Formative Writing †Slumdog Millionaire Essay Example for Free

pliant Writing Slumdog Millionaire EssayThe film Slumdog Millionaire by British born director Danny Boyle, gives a particular perspicacity into life in India, and more specifically the city of Mumbai by the use of setting. It is this cultural backdrop saluteed by means of the perspective of foreigner that not only makes the film special, but also sparked a lot of deal whether the image revealed is an accurate portrayal of India. The film attempts to show the shocking and disturbing realities that occur in India, including poverty, injustice, slums, junto culture and prostitution. An example of one of these realities being depicted is in the scene where Jamal and Salim have been captured by the mobster Ma humanity who plans to blind Jamal in order to make him a profitable beggar as he leave behind evoke more sympathy if blind.The setting of the scene is outside a remote building where the gangsters clasp the children at night. These children argon placed away from the r est of civilisation showing how they are unwanted and are outsiders. The lighting is minimal making it dark, eerie and scary which is also coupled with fast pace television camera shots which are predominantly close-ups on things such as the acid, Mamans face and one of his accomplices cracking his knuckles. both of these features work together in order to create an intimidating impression on the viewer as we dont get the full perspective echoing how the children are being tricked and deceived.Salim watches one of the boys look being burned yet the viewer doesnt get to see this, instead the horror is echoed through Salims physical reaction as he vomits. It appears that the director wants to shock the audience and present the horrors present in Indian culture, yet he doesnt show it physically being done, creating a bulwark which shields the western audience at all times. Maman asks Salim whether he wants the life of a Slumdog or a man? This gives the impression that all Indian me n should want to be and are like Maman who is evil and corrupt, gift a negative representation of men in India.

Blastocystis Hominis and Colorectal Cancer

Blastocystis Ho secondis and Colorectal pubic louseBlastocystis hominis (B.hominis) is the most common uni jail prison cellular phoneular protozoan parasite that is found in the human gastrointestinal nerve portion (Windsor et al. 2002). The prevalence of B. hominis in twain developed and developing countries is reported to be up to 10% and 50% respectively (Wong et al. 2008 Stenzel and Boreham. 1996). On the other hand, B. hominis shows a diverse morphologies which include vacuolar, granular, amoeboid and cyst forms (Zierdt. 1988). Further more(prenominal), B. hominis isolates from human and animals film been reported to exhibit an broad genetic and karyotypic heterogeneity (Parkar et al. 2010 Stensvold et al. 2009 Tan et al. 2009 Dogruman-Al et al. 2009 Abe. 2004 Yoshikawa et al. 2004).Although many researchers afford attempted to severalize the pathogenesis of B. hominis in human multitudes, however the unhealthful potency of B. hominis has remained contr all oversi al as it is present in twain diagnostic and vigorous individual (Tan. 2008 Garcia. 2007 Tan et al. 2002). The gastrointestinal symptoms that are associated with B. hominis infection include diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, flatulence, abdominal soreness and other associated non-specific symptoms. To date, experiments go shown that rats that are inoculated with human B. hominis isolate stick out demonstrated an elevation in aerophilous damage (Chandramathi et al. 2009).Many studies construct been done on the genetic and molecular characterization of B. hominis isolates derived from human as well as animal. Recent molecular characterization of Blastocystis isolates draw outed that at that place are 13 subtypes (ST1-ST13) which have been dislocated from mammalian, reptilian, avian and amphibian hosts (U. Parkar et al. 2010 Stensvold et al. 2007a Nol et al. 2005, 2003 Yoshikawa et al. 2004b). Recently, many studies have been done to determine the pathogenic potential of dissim ilar Blastocystis subtypes in human hosts by ge nonypic analysis as well as molecular characterization of B. hominis isolated from symptomatic and well individuals (Dominguez-Mrquez et al. 2009 Eroglu et al. 2009 Jones et al. 2009 Hussein et al. 2008 Tan et al. 2008). Nevertheless, only limited numbers of studies have shown correlation between the different B. hominis subtypes on the pathogenesis in human hosts (Hussein et al. 2008).Infectious agents much(prenominal) as bacteria, virus and parasites, often have an oncogenic potential. The International Agency on Research of Cancer (IARC) has estimated that 16% of crab louse world(a) is caused by infection, including parasites. However, there has been no research done on the association between B. hominis infection and colorectal cancer. A recent claim has suggested that B. hominis whitethorn possess the ability to induce the harvesting of colorectal cancer cell declines by inhibiting the apoptotic install of colon cancer ce lls. Furthermore, the antigens that are isolated from B. hominis were postulated to be able to get on the proliferation of cancer cells via down-regulation of host resistive cellular responses (Chandramathi et al. 2010).In general, inflammation is activated by a mixed bag of stimuli such as trauma, bacterial/viral/parasitic infections, endotoxemia and heating (Ley, 2001 Hart, 2002). Inflammation caused by infectious agents such as parasites will cause an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide as a consequence of cell mediated phagocyte dependent tolerant response (Rosen et al. 1995). A persistent and chronic inflammatory response can be detrimental to human host as it can produce a chronic damage by releasing a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines which then becomes to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, neurodegenerative disorder, inflammatory bowel syndrome and atherosclerosis (Khn et al. 1993 Perry et al. 1998 Ludewig et al. 2002 Shacter et al. 2002). Several studies have shown correlation between the inflammation that is caused by infectious agents such as parasites and the reading of cancer in human (Fitzpatrick. 2001). Thus, it is important for us to evaluate the immunomodulation, cytopathic and cellular cytokines responses as a solving of B. hominis infection especially in colorectal carcinomas. Since B. hominis is often present in most stool socialisations, it is pertinent to investigate the association between B. hominis infection and the development of colorectal cancer in the gastrointestinal tract of infected host system.B. hominis isolated from an symptomless individual could facilitate the proliferation and growth of cancer cells and has the potential to down-regulate the host tolerant response (Chandramathi et al. 2010). However, only limited numbers of studies have shown the cytopathic effects and cellular cytokine responses of Blastocystis h ominis infection (Puthia et al. 2008 extensive et al. 2001 Walderich et al. 1998). These studies only investigated on Interleukin 8 and Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating fixings (GM-CSF) which are pro-inflammatory cytokines.We hypothesized that B. hominis infection in human host system has a potential carcinogenic effect and could influence the growth of colorectal cancer cells especially in colorectal cancer patients and that the B. hominis subtypes may exert varying degree of pathogenecity. Therefore, in this study, the differences between the effects of solubilized antigen of B. hominis from two(prenominal) symptomatic and symptomless isolates on the cell viability in the peripheral melodic phrase mononuclear cells (PBMCs, which represent the immune cells) as well as colorectal cancer cell line was evaluated. Besides that, the gene expression of cytokine, apoptotic mediators, and nuclear transcriptional factors in response to the symptomatic and well B. hominis ant igen in both PBMCs and colorectal cancer cell was compared. The knowledge and understanding in the association between Blastocystis hominis infection and colorectal cancer as well as the role of various cytokines involved in the neoplasm promotion may provide an insight into interruption and/or development of new immune-therapeutical strategies to combat colorectal cancer. objectiveThe objectives of the present study are-To study the effects of solubilized antigen of B. hominis from symptomatic and asymptomatic individual isolates on viability of both the peripheral telephone line mononuclear cells (PBMCs, which represent the normal immune cells) as well as colorectal cancer cells (HCT 116, colorectal cancer cell line).To investigate the gene expression of cytokine, transcriptional factors and apoptotic mediators such as interleukin 6, interleukin 8, tumour necrosis factor-, interferon gamma, nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells, cathepsin B, transformin g growth factor-, and protein 53 upon exposure to B. hominis antigen in both the PBMCs and colorectal cancer cellsMATERIALS AND METHODSSample collection and axenization of Blastocystis hominisB. hominis was isolated from stool samples of symptomatic as well as asymptomatic individuals. The B. hominis cysts were then isolated from feacal sample use the Ficoll-Paque Technique accord to Zaman and Khan (1994). The harvested cysts of B. hominis from both the symptomatic and asymptomatic individual isolates were washed in sterile phosphate-buffered salty (PBS). The washed harvested cysts were cultured in Jones medium, supplemented with 10% of heat-inactivated one dollar bill serum and incubated at 37C in carbonic acid gas incubator (Suresh and Smith. 2004). Axenization was conducted after the isolates have been incubated for 2 to 3 days.Isolation of solubilized antigen from symptomatic and asymptomatic culturesThe germfree B. hominis species were collected using Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation method and the harvested parasites were resuspended in basal Jones medium without the addition of heat-inactivated horse serum. Then, the harvested organisms were lysed by sonication method and the homogenate was incubated at 4C, overnight. The homogenate was centrifuged at 13000xg for 15 minutes at 4C after the overnight incubation. The supernatant which contains the solubilized antigen of B. hominis was filter-sterilized and the protein concentration of the antigen was determined using Bradford assay (Bio-Rad, USA).Subtyping of Blastocystis isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic culturesGenomic desoxyribonucleic acid Extraction The genomic desoxyribonucleic acid of symptomatic and asymptomatic isolates of Blastocystis hominis were extracted from the 3 to 4 days old culture with QIAmp deoxyribonucleic acid stool mini kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) tally to the manufacturers protocol. deoxyribonucleic acid Purity and Concentration The genomic desoxyribon ucleic acid yields were estimated using measuring rod of absorbance at 260nm and 280nm using a spectrophotometer. The ratio of absorbance at 260nm to 280nm determines the purity of the genomic DNA yielded. According to the manufacturers protocol, the ratio of 1.7-1.9 indicates that the DNA yields are pure.PCR Typing by STS Primers The genotype of B. hominis was determined by using PCR amplification with subtype-specific sequence labelled site (STS) primers (SB83, SB155, SB227, SB332, SB340, SB336, and SB337). The PCR reaction mixtures (20 l of total volume) consisted of PCR buffer, 2.5 U/l of Taq DNA polymerase (Fermantas, SB38), 1.5 mM MgCl2, 1.25 M of dNTPs (Fermantas, RO191), 0.5 pmol of in front primer, 0.5 pmol of reverse primer, and 1.0 l of the DNA samples. In addition, the PCR conditions were set as follows one cycle denaturing at 94C for 3 min, 30 cycles including denaturing at 94C for 30 seconds, annealing at 56.3C for 30 seconds, extending at 72C for 60 s, , and additi onal cycle with a 10 min chain elongation at 72C. The PCR products obtained were then electrophoresed in 1.5% agarose gel with 1X Tris-boric-EDTA (TBE) buffer. The fragments of the DNA were visualized using UV illuminator under UV light. The fragment sizes of the genomic DNA were confirmed with bands of a DNA ladder (50-1,000 bp DNA markers, Fermentas).Cultivation and collection of HCT116Human colorectal carcinoma cell line, HCT116, was cultured in 25 cm culture flask containing 5 ml of RPMI 1640 growth medium, supplemented with 5% of FBS, 2mM L-glutamine, cytosine U/ml penicillin-streptomycin, and 2.5 g/ml fungizone. The HCT116 cell line was then incubated in a CO2 incubator set at 100% humidity, atmosphere containing 5% of CO2 and a temperature of 37C. Prior to the introduction of antigen from Blastocystis hominis isolates, the cells were harvested from the substratum of the culture flask by using 0.25% trypsin-EDTA. The harvested cells were then washed with phosphate-buffered s aline (PBS) thrice and resuspended in RPMI 1640 growth medium onward introducing the solubilized antigen of Blastocystis hominis from symptomatic and asymptomatic isolates.Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)PBMCs were collected from fresh human blood sample (12 ml) in sterile EDTA tubes. The PBMCs were then isolated from the blood sample by using Histopaque-1077 (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) according to the density gradient centrifugation method (Boyum. 1974). The isolated PBMCs were then washed with PBS thrice and resuspended in 5 ml of RPMI 1640 growth medium, supplemented with 10% of FBS, 2mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin-streptomycin, and 2.5 g/ml fungizone in a 25 cm culture flask prior to the introduction of solubilized antigen of Blastocystis hominis isolates.Introduction of the solubilized symptomatic and asymptomatic derived Blasto antigen into PBMCs and colorectal cancer cell line, HCT116Harvested HCT116 cells (1 x 103 cells per well) in 100 l of RPMI growt h medium with 5% FBS and newly isolated PBMCs (5 x 104 cells per well) in 100 l of RPMI growth medium with 10% FBS were seeded into 96 well plates. After the overnight incubation in a CO2 incubator containing 5% CO2 at 37C, Blasto-antigen of B. hominis from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals at final concentration ranging from 0.001 to 10g/ml was added to each well containing the PBMCs and HCT116 cells and were pass on incubated for 48 hours. Then, the cell proliferation/viability was measured using the MTT assay (Mosmann. 1983).Quantitative real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtRT-PCR)Concentration of symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-antigen that yields the optimal proliferation and inhibition in the preliminary tests (MTT assay) was used to introduce into each culture flask containing PBMCs and HCT 116 cells respectively. For controls, PBS was introduced into both types of cells. After 48 hours of incubation, the RNA was isolated from the PBMCs a nd HCT 116 cells using Ambion RNAqueous Micro Kit (Ambion, CA, USA). The purified RNA obtained was then used to synthesize antonymous DNA (cDNA) using High-Capacity RNA-to-cDNA kit (Applied Biosystems, USA) by the PCR method. Finally, Real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis was performed using inventoried primers (TaqMan constituent Expression Assays, Applied Biosystems). In this study, the genes of interest were IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-B), interferon gamma (IFN-), protein 53 (p53), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-), and cathepsin B (CTSB). The PCR reaction will be prepared according to the protocol that is generated by StepOneTM Software v2.0.statistical AnalysisIn order to analyze the real-time RT-PCR gene expressions, the CT value of the treated samples with symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-antigen was compared against the non-treated sample (control with PBS) using the Stu dents t test. A P value of 0.05 was considered to be the minimum doorsill of significance.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONSIn the present study, the symptomatic and asymptomatic isolates were genotyped by PCR amplification using the well-known seven sets of STS primers. The extracted DNA of symptomatic isolate showed positive amplification with SB83 and thus determined as subtype 1 (Yoshikawa et al. 2004). Nevertheless, the extracted DNA of asymptomatic isolate did not show any positive amplification with all the seven sets of STS primers that was used in this study. Hence, it is postulated that the asymptomatic isolate may be subtype 8 to 13 which was not amplified by the STS primers used in this study (Dominguez-Mrquez et al. 2009 Eroglu et al. 2009 Jones et al. 2009 Hussein et al. 2008 Tan et al. 2008). Molecular phylogenetic analysis need to be carried out in order to advance characterized the subtype of asymptomatic isolate used in this study (Noel et al. 2005 Stensvold et al. 2007 Yos hikawa et al. 2007).In this study, the Blasto-Ag isolated from both symptomatic as well as asymptomatic isolates have caused an inhibition of PBMC cells proliferation which leads to the shot that the Blasto-Ag may have caused caspase-mediated cell death in the immune cells to prevent the propagation of immune cells to combat with the Blastocystis infection. The symptomatic isolate has caused a greater inhibition of PBMCs as compare to asymptomatic isolates. However, the Blasto-Ag mediated PBMCs cell inhibition is contrast to our previous(prenominal) report (Chandramathi et al. 2010). Our previous study showed that Blasto-Ag caused stimulation of PBMCs cell proliferation (Chandramathi et al. 2010). However, the molecular genotyping of the B. hominis isolates used in that study was not carried out. Past studies have reported that there may be a correlation between different B. hominis subtypes on the pathogenesis in human hosts (Dominguez-Mrquez et al. 2009 Eroglu et al. 2009 Jones et al. 2009 Hussein et al. 2008 Tan et al. 2008). This contrasting result observed in the cell viability of PBMCs may suggest the different subtypes of B. hominis may give different effects on the immune cells. Hence, nurture investigation is required to investigate the potential pathogenesis of different B. hominis subtypes.In the current study, increase in cell proliferation has been observed in colorectal carcinoma cell line, HCT116 cells upon exposure to antigen from symptomatic as well as asymptomatic isolates. HCT116 cells have shown significantly higher increase in cell proliferation stimulated by symptomatic Blasto-Ag as compared to asymptomatic antigen. The increase in the cell proliferation may further suggest that Blastocystis infection could facilitate the growth of colorectal cancer cells (Chandramathi et al. 2010). It is unornamented from the present study that symptomatic Blasto-Ag is more pathogenic as compared to asymptomatic Blasto-Ag. Hence, it may be essentia l to treat the Blastocystis infection in symptomatic colorectal cancer patients for develop prognosis.On the other hand, a diverse pattern of cytokine, nuclear transcription factor as well as apoptotic gene expressions were observed upon the stimulation of HCT116 cells and PBMCs by symptomatic and asymptomatic derived Blasto-Ag. In the present study a noticeable up-regulation of Th1 (IFN- and TNF-) and Th2 (IL6, IL8 and TGF-) cytokines was observed in HCT116 following exposure to symptomatic Blasto-Ag may lead to the speculation that B. hominis has activated the cellular and humoral immune responses in clearing the Blastocystis infection. This is accordance to the previous study that extracellular parasites such as B. hominis would be more effective in counteracted by a combination of Th1 and Th2 cytokines (Daugelat et al. 1996). Nevertheless, a more significant up-regulation of Th2 cytokines as compared to Th1 cytokines observed in HCT116 upon exposure to symptomatic and asymptoma tic Blasto-Ag may lead to the postulation that symptomatic Blasto-Ag may resulting in a Th2-dominated responses and has the potential in weakening the cellular immune response, allowing the progression and growth of an existing tumour cells. On the other hand, HCT116 exposed to symptomatic Blasto-Ag has resulted in a more noticeable up-regulation of Th2 cytokines then asymptomatic Blasto-Ag which may lead to the speculation that asymptomatic Blasto-Ag is less pathogenic than symptomatic derived Blasto-Ag. Furthermore, the up-regulation of TGF- in the colorectal cancer cells has the potential role of anti-inflammatory and resulting in host immunosuppression by inhibiting the cell mediated immune responses against the tumour cells (Zou, 2005 Seruga et al. 2008).In addition, it is widely-accepted that humoral ohmic resistance is activated by extracellular microbes such as bacteria (Romagnani, 1996). B. hominis, being an extracellular allergen, has triggered the activation of host humo ral immune responses which is evident by the significant up-regulation of Th2 cytokines in the PBMCs upon exposure to symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-Ag. Moreover, this results can be supported by the recent finding which shown an elevation of IL6 and IL8 level in the monocytes of healthy volunteers exposed to Leishmania infection (Menezes et al. 2008). In spite of that, an interesting finding has been observed in PBMCs stimulated by symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-Ag, excessively activating the humoral immune responses, PBMCs exposed by Blasto-Ag has also triggered the activation of cellular mediated immune response characterized by Th1 cytokines. As described earlier, extracellular parasites may be more effective counteracted by a combination of Th1 and Th2 cytokines mediated immune responses (Daugelat et al. 1996). However, the activation of cellular mediated immune responses which is reflected by a significant up-regulation of TNF- and IFN- may lead to the speculation t hat Blasto-Ag isolated from symptomatic as well as asymptomatic individual has the ability in causing extensive inflammatory damage in the host waver as a result of macrophage mediated responses towards the parasitic infections.In addition, an up-regulation of NF-B and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 was observed in HCT116 stimulated by symptomatic Blasto-Ag. Furthermore, these findings were also observed in PBMCs stimulated by symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-Ag. Nevertheless, HCT116 exposed to asymptomatic Blasto-Ag has exhibited an unnoticeable down-regulation of NF-B gene expression which then leads to a significant level expression in IL6 and IL8 as compared to HCT116 stimulated by symptomatic Blasto-Ag. Although the previous reports by Chandramathi et al. 2010 has stated the potential role of asymptomatic Blasto-Ag in causing the up-regulation of NF-B and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8, however, the similar trend was not observed in the current study. As d escribed earlier, different Blastocystis subtypes may have different effects on HCT116 cells as well as causing different gene expression profile in HCT116. To further characterize the gene expression profiles as well as pathogenic potential of each subtype on HCT116 and PBMCs, more samples on different subtypes need to be recruited for the future study.Apart from this, NF-B is also link to the apoptotic mediator genes namely p53 and CTSB. NF-B has been postulated to play a role in inhibiting the apoptosis hence it is hypothesized that the down-regulation of NF-B gene expression will lead to the up-regulation of p53 and vice versa (Baldwin, 2001 Chwieralski et al. 2006). Although the recent study has suggested that CTSB may contribute to the cell apoptosis, however the studies have only reported on CTSB-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cells as well as hepatocytes apoptosis in fulminant hepatic failure (Sandes et al, 2007 Yan et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the possibility of CTSB p articipation in the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells has not been investigated. Moreover, there are a number of studies have shown that over expression of CTSB mRNA and elevation of its protein activity have been associated with the invasive and metastasis properties of various cancers (Campo et al. 1994 Yan et al, 1998 Hirai et al. 1999 Sanjeeva et al. 2001). The similar findings were observed in the current study where the HCT116 cells stimulated by symptomatic as well as asymptomatic Blasto-Ag have caused a significant up-regulation of CTSB. The over expression of CTSB in HCT116 cells stimulated by symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-Ag may implicate the potential of Blasto-Ag in causing the invasive and metastasis of colorectal cancer (Campo et al. 1994 Yan et al. 1998 Dora et al. 2003).In the present study, the unimportant down-regulation of p53 gene expressions observed in PBMCs may indicates that the symptomatic and asymptomatic Blasto-Ag may have prevented the PBMC cell s to undergo the apoptosis process. The observation of p53 gene expressions obtained was contrary to the expectation. This may be due to the latent effects of the host immunity to down-regulate the apoptotic mediator gene in order to combat with the invasive B. hominis as well as to prevent persistent inflammation which can lead to carcinogenesis. Although the down-regulation pattern was observed, it does not causing a significant effect (0.95 and 0.96 fold decrease respectively).In contrast to PBMCs, stimulation of symptomatic Blasto-Ag in HCT116 has insignificantly down-regulated the gene expressions of p53. The insignificant down-regulation observed in HCT116 stimulated by symptomatic Blasto-Ag may be explained that it could be the reason that HCT116 cells to have low level of NF-B gene expression level (1.34 fold increase). Nevertheless, the down-regulation observed may further suggest that symptomatic Blasto-Ag may has enhance the proliferation and progression of existing tumou r besides causing an extensive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, an interesting finding was observed in HCT116 exposed to asymptomatic Blasto-Ag, instead of causing down-regulation of p53 gene expression, asymptomatic Blasto-Ag has caused an up-regulation of p53 (1.09 fold increase) in HCT116.The findings and observations obtained from the current study are lifelessness far to characterize the mechanism of the potential pathogenic role of B. hominis in PBMCs as well as HCT116 cells. However, the current study was able to give an overview of the potential pathogenesis of symptomatic and asymptomatic derived Blasto-Ag in HCT116 and PBMCs. Moreover, the findings also suggest that symptomatic derived Blasto-Ag is more pathogenic as compare to asymptomatic Blasto-Ag. More studies still need to be done on the association of this emerging parasite on the association with the colorectal cancer.CONCLUSIONThe MTT cell proliferative assay and gene expression profile in this study has shown that the solubilized antigen isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, at a particular concentration, could facilitate the proliferation and growth of colorectal carcinoma while having the ability to induce apoptosis on PBMCs immune cells. Moreover, the cell proliferative assay also successfully reported that antigen isolated from symptomatic individual is more pathogenic as compare to asymptomatic isolates, as it causes a significantly higher increase in cell proliferation of HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cell lines and a significantly higher increase in inhibition of PBMCs immune cells. Moreover, symptomatic isolate of B. hominis has exhibited a more evident increase in the gene expression of Th1 and Th2 cyokines. Hence, there is a vital need to screen colorectal cancer patients for B. hominis infection.

Physiological Effects of Pressure on Man and Cetaceans

Physiological Effects of Pressure on Man and CetaceansAir and water atomic number 18 al vogues exerting twinge on every object or organism on Earth. Pressure is the office or weight exerted on an object per unit area in order to move it (Anderson, 2011). It is mensurable in bar or atmosphere (ata as an abbreviation) and changes depending on the place on Earth touch organisms in different ways. Despite that entirely three groups within this study belong to the class class Mammalia, they all evolved in different ways adapting them to their environment. Being cetaceans the group who is entirely aquatic including whales, dolphins and porpoises (The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica and G. Mead, 2014). Pinnipeds are the group of fin-footed mammals who overtake most of their period in the water, however, coming to shore to rest or mate and it includes seals, sea lions and walrus (NOAA, 2014).Therefore, it is aimed to analyse and compare the effectuates of pressure in globe, cetac eans and pinnipeds as swell up as comparing accomplishable adaptions of each one.At sea level, despite universe imperceptible any object or world is subject to the pressure exerted by the look defined as one bar/ata.When going submerged to the pressure exerted by the water the pressure of air at sea level has to be added. When the meridian drops every 10 meters below sea level the pressure increases by 1 bar/ata nonnegative the one at the surface (PADI, 1996). Resulting in 2 bar/ata and so the pressure underwater dissolve change as demonstrated in figure 1.Figure 1. The relation between Depth and Pressure. (PADI, 1996)However, if the nosedive is made in a submarine to a depth of 120m/396 feet the crew inside will suave be subject to 1 bar of the pressure of the air and the submarine would be the one subjected to the pressure of 24bar/ata from the water and air combined (Martin, 1997).Gas ExchangesAll mammals have a bidirectional respiratory placement that isnt prepared fo r living permanently underwater like fish are. In a respiratory organisation like this, gas exchanges occur by using the same airways. They start to inhale oxygen (O2) at the surface before diving and at some point, all must return to release century dioxide (CO2) and inhale again (Martin, 1997). The exchange itself occurs in the alveoli within the lungs, organism the O2 transported to different parts of the body by the circulatory system and the CO2 expelled back through the nose or mouth in humans and pinnipeds and through the blowhole in cetaceans according to WhaleFacts.org and NOAA.Cetaceans and pinnipeds being well vary to a marine living they can hold longer underwater between dives comparing to humans who need scuba sky to dive heavyseter and for longer.At first, could be assumed that in the case of cetaceans the reason for longer dive time or deeper dives is lung coat. However, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) comparing whale average body and lung siz e to the one of a human, a whales lungs take 4% less space in their bodies than a humans. Therefore, the key isnt in the lungs but in the blood and haemoglobin c erstrtation which in a whales is 30% higher than in a human. This helps the whale to storage more than O2 in their bloodstream and muscle tissues instead of inside their lungs and this way avoid depth related complications. And the same can be verified in some deep diver pinnipeds (Kooyman and Ponganis, 1998).The personal effects of pressure on body cavitiesAs these three groups belong the Class Mammalia they all share three main body cavities which are normally filled with air, ears, sinuses and lungs.With air being a gas it changes volume along with pressure changes, so when pressure increases air get stiff and tends to decrease in volume.On one hand in humans this results in feeling an unconformable squeeze in the ear sinus and mask when using scuba gear. If these areas arent regularly equalised by adding air to them during a dive can end up in an eardrum rupture or a large headache (PADI, 1996).On the another(prenominal) hand, in cetaceans, evolutionary adaptations occurred within the hearing mechanism and sinus to be suited for water-borne sounds. Adaptations such as the fusion of the middle and inner ear capsules allowed cetaceans to better ascertain sounds underwater however without being able to do the same to air-borne sounds (Au, Fay, and Popper, 2000).Similarly, to humans hearing pinnipeds ears more adapted to interpret air-borne sounds as most of the communication between individuals occurs above water. Although they do hear sufficiently well underwater (Riedman, 1990).Finally, the lungs commonly to all three groups the main rule is not holding your breath in all while diving. During ascends as pressure decreases air volume increases and not realising it can cause lung rupture (PADI, 1996).Among other major depth related consequences are barotrauma, decompression sickness or the bend s and nitrogen narcosis. decompression Sickness (DCS)While underwater the organism accumulates nitrogen and due to not being used, it must be expelled which normally happens with each exhalation. If the amount of excess nitrogen is too high when ascending the nitrogen go forth the tissue, forms large bubbles that can cause symptoms from dizziness, tingling and numbness to in unspeakable cases unconsciousness and death.It is commonly called by divers as the bends due to the nitrogen bubbles being trapped in the joint discourteous air area and not allowing them to bend their joints without pain.With a wide range of noticeable signs and varying from mild to contribute it is difficult to diagnose DCS in humans. In the case of cetaceans despite study made by Jepson et al. show a lot of individuals with bubble lesions, it cannot be assumed that all cetaceans mass stranding are related to severe cases of DCS when actually it was not possible to determine the origin of those bubbles.Ni trogen NarcosisThis symptom is a result of a direct toxic effect of high nitrogen pressure in the body and it is similar to being under the effect of alcohol. May affect human divers at different depths but once it starts only gets worse has the depth increases and can be deadly as divers under this effect will commit dangerous actions while diving (Martin, 1997).It can also be associated with cases of DCS as it unremarkably happens before DCS.Regardless of being completely aquatic, semi-aquatic or terrestrial, all three groups may suffer from the effects of pressure like DCS and nitrogen narcosis.Being completely terrestrial humans are the most unnatural ones. Cetaceans are the most adapted group to life underwater, however, it is not safe to assume yet that this way of life that they are less affected or even immune to DCS nitrogen narcosis as the origin of the bubbles, that at first would be characteristic of DCS, was not determined by Jepson et al. studies.Nonetheless it is p ossible to say twain cetaceans and pinnipeds retrieve and storage oxygen a lot more efficiently than human beings thus more efficiently avoiding DCS (Kooyman and Ponganis, 1998).TextAnderson, M. (2011) The Physics of Scuba Diving. Available at https//www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9781908062512 (Accessed 19 February 2017).Au, W.W.L., Fay, R.R. and Popper, A.N. (2000) Hearing by whales and dolphins. (12 Vols). New York, NY Springer New York. Chapter 2Martin, L. (1997) Scuba diving explained Questions and answers on physiology and medical aspects of scuba diving. Flagstaff, AZ Best Publishing Company.PADI (1996) PADI open water diver manual. Santa Ana, CA Atlantic Books.Ponganis, P.J. (2015) Diving physiology of marine mammals and Seabirds. join Kingdom Cambridge University Press.National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2014) Whats the difference between seals and sea lions? Available at http//oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seal-sealion.html (Accessed 24 February 2017).Riedman, M. (1990) The pinnipeds Seals, sea lions, and walruses. Berkeley University of California Press.Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (no date) How do whales breathe? Available at http//uk.whales.org/blog/2012/10/how-do-whales-breathe (Accessed 24 February 2017).WhaleFacts.org (ed.) (2017) Whale Anatomy. Available at http//www.whalefacts.org/whale-anatomy/ (Accessed 24 February 2017).Images Figure 1PADI (1996) PADI open water diver manual. Santa Ana, CA Atlantic Books.

Conceptual Framework And Why Is It Needed Accounting Essay

Conceptual Framework And Why Is It Needed Accounting testifyAccording to FASB, the abstract mannequin is a recollective system of interrelate objectives and fundamental concepts that prescribes the nature, function, and limits of monetary business relationship and coverage and that is expected to lead to ordered guidance. It is intended to serve the public interest by providing structure and commission to financial accounting and notifying to facilitate the provision of unbiased financial and related information. In short, abstract framework establishes the concepts that underlie financial reporting and it serves as a guidance to f blue consistently from an objective by showing a set of theory of accounting with concepts which atomic number 18 hustling by a hackneyedized- stage setting board. Elliott Elliott, 2009 stated that it excessively determines bounds for judgement in preparing financial statements as it increases financial statement users understanding of, a nd confidence in, financial statements and enhances comparability.Standard settings ar originationd on individual or personalized concept. However, with the presence of conceptual framework, more useable and more consistence pronouncements pull up stakes be subjectd over time and thus, a coherent system allow be developed. Another need of conceptual framework is that, profession users should be able to more quickly solve new and emerging practical problems by referring to an populateing framework of basic theory.All regulatory bodies befool been flayed because they choose used piecemeal approaches, solving one accounting issue at a time. Observers have alleged that not enough clean rationality has been used in the process of accounting policymaking. Again and again, critics have cited a need for a conceptual framework. (Horngren 1981, p.94)Body the argumentHines (1989, p.89) argues that conceptual frameworks are a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to banner- setting boards during periods of competition or threatened presidency interposition. The basis of Hines argument is that standard-setting boards they established concepts much(prenominal) as objectivity, reliability or neutrality to act as a curriculum to legitimate its profession. As one of the main obstacles against which accountants have continually had to exertion in their professionalization quest, has been the threat of an apparent absence of a formal body of accounting knowledge, and that creating the perception of possessing such knowledge has been an important single-valued function of creating and reproducing their social identity as a profession. This could thus lead to the intervention of the outsiders such as the disposal, due to its instability. However, the concepts or known as conceptual framework pop the questions are created to sustain the perception that financial accounting professions has been, or at the very least, is capable of having a formal knowled ge base from which practices and standards derive.This could be why some researchers believe that conceptual framework could foregather another more political role, in reducing the threat of presidential term intervention. It is said to be a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to standard setting boards because it assist in socially constructing the appearance of a coherent differentiated knowledge base for accounting standards.These projects however still remained to exist and are continually undertaken by professionals even if they have generally failed to master their stated functional purposes. This could explain why a conceptual framework does not exist in countries where governmental agency is in perpetrate of standard setting. Countries such as the United Kingdom, United States of the States, Canada and Australia were some of the countries which first-year off developed the national accounting conceptual framework and these are the countries where standard sett ing has pretty much been delegated to the accounting profession. These professional accountants have succeeded to a substantial degree in their professionalization project where they are largely self-regulated. On the other hand, conceptual framework projects have not been undertaken in France, Germany or Japan where accounting rules is largely determined by government legislation. Stated by Hines, government legislation of accounting procedures does not pack the authority and legitimacy of an image of a coherent theoretical foundation. (Hines, 198986)The register of conceptual frameworks does appear to provide some support for Hines perspective. Peasnell (1982) have discussed v conceptual framework projects which are undertaken in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada which each circumstance suggests that they were strategic responses undertaken by accounting bodies at quantify of threat to their legitimacy or during periods of competition or threatened gover nment intervention.First of the five projects was the formation of the Accounting Principles Board (APB) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in the 1959 which resulted mounting professional and reasoned criticisms on both the quality of corporate reporting practices and the early attempts of the AICPA to assuage matters. (Peasnell, 1982, p.244) APB was criticised by government and also being rejected by the constancy. However, the criticisms were so suppressed about five years later after the cheers of APB Statement No.4 (APBS4) which states Basic Concepts and Accounting Principles Underlying monetary Statements of Business enterprises. (Peasnell, 1982, p.245)However, the failed results from the first project had doubled. The second project was the FASB which was established as recommended by the husk Report (AICPA, 1972) and also the publication of Trueblood Report (AICPA, 1973). The latter in effect, reach over to the newly established FASB, w as also criticised and opposed by the industry and was not acted upon by the FASB.According to Peasnell (1982), the third conceptual framework project was bespoke in the United Kingdom by the Accounting Standards commission Committee as The Corporate Report (ASC, 1975). As discussed by Hopwood (1988), this report is an attempt to outline some of the possible implications for corporate reporting of a change in the social and political environment. However, there are no significant challenge to its legitimacy and thus, this report was treated with indifference.The forth conceptual framework attempt discussed is the conceptual framework established by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB). It is established in response to the criticisms of the professions standard setting and was subject to the onus of demonstrating its authority and legitimacy to set standards. It has bonny apparent that the accounting standards being set could lead to significant sparing consequences, bot h to business and even nationally.The final conceptual framework projects discussed by Peasnell (1982) is bespoke on behalf of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA, 1980) and the work was commenced at the time when the body was under threat for reform and criticisms of accounting standards setting in Canada. The circumstances to counter these issues are that they are used as a strategic resource in competition with other groups which are pursuing professionalization and threatening the autonomy and monopoly of entrenched organisations.ConclusionThe conceptual framework first started off by emerging in the accounting area as a solution to the inconsistencies of standards which had led to a low legitimacy of standard setting bodies. It had eventually becoming a useful tool for account preparers when preparing reports. However, as defended by Hines and some other authors such as Peasnell, 1982, its main function could be a political one. It has been argued and criticis ed endlessly that conceptual frameworks are a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to standard-setting boards during periods of competition or threatened government intervention and the history of the development of conceptual frameworks which supports Hines position has proved so.Moreover, according to Peasnell (1982), the moreover way to prove that standards are developing in a fair, logical and highly professional expression is by having both responsibility and power of developing standards delegated to the same body, homogeneous the IASB. Establishing consistent principles will constitute guidance for the production of standards. It is not only a technical tool for the standard setter but also a way of preserving its independence. Lastly, with consistent principles, the standard setter is supposed to be better armed to promote its standards and to avoid lobbying pressure.

The Iron Giant By Ted Hughes English Literature Essay

The bid devil By Ted Hughes English Literature demonstrateBy using literary devices and jocose events to connect with children, Hughes keptThe crusade Giantfrom being too frightening. For example, his beginning with a giant star clumsily stepping from the side of the cliff exemplifies his methods of creating a childrens tier because this beginning sets a comical, non- sour footstep as the foundation of the story. For instance, by using similes such as, tearing the telegraph from the fence post, rolling it up like spaghetti, and eating it, Hughes creates a humorous picture of a giant creature. Viewing a giant in this light-hearted way contrasts giants in typical childrens stories, such as ones present in doodly-squat stories, where the giants are handsacing creatures. By using comical situations, Hughes enables himself to address serious issues with give away being unbearable to children.This humorous depiction of the giant in any case strays from the portrayal normally s een in classic fairy storeys and other magic stories. For instance, although in the story Hogarth is a small boy who wants to serve fork over benignity, the giant ultimately saves the day. Because the giant takes on the hero role, it is very divergent from classic fibs, where the giant normally portrays the bad guy. For instance, in classic Jack stories, such asJack the Giant Killer,the giant plays the role of a wicked antagonist outsmarted by the boy. Contrary to this, Hughess giant poses virtually no threat to humanity, save the fact he eats all the admixture that he sees the giant does non fit the stereotypical giant role. This unorthodox character, an all-important(a) development in recent fairy tales, shows itself in whole kit and boodle such asThe Reluctant Dragon, where the flying dragon refuses to be a dragon. Zipes explains the primer for including atypical characteristics. He does not fit the stereotypical dragon that fights against men while breathing onset, further instead the boy and he usage together to find a solution. This partnership effort of defeating an enemy in like manner presides inJack and the Devils Daughter,when Jack is able to outsmart the Devil with help from the Devils daughter. Likewise, there is a similar partnership shown in the end ofThe Iron Giantwhen the giant, after being persuaded by Hogarth, uses his intelligence and non-human capability of withstanding fire to defeat the space bat angel dragon. Therefore, the giants portrayal creates a non-traditional giant story allowing for a deeper meaning. For example, Hughes uses the giant to address heavy issues that delve into important subjects. These meaningful subjects include ones such as nuclear power, hidden downstairs the complex story of a giant that appears bad but turns out to not be that way at all. Hughes excels in presenting the giant as a strong hero character.Hughes uses the giant to create an intelligent character, enabling the story to have the capacity to reach into profound subjects addressing threats to humanity.While Hughes use the giant as a hero, the space-bat-angel-dragon seems at first to act as the ultimate enemy although, this character turns out to cause paranoia more than threatening situations. In his first showing in the story, for instance, the dragon fits the stereotypical foe in classic tales, such asRed Riding punk rockwhere the wolf seeks to devour a small girl and a confused grandmother. This storys character reaches deeper than his apparent devastative actions of ruining humanity, though. The space- bat-angel-dragon possesses a deeper character than the typical superficiality of the bad guys in classic fairy tales. For instance, the dragon, after being defeated by the giant, breaks down, revealing he wasnt always a menacing giant the space-bat-angel-dragons ambivalent name suggests his complex character. For example,space,bat, anddragonpaint a stalk or sinister character, while angelimplies kind ness and helpfulness. In the story, the dragon evokes feelings around both these types of characters. For example, at first he was threatening, but he eventually became helpful to humanity. This personality allows Hughes to suggest strong points concerning the use of power,The clash of serious topics and suggestions about society carries through the death ofThe Iron Giant. Because the space-bat-angel-dragon realizes he does not need to be destructive and can benefit humanity, the anti-war and environmental protection theme jumps out.The Iron Giantconcludes with a typical fairy-tale, happily-ever-after ending, but the story also presents strong statements about humanity and the way Hughes thinks humanity should exist. The former intimidating dragon causes peace on earth with his singing, Hughes ends his childrens story with his personal wish for all humanity-that humanity will live passive together without destructive motives. By using this message he sets his tale apart from oth er childrens tales by addressing these serious issues. While this message appears frightening, it is an important message that remains poignant and relative to todays society.Through its story-line and message,The Iron Giantpresents itself as an entertaining story for children and adults. Its methods of making the story a childrens story, giants and space-bat-angel-dragons portrayals, the purpose, and the ending intermingle with ideas of the world and humanitys actions in the world. Hughes believed that children deserve to know the truth about the world they live in, which he accomplished in this story, while not frightening people of young ages. With this belief, Hughes used strong overtones to create a meaningful childrens story about a desire for peace that is lovely for many ages of people to read, while keeping the traditional fairy tale happily-ever-after conclusion.

Russias Economy During Yeltsin Era

Russias Economy During Yeltsin Era psychoanalyse the doctrine problems lining the Russian parsimony at the end of the Yeltsin era. How know these problems been admitd?AbstractThe following discourse will analyse the principle problems liner the Russian parsimoniousness at the end of the Yeltsin era. In galore(postnominal) reckon these principle problems veneering the Russian scrimping stemmed from the stinting and semi authoritiesal disintegration of the Soviet north state of ward combined with how potently or ineffectively the Yeltsin administration had try to deal with those problems. As will be discussed the principle sparingal problems that nervusd the Russian Federation in 1992 were daunting, and therefore it is non surprising that some of these problems remained un realised and were bequeathed to the incoming Putin goernment after Yeltsins surprise resignation at the end of 1999. Yeltsin had seemed to be Russias political saviour in August 1991 when he li ght-emitting diode the resistance to the attempted coup of Soviet hard-liners against Gorbachev. The failure of that coup inevitably accelerated the end of the Soviet yoke. However, the Russian delivery would prove a bully deal harder to tackle than direful Soviet generals and KGB chiefs.1 The principle problems of the Russian parsimony can be arguably traced back to the inefficiencies of the Soviet Unions command providence and its coarse military expenditure during the Cold War. These sparing problems accelerated the demise of the Soviet Union itself and do it difficult to do the scotch conversion to capital letterism without major economic implications.2The Soviet Union for entirely its economic faults had at least provided a basic standard of sprightliness, which meant that n unitary of its passel ravenous or were in severe economic distress. This was contempt a stagnant rescue, although its economic stability crumbled with remark able speed. For much of t he Yeltsin era the Russian thriftiness could non match the basic living standards of the old Soviet Union for legion(predicate) of its citizens.3 It could be argued that the renewing to capitalism contributed to the worsening of the principle problems outline below, and that ill thought out economic policies since experience do it much difficult for those problems to be effectively tackled during and after the Yeltsin era.Among the main themes of this dissertation is that the Yeltsin g all overnment did non have a consistent set of economic and political policies to solve the principle problems of the Russian prudence, which in forge hampered the effective tackling of those problems. The so c whollyed youthful reformers led by Yegor Gaider and Anatoly Chubais had the approximately thought out strategies for the Russian prudence, yet they did not have a constant reckon over the political relations economic policy passim the Yeltsin era.4 Besides not all the economic s trategies advocated by the vernal reformers proved to be effective once the Russian giving medication put those strategies into practice. The ways in which all the principle problems of the Russian deliverance at the end of the Yeltsin era were all interconnected argon arguably obvious and spare. To a certain finish it will be argued that Boris Yeltsin himself did not second the Russian brass to tackle the principle problems of the Russian frugality. The link between principle problems in the Russian parsimony and political ones plus social factors will be discussed when and where appropriate.This dissertation will seek to examine the reasons for the Russian frugality taking over a decade to achieve real growth, despite following the policies that it was discuss would promote stability, liberalised and privatised economy. This dissertation will attempt to analyse whether the economic transition achieved anything at all to justify an estimated 47 % decrease in living stand ards between 1991 and 2000. How many Russians believed that the detrimental ain effects of the principle problems of the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era could have been averted or tackled earlier?5When Boris Yeltsin simulated the presidency of the Russian Federation it was still plane section of the Soviet Union and not tied(p) a sovereign state in its make right also it did not have control over economic policy. Yeltsin presided over the dismantling of commie control in Russia, yet he found it very difficult to construct capitalism from virtually non-existent foundations as any form of capitalistic economic activity had been illegal for much of the previous 75 years after the Communist Revolution.6 By the m Yeltsin left his presidential office, the Russian Federation was a fully commutative state that nominally, if not completely become a liberal democracy with a capitalist market economy. However, the dual Russian transitions to liberal democracy and capit alism from an authoritarian Communist State proved difficult and many have argued that those transitions remain incomplete. The incompleteness of the transition to capitalism and the political and economic make up of the Russian federation had a strong knead upon the principle problems facing the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era. Russia had been employ to authoritarian government with state controlled central planning for the economy so the process of liberalisation had been uneven and had unwelcome social and economic consequences crossways Russia. The legacy of misguided Soviet economic planning took much lather and a great deal of suffering for the poorest sections of the Russian society to break, it seemed to help a minority of Russians make their fortunes, whilst leaving the rest to fend for themselves. In Russia the correlation between political and economic weaknesses arguably helped to make the post-communist economic and democratic situation imperfect and ev en corrupt.7 The move to bring capitalism to Russia in less than a decade was as revolutionary as Stalins attempts to achieve industrialisation during collectivisation, yet the opposite aims of privatising the economy. The aim of the Yeltsin government to bring capitalism was a sensible notion, yet the ways that it was utilize caused controversy as wholesome as arguably change magnitude the im jam of the principle problems that afflicted the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era.8 pooh-pooh and signs of recovery 1992 1998The initial bout of economic shock therapy administered in 1992 brought close to hyperinflation, the closure of many factories and enterprises, which led inevitably to mass unemployment. Gaider and the different young reformers in the Yeltsin government had to end state subsidies to factories and intoduce the lifting of price controls at one go rather than to sneak in reforms gradually. It was uncouth economic medicine for a country burdened with th e consequences of communisms profound economic and political failures, although Yeltsin did not have the political strength or motivation to direct out shock therapy as extensively as Gaider and the some other young reformers had originally intended. Through much of the mid-nineties the young reformers and the richest entrepreneurs known as the oligarchs competed for political influence and power, whilst contending to gain control of the Russian economy or a trade of its greatest sp vegetable oil colours. Neither the young reformers nor the oligarchs were popular with the volume of the Russian throng, yet none of them particularly cared. They were not involved in popularity contests, they were arguing over power and riches. Sometimes they might do things that were good for the Russian economy, yet they were mainly interested in achieving their own agendas than table service the national interests of Russia.9The weakness of the Russian economy further weakened the gear up of the Russian government at the start of the Yeltsin era. These were political as tumesce as economic weaknesses that still existed when Yeltsin left office. Yeltsins first limit was dampd by political disputes with the Russian Supreme Soviet, which Yeltsin eventually closed crush and replaced with a new parliament, the Duma. Yeltsin had to harbor his political position whilst attempting to prevent the Communists and nationalists making sufficient electoral gains to restrict his political room to manoeuvre. Yeltsin was able to maintain his hold on power, despite a strong challenge from the Communists after his re-election in 1996. Yeltsins second term in office highlighted his inability to find a Prime minister of religion that was politically reliable, could manage, or even reduce the weakness of the Russian economy and who did not want to fag the presidency as Yeltsins replacement before Yeltsin was due to chair office in June 2000. Yeltsins second term witnessed his probl ems with ill health worsen, which in turn meant that the Russian economy as puff up as the Russian government was not as effectively managed as they undeniable to be. When Yeltsin appointed the virtually unheard of Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister he believed that he had found a man that could fix the Russian economy and solve its political problems. Perhaps more(prenominal) importantly for Yeltsin and his family, Putin was unwilling to wage either him or his relatives for their links to the corruption and inefficiency of the Yeltsin era.10The Russian economy did usher signs of revival towards the end of Yeltsins first presidential term, yet in many respects such a revival was more apparent than real. The vast majority of Russians were economically worse off than they had been before the calve of the Soviet Union. Declining inflation and unemployment pass judgment did not benefit most of them, especially those that lost their jobs, their savings, and all hope with the shock therapy of 1992 which resulted in inflation rates of slightly 2,000%. The new Russian economy seemed to benefit former Communist party officials bureaucrats, factory, and state farm managers that managed to gain control of former state owned enterprises. The other main beneficiaries were the handful of entrepreneurs, subsequently known as the oligarchs that had become very wealthy through their links with Yeltsin. The Russian economy for the first time also had one thousand millions of shareholders eager to show their capitalist credentials. The Russian government did not however, share in the beginning of the Russian economy during the middle of the 1990s, the strength and capabilities of the Yeltsin government to deal with economic problems was undermined by locomote revenues. presidential term revenues had been reduced through the economic densification of the early 1990s, high consumption on social security, lower global prices for Russian oil exports, plus extensive tax evasion. Not that anybody had to deliberately evade stipendiary their taxes given the massive size of the tax arrears owed to the Russian government. The breakdown of the Soviet Union led to other problems such as lower exports to the other former Soviet republics and the inability of countries such as the Ukraine to pay for Russian gas and oil.11The table below that shows the annual changes in Russias perfect(a) Domestic Product (gross domestic product) figures between 1992 to 1999 amply demonstrates the disastrous state of the Russian economy throughout much of the Yeltsin era.12Stock market crash and Government weaknessThe perilous financial position of the Yeltsin government itself proved to undermine the revival of the Russian economy as it directly contributed to the collapse of the Russian stock market in 1998. The crash of 1998 ruined millions of small-scale shareholders in Russia and reduced the scale of abroad investment funds in the Russian economy. Russian investors were in effect made to suffer due to the ineptness of the Russian government in raising enough taxes to run the country and lift bankruptcy.13 Under Yeltsin the Russian State had lost out in harm of revenue and economic independence to the oligarchs, profits that should have run a grand the c introduces of the Kremlin lined the pockets of Boris Berezovsky, Vladimir Potanin, and the other oligarchs. All of these factors combined to make the insolvency of the Russian State as principle problem of the Russian economy. Restoring the solvency of the government would increase its scope to solve the other principle problems of the Russian economy, as well as recover the political authority of the state.14 When Vladimir Putin assumed power his government was faced not only with the task of restoring the solvency of the Russian state, he also had to restore the belief of Russians and outsideers that the government would not default on its loans. The crash of August 1998 had led to the Yeltsin government defaulting on $40 meg worth of foreign loans. The crisis in confidence also saw the rouble decline to a ordinal of its pre-crash value.15 The Russian economy was not helped by international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or foreign governments most notably the United States by the amounts of capital as the Russian government would have liked.16As Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had already shown his commitment to restoring the solvency and the power of the Russian State. Putins strength of character plus his determination to succeed contributed to Yeltsins decision to resign and maximise Putins chances of retaining the presidency after the 2000 presidential election. Putin was elected president in 2000 and claimed the credit for Russias modify economy as well as apparent victory in the war against Chechen separatists. Putin put himself forward as the man capable of exercise set Russias profound economic, social, and political problems. If c onfidence alone was the sole anchor to solving the principle problems of the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era, and then Russia should have been a prosperous state the day Putin entered the Kremlin.17Principle Problems of the Russian EconomyThe first principle problem facing the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era was the incomplete temperament of the transition to a capitalist market economy. The support of Boris Yeltsin for the measures needed for a full transition to a market economy was not consistent throughout his time in office. The economic reforms introduced in 1992 hit the Russian economy harder than the sympathetic reforms introduced in former Communist states such as Poland and Hungary. Russia had a larger economy, more state enterprises and factories plus a much longer current under communist control than any of the former communist states exchange and Eastern Europe had. The Yeltsin government genuine plenty of advice as to whether to intr oduce economic liberalisation all at once or gradually, although at that point there was no hard evidence as to which mount would be the most successful in the long run. In the terse run economic compression was expected before the Russian economy would show signs of improvement and growth.18 However, the distributor point of economic contraction was longer than many experts had predicted, although the sheer scale of the problems facing the Russian economy throughout the Yeltsin era were enormous. A healthy Boris Yeltsin, despite his lack of knowledge concerning capitalist economics, might have given the government more urgency in tackling those economic proms it could. However, during his second term as president Yeltsin suffered from the affects of heavy drinking and a severe heart condition. Given the prominence of presidential power in the Russian political agreement having an incapacitated president was detrimental to the tackling of Russias economic problems. Not only was Yeltsin frequently ill he would inject in the government at some inopportune moments. Yeltsin had a angle of dip to appoint Prime Ministers and cabinets on a whim. If a Prime Minister proved incapable of tackling the countrys many social, economic, and political problems they would be bespeak. Paradoxically if a Prime Minister was too successful in resolving those problems or appeared to be more popular than Yeltsin they were also removed from office.19A principle problem facing the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era was that a proper banking system similar to those direct in more established capitalist economies had not been fully veritable to aid the Russian economys transition in to a capitalist economy. There are various reasons why the lack of a fully developed banking system became a principle problem facing the Russian economy. The lack of such a properly developed and correct system hindered and deterred foreign businesses from investing in the Russian eco nomy, as voltage investors could not be sure of where their cash was going. The lack of foreign investment die awayed down economic growth in the financial sector of the Russian economy. Growth in the financial sector was needed to compensate for the contractions in the industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy.20 The lack of a properly regulated banking system also aided the money laundering of illegal profits from the organized criminal offense gangs that seemed to pro life sentencerate after the Soviet Union collapsed. unionized umbrage gangs had been able to take advantage of the Russian governments essay to maintain full political and economic control of Russia. The unregulated nature of the Russian banking system did not help stem the flow of financial capital out of the Russian economy during the Yeltsin era. The Yeltsin government seemed unable or unwilling to take effective measures to stop the flow of capital that was so detrimental to the Russian economy. If the Russian government had been able to attract as much investment into the Russian economy as there was capital exported away from it then the economy would have achieved greater stability and growth. However, the IMF made economic aid and loans to the Russian government conditional upon the Russians on improving the Russian banking system to international standards of performance and regulation. The Russian government could in return claim that Russias economic problems would have decreased if the Russians had received all the international aid and investments that had been promised in the early 1990s. Whilst aid was slow in coming forward the foreign debts owed by Russia from $97 billion in 1992 to a burdensome $152 billion by 1998. During the same period the amount of GDP the Russian government had to use to service its foreign debts doubled to 60%. That was money that the Russian government could have spend in more productive ways such as increase spending on non-military r esearch or tackling the social and economic problems that were diminution the performance of the Russian economy.21A principle problem facing the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era was organised crime. Organised crime gangs, as previously noted, took advantage of the lack of political and economic control in Russia. The way in which the transition to a capital economy in Russia had been attempted had benefited organised crime gangs. Organised crime had existed in the Soviet Union due to the people wanting consumer goods as well as medicates that were not useable through state enterprises. Under the Soviet economy system all private economic activity had been illegal. Organised crime gangs find post-Communist Russia an easy place to operate with little concern of being caught, rival gangs were more of a threat to each other than the Russian legal philosophy were to them. If the gangs could not bribe the police they could frequently trounce them. The financial dire str aits of the Russian government meant that there were not enough police or customs officials to deter, let alone doodad organised crime gangs and their members. Poorly or infrequently stipendiary police and customs officials had little motivation in stopping criminals, including those that resisted the temptation to take bribes.22Another principle problem facing the Russian economy at the end of the Yeltsin era was the free economy in which employers paid in cash, whilst neither they or their workers paid taxes on their earnings or profits. However, the free-and-easy economy had in many respects helped to maintain the Soviet economy, despite its in efficiencies and stagnation. The economic reforms introduced at the start of the Yeltsin era offered chances and opportunities to organised crime gangs and individual entrepreneurs to make their fortunes. Previous experience of working in the informal economy did prove advantageous to many Russians wanting to make their fortunes or fac ed with the more mundane task of surviving.23 The Russians have a long tradition of people who know the right people within the bureaucratism being able to further their own position. Corruption, bribery, and the calling in of favours could make all the difference between success and failure during the Yeltsin era. The informal economy grew due to the greater economic freedom and the unregulated nature of the Russian economy once market liberalisation had occurred. For many Russians being part of the informal economy was the only way to make ends meet. The Russian government had drastically reduced the number of state owned enterprises, whilst cutting subsidies to the newly privatised enterprises. Private enterprises in Russia would frequently not pay their workers for months to try to apprehension in business as they found it very difficult to detain against foreign competitors. Not being paid for months or only been paid in kind prompted workers further into the informal econom y. Due to the lack of money available to the Russian government public sector employees were not perpetually paid either. Desperation forced many Russians into holding two or three jobs to make ends meet. Without the informal economy the social and economic problems facing Russia could have been worse. 24 When private and public sector workers were paid, the high inflation at the beginning of the Yeltsin era meant that most Russians had to find extra sources of income or face economic ruin. It is difficult to have an accurate idea of the informal economy within framework of the Russian economy in terms of its share of GDP and its actual size. Statistics from the Russian government were even in the 1990s domestically or internationally known for their accuracy. Given the lack of resources available to the Russian police, customs officials, and bureaucrats it is not surprising that few people were caught for their function within the informal economy or that Russian officials could be bribed to turn a blind eye. During the Yeltsin era, the Russian government estimated that 25% of Russias GDP was generated by the informal economy. Other sources such as the IMF and the Russian press put the figure as high as 80%.25The harsh economic realities of life in Yeltsins Russia meant that corruption and unregulated economic activity increase dramatically. Organised crime gangs were able to gain from peoples misery and desperation in terms of increased levels of drug taking and prostitution. The collapse of Soviet authority and the difficulty of Russia and its neighbours had in securing their common borders had given the organised crime gangs the opportunity to expand their activities as well as their profits.26 These increases in gang activities lead to higher levels of crime, as people had to resort to desperate measures to feed drug habits and gangs fought each other. Although the outbreaks of gang warfare witnessed in cities such as St Petersburg can mainly be regard ed as a law and order issue, such events did have an economic rival during the Yeltsin era. Economic hardship, drug taking, and prostitution have heavily contributed to declining life apprehension rates. Many of the people that should be the most economically active in Russia are either working informally and therefore not remunerative taxes or they have died prematurely. Drug taking and prostitution have increased the spread of AIDS so that Russia has one of the highest infection rates in the world. The demographic decline in Russia, if left unchecked could have major implications for the Russian economy as well as disastrous effects on its society. Organised crime may help many Russians get going from day to day, yet it makes some gang members very wealthy whilst depriving the Russian government of much needed revenue and leaving the cost of categorisation out serious law and order as well as health problems. Organised gangs were also able to take advantage of the Russian gov ernments wars in Chechnya during the Yeltsin era by selling drugs and weapons to both Russian army and Chechen rebel fighters.27 Overall the effect on the population of the Russian Federation was an average annual decrease in the population of some 750,000 people throughout the entire 1999s.28At the end of the Yeltsin era other principle problem facing the Russian economy was the uncompetitiveness of many industries and businesses. once more the legacy of the economic system of the Soviet Union plays its part in the weaknesses of the Russian economy. The Soviet system had not produced words that Russian consumers or potential foreign consumers had wanted. Instead the Soviet economic planners had determined work levels and the types of goods produced. Once state subsidies were removed all factories and enterprises and the Russian economy was idle to unrestricted foreign imports. Russian enterprises were forced to close, drastically cut their workforces, or not pay their workers for long periods. Some businesses resorted to not paying their taxes as part of their efforts to stay operative.29 One of the leading oligarchs, Mikhail Khodorkovsky estimated that upwards of a million Russian enterprises should have been declared bankrupt. In 1996 the Yeltsin government stated that around 35% of Russian factories and businesses were on the verge of bankruptcy. The Russian government estimated that 80% of Russian factories and businesses were in financial dire straits.30 The instability of the rouble and a lack of foreign currencies and investment also made it difficult for Russian enterprises to remain competitive. De-valuations of the rouble would briefly aid competitiveness, yet did not offer a long-term solution. Lack of foreign investment and profits made it more difficult for Russian factories to replace obsolete equipment or the current training for their workers. The standard of education in Russia tended to be high, although there was a lack of people trai ned in Information Technology and more advanced industrial procedures, especially outside of the military research establishment.31 The Yeltsin government and the young reformers had hoped that large-scale foreign investment would revive even the most outdated enterprises in the Russian economy. Although, not all of the potential foreign investors were put of by the lack of market regulation, the less than welcoming reply received from officials, Russian businesses, and the Russian public deterred many investors from investing in Russia.32The young reformers had hoped that their policies would only lead to a short-term contraction of the Russian economy, with a more competitive and modernised Russia emerging from shock therapy. They and Yeltsin were caught by surprise when the affect of shock therapy lasted throughout the Yeltsin era. A sharp contraction in the production levels of Russian heavy industries was expected and indeed occurred. However, the biggest locomote in product ion witnessed during the Yeltsin era was in the production of consumer goods rather than in the more traditional heavy industries. Whilst production in those heavy industries of coal, steel, oil and gas declined by 45% during the 1990s that was not as unwholesome as the decline in production of consumer goods. The move to a capitalist market economy had been anticipated to provide stimulation for increases in the production of Russian made consumer goods such as colour television sets, personal computers, and video recorders. Instead production of these consumer items declined dramatically, by 80% for television sets, 60% for personal computers, and 99% for video recorders. A section of the Russian economy that the government had believed would promote economic growth and provide jobs for those that lost their jobs in other sectors of the economy ceased to exist to any meaningful extent. There are two fairly straightforward explanations for the slump in the production of consumer g oods. Those Russians that could return television sets, personal computers, and video recorders brought more reliable and fashionable import foreign brands. Through the liberalisation of the Russian economy and the efforts of the informal economy such goods became more widely available if not affordable throughout the Yeltsin era. For the poorest sections of Russian society that had their savings wiped out by inflation and their prospects bony by unemployment or underemployment throughout the Yeltsin era there were little prospects of them buying the essentials to live let alone Russian or non-Russian consumer goods. The poor could not even afford the low quality and cheaper Russian made goods.33A principle problem of the Russian economy closely related to its uncompetitiveness was the increasing shortages of workers, skilled ones in particular. At the start of the Yeltsin era the severe contraction of the Russian economy meant that unemployment had increased. It was not only capi tal that left the Russian economy once the country moved to a market economic system. Some of the brightest and most capable people working in the Russian economy left the country for better pay and prospects abroad. Of course, not everybody was able to take the opportunity to earn his or her future in exile. In some respects the most harm done to the Russian economy was by the calibre of academics and technicians that left the country. The Yeltsin government could not do as much to halt the brain drain as it had to cut spending on higher education, health services and most notably on defence projects and research. Cuts in defence spending could be justified, as a war with the United States and its NATO allies seemed impossible. The shortage of skilled workers was worsened by the reduction in life expectancy, especially amongst men. The effects of lower life expectancy were mult

Amos Is Identified As The Prophet Amos Religion Essay

Amos Is Identified As The Prophet Amos Religion quizIntroductionThe author of the Book of Amos is identified as the vaticinator Amos. Amos was the premiere prophet in the Bible whose communicate was recorded at length. Although he came from a town in Judah, he preached to the mint of the northern demesne of Israel, about the middle of the eighth century B.C. The Book was correspondingly written between 760 and 753 B.C.As a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa, he was called by graven image, even though he lacks an development or a priestly background. His mission is directed to his neighbour to the north, Israel. It was a time of great prosperity, notable religious piety, and apparent security. But Amos byword that prosperity was limited to the wealthy, and that it fed on in referee and on oppression of the poor. Amos ministry takes place while double-magnum II reign over Israel, and Uzziah reigns over Judah. Amos can see beneath Israels external prosperity and power internally the nation is corrupt to the core. In short, they had forgotten what it meant to follow God. Amos took his uncompromising substance straight to the religious authorities of his twenty-four hour period, instead of listening to him, they threw him out. In the equivalent way that Amos challenged the Israelites to reconsider their priorities, he challenges us in the climax to his intensity, and reminds us of what God wants (Amos 524).In this essay, I wish to write an mental home on the Book of Amos.Background and Meaning of AmosThe Book of Amos is set in a time when the people of Israel view as reached a low vizor in their devotion to God. The people have become greedy and have stopped following and adhering to their values. The people in Amos time expected the day of the sea captain to be a picnic but Amos pointed a contrastive picture of inescapable terror. Scholars have understood Amos image of Yahweh passing by the midst of the people of Is rael as an allusion to his passing by Egypt. They make deferred payment in this regard to (Exodus 1212). For I will pass through the midst of you says Yahweh.According to Amos, Israel is guilty of in justness toward the innocent, poor and young women. As punishment Yahwehs vengeance would be directed against Israel, and the prophet warns his audience Is not the day of the Lord darkness in it(Amos 520). The day of the Lord was widely celebrated and highly anticipated by the followers of God. Amos came to make known the people that the day of the Lord was coming before long and that it meant divine notion and justice for their iniquities.Structure and ThemeThe nine chapters of the Book of Amos emphasize virtuoso central theme. The people o the nation of Israel has broken their covenant with God, and his intellect against their sin will be severe.In the first major air division of the book, Amos begins with biting wrangling of savvy against the six nations surrounding the lan ds of Judah and Israel.These nations are Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon and Moab. neighboring he announces Gods judgement against Judah, Israels sister nation to the South and because of Israels bitterness toward Judah Amos tender must have greeted this cry of doom with pleasant agreement.Further, the second major section of the book of Amos is the prophets three biting sermons of judgement against the nation of Israel (31 614). He referred to the wealthy, luxury-seeking women of Samaria the capital city of Israel as cows of Bashan (Amos 41). He also attacked the system of idol worship which king Jeroboam II had established in the cities of Bethel and Gilgal (Amos 44, 55). The situation clearly called for a courageous prophet who could call the nation back to true(p) faith, as well as a policy of fairness and justice in their dealings with their fellow citizens.In the third major section, the prophet Amos presents five visions of Gods approaching judgement. The prophets visi on of a basket of fruit is in particular graphic. Amos described the nation of Israel as a basket of summer fruit, implying that it would soon spoil and rut in the blistering sun of Gods judgement (81 14).Amos unquestioning obedience and his clear proclamation of Gods contentedness show that he was committed to the Lord, and His principles of holiness and accountability comes through clearly in the book. Amos make it plain that Israel would be judged severely unless the people turned from their sin and looked to the single true God for strength and guidance.The Book of Amos ends on a positive, approbative note. Amos predicted that the people of Israel would be restored to their special place in Gods service after(prenominal) their season of judgement had come to an end (Amos 911-15). This note of forecast is characteristic of the Hebrew prophets they pointed to a glorious future for Gods people, even in the midst of dark times.EvaluationThe Book of Amos is one of the most s mooth cries for justice and righteousness to be imbed in the Bible. It came through a humble shepherd who dared to deliver Gods message to the wealthy and influential people of his day. Amos lived up to his name as he declared Gods message of judgement in dramatic fashion to a sinful and disobedient people. Amos message is just as timely for our world, since God still places a higher(prenominal) value on justice and righteousness. Amos spoke because the Lord had called him to deliver His message of judgement. This is one of the clearest statement of compulsion of the divine call to be found in the Bible.ConclusionAmos is known as the great prophet of righteousness of the Old Testament. His book underlines the principle that morality demands righteous behaviour. True religion is not a matter of observing feast days, offering burned-over offerings, and worshipping at sanctuary, but authentic worship results in changed behaviour, seeking Gods will, treating others with justice and f ollowing Gods command. A positive spirit, which issued from Amos deep faith in God sustained the prophet and gave him hope for the future. This great insight is summarized by these words from the prophet. Let justice run the likes of water and righteousness like a mighty stream (524).Although Amos was a shepherd by occupation, his book gives evidence of careful literary craftsmanship. The technique which the prophet used was puns or plays on words to drive home his message. For example when the prophet duologue about the summer fruit suggest the end of the kingdom of Israel like ripe summer fruit, Israel was ripe for Gods judgement.