Classes in the Kite Runner Essay Example for Free

Classes in the Kite Runner Essay â€Å"Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here. † This is the start of the tension between the two distinct social classes on pages 40-43 within the novel, The Kite Runner. The author’s purpose for placing this scene within the novel is to show the relationship held between the Hazara Tribe, and the Pashtun tribe, within Afghanistan. The scene in the book allows the reader to begin to understand the tension between the tribes, which fuels the story. Due to the research I completed on the tribes within Afghanistan, I can sharpen my knowledge and interpret the scene in the novel better. While researching, I discovered that the Hazaras have Mongol Characteristics. As a result of this, I was able to understand the scene better, when Assef called Hassan a â€Å"Flat-Nose. † The reason that Assef Called Hassan this, was to poke fun at his Mongol Characteristics, such as having a flat nose. In the same manner, Assef states, â€Å"how can you talk to him, play with him, let him touch you? † Through my research, I was able to learn that it was rare for Pashtuns to play with Hazaras. Hazaras are of a much lower class than Pashtuns, and are treated poorly. Within the scene, there are three apparent literary terms—parallel, imagery and diction. Parallel is used when â€Å"Hasan [holds] the slinghshot pointed directly at Assef’s face. † Hassan uses his slingshot in this scene, to fight Assef, and Hassan’s son uses a slingshot to hurt Assef towards the end of the book. Additionally, the author uses imagery, to show the intense tension between the boys. When Hassan pulls the slingshot, â€Å"his hand [trembles] with the strain of the pulled elastic band and beads of sweat [erupt] on his brow. † This imagery allows you to realize the amount of stress, and tension Hassan must undergo. Finally, the author uses diction, when he describes the actions of the characters, including when he states, â€Å"he made a sweeping, grandiose gesture with his hands. † The diction such as sweeping, and grandiose, allows the reader to fully understand what Assef is trying to convey. There are two main ideas within the scene; they are the ideas of Assef hating Amir and Hassan, and Hassan protecting Amir. Based on the key idea of Hassan protecting Amir, the theme of love appears. Amir uses his slingshot, and does everything that he can to protect Amir, display his love towards him.

Biotransformation And Elimination Of Drugs Biology Essay

Biotransformation And Elimination Of Drugs Biology Essay Liver plays a significant role in the metabolism of a large number of drugs and toxins. Hepatic drug metabolism involves various processes, broadly classified as Phase 1 (functionalisation) and Phase 2 (conjugation). Glucuronidation catalysed by UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGTs) plays a key role in the Phase 2 metabolism of a large number of drugs as well as many endogenous substrates, like bilirubin, steroids etc., by increasing the hydrophilicity and clearance. UGTs are versatile enzymes, in terms of broad, yet overlapping substrate specificity, presence of numerous isoforms, genetic polymorphisms etc. Biological systems are recognised to be stereoselective in nature. A large number of drugs, nearly 50% of all marketed drugs exist as either single enantiomers or racemates. Therefore stereoselective behaviour of drugs plays an important role in drug action as well as disposition (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination). The aim of this project is to identify the enantio-selectivity of drugs towards glucuronidation by UGT and also to identify whether enantio-selectivity is linked to specific isoforms of UGT. Furthermore, predicting the enantiomeric behaviour of drugs may also aid in rationalising in-sillico modelling of drug metabolism and thereby predicting metabolism of new chemical entities (NCEs) 1. INTRODUCTION Biotransformation and elimination of drugs from the body involves several different metabolic routes. These metabolic pathways are broadly classified into Phase 1 (functionalisation) and Phase 2 (conjugation) drug metabolism. Phase 1 metabolic pathway involves transforming the drug into a more polar functionality, through various reactions like, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, isomerisation and so on depending on the chemical nature of the drug. These reactions are catalysed by enzymes such as: Cytochrome P450, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, acetlycholineestrase etc. Product of Phase 1 drug metabolism may then act as a substrate for Phase 2 metabolism. This phase consists of conjugation of the drug substrate with endogenous ligands leading to increased polarity, hydrophilicity and thereby elimination of the drug from body through bile or urine. Conjugation reactions include glucuronidation, glycosidation, sulfation, methylation etc. These reactions are catalysed by UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase, UDP-Glycosyltransferase, Sulfotransferase, Methyltransferase respectively. Among these, glucuronidation is the most prevalent conjugation reaction in the body. [1] 2. GLUCURONIDATION Glucuronidation is the most common reaction in Phase 2 drug metabolism. This conjugation reaction which is catalysed by UDP- glucuronosyl transferase, forms about 35% of all drugs metabolised by conjugation. This is primarily due to the abundance in living systems of UDP-glucuronic acid, the co-factor for the reaction, as well as due to the pervasive nature of the enzyme, UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs). [1] [2] The process of glucuronidation involves: I. Formation of co-factor (UDP-glucuronic acid) II. Conjugation of UDP-glucuronic acid with substrate The formation of co-factor (UDP-glucuronic acid) This consists of a two step process: 1. Formation of UDP-glucose Glucose-1-phosphate is present in high concentrations in almost all cells of the body. The first stage of glucuronidation is related to glycogen synthesis through the common intermediate, UDP-glucose. The formation of UDP-glucose occurs by addition of a Uridine 5- diphosphate (UDP), a pyrophosphate nucleotide in cells, to a molecule of Glucose-1-phosphate. The reaction is catalysed by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase enzyme. [1] [3] 2. Dehydrogenation of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid The above step is followed by dehydrogenation of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid, catalysed by the enzyme UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, in the presence of NAD+ co-factor. [3] Conjugation of the substrate with UDP-glucuronic acid Conjugation reaction involves transfer of one ÃŽÂ ±-D-glucuronic acid moiety from the co-substrate UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA), which act as an energy rich intermediate, to form the glucuronide conjugate of the drug molecule. The reaction is catalysed by UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzyme. The reaction is found to be a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2), whereby the C1 carbon of glucuronic acid, which is in ÃŽÂ ±-configuration, during its reaction with the substrate inverts to form a ÃŽÂ ²-D-glucuronide. [3] [4]. The glucuronide formed is excreted via urine or bile, depending on the chemical nature and molecular weight of the conjugate. [1] [2] The entire reaction is summarised below: Figure: 1: Glucuronidation Pathway leading to formation of ether glucuronide. [3] 2.1 PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Based on the functional group of the substrate molecule, the following types of glucuronide conjugates may be formed; [1] O-Glucuronide They are formed from Phenols, alcohols, carboxylic acids. O-gulcuronides are chiefly excreted in to bile and may undergo entero-hepatic circulation. Examples of drugs: Morphine, Chloramphenicol, Salicylic acid, Clofibrate. Figure: 2 O- Glucuronidation of Morphine [5] [6] UGT Enzyme UDPGA N-glucuronide They are formed by the reaction of UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA) with amines, amides etc. E.g. Sulfanilamide, Cyproheptidine, Dapsone S-Glucuronide Reaction of thiol groups with UDPGA in presence of UDP-gucuronosyl transferase results in S-glucuronides. E.g.Disulfiram, 2-Mercapto benzothiazole C-glucuronide It is an uncommon metabolic pathway that occurs due to the direct attachment of UDPGA to the carbon skeleton of drugs. E.g. Sulfinpyrazone [1] [3] 3. UDP-GLUCURONOSYL TRANSFERASE (UGT) ENZYMES 3.1 SITE UGT enzymes are present in human beings and most other mammals. The enzyme is located in many tissues of the body, mostly in liver but also in kidney, lungs, small intestine, spleen, adrenals and skin, to a lesser extend. Inside the cell, UGTs are bound to the membranes of endoplasmic reticulum. Most of the Phase 1 metabolic enzymes, including cytochrome P450s, are located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Therefore endoplasmic reticulum is regarded as an ideal site for UGT enzymes, as it facilitates glucuronide conjugation of Phase 1 substrates. [1] 3.2 STRUCTURAL ASPECTS UDP-glucuronosyl transferase enzyme does not contain a prosthetic group. The monomeric molecular weight of the enzyme if found to be between 50- 60 kilo Daltons. The protein sequence of the enzyme shows slight variations between each individual form. A full length crystal structure of UGTs is yet to be resolved, although crystal structure of the binding domain for UDP-glucuronic acid in human UGT2B7 has been published (by Miley et.al. 2007) [1] [2] 3.3 PHYSIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In addition to being a major enzyme involved in Phase 2 drug metabolism, UGT enzymes play a number of other roles in the body. Many endogenous compounds such as bilirubin, steroid hormones (e.g. thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and catechols (derived from catecholamine metabolism), act as substrates for UGT enzymes. All these compounds are potentially hazardous if accumulated in the body. Deficiency of UGT enzyme results in hyperbilirubinaemia. Hereditary diseases like Gilberts syndrome and Cringler-Najjars syndrome are associated with genetic polymorphisms of UGT gene [7]. Apart from disposition of endogenous toxins, the enzyme also catalyses glucuronidation of various exogenous chemicals and helps in bodys defence against toxic principles [1] [8] 3.4 MULTIPLE FORMS Various forms of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzymes have been identified with the help of studies based on purification, characterization of enzymes, molecular cloning, DNA sequencing etc. About 50 vertebrate UGTs have been identified among which 19 are found in humans. UGT enzymes are divided in to families and sub-families based on similarity of their amino acid sequences. Two enzymes are in the same family if the similarity of their amino acid sequences is more than 50% and will be grouped into the same subfamily is similarity is greater than 60%. [1] [2] Nomenclature Divergent evolution and sequence similarity forms the basis of nomenclature of UGT enzymes. Name of the enzyme consists of 4 parts: [1] Root Symbol The root symbol UGT stands for UDP- glucuronosyl transferase. Family It is denoted by Arabic number. E.g. 1, 2 etc Sub-family Designated by an upper-case alphabet Individual Form An Arabic numeral is used for unique identification of the individual form of the enzyme. E.g. UGT2B4, UGT1A6 [1] Mammalian UGTs are divided in to four families: UGT1, UGT2, UGT3 and UGT8. Among these, only UGT1 and UGT2 catalyses conjugation of glucuronide and hence are discussed further. UGT1A family of enzymes are found to contain 9 functional proteins and are coded for by a single gene complex located at chromosome 2q37. The genes coding for this enzyme have common exons 2-5 (region of gene which codes for the carboxyl terminus of the enzyme) and a variable exon 1. The first exon is responsible for coding the N-terminal domain of the protein and this explains why the enzymes are substrate specific in spite of have a common C-terminal [1] [2] UGT2 enzyme family, especially UGT2B plays a vital role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous ligands. Genes coding for UGT2 family enzymes are situated on chromosome 4q13. In the case of UGT2B sub family, protein sequences at the C-terminal, gives rise to the UDP-glucuronic acid binding domain as well as helps in anchoring of the protein to membrane of endoplasmic reticulum. UGT2A subfamily is less studied and do not play a significant role in systemic metabolism. UGT2A1 is present in olfactory epithelia and to a lesser extend in cells of brain and lungs. UGT2A2 in liver and small intestine, while UGT2A3 in small intestine, liver and adipose tissue. [2] Figure: 3: Shows the Phylogenetic tree of different UGT isoenzymes. %values indicate the homology between two groups or single isoenzymes at the amino-acid level. [9] 3.5 TISSUE SPECIFICITY The various forms of UGT enzymes show tissue specificity in man. Majority of these enzymes occur predominantly in the liver, (E.g. UGT 1A1, 1A4, 1A6, 2B7 etc) while some others are found in various extrahepatic sites. An example is UGT1A10, which is present in the cells of all areas of gastrointestinal tract and hence accounts for its wide range of substrate specificity, from phenol molecules to steroids. [1] 3.6 SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY UGTs show a wide, yet overlapping, range of specificity towards drugs and endogenous ligands. For example, glucuronidation of bilirubin is preferred by UGT1A1 and that of morphine by UGT2B7. [1] [6] Table: 1: Showing Substrate Specificity of UGT enzyme isoforms. [6] Sl.No Substrate Max. Specific enzyme activity / pmol.min-1.mg protein-1 1A1 1A3 1A4 1A6 1A8 2A1 2B4 2B7 2B15 2B17 1. Phenols 1900 239 30 2400 5300 735 0.4 5 167 38 2. Amines 1 84 540 10600 1800 22 3 0 3 Opioids 0 130 0 0 0 73 0 3462 0 4. Carboxylic acids 0 121 0 170 68 0 2 0 5. Bilirubin 400 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.7 INTERINDIVIDUAL VARIATIONS Several genetic polymorphisms in UGTs may lead to variations between individuals in the ability to glucuronidate drugs and endogenous substrates. Mutations in genes coding for UGT1 enzyme family has been identified as the cause for hereditary hyperbilirubinaemia, characterized by jaundice due to high levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the body. Further, several genetic diseases- Gilberts syndrome and Cringler-Najjars syndrome, may occur due to mutations in genes coding for UGT1A1 isoform. [1] 4. ENZYME KINETICS: Study of enzyme kinetics helps to understand the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme; role played by the enzyme in metabolism as well the rate and activity of enzyme. Michaelis Menten equation is used to describe enzyme substrate interaction and is given by: [2] k1 k 2 E + S ES E + P k-1 Where E = Enzyme, S = Substrate, P = Product Michaelis Constant Km is given by: Km = (k 2 + k -1) / k 1 Michaelis Constant Km is an indicator of affinity of substrate for the enzyme as well as the rate of enzyme activity. The kinetics of drug metabolism can also be defined using Michaelis Menten equation and may be plotted in a graph of Rate of reaction (Velocity) vs. Concentration of Substrate. Although not all enzyme substrate reactions are best described by this equation, a typical model of Michaelis Menten plot is shown below: [2] Figure: 3 Michaelis Menten hyperbolic kinetic profile. [10] Here Vmax is the maximum velocity of enzyme action. Vmax / Km is an indicator of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. 5. STEREOISOMERISM Molecules having the same constitution of atoms and sequence of covalent bond, but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in space are known as stereoisomers. Stereoisomers are classified in to geometrical (cis/trans) isomers, enantiomers and diastereoisomers. Stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other and hence are not superimpossible are called enantiomers. They differ from each other only by one chiral centre. Isomers that are not mirror images are diastereoisomers. They may contain more than one chiral centre. [2] [11] While geometrical and diastereoisomers are chemically different molecules, enantiomers have identical chemical and physical properties, except for the way in which they rotate plane polarized light. Enantiomers are of great significance in therapeutics as all biological systems represent a chiral environment. Hence drug action as well as disposition (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) may differ between enantiomers. [2] 5.1 DRUGS AS ENANTIOMERS As discussed above, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties may vary for each individual enantiomer. In 1992, United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) published a policy for development of new stereoisomeric drugs. Approximately 50% of all marketed drugs are found to be racemates. Although many drugs can be safely administered as racemates, some others show better efficacy and fewer side effects when administered as a single enantiomer. For example, cardiac toxicity of the local anaesthetic agent, Levobupivacaine is chiefly associated with R-enantiomer. Further, some drugs undergo chiral inversion inside the body to the other enantiomer (e.g. Ibuprofen: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) and some others undergo racemisation after administration. This is of particular concern, especially if one of the enantiomers is toxic. Hence evaluating drugs for their stereochemistry is gaining importance. [2] [12] Some examples of some single enantiomeric drugs which have gained importance, compared to their racemate counterparts are given below, due to their improved pharmacodynamic- pharmacokinetic profiles: L-DOPA: The use of levo dopa instead of racemic dopa has resulted in reduction in dose and adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, granulocytopenia) Figure: 4: Levodopa [13] ESOMEPRAZOLE: This proton-pump inhibitor, which is the S-enantiomer of Omeprazle has shown lower first pass effect and higher plasma half life compared to the R-enantiomer, thus maintaining the intra-gastric pH above 4 for a longer duration. S-enantiomer also showed reduction in variability of response between patients. Figure: 5: Esomeprazole [14] LEVOFLOXACIN: It is a Quinolone antibiotic. As there are slight differences in disposition between enantiomers of this drug, a single S-enantiomer is preferred. Figure: 6: Levofloxacin [15] R-SALBUTAMOL (LEVALBUTEROL): S-enantiomer has shown increased hyper responsiveness of airway, sensitivity to allergens and some decrease in bronchodilator potency. While R-Salbutamol gives significantly higher bronchodilator effect and lesser side effects Figure: 7: R-Salbutamol [16] R, R-METHYLPHENIDATE: This drug is found to be ten-fold more potent than its S-enantiomer when used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity. The presystemic metabolism and disposition of the drug is enantioselective in nature. Further, the R-enantiomer shows rapid onset of action and reduced adverse effects Figure: 8 R, R-Methylphenidate [17] 6. AIM OF THE PROJECT This project aims to determine the rates of glucuronidation of enantiomeric pairs, of a wide range of drugs, to identify differences in metabolism between enantiomers of a drug and also to find out whether enantioselectivity is related to a particular family of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzyme. Experiment may be done by in-vitro incubations of human recombinant UGTs or human liver microsomes with the selected substrates, followed by analysis using liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a mass spectrometer for detection. [14] Laboratory analysis of enantiomers is usually done using any one of the following two methods: Chiral Chromatography, which make use of a chiral column or chiral mobile phase to separate the enantiomers. Derivatisation, of the analyte using a chiral derivative followed by separation of the resulting diastereoisomers using standard, achiral chromatographic method. But in the case of separation of drug conjugates, the analytical process is relatively simple, as the glucuronide conjugates behave just like derivatised diastereomers and hence may be separated by conventional liquid chromatography. 7. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Many late stage failures in drug development process are due to inability to predict the pharmacokinetic properties of new chemical entities (NCE) before obtaining data from clinical trials. Hence in-vitro approaches like computational (in-sillico) modelling of drug metabolism is gaining acceptance in the recent times. Many approaches such as 2D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (2D- QSMR), 3D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (3D- QSMR), Pharmacophore Identification as well as Non-linear pattern recognition techniques are being studied to model drug metabolising enzymes. Although predictive models for metabolism of drugs by the Phase 1 metabolising enzyme, Cytochrome P450 are widely accepted, development of effective models for UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs) catalyzed Phase 2 metabolism has received much less attention. [15] Versatility of these group of metabolic enzymes, in terms of broad but overlapping substrate specificity, drug-drug interactions, genetic polymorphisms as well as presence of a large number of isoforms are some of the challenges facing the development of predictable models for UGTs. Furthermore, apart from a few catalytically relevant amino acids, the full X-ray crystal structure of UGT enzyme is not yet elucidated. [15] [18] Depending on the parameters being modelled (e.g. Km, Vmax etc.) a number of physico-chemical and molecular descriptors, such as molecular size, shape, lipophilicity, hydrogen bonding etc., are required to model molecular recognition of substrates and catalysis by UGTs. Apart from this, study of electronic nature of the nucleophile and pKa is also significant. Since chirality plays an important role in determining metabolic behaviour of drugs, design tools may be developed that address the issue of chirality. While 2D-descriptors will only predict molecular connectivity, 3-D models predicting the enantiomeric properties of enzyme-substrate interactions might significantly improve the future of drug development process. [16] [17] 8. CONCLUSION In conclusion, many biological systems represent a chiral environment. Therefore assessing the enantioselectivity of drug metabolising enzymes plays a significant role in predicting pharmacokinetic behaviour of drugs. The present project aims at identifying the enantio-selectivity of drugs in UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) metabolism, which is an important Phase 2 (conjugation) process of drug metabolism. Furthermore, knowing the enantiomeric behaviour may help in the development of 3D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (3D-QSMR) models for predicting drug metabolism.

Clothing in Constructions of Gender

Clothing in Constructions of Gender With the development of society, politics, economy and science, people have been looking for a kind of unconcealed individual beauty. Especially in modern society, the cultivation of highlight personality is highly regarded by people. So sex in garment design has never been the whole factor within the consideration of modern fashion designers. Instead, neutral garment between two sexes has become a kind of unique scenery on the street. In modern society that mens wear and womens wear are very much alike in pattern style and the choice of colours, even exactly the same. From the ancient times the standard of traditional clothing emphasized the roles of men and women played. Males need to show masculine beauty of steadiness, sobriety and strength; while females should be blessed with feminine beauty of being ladylike, kind and soft. From the end of the 1990s, neutral garment has become the most popular cosset. Especially with the rapid development of society and economy, as well as with the rapid promotion of womens rank in society, there is increasing no definite role confirmation for males and females in the society according to profession. At present, neutral garment can not only satisfy womens self-confidence in social competition with its simple pattern but also make males enjoy the joy of fashion. T-shirts, jeans and low-waist pants are considered as neutral garments; white, black and gray are neutral colours; dying hair Å’short hair are of neutral hairstyleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦In a word, being neutral has become the popular trend in this century. Viewing from the formation and development of neutral garment, the influence of social institution, economic development, thinking culture and industry development on here, as well as the change of social status of relationship between men and women and the influence of pattern style produced by fashion designers on neutral garment, we can draw the conclusion that the existence of this neutral garment phenomenon is not occasional and single, but a result influenced by thinking culture, social thinking trend, individual consciousness, social and economic development. At the same time, this phenomenon also means the promotion of womens social status, the emergence of being neutral in positions, the inverted changes of design thinking of fashion designers in mens and womens wear, as well as a kind of development trend represented by individual performance and modern clothing psychological demands. Man, Woman and culture The birth of a man or a woman is not solely a biological fact in any society. Biological fact is assembled with social implications. The word Gender is currently diffusely used to relate to those ways in which a culture reforms what begins as a fact of nature. Convictions about what men and women are or should be are emerged in all cultures, though between cultures and over time the beliefs are different. For example, women are meant to be more interested in clothing and fashion and take care about their appearance, yet men should be less intent on these things. Women are also assumed to be more passive and men more aggressive. When we are elevated in a specifically culture we learn what we should be from our friends, parents and the media, we restructure our behavior to more closely meet with the expectancies. While we dont all rashly follow these socially constructed gender roles, for instance a lot of women dont care about fashion but many men do, many of these criterions become i nternalized by us as individuals, and become proportion of our identity. The definition of being a man or woman is tightly connected to appearance. Men wear clothing as our definition of skirt usually seen in West Africa, Indonesia and in Scottish dress. A tube form of cloth fitted at the waist is worn by both men and women in West Africa. The Scottish skirt still worn at many social events to create a social and cultural identity stands for the point of masculinity (Kidwell and Steele). Skirt is hard to be seen on men in American culture, except within the film, theater or in the context of couture or avant-garde fashion. For instance, the grunge style of the early 1990s had fashions for men designed to be worn with skirts. Whatever, there was nothing specifically feminine in these styles, and were just a fashion statement. Historically, dress and gender have not always been fixed and have enjoyed some latitude. Researching dress and gender from a historical viewpoint stimulates awareness of the shifts regarding appropriate dress for males and females. For example, the expectation of blue is for boy babies and pink for girl babies has not always been the case. Paoletti and Kregloh (1989) discussed how the colour rule in 1918 was pink for the boy and blue for the girl. Pink was interpreted then as a stronger and more assertive colour and blue as more dainty and delicate. Social construction of gender Social construction of gender is normally discussed in contrast to biological facts of differences between men and women. For example men are naturally more aggressive and women relatively more passive because of hormones like testosterone, and women are more interested in clothing on average because in the human species men are active in sexual partner selection where as women are passive, so women display themselves and wait. Social explanation for gender differences point to the variation in gender roles from culture to culture and across time, like men in France in the time of Louis XII wore high heels and makeup. So it can not be biology or it would be stable. Biological explanations point out that in all cultures and times women and men do differ, and the universality of this differentiation proves the biological underpinning of sex-role differences no matter how these are expressed in any given culture. Of course, most people think it is a bit of both, and also that people do get some choice neither biology nor socialization is destiny. Clothing and Gender The qualities and characteristics we perceive as specific to gender are inherent by nature. Physical strength is stereotyped to be masculine, while emotional behaviour is stereotyped as feminine in America. Any straying from these expectations is sufficient grounds for alienation. However, historian Howard Zinn has documented that gender roles are a part of a system constructed by the ruling class during the formation of our nation. The gender role structure in the US was created in order to maintain a centralized, wealthy ruling class. In order to keep wealthy, white men in control of the economy, women have been constructed as inferior to men physically, mentally and emotionally. Lorber explains that the definition of being a man or woman is comprised of more than apparent genetic information. Gender is a socially constructed status, which has the intention of choosing people for the different tasks of society(Lorber). Thus, ideas about how one should behave in order to fit into a gender category are learned, not intrinsic. As a society assigns people as men or women, this categorization denotes the accepted and preferred personality characteristics, feelings, motivations, and ambitions that create different classes and preferences for people (Lorber). That is, the genderization system produces men and women who tend to have a natural inclination toward ideas, behaviours, and careers that help them assimilate to anticipated gender stereotypes. Parents, constantly in fear that people will not be able to distinguish the sex of their new baby, instinctually encourage dress, styles, and behaviour that perpetuate the masculine and feminine labels from birth. The word woman itself was created by the masculine conception of what femininity should be. These criteria set up the dominant/subordinate relationship standard because women lacked the power to challenge the male point of view. Lorber suggests that as a process, gender creates social differences that define woman and man' through interactions and expectations of peers and family. As a stratification, gender ranks mens work superior to womens, regardless of skill or difficulty. As a social structure, gender organizes work habits both domestically and economically (Lorber). For the average girl in American society, adapting to gender roles is taught in every single facet of life. The media, entertainment, and school cooperatively exhibit and promote gender assimilation. Barbieà ¤ dolls are the first toys I can recall playing with as a young girl. Her long blond hair, short skirts, disproportionately long legs, and spike heels set the precedent for how I would view true femininity throughout adolescence. By age six, my life became infiltrated by gender specific, girly activities. I practiced ballet and avoided sports, painted fingernails, nearly always wore dresses with nylons, experimented with my mothers make-up (rather unsuccessfully), joined Girl Scouts, grew out my hair to mid-back, and wished for everything to be pink or lavender. Fashion trends and clothing styles, in particular, significantly aid the social construction of gender. The mere presence of a standard for the judgment of beauty automatically designates some group to be in control of the other. That is, individuals are constantly judging one another to make certain that they fit into the correct gender classification. Trendy, hip clothing are made for a very specific, minority group of women- narrow-hipped, small-breasted, tall, and skinny. The pressure to fit into these styles of clothes is unrelenting and produces insecurities and a poor body-image. These adolescent anxieties are not uncommon and can produce eating disorders, depression, and suicide. Joanne Finkelstein, in After a Fashion, explains that fashion can be seen as a device for confining women to an inferior social order. Throughout history women have been isolated from men by their fashion dues to society women would risk spinal disorders from corsets, chronic foot pain and arch trauma from high-heels, and submit to a constant preoccupation of worry over mens approval of clothing appropriateness. Fashions play such an integral role in how we judge one another how much money we have, what music we listen to, how much education we have received that any gender-bending fashions exhibited by women are at best taboo, and at worst, unattractive to men (the alleged Ultimate Womans Worry). In many societies, gender is not considered a part of nature, but rather learned, acquired, or earned as a rite of passage. In some tribal communities, acquiring gender status represents maturity and responsibility. There is an unspoken agreement between American men and women that women will fashion their clothing and styles as part of a system that favours men. In part this system favours men simply by distinguishing a class apart from men, requiring someone to exist on the outside of an established social norm. John Lorber puts it best: Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at (Lorber). In a society where many women still do not recognize the inequalities of genderization, the pervasiveness of gender roles in America remains perpetuated and profound. Conclusion Clearly, gender as a social and cultural construction needs demands; the appropriate sustains to successfully convince the audience that ones gender presentation is authentic. The dress we wear is layered with many meanings, such as culturally appropriate gender behaviour, gender socialization via dress, codes of dress and gender, historical perspectives of dress and gender, dressing parts of the self, social resistance, and gender markers.

The Poetry of Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin Essay -- Biography Biogr

The Poetry of Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin   In reading poetry, from many different genres, its seems that politically motivated verse seems to dominate, next to love that is. It also seems that poets have a desire to live in a different time, a different place. No one ever seems to be content with the condition of their world, yet, I suppose that is in the nature of humans. We all want something better or something from the past that we can't have. Wither it be the simplicity, the passion, the technology that we don't have, the peace that once was or the greatness that has long been gone, poets that are political in nature suggest a very personal, yet pervading utopia. Two poets who, political in nature, that were born in the same year, lived in the same part of the world, and who attending the same college prove to be an interesting contrast to one another. Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin are both natives of England and are considered 'Modernists', but what they suggest isn't a "better place" or a different time. Their wo rk represents a change in attitude, from looking at what isn't to looking at reality and what is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Of   course, each of these poets has a different perspective, for there is not one single motive, desire or drive that can be defined as the essence of life. One cannot describe someone's work as being all or none of this or of that. What is interesting, though, is the subjective nature each poet has in their view of life and how that is portrayed in their poetry. Each one has a unique quality that sets them apart from the rest and each has characteristics that provide the reader with clues as to their perspective on life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In reviewing the poetry of Amis, one can’t help but read Again... ... Larkin, Philip. Collected Poems. Victoria: The Marvell Press; London: Faber and Faber, 2003. Print â€Å"Philip Larkin†. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia. 8 January 2009. "Larkin Study Notes." Chaeron.net. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. . "Philip Larkin." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. . "Philip Larkin." New World Encyclopedia. 29 Aug. 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. .

Satire and Fantasy in Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle Essay -- Kurt Vonne

Satire and Fantasy in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle For this essay, I decided to pick two terms that describe Cat's Cradle. I felt that satire and fantasy were two terms that suited the novel quite well. The book qualifies as a satire because it makes a mockery of things that were of concern in the sixties. For example, the Cuban missile crisis was a big issue in the early sixties. Religion was taken much more seriously, and the family unit was more tightly wound. In the novel, the threat comes not from a large warhead, but from a small crystal of Ice-nine. Religion is satired in Bokononism, which is a religion that is based on lies. The family unit is satired by the Hoenikkers. The father is detached from reality, the sister is a giant, and the brother is a midget. The Cuban threat is also satirized by San Lorenzo and it's dictator Papa Monzano. Cat's Cradle also has many elements of fantasy woven throughout. A small crystal that can freeze water and can destroy the world and can only be stopped by a temperature of 114 degrees is a good example of the fantasy element in the novel. It gives the story an almost futuristic feel, even though by modern standards the book is dated. Jonah's whole adventure is reminiscent of mythological tales. He journeys to a far away land, San Lorenzo. He is called to adventure by Newt's letter. He finds a mystical talisman, Ice-nine. He falls in love with the beautiful maiden, Mona. The religion of Bokononism has a fantasy element to it. Johnson changes his name to Bokonon much like in Buddhism. There are all the writings in the Books of Bokonon, and the Boko-maru which are both fantastic ideas in themselves. Cat's Cradle contains many elements of many types of genres. It could be consider... ...t has no real motivation, and why should he when he is going to be taken care of by Angela for the rest of his life. I like Newt because he does not feel sorry for himself, and treats everything matter-of-factly and as if it is obvious, "Isn't everybody [self-taught]?" Newt appears to be a person who does not care what everyone else thinks and always strives to be an individual. I think that the satire alone in Cat's Cradle is enough to encourage humanity to make a better world. Vonnegut makes things seem funny in the book that really are not funny in real life, such as an atom bomb, a father who ignores his child and everyone else, and an island where people are hung for practicing a certain religion. The book is amusing, but it made me think about what the world would be like if it really was that way. It would be horrible, and definitely nothing to laugh at.

Students from Rural Areas Often Find It Difficult to Access University Education

The higher education in remote area has been limited by the geographic condition. An argument that has been raised is that the university education should be accessable for students who live in remote areas. This argument is justified in my view, as outlined in the following paragraphs. The first point in support this is that having an equal opportunity on education is the basic human right for a resident. That is to say, nobody should be deprived the right to study at university due to the geographic disadvantage. Examples of this include the Australia which there is an clear law principle states that every resident ought to have the equal right to gain education. Which means the government has the obligation to solve the problem for rural area residents. The second matter to raise is that the local economy in remote area could be promoted if the residents could accept university education in a easier way . higher education usually allow the resident to have better skills and more employment opportunities. Through this, the local economy can be improved . In remote areas of Australia, there are farms which need qualified workers, agriculture professionals and managers to assist with running the farms. Thus, those professionals who has higher education could offer more valuable services and promote the overall economy. In summary ,I believe that making it easier for rural resident to access university education is not only an equal right for education, it is also the way of residents in remote area to attain the knowledge and promote local economy. Thus the improvement should be made to the condition of rural college education.

Revenue Generation in Local Government Councils in Nigeria Essay

Local governments are potentially very important for Nigeria as they play a significant role in generating revenue and encouraging civil involvement, as well as creating a visible link between taxes and service delivery. The increasing cost of running government coupled with dwindling revenue has left various local governments in Nigeria with formulating strategies to improve the revenue base. Despite the numerous sources of revenue available to the various tiers of government as specified in the Nigeria 1999 constitution, since the 1970s till now, over 80% of the annual revenue of the three tiers of government comes from petroleum. However, the serious decline in the price of oil in recent years has led to a decrease in the funds available for distribution to the states and local governments. The need for state and local governments to generate adequate revenue from internal sources has therefore become a matter of extreme urgency and importance. The need underscores the eagerness on the part of state and local governments and even the federal government to look for new sources of revenue or to become aggressive and innovative in the mode of collecting revenue from existing sources. The general concern over the seemingly slow development of the rural areas in Nigeria has created a doubt as to the relevance of local governments in Nigeria whose primary function was to effect a representative government faster to all areas of the state land. Inadequacy of funds for various developmental projects stands as the cause for these shortcomings despite the increasing revenue allocation from the Federation accounts to the local governments. Hence the reason for the various avenues granted the local governments to generate revenues themselves. This essay is being carried out to appraise and evaluate revenue generation in the local governments, particularly the internally generated revenue (IGR) to point out its adequacies, inadequacies and give recommendations where necessary. It study seeks to:- * Identify the various sources of internal revenue available to local government council; * To examine the prospect of improving the internally generated revenue of local government council; * Spotting of factors militating against effective revenue collection in the local government; and * Proffer solution to identified problems. Good governance is good money. Revenue generation can play a significant role in improving local government efficiency and reducing local government dependency. This essay would provide positive suggestion on how to improve the financial position of the local government councils. Secondly, it will provide useful suggestions on how to effectively manage problems of revenue generation. Thirdly, it will provide useful suggestions on the budgetary control system the council can embark upon. Lastly, this work will help researchers, individuals, organizations, higher levels of government and also local government councils on how to enable them meet their obligations. The theory of public finance is a field of economics that is concerned with paying for collective or governmental activities, and with the administration and design of those activities. The proper role of government provides a starting point for the analysis of public finance. In this view, public sector programs should be designed to maximise social benefits minus costs, then revenues needed to pay for those expenditures should be raised through a taxation system that creates the fewest efficiency losses caused by distortion of economic activity as possible. In the light of the above, the focus of this essay is on revenue generation in local government councils with particular reference to Ikenne local government, Ikenne. This work will embrace an examination of the internal and statutory source to the total revenue. This work was intended to cover all the twenty (20) local government in Ogun State, but because of limited time frame and the unavailability of some records due to negl igence on the side of the staff, the focus will be on Ikenne Local Government only. This work will begin with the intention of developing an initial understanding of the opportunities and potential for revenue generation. To do this, the revenue generation constraints faced by local governments, perceptions of local governments, the importance of revenue, various revenue generation and service delivery will be appraised. This study will attract data from both primary and secondary sources. The data from primary sources will include those obtained from personal interviews. Secondary data would be obtained from budget speeches of council chairman, existing records in the council, journals, and CBN annual financial publications.