Blood Brothers Essay

Blood Brothers’ is the story of two twins from a poor family in Liverpool. One of them is given away and they are forced to live apart, but somehow fate always brings them back together. The play is built upon the theme of the superstition that if twins are separated at birth then they will die on the day that they discover that they are twins. This theme is reinforced throughout the play by the words of the narrator to keep the audience thinking about what will happen. The first time we see the theme of superstition is when the narrator first begins to speak and he says: â€Å"So did you hear the story of the Johnstone twins? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. How one was kept and one Given away†¦.. Never knowing that they shared one name till the day they died†¦ † Willy Russell thought that the working class people were more superstitious in contrast with the middle and upper classes. I think this is because they were usually more religious than the upper classes. An example of there superstition is when Mrs Lyons places a pair of new shoes on the table and Mrs Johnstone says: â€Å"New shoes on the table’ take them off†¦. Never put new shoes on the table†¦.. You never know what’ll happen. † During the play Willy Russell explores class difference in great detail, showing how it can determine your chances further on in life. He also explores this theme in his other plays such as ‘Our day out’. In ‘Blood Brothers’ he does this by contrasting the backgrounds that the two boys are brought up in. Mickey, the twin who was kept, was brought up in a working class background with little money and spoke with a broad scouse accent and used slang terms. Whereas Edward was brought up in a family who had a car, a nice house and plenty of money. This meant that he would be able to get a good education and had many opportunities available to him in life. Throughout the play both women attempt to keep the twin apart, but somehow they always end up back together and ironically they make a pact to become ‘Blood Brothers’. Mickey and Edward are always trying to be like each other; Mickey wants to have a nice house, lots of money and a good education where as Edward wants to be able to do what he wants and not be spoilt like he is now. The playwright’s use of dramatic irony builds up drama and tension as the audience know that Mickey and Edward are really brothers and not just ‘Blood Brothers’. This makes the audience feel like they are part of the secret and helps them create a bond with the characters. This keeps the audience interested because they want to find out what is going to happen to them. The difference in class became more apparent during Edward and Mickey’s adulthood, when Eddie goes to university while Mickey is has to struggle to provide a living for his family. The playwright was quick to emphasise the high unemployment rate at the time the play was set and concerns that people faced. Because he was brought up by a single working class parent and had always struggled for money, Mickey lacked a father figure and this may have influenced his decision to help his brother, Sammy, during the robbery. Mickey’s role in the robbery triggers a huge change in his behaviour and also during his time I prison he becomes depressed and gets addicted to the anti-depressants he is prescribed, because of this Mickey’s wife, Linda, talks to Eddie and asks him for advice, and Mrs Lyons tells Mickey of this relationship because she wants them to argue and fall out so that they never find out that they are brothers. I think that at this point the audience would sympathise with Mickey because he has always had a bad life and know he has been told that his wife is seeing Edward. This event spurs Mickey on to seek revenge against Edward because he fells betrayed by him and Linda. An example if this is when Mrs Johnstone says to Linda:- â€Å"Mickey†¦ Mickey’s got a gun†¦ † Linda then realise where Mickey is going and she says:- â€Å"Mickey?†¦ Eddie?†¦ The Town Hall† One of the techniques that Russell uses to create drama in the play is by adding a narrator who intervenes several times during the events of the play. The role of the narrator is to emphasise the superstition of the twins and to keep the audience interested. An example of this is when the narrator sings: â€Å"Yes, the devil he’s still got your number†¦ he wants to speak to you†¦ seen him leanin’ on your door. † This builds up the drama because of Mickey’s unstable nature it will prepare the audience for events to come at the end of the play. Another example of this is when the narrator sings the song ‘madman’. As he repeats the lyrics over and over the suspense would build and also the theme of superstition is also repeated and reinforced. Also by using pulsating music the drama and tension is heightened. â€Å"There’s a man gone mad in the town tonight, He’s gonna shoot somebody down†¦.. Devil’s got your number†¦.. he’s callin’ you up today† This would remind the audience that there is a price to pay for separating twins; it will also reinforce the superstition of twins. I also think that it tells the audience that something important is going to happen. The final scene in the play is set in a very public place, the town hall, and there are councillors and other people there as well as Edward. This shows that Mickey’s mind is unstable and that he doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions because he fighting a private battle in public. This would also be used to heighten the drama in the final moments of the play. When Mickey enters onto the stage he has a gun held two handed because his hands are shaking so much. Then somebody stood next to Edward realise the reality of the situation and screams. This would add drama and tension to the scene and it would also show the audience that Mickey is a very real threat. For this final scene the use of stage directions is very important. Willy Russell has added pauses in areas of high tension so that the audience would be eager for the rest of the scene and the tension would grow, he also added pauses, along side the language and actions used by the characters in the play. By adding ellipsis into Mickey’s speech it would show the audience that he can’t even control what he is saying. He also uses the theme of guns throughout the play and I think this may have been a hint as to how the play ends. Mickey’s past encounters with guns and violence may be the reason he went so far over the edge that he threatened to shoot Edward. When Mickey and Edward were children they used to play shooting games, but know this is no longer a game. When Mickey tells Edward that he has stopped taking the pills I think that it is significant because it would tell Edward and the audience that Mickey is not thinking straight and that he is not in control of his action. It also shows that the only way Mickey can react is with violence. The use of dramatic irony throughout the play is one of the main themes but it is probably this scene where it is most important. The fact the audience know that Mickey and Edward are brothers is ironic because they don’t know themselves. It is also ironic that Mickey thought they were ‘Blood Brothers’ and has made the connection that they are both the sons of Mrs Johnstone. When Mickey says:- â€Å"Friends! I could kill you†¦ We were friends weren’t we? Blood Brothers, wasn’t it? Remember? † It would tell Edward and the audience that Mickey’s idea of a friend is built around a childish pact. The language Mickey uses is very basic and he talks in short sharp sentences. When Mrs Johnstone makes a dramatic entrance on to the stage she rushes to Mickey and Edward, who are stood just yards apart, and she tells them the truth about who they are, this is followed by the shooting of Mickey and Edward. The fact that Mickey and Edward are just yards apart would create drama because Mickey is out of control and has a gun and Edward is defenceless. When Mrs Johnstone had told her sons that they were brothers Mickey realises what sort of life he could have had and who he could have been. This made him feel uncontrollable rage towards his mother and this would have made the audience think that he may shoot Mrs Johnstone. By telling her two sons they were brothers Mrs Johnstone has caused both her sons deaths when she actually thought she was helping the situation. The final song and music would create a deep sadness in the audience and make them feel sorry for Linda and Mrs Johnstone’s loss. They would also be sad for Mickey who hasn’t had a very good life, they would feel sad for Edward because he hasn’t done anything to harm anyone and yet he gets shot. This would confirm in the audiences mind the superstition that if twins are separated they will die on the day they find out the truth. I think that will was successful in creating drama and suspense throughout the play but I think he could have increased the tension at the end of the play by introducing Mickey and Edwards real father into the scene and perhaps Linda getting killed by Mickey as well as Edward. By adding another character it may make the audience think that Mickey will become even more confused and this may lead to the death of other characters.

Adult Education Study Simulators

The understanding of educational theory improves the quality of teaching taking place in schools. Indeed, according to Podeschi and Pearson (2003, p. 89), continued exposure to diverse educational theories help instructors to apply best practices in day-to-day teaching activities.Further, instructors are more likely to apply a different teaching method, which helps in understanding what works best with different students and lessons. The resulting system is mutually beneficial among educational stakeholders: teachers improve on respective professionalism, students receive high quality education, and school administration becomes more efficient in executing duties and responsibilities.Instructional processes being used by this researcher will definitely be improved upon reading the chapter. Most importantly, the understanding of factors influencing instruction delivery among adult students would results to change in strategies.This instructor will therefore embark on understanding spe cific factors before developing strategies to be applied. The strategy of involving adult students in the development of individuals’ academic goals will also get incorporated in the new instructional processes. The newly improved procedures will be implemented and consequently get evaluated regularly.In order to understand the participation rate in the local population, a group of ten adults were randomly selected and asked various questions regarding their propensity to participate. Four of the selected adults are active participants in adult education, whereas the rest (six) said they would like to participate but lack time.Those currently undergoing adult education do so through weekend classes as well as summer school. The adults were more inclined to attend group classes instead of studying privately.Participants of organized adult education are better positioned to succeed compared to individuals on self-directed learning, considering professionalism involved in adult educational systems (Knowles, 1999, p. 213). Organized education benefits from various teachers with wider experience and knowledge to guide adults in attaining respective academic goals.Participants in organized classes further get opportunities to share with each other, which enhances the understanding of concepts taught in classes. On the other hand, adults on self-directed learning have the advantage of concentrating on subjects and concepts of interest, which lacks in organized reaching.This instructor’s recruitment of adult education will be influenced by what has been learnt in the chapter. The new understanding on individuals more likely to participate in adult education will especially be of help. The instructor will embark on the process as recruiting adult students from both groups—those who are more likely to enroll and succeed and those with difficulties.Both groups will further get mixed in all the classes and educational activities. Mixed classes are, ac cording to Moos and Tricket (2004, p. 117) better placed to motivate struggling adult students to succeed academically. This will also help in the process of reducing chances of me drop out from the struggling students. Most importantly, the instructor will ensure encouraging students from either group to interact more in class activities.The instructor will further work closely with individual students with the intention of establishing a working rapport. This way, students would feel free to express their hardships to the instructor and therefore increase chances of resolving issues before reaching crisis level.Knowing adult students’ cognitive and learning styles are a must for teachers involved in the sector. Indeed, it is only through such knowledge that teachers can successfully help students achieve respective academic goals. Having such understanding helps teachers to come up with strategies that improve students’ ability to grasp concepts taught in their class es.Fort instance, understanding that some students learn better by just listening to lectures and others through visual aids, teachers are more likely to combine strategies. This would mean running lectures in combination with lecture notes for those who learn better through reading and PowerPoint slides for those in need of visual aids. Such approach leaves all students with better understanding.Though there exists little data relating to motivating general public in taking part in adult education, it is with no doubt that improving awareness would improve enrollment rates.This instructor will therefore embark on improving awareness of adult education courses within the locality, which would be achieved in collaboration with relevant departments. In addition to improving awareness, diversity in student’ body would be enhanced at various levels, which would leave participants stronger in their academic endeavors.There exist some differences between youth and adult students, e specially regarding needs and preferences. Adult students are more likely to prefer the traditional lecture notes instructions delivery, whereas the youth would prefer aggressive usage of information technology (Knowles, 1999, p. 72).To the youths, sitting down and consequently taking lecture notes sounds tedious—significant portion prefer having lectures delivered through IT, especially the Internet, where they can access at afterwards and regularly. On the other hand, adults are less inclined to rely on information technology, because they lack, or have little of the required technical skills.The first step in designing class instructions for adult students is to request them to share goals they would like to achieve. This instructor would arrange for a meeting with individual students and consequently collect views and concerns that would be incorporated in the instructions. Instructor will thus understand each student needs that will be considered in curriculum developmen t process.The traditional lectures, which most adult students are comfortable with, would become the primary teaching method. However, the instructor will embark on incorporating information technology throughout the process. The use of technology will also provide adult students to learn about the modern methods and thus overcome the digital divide barrier separating them from youth students.Wild Wide Web, PowerPoint presentations, and email communication between teachers and students will be used widely. All lecture and learning material will be posted on class website, where students can refer at their own convenience. As discussed above, the instructor will arrange for private meeting time with individual students.These meetings will be used to gage students’ comfort in using information technology—problems in using the system would be dealt with accordingly. In addition, the meetings would be used to understand whether the goals set in advance have been achieved. Students will therefore get a chance to get the much-needed counsel.The same processes can be applied with regard to youth education, given that they are in need of much support. Youth students are more likely to lack self-control and discipline that are required in academics. It is important for teachers in lower and upper academic levels to embark on improving this much-needed discipline in their students.This will serve them well in latter years, especially when they participate in adult education. The long run beneficiaries of improved understanding of education theories would therefore include stakeholders from all walks of life: teachers would become more efficient in their professions, whereas students benefit from high quality teaching methods.References Knowles, M. (1999). Pedagogy versus Andragogy. New York: Routledge.Moos, P. & Trickett, E. (2004). Classroom Environment. Palo Alto: CPP.Pearson, E. & Podeschi, R.   (2003). Humanism & Individualism in Adult Education. Adu lt-Education Quarterly. Vol. 50 (3): 39-55.   

Strategy Formulation United Way Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategy Formulation United Way - Essay Example Two possible strategies for United Ways would include an integrated marketing communication strategy and a control and monitoring mechanism in the area of corporate governance that would involve appointment of independent auditors as well as implementation of strict code of conduct. The following sections would largely show how these two strategies could be used to counter the issues faced by the organization. The issues and advantages for the two strategies would be specifically analyzed in the following sections. The recent financial crisis had a major impact on the accessibility of funds as disposable income dried up following job cuts. It was becoming difficult for United Ways to sustain itself in the market. Certain alternative strategies for the organization would include going international and seeking funds from across the world. The company could use Americans living in other nations to generate funds for the organization in nations where the effect of financial crisis is le ss severe (Norris, 2007, p.218-220). In addition to this the organization should also use an integrated marketing communication strategy based on social networking and internet to raise funds from international sources.

Tiny houses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tiny houses - Essay Example The film centers around Christopher Smith, who decided to build his house in the spring of the year 2011. At the onset of the movie, Smith describes that his motivation for building the house was because he did not have a ton of money to use in bigger constructions, therefore, considered a financial independence. He points that similarly, the people who built their small houses had the same motivation. For instance, interviews with the tiny house personalities like Jay Shafer, Tammy Stroebel, Deek Diedricksen and other healthy people who chose to live in as tiny as 84 sq ft dwellings (Mueller and Smith). Despite the aesthetic and the value design of the living small houses, the primary motivation that the luminaries gave was on financial independence. As Shafer notes of the tiny life, â€Å"the principal asset is freedom.† Therefore, with a lower overhead, lack of room for extraneous purchases, makes the tiny house life inexpensive that the residents allowed and left to live the way they prefer (Zeiger and Ngo 105). The prime motivation of people to live in the communes, squats, tent cities, Eco-villages and the sustainable housing is derived from the desire reap the physiological benefit. In accord, a desire to reduce one’s physical footprint on the natural environment. The physiological benefit realized lies on one’s peace of mind and a feeling of contentment. A sense of self-satisfaction in the movie is whereby each household involves itself in the act of small house construction. One, therefore, feel contented in doing something constructive that ends up creatively designed and has a twin benefit to the society. More intricate, from the point that a woman can do a task and be as significant as their male counterparts in constructions, is something of significance. For instance, in the film, we see the buildout of Smith assisted by his girlfriend, Merete Mueller. Therefore unfolding the gender

Health Care Services in Oman Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Health Care Services in Oman - Research Proposal Example The specific case of Oman gives a very attractive picture on the government support for the public health care delivery systems. The government support exists for 95 percent of all hospitals functioning in Oman. This would cover the human resource support extended for employing doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in the hospitals. In addition to the political will and the financial support ensured to carry out the set objectives the active involvement of the community another important factor that have helped Oman to attain new heights in the health care services. The survey reports available have showed a public satisfaction level of 70 percent in the delivery of health services thus showing high level of acceptance in the programmes. The broad aim of the research is to investigate the role played by the community groups to percolate the health care support and delivery to the remote locations and also to the underprivileged in the society. The community based interventions in the health care sector in Oman is said to have contributed in the success achieved in the recent years. An in-depth analysis of the prevailing issues on various practices and policies that are followed in the hospitals in Oman has been reported ( Al Balushi and West, n.d.). The researchers emphasis various innovative strategies that need to be evolved in order to make the health care services more effective and efficient. Khandekar et al (2010) reports public health evaluation exercise undertaken to assess the vision impairment in the children below five years. Authors highlights the categorization defects identified in children, which would help them to frame, better intervention steps among this age group. The need for the continuous medical education to enhance the public outreach of the medical profession is also investigated (Anwar and Batty, 2007). The process of continuous medical education is found as the one of the vital requirement for ensuring the better health care support in Oman. Most of the studies reported have tried to give the outcome of the various health related initiatives in the Oman. All the studies reported have unanimously agreed on the improvement of health care services through community level institutions. But information on the key factors that make these institutions function is not yet reported in detail. Thus the proposed research would address this lacuna and give inputs for better delivery of services through this organizations. Methodology The two important philosophies being considered for this

Bill of Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bill of Rights - Essay Example owever, it can be noted that the English Bill of rights does not contain much of what the first amendments added to the constitution after their ratification, Fourth Amendments These amendments are also part of the Bill of rights which is against unreasonable searches and seizure. In addition to that, the amendments also pioneered a requirement that there is a need to ensure that all warrants should be judicially sanctioned with support by probable cause. In simple terms, it generally means that the warrant should be sanctioned by the judicially on the basis of the specific information that has been supplied and the officer in charge sworn by it (Burgan, 2002). Fifth Amendments As part of the bill of rights, the fifth amendments to the US constitution protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. The amendment stipulates that no single person shall be held to answer capital or otherwise an infamous crime (Burgan, 2002). Sixth Amendments Being part of the US bil l of rights, the sixth amendment to the US constitution sets the rights related to criminal prosecution through the due process, which is stipulated under the fourteenth amendment of the US constitution. Rights that have been conferred under this section include speedy trial, public trial, impartial jury, notice of accusation among other issues related to prosecution. Fourteenth Amendment Dubbed as the reconstruction amendments, the amendments contain the citizenship clause that provides a comprehensive definition of what citizenship is. In the Due process clause, the amendment stipulates that a state or local government cannot deprive a person of his life, liberty or property unless several steps have been taken to ensure fairness in the matter. Lastly, the amendments prohibit any... From this research it is clear that in United States of America, most law enforcement agencies are aimed at ensuring that there is a complete social control system that deters and mitigates crime throughout the country. These agencies also work by sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and providing rehabilitation where necessary. However, with amendments above, these law enforcement agencies face a number of challenges in terms of dealing with suspects of crime and what is stipulated under the bill of rights in amendments above. A criminal justice system that is honest, fair and effective is what most crusaders of the said amendments have been on the forefront in advocating for. This is because law enforcement agencies form part of the larger criminal justice system of the United States of America together with courts and corrections. Some of the challenges that these law enforcement agencies encounter are poor data collection and organized crime. Since proper da ta collection for any given crime requires that there is proper coordination within parties involved in law enforcement agencies, it is prone to many errors and therefore sometimes lead to contradiction. Some cases have been cancelled in the name of lack of sufficient evidence because data collection was poorly done. The amendment discussed above requires any given court to ensure that there is sufficient data to ensure fairness at the time of trial.

Nursery Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nursery Schools - Essay Example It is the formative years which often times neglected by the parents because they are busy with the different kinds of businesses. One strategy that has been successful until now is setting up of nurseries. This is an in demand market for children's education especially with the working parents who would want to bring their children in this kind of institution. Thousands of children have been benefiting in these kind of set up wherein babies, toddlers and children are developed into better persons in the aspect of social, physical, emotional and spiritual needs (Way, 1995). Scotland's educational system is different from other countries especially with United Kingdom. Traditionally, it has emphasized the range of subjects rather than the in depth education given to different levels. Children enter a school as soon as they are able in attending schools and as soon as they are 3 years old from their last birthday. The proliferation of schools especially of the nursery schools are expanding in the northern and southern part of Scotland. The increase of the career women is a factor why there are many nursery schools are present in the countryside. Parents believe that their children can be best attended with these kind of schools. Even though this is seen as additional bill for the family but this is the only way of getting their work done and keeping themselves busy to get income for he family. Parents would depend on the staff who would attend to their children risking their kids to the staff rather than risking the lives of the whole family. The flexible hours offered to the parents with just minimal fees is attractive to the parents working. In the last 10 years, Scotland has fluctuating birth rates which means there is the decrease and increase in the number of children being born in the every year. East Ayrshire is one of the top 15 areas with the highest number of population totalling to 119,720. There had been nursery school set up in the area. At present there are 10 nursery schools that have been operating since in the 1990s (Eurostats, 2006). Partnership Nurseries Ltd. has been in the business since 1989. It has developed two big nurseries in Cowglen and Hillington and expanded its area. It is a popular nursery school in Scotland because of its experiences and facilities available for the kids who are enrolled in the school. The nursery schools are open during Mondays through Fridays and offer minimal fees to the parents. The Partnership Nurseries Ltd is attempting to put up another nursery school in Kilmarnock which the management believed it will prosper because of the factors identified during the conduct of research and business plan. The increasing number of mothers returning to work created a stir to the business environment of creating nursery schools. This meant that more and more nursery schools are needed to have their kids tended while they are away from home. Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire is located between Glasgow and Ayr. It has a total population of 43,588 in 2005 from the facts and figures of Scotland statistics. Based on the 2005 statistics of Scotland, East Ayrshire where Kilmarnock is located, has a population of 119, 720. Children below 16 years old are about 18% of the total population of East Ayrshire. Compared with other areas in Scotland it has higher percentage of children below 16 y

Schools and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Schools and Society - Essay Example Hiltz (1997) summarizes that: Virtual classroom students report higher subjective satisfaction than with the traditional classroom on a number of dimensions, including access to their professors and overall quality of educational experience Students perceive their learning experience to be group learning rather that individual learning and that the more they judge the experience to be collaborative, the more likely they are to judge the outcomes as superior to the traditional classroom (page 47). Instructional technologists, educational psychologists, and educators have spent much time developing strategies to use computer mediated communication as a way to enrich and empower student learning. By continuing to explore uses for older technologies and by developing plans to employ new technologies, education professionals are creating an environment where CMC tools are now simply a part of the learning space. They are tools to be used at the point of need and technologies to support multiple learning theories and styles. (Alavi, M., & Leidner, D. E. (2001 p 2). What are the social implications of CMC Does communication via a network impact how people interact with each other Does the quality of that interaction change whether we are at home, at work or at school The an

The Development of Architecture through the Different cultures Essay

The Development of Architecture through the Different cultures - Essay Example Architecture is a visible indicator of the culture and beliefs of the people highlighting their qualities and abilities in life. Architectural designs serve the society and are responsible for improving the quality of life of the people and are therefore a manifestation of the wishes of the society to be civilized. It helps in identifying the different beliefs and forms of art of the people in a specific period since architecture communicates the different qualities and principles that the designers had in mind as they were making the buildings. Architectural designs last for many years and are therefore part of the past culture as identified by the constructs that can be viewed in the present. The designs are delivered mainly through buildings and the environment making it possible to create new innovations and ideas in the construction and building of a new environment. It is a continuous process and changes over time due to the different characteristics and features that are prese nt in a specific culture. Architects play around with space and aim to convert the space into a specific form given the equipment and level of advancement that is available. The Greeks has great buildings that were later adopted by the High Renaissance in Italy. This was mainly because of the humanist philosophy that had been adopted in the High Renaissance and was similar to the ancient civilization. It is therefore a roadmap to the different developments and milestones that have been witnessed in the world and in different cultures.

Diversity and Belief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diversity and Belief - Essay Example The first aspect that Chaves discusses is ‘belief,’ the current trend towards belief is very different. Few Americans today are not enthusiast on a particular literal reading of the Bible as they did few years ago. And many are opting a diffusion of spirituality. One of the attribute that Chaves has described as the cause of lowering literal bible reading is due to education. Education system has been formulated with a very rigid curriculum that has cast aside the literal bible reading. The weakening in religion can also be attributed to the gradual drop of religious meetings, elderly congregation and less cohesive. In today’s world there is an increase of televangelists who are characterized with unending scandals and other disgraces that have surrounded a church like catholic. Most of the Churches that are likely to suffer this is the congregations that are more liberal, those that are conservatives seems to be affected in a minimal way. Chaves indicated that lo wer membership in liberal churches is not as a result of liberalizing ideas, on the contrary more people are to the opinion of liberal idea. A puzzling question regarding this thought is, are the liberal ideas religious or humanistic? One of the most amazing trend of American religion since 1970s is that conservatism and religiosity are embedded together. This a false sign that most people perceived since they thought that the force of religion was developing which was not the case. Another phenomenon that was perceived as a reason to dictate that religion was growing was the introduction of Mega churches, which focuses on crowds and programs. Many churches are not concerned about religious belief, they want to be perceived as huge churches with numerous followers.it is due to such reason that suggests that religion was developing gives untrue perception since only more people are

Decision Making Evaluation Paper Essay Example for Free

Decision Making Evaluation Paper Essay Re-organization and Layoff: Decision Making Evaluation Paper Management has many changes they adjust to daily. Some of the changes come from firing and lay-off employees. When these changes do take place they can change how the organization develops. Management will have to be able to handle change and still keep the organization developing in a positive direction. According to â€Å"Work Systems† (20150, â€Å"Selecting and implementing significant change is one of the most challenging undertakings that face an organization† (2015). It is vital to an organization to have properly trained management to handle these issues Recommendation from two creative solutions identified from week 4 Why the solution would help the middle income customer (credible sources) for support Business decision should make based on solution When an organization is considering layoffs the first thing they should do is decide whether the layoffs are necessary and can they do it legally. Then consider other resources for example, hiring freeze or no pay raises and promotions. They can also reduce authorized overtime, pay cuts, teleworking, and other cost cutting. Making sure you have solid legal grounds and have a legitimate business reason. Some other steps organizations can take are reviewing actual policies and past practices, check written personnel policies, check employment contracts, and review collective bargaining agreements. You can also consider offering severance or other termination benefits. By implementing some of these alternatives fewer works will question if a layoff is truly necessary. References Guerin, L. (n.d.). Making Layoff Decisions | Nolo.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015, from http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/making-layoff-decisions-29949.html Work Systems. (2015). Retrieved from httttp://worksystems.com/services/organizational_change.html

Using Recrystallisation Improve The Purity Of Aspirin Biology Essay

Using Recrystallisation Improve The Purity Of Aspirin Biology Essay In this experiment I have investigated the research question How does the process of recrystallisation improve the purity of Aspirin. I used a well documented method of preparing Aspirin. Having obtained the Aspirin I performed several recrystallisation processes on it. I then determined accurately the quantity of Aspirin in each of my sample by volumetric analysis. I was then able to determine purity and percentage yield by comparing it to an original tablet Aspirin in the market. I also used melting point to assess purity. I learnt about Aspirin when we did the chapter medicine and drugs in our class. Aspirin is a very common drug used in our daily lives. The common chemical name is  acetylsalicylic acid. Salicylic acid was identified and isolated from the bark of a willow tree but it could not be synthesised in laboratory. In 1893, Felix Hoffman Jr., a chemist found out a practical way for synthesizing an ester derivative of salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid, a weaker acid than salicylic acid, was found to have the medicinal properties of salicylic acid without having the objectionable taste or producing the stomach problems as a side effect. The acetyl group effectively masks the acidity of the drug during its ingestion and after it passes into the small intestine, it is converted back to salicylic acid where it can enter the bloodstream and do its pain relieving action  [1]  . Acetylsalicylic acid is powerful as a pain reliever, fever reducer, and swelling-reducing dru g but it also has faults, it causes stomach irritation to some individuals and also may lead to Reye syndrome in young children. I was excited to see if this drug we use has the same purity when prepared in lab and when bought from outside. Aspirin is an important analgesic therefore methods of improving purity are essential. The preparation of Aspirin involves organic synthesis and I learnt about this process when I studied organic chemistry and it an interesting topic to research about. The preparation of drugs that I use in my daily lives excited me particularly as I want to do biochemistry in university and also work in a pharmaceutical company for drug designing. Hence, I decided upon making aspirin in the lab and researching about it. BACKGROUNG INFORMATION 2.1 Synthesis of Aspirin The above is the reaction for the formation of Aspirin. This organic synthesis is an esterification reaction between a compound containing a OH group (ester) and an acid. Esters are a type of organic acid in which the hydroxide groups are replaced. The H from the OH group is replaced by a carboxyl carbon C=O group.  Esterification is the  acid catalyzed reaction of a carboxyl (-COOH) group and an -OH group of an alcohol or phenol  to form a carboxylate ester. A catalyst is required for the reaction for example concentrated H2SO4.In the synthesis of Aspirin the -OH group is the phenolic -OH  group attached to ring of the salicylic acid  [2]  . 2.2 Purification of Aspirin using the process of recrystallisation I used the process of recrystallisation to investigate how effective this process is in making Aspirin pure. The process of recrystallisation takes advantage of the relative solubilities of contaminants compared to that of Aspirin  [3]  . The technique is to use a solvent in which the solid is sparingly soluble at low temperature and quite soluble at higher temperature (at the boiling point of the solvent). In my research Aspirin is insoluble in cold water and hence in the process of recrystallisation I first dissolved Aspirin crystals into hot water and then let it cool down so that it would crystallize out. The solid is dissolved in the minimum quantity of solvent required to produce a solution at the boiling point of the solvent. Upon cooling the solution to room temperature or below, the solid crystallizes out of solution due to its lower solubility at the lower temperature  [4]  . Impurities (i.e., any foreign substance) in a solid are classified as soluble or insoluble. The removal of insoluble impurities is accomplished by filtering the hot solution. The insoluble impurities remain on the filter paper. Ideally, soluble impurities remain in solution when the solid being purified crystallizes. (Depending upon concentration and solubility of the impurity in the selected solvent it may sometimes be necessary to recrystallise more than one time. That is some of the soluble impurity might also crystallize. If any soluble impurity crystallizes, the melting point of your product will be depressed). When recrystallisation is complete the purified solid is isolated by filtration and the crystals are washed with a small quantity of cold solvent (to rinse off the solution of soluble impurities coating the freshly filtered solid)  [5]  . 2.3 Determination of purity using melting point apparatus I also used melting point determination to give further evidence towards the purity of aspirin. Melting point is a useful measure for the purity of a solid. Melting point apparatus is commonly used for this purpose. It consists of a heated metal block with holes for a thermometer and melting point tubes. The capillary tubes are provided open-ended and the crystalline solid can be transferred into the tube and forced to the bottom with gentle tapping. The compound is heated slowly especially around its melting point for accuracy. There are attractive forces (intermolecular interactions) between the molecules in a solid that keep them together in an ordered crystalline structure. If enough heat energy is added to the solid the internal kinetic energy of the molecules causes them to move in the solid. At the temperature where the energy of molecular motion overcomes the attractive forces between molecules the compound begins to melt. When a solid is pure the molecules are all identical and thus the interactions between molecules are similar and thus the sample will melt at a distinct temperature. Impure compounds, on the other hand, have a range of intermolecular interactions between molecules and will melt over a range of temperatures.  [6]   3. APPARATUS  [7]  :- 3.1 Equipments: The apparatus listed below does not list quantities for repeat readings. Conical flask (100 cm3) (ÃÆ'-1) Measuring cylinders (10 cm3) ( ±0.5cm3) (ÃÆ'-2) Beaker (100 cm3) (ÃÆ'-2) Glass rod (ÃÆ'-1) Vacuum filtration flask (ÃÆ'-1) Rubber tubing for vacuum flask (ÃÆ'-1) Hirsch funnel (ÃÆ'-1) Water bath containing crushed ice (ÃÆ'-1) Source of hot water (ÃÆ'-1) Test-tubes (ÃÆ'-4) Meltemp apparatus for finding the melting point of Aspirin Burette (50cm3) (ÃÆ'-1) Clamp stand (ÃÆ'-1) Spatula (ÃÆ'-2) Watch glass (ÃÆ'-1) Melting point capillary tube (ÃÆ'-1) Filter paper to fit Hirsch funnel (ÃÆ'-1) 3.2 Chemicals: 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) (2g) Ethanoic anhydride (4cm3) Concentrated sulphuric acid (5 drops) Ethanoic acid (glacial) (4cm3) (1)Aspirin tablet Phenolphthalein solution Sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 mol dm-3) 95% alcohol 4. DIAGRAM: 4.1 Hirsch Funnel: 4.2 Melting Point Apparatus: 5. METHOD  [8]  :- Shake 2g of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) (CARE Irritant) with 4 cm3 of ethanoic anhydride (CARE Corrosive) in a 100 cm3 conical flask. Add 5 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid (CARE Corrosive) and continue agitating the flask for about 10 minutes. Crystals of Aspirin will appear and soon the whole will form a crystalline mush. Dilute by stirring in 4cm3 of cold glacial ethanoic acid (CARE Corrosive) and cool by placing in a water bath containing crushed ice. Filter off the crystals using a Hirsch funnel (a small funnel for vacuum filtration), washing once with ice cold water to remove residual acid. Place the crude Aspirin in a 100cm3 beaker. Add hot, but not boiling, water until it dissolves. A mass of very pure Aspirin crystals will form; cool the flask by surrounding it with cold water. Filter them again and rinse the crystals with the chilled water. The insoluble impurities remain on the filter paper and the filtrate contains the product. Aspirin can be recovered from this solution by evaporation of the recrystallisation.  [9]   Leave the crystals overnight on a watch glass to dry completely. This process is known as recrystallisation and is a way of purifying a solid product (Aspirin). Do the recrystallisation process three times and after every recrystallisation remove some sample of Aspirin and store in a test tube to test later. Now do titration of the samples stored after each recrystallisation. Take some of Aspirin for each sample and leave some in the test tube for testing the melting point. For the process of titration, take the Aspirin from each sample into a 50 cm3 conical flask and dissolve it in 5 cm3 of 95% alcohol and add two drops of phenolphthalein solution to it. Titrate the solution in the conical flask with 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide from a burette (CARE Eye protection must be worn). Record the volume needed to produce the first tinge of pale pink colour in the indicator. This measure the end-point of the titration. Take a capillary tube and gently press the open end into the pile of Aspirin crystals on the paper so that a  few  crystals of Aspirin  enter the capillary tube. Tap the closed end of the capillary onto the bench top, so that the Aspirin  crystals work their way to the bottom.   The Aspirin crystals should be firmly packed, and fill the capillary tube to a depth of  no more than  1-2 mm.   Insert the capillary tube containing the sample into the melting point apparatus.   Record the temperature where the melting point is first observed and when it becomes a liquid completely.   This is your melting point range.  [10]   Then do the titration of an original tablet of Aspirin available in the market. Then test the melting point of the original tablet of Aspirin by the method described above. Compare the melting point which you get from the samples and the original tablet of Aspirin with the one given in the data booklet. 6. OBSERVATIONS:- When I mixed salicylic acid with ethanoic anhydride, the solution turned milky. When to the solution I added concentrated sulphuric acid, the solution turns colourless and then after agitating for 10 minutes the solution again turns milky white. The beaker is hot and hence we can say that the reaction between concentrated sulphuric acid and the solution (ethanoic anhydride + salicylic acid) is exothermic. When I was doing my melting point I saw that the solid obtained after the first recrystallisation actually turned black before actually getting close to the melting point of the original Aspirin. As the number of recrystallisation increased I could see that the melted Aspirin was still white and was getting closer to the melting point of the original Aspirin (135 °C) as mentioned in the data book. 7. DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING:- 7.1 The data of titrations of different recrystallisation samples of Aspirin:- 7.1.1 Original Aspirin tablet Burette solution (cm3) 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution Indicator Phenolphthalein solution Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Burette readings (cm3) Final ( ±0.1) 44.5 44.0 44.0 44.3 Initial ( ±0.1) 69.0 69.0 69.0 69.0 Volume used (titre) cm3 ( ±0.2) 25.0 25.0 I have not used as they are not concordant. I have used these reading for my mean titre. Mean titre (cm3) ( ±0.2) 25.0 + 25.0 = 50.0 50.0 à · 2 = 25.0 (mean titre) Volumetric calculations Volume of NaOH used = 25.0 cm3. Moles of NaOH n = CV V = 25.0 cm3 = 25.0 à · 1000 = 0.025 dm3 n = 0.1 ÃÆ'- 0.025 = 0.0025 mol So, moles of Aspirin will also be equal to 0.0025mol because the reaction ratio between NaOH and Aspirin is 1:1. Weighed out sample of Aspirin = 0.62 g How many grams of Aspirin reacted with NaOH? Aspirin = C9H8O4 g = n ÃÆ'- Mr = 0.0025 ÃÆ'- Mr [(12.01 ÃÆ'- 9) + (1.01 ÃÆ'- 8) + (16.00 ÃÆ'- 4)] = 0.0025 ÃÆ'- 180.17 = 0.45 g Percentage of Aspirin reacted = (0.45 à · 0.62) ÃÆ'- 100 = 73% 7.1.2 Aspirin after 1st recrystallisation Burette solution (cm3) 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution Indicator Phenolphthalein solution Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Burette readings (cm3) Final ( ±0.1) 3.4 3.6 3.7 3.8 Initial ( ±0.1) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Volume used (titre) cm3 ( ±0.2) 3.6 3.7 3.8 I have used these reading for my mean titre. Mean titre (cm3) ( ±0.2) 3.6 + 3.7 + 3.8 = 11.1 11.1 à · 3 = 3.7 (mean titre) Volumetric calculations Volume of NaOH used = 3.7 cm3. Moles of NaOH n = CV V = 3.7 cm3 = 3.7 à · 1000 = 0.0037 dm3 n = 0.1 ÃÆ'- 0.0037 = 0.00037 mol So, moles of Aspirin will also be equal to 0.00037mol because the reaction ratio between NaOH and Aspirin is 1:1. Weighed out sample of Aspirin = 0.30 g How many grams of Aspirin reacted with NaOH? Aspirin = C9H8O4 g = n ÃÆ'- Mr = 0.00037 ÃÆ'- Mr [(12.01 ÃÆ'- 9) + (1.01 ÃÆ'- 8) + (16.00 ÃÆ'- 4)] = 0.00037 ÃÆ'- 180.17 = 0.066 g Percentage of Aspirin reacted = (0. 066 à · 0.30) ÃÆ'- 100 = 22% 7.1.3 Aspirin after 2nd recrystallisation Burette solution (cm3) 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution Indicator Phenolphthalein solution Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Burette readings (cm3) Final ( ±0.1) 12.6 12.1 12.1 12.3 Initial ( ±0.1) 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 Volume used (titre) cm3 ( ±0.2) 2.9 2.9 I have not used as they are not concordant. I have used these reading for my mean titre. Mean titre (cm3) ( ±0.2) 2.9 + 2.9 = 5.8 5.8 à · 2 = 2.9 (mean titre) Volumetric calculations Volume of NaOH used = 2.9 cm3. Moles of NaOH n = CV V = 2.9 cm3 = 2.9 à · 1000 = 0.0029 dm3 n = 0.1 ÃÆ'- 0.0029 = 0.00029 mol So, moles of Aspirin will also be equal to 0.00029mol because the reaction ratio between NaOH and Aspirin is 1:1. Weighed out sample of Aspirin = 0.15 g How many grams of Aspirin reacted with NaOH? Aspirin = C9H8O4 g = n ÃÆ'- Mr = 0.00029 ÃÆ'- Mr [(12.01 ÃÆ'- 9) + (1.01 ÃÆ'- 8) + (16.00 ÃÆ'- 4)] = 0.00029 ÃÆ'- 180.17 = 0.052 g Percentage of Aspirin reacted = (0. 052 à · 0.15) ÃÆ'- 100 = 35% 7.1.4 Aspirin after 3rd recrystallisation Burette solution (cm3) 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution Indicator Phenolphthalein solution Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Burette readings (cm3) Final ( ±0.1) 17.2 17.6 17.9 17.9 Initial ( ±0.1) 13.1 13.1 13.1 13.1 Volume used (titre) cm3 ( ±0.2) I have not used as they are not concordant. 4.8 4.8 I have used these reading for my mean titre. Mean titre (cm3) ( ±0.2) 4.8 + 4.8 = 9.6 9.6 à · 2 = 4.8 (mean titre) Volumetric calculations Volume of NaOH used = 4.8 cm3. Moles of NaOH n = CV V = 4.8 cm3 = 4.8 à · 1000 = 0.0048 dm3 n = 0.1 ÃÆ'- 0.0048 = 0.00048 mol So, moles of Aspirin will also be equal to 0.00048mol because the reaction ratio between NaOH and Aspirin is 1:1. Weighed out sample of Aspirin = 0.15 g How many grams of Aspirin reacted with NaOH? Aspirin = C9H8O4 g = n ÃÆ'- Mr = 0.00048 ÃÆ'- Mr [(12.01 ÃÆ'- 9) + (1.01 ÃÆ'- 8) + (16.00 ÃÆ'- 4)] = 0.00048 ÃÆ'- 180.17 = 0.086 g Percentage of Aspirin reacted = (0. 086 à · 0.15) ÃÆ'- 100 = 57% 7.1.5 Aspirin after 4th recrystallisation Burette solution (cm3) 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution Indicator Phenolphthalein solution Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Burette readings (cm3) Final ( ±0.1) 21.3 20.9 21.0 21.1 Initial ( ±0.1) 16.9 16.9 16.9 16.9 Volume used (titre) cm3 ( ±0.2) 4.0 4.1 4.2 I have used these reading for my mean titre. Mean titre (cm3) ( ±0.2) 4.0 + 4.1 + 4.2 = 12.3 12.3 à · 3 = 4.1 (mean titre) Volumetric calculations Volume of NaOH used = 4.1 cm3. Moles of NaOH n = CV V = 4.1 cm3 = 4.1 à · 1000 = 0.0041 dm3 n = 0.1 ÃÆ'- 0.0041 = 0.00041 mol So, moles of Aspirin will also be equal to 0.00041mol because the reaction ratio between NaOH and Aspirin is 1:1. Weighed out sample of Aspirin = 0.10 g How many grams of Aspirin reacted with NaOH? Aspirin = C9H8O4 g = n ÃÆ'- Mr = 0.00041 ÃÆ'- Mr [(12.01 ÃÆ'- 9) + (1.01 ÃÆ'- 8) + (16.00 ÃÆ'- 4)] = 0.00041 ÃÆ'- 180.17 = 0.074 g Percentage of Aspirin reacted = (0. 074 à · 0.10) ÃÆ'- 100 = 74% 7.2 The data of melting points of different recrystallisation samples of Aspirin:- 7.2.1 Melting point after first recrystallisation Number of recrystallisation Temperature ( °C) ( ± 0.1 °C) Original melting point of Aspirin ( °C) Trial 1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Average 1 155.0 152.5 151.9 151.7 152.0 135.0 2 154.1 150.0 148.5 148.2 148.9 135.0 3 115.2 120.9 122.8 122.9 122.2 135.0 4 124.7 125.4 126.1 126.9 126.1 135.0 Original tablet 128.0 128.8 129.2 129.9 129.3 135.0 7.2.2 Graph showing the difference between melting points of Aspirin which was prepared and recrystallised in lab and melting of Aspirin from the data book Y-axis = temperature (in à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C) X-axis = number of recrystallisations of aspirin samples prepared in lab and aspirin available in market 8. INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA I will now explain the results of melting point and titration. From the results of titrations we can see a trend flowing and how after each recrystallisation the sample gets purer. As the quantity of Aspirin decreased after each recrystallisation, the mass of Aspirin in that quantity was more compared to the previous recrystallisation. When compared to the original tablet which we get in the market, I could speculate that the producer has done almost four recrystallisations to get that purity of Aspirin. More pure Aspirin can be obtained if more recrystallisations are done. We could say that the difference in melting point might be higher because it might contain impurities like unreacted salicylic acid or other by-products of the reaction or decomposition products. We can see that the difference in the melting point is getting less as the number of recrystallisation increase and closer to the melting point of Aspirin published in the data booklet. Further evidence to my theory that the number of recrystallisations increases the purity is my melting point data. From my graph it can be seen clearly that as the number of recrystallisations increase the closer to the melting point of pure aspirin we get in the market. My data shows that the percentage purity of aspirin increased with each recrystallisation process. For example, after the first recrystallisation the percentage purity was only 22%, however when fourth recrystallisation was done the percentage purity was 74% showing a significant increase. This can be seen in the following graph:- 9. CONCLUSION In answer to my research question, How does the process of recrystallisation improve the purity of Aspirin? I have found significantly that the percentage purity increases with each recrystallisation and this is evident in my graph under the heading Interpretation of the data. Recrystallisation is an important technique in organic Chemistry. The general method is to find a solvent that dissolves the product more readily at high temperature than at low temperature, make a hot solution, and allow to crystallise on cooling. The crude product might contain; impurities which are insoluble in the solvent; impurities which are slightly soluble in the solvent; and impurities which dissolve readily in the solvent. The solvent itself has also to be removed or it behaves as an impurity in its own right. It must not leave behind any residue. One simple way to tell whether an organic compound is pure is to measure its melting (or boiling) point. A pure compound melts sharply: if impurities are present it melts slowly (over a range of temperature).  [11]   The process of recrystallisation in my experiment increased the purity of Aspirin but with a decrease in the quantity produced. The solid will readily dissolve in a larger quantity of solvent; the larger the volume of solvent the greater the loss of product  [12]  . This is the reason why after every recrystallisation I lose Aspirin. The process of recrystallisation removes the impurities present and this can be concluded from the fact that the difference between the melting point of the sample and the melting point of Aspirin from data booklet decreases with each recrystallisation. I could conclude that a pharmaceutical company should always have a balance between producing a very pure product, which means many recrystallisation processes and producing enough quantity of the product to make it a profitable industry. 10. EVALUATION 10.1 Random error The apparatus I used had uncertainties like the measuring flask has an uncertainty of  ±0.5cm3, the burette had an uncertainty of  ±0.1cm3 and the melting point apparatus also had an uncertainty of  ± 0.1 °C. This results in errors in my results. The equipment error could be reduced by using equipments with less error. For example, I could use a burette with an error of  ±0.05 cm3 instead of a burette with error of  ±0.1 cm3. 10.2 Systematic error In the process of titration there could a parallax error caused if the reading from the burette is not read at eye-level. So, when taking the reading from the burette, the level of the eye should be same as the level of the meniscus. When we are titrating different samples of recrystallisations the colour of the indicator changes from pale pink to dark and it is difficult to know the end-point of the titration process. 10.3 Modifications in the method of preparation of Aspirin and its recrystallisation I modified the method to improve it in the following ways: After each recrystallisation there was loss of Aspirin and the decrease in the mass of Aspirin limited the number of recrystallisations needed to get the most pure form of Aspirin. So, if I doubled the mass of reactants I can get doubled the mass of Aspirin produced and an increase in the number of recrystallisations. When I mixed salicylic acid and ethanoic anhydride solution in concentrated sulphuric acid it is hard to get the formation of a crystalline mush of Aspirin by agitating the flask. Hence, instead I used a magnetic stirrer which gives a uniform stirring and all the chemicals are mixed properly. I found this to be more effective at producing the mush. During the process of recrystallisation a lot of Aspirin is lost. When I used the filter paper, I cut it the same size as the Hirsh funnel. Instead I could have used a bigger filter paper in the funnel so that the impurities do not leak out of the edges of the filter paper and I could get a purer sample of Aspirin. When the Aspirin is left overnight to dry in an evaporating dish, there could be many contaminants which would get mixed in the Aspirin and if this is not taken into consideration in pharmaceutical industries then this could lead to serious health problems. Hence, the Aspiring should be covered when left overnight to dry. I could use different methods of purification of Aspirin like thin layer chromatography which is a sensitive and quick way of detecting impurities in an organic product (Aspirin). I could also use spectroscopy which provides a very good method for analyzing an organic compound. By comparing the infra-red spectrum for Aspirin with the spectrum of compound in a database I can check on its purity. 11. UNANSWERED QUESTIONS Unfortunately, not all my questions could be answered in this experiment. It would have been interesting in further researching and comparing more brands of Aspirin available in the market, if the producers just recrystallised the sample of Aspirin twice so that they do not lose a lot of their product in the process of recrystallisation or the producers actually tried to produce a pure sample of Aspirin ignoring the decrease in yield after each recrystallisation and considering the fact that this can affect the health of humans. When an organic compound has been made it needs to be purified, particularly if it is a  pharmaceutical chemical. This is because most organic reactions produce by-products but, even if the reaction is a clean one, the purity standards for many products are so stringent that small amounts of other compounds have to be removed. In particular the catalyst used in this reaction is concentrated sulphuric acid and must all be removed.

Effectiveness of Reduced Carbohydrate Intake

Effectiveness of Reduced Carbohydrate Intake Introduction/Background The ketogenic diet proposes a reduction of carbohydrate intake, replaced with high fat. Studies convey that low carbohydrate diets promote a higher degree of short term weight loss than conventional low fat diets (Manninen, 2004). Moreover, reductions in fasting blood lipids and insulin concentrations are greater in low carbohydrate diets (Manninen, 2004). Fundamentally, the reduction in carbohydrates renders the body in an efficient metabolic state of dietary ketosis whereby fat is turned into ketone bodies within the liver and burned for energy to utilize in the extra-hepatic tissues. Thereby, short term restriction results in a significant decrease in fat mass and a related increase in lean body mass as fat stores become a primary source of energy (Manninen, 2004). However, low carbohydrate diets may significantly increase fat and cholesterol volume, correspondent with an increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (Hu et al., 2012). Furthermore, reduction in an accustom ed fibre intake may result in constipation, or fatigue induced by a carbohydrate deficiency from altered hormonal states and electrolyte imbalances (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). Additionally, complications relative to kidney function may arise (eg. osteoporosis and kidney stones) and can be linked to the long term restriction of carbohydrates (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). Ketosis is a common metabolic adaptation in low carbohydrate diets. Glycogen stores are utilized to meet energy demands of the body when dietary carbohydrates are limited; the reserves are exhausted within 24 to 48 hours of carbohydrate restriction (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). However, glycogen is bound to water in a proportion of 1:3g (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). Therefore, the subsequent 1-2kg fat reduction can be attributed to diuresis as opposed to burning adipose body fat stores. Consequently, the decrease is not a true indicator of weight loss as glycogen and water stores will be replenished (ie. rebound water weight will be gained) once the diet is terminated due to an influx of carbohydrates, which retain water in the muscles glycogen stores (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). As depicted in rodent studies, Caton et al. (2009) discerned that the termination of a low carbohydrate diet resulted in weight regain once the habitual diet resumed. Notwithstanding, the diuretic effect is restr ained to the first week of the low carbohydrate diet. Subsequent weight loss is entirely due to the ruminant adaption to energy expenditure and balance. Larosa, Fry, Muesing, Rosing (1980) observed a 7.7 kg loss in participants on the Atkins diet in 8 weeks; 1.8 kg lost per week in the initial two week period, and 0.7 kg per week thereafter. Westman et al. (2002) remarked alike results with a range of 0 to 18.6 kg in body weight reduction over 24 weeks (Figure 1). Once glycogen reserves are exhausted, fat oxidation is increased to satisfy the energy demands unfulfilled by gluconeogenesis and triglyceride breakdown as lean mass is inefficiently broken down to glucose and energy deficits proceed uncovered. A directly proportional increase in muscle fatigue and catabolism (conversion of protein to glucose via gluconeogenesis) transpires when muscle glycogen is depleted, however; an important substrate within ATP production (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). Liberation of fatty acids into the blood are oxidized by the liver for energy expenditure to form acetoacetate and further converted to ÃŽÂ ²-Hydroxybutyric acid (ie. ketone bodies) from acetyl CoA, filtered by the kidneys, inducing an increase in renal loss of sodium and consequent water loss. Furthermore, dehydration is common due to the increased water loss associated with ketotic-induced diuresis, onsetting early fatigue in contracting skeletal muscle (Bilsborough Crowe, 2003). The long term restriction of carbohydrates pose an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol is an eminent factor in atherogenesis, directly correlated with blood ÃŽÂ ²-Hydroxybutyrate (Johnston et al., 2006). Lin Borer (2016) denote a 30% decrease within physiological insulin resistance 24 hours after three low carbohydrate meals, which increase cardiovascular disease mortality. Moreover, metabolic costs may be associated with the utilization of fatty acids as intermediates of the citric acid cycle imperative for energy expenditure are depleted. Russell Taegtmeyer (1991) isolated rodent hearts utilizing acetoacetate as an energy source. The researchers observed a 50% reduction in the contractile ability of the heart within an hour; a contractile failure reversed by pyruvate carboxylation. Indeed, there are benefits and detriments of the dietary regime. However, evidence from clinical and animals trials to achieve a loss in weight and adaptive metabolic risk factors is preliminary. Review of papers Research concerning the effectiveness of reduced carbohydrate intake is limited by small sample sizes and short treatment periods. Westman, Yancy, Edman, Tomlin, Perkins (2002) investigated the effects of a low carbohydrate dietary regime upon body weight and variable metabolic factors in a 6 month trial. 41 overweight (26-33 kg/m^2) yet otherwise healthy volunteers ages 18-65 were assigned to a low carbohydrate diet of A mean decrease in body weight of 9.0 +/- 5.3 kg among 39 volunteers was observed (Figure 1). Weight loss correlated with adherence of the dietary regime and ketonuria (P Statistically significant changes were obtained for various metabolic parameters relative to changes in serum levels (Table 1). Beneficial effects upon serum lipid levels are indicated; 29 volunteers experienced a net reduction in LDL cholesterol over 6 months (Table 2). Moreover, 37 volunteers had an increase in HDL cholesterol (Westman et al., 2002). However, there was no objective measure of physical activity, which is potentially confounding. Moreover, adherence is the largest determinant of a regimes effectiveness. Although group meetings are an objective measure of behaviour adherence, the conceptualization of dietary adherence is disparate, propagated by psychological and socioeconomic determinants. Nonetheless, multiple indicators of adherence to the assigned dietary regime was employed in an attempt to negate the aforementioned issue. Furthermore, all 41 participants developed ketonuria during the trial, strongly correlated with self-reported adherence to the dietary regime. However, it is indispensable to obtain baseline data of macronutrient intake relative to the regime in question to ensure no dietary deficiencies confound the results. Additionally, past dietary intake is principal to document when controlling for baseline, yet macronutrient intake prior to the trial was not assessed. Often, blood/plasma ÃŽÂ ²-Hydroxybutyrate levels are the only index of ketosis as exhibited in the study of Westman et al. (2002). However, urinary ketones poorly represent the concentrations of blood/plasma and yield less informative results (Table 2). Acetoacetate and acetone are rarely measured and should be investigated in a low carbohydrate dietary regime; direct manipulation is necessary as the correlational approach cannot provide casual evidence of ketones. Moreover, dietary regime data can be subject to concerns of memory and recall. Additionally, volunteers who completed the dietary records may be more likely to report adhering to the regime. However, macronutrient data was to be recorded within 24 hours of consumption. Also, the usage of skinfold calipers to estimate fat mass poses another limitation. Clasey et al. (1999) discerned that anthropometric estimation yield large mean differences and appreciable inter-individual variability. Volunteers were not recruited according to strict inclusive criteria, therefore the group is particularly inhomogeneous. However, as the participants were healthy, extrapolating the results to individuals with metabolic diseases should be with discretion. Moreover, no substantial losses to follow-up were incurred as a completion rate of 80% was noted. However, the disadvantageous effects regarding volunteers who did not cohere to the program cannot be eradicated; structured programs are more effective at weight loss than self help approaches (Heska et al., 2003). Nevertheless, the findings of Westman et al. (2002) emphasize the imminent need for large scale trials on the compound interplay between low carbohydrate diets and long term aftereffects. The mechanisms and contributing factors underlying the effectiveness of low carbohydrate high fat diets (LC-HFD) remain uncovered. Caton, Yinglong, Burget, Spangler, Tschà ¶p, Bidlingmaier (2009) examined the effects of a LC-HFD upon body composition and metabolic parameters (eg. growth hormone, IGF-I) in 48 male Wistar rats over a 32 day period. Two studies were conducted. Study one constituted the maintenance of standard laboratory chow (CH) or LC-HFD in adolescent or mature rodents for 16 days prior to a switch in dietary regime (Caton et al., 2009). However, only mature rodents were maintained on the diets for 16 days in study two in an attempt to illuminate the culmination of LC-HFD upon fat pad mass. All rats were pair-fed to ensure the observations would be due to the macronutrient composition of the diet. Metabolic assessments (eg. energy expenditure) were made at baseline and 16 days post-exposure to the first and second diet with indirect calorimetry (Caton et al., 2009). ANOVA was performed to assess feeding efficiency and corresponding body weight changes relative to age and diet. Moreover, an alpha value of 0.05 was rendered in t-test analysis to examine the disparity between body weight and fat pad mass, with Bonferroni to discern any significant differences between the groups (Caton et al., 2009). LC-HFD rodents exhibited a significant reduction in body weight irrespective of age and subsequent diet change (Figure 2). Nonetheless, ingesting CH after initial LC-HFD resulted in weight regain in comparison to CH maintained rodents (Caton et al., 2009). Moreover, mature rats maintained on LC-HFD gained remarkably less body weight than CH (CH 27 +/- 1g; LC-HFD 2 +/- 3g; P LC-HFD may have implications for the alteration of body composition as hormones (eg. GH, IGF-I) known to increase lean body mass diminished within the study; reflective in decreased muscle mass. Declines in IGF-I, lean body mass, and glycogen availability may contribute to the increased fatigue experienced in ketogenic diets. Subsequently, the weight loss procured is not effortlessly sustainable due to an energy imbalance propagating an enhanced drive to regain lost mass. However, rodent studies are not entirely translatable to human subjects, and moreover, not appropriately designed. Perigonadal fat pads have a large surface area and are readily accessible. Consequently, they are frequently utilized in research, as exhibited in the study of Caton et al. (2009). However, humans do not harbour a fat depot analogous to the fat pads; and thereby cannot be truly deemed as visceral. Furthermore, Bazzano et al. (2014) measured body weight and a myriad of biomarkers in 148 participants on variable carbohydrate diets over a year. The researchers concluded that a low carbohydrate diet was more effective for weight loss and reduced cardiovascular risks. Whereas Vogt (2014) published a conflicting paper; a low carbohydrate diet in maternal rodents alters offspring metabolism whereby risk for obesity is pronounced. There are indeed neuroanatomical similarities between humans and rodents which coincide with food intake and energy homeostasis. However, the study un covered that the diet damaged the hypothalamus, pivotal for appetite and energy management. No attempt was made to elucidate the contradiction between the reaction of a rodent versus a human, which is misleading. Additionally, rodent strain can determine the susceptibility to diet-induced metabolic changes. If a more resistant strain is utilized, effects may go unnoticed. Moreover, trials disregard elements of rodent diets (standard laboratory chow; high carbohydrate low fat diet) that have direct metabolic outcomes, such as soy, which has effects akin to estrogen relative to activity, fat storage, and macronutrient and water retention. In contrast, low carbohydrate high fat diets often have sugar as a constituent associated with weight gain and insulin resistance, ultimately selecting for fat sensitivity. It is notable that a sufficient amount of protein is required to maintain lean body mass, yet the diet in the study of Caton et al. (2009) constituted of low protein. Dietary control in rodents is possible to a degree unfeasible in humans. Metabolic attributes of the human condition cannot be entirely recapitulated in a single animal model. Summary opinion/Conclusion A multitude of clinical trials that concern low carbohydrate diets have small sample sizes and insufficient statistical power to detect the incremental changes that occur in metabolic risk factors (Hu et al., 2012). Such factors are important determinants of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; thereby, it is ineffective to derive conclusions upon the effects of low carbohydrates upon overall health long term. In contrast to the results inferring an increase in cardiovascular risk, Hu et al. propose low carbohydrate diets as an alternative approach for fat mass reduction without worsening metabolic risk factors. Moreover, Bueno, de Melo, de Oliveria, da Rocha Ataide (2013) denote a doubled average increase in HDL compared to low fat dieters, conferring cardiovascular benefits with an improved cholesterol profile comparable to Westman et al. (2002) noting an increase in HDL. Nonetheless, six weeks is a short duration of time, and the research conveys that the dietary regime is sl ightly advantageous in weight loss for up to six months (Fields, Ruddy, Wallace, Shah, Millstine, 2016). Potential metabolic consequences can be alleviated with increased water, fibre, and calcium intake. References Bazzano, L. A., Hu, T., Reynolds, K., Yao, L., Bunol, C., Liu, Y., He, J. (2014). Effects of low  -carbohydrate and low-fat diets: A randomized trial. Annals of internal medicine, 161(5), 309-318. Bilsborough, S. A., Crowe, T. (2003). Low carbohydrate diets: What are the potential short and long  term health implications? Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 12(4), 397-404. Bueno, N., de Melo, I., de Oliveira, S., da Rocha Ataide, T. (2013). Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic  diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal Of Nutrition, 110(07), 1178-1187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007114513000548 Caton, S. J., Yinglong, B., Burget, L., Spangler, L. J., Tschà ¶p, M. H., Bidlingmaier, M. (2009). Low  carbohydrate high fat diets: Regulation of energy balance and body weight regain in rats.  Obesity, 17(2), 283-289. Clasey, J. L., Kanaley, J. A., Wideman, L., Heymsfield, S. B., Teates, C. D., Gutgesell, M. E.,   Weltman, A. (1999). Validity of methods of body composition assessment in young and older  men and women. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(5), 1728-1738. Fields, H., Ruddy, B., Wallace, M., Shah, A., Millstine, D. (2016). Are low-carbohydrate diets safe  and effective? The Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association, 116(12), 788.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2016.154 Heshka, S., Anderson, J., Atkinson, R., Greenway, F., Hill, J., Phinney, S. et al. (2003). Weight loss  with self-help compared with a structured commercial program. JAMA, 289(14), 1792.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.14.1792 Hu, T., Mills, K., Yao, L., Demanelis, K., Eloustaz, M., Yancy, W. et al. (2012). Effects of low-  carbohydrate diets versus low-fat diets on metabolic risk factors: A meta-analysis of  randomized controlled clinical trials. American Journal Of Epidemiology, 176(suppl 7), S44-  S54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aje/kws264   Johnston, C. S., Tjonn, S. L., Swan, P. D., White, A., Hutchins, H., Sears, B. (2006). Ketogenic low-  carbohydrate diets have no metabolic advantage over nonketogenic low-carbohydrate diets. The  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(5), 1055-1061.   Larosa, J. C., Fry, A. G., Muesing, R., Rosing, D. R. (1980). Effects of high-protein, low-  carbohydrate dieting on plasma lipoproteins and body weight. Journal of the American Dietetic  Association, 77(3), 264-270.   Lin, P. J., Borer, K. T. (2016). Third exposure to a reduced carbohydrate meal lowers evening  postprandial insulin and GIP responses and HOMA-IR estimate of insulin resistance. PloS  one, 11(10), e0165378.   Manninen, A. (2004). Metabolic effects of the very-low-carbohydrate diets: Misunderstood  villains of human metabolism. Journal Of The International Society Of Sports Nutrition,  1(2), 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-1-2-7   Russell 3rd, R. R., Taegtmeyer, H. (1991). Pyruvate carboxylation prevents the decline in contractile  function of rat hearts oxidizing acetoacetate. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and  Circulatory Physiology, 261(6), H1756-H1762.   Vogt, M. C., Paeger, L., Hess, S., Steculorum, S. M., Awazawa, M., Hampel, B., Predel, R. (2014).  Neonatal insulin action impairs hypothalamic neurocircuit formation in response to maternal  high-fat feeding. Cell, 156(3), 495-509.   Westman, E. C., Yancy, W. S., Edman, J. S., Tomlin, K. F., Perkins, C. E. (2002). Effect of 6-month  adherence to a very low carbohydrate diet program. The American Journal of Medicine, 113(1),  30-36. Table 1 Effect of a low carbohydrate dietary regime upon metabolic parameters Table 2 Effect of a low carbohydrate dietary regime upon serum lipid level and 24-hour urinary excretion Table 3 End-point hormone, glucose, and albumin analysis (study one; mean +/- s.e.m.) in adolescent and mature rodents maintained on CH or LC-HFD for 16 days Table 4 Energy expenditure (kcal/24 h) normalized for body mass at baseline; 16 days post-maintenance of CH and LC-HFD Figure 1. The effect of a low carbohydrate diet with additional nutritional supplementation upon body weight (n=41). Fat mass was estimated from skinfold thickness measurement. Fat mass decreased from 36.9 +/- 6.2 kg to 3.0 +/- 5.7 kg. Fat-free mass = body weight fat mass. The asterisk indicates P Figure 2. The development in body weight (g) of adolescent and mature rodents initially maintained on standard laboratory chow (CH) or low carbohydrate high fat diet (LC-HFD) for 16 days prior to a switch in dietary regime (denoted by an arrow) for another 16 days (means +/- s.e.m.). LC-HFD rodents exhibited a significant reduction in body weight compared to CH irrespective of age and subsequent diet change.

Teachers and Computers :: Technology Education Essays

Teachers and Computers: The Task Ahead Our world is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. In factories, offices, highways, and homes, one can find a plethora of machines in use. It makes sense then, that one would find some of the same technology in the schools. There is an obvious need for incorporating technology into the schools and curriculum. The task ahead for today’s educators is to learn how to use computers efficiently, develop a technology team in their school, and successfully include computer-based instruction in their classroom. The purpose of this paper is to present a process for bringing computers and teaching together. The first step is to educate the educators. A surprising number of teachers have very limited computer and technological skills. It is ridiculous to think that someone who is technologically inexperienced could teach a lesson involving multimedia presentations or computer simulations. The first standard of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) states that teachers need to â€Å"demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology† (NETS 9) There are eight basic types of technology with which educators need to be familiar. Each one provides a different educational benefit. A word processor encourages editing. Multimedia presentation software provides for different learning styles. Drill and practice software helps to reinforce things that the students have learned. A database helps students find the information that they need. Simulations provide a fun and effective way to learn, in which students take on role s in a story or event. Spreadsheets allow the user to perform several calculations at the same time for easy comparison. Tutorials work well for a group with diverse learning abilities because it provides self-paced instruction. The eighth and final basic technology type is telecollaboration over the internet. This allows students to experience parts of the world that they may never see. With all this technology available the question becomes, how are the teachers going to learn to use it all? The key word here is professional development. Professional development is â€Å"collaboration between partners to provide opportunities for teachers to strengthen their ability to contribute to the students they serve† (George 311). There are many ways teachers can strengthen their ability to contribute to students. One of which is attending seminars.

The Guidance Counselor Essay -- essays papers

The Guidance Counselor INTRODUCTION According to the U. S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, Counselors are defined as persons who â€Å"assist people with personal, family, educational, mental health and career decisions and problems. Their duties depend on the individuals they serve and the settings in which they work† (169). Examples include Mental health counselors who help people cope with daily life issues such as marital, family, stress management, or addiction problems. These counselors primarily work in private office settings. Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with different aspects of their physical disabilities, these counselors generally work in medical facilities. Employment counselors assist individuals in making wise career choices and most of these counselors work in community agencies. Thus counseling is a diverse field that encompasses an array of situations and settings. This report will center on High School Guidance Counselors. The primary focus will be to discuss the educational requirements necessary to apply for jobs in the field, the needed skills and abilities desired from employers, and the main duties of the job. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Requirements vary by state for specific types of degrees and or licenses and certifications that must be held by guidance counselors. Missouri Law requires that all High School Guidance Counselors have secondary counselor certification. Criteria for certification is listed below and was obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Individuals desiring to become guidance counselors must understand that acquiring certification requires an enormous amount of time, dedication, and education. Initial Certification The professional certificate is valid for five years from the effective date on the certificate and is issued to persons meeting the following criteria:  · A valid Missouri teaching certificate  · A minimum of two years classroom teaching experience  · A minimum of one year experience working in a field other than teaching or counseling  · Completion of a course in Education and/or Psychology of the exceptional child worth two or more semester hours  · Completion of a master’s degree with a major in guidance and counseling from a college or university meeting approval of the Missouri Department of Elementa... ...ctices. Bibliography: Works Cited â€Å"Certification Requirements for Secondary Counselor (Grades 9-12)†. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. March 06, 1998 . (November 02, 1998). Chiles, Donna. School Guidance and Counseling. Pupil Personnel Services Recommended Practices and Procedures Manual. Springfield: Illinois State Board of Education, 1983. Ellis, Thomas I. The Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Model. Ann Arbor: ERIC Clearinghouse, 1990. Feller, Richard, & Daly, J. Counselor Role and Educational Change: Planning, Integration, and Basic Skills: Book 5 - Comprehensive School Counseling and Guidance Programs. Fort Collins: Colorado State University, 1992. King, Gloria. Personnel Director, St. Louis Public Schools. Telephone Interview. 27 October 1998. Thomas, Preston. Director of Student Services, Cardinal Ritter College Prepatory High School. Personal Interview. 4 November 1998. Thompson, Rosemary. School Counseling Renewal: Strategies for the Twenty-first Century. Muncie: Accelerated Development Inc., 1992. U. S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-99 Edition. Indianapolis: JIST Works, Inc., 1998.

The Theories of Porfiry in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment :: Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment

The Theories of Porfiry in Crime and Punishment Raskolnikov commits a murder. He has a theory. Porfiry is an investigator. He too has a theory. Porfiry's is getting closer and closer to winning. Porfiry Petrovich believes many things about criminal nature--and therefore he believes these things will happen to Raskolnikov, the man that he has pinned as the perpetrator or the murder. He uses the comparison of a butterfly moving closer to a candle, the fact that if he lets the criminal wallow in mixed freedom and terror he will be able to complete a mathematical proof of the crime, and that the criminal's best move is to tell the truth, during which endeavor he will ultimately lie and fumble his plan. Perhaps Porfiry Petrovich is an excellent wax maker. He also has some very powerful and resilient matches. He uses these skills to light and let burn a candle that keeps Raskolnikov coming to him, so far twice, on the naive pretense of seeing about his father's watch. We know that Raskolnikov no longer has any care for things in the mat erial world. He deposits all that he stole under a rock. He gave Katerina's family 25 roubles. Money and goods are not a concern for Raskolnikov. He is there because of the undeniable force of the light which Porfiry is relentlessly shining on him. Raskolnikov fits this aspect of Porfiry's theory expertly. Unlike Porfiry did to Raskolnikov's theory, Raskolnikov can find no holes to pick in Porfiry's. Descartes believed that mathematics was the only thing that really existed with certainty besides his own existence, his own mind. Porfiry strongly believes in the benefit of having a "mathematical" proof in order to determine the guilty nature of a suspect. Like Descartes, Porfiry is able to doubt all things, such as circumstantial evidence and inclination, in order to await the completion and realization of a "mathematical formula" that leads directly to the true perpetrator of the crime. Porfiry's equation though is not yet balanced. This is why Raskolnikov is still spared for a time. The eventual arrival of Nikolay disrupts this drive to develop a concrete mathematical theory for Porfiry.

African Americans Civil War Essay

This paper is fundamentally about the influence African Americans had on the Civil War. The subjects being addressed include black soldiers, the Underground Railroad, Frederick Douglass, religion, and the abolitionist movement. The integral importance of African Americans in the Civil War is that they changed the meaning and action of the war from being about unification to being about slavery, and the emancipation of slaves. In the areas of participating in the war in both battle and lecturing, the paper delves into the reasons behind such action, and the national consequence of African American participation in all of the aforementioned areas. We were at times remarkable buoyant, singing Hymns, and making joyous exclamations, almost as Triumphant in their tone as if we had reached a land Of freedom and safety. A keen observer might have Detected in our repeated singing of O Cannan, sweet Canaan I am bound for the land of Canaan, Something more than a hope of reaching heaven. We Meant to reach the North, and the North was our Canaan. -Frederick Douglass Introduction The importance of the black culture during the years of the Civil War cannot be expressed without a discussion of slavery, abolition, and the freedom the African American race faced. In the South as well as the North, prejudice abounded, and in that fact is found the fettered movement of the African Americans. In this paper, the issues of freed blacks in the Civil War will be addressed; these include but certainly are not limited to slavery, abolition, religion, black soldiers, the Underground Railroad and of course Frederick Douglass. In the course of the next pages, these topics will be discussed with brief historical accounts using textual evidence, and the sentiments of the tension between, not only the master-slave relationship, but also the relationship of white officers and black soldiers. It is the duty of history to extol the accounts of the brave men and women who made freedom possible for an entire race; in this paper, a glimpse of those people and the adversity they challenged will be aggrandized and the essence of black culture and their contribution to their own rebellion will be dissected. In the influence of African American mores and values and their command in history over a few decades during the Civil war, it is freedom and the right to express themselves without prejudice, that makes them a strong people, and in this paper those influences on America will be made explicit. Why are African Americans at War The idea of African Americans at war during the Civil War is an answer that can be found in the crescendo of abolitionist speeches. Freed blacks wished to be at war to free their brothers and sisters who were still slaves; they were at war for many reasons. The call to war could not have been met with any more gusto than it was meet in the black community, as McPherson (1965) quotes You, white fellow-citizens, constitute a very large majority of the voters†¦ Therefore we appeal to you to stand by us, and see that we are not unjustly punished†¦We are weak-you are strong. We are few in numbers – you are numerous. O, men of Massachusetts! Tell us not that there are two kinds of rights; rights of the rich, which you respect because you must; rights of the poor, on which you trample because you dare†¦ Freedom has been your legacy from birth; by some of us it has been achieved. We know what oppression is; protect us from this political oppression†¦Some of us have experienced the unutterable anguish of leaving our dear ones for the sake of freedom. We appeal to you to secure and protect us in the freedom which we have sought. Let us not be exiled form the State of our adoption†¦ (15). McPherson goes on to state that in the freed blacks their was a ferocity to be done with the injustice delivered to them, and the outlet for such animosity could be found in Lincoln’s call to arms for volunteers to staunch the south rebellion. The Union could only be re-united through war; African American roles were pivotal in the outcome. There could be no compromise in the issue of slavery; men were born free, not sold, not bartered. The African American influence in this regard was their quick approval of such sentiment and their quick action to restore themselves as human. McPherson further emphasizes the innate reaction for action on the part of free blacks, As we sympathize with our white fellow-citizen at the present crisis, and to show that we can and do feel interested in the present state of affairs; and as we consider ourselves American citizens and interested in the Commonwealth of all our white fellow-citizens, although deprived of all our political rights, we yet wish the government of the United States to be sustained against the tyranny of slavery, and are willing to assist in any honorable way or manner to sustain the present Administration. We therefore tender to the state the services of the Hannibal Guards (20). There should be not question as to why African Americans so whole-heartedly participated in the Civil War. In the following pages, their participation as soldiers, as Underground Railroad conductors and as a race ready to be educated and rid of the fetters that shackle them, will be explored, explained, and expounded upon. Black Soldiers It is often misjudged the amount of free blacks who participated in their own emancipation. As slaves, African Americans were subject to ineffable amounts of torture and pain: Mothers and sisters were forced into prostitution, men were separated from their families and the entire race was thought of as less than human, a savagery of mankind. With these sentiments and the labor forced upon them, the simple act of combat in rebellion against such strife and animosity should come as little surprise when reading the history books. The driving force of export in the South was built upon black labor, and the disillusionment that such labor could be forever enslaved was ludicrous. The types of influence that African Americans had during such a time were found in the ever-popular blues music, and gospel. While working in the fields it was song that men, women, and children would turn to, to pass the time and feel united. This however is only a small scope of the participation African Americans played during the infant conception of our country . During the Civil War, blacks were enlisted as soldiers. The sentiment was very diverse in this subject. Some Northern whites did not agree with blacks participating with them, they held a dichotomy of views between wanting the blacks to be free and having them serve with them. In this regard, black regiments were incepted and it was agreed that the commanders of these regiments would be retired white military leaders so that the general populace still felt the commodity of ‘safety’ when thinking about blacks serving in the war with whites. Thus prejudice is proved to be very much alive even in the cultured North. In McPherson’s book The Negro’s Civil War (1965), he states, Despite the fact that Negro soldiers had fought for the United States in the Revolution and in the War of 1812, a federal law barred colored men from serving in state militias, and there were no Negroes in the regular United States Army. A group of Boston Negroes met in the Twelfth Baptist Church on April 23 to call for the repeal of laws that kept colored men out of the army. Robert Morris, a Negro lawyer in Boston, declared that ‘if the Government would only take away the disability, there was not a man who would not leap for his knapsack and musket, and they would make it intolerable hot for Old Virginia’. On April 29 a Negro drill company was organized in Boston, and in subsequent weeks the colored men of Massachusetts sent several petitions to the legislature praying for the repeal of discriminatory militia laws (20). In this quote is found the discriminatory actions of the side of the war that is supposed to be sympathetic towards the plight of African Americans. Though it could not considered direct hostility, the fact that at first blacks were denied to participate physically in their own emancipation was a deterring event in the process of freedom. During the course of the war it should also be cited the black regiments proved themselves with valor and without trepidation. It is documented that the Secretary of War denied the right of blacks to participate in fighting . The general fears of the Northern states were negated, and this fact is found especially true for the victory in Port Hudson. Colonel Higginson’s regiment on May 27, 1863 (a black regiment) fought against a Confederate stronghold, and though they were not victorious, they gained the accolades of the white regiments for their bravado during the battle. As McPherson quotes of this episode, â€Å" ‘The self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, and the great endurance of the negro, as exhibited that day, created a new chapter in American history for the colored man’† (185) . In this event, prejudice was all but vanquished from the white soldiers’ minds. The influence witnessed and recorded here proves undeniably that African Americans were essential in the fight against slavery, and the eventual event of their own freedom as well as staunching the belief system of the majority Northern sentimentality. To further expound on these heroic traits brought forth by black regiments, and the clouded judgment of white soldiers and officers, McPherson offers these accounts on the prejudice and the overcoming of such bigotry, A white officer of engineers who had witnessed the assault declared that ‘you have no idea how my prejudices with regard to negro troops have been dispelled by the battle the other day. The brigade of negroes behaved magnificently and fought splendidly; could not have done better. They are far superior in discipline to the white troops, and just as brave’. And the moderate New York Times, commenting on the reports of the battle, said that ‘this official testimony settles the question that the negro race can fight†¦It is no longer possible to doubt the bravery and steadiness of the colored race, when rightly led†¦A Philadelphia Negro wrote privately on June 11, 1863, that ‘public sentiment has undergone a great change in the past month or two, and more especially since the brilliant exploits of the several colored regiments (185-187) Indubitably, the values the Northern states once held about blacks quickly vanished with word coming from the battle field of the African American’s own fortitude in fighting against their former oppressors. Prior to the war, Northern states held similar attitudes that the Southern states exuded; that of African Americans being a weaker race, and thus justifiably enslaved, as Glatthaar expresses in Forged in Battle (1991), â€Å"Yet like Southerners, Northern whites had powerful prejudices against blacks†¦It was one thing, most Northerners reasoned, to regard the enslavement of the black race as cruel and inhumane; it was another to ask Northerners to regard blacks as their equals or welcome them as neighbors and friends† (11-12). The small earthquake that the blacks gave to the whites during the Civil War was their unflinching determination during battle. To remedy the unjustified sentiments of the Northern populace, black regiments were mandated with white officers. This structure retarded the advancement of worthy black soldiers, and further impressed upon the African American race that they were oppressed. However, the struggle to be allowed to be soldiers was such that when granted the opportunity, the qualms of the arrangement were shadowed by the joy to actually be allowed to fight in battle. Though the influence of black regiments during the Civil War is concrete in history, the conclusion of such an arrangement was debilitating to the idea of ending slavery. Black regiments were not at first allowed to be commanded by an African American officer, but as Glatthaar states, From the very beginning it was evident that white men would officer these new black units. Lincoln and the War Department believed they must make this program as palatable as possible to the Northern public and soldiery, to diminish the controversy in an already controversial proposal. One of the best means to do that was to reassure Northern citizens that white men would always be in charge (35) In the false reasoning of these displays of military obstinacies, blacks were commanded by (as said prior) retired white officers . This arrangement furthered the absurdity of the assumed inferiority of blacks, as Glatthaar further extrapolates, Because most Americans had doubts about the innate ability of blacks to fight effectively, they hoped that highly competent white officers would significantly upgrade black units. Here again, blacks felt the severe constraint of prejudicial contradictions. On the one hand, casting aside the numerous examples in American history in which blacks had fought well, substantial numbers of both soldiers and civilians believed that blacks were inferior humans, more akin to savages, and therefore would be extremely difficult to control once in a killing frenzy†¦the conclusion was that the best white men could handle the immense responsibility of commanding black soldiers†¦Of course, barring blacks from command positions stifled their opportunities for advancement, but ideally the selection process would secure quality officers , who in turn would help build outstanding black units†¦To ensure its continuation and success, for the benefit of all blacks, many believed it was best to give them the finest officers available-who happened to be whit veterans. Once the public began to accept black soldiers and acknowledge their wartime contributions, then they could resurrect the idea of black officers (35-36) In the influence that black soldiers had on the Civil War it is apparent that the strides taken with the community of African Americans had an overwhelming effect on the preconceived notions both the North and the South had about blacks, and in this discovery is shown the strength of that race to prove not only to these sides but to themselves that united they could share in battle the fighting as well as the victory. The Underground Railroad With any discussion concerning the influence African Americans had on the Civil War and by extension on America it is in the Underground Railroad that a true staple of American history was ignited. African Americans not only found their way to freedom through the succor of sympathizers but were themselves strongly involved with aiding other slaves onto the road to a new and free life. There was a great throng of religious peoples involved in the success of the Underground Railroad but African Americans were the third pillar of this unique system . In the Free states of the Union, especially those that bordered the Ohio River, their strength in numbers was overwhelming . The rivers surrounding Northern states were very reliant upon the water as a means of transportation and it helped escaped slaves cross over from Kentucky. Along with helping to aid the recently freed blacks, fellow African Americans were conductors, and agents helping to signal when and where a man should go, and other black hamlets, which abounded near the rivers, were key holding areas where fugitives could rest, and eat, regaining strength before continuing onto the next leg of the journey. As Bordewich writes in Bound for Canaan (2005), â€Å"In the Sardinia area, north of Ripley, reputedly the most reliable conductor for many years was a freed slave named John D. Hudson, ‘a man of good intellect and powerful physique and when enraged of no more fear than a mad bull’ as Beck described him† (200). One extraordinary account of freed slaves is witnessed in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. This county was home to conservative Germans, Amish, and Mennonites as well as Quakers. This county was home to hundreds of fugitives, who were either just arriving or leaving to find their homes up North as far as Canada. Most of the fugitives, however, found themselves gainfully employed, and had even made houses for themselves. Since the population was growing with fugitives, the spot was a magnet for slave hunters. As Bordewich states of Lancaster County, â€Å"In 1851 Lancaster’s blacks lived in a state of permanent high alert against gangs of night-riding kidnappers who broke into cabins without warning, seized men and women in their sleep, and carried away entire families† (326). 1851 was a year for great influence in the African American culture. Their work with the Underground Railroad had verified that their strength in numbers could bring about great change. Bordewich brings to the forefront of the railroad system the efforts of Lewis Hayden, Jermain Loguen, and William Parker and states, These men knew instinctively that the tide of history was running in their favor. The Christiana resistance had been planned and carried out entirely by African Americans, who had faced down the federal government and won, showing for all to see that blacks could and would defend themselves on a field of battle†¦Blacks had always played an assertive and sometimes dominant role within the clandestine purlieus of the underground, but this was the first time that they had done so in the open, and in the heart of two major cities, no less (343). Bordewich describes the Underground Railroad, not as a fixed system that does not alter to changing needs, but as a diverse system abundant in adaptability and the precursor to rapidly change in a threatening event. These changes were house, and shelter changes, as well route changes that the fugitives could travel to safety by. The immense influence the African Americans had in altering the Civil War is found not just by their escaping and using of the railroad, but also by their integral roles in aiding other fugitives in escape. Bordewich states, â€Å"The Underground Railroad is often visualized as a fixed system that , once established, was rarely altered. In actuality, routes were always in flux†¦Levi Coffin stated that during his lifetime he had directly and indirectly aided about thirty-three hundred fugitives to escape from slavery† (230). This number is just a small amount compared to all the fugitives aided by the Underground Railroad .