Gold and Silver Nanoparticles against E Coli

Gold and Silver Nanoparticles against E Coli Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of gold and silver Nanoparticles against Pathogen species, E. coli and S.aureus Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of gold and silver Nanoparticles against Pathogen species, E. coli and S.aureus Odai N.Salman*,, Duha S. Ahmed,a*,   Mohammed O. Dawood Abstract This work involved preparation Gold and Silver nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation (PLAL) using laser operated at 532 nm wavelength at energy density about 17 J/cm2 for pure gold and 10 J/cm2 for silver metal plate immersed in Deionize Water DW and another aqueous solvent of 5mM Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The morphology, size and crystalline nature of nanoparticles were estimated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Absorption spectrum of forming Au and Ag nanoparticles colloidal was calculated using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The Zeta potential of synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs was determined at 25 °C using Zeta plus and deionized water DW was used as dispersant. Finally, the antibacterial activity of Au and Ag nanoparticles against bacterial species E. coli and S. aureus demonstrate that Ag and Au NPs were more active against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria and this was attributed to change in the bacterial cell membranes composition. Keywords: Gold and Silver nanoparticles, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), surfactants, thiol and sulfhydryl groups, Laser ablation method Introduction Noble metal nanoparticles like silver and gold nanoparticles are represented a resource of great attention because of their good electrical, optical, physical, chemical and magnetic features because of their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) associated features that are basically practical in biology filed [1,2].Pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) represented a base technique in manufacture of NPs with controlling shape and size. Ablation of noble metals in water environment is consider as a different process to usual chemical reduction processes for obtain colloids of nanoparticles, since this approach represented environmentally friend green procedure with products that commonly without stabilized molecules or additional chemicals. PLAL process can be apply in clean Deioniz Water (DW) or in biological aqueous solvent and can be joined with good establish protocols to improve the sensitivity of classic vibration spectroscope like in the case of surface enhanced raman (SER) phenome na [3,4] Controlling of noble metals NPs size that synthesis via Laser Ablation could be achieve by addition particular molecules to aqueous manufacture solution, which physically or chemically interaction with the surfaces of form particles, limiting their increase. Ionic surfactants, [5] like Cyclodextrins and Sodium Chloride were effectively used to decrease the particle size of noble metals. As well as, the accurate method reducing the increase of the particles remain uncertain [6,7]. Besides, sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS, represented the most qualified surfactants to limit average sizing of AuNPs and AgNPs down to 5nm through laser ablation of NPs. Recently, laser ablation technique permit to synthesis NPs with no difficulty and with no Contaminate by a reduced agent, but coagulation development of atoms leads to broaden size distribution of the NPs and its hard to be controlled [4]. Alternative, a perfect metal nanoparticles solutions can be efficiently create, when laser ablation take place in a liquid environmental [8].Since, noble metals have been used for centuries as bactericidal agents, can be represented by silver, gold and zinc, each with various properties, activity spectrum and their main antibacterial activity were due to to their cytotoxicity against a number of bacteria. Besides, AgNPs and AuNPs can interaction with the functional groups on the cell membrane of bacteria which leads to inactive pathogen [9].The main characteristics of metallic NPs are large surface energies, specific electronic structure, plasmon excitation and quantum confinement [10].For AgNPs, it probable consider that the high specific area and high fraction of surface atoms of AgNPs result in high antimicrobial activity when compare with bulk Ag metals. The antimicrobial effects of AgNPs have been used generally in various medical applications for years. Using AgNPs in bone ravels good quality of antimicrobial activity with no existence of cytotoxicity as studies in vitro assessment filed. AuNPs is one of significant applications in the medical filed because of they are easily tacking up by membrane of bacteria. The toxicity of AuNPs against various cell kinds depends on their sizing. Furthermore, the capability of pathogenic bacteria in resist antimicrobial agents is a fact that has emerging in latest years and represents a main health trouble [11-14]. Therefore, in this study we evaluate the synthesis and bactericidal activity of AgNPs and AuNPs against Es cherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus produced by using pulsed laser ablation in liquids, PLAL. Optical spectra and morphology of colloidal of AgNPs and AuNPs prepare by pulsed laser ablation in liquids, PLAL were explored. Materials and methods Preparation of silver and gold nanoparticles using PLAL (Pulse  Laser Ablation in Liquid) In this part, silver and gold nanoparticles are synthesized by irradiation the metal target plate by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) and a thickness of 1 mm located on the underneath of quartz container contain deionized water DW and additional aqueous solvent of surfactants like (SDS) of 5mM concentration at ambient temperature. Laser ablation can be achieving used focusing production of pulse laser Nd: YAG (Huafei model) working with a repetition rate of 5 Hz and pulse width of 9 ns. Laser ablation was take place with laser operate at 532 nm wavelengths at energy density set in 17 J/cm2 for Au and10 J/cm2 for Ag with a positive lens containing focal length of 10 cm. The spot sizing of the laser beam on surface of metallic plate was 2 mm in width by the distance between the focus lens and the metallic plate at 7 cm. Laser is fixed by a holder on the target at the bottom of container as shown in Fig (1). Each of gold and silver plate was fixing in a container full with 5 ml DW water. Characterization studies Size and sizing distribution of AuNPs and AgNPs are confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM,Carl Zeiss Germany EM10 C- 100 KV, Daypetronic co., Iran)that produced by PLAL technique. Absorption spectrum of AuNPs and AgNPs colloidal are determined using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (SHIMADZU UV-1800) with wavelength range 190 ÃÅ' ´ 1100 nm and the speed of the wavelength scan is up to 2500nm/min. The Zeta potential of synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs was determined at 25 °C using Zeta plus(Malvern Instruments Ltd., UK)with the range between -250 mV to 250 mV(sample dependent)and Deionized water (DW) was used as dispersant. Antimicrobial Assay Antimicrobial susceptibility testing had done with quality control strains by using S. aureus and E.coli for appropriate antimicrobials. The antibacterial test is performing by using Disk diffusion method. The sterility paper discs (8mm) soaking with AuNPs and AgNPs are suspend in pure Deionized Water (DW) and let drying at 37 °C for 24h in a clean circumstance. Suspension of bacteria is provide by preparing the saline solutions of isolating colonies choose from nutrient agar plate, then agar plates are grow for 18h. 5ml of sterilized nutrient broth is inoculation with a loop full of test organism and incubation in 24h. Then, 0.2 ml from overnight culture of organism are distribute into 9ml of sterility nutrient broth and incubation for 3h to make standard McFarland turbidity using the Spectrophotometer of 600nm anf production the culture with concentration 106 CFU/ml. Surface of (MHA) agar was absolutely inoculate using a clean cotton swab in all directions and rotating the plate. The soaking discs are then placed on the inoculation agar and incubating at 37 °C for 24 h. After incubation, the diameter of the growth inhibition zone is measuring by width of the inhibition. Results and Discussion Zeta potential analysis Electric charge on the surface of AuNPs and AgNPs is measuring using Zeta potential. Zeta potential was found to be −28.13 mV for AgNPs and -40.31 mV for AuNPs as shown in Fig (2 a, b). The negative zeta potential confirms the negative charge on the surface of colloidal nanoparticles. The columbic repulsion forces induced by surface negative charge decrease the aggregation and thus contribute to the stability of the green synthesized nanoparticles. The attractive and repulsive of NPs can be evaluated using zeta potential. If the particles get a high positive or negative value of zeta potential, they repel each other and result a stable suspending. Since, the point at which zeta potential reads 0 mV is called zero electric point. Zeta analysis is essential in industries such as ceramics, minerals processing, water treatment, pharmaceuticals etc [15]. Optical properties of gold and silver nanoparticles by PLAL technique The unique optical phenomenon of metal nanoparticles, in the UV region enables their easy detection. This property occurs due to surface plasmon oscillation of free electrons. Fig (3) shows the absorption spectra of AgNPs and AuNPs colloidal solutions synthesized by laser ablation technique with wavelength 532 nm and using 5mM SDS and Deionized Water (DW). The results reveal the absorption peaks of AuNPs (blue line) and AgNPs (red line) depending on SDS concentration 5mM. In Fig (3), peaks of absorbance tend to increase by addition of SDS, 5mM. Moreover, depending on results the surfactant SDS, 5 mM fabricate high quantity of AuNPs and AgNPs depending on the experiment conditions. Obviously, the surfactant (SDS) playing a significant role in determine stable and size of the AuNPs and AgNPs, because of the extinction of NPs growing is controlling by the distribution and attaching rates of SDS on the nanoparticles. The samples set in (SDS) liquid, the particles were enveloped with surfactant. Since, using 5mM of (SDS) surfactants make distributed width become thin. Extremely negative charge nanoparticles are repelling each other more efficiently, that allow SDS surfactants covering them before connection take place. Since, the kinetics consideration is predictable to bound coalescence of the form clusters, resulting to lesser particles. The surfactants that contact with nanoparticles through the condensation avoid NPs from more coalescence and agglomerated and successfully stabilizing and reducing size of Au and Ag nanoparticles. Determination of bactericidal activity of silver and gold nanoparticles The antibacterial assay of AuNPs and AgNPs are evaluated against standards of the E.coli and S. aureusby using Disc Diffusion test with muller hinton agar (MHA) to determine the inhibition zone. The zone of inhibition was measured by the diameter of the inhibition circle as shown in Table 1. Table 1: inhibition Zones diameters in (mm) of AgNPs and AuNPs impregnated against S. aureus and E.coli bacteria The bacteria E.coli S. aureus inhibition Zones diameters in (mm) of AgNPs 17mm 11mm inhibition Zones diameters in (mm) of AuNPs 14mm 10mm The results in Table 1 show the bacteria are susceptible to the AgNPs and AuNPs. AgNPs illustrate further activity on test pathogens comparison to AuNPs. Besides, AgNPs and AuNPs colloidal reveal good antibacterial activity against tested pathogens as shown in Fig (4a,b). These results showed that AgNPs have higher antibacterial activity than AuNPs due to the relatively inert chemical nature of gold. In Fig (4 a), AgNPs were further activity against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria and this was attributed to change in the bacterial cell membranes composition. AuNPs are less efficient against the tested pathogens as reveal in Fig (4a,b). The bactericidal mechanism of AgNPs may consist of variation of thiol or sulfhydryl groups including biomolecules like proteins and electrochemical collapse that penetrate across the cell membranes of bacteria [11]. It is assumed that heavy metals like silver and gold release ions reacting with thiol or sulfhydryl groups (-SH) of pro teins and inactivates them. Ionic silver and gold efficiently interact with thiol group of vital enzymes and inactivate bacteria. Since, ionic silver, Ag+ replaced ionc hydrogen H+ of thiol groups that deactivates the proteins by decreasing the permeability which leads to cell dye [14]. It is normally to state that attaching of AgNPs or AuNPs to the bacteria cell depends on the surface area presented for interaction. Nanoparticles have larger surface area presented for interactions, which improve bactericidal effect than the large size particles; therefore they convey cytotoxicity to the microorganisms [16] In present, mechanisms of penetrating bacteria using nanoparticles is still now not complete, but propose metals are cytotoxicity and reacting with protein, as a result the metals connect proteins molecules, metals efficiently interact with thiol group of vital enzymes and inactivate bacteria. Moreover, it is suppose that AgNPs and AuNPs binding to functiona groups of protein resultant in proteins inactivation, so that cellular metabolism is inhibiting causing inactivation of microorganisms [17, 18]. TEM Analysis TEM analysis confirmed the nanosize of AgNPs and AuNPs prepared by laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) with 5 Mm SDS surfactant solutions. The spherical shape of the Ag and Au nanoparticles is shown in TEM images in Fig (5 a,b), respectively. Besides, in TEM analysis, both AgNPs and AuNPs are dispersed and mostly spherical in shape with obvious morphology of Ag and Au nanoparticles and no aggregation. The average diameter AuNPs range of 20- 30 nm while the average diameters AgNPs range of 40-60nm, respectively. Conclusions To summarize, a high purity of silver and gold nanoparticles have been prepared via using pulse Nd: YAG laser operating at 532 nm wavelengths with a repeating rate of 5Hz and pulse length of 9ns in SDS solution. Obviously, the results exhibited, the surfactants (SDS) play a significant role in determination the stabile and sizing of AuNPs and AgNPs as shown in optical properties that affected by laser fluence and wavelength. The negative zeta potential confirms the negative charges on exterior of colloidal nanoparticles because of addition surfactant like SDS solution. Besides, AgNPs and AuNPs are shifting to a lesser size because of surfactant SDS solution. Since, the synthesized Ag and Au nanoparticles contain spherical shape and size distributed is almost Gaussian. Finally, AgNPs and AuNPs colloidal reveal good antibacterial activity against tested pathogens and becomes more active against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria and this was attributed to change in the bacterial cell membranes composition. Since, complete bacterial inhibition depends the effect of laser ablation conditions in synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs colloidal and on number of bacteria cells; and concludes that silver and gold nanoparticles contain high bactericidal and potential effects in reduced bacterial growing in practical applications.

Recommendations for Tuen Mun Landfill Expansion

Recommendations for Tuen Mun Landfill Expansion Man Sum Yi, Annie Urban Planning: Principles and Practices To: Principal Town Planner From: Assistant Town Planner (MAN Sum Yi Annie) Subject: Recommendation to Tuen Mun landfill expansion Landfill is being regarded as one of the locally unwanted land uses (â€Å"LULUs†) (Popper, 1981), and sitting of LULUs often causes heated debate among the society (Lai et al., 2007). According to the prediction made by the Legislative Council (2013), the West New Territories (â€Å"WENT†) landfill in Tuen Mun is expected to be exhausted in 2019. The accelerated exhaustion of landfill in Hong Kong catches our attention, and this planning problem requires immediate response from the government and urban planners. Even though major opposition is held by Tuen Mun residents, the necessity of WENT landfill expansion cannot be denied, in the view of surging waste loads and the other waste management strategies are not ready yet. In this memo, the crux of the landfill expansion problem will first be discussed, followed by recommended policy actions and justifications in gaining support to the plan. Crux of WENT landfill expansion problem Appropriate location of landfills remains as a big challenge to planners. The debate of landfill expansion is particularly significant in Hong Kong because of limited land and high population density (Woo, 2010). Moreover, the public does not trust the government in siting locally unwanted land uses (Lam Woo, 2009; Woo, 2010). There is a major dilemma between environmental justice and urgency in handling waste. Despite the fact that the government is working on other waste management strategies, such as the proposed waste charge, food waste recycling partnership scheme and the new incinerator (Environmental Protection Department, 2014), landfill extension is still necessary to handle the remaining 10,000 tonnes of waste which require disposal every day (Legislative Council, 2013). Fuelled by increasing population and rapid economic development, the amount of waste loads is expected to surge continuously. Tuen Mun residents are concerned about the unfavorable impacts disturbing their living environment, which includes odors, health impacts, public hygiene, and the declining local image. Furthermore, Tuen Mun residents challenged the government decision that environmental justice is infringed as Tuen Mun is currently home to many LULUs (Lam Woo, 2009). As discussed in the previous memo, public perception, alternative policies and sustainability of landfills are the three main reasons hampering public support towards the expansion plan. Therefore, in this memo, recommendations are made on the basis to gain public acceptance. Recommended policy actions An open and participatory approach is recommended; there are four recommended policy actions to increase public acceptance and gaining public trust. They include evaluating the expansion plan, minimizing disturbance to Tuen Mun residents, showing commitment and involving the public. First, planners can evaluate the whole expansion plan once again, in terms of distance from residents and the extended area. Planners can examine the possibility of reducing the expansion area. A smaller expansion area will be more acceptable to residents, as their social responsibility in handling waste will be smaller. 67.95% of interviewed Tuen Mun residents perceived the landfill expansion as a need for Hong Kong, while only 12.5% perceived it as a local need in a survey conducted (Lam Woo, 2009). The government can increase education and promotion, in order to allow the public to understand the urgency of the problem. Second, planners can propose ways to minimize nuisance brought to the residences in Tuen Mun. The design of garbage truck can be improved and the leakage problem of waste water should be strictly controlled. Planting greenbelts around the expanded landfill is another suggestion, which can act as a separation between the landfill and local residents. Planners can explore the other ways in transporting waste, for example using sea transport, so that disturbance during waste transportation can be reduced. Streets can be cleaned more frequently within Tuen Mun; hence pests and insects can be eliminated. Third, the government should show commitment to the public, demonstrate that they will shoulder the responsibility in waste management. The government can present a timeline in municipal waste reduction and set long term reduction goals. Tuen Mun residents expressed that the pollution problem arose from landfill extension was their top concern (Lam Woo, 2009). An air quality monitoring station can be set up in Tuen Mun, monitoring the amount of toxic gases and the general air quality. This can increase the confidence of Tuen Mun residents towards the landfill expansion and better protect health of residents. Last but not least, the government should be more sensitive to local concerns and engage public in the decision-making process. Rather than compensation strategies, greater public participation is more effective in persuading local residents (Lam Woo, 2009). Government can foster trust building by increasing transparency and lengthening time for the consultation period. The government should show respect to the views of different stakeholders. The government can adopt residents’ suggestions towards the expansion plan, and promote better communication with residents and the Tuen Mun District Council. Justifications to recommended actions Indeed, achieving environmental justice is always easier said than done. The concept of environmental justice refers to the equal share of burden of responsibility (Levy, 2011) in handling waste. During the process of decision making, fair treatment and meaningful involvement of the public is being considered as elements of environmental justice. Environmental injustice can be seen through the concentration of costs and risks of LULUs on a particular population (Been, 1993). Each district in Hong Kong has its own function, and functions of districts are determined by locational factors. Although some Tuen Mun residents call for the respect towards environmental justice, fair siting of LULUs among all districts is extremely difficult and impractical. Proper siting of landfill requires the consideration of environmental, technical and social factors, and the wind direction is especially important. In order to persuade residents to accept the expansion plan, the government should prove that Tuen Mun is a legitimate and reasonable choice, as well as minimizing impacts brought to residents. The ultimate goal of the WENT landfill expansion is to achieve comprehensive planning, in which health, safety and public welfare are taken into consideration. Comprehensive planning refers to the plan that can guide the development of the entire community in a long term (Levy, 2011). Evaluation of the extension plan and minimization of disturbance represent government’s consideration of the affected residents. The above suggested policy actions are able to establish trust between the public and the government, as the views of Tuen Mun residents are being considered and taken into account. An open and participatory approach in handling LULUs is crucial, as the public is being involved. Compensation measure is not recommended because economic loss is not one of the concerns of the affected residents (Lam Woo, 2009). Moreover, the effectiveness of monetary compensation has been questioned (Jenkins-Smith Kunreuther, 2005). Conclusion The urgency waste problem is less significant than other pollution problems since it does not directly affect daily lives of Hong Kong citizens. In addition to other waste management policies, the proposed WENT landfill expansion plan is the best way to handle municipal solid waste. The government and planners play the most important role in promoting this expansion plan. In response to the strong local opposition, four recommendations are made, which include evaluating the expansion plan, minimizing disturbance, showing commitment and involving the public. Environmental justice is in fact difficult to be achieved in reality, so planners should focus on ways to gain public acceptance while formulating policy actions. The above suggested ways are feasible because views of Tuen Mun residents are taken into account and they are involved in the decision-making process. All in all, the government should be committed to execute other reduction goals while promoting the expansion plan, and the persuasiveness of the plan will be increased. References: Books Levy, John M. (2011). Contemporary Urban Planning, ninth edition, Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall. Jenkins-Smith, H.C. and Kunreuther, H. (2005). Mitigation and benefits measures as policy tools for siting potentially hazardous facilities: determinants of effectiveness and appropriateness. In: S.H. Lesbirel and D. Shaw, eds. Managing conflict in facility siting: an international comparison. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 63–84. Journal articles Been, V. (1993). Whats fairness got to do with it? Environmental justice and the siting of locally undesirable land uses.Cornell L. Rev.,78, 1001. Lam, K.C. Woo, L.Y. (2009). Public perception of locally unwanted facilities in Hong Kong: Implications for conflict resolution. Local Environment, 14(9), 851-869. Lai, P.W. et al. (2007). Siting and community response to locally unwanted land uses: a literature review. Hong Kong: Centre for Environmental Policy and Resource Management, Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Popper, F.J. (1981). Sitting LULUs. Planning, Vol. 47, 4: pp.12-15. Woo, L. Y. (2010).Trust and public perception: Insights for facility siting in Hong Kong(Order No. 3483306). Available from ProQuest Dissertations Theses AI. (902185449). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/902185449?accountid=14548 Website materials Environmental Protection Department (2014). Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/owt_food.html Legislative Council (2013). Environmental Infrastructure Projects. The Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs. CB(1)1079/12-13(01) Retrieved from http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/english/panels/ea/papers/ea0527cb1-1079-1-e.pdf

The Internet And The Future Of Tv Essay -- Television TV

Imagine a day when you would be in total control of creating your own TV channel lineup. Instead of subscribing to a service from a cable, satellite or phone company that might offer you hundreds of channels you'll never watch, you would be able to select what you want and watch it on your own schedule. That day might not be so far away. Slowly but surely, content that's broadcast over cable networks and through satellite providers is being distributed through the public Internet. News.context What's new: A lot of the technology is in place to deliver TV content via the Internet, where content providers could bypass cable and satellite services and deliver programming directly to viewers. Bottom line: While content providers have no intention of giving up on traditional TV service, they are watching Internet TV developments carefully. Most are moving gingerly into the market, making sure digital rights issues are properly addressed, that they can maintain control over content once it's on the Web, and that there is adequate demand for the service. More stories on this topic In terms of the technology, all the elements are falling into place to deliver high-quality video from the Net directly to viewers in their living rooms. Software has been developed to ensure the quality of video distributed over the Net. And companies such as Microsoft and Cisco Systems' Linksys home division are developing products that enable Internet video to be viewed on TV sets instead of only on PC screens. Apple Computer, which has changed the music industry with its iPod music players and iTunes music store, is trying to do the same thing in the video market. Earlier this month it introduced an iPod that plays videos, and launch... ... Previous Next Comcast, the largest cable company in the United States, already provides an extensive library of on-demand movies. On Wednesday it announced it would provide an additional 250 movies every month to its digital cable customers at no extra charge. In total, Comcast customers will be able to select from about 800 movies each month. Comcast says that its video-on-demand programming is extremely popular. The company has already surpassed one billion total on-demand program views for the year, eclipsing last year's total of 567 million views. "The traditional TV market is not dead," said Kontiki's Sahadi. "Multiple models will evolve. Broadband penetration and improvements in digital rights management are helping push content providers to look toward the Web. But there will always be people who want to subscribe to a traditional television service."

Historia del Flamenco - Spanish Essay :: Papers Espagnol Essays

Historia del Flamenco - Spanish Essay La mà ºsica flamenca empezà ³ con una voz y unas palmas, y mà ¡s tarde se incorporà ³ la guitarra. Es sà ³lo en este siglo cuando se introdujo el zapateo. Hoy en dà ­a, las tres principales herramientas del flamenco son el cante, la guitarra y el baile. Casi todos los estilos o palos flamencos pueden interpretarse con o sin baile, habiendo bailes sin cante y temas puramente vocales, "a cappela". Hoy, el flamenco tiene muchas caras y es ejecutado de mà ºltiples maneras. En el flamenco moderno es comà ºn el uso de algunos instrumentos mà ¡s, como el bajo elà ©ctrico, normalmente sin trastes (tal como comenzà ³ a usarlo Carlos Benavent) y el cajà ³n. El cajà ³n es un instrumento de percusià ³n peruano que, con ligeras modificaciones, introdujo Paco de Lucà ­a y su grupo, y consiste en una caja de madera con un panel frontal suelto que se toca sentado sobre ella y que se adapta muy bien al flamenco porque no tiene una afinacià ³n determinada y proporciona un sonido sin armà ³nicos muy seco. El nuevo flamenco, etiqueta con la que se agrupan las formaciones jà ³venes menos preocupadas por el purismo y mà ¡s interesadas en la mezcla de mà ºsicas, incorpora saxos, flautas, violonchelos, violines o el sitar, e innumerables instrumentos de percusià ³n como los bongos, las congas de sudamà ©rica, la darbuka y el djembe indios, etc. El uso de baterà ­as, sintetizadores y guitarras elà ©ctricas es menos habitual. El flamenco es una de las mà ºsicas mà ¡s peculiares y reconocible de Europa. Las raà ­ces del flamenco se formaron recogiendo influencias de muy diversos orà ­genes: podemos encontrar en esta mà ºsica aportaciones hindà ºes, à ¡rabes, judà ­as, griegas, castellanas, etc. Cà ³mo llegaron a fundirse en el flamenco las aportaciones de tantas culturas es una larga e interesante historia llena de leyendas y malinterpretaciones. Los Gitanos del sur de Espaà ±a crearon esta mà ºsica dà ­a a dà ­a desde su

Good Girls Gone Bad :: essays research papers

Good Girls Gone Bad   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bars slammed against the cold metal; the sound of screaming and chaos filled the cell. I could hear a young girl crying in the cell next to mine and it made me sigh with sadness. As a former inmate of the State of Texas women’s prison facility, the echoes of the sounds I heard daily, still remain fresh in the back of my mind. Coming to terms with my sentence and trying to figure out what had landed me there sparked a curios interest. The increasing rate of women in prison and the factors leading them behind bars was clearly becoming more obvious as I spoke and lived with the ladies in white jumpsuits. To prevent and help these women and to also help those who have yet to make their same mistakes we need to better understand and evaluate some causes for their imprisonment. There are three main factors that I believe to be a major contributor to our daughters, mothers and children living behind bars: family status or situation, drug abuse and criminal activit ies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Family status and situations are important to our daily balance in life. We often depend on and care for those who we are closest to. A woman who had had an unstable or hostile living environment, whether it be rape, incest or molestation, will be more likely to end up living in prison for part or all of her life. Our family or caregiver(s) plays a vital role in determining our future success. If we are brought up with morals and Leslie McEntire Page 2 Respect towards others, we are less likely to want to be involved in criminal activity or drug use. As humans we also like to be hugged and kissed by those who call us their Own. If that affection and love is violated or destroyed all together, there is little chance for a normal recovery without expensive counseling.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Drug abuse was evident in almost every face I saw while at Plane State Jail. Although I was only 25 years old, I was aware of what drug use was doing to our beautiful women. It was written on their faces, scarred on their body and forever etched into their minds and souls. Although deadly and unrewarding consequences emerge from drug use, women continue to use and abuse hundreds of illegal substances. In many cases, women were using drugs because of pressures from their boyfriend. Good Girls Gone Bad :: essays research papers Good Girls Gone Bad   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bars slammed against the cold metal; the sound of screaming and chaos filled the cell. I could hear a young girl crying in the cell next to mine and it made me sigh with sadness. As a former inmate of the State of Texas women’s prison facility, the echoes of the sounds I heard daily, still remain fresh in the back of my mind. Coming to terms with my sentence and trying to figure out what had landed me there sparked a curios interest. The increasing rate of women in prison and the factors leading them behind bars was clearly becoming more obvious as I spoke and lived with the ladies in white jumpsuits. To prevent and help these women and to also help those who have yet to make their same mistakes we need to better understand and evaluate some causes for their imprisonment. There are three main factors that I believe to be a major contributor to our daughters, mothers and children living behind bars: family status or situation, drug abuse and criminal activit ies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Family status and situations are important to our daily balance in life. We often depend on and care for those who we are closest to. A woman who had had an unstable or hostile living environment, whether it be rape, incest or molestation, will be more likely to end up living in prison for part or all of her life. Our family or caregiver(s) plays a vital role in determining our future success. If we are brought up with morals and Leslie McEntire Page 2 Respect towards others, we are less likely to want to be involved in criminal activity or drug use. As humans we also like to be hugged and kissed by those who call us their Own. If that affection and love is violated or destroyed all together, there is little chance for a normal recovery without expensive counseling.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Drug abuse was evident in almost every face I saw while at Plane State Jail. Although I was only 25 years old, I was aware of what drug use was doing to our beautiful women. It was written on their faces, scarred on their body and forever etched into their minds and souls. Although deadly and unrewarding consequences emerge from drug use, women continue to use and abuse hundreds of illegal substances. In many cases, women were using drugs because of pressures from their boyfriend.

Synthesis Essay That Compares the Short Story “All the Troubles of the World” by Isaac Asimov to Minority Report

Today we continue to rely on computers and technology more and more throughout our daily lives. Computers are also becoming increasingly powerful and more intelligent. However as computers continue take on more and more of our jobs they are also becoming increasingly vulnerable for errors. â€Å"All the troubles of the world† by Isaac Asimov and â€Å"Minority Report† were both about computers that are very different. However they both had major flaws in their systems. The computers systems in â€Å"All the troubles of the world† by Isaac Asimov and Minority Report were both very different.In â€Å"All the troubles of the world† by Isaac Asimov the entire world is controlled by Multivac. Multivac is responsible for earth's economy, preventing crime and files every single known fact about each earthman. Multivac also acts as some sort of god. Giving guidance to its eager users in exchange for every single one of their thoughts. However in â€Å"Minority Re port† the computer relies heavily on human input. In fact the entire system relies on three gifted humans called Pre-Cogs. The Pre-Cogs have a special ability to see murders happening in the future.They received this special ability from their parents who were addicted to a very powerful drug. Unlike Multivac, the Pre-Cog system relies heavily on human input. The system requires technicians to decipher the Pre-Cogs visions and figure out the location of the murder. The Pre-Cog system is only in use in the district of Washington D. C. , whereas Multivac conducts its operations on a global scale. However both the computers in â€Å"All the troubles of the world† and â€Å"Minority Report† had major flaws in their systems.Multivac the computer in â€Å"All the troubles of the world† learned from the humans†¦ The tendency to self destruct. Computers are based on logic and self destruction is not logical. Whereas in â€Å"Minority Report† the Pre-Co gs would sometimes disagree with each other. Sometimes two out of the three Pre-Cogs would predict the future while at the same time the other Pre-Cog sees it in another. These rare occurrences are called Minority reports. This flaw was taken advantage of by Lamar Burgess a character in the movie.Lamar Burgess managed to murder someone at the exact same time and location in the exact same fashion. This major flaw in the Pre-Cog system led to the demise of the pre crime division in the movie. â€Å"All the troubles of the world† by Isaac Asimov and â€Å"Minority Report† was both about computers who were responsible for very complex tasks and how they had major flaws in their systems. In â€Å"All the troubles of the world† by Isaac Asimov â€Å"Multivac† the main computer controlled practically everything.The people in the story even seemed to worship Multivac like some sort of a god. However over the years Multivac developed human qualities and grew tire d. Whereas in the movie â€Å"Minority Report† the Pre-Cog system uses highly gifted humans who can foresee crimes in the future. However just like Multivac the system had flaws which made it possible for people to murder without getting caught. In both the story and in the movie the two computers had major flaws which led to their demise.

John Stuart Mill And Liberalism Essay

John Stuart Mill (May 20, 1806, Pentonville, England – May 8, 1873, Avignon, France) was one of the greatest and most influential liberal thinkers of the XIX century and also a famous political economist and a Liberal Member of Parliament from 1865 to 1868 (Plank). As a prominent thinker, Mill introduced a new doctrine of liberty and can be considered as a first-rate liberal and a second-rate utilitarian (Reeves). John Stuart Mill (Source: httpwww. liberalinternational. orgeditorial. aspia_id=685) Conceived for the first time as a short essay in 1854, Mill’s famous and enormously influential book On Liberty that he published in 1859 is considered one of the founding philosophical works of classical liberalism and also one of the most fundamental texts on the concept of liberty. In the book which concerns social and civil liberty, the philosopher explores the nature of the power that society can legitimately exercise over individuals, and advocates their moral and economic freedom from the state (John Stuart Mill; John Stuart Mill: Political Philosopher). The most important point and basis for liberty made by Mill in his book is that â€Å"Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign†. Individuals exercise their sovereignty both through their judgment and actions. The main ideas that Mill explains in his On Liberty could be grouped into the following sections. 1. Mill opens his treatise by pointing out that the government is a â€Å"dangerous weapon† if it is not appropriately controlled and if its authority is not limited by the liberty of the citizens. In this way, Mill suggests, citizens will be ruled by a government whose rule is guaranteed against oppression and tyranny. However, at a given stage society develops into democracy â€Å"Page # 2† which does not fear tyranny any longer but where the majority can easily criminalize or marginalize a minority group of society and encroach on their rights or liberty. Mill calls it the â€Å"tyranny of the majority† and believes it is much worse than the tyranny of government because it is easier for individuals to be protected from a tyrant than â€Å"against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling†. He saw a danger of the old repression of despotic rulers being replaced by â€Å"despotism of custom†. Rules of conduct, thus, would be based on the majority opinion and there would be no protection in law against its tyranny (John Stuart Mill). He emphasizes that social tyranny is the greater danger than political tyranny for modern nations such as Britain (Heydt). As in Mill’s view the prevailing opinions within society are not necessarily the correct opinions on the one hand, and an individual has the right to choose whatever preference for his moral beliefs on the other hand, Mill concludes that this situation is wrong and unjust. In this case, individuals will be harmed, then their sovereignty over themselves will be impaired (John Stuart Mill). 2. Mill argues for a need of rational principle that would govern individuals within society, and thus introduces and explains his so-called harm principle which is supposed to regulate the limits of intervention in an individual’s actions. Individuals can act as they wish as long as their actions do not harm other individuals. Society should not intervene if the action affects only the individuals that undertake it even though these individuals are harming themselves. In Mill’s view, in a civilized community society has the right to legitimately exercise power over any individual against his will only in order to prevent harm to others. However, Mill distinguishes two categories of â€Å"harms†. If an individual fails to pay taxes, rescue another drowning individual, or appear in court to give evidence, then these acts (which he calls acts of omission) should be qualified as harmful and may be regulated. But if individuals give their consent to take risks without fraud or force, for example, by accepting unsafe employment offered by others, this is not considered as harming them (acts of commission). â€Å"Page # 3† In this case, society is not allowed to intervene except when individuals sell themselves into slavery (John Stuart Mill). 3. Children can’t take care of themselves and may instead harm themselves unintentionally. That is why, Mill explains, they do not have sovereignty over themselves, the harm principle can’t be applicable in this case and society is allowed to interfere with them against their will. Barbarians fall into this category, too. Mill states that barbarians can’t be sovereign over themselves and that despotism over them may be justified in cases when the end result is the improvement of their life. But as soon as they become more civilized and have the capability to decide for themselves, they must be given liberty from the government and its tyranny. Good examples of this, Mill illustrates, are Charlemagne and Akbar the Great who compassionately controlled and â€Å"helped† barbarian nations better manage their lives (John Stuart Mill). 4. According to Mill, human liberty includes several components without which individuals can’t be truly free: †¢ Individuals are free to think as they wish, and to feel as they do (the freedom to opinion and of speech). Mills argues that the freedom of speech is necessary for social progress because allowing people to freely express their opinions and ideas, even if they are false, is useful for two reasons. First, in an open exchange of ideas individuals are likely to understand that some of their beliefs may be erroneous and will thus abandon them. Second, in the process of debate individuals reaffirm their beliefs and prevent them from turning into mere dogma. Mill believes that it is important for individuals to understand why their beliefs are true (John Stuart Mill). †¢ Individuals are free to pursue tastes however â€Å"immoral† they may be considered by others so long as they are not harmful to others (John Stuart Mill). â€Å"Page # 4† †¢ Individuals are free to meet with other individuals (the freedom of assembly) (John Stuart Mill). 5. Mill believes that religion should be criticized in the same way as are other systems of thought regardless of the offence that such criticism may cause. One of main purposes which governed Mill’s philosophical endeavours all his life was his commitment to replace Christianity with a Religion of Humanity (Carey). 6. Mill’s liberal ideas made him an advocate of the development of efficient local government and associations and he fiercely opposed central control. He argued for the parents’ obligation to educate their children but disapproved of a central education system run by the state (John Stuart Mill). In what concerns individual freedoms, it is quite important to understand that Mill gives the specific justifications for them because he believes they will promote the progress of civilization and will be good for society. Mill does not regard liberty as a standard of value and does not mention any natural rights of individuals in his discussions. Instead he is mainly concerned with the utility of rights and freedoms of individuals for the social progress (John Stuart Mill; John Stuart Mill: Political Philosopher). Many critics point out that Mill underestimated the important role of social order and custom as a source of security or freedom. His liberalism is also weakened in the eyes of other critics who do not share his extremely optimistic view of human nature. They are particularly pessimistic about his rosy belief that it is humans’ conditioned engagement in a continuous attempt to achieve personal development that results in the existence of diverse personalities and viewpoints (Reeves). Mill is also often criticised for justifying the right of one developed nation to exercise despotism over other underdeveloped nations (or â€Å"barbarians† as he calls them) on the grounds that it brings them the benefits and advantages of higher civilization (John Stuart Mill and Liberal â€Å"Page # 5† Imperialism). Despite criticism, the remarkable greatness of Mill lies in his readiness and willingness to combine both his thoughts and actions. He was a progressive philosopher who was ready to go to jail for his beliefs. It is not surprising then that six years after he published his great book On Liberty, he decided to stand for parliament in order to better implement his beliefs. His most known initiatives include the introduction of an amendment to the Reform bill in a successful attempt to give women equal voting rights; his relentless pursuit of Governor Edward Eyre for having brutally suppressing an uprising in Jamaica; his fierce opposition to the suspension of habeas corpus in Ireland; his successful campaign against an attempt to prohibit demonstrations or meetings in public parks, and many others (Reeves). By and large, Mill’s career as a liberal politician could be regarded as a relative failure. His performance was usually acclaimed, but he often found himself in opposition to the aims and wishes of his electors. He was quite reluctant to compromise with his own principles just to get support of his electorate, and this resulted in his failure to be re-elected in 1868 (John Stuart Mill: Political Philosopher). 200 years after his birth, Mill’s liberalism is still relevant(Source: http://www. prospect-magazine. co. uk/article_details. php? id=7439) Mills was aware that On Liberty as well as many others of his philosophical works raised several important problems, such as the tyranny of â€Å"uniformity in opinion and practice† which would be more faced future generations than were by his own and that some critics believed that these problems were exaggerated because they were looking more at contemporary facts than at existing tendencies (Reeves). It may be argued that the issues that Mill was interested in and consistently dealt with in his time are without a doubt still relevant and important today (Plank). BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Carey, G. W. The Authoritarian Secularism of John Stuart Mill. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. nhinet. org/carey15-1. pdf 2. Heydt, C. John Stuart Mill: Overview. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. iep. utm. edu/m/milljs. htm 3. John Stuart Mill. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill 4. John Stuart Mill and Liberal Imperialism. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. antiwar. com/stromberg/s051802. html 5. John Stuart Mill: Political Philosopher. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. john-mill. com/ 6. Plank, B. John Stuart Mill. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. liberal-international. org/editorial. asp? ia_id=685 7. Reeves, R. John Stuart Mill. Retrieved March 14, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. prospect-magazine. co. uk/article_details. php? id=7439