economy should consider the entire economic, social and environmental structure. The local population is the priority where jobs are to be created or housing improved. Bianchini (1993:212) also stressed the importance of local community interests in urban regeneration initiatives in Western Europe as a clear goal to revitalise the cultural, social and political life of local residents which should always precede and sustain the formulation of physical and economic

Transgenderism and homosexuality in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq Essay Example for Free

Transgenderism and homosexuality in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq Essay Introduction In this paper I will address the issues of transgenderism and homosexuality. These issues are quite controversial and attitude to them is different in different countries of the world. It should be mentioned that attitude to sexual minorities is different in different countries of the world and varied though time. Brief Outline of the Homosexual and Transgender Issues The first question under discussion is the homosexual relations. We can observe a great number of laws, intended to regulate the relations between people of the same sex. In some countries this is considered quite acceptable. People of the same sex are even allowed to marry legally and even adopt children. In the other communities the attitude to the same-sex relations is completely different and homosexuals can even be punished with the death penalty for their homosexual conduct. The fist laws on same-sex relations date back to 600 BC in ancient Crete and Sparta. These were the first laws allowing adult men to participate in the same sex relations (Rothblatt, 1995). In the majority of the Western cultures same-sex relations are tolerated and calling a person a gay or a lesbian can be considered even sufficient enough for a libel lawsuit, like this happened in case of Jason Donovan and Liberace, who won the case against the newspaper calling them gays (Rothblatt, 1995). However, we can’t say that homosexual relations are always tolerated. The first laws against same-sex relations date back to 550 BC, when homosexuals were called Leviticus and punished with the death penalty. Many scholars attribute this difference in attitudes to a distinction between Judaism and Paganism. Pagan religions usually consider same-sex relations to be normal, while Judaism, Christianity and Islam blame people for the same-sex relations. One more issue under discussion in this paper is transgenderism, which can be briefly defined as a social movement, which is intended to support transgender rights and raise self-esteem of transgender people. One more definition, which I’d like to mention, is the one proposed by Martine Rothblatt in her book â€Å"Apartheid of Sex†, where she defines â€Å"transgenderism as a grassroots political movement seeking transgender rights and affirming transgender pride† (Rothblatt, 1995). On the other hand, transgenderism, is usually used to denote a phenomenon of gender identity disorder. This definition is supported by the International Journal of Transgenderism. Transsexualism is also a subject matter of the study in this paper. It is usually defined as a condition, when individuals identify themselves with the physical sex different from the one of their birth. After the sexual revolution in Western Europe, which took place in the end of 20th century transsexualism became a recognized notion, however, in many other countries of the world it is still a taboo due to the religious and cultural norms accepted in the definite country (Lang, 1997). Quite close to the notion of transsexualism is the notion of transvestism, which is defined as a practice of cross-dressing, when a person wears the cloths of the opposite sex and thus associates him/herself with the individual of the opposite sex. Transgenderism and Homosexuality in the Middle East It should be mentioned that attitude to homosexuals, transgender people and transvestites differ from country to country. While the attitude to them in the West European cultures is quite moderate, Eastern cultures usually do not accept them. This is greatly due to the great influence of religion on the lives of all people. Islam has stricter rules concerning the sexual life of individuals be it people with traditional sexual orientation, transgender people or homosexuals. A lot depends also on the position of the government and their attitude to sexual minorities. The issues of transgenderism and homosexuality are quite different, which leads even to different attitudes towards them based on the Quran interpretation. The Quran considers â€Å"approaching males in lust, as well as the castration of males, as the sin of the people of Lot† (Quran 7:81, 26:165-166, 27:55, 29:28-29). On the other hand it’s quite acceptable under the Quran to use as passive sex partners the ancient category of men who by nature lacked desire for women, since such men were not considered â€Å"male† due to the fact that they lacked of arousal for women. These kinds of men are often known as â€Å"gays† today, but in the ancient world they were identified as anatomically whole â€Å"natural eunuchs† (Malik, 2007). Also these men, who lack arousal for women, are called â€Å"ghair oolaa il-irbati min ar-rijaali† (Quran:24:31) which translates as â€Å"without the defining skill of males† (Malik, 2007). These men are by Islam allowed to see woman naked. Islam is extremely against a man seeing any part of a woman if they are not directly related or wed, to the extent where, in some translations, the woman has to even cover her hair with a scarf. This only proves the fact that Islam doesn’t consider these individuals as me. They belong to their own category, which is not is not regulated by the rules of the Quran. The reason of intolerable attitude of the Quran to homosexual relations lies in the interpretation of marriage. Muslim people strongly believe in heterosexual marriage, and do not accept sexual activity before marriage between a man and woman. Since there can’t be any marriage between the persons belonging to the same sex, sexual relations between a man and man or woman and woman are also prohibited. As a result many Muslim Middle Eastern nations consider LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) issues as a crime which is punished by fines or by imprisonment. In some countries homosexuality is even punished by the death penalty. Examples of such countries are Afghanistan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen (Brown, 2005). Some researchers explain why nations of the Middle East do not accept sexual minorities in the following way: â€Å"many Middle Eastern nations did not gain full independence until the 1960’s—1970’s and those nations that were unified and independent were focused on foreign policy conflicts and economic development†. (Brown, 2005). Moreover, â€Å"most Middle Eastern nations were authoritarian regimes based on Islamic fundamentalism. Thus gay citizens had little or no free democratic institutions to openly influence public policy. Political parties or organized were prohibited. ‘Moderate’ nations that allowed for some degree of political and social freedom never extended to any challenge to the laws and opinion regarding sexual orientation† (Brown, 2005). In this paper I will consider in more detail the issues associated with homosexuality and transgenderism in four countries of the Middle East, namely Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Transgender and Homosexual Issues in Kuwait The fist country, which I will analyze in regard with its attitude to LGBT issues, is Kuwait. It should be mentioned that the attitude of Kuwaiti people towards sexual minorities is generally shaped by Islam and the government. Kuwait is 85  % Muslim (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007). As it was already mentioned Islam does not tolerate homosexuality and in some cases transgenderism is associated as homosexual behavior as well. The other factor, which influences the attitude to LGBTs, is the government. Kuwait is a constitutional emirate, (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007) functioning under authoritative document that contains all the laws determining the operations and limits of that government. Also, the Kuwaiti government is a government where power and the final word belongs to the emir ( roughly translated as prince, but means the ruler of the state). Furthermore, the legal system is a civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters(Central Intelligence Agency, 2007). This technically means that Islamic laws would interfere with personal issues such as a person’s sexual orientation. Homosexuality in Kuwait is illegal and punished (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, 2002). An example of such an incident where homosexuality was punished and discriminated against occurred in February 2005, where the police charged a group of 28 alleged homosexuals with creating a public disturbance after they met outside a fast-food restaurant. On October 27, police raided a party where homosexuals were allegedly celebrating a wedding. On December 10, the legislative committee of the National Assembly unanimously approved a law to impose a fine of $3,450 (1,000 dinars) and/or one year’s imprisonment for those imitating the opposite sex (Reports and Musings from the Veteran Gay and AIDS Human Rights Advocate, 2007). In the case of transgender, however, the attitude is a bit milder. Thus, the legal stand is that it is appropriate to treat transgender people medically if it possible. But in some cases the problem of a transgender person is simply denied. The Kuwaiti court recently had a case where a 25 year old man who underwent a sex change operation wanted to be regarded as a woman. This ruling was overturned by the court under the belief that God decides gender and humans have no right to change it. â€Å"Ahmed is still a man, and the operation he had does not change the way he was created, even if it changed the way he looks to others†, said Mohammed al-Tabtabai, the dean of Kuwaits Sharia College (Kuwait: transsexual fighting for recognition, 2004) Transgenderism is still unclear and uncertain when it comes to the law and the government, in society, however, it is clearly unaccepted. An example of this can be seen from an interview with a cross dressing kuwaiti male. In reference to his family, this cross dressing kuwaiti male says that, â€Å"They (his parents) tolerated me as a child, thinking it was a result of growing up in an all-girls family. Eventually as I got older, they kicked me out of the house, but agreed to pay for my education abroad. They said what I’m doing is extremely shameful, and while they love and care about me, they can no longer be seen with me. They don’t like the embarrassment. I left right away, it was very hurtful. I was very dependent on my mother. I was also hurt because my sisters didn’t help me when I thought they would. They are also embarrassed with me because students used to make fun of them at school, when they would pick me up from class† (Interview with a Kuwaiti transsexual, 2007). Furthermore, in reference to teachers, he said â€Å"They never helped me when others teased me. They treated me like I was a mentally ill child whenever I’d request their help. I would play with the girls in the playground and the girls used to complain that it’s a â€Å"just for girls† game. Teachers would pick me up and throw me out† (Interview with a Kuwaiti transsexual, 2007). Finally, In reference to his peers, they were the harshest. He stated â€Å"I wish it was just teasing. I was beaten and very humiliated. After I came home with a broken arm and nose, it was too dangerous for me to go to public school, so my parents forced me to switch to home schooling† (Interview with a Kuwaiti transsexual, 2007). Although they are treated badly by society and the government, homosexuals and transsexuals actually take a stand and fight for their rights. Kuwaiti transsexuals and homosexuals have applied for a permit to form their own association. They are hoping to get some protection from Kuwait law especially after the Kuwaiti parliament (Majles al Umma) decreed laws that criminalize changing to the `third sex.` (Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice, 2007) Transgender and Homosexual Issues in Saudi Arabia The other country under discussion is Saudi Arabia, which is 100  % Muslim. Its government type is a monarchy, under which all the power belongs to the monarch who controls the entire state. This monarchy is very strict and very harsh. Furthermore, the legal system in Saudi Arabia is based on the Sharia law, which is all based on a very strict version of Islam (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007). Saudi Arabia takes Islam to the extreme, to the point where the position of a woman is almost illegal. They are not allowed to walk out of the house without covering up, so one can only imagine the lack of tolerance Saudi Arabia would have for homosexuals. Homosexuality is severely punished, in some cases even with the death penalty. Moreover, the death penalty is carried out in a barbaric manner. In Saudi Arabia it is still accepted to stone homosexuals to death. An example of such a barbaric incidence occurred 7 years ago when the Saudi government imprisoned nine Saudi men and lashed them for engaging in cross-dressing and homosexual acts. Moreover, they executed three Yemeni male workers for homosexuality and child molestation. In addition, in April 2005, the government imprisoned a hundred men because they were at a private party that was most probably a same-sex wedding ceremony or a birthday party. Yet, not long after a gay foreign couple was sentenced to death for homosexuality and allegedly killing a man who was blackmailing them for homosexuality (Reports, stories and information for gay men in Saudi Arabia, 2007).   The other accident of the death penalty for homosexual behavior happened in 1996, when one Saudi man was beheaded for homosexual behavior (Gay Marriage†¦in Saudi Arabia? 2007). The attitude to transgenderism in Saudi Arabia is a bit different. The government also does not tolerate it, however, permits surgery for intersex people in case it is proven that this is a mental disorder. â€Å"Saudi Arabia does not allow surgery for transsexuals, but permits operations on people with an intersex condition† (Usher, 2007). An extreme example of such surgeries took place to five sisters who wanted to change their sex to male. The doctor carrying out the surgery stressed that he just made â€Å"gender correction† rather than sex change operations. This doctor, Dr Jamal has preformed has performed over 200 sex change operations. However, as he states most of the operations were performed were on androgynous babies. Saudi Arabian, Dr Jamal, emphasized that these five girls were actually inter-sexed, and he would never perform surgery on people with normal genitalia but wanted to belong to the opposite sex, because as he states â€Å"Islam did not allow people to change what God had created† (Usher, 2007). Transvestism is severely punished. For example, Saudi man was given 200 lashes and 6 months in prison for cross dressing at a wedding party (Saudis Arrest 5 Pakistani TGs, 1998). Transgender and Homosexual Issues in Iran The other country, which is would like to describe regarding its attitude to LGBT issues, is Iran. The attitude to sexual minorities here is ambiguous. On the one hand homosexuality is punished by death; on the other hand, Iran is the country, which legally performs sex change operations in the word. Iran is 98  % Muslim (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007). Its legal system is based on Sharia law, and its government is a theocratic republic, which is a form of government controlled by religious authority. Moreover, there is a Deity who is considered the supreme civil ruler, and his laws interpreted by the mullahs (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007) Basically Iran is an extremely Muslim state, which explains completely the intolerable attitude of people and government to homosexuality. â€Å"All sexual relations that occur outside of a traditional, heterosexual marriage (i.e. sodomy or adultery) are illegal and no legal distinction is made between consensual or non-consensual sexual activity. Homosexual relations that occur between consenting adults in private are a crime and carry a maximum punishment of death† (LGBT Rights in Iran, 2007). In addition, there are no civil rights legislation that exist in that disallow discrimination against homosexuals, and only negative depictions of homosexuality are allowed in the press. The concept of sexual orientation is not recognized in Iran, nor does the judiciary acknowledge the existence of LGBT people and instead believes that all people are normally heterosexual. Thus, they claim that `homosexuality is a violation of the supreme will of their God. As a result, no laws exist that protect LGBT Iranians from discrimination, harassment, or bias-motivated violence, and as a theocratic political system, no such laws are permitted to exist. Most Iranian LGBT people remain in the closet about their sexual orientation for fear of being the victims of discrimination, hate crimes, government sanctions, corporal punishment, and/or capital punishment. Male homosexuality is a crime punished by death, The way they are killed is usually barbaric, but ultimately decided by the Sharia judge. All homosexuals are punished by death unless they are not sane or are not adult. Juveniles who are accused and proved to have engaged in homosexual behavior are punishment with 74 lashes. (Articles 108 to 113) This is proved by confession or by the testimony of four righteous men only and not women. Different homosexuals acts have different levels of punishment. For instance â€Å"Tafhiz†, which is the rubbing of the thighs or buttocks, done by two men is punished with 100 lashes. If this act is repeated four times then they will be punished with the death penalty. (Articles 121 and 122). Furthermore If two men simply stand naked under one cover together without touching or anything, they are punished with up to 99 lashes. If one man kisses another in a sexual way they are punishment with 60 lashes. (Articles 123 and 124). As for adolescents, in 2007 two teenagers have been executed for homosexual behavior, (LGBT Rights in Iran, 2007) even is this goes against the law stated earlier. Female homosexuality is punished less severely. Thus, women are usually punished with 100 lashes. However if the act is repeated more than three times then they will be punished with death. Women who stand naked under one cover without touching or any farther acts of lust and are not relatives are punished with 100 lashes. (Article 134)` (LGBT Rights in Iran, 2007). Real life examples that occurred in Iran of punishing homosexual behavior according to The Boroumand Foundation exceed 107 executions between 1979 and 1990. Moreover according to Amnesty International, at least 5 people convicted of `homosexual tendencies`, three men and two women, were executed in January 1990, as a result of the Iranian governments policy of calling for the execution of those who practice homosexuality. However, transsexuals are considered completely normal, greatly due to the fact that since 1980s transexuality is considered an illness that can be corrected by surgery (LGBT Rights in Iran, 2007). Iran has between 15,000 and 20,000 transsexuals, according to official statistics. In addition Iran has more sex change operations than any country in the world next to Thailand. These operations have been legal since Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Islamic revolution, passed a fatwa legalizing them nearly 25 years ago, under the fact that the Quran says nothing about sex change operations for those who need them. Transsexuality is considered an illness, while an operation is the cure. Furthermore, not only does the government allow sex change operations, they fund it as well as the hormone therapy needed. An example of a transgendered person in Iran Mahyar. As a small child Mahyar liked dressing up in womens clothes and playing with make-up. This obsession did not die, in fact it only increased over time, and as she got older she stated that `I badly needed to do it but it had to be in secret,` and now she wants to have a sex-change operation. Transgender and Homosexual Issues in Iraq Finally, I’d like to discuss one more country – Iraq. It should be mentioned that homosexuality was considered legal in Iraq under Saddam Hussein until late 2001. However, later the attitude towards it changed and became stricter due to the pressure from religious conservatives. Under the law passed in 2001 homosexuality was punished by imprisonment, and repeated convictions were defined to be punishable even by death. However, there were still no cases when homosexuals were punished with the death penalty. Hussein did not consider homosexuality to be a crime due to the fact that it was against the Secular Socialist beliefs of the Baath Party. Now the legal status of homosexuality is still a matter of severe dispute. Thus, we can see that homosexuality is not illegal in Iraq de jure, but still remains a taboo (Brown, 2005) The legal basis of Iraq concerning homosexual and transgender issues is quite controversial. On the one hand Iraq does not have a definite criminal or penal code concerning these issues. On the other hand this does not mean that sexual minorities have the same rights as people with traditional sexual orientation. This controversy arises from the inner controversy in the country. Thus, Iraq was a secular socialist dictatorship, but its life is generally ruled by the fundamentalist Islam. One prove of the intolerable attitude of the public towards sexual minorities can be seen in the event, which took place in 1993. Then Iraq’s United Nations representatives opposed the International Lesbian Gay Associations application, when the latter tried to apply for consultative status as a non-governmental organization. The explanation of this act was simple: â€Å"based on our firm belief that the work of this organization runs counter to the beliefs of all divine religions.† (Brown, 2005). Conclusions So, as we can see the attitude to sexual minorities in Iraq is milder than in the other countries of the Middle East but still it is quite severe if compared with the Western Europe. Still the problem of treating homosexual and transgender issues exists. This is greatly because of the strong influence of the religion on the public and political life of the country. As Islam is quite a strict religion concerning the sexual life of the people, it makes the situation of the sexual minorities really hard. However, as we can see little by little homosexuals and transgender people still gain their rights and probably in the future their position in the Middle East will not be that dangerous. References Brown, Edward TJ. (2005). Iraq: Sexual Orientation, Human Rights and the Law. Online. Available from: http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/iraq/iqnews003.htm 30 November 2007.    Central intelligence agency. The world factbook. Online. Available from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html#People 30 November 2007. Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice. News and Commentary on Arab Women, Palestine, Cultural Politics, and Everything in Between. Online. Available from: http://arabwomanprogressivevoice.blogspot.com/2007/09/kuwaiti-boyaats-seek-to-unite.html 30 November 2007. International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (2002). Kuwait. Status of Sexual Minorities. Amnesty International Report. Middle East and North Africa. Interview with a Kuwaiti transsexual. Online. Available from: http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/07/21/interview-with-a-kuwaiti-transsexual 30 November 2007. Kuwait: transsexual fighting for recognition. (2004). Online. Available from: http://mostlyafrica.blogspot.com/2004/11/kuwait-transsexual-fighting-for.html 30 November 2007. Lang, Sabine. (1997). Two-Spirit People: Native American Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality. University of Illinois Press. LGBT Rights in Iran. Online. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Iran#_note-7 30 December 2007. Malik, Faris. Queer Sexuality and Identity in the Quran and Hadith. Online. Available from: http://www.well.com/user/aquarius/Qurannotes.htm 30 December 2007. Reports and Musings from the Veteran Gay and AIDS Human Rights Advocate. Online. Available from: http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/ 30 November 2007. Reports, stories and information for gay men in Saudi Arabia Online. Available from: http://www.gaymiddleeast/country/saudiarabia 30 November 2007. Rothblatt, Martine (1995). Apartheid of Sex. Westview Press. Saudis Arrest 5 Pakistani TGs. (1998). PlanetOut Corporation. Usher, Sebastian. Gender correction for Saudi girls. Online. Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3814041.stm 30 November 2007.

Understanding The Chemistry Of Nickel

Understanding The Chemistry Of Nickel Nickel is silvery white [1] and lustrous metal. It is the 7th most abundant transition metal and 24th most abundant element in the crust of earth. It has an atomic number of 28, atomic mass of 58.71 gmol-1 and atomic volume of 6.59 cm3mol-1 [2]. It belongs to group 10 (8B) and 4th period of modern periodic table. Nickel has electronic configuration [Ar] 4s2 3d8 [3]. It has property of malleability and ductility. 300 kilometers long wire can be drawn from a single kilogram of nickel. It has high electrical and thermal conductivities of 0.146 x 106 Scm-1 and 90.9 Wm-1K-1. It is hard, odorless and corrosion resistant metal that takes a high polish. Nickel crystallizes with face centered cubic structure. The unit cell has lattice parameter of 0.352 nm with atomic radius of 0.124 nm. Nickel is naturally occuring ferro magnetic and magnetostrictive material [4] at or near room temperature. Its curie temperature is 355  °C [5]. Nickel is mined from two types of ore deposits. These include laterites and sulphides. Laterites are silicate or oxide ores. It occurs most usually in combination with sulfur and iron in pentlandite (NiS.2FeS) which contains 1.5% nickel, with sulfur in millerite (NiS), with arsenic in mineral nickeline (NiAs) as a red nickel ore, containing 43.9% nickel and 56.1% arsenic, and with arsenic and sulfur in nickel glance [6]. 1.2 Chemical Properties of Nickel Nickel is relatively unreactive element. Under ambient conditions, it does not react with water, oxygen or dissolve in most acids. 1.2.1 Standard Reduction Potentials In aqueous solution, the standard reduction potentials for various oxidation states of nickel are shown in Scheme 1.1 [7, 8]. Scheme 1.1 Standard Electrode Potentials of Various Nickel Species 1.2.2 Reaction of Nickel with Halogens Nickel dichloride, NiCl2, nickel dibromide, NiBr2, and nickel diiodide, NiI2, are formed by the reactions of nickel with chlorine, Cl2, bromine, Br2, and iodine, I2. Ni(s) + Cl2(g) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ NiCl2(s) (yellow) Ni(s) + Br2(g) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ NiBr2(s) (yellow) Ni(s) + I2(g) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ NiI2(s) (black) 1.2.3 Reaction of Nickel with Acids Nickel metal dissolves slowly in dilute sulphuric acid to form solution containing the aquated Ni(II) ion together with hydrogen gas, H2. Ni(s) + H2SO4(aq) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Ni2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + H2(g) Ni(s) + HCl(aq) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Ni2+(aq) + Cl- (aq) + H2(g) It does not dissolve in concentrated nitric acid, HNO3, because it is rendered passive by this reagent [9]. 1.2.4 Reaction of Nickel with Air Nickel in finely divided form reacts readily with air. At higher temperatures, it burns in oxygen to form nickel oxide. 2Ni(s) + O2(g) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 2NiO(s) 1.3 Oxidation States The oxidation states of nickel include -1, 0, +1, +2, +3 or +4. The most prevalent oxidation state is +2, but compounds of Ni0, Ni+1, and Ni3+ are well known. Ni4+ has also been demonstrated [10]. 1.4 Nickel(II) Compounds Nickel is known primarily for its divalent compounds with all common anions, i.e. halides, hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, carboxylates, sulfide and hydroxide. Green and blue are the characteristic colors of its compounds. Important nickel(II) compounds include: 1.4.1 Oxides Nickel oxide, NiO is a powdery green solid that becomes yellow on heating [11]. It can be prepared easily by heating nickel carbonate, nitrate or hydroxide. 1.4.2 Sulfides Nickel sulfides occur in different forms such as NiS, nickel sulphide, NiS2, nickel persulphide and Ni3S2, trinickel disulphide. 1.4.3 Halides NiCl2 is yellow but NiCl2.6H2O is of green colour. NiCl2 is prepared by NiCl2.6H2O + 6SOCl2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ NiCl2 + 6SO2 + 12HCl NiF2 is prepared by treatment of anhydrous nickel(II) chlHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel(II)_chlorideoride with fluorine at 350  °C [12]. NiClHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel(II)_chloride2 + FHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorine2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ NiF2 + ClHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine2 1.4.4 Nitrates Nickel(II) nitrate hexahydrate, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O is highly soluble in water, giving emerald green solutions. 1.4.5 Carbonates Nickel(II) carbonate is a pale green polymeric solid consisting of Ni2+ cations and [COHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonate3HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonate]HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonate2- anions. It is readily decomposed by aqueous acids to give solutions containing the ion [Ni(H2O)6]2+, liberating water and carbon dioxide. 1.4.6 Sulfates The anhydrous form has a yellow to green color while NiSO4.7H2O and NiSO4.6H2O appears green and blue to pale green, respectively. 1.4.7 Hydroxides Ni(OH)2 occurs as green crystals that can be precipitated when aqueous alkali is added to a solution of nickel (II) salt. Its decomposition on heating above 230  °C produces toxic gases. 1.5 Nickel (III), Nickel (IV) Nickel (VI) Compounds The +3 oxidation state is found in dinickel trioxide, Ni2O3. NiO4-2 is an example of +6 oxidation state while NiO2 and NiF6-2 correspond to +4 oxidation states. Nickel(IV) also occurs in BaNiO3 and in the periodate salts, MNiIO6 (M = alkali cation, NH4). 1.6 Water Soluble, Poorly Soluble Insoluble Nickel Compounds In contrast to water soluble nickel salts (chloride, nitrate, acetate and sulfate), metallic nickel, nickel sulfides, and nickel oxides are poorly soluble in water [13]. NiCO3 is partly water soluble. 1.7 Nickel(II) Complexes Nickel in its most common +2 oxidation state displays a wider range of geometries in its complexes than any other metal ion with coordination numbers 3 to 6. Nickel(II) forms many complexes with octahedral [14, 15], square planar [16, 17, 18] and tetrahedral [19, 20] geometries and a smaller number of five coordinate compounds [21, 22] with square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal arrangements. Nickel(II) octahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, square pyramidal and tetrahedral complexes are paramagnetic and have in the majority of cases a green or blue colour. The square planar nickel complexes are diamagnetic and mostly have a yellow, red or brown colour. The ligand exchange processes for nickel(II) tend to be associative, while with palladium(II) and platinum(II), dissociative pathways predominate which tends to adopt only square planar complexes. 1.7.1 Six Coordinate Octahedral Nickel(II) Complexes Nickel(II) forms octahedral complexes with neutral ligands such as H2O and NH3. Amines displace some or all of water molecules in the octahedral [Ni(H2O)6]2+ ion to form complexes such as trans [Ni(H2O)2(NH3)4]2+, [Ni(NH3)6]2+ and [Ni(en)3]2+. These complexes are characteristically purple or blue in contrast to the bright green hexaaquanickel(II) ion, [Ni(H2O)6]2+ [23]. These octahedral complexes have two unpaired electrons and are paramagnetic with magnetic moments 2.9 to 3.4 BM. Other examples include dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)nickel(II), a blue solid, soluble in water and polar organic solvents [24] and Ni(acac)2.2H2O [25]. 2+ 2+ [Ni(H2O)6]2+ [Ni(NH3)6]2+ Ni(en)2Cl2 Ni(acac)2.2H2O 1.7.2 Five Coordinate Square Pyramidal Trigonal Bipyramidal Nickel(II) Complexes Several phosphine and arsine ligands form five coordinate trigonal bipyramidal complexes because tetradentate tripod ligands such as N[C2H4N(CH3)2]3 and N[C2H4PPh2]3 cannot span the apices of a regular tetrahedron. One face is left open for 5th ligand, e.g halide ion to form trigonal bipyramidal complex. Though hydride, thiolate, alkyl and other anionic ligands are also known; the complexes are therefore +1 cations. Tris(1,3-diaminopropane) chromium(III) pentacyanonickelate(II), [Cr(tn)3][Ni(CN)5] has square pyramidal [Ni(CN)5]3- anions. In contrast, crystalline tris(ethylenediamine) chromium(III) pentacyanonickelate(II) sesquihydrate, [Cr(en)3][Ni(CN)5].1.5H2O contains both square pyramidal anions and slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal anions [26]. The trigonal bipyramidal structure is favored on the basis of ligand repulsion alone. For this reason, almost every five coordinate compound having non metallic central element such as PF5 has trigonal bipyramidal structure unless there are lone pairs. 1.7.3 Four Coordinate Nickel(II) Complexes Nickel(II) in its four coordination mode exhibits either tetrahedral or square planar geometry. 1.7.3.1 Tetrahedral Nickel(II) Complexes Nickel(II) tetrahedral complexes of stoichiometric types; NiX42-, NiX3L-, NiL2X2 and Ni(L-L)2 are known where X represents halogen, L is neutral ligand such as phosphine, phosphine oxide or arsine, and L-L is bidentate ligand such as ethylenediamine. Tetrahedral arrangement for Ni2+ will be preferred if the ligands are large and weak field. Ni(PPh3)3Cl NiCl42- [Ni(acac)2] 1.7.3.2 Square Planar Nickel(II) Complexes For the vast majority of four coordinate nickel(II) complexes, planar geometry is preferred for small and strong field ligands. Tetracyanonickelate(II) will probably be orange red colored square planar complex. Almost all planar complexes of nickel(II) with d8 configuration are diamagnetic. Important examples of square planar complexes are red bis(dimethylglyoximato) nickel(II) [27] and dichloro[1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane]nickel, NiCl2(dppp). Ni(dmgH)2 NiCl2(dppp) [Ni(C2O4)2]2- [Ni(CN)4]2- 1.7.4 Three Coordinate Nickel(II) Complexes There are many examples of trigonal complexes for nickel(0), however, they are rare for Ni(II). The examples include dialkylamides [Ni(NR2)3]1- and Ni2(  µ-NR2)2(NR2)2 as well as blue mesityl complex [Ni(mes)3]1- which has approximately T shaped geometry [28, 29]. 1.8 Nickel(III) Complexes [Ni(tdt)2]- is nickel(III) square planar complex anion having coordination number four where tdt = 3,4-toluenedithiole. Other examples include [Ni(tacn)2]3+ with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane [30] and dark green air stable Ni(III) complex having donor NO2S2 chromophore [31]. Ni[(NO2S)2(C6H4)4] [Me(tdt)2]-, Me = Ni [Ni(tacn)2]3+ 1.9 Nickel(IV) Complexes A well established bis chelated complex of nickel(IV) is the diacetylpyridine dioximato complex [32]. Other examples include dicarbollide complex, Ni(closo-1,2-C2B9H11)2 [33] and the polyselenide anion [Ni4Se4(Se3)(Se4)]4- with a cubic Ni4Se4 core [34]. The hexadentate ligand 3,14-dimethyl-4,7,10,13-tetraazahexadeca-3,13-diene 2,15-dione dioxime forms pseudooctahedral NiN6 complex with nickel(IV) [35]. 1.10 Nickel(-I, 0, +I) Complexes The low valent oxides, K3[NiO2] and KNa2[NiO2] contain linear [O-Ni(I)-O]3- units [36]. The majority of nickel(I) complexes contain phosphine ligands and have tetrahedral or trigonal bipyramidal structure. They are paramagnetic as expected for d9 configurations. In Ni(CO)4, nickel is in zero oxidation state [37]. Bis(cyclooctadiene)nickel(0), Ni(C8H12)2 is a diamagnetic featuring tetrahedral nickel(0) [38]. Ni(cod)2 Ni(CO)4 1.11 Biological Role Nickel is a part of urease. [NiFe]-hydrogenases selectively oxidise H2. Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase enzymes consists of Fe-Ni-S cluster [39]. Other nickel containing enzymes include class of superoxide dismutase and glyoxalase [40]. Enzymatic reactions depend on redox activity of nickel atoms in enzymes active site. In fact, proposed mechanisms of NiFe hydrogenase [41], methyl-CoM reductase [42, 43] and NiSOD [44, 45] involves reduced (Nio, Ni+) and or oxidized (Ni3+) forms of nickel. Nickel along with iron plays vital role in transport of oxygen in blood. Nickel also acts as co-factor in absorption of iron from intestine. 1.12 Sources and Potential Exposure of Nickel Nickel is a ubiquitous natural trace element and it occurs in air, water and soil of the biosphere [46]. 1.12.1 Diet Food and drinking water [47, 48] are the major sources of nickel exposure [49]. Fats, chocolates [50], nuts, candies [51], tomatoes, bananas, onions, spinach, legumes, tea [52], white flour and all canned foods [53] are rich in nickel content. 1.12.2 Ambient Air Nickel oxide, nickel chloride, nickel carbonyl and nickel subsulphide are inhaled pollutants. Nickel levels in ambient air are in range 1 10 ng/m3 in urban areas, although much higher levels 110 180 ng/m3 have been recorded in heavily industrialized areas and larger cities [54]. 1.12.3 Tobacco Smoking It is major source of nickel in indoor air. A cigarette contains 1 3  µg of nickel. Nickel in a burning cigarette form nickel tetracarbonyl that is volatile and gaseous compound and badly affects respiratory tract [55]. 1.12.4 Occupational Exposure of Nickel Pulmonary absorption is major route of nickel exposure in industries [56]. The general population is also exposed to nickel in nickel alloys and nickel plated materials such as coins [57], jewellery [58], electric guitar strings [59], stainless steel cutlery, soaps and detergents. 1.13 Exposure Limits of Nickel The American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned threshold limit value time weighted average for exposure to nickel compounds is 1.5 mg/m3 for elemental nickel, 0.1 mg/m3 for soluble inorganic nickel compounds and nickel subsulfide, 0.2 mg/m3 for insoluble inorganic compounds and 0.05 ppm for nickel carbonyl [60]. 1.14 Toxicity of Nickel Nickel is known as haemato, immunoto, neuro, geno, reproductive, pulmonary toxic and carcinogenic agent. 1.14.1 Acute Toxicity (01 day) The accidental inhalation of nickel carbonyl causes acute toxic effects in two stages, immediate and delayed. The immediate symptoms include headache, vertigo, irritability, which usually last a few hours, followed by an asymptomatic interval of 12 h to 5 days. The delayed symptoms are: 1.14.1.1 Nickel Itch Soluble nickel compounds on skin contact may result in nickel itch [61], most frequently when skin is moist. 1.14.1.2 Gastrointestinal Distress Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were reported in workers who drank water, contaminated with nickel sulfate and nickel chloride. 1.14.1.3 Neurological Effects Giddiness and weariness were reported in individuals accidentally exposed to nickel sulphate and nickel chloride (1.63 g Ni/liter) with boric acid in drinking water [62]. 1.14.1.4 Pulmonary Fibrosis In humans and animals, nickel carbonyl causes pulmonary fibrosis. Nickel fumes are respiratory irritants and may also cause pneumonitis. 1.14.1.5 Kidney Damage Kidney damage and frank haematuria were observed [63]. 1.14.2 Subchronic Toxicity (10 100 day) A 6 weeks exposure of nickel fumes (0.07 1.1 mg nickel/m3) in humans caused an increase in air way and eye irritations, headaches and tiredness [64]. 1.14.3 Chronic Toxicity (> 100 days) 1.14.3.1 Dermatitis In sensitized individuals, it is most common effect due to nickel use in jewellery intended for pierced body parts and is often marked by itchy and red skin followed by skin ulceration [65]. 1.14.3.2 Respiratory Disorders Inhalation of nickel dusts and aerosols contributes to respiratory disorders such as asthma [66], pneumoconiosis and can also interfere with kreb ´s cycle. 1.14.3.3 Heart Failure Exposure of nickel tetracarbonyl to levels 50,000 100,000 times greater than levels normally encountered in food or drinking water can cause heart failure and variable degrees of cardiovascular system poisoning [67]. 1.14.3.4 Tumors Nickel powder can induce both epithelial and connective tissue tumors e.g. pelvic, renal cortical and liver tumors when given by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intraperitoneal injection [68]. 1.14.3.5 Kidney Poisoning Nickel in blood is mostly protein bound and accumulates primarily in kidneys resulting in kidney poisoning [69]. 1.14.3.6 Birth Defects Low birth weight infants with sensory abnormalities, such as hearing or sight loss and cardiac malformations are born with nickel exposed mothers [70, 71]. 1.14.3.7 Oxidative Stress Nickel(II) induces oxidative stress in humans [72, 73] by producing either reactive oxygen species, ROS or reactive nitrogen species, RNS. NiCl2 induces lipid peroxidation while ROS generated damage DNA. Nickel binds to DNA repair enzymes and generates oxygen free radicals causing protein degradation [74]. 1.14.3.8 Genotoxicity Ni(CO)4 inhibts DNA dependent RNA synthesis activity by binding to chromatin or DNA and thereby preventing action of RNA polymerase, causing suppresion of messenger RNA dependent induction of enzyme synthesis [75]. 1.14.3.9 Carcinogenicity Nickel subsulphide, nickel oxide, nickel sulphate as well as nickel sulfide fume and dust is believed to be carcinogenic [76, 77]. Independent international scientific bodies have classified mixed sulphidic and oxidic nickel compounds [78] as carcinogens to humans, inclusive of water soluble nickel compounds. There are higher chances of development of lung cancer, nasal cancer, and Prostate cancer in nickel exposed workers [79]. 1.15 Uses of Nickel 1.15.1 Nickel Alloys Nickel in alloyed form has made significant contributions to our present day society. German silver containing 10 30 % nickel is used for ornamental and domestic objects. Monel contains 68% nickel ands is used in apparatus for handling corrosive materials. Invar is important due to very small coefficient of expansion [80]. Nickel is principle alloying element in stainless steel that enhances its heat, corrosion, and stress rupture resistance [81]. Majority of stainless steels contain 8 10 % nickel. Its limitless uses include home and industrial products. 1.15.2 Nickel Electroplating Nickel electroplating is used for both protective and decorative finishes. Nickel chloride, NiCl2, nickel acetate Ni(OCOCH3)2, nickel nitrate, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O and nickel sulphate, NiSO4.7H2O are employed chiefly in nickel electroplating baths [82] while nickel oxide is used as electrolyte. Nickel electroplating changes the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the workpiece [83]. 1.15.3 Catalytic Hydrogenation Raney nickel is used in a large number of industrial processes because of its stability and high catalytic activity at room temperature. It catalyses hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Soybean oil has been hydrogenated electrocatalytically on raney nickel with 90 100 % efficiencies [84]. Benzene is commonly reduced to cyclohexane using raney nickel for production of nylon. Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane Using Raney Nickel Raney nickel is used in reduction of compounds that have multiple bonds. Reduction of Thiophene by Raney Nickel De-Sulfurization of Thioacetals using Raney Nickel 1.15.4 Industrial Applications of Nickel 1.15.4.1 Heavy Industries Nickel based super alloys have high temperature applications in jet engines, gas turbines and rocket engines [85]. Monel can resist corrosion by sea water and is ideal for propeller shaft in boats and desalination plants. 1.15.4.2 Food Chemical processing Industries Monel and stainless steel are used in chemical and food processing industries due to better corrosion resistance at high temperature steam [86]. 1.15.4.3 Ceramics, Paints, Dyes Cosmetic Industries Nickel(II) phthalocyanine, C32H16N8Ni is used as bluish green pigment in the coloring industries [87]. The nickel titanium yellow pigments find great use in polymer and paint applications [88]. Nickel dimethylglyoxime (C8 H14 N4 NiO4) is routinely used as coloring agent in paints, cosmetics and certain kinds of plastics. NiO is used in making glass having ability to absorb visible light but transmits ultraviolet light [89]. In cosmetic products of many brands, the highest level of nickel in eye shadows is about 49 ppm [90]. 1.15.4.4 Textile Rubber Industry Nickel acetate is used as mordant in textile industry. Di-n-butyldithiocarbamate nickel(II) complex, Ni[CS2N(C4H4)2]2 is used as an antioxidant in tires. 1.15.5 Batteries Nickel batteries are dominant in the field of rechargeable electrochemical power sources due to their long cycle life, high power and a reliable performance. Ni(OH)2 is used as positive electrode to significantly boost energy densities in nickel alkaline batteries [91]. Nickel cadmium cells provide 1.2 V and are used in aeroplanes and emergency lighting systems. In industries, these batteries provide high voltage of 250 V with capacities about 5 Ah 100 Ah [92]. Nickel hydrogen (NiH2) battery cells with nickel oxide positive electrode are developed due to high power density and good thermal performance which make them attractive for use in electric vehicles, satellite and space power systems [93]. 1.16 Chemistry of Ligands 1.16.1 Thiourea (Tu) Thiourea, SHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CarbonC(NHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HydrogenH2)2 is lustrous white crystalline compound. It is useful sulfur donor thioamide and planar molecule, soluble in water and polar organic solvents but insoluble in non polar solvents. It has two tautomeric forms but in aqueous solution, thione form predominates. 1.16.2 N,N-Dimethylthiourea (Dmtu) N,N-Dimethylthiourea, C3H8N2S has appearance of colorless to white crystals. It shows coordination through sulfur. Fig. 1.10 Structure of N,N-Dimethylthiourea 1.16.3 1,1,3,3-Tetramethyl-2-thiourea (Tmtu) This substituted thiourea is white crystalline solid. It is sulfur donor ligand. 1.16.4 1,3-Diazinane-2-thione (Diaz) This six membered heterocyclic thione is sulfur donor ligand. 1.16.5 Imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt) It is a sulfur donor five membered heterocyclic thione [94] and has brown crystals. The peculiarity of Imidazolidine-2-thione is presence of a thiouredine fragment. It is planar with non-uniform distribution of à Ã¢â€š ¬ electron density and shows presence of maximum negative charge on exocyclic sulfur. Dipolar form B predominates in resonance hybrid. 1.17 Objective The primary objective of this study is to understand basic chemistry of nickel(II) and its complexes and gain an insight into metal ligand interactions in biological systems with following main objectives. To explore coordination chemistry of nickel(II) with various sulfur donor ligands and develop useful model for biologically active nickel complexes by determining structures of synthesized nickel complexes. Synthesis of nickel(II) complexes with thioamide and thione ligands. Crystallization of as many complexes as possible and determination of their structures by X-ray crystallography. Characterization of complexes by IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. A comparative study of complexes based on spectroscopic and structural data.