Thursday, August 22, 2019
The Influence of Cigarette Smoking all Over the World Research Paper
The Influence of Cigarette Smoking all Over the World - Research Paper Example Cigarette smoking is the inhale of the smoke of burning tobacco encased. Informal smoking is the act of smoking only infrequently, generally in social circumstances or to alleviate tension. A number of health experts consider regular cigarette smoking as a psycho-addiction and having dangerous health effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that cigarettes should be regarded as nicotine delivery devices. Nicotine, the vigorous element in tobacco, is intake into the lungs, where most of it remains. The remainder passes into the bloodstream, and reaches the brain in around 10 seconds and spread all over the body in just 20 seconds. The conditions and the amount of tobacco inhaled, nicotine can act as either refreshment or sedative. This can be described as some people describes that smoking gives them energy and motivates their mental activity, at the same time as others see that cigarette smoking alleviates nervousness and lessen them. Yet, nicotine increases the danger of heart ailment. Nevertheless, when a person smokes, he or she is taking in a lot more than nicotine. Smoke from a cigarette includes many other toxic chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide. Tar is a sticky matter that accumulates in the lungs, causing lung cancer and respiratory pain. Carbon monoxide restricts the quantity of oxygen that the red blood cells can transmit all over the body. In addition, it may harm the internal walls of the arteries, which lets fats to increase in them. In addition to tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke contains numerous different chemicals. Most of them are considered to be deadly. Nonsmokers who are vulnerable to tobacco smoke also take in these poisonous chemicals. Cigarette smoking is considered as the major preventable source of death, contributing to the deaths of just about 430,700 Americans each year.Ã
Moral choices Essay Example for Free
Moral choices Essay Miller shows several characters who are faced with difficult moral choices. They are changed by the experience and the audience go through catharsis watching them. How does millers treatment of moral issues add to the drama? In this essay I will write about how Arthur Miller, director of The Crucible uses moral issues in the play to add to the drama and the thrilling scenes throughout the play. Every character in the play is faced with at least one or more moral issues, I will look at the main characters issues and explain how it adds to the drama. In the play we see the events of the Salem trials in Massachusetts and we see exactly what the characters get up to and what issues face them throughout. The play was written in thought of the more recent events of the time in which it was made. Arthur Miller wanted to show the people what came of passing blame onto other people to try and get them to think right and treat people correctly. In 1938 the House un-American Activities Committee Organization was made; it had the power to investigate any movement or person who threatened the safety of the state. They looked for people who agreed with communism in the 1940s. America and the USSR were fighting, America was helping Korea to keep the freedom. America was worried that communism would spread to there land and that capitalism would be destroyed. People were asked if they were communist sympathizers and sometimes charged. They were also asked if they knew anyone else who went to meeting, and then forced to give there name. Actors, writers and film directors appeared in the committee and lost there job and industry. This made Miller write the play so the view of what happened then would relate with what was happening at this time. The play was set in the 17th century, everything that we see today was much different then, although the society was a theocratic one just like today everything was different. The society had a massive male dominance and women were seen as much less than today. In the 17th century God was perceived as male and men were seen as the natural enforcers of his will. Women were seen as unstable because of there biological function. This was a time when peoples roles were clearly defined by gender. Women were made to walk with their head down and arms by their side. People werent aloud to indulge in anything that seemed to much fun, because they saw it as being related to the devil.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
An Introduction To Banking In Nepal
An Introduction To Banking In Nepal Bank originally derived from the word Banco meaning Bench is termed as a financial institution which are established in order to provide financial services to its customers while helping the investors at the same time. (De Alberquque, M., 1855) These are licensed by the government so as to help in the monetary aspects of the country. In contrast to Nepal, generally Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) the central Bank of Nepal has divided into different groups and had licensed as per the limitations for the service. They are categorized as Commercial bank into Group A, Development banks B and similarly finance companies and credit unions to Group C Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited: An overview Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited (MBL) is legally registered as commercial bank in 1998 in Nepal. It started its banking services from western region of Nepal with its head office in Pokhara, Nepal. Having a slogan Service with personal touch, the bank now has expanded its business into various parts of Nepal. Companys profile: Mission and Corporate strategy: Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited (MBL) believes on the provision of the best services throughout different regions of Nepal to facilitate the customers with the extravagant banking services to their homes. The bank is also one of the modern banks with various modern technologies which of course make banking a revolutionary interest and great help. With its company slogan, the companys mission is to promote banking to different part of Nepal whether its hilly region or Terai or even mountains, MBL strives to facilitate the customers with fast, efficient and reliable service with personal touch as well as meeting the international standards at the same time. MBL believes to provide its full fledged banking service and had started its full fledged branch in the Jomsom located high up in mountains too. It has its corporate strategy of serving fast, efficient and reliable service to promote banking either by providing credits, deposits and even safe and fastest remittance. The bank has targeted to open 4 more branches in the year 2009/10 so as to provide service with personal touch. Mission and Vision chart: Mission statement of an organization is a formal written statement which guides the objectives and actions to be fulfilled. The mission statement serves the framework or context within which strategies are formulated (Hill Ch., Jones, G., 2008) The mission statement also gives guidelines of the actions and objectives to gain. G. Johnson, K. Scholes and R. Whittington defined mission as overriding purpose in line with values or expectation of stake holders.(Exploring corporate strategy, pp13) Vision statement of an organization is the future note where the company wants to be. G. Johnson, K. Scholes and R. Whittington defined vision as desired future state: the aspiration of the organisation (Exploring corporate strategy, pp13) Mission Statement To Serve customers with best, effective and efficient service in affordable rates and provide each and every service with personal touch. Vision Statement To be the top commercial bank with full fledged service all over Nepal and to be the No. 1 Bank of all year recognized by Nepal Rastra Bank Fig, 1 Mission and Vision chart of Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited Goals and Objectives: MBL possess a goal to be one of the popular and perfect service oriented bank rather than profit oriented one. MBL even had issued various plans and objectives to help in the increment of the services to its customers. In order to ease the banking service, MBL had planned to start telephone banking by which the clients can stay in touch with their financial transactions just a step away from phone. They even had prepared a goal to issue credit cards which some banks only have the service which can be said as another important goal and objectives to have a new turn in to banking. In addition, to broaden the service, MBL will be opening its 4 more branches very soon. The objectives of the bank can be analyzed to provide maximum services to the people in each and every part of Nepal. Organizational Structure, Stakeholders and Management: MBL is operated and managed by Chairman Mr. Surya Bahadur K.C., 6 board of directors and CEO Mr. Bhaikajee Shrestha (http://www.machbank.com) With approximate figure of 320 staffs all over the branches and head office, the company follows Line organization but the decisions making authority are being granted to the branch managers for their designated branch. Various decisions, plans and policies are being decided by board members and final approval is done by the chairman however day to day operational decisions are being approved by the CEO itself. Normally, the organization has all its delegation of power being centralized except day to day operational decisions apart from head office to the branch managers for their designated branch. Most of the stakeholders are the board of directors and some political bodies too but majority of the investments are done by the board of directors. Also some staffs occupy some value of the stakes as well. Chairman/Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Fig. 2 Organization chart of Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited Business Profile: Products and Services: MBL provides various ranges of services to the customers. It is the pioneer in introducing the latest technology and to introduce the centralized banking software named GLOBUS BANKING SYSTEM developed by Temenos NV, Switzerland. Furthermore, MBL also provides internet banking, mobile banking, any branch banking, Trade Finance, Credits, ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), Remittance and various sort of deposits. The company is very sooner going to launch MBL credit cards and telephone banking as well. Also, MBL is the first bank in Nepal to provide PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to its valued customers. Operational Performance: MBL overall has shown a good performance as per its unaudited financial reports of the year 2008/09. Over its past decades MBL has shown increment on profit as well as increment on its branches which of course shows that the company is doing well so far. At the end of fourth quarter, MBL had a net profit of 92M which shows that the company had numerous transactions throughout the whole quarter. (Source: Unaudited 4th quarter end (15/07/09) of the fiscal year 2008/09, http:// www.machbank.com) Market Position and Share: MBL overall have a good market value and goodwill at the same time. Currently the market value of the share is NPR 310.00 per share which shows a green light on the progress of the company. Also, the bank have got 31 branches till date and have its 10 upcoming branches to be opened which of course can be assumed as the market position of the company is good and doing well so far. (http://www.nepalstock.com, Nepal Stock Exchange as of closing price of 6th December 2009) Part 2: An analysis of the external and internal environment of the company examined above and competitive position of the company (1000 words) Every company is affected by its external and internal environment. These are the integral part of the companies itself. External environment can be described as a set of elements which are not the part of the organization but possess an influence upon the organization. The external environment may constitute of consumers, suppliers and competitors which have the direct effect on the organization whereas the indirect elements of external environment may be government, State of the economy, scientific and technical growth, socio-cultural events and laws and policies by the government. Hence, whatever is the new external environment, the organization has to cope up themselves. Similarly, internal environment can be termed as the environment within the organization itself. They may include employees, shareholders or stake holders etc. The internal environment can be modified or amended as the whole authority and rights are embedded on the organization itself apart from external one. Internal environment of the company: The internal factors can be analyzed by various models however the internal environment can be analyzed by using Lewis six factors model which describes the in-depth analysis of internal environment in context of MBL. Also, these factors give a broad idea of involvement of various departments in order to describe the internal environment of the company. IT (Information Technology): MBL uses a very advanced technology for the banking services. A new advanced technology called GLOBUS is being integrated in the company which provides best services in the banking field. It is also considered as the effective and powerful software which provides related backup services. The company also have its centralized information technology department which regularly looks ahead into develop new softwares and are alert 24 hours for any problems to occur. Also, the company have introduced V-Sat network for the branches which are in mountain regions as Mustang, Damak etc. Overall, we can say that the companys IT sector is very much advanced and is much more effective in banking environment. Management Capabilities: MBL have a team of capable employees working in various departments. They are well qualified and the bank also regularly conducts various training programmes so as to make their employees much more capable in any sort of situations. Also, the company organizes in house seminars so as to promote the employees knowledge much more. Because of its talented employees, the company is increasing its branches and is earning much more profit at the same time. The management is much more effective which is hence enabling the company to exist till now in the fierce competition of banking in Nepal. Finance: Finance is one of a very important aspect for any firm. Considering the financial status of MBL, it is growing day by day and earning much more profit. MBL earned around NPR 92 M at the fourth quarter end of year 2009 whereas corresponding earlier year of NPR 85M and is earning day by day. MBL have a good relation with the central bank even and can issue up more shares upon needed. Thus it can be analysed that the financial position of the bank is much more stable. Research and Development: MBL focuses on to the research and development of new aspects of banking and services to its prospective clients. The company has its own research and development department which focuses on to research new activities and to promote their services in to peoples. Because of the fierce competition in banking sector in Nepal, this department plays a vital role in to develop new schemes and new services to the clients apart from other banks. Also, the company invests good sum of money in to research and development of new services towards future perspectives. Marketing: Marketing can be defined as the management process that seeks to maximize returns to shareholders by developing relationships with valued customers and creating a competitive advantage. (Paliwoda, Stanley J, John K. Ryan, 2009). The company has its own marketing department which co-ordinates with research and development department. They both have the same motive in order to generate much more potentiality and increase its turnover in best services to the customers. Also, the department regularly dissolves in market to gather new ideas and concepts which by the research and development department makes research and develops new strategies. HR (Human Resources): MBL have another department which looks around human resources and administration of the company. MBL welcomes new generation to employ in the company and believes on equal opportunity for all. The department also administers and involves in to budgeting daily activities of the company. Also, HR department helps in to gather talented peoples and conducts various assessments among the employees in order to gain the best outcome of it. The internal environment of the MBL focuses on to its core components as per Lewis 6 factors model. Analyzing the model, we can illustrate that the internal components of the company is very much effective and plays an important role in determining the internal perspectives of MBL. External Environment of the company: External environment for MBL are generally customers, competitors, central banks policies and socio-cultural aspects. The external environment plays a vital role in determining the external status of the company. Normally, the external environment is uncontrollable but directly affects on the functioning of the company. The external environment of MBL can be picterised by using PESTLE analysis. The PESTLE analysis determines the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and environmental aspects which gives a clear picture of the external environment of the company. Political factors: Nepal is a country where political factors play a vital role in each and every industry. Because of the regular strikes, riots in the country many more industries are very much affected. In context to MBL, because of the political factors, the company is suffering a lot as they cant operate efficiently during strikes, riots and because of the regular change of the government, various rules and regulations are modified which hence creates a various problems in to the banking of the company especially in MBL. Economic factors: The economic situation of Nepal is always fluctuating. Because of it, the exchange rates of various currencies are changing on rapid basis. Also, because of the development of various banks in Nepal, customers have a high bargaining power in between the banks. This has affected MBL severely as the customers who are only on MBL are now diverted on to the other companies. Even because of the economy in Nepal, most of the people dont wish to invest money in to any projects and the ratios of consumer loans are decreasing because of the interest rates and the economy. Socio-cultural factors: MBL possess certain social responsibilities and are maintaining good as they are much more into providing good services to the customers. Also, the company invests certain amounts in to education for childrens and various governmental and non governmental activities. It has been a trend in Nepalese banking sector of investing funds into various programs for child welfare, transportation and various educational activities. Also, the company has various schemes for different age groups and also contributes for their personal growth especially for children. Technological factors: The banking sector of Nepal is following advanced technology in to serving new services to the customers. Various advanced programs are being organized in to gather new innovations in terms of banking of the company. MBL adopts advanced technology in to serve effective and accurate services to the customers. Also, the company even invests funds into its research and development department so as to launch new services in considering the needs of the current market. Legal factors: The banking of Nepal is regulated by Central Bank of Nepal (i.e. Nepal Rastra Bank) The central bank regulates various rules and regulations in order to constitute the proper banking services to the customers. The central bank regularly changes rules and regulations which hence make a vast confusions and time in order to adopt the new rules and regulations. Also, the legal factors of Nepal affect the proper functioning of the banking services in Nepal. Not only in context of MBL but overall banks in Nepal. Environmental factors: The environmental factors play a vital role in each and every organization. In terms of MBL, the environmental factors are generally attitudes of consumers, media and the government. Because of the reputation of MBL, various customers trust the company much more which is hence helping in to gain success in company. Also, media also helps the company in to promote their services towards the general public as by the investment towards the media sector as well as various other sectors too. Thus internal and external environment plays a vital role in determining the companys portfolio from inside and outside layer as well. In terms of MBL, we can demonstrate that the internal environment of the company is much more effective whereas the external environment is much more effected by various factors as these can hardly be controlled. Identification and evaluation of alternative strategies that would consist of corporate goals and objectives and select an appropriate future new strategy. Strategy is the mean by which objectives are achieved and pursued on time. According to Gavetti G and Jan Rivikin W Strategy is choice about what it chooses to do and not to do. MBL generally focuses into customer satisfaction and excellent service to their business clients. To increase more customer satisfaction and performance, MBL always strive to improve the performance by various methods and latest technology. To be the best service provider, MBL aims to open additional branches so as the banking service can be available readily anywhere any time. However, various alternative strategies can be discovered which will increase the customer satisfaction level and services at the same time. Ghemawat P. developed a model called AAA triangle which identifies three distinct types of strategy. They refer to adaptation, aggregation and arbitrage. Adaptation means to familiarize with new technology and environment and aims to maximize companys local relevance. This also boosts the revenues and market share by maximizing a firms local relevance by simply creating local units in each national market that do pretty good job carrying out all steps in the supply chain. (Ghemawat, P. 2007) This framework even focuses on to the company to develop its new image towards the new generation. Since, the world is changing day by day and is the new technology; the adaptation into new environment is a must. The another one is aggregation where a company tries to achieve economies of scale by developing new products and services by creating both local and global operations. It also attempts to deliver economies of scale by creating regional or sometimes global operations and involves standar dizing the product or service offering and grouping together the development and production process. The company also has to develop and introduce new products and services which reasonably have benefits upon everyone. Arbitrage means to locate and supply services in different parts. It is the exploitation of differences between national or regional markets, often by locating separate parts of the supply chain in different places. (Ghemawat, P. 2007) Thus as a future strategy, the company should now focus on to developing new products and services and enlarging its business. Fig 3.Ghemawats AAA triangle framework Another Strategy is BCG matrix developed by Boston Consulting Group. According to Kotlar (1996) BCG approach helps to classify a companys all SBUs according to the growth share matrix. It identifies firms strategic business units relating to its market share and market growth rate. The growth share matrix can be divided into four types as follows: Question Marks Star High Low High Dogs Cash cows Market Growth Low Market share Fig 4. Boston Consulting Groups BCG Matrix There are two axis which represents as Market Growth rate and Market Share. Each and every cell inside the matrix can be highlighted as follows: Stars: Stars are high market growth in relation to high market share. These are the pillars for each and every business. The stars in MBL are the deposits and loans and advances by which the company is able to make much more income. This requires much more investments as well and also increase in high market share and growth as well because if the company have more deposits and loans, the companys profit will increase subsequently. Cash Cows: Cash Cows are low growth in market but high market share. These require less investment but would affect in the market shares. In MBL, cash cows can be considered for Letter of Credits, guarantees which require less investment but would affect on the market shares. The cash cows dont necessarily effect the market growth as regards to stars. Question Marks: Question marks are low share business units in high market growth. The question marks are some aspects which the management should think in order to overcome it and turn into stars or cows. In MBL, the question marks can be market for cards (debit and credit cards) etc. The company should have special consideration in question marks. Dogs: Dogs are low growth in market with low share price. They may generate some amount of funds but doesnt make any guarantees on companys income. In MBL, Dogs are lockers departments etc. BCG Matrix gives a broad idea about the factors that are prevailing in a company which are giving much more profit or loss in terms of market group. This strategy could give the company an innovative idea about building or restructuring the business. Comparing both the strategies, MBL should adopt Ghemawats AAA triangle framework as this clearly matches to the organization goals and objectives to attain in future. The framework explains that to stabilize a product, there has to be an adaptation factors, aggregate it and arbitrage. MBLs target is to be the top commercial bank in Nepal and introduce new products and services which can only be possible if the company focuses on the framework. Also MBL should focus on the information flow to all the branches so as to properly stabilize the new services. Neilson, G., Martin K. and Powers E (2008) suggests that the enterprises fails at strategy execution because they go straight to structural reorganization and neglect the most powerful drivers of effectiveness-decision rights and information flow. Thus, before starting any new services or any new tasks, the company should gain its adaptation factor so that they could adopt in new environment easily. After adopting in the environment t he company also needs to increase its market into local and national markets to attain much more productivity. Thus we can see that if MBL adopts Ghemawats AAA triangle framework, the company would be able to attain its mission and vision that has been projected by them. This would increase the companys effectiveness on any tasks and would help them to gain much more success at the same time. Kim C W and Mauborgne R, Blue Ocean Strategy argues that companys performance is not necessarily determined by industries competitive environment. It argues that strategy can shape the structure and it is called reconstructions. They even add that instead of letting the environment define your strategy, craft a strategy that defines your environment. This highlights that rather than creating a strategy limited only in papers you will require to adopt to the environment, aggregate them towards the near future group and develop them in local or global market which is very much similar to what Ghemawat had proposed in his framework. Identify and develop outline time table and resources requirement to implement new strategy. Its very much obvious that to make each and every strategy successful, various resources and time tables are required. Proper dedication and knowledge will only be able to make a project successful. The strategy developed by Ghemawat as AAA triangle framework is something which I suggest to be adopted. The strategy Equal opportunities to every people financing in their needs and motivate into a new track would certainly help to start up banking into a new style and lead to a successful pathway. This strategy would develop an awareness and usage of the services to the maximum. Basically, new guidelines should be created for to make this strategy fruitful. A system where people can get financing easier should be initialized so as new business entrepreneurs could be able to start up their business with the banks help at the same time. Various job opportunities should be require generating up not specifically full time as initialization of part time or hourly job basis could be done so t hat maximum number of fresh graduates or unemployed people could get employment and in return the organization will be benefited by different ideas, opinions and new way of working. As Ghemawats AAA framework suggests Adaptation, Arbitrage and Aggregation, various resources should be allocated and new services to be launched as: Launching various deposits schemes targeting to students, old age peoples and children. Inauguration of old age cards, student card etc. which can be used in shopping centre, transportations etc. Launching online bill payments from their accounts via mobile. Use of Credit cards system elsewhere. Cash Deposits in any cash points or ATMs. Collaboration with educational institutions for banking services. Promotion of various NGOs, INGOs or programs to advertise them free of cost. More job opportunities to account holders, insurance benefits or easily loan availability facility. The time frame for this strategy entirely depends upon how fast the authority decides to start it up however if this new style of business could be adopted, major changes will occur and the profit will sky rocket like never happened so. Generally, the top level managers should require understanding the benefit of this strategy and how it could be implemented in short span of time. New concepts, ideas should be promoted which could cover the usual old style of banking as with the new age of development. Meanwhile, the experience of old peoples which new ideas and working style of modern age could be more helpful to boom the business and to have a look on to the business with different perspective. Meanwhile, the company could employ 30% of experienced old people and the rest with new and energetic peoples. This would certainly create up a milestone between old peoples experience and new peoples working efficiency. Furthermore, invitation or equal opportunities should be started so tha t the people who belong to lower community or of different age group could certainly use their efficiency to attain the same goal. Major functional departments should also be considered while discussing the time frame and the resources required adopting AAA triangle framework strategy as: HR (Human Resources)/Administration: This department should recruit new employees and should start up giving adequate trainings to its exisiting employees. The administration should also allocate various resources required for to start up new services. The time frame for this s Finance: The finance department should allocate budget required for the resources and new projects. IT (Information Technology): This is a primary essence as without new technology new services cant be launched in todays computer generation. Marketing/Research and Development: Various researches should be conducted prior making decisions and hence publicity of services should be done at the same time. Therefore, summarizing the all we can analyze that the materials that are required for to implement the new strategy are time consideration, additional opportunities in various field, change of working system, Focus on to new peoples or modern age groups and also consideration in the new technology. These sort of materials could certainly help in to implement the new strategy successfully and to start up the new perfection on to the business however new understanding and far sightedness upon these should be developed at the beginning before proceeding ahead with these materials. Also the time factor should be considered as well so that the strategy could be implemented on the right time. Furthermore, it can also be said that success entirely depends upon opportunities and hard work, hence to be more successful, an individual should be able to do hard work and the company should be able to create new opportunities. Then only the strategies could really show up some colors on the devel opment and growth of the company.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
The Design of Molecular Magnets
The Design of Molecular Magnets Ashlea Hughes 1. Polyoxometalates Polyoxometalates (POMs) are clusters consisting of linked metal oxide polyhedral. They are commonly anionic, although some cationic species have been reported.1 Due to this charge, counter ions are often associated with POMs. The metal ions which form the POMs often belong to group 5 or group 6 in the periodic table and possess a high oxidation state causing an electron configuration of either d0 or d1. The nuclearity of POMs differs widely from single monomeric species to high nuclearity (i.e. over 100 metal ions) species. The three major transition metals that form POMs are: vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten. 1.1 Structures The building blocks of polyoxometalates often correspond to tetrahedral, tetragonal pyramids, and octahedra, sharing corners and edges which results in a variety of caged, ribboned, wheel or basket like structures e.g. [P6Mo18O73]11-.2 It is this variety in potential structures of POMs that causes a number of complex molecular spin arrays to be available. Figure 1: Five Baker-Figgis isomers adapted from Zhou et al. 3 The keggin structure, named after J. J. Keggin who determined its structure, is a very common structure found in POMs.4 It consists of a central tetrahedrally coordinated atom, caged by 12 octahedrally coordinated atoms. Five rotational isomers, known as Baker-Figgis isomers, of the keggin structure exist, and are shown in Figure 1, as do defect structures known as lacunary structures.3 Due to the conformation of these structures they have high stability and so aid in the exchange coupling between other keggin molecules. The POMs comprising of the transition metal, tungsten, all favour this structure and larger tungsten POMs can be considered to be made up of keggin subunits. The Dawson structure and Anderson structure are similar structures that have also been reported many times within literature. The wheel structure is yet again another commonly found structure and is desired for POM formation. The cavity/cavities the wheel contains are accessible and allow the coordination of other clusters, and form chains in a step by step growth, forming very large POMs. 1.2 Traditional synthesis POM based clusters are traditionally made via a one-pot synthesis. The aggregation and condensation of the reagents is controlled via experimental variables.5 These variables can include: concentration, pH, temperature, ligand effects, counter ions and various other experimental variables. The synthesis usually begins with the acidification of the metal salt, sequentially followed by condensation of the molecules forming a variety of architectural structures. 1.3 Uses Polyoxometalates possess a wide variety of properties. Their diversity means that they are used for many applications. They are used as catalysts in a range of organic reactions. The acidity and solubility of POMs make them ideal candidates to use as homogeneous catalysts, as well as their redox abilities. They have many uses in biological systems, in particular the POM ferritin, which is the protein responsible for iron storage and is a cofactor in the photosynthesis process within plants. This property in particular has inspired research into many energy and photosensitive related devices using POMs. In addition there is also research being done into medicinal applications as potential uses in antiretroviral drugs for diseases such as AIDS. 6 Aside from all these applications, and many others, certain POMs also bear magnetic properties that I shall discuss herein.5 2. Magnetism Magnetic properties arise from the spin and orbital angular momentum of unpaired electrons. Paramagnetism is a property of compounds which contain unpaired electrons. These compounds have a relative permeability greater than one and consequently attract magnetic fields. When a field is applied the spins of electrons start to align parallel to each other. The magnetisation of paramagnetic materials is directly proportional to the magnetic field that is applied; this, however, does vary with temperature. This relationship between temperature and magnetization is described by Curies Law: Where M is the resulting magnetisation, B is the applied magnetic field, T is the temperature and C is the Curie constant which is specific for each individual material. Figure 2: Hysteresis Curve 7 Hysteresis is a property of paramagnetic materials. If a magnetic material is magnetised in regard to a direction and the material does not relax back to zero magnetisation then the material is exhibiting hysteresis. If an alternating field is applied a hysteresis loop is formed as shown in Figure 2. Bulk magnets exhibit hysteresis, as do some polyoxometalates.8 This provides many advances into information storage as exhibiting hysteresis means the material has magnetic bistability, meaning the material can present two stable phases and can change between the two with response to an external stimulus, a vital property for memory elements. 2.1 Magnetic POMs POMs commonly contain transition metal centres, some of which are paramagnetic with respect to their spin states. The paramagnetic transition metal centres therefore correspond to the d1 electron configuration mentioned above, e.g. polyoxovanadates (IV). When the paramagnetic metal ions are brought together they interact and can give rise to a wide variety of magnetic properties. The magnetic interaction between the ions is defined by the Heisenburg Hamiltonian. These POMs which possess magnetic properties are known as single molecule magnets. Polyoxovanadates are the most common magnetic POM. [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- is a relatively large oxovanadium (IV) POM whose magnetic properties have been widely investigated.7 2.2 Quantum or classical behaviour? POMs are relatively large, organically bridged, molecular magnets, and are thought to potentially be the bridge between the quantum properties of the smallest atoms and the classical properties possessed by larger magnets that we know in our day-to-day lives. Events in classical physics are either allowed or forbidden in contrast to the events in quantum physics which all have a various probability of occurring. It has been thought that the mesoscopic size of the POMs would cause the classical properties seen in bulk magnets to also be observed in these intermediate sized magnets. Some magnetic POMs are thought to behave quasi-classically as they can exhibit both quantum as well as classical magnetic properties.8 This 15 vanadium centred POM was however, found not to behave in a classical way. Though, it has been reported that the quantum/classical behaviour is not just based on the size of the magnet, but also the individual spins of the metal ions. If the individual ions within the POM have a small spin (S= 1/2) then quantum models approximate properties of the material the best, however when reaching relatively high spins similar results to the quantum models are shown by using classical models. This has been confirmed in smaller clusters which contain larger spins.7 It is interesting that smaller clusters with higher spins possess more classical magnetic properties, opposed to larger clusters which possess small spin ions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a technique used to study materials with unpaired electrons, i.e. paramagnets. Line widths present in EPR spectra can dictate whether a material is expressing quantum or classical behaviour. 9 2.3 Spin frustration Figure 3. Spin fustrastion within [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- 7 To achieve a large spin ground state is a difficult challenge for scientists. However, spin frustration effects can lead to isolated systems that contain this property. The layered structure of [VIV15As6O42(H2O)]6- comprising of three layers, with the central layer only having three interacting centres, then the spin cannot be resolved by Hundââ¬â¢s rule and is said to be frustrated, as shown in Figure 3. Much research has been done into the use of large POMs as magnets, however with current technology allowing the miniaturisation of most devices, the question posed is who can make the smallest POM in which both quantum and classical effects coexist? For this to be answered the synthesis of POMs needs to be carefully controlled and fine-tuned. 2.4 Mixed valence clusters The magnetic properties of mixed valence clusters are often more difficult to interpret due to their electrons which are delocalised over the structure as opposed to the simpler localised valence species, described above. The mixed valence cluster [Mn12O12(O2CCH3)16(H2O)4].2CH3COOH.4H2O, comprising of Mn4IV and Mn8III has been found to exhibit both quantum and classical properties. It has been established that this cluster behaves like a small bulk magnet when subjected to low temperatures. 2.5 Single molecule magnets Single molecule magnets (SMMs) are usually based on first row transition metals. They require a high spin ground state along with a negative uniaxial anisotropy. A relatively high blocking temperature (the temperature at which relaxation of magnetisation is slow) is also desirable.9 Flexibility in the structure of SMMs provides difficulties in the regulation of intermolecular exchange coupling, however, due to their rigid conformation, POMs have an environment which is ideal for magnetic structures. To produce SMMs the intermolecular magnetic interactions between molecules must be negligible. 2.6 POMs as ligands Although POMs themselves can have magnetic properties, due to their variety of shapes if they possess defects, as in the lacunary structure, and the cavities the wheel structure often has, they can also be used as multidentate ligands.10 They can bind to paramagnetic coordination clusters, causing encapsulation of small clusters of magnetic ions.11 By doing this the POM ligand effectively dilutes the smaller, encapsulated molecule and therefore reduces the dipolar interactions that are undesirable for SMMs. The magnetic molecule encapsulated could possess both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic properties; however, which property is expressed could potentially be determined by the POM surrounding it. The wheel structure, due to the nature of its shape also possesses a cavity, which could also be used to bind smaller clusters, increasing the distance between the magnetic molecules and in doing so reducing the interactions between them. 12 3. Designing POMs The design of molecular clusters with magnetic properties, or as ligands for small clusters, that possess magnetic properties is challenging. The traditional one-pot synthesis controlled by numerous variables does not give the desired purity of species or the fine tuning abilities required to design SMMs. The degree of functionality required for these systems relies upon directed assembly of the building blocks into disciplined architectures.13 3.1 Solvothermal and ionothermal synthesis Solvothermal synthesis reduces the limitations of the experimental variable of temperature used in the regular synthesis. Water and common organic solvents used in the regular synthesis limit the temperature the system can reach; however, autoclaves used in the solvothermal process reduce this limitation and create the opportunity for higher temperatures and pressures of the reaction mixture. Reproducibility of these reactions is very difficult as it requires tight control of experimental conditions. Ionothermal synthesis adapts this solvothermal synthesis by using an ionic liquid as a solvent. These ionic liquids influence the assembly of the POMs by functioning as templates and can potentially create selective architectures.14 3.2 Linking clusters Lacunary structures have been used as precursor molecules with other metal ions as linkers to produce high nuclearity POMs.11,15 This is often known as the ââ¬Ëbuilding block strategyââ¬â¢.{16} It opens up opportunities to expand the POM size beyond what has currently been synthesised. However, difficulties have been found due to the architecture of the potential building blocks rearranging and reorganizing due to not being stable enough in solution. Due to the stability of tungsten POMs this methodology is widely used within tungsten chemistry; however, these limitations cause problems for other complexes such as molybdenum. Stabilising the initial building blocks is currently a task being researched widely by several research groups.11,16 3.3 Counter ion effect As previously mentioned, POMs are charged species, generally anionic, and so must possess a counter ion. Anionic POMs possess cationic counter ions and vice versa. The properties of the counter ion i.e. size, charge etc, can affect the reactivity of the POM. The larger the counter ions, the more stable the POM is against aggregation. Amines are a common example of bulky counter ions which provide this stability. Organic amines have also been found to be capable of directing the self-assembly of small building blocks, enabling the creation of the desired structure.17 3.4 Top down A novel ââ¬Å"top downâ⬠synthesis has been reported.18 Opposed to all previously mention syntheses this is a truly unique and novel idea. It suggests the idea of a pH controlled decomposition of a very large POM into smaller fragments. The large POM; [P4W52O178]24- , has confirmed this approach to be successful with the controlled fragmentation of [P3W39O134]19-, the scheme is shown in Figure 4.5 Not only could this technique potentially enable the formation of new architectures, but it could also help to identify the building blocks that made the POM in the first place, revealing new insights into the mechanism of formation. 4. Conclusion Polyoxometalates are a very versatile class of compounds. Their potential has been subdued in the past due to a lack of understanding and the traditional one-pot synthesis. With the discovery of the importance of POMs in their various applications, and in particular as molecular magnets, there have been many developments within the past decade with regard to their careful and controlled synthesis. However, the mechanism of formation of POMs is still not fully understood. The controlled design of the structure and function of POMs is still being investigated and there is little doubt it will lead to the engineered functionality required for many capabilities POMs are already showing to have. The debate between quantum and classical mechanics has been going on for centuries. Quantum properties describe those with discrete levels, whereas classical properties have a continuous scale. The idea that POMs can be used as a ââ¬Å"stepping stoneâ⬠between the quantum and classical magnetic behaviour has started to unite both the theories and has started collaborative research between both physicists and chemists. This breakthrough enables the development and use of POMs in quantum computing and miniaturisation of devices, paving the way for new and exciting technologies. 5. Reference List G. Johansson, Acta Chem. Scand., 1960, 14, 771-773. W. G. Klemperer, T. A. Marquart, and O. M. Yaghi, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 1992, 31, 49-51. B. Zhou, B. L. Sherriff, F. Taulelle, and G. Wu, Can. Mineral., 2003, 41, 891-903. J. F. Keggin, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A, 1934, 144, 75-100. H. N. Miras, J. Yan, D. L. Long, and L. Cronin, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012, 41, 7403-7430. W. Rozenbaum, D. Dormont, B. Spire, E. Vilmer, M. Gentilini, C. Griscelli, L. Montagnier, F. Barre-Sinoussi, and J. C. Chermann, Lancet, 1985, 1, 450-451. M. T. Pope, A. Muller, and Editors., Polyoxometalates: From Platonic Solids to Anti-Retroviral Activity. Kluwer, 1994, 411. D. Gatteschi, A. Caneschi, L. Pardi, and R. Sessoli, Science, 1994, 265, 1054-1058. E. C. Yang, C. Kirman, J. Lawrence, L. N. Zakharov, A. L. Rheingold, S. Hill, and D. N. Hendrickson, Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 3827-3836. J. Liu, J. Guo, B. Zhao, G. Xu, and M. Li, Transition Met. Chem., 1993, 18, 205-208. H. Abbas, A. L. Pickering, D. L. Long, P. Kogerler, and L. Cronin, Chem. Eur. J., 2005, 11, 1071-1078. J. Lehmann, A. Gaita-Arino, E. Coronado, and D. Loss, Nat. Nanotechnol., 2007, 2, 312-317. A. Muller, F. Peters, M. T. Pope, and D. Gatteschi, Chem. Rev., 1998, 98, 239-271. A. S. Pakhomova and S. V. Krivovichev, Inorg. Chem. Commun., 2010, 13, 1463-1465. D. L. Long, H. Abbas, P. Kogerler, and L. Cronin, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 13880-13881. J. M. Cameron, J. Gao, L. Vilà ¡-Nadal, D. L. Long, and L. Cronin, Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 2155-2157. Y. Jun, L. De-Liang, N. M. Haralampos, and L. Cronin, Inorg. Chem., 2010, 49, 1819-1825. C. P. Pradeep, D. L. Long, C. Streb, and L. Cronin, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 14946-14947.
Monday, August 19, 2019
The Work of F. Scott Fitzgerald :: Fitzgerald Author Essays
Francis Scott Fitzgerald once said "Mostly we authors must repeat ourselves?that's the truth. We have two or three experiences in our lives? experiences so great and moving that it doesn't seem at the time that anyone else has been so caught up" (de Koster n. pag.). Fitzgerald's works contain many themes that are based from experiences in his life. Many of these experiences he talks about were with the women in his life. People like his mother, Ginerva King, and Zelda Sayre all had major impacts on Fitzgerald. The women in F. Scott Fitzgerald's life influenced his writing in a number of ways. The first major woman to make and impression on Fitzgerald's life was his mother. Mary (Mollie) McQuillan was of Irish decent. Her parents were Irish immigrants who became rich as grocery owners in St. Paul (Bruccoli 1). Mollie inherited a fair amount of money from her family, but the family had difficulty maintaining the high standard of living they were accustomed to (Bloom 11). When they fell into financial trouble it was her father they turned to. The fact that Fitzgerald's mother, rather than his father, was the financial foundation for their family influenced Fitzgerald greatly. Even as a young boy he was aware of this situation. The theme that arose from this about a wife's inherited money appears frequently in Fitzgerald's writing (Magill 679). When the Fitzgeralds fell into financial trouble, the family had to depend on Mollie's family's money. When times like that came Mollie "abandoned the attempt to Tarleton 2 keep up her personal appearance (neglecting both grooming and fashion), which embarrassed her fastidious son. Scott later recorded a dream in which he admitted being ashamed of her" (de Koster 15). Furthermore, Fitzgerald's attitude toward his mother influenced him as a person. Because two of Mollie's children had died before Fitzgerald, she was very protective of him. She often worried about his health and babied him. But "her attempts to spoil him stren gthened his distaste for her" (de Koster 15). She wanted her only son to have "social ambition" ("Brief Biography 1). Fitzgerald's negative description of her in "An Author's Mother" where he describes her as "a halting old lady" in a "preposterously high-crowned hat" reveals his feelings (de Koster 15). Fitzgerald was affected by all these emotions towards his mother in his personality and his work. Another influence on Fitzgerald was his first love, Ginerva King.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Essay --
Abuse of the Second Amendment: The St. Valentineââ¬â¢s Day Massacre Senior Historical Paper Ashleigh Rogers Mr. Todd Gonion Ninety bullets rang through the air, seven bodies hit the asphalt, and blood pooled N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre represented one of the bloodiest, catastrophic maltreatments of the Second Amendment, and illustrated how citizenââ¬â¢s ignored the responsibilities that came along with the ownership of a weapon. This massacre relates to the theme ââ¬Å"Rights and Responsibilities in Historyâ⬠because it shows a group of individuals irresponsibly taking their unalienable Constitutional rights and using it to solve trivial conflicts with other citizens. On February 14, 1929, the true intentions of the second amendment were massacred as a Chicago gang ignored their responsibilities as gun owners and decimated other citizens. The Second Amendment states ââ¬Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.â⬠As America was once dependent on England, Americans looked to Englandââ¬â¢s governmental institutions as a base on how to govern the United States. America configured the Second Amendment based off political ideologies that originated in England. In 1181, King Henry issued the Assize of Arms, stating citizens were to possess weapons at all times to secure that England citizens would be protected against foreign invasions. In England, males as young as seven were required to bear arms to ensure an extensive defense for their country; it was considered an Englishmanââ¬â¢s obligation to his country. In addition, Militias became vital to English life, as they leveled monarchial rule... ...elling example of how citizens took the privilege of owning weapons for their own security in the home and nation, and used it for venomous reasons. A concept that was effective in the eleventh century lost its value as citizens began to ignore their responsibilities as gun owning United States citizens. The Federalist foresaw that citizens were going to expunge their right, yet it was still ratified in the Constitution. The discernment of a plan to execute seven individuals conveys how citizens have ignored both the meaning of their rights and their responsibilities. A few individualââ¬â¢s decision to configure the St. Valentineââ¬â¢s Day Massacre, consequentially led to a stringent of regulations placed on gun owners. ââ¬Å"Violence is an evil thing, but when the guns are all in the hands of me without respect for human rights, then men are really in troubleâ⬠- Louis Lââ¬â¢Amour.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
No Easy Task
The well being of a nation begins with the development of its younger generation. They are the ones that will assume the task of running and maintaining the well being of this nation in the future. Unfortunately the task of to lead these youths in the right direction is no easy task. Numerous articles and studies have confirmed that our youth problems is a rising issue and should receive extra attention. Youth problems range from poor school achievement to youth pregnancy, crime, and drug addictions. Many experts have noted that one of the major causes that contribute to youth having problems is the lack of strong family value and substantial home-life. Youth belonging to this category are normally ones that have single parents or weak or uncaring parents. The above perspective along with some other variables, such as income level, media influence, and educational level, should explain why the youth problem phenomenon occurs. One of the fundamental ways to view why youth develop problems is to view their family structure. Many youth do not have what is considered to be a healthy or complete family. For example, if a youth is raised by a single parent, he or she may lack many of the family essentials, such family warmth, love sharing, or normal family life. The youth may also develop shame feelings among his or her peers. Another scenario might be a youth raised by weak and uncaring parents. The youth might not receive the adequate attention and guidance necessary for their thoughts, actions, and perhaps wrongdoing. In this case the youth may develop two types of feelings. They will either feel abandon because of the parents uncaring nature, or, the youth might feel exceptional freedom because the parents simply is weak or do not care. In both cases, youths having such family structures develops much higher percentage to differentiate themselves from their common peers. The second variable that seems to have a large influence as to why youth develop problems is the income level in which they reside. Income level is one of the issues that can t be changed so easily. Government aid and subsidies could only do so much in the aid of poverty stricken neighborhoods. Generally a great percentage of youth growing up in such a poor neighborhoods have a higher chance in exposing themselves to the numerous problems, such as, pregnancy, drugs, crimes. It is unfortunate, but no doubt that environment in which these youth grew up in are surrounded by such factors. Government funding and local group activist have trying to cure these blighted neighborhoods. Local activity centers, and youth organizations, and schools are fighting there ways into these area in hope to help give youth of these communities a better chance to succeed. Another variable that should be considered in why youth develop problems is media influences. Like Debra J. Saunders noted in her December 1999 editorial, youth are constantly being expose to the electronic media set out to influence youth to follow certain trends and mode of thinking. This is very true in this cyberspace, electronic media era. The Internet, television, and other media unconsciously place many messages in the minds of the youths. The youth are spending more of their time attracted to these media than they are in their necessary duties. The power or the media is so great that many of the youths mode of thinking are drawn to the character lifestyles of movies idols. The media have directly manipulated what is reality and what is fantasy in the mind of the youths. Therefore youths often try to be somebody or do something they saw from these electronic media exposures. Perhaps that the numerous in school shootings by teenage youths across the nation are the indirect results from too much media exposures toward youths. The final area that seems to contributes to youth problems are the educational level in which the youths are associated with. Educational levels vary greatly in schools that youths attend. The educational achievement accomplished by students determines if new educational programs are needed to aid underachieving students build there necessary skills to advance. Because the lack of such programs in some school, many youths in this category, find it difficult to continue their educational course. Therefore the rate of youth problems is the dependent variable of the drop out rate. Many students choose to alternative course of action if they cannot succeed in school. Their minimum knowledge is insufficient to land them much hope in making it the real world. Consequently problems are prone to along the route for these youths. We have briefly looked into the issue on contributing factors in youth problems. The variables we discussed are family structures, income level, media influences, and educational levels. It is important to acknowledge how these links intertwine in the life of a developing youth. Though we cannot simply generalize that a youth will develop problems once they have encounters with any or all of these variables for there are numerous successful examples for us to refer upon. But numerous studies have shown that the risk for youth to develop problems such as teen pregnancy, crime, drugs, and violence is at a higher rate when they are being raised in an environment that contains the variable we have discussed today.
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