Monday, January 20, 2020

lieshod White Lies in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay

White Lies in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his novella Heart of Darkness (1899), Joseph Conrad through his principal narrator, Marlow, reflects upon the evils of the human condition as he has experienced it in Africa and Europe. Seen from the perspective of Conrad's nameless, objective persona, the evils that Marlow encountered on the expedition to the "heart of darkness," Kurtz's Inner Station on the banks of the snake-like Congo River, fall into two categories: the petty misdemeanors and trivial lies that are common- place, and the greater evils -- the grotesque acts society attributes to madmen. That the first class of malefaction is connected to the second is illustrated in the downfall of the story's secondary protagonist, the tragically deluded and hubristic Mr. Kurtz. The European idealist, believing the lies of his Company and of the economic imperialism that supports it, is unprepared for the test of character that the Congo imposes, and succumbs to the potential for the diabolical latent within e very human consciousness. Although numerous critics (including Johanna M. Smith, Peter Hyland, Herbert Klein, and Garrett Stewart) have drawn attention to how Marlow's lie to the Intended informs the whole preceding text and how that culminating scene with the Intended is connected to Marlow's initial impression of Brussels as a whited sepulchre (how appropriate in light of Belgian King Leopold II's hypocritical defense of his private company's rapacious exploitation of the ludicrously- named Congo Free State!), few have until recently focussed on how the lie affects the reader's reaction to Marlow as the protagonist and narrator of Conrad's Congo tale. Answering questions which the dead man's Intended poses him reg... ... Rosmarin, Adena. "Darkening the Reader: Reader- Response Criticism and Heart of Darkness ." Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness: A Case Study in Contemporary Criticism , ed. Ross C. Murfin. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989. Pp. 148-171. Smith, Johanna M. Smith. "'Too Beautiful Altogether': Patriarchal Ideology in Heart of Darkness ." Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness: A Case Study in Contemporary Criticism , ed. Ross C. Murfin. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989. Pp. 179-198. Stewart, Garrett. "Lying as Dying in Heart of Darkness ." PMLA 95 (1980): 319- 331. Trilling, Lionel. " Huckleberry Finn ." The Liberal Imagination: Essays on Literature and Society . New York: Doubleday Anchor Books, 1950. Pp. 100-113. Wright, Walter F. "Ingress to The Heart of Darkness ." Romance and Tragedy in Joseph Conrad . New York: Russell and Russell, 1966. Pp. 143-160.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

My English study

Conclusion Notes References Acknowledgement [Abstract] it is acknowledged that people have always been attaching much significance to the English study on account of the globalization trend of the world to the importance of language communication. Although many people are learning English, it does not mean that every person is certain to have good command of English. I'm no exception too. This paper is concerned about my English study in three stages?in middle school, in high school and at the university.Meanwhile, this paper also gives detailed discussions about the factors: English pronunciation, Autonomous learning ability, English learning motivations and the influence of personal attitudes towards English study. Key Words] Pronunciation; Autonomous learning; Learning motivations; Personal attitudes Economical and technological advances have tremendous impact on our ways of communication. Moreover, the globalization trend of the world also indicates the importance of language com munication.Therefore, English, as a widely used foreign language, has been always meeting with great popularity. However, it is notable that not every person is doomed to have good command of English. I'm no exception too. I have gone through three stages in the process of English study, which are filled with airdrops and happiness actually. It is acknowledged that English pronunciation is essential for every English learner who expects to have a good command of English. However, it is by no means easy.Pronunciation is closely related to the study of vocabulary, listening and so on. To correctly command English phonetic symbols, a learner must not only precisely grasp the articulation of a word and Judge its meanings, but also memorize new words flexibly. The former situation was that not only many students but the teachers themselves in middle school were not truly showing solicitude for the phonetic ours. When I was in middle school, I could remember being taught the phonetics onl y once. Later on, I had to learn by myself.Therefore, it has been no easy Job for me to clearly make distinction between English and Chinese in the Phonemic and phonological pronunciation. Besides, I do not completely correct my English pronunciation until now. 1. 1. 1 Phonemic and phonological distinction between English and Chinese Wan Shining (2004) argues the Chinese belongs to the oriented phylum, whereas English is an occidental one, and that the two languages share many similarities as ell as large divergences both phonemically and phonologically; their Phonetic system are distinct from each other mainly following by three aspects: (1) absolutely.The vowels and consonants in English differentiate from the tones (shunned) and the finals (yummy) in Chinese to a large extent even if they seem to be similar with their counterparts in pronunciation. (2) The ways of distinguishing meanings. Chinese distinguishes by tones, thus labeled as â€Å"tonal language†,@while English distinguishes meaning by the intonations of a sentence. Therefore, it named s â€Å"language with intonation† (3) Phonemic structure. The phonemes, which are restricted in the latter, are able t be combined freely in the former. Take spelling rules of the consonant for example.In English, [f] and [h] can be spelled together with which is not allowed in Chinese. Besides, all the consonants in English can come at the end of a syllable, while in Chinese only [n] and [Eng] are permitted. These differences cause great difficulties for the Chinese students in their acquisition of English pronunciation. Another difficulty for them is that the two languages differ in rhythms as well. Each possesses its characteristics on applying on tone or place of stress to distinguish the word's meaning, and on the conveying a speaker tone or attitudes by means of various intonations. 1] @ Besides, there exist any other difficulties. 1. 1. 2 The transfer of mother tongue Chin Ling holds that the i nfluence of the mother tongue on the foreign language learning is mainly illustrated on the course of â€Å"transfer† between external and internal languages. External language refers too language which a person utters in his daily talks, while the internal language refers to a language which a person utilizes when thinking with his brain instead of speaking it out. Both languages serve as materials, basis as well as tools for thinking activity.A person is used applying his mother tongue or native dialect as his internal language at the beginning of learning a foreign language. Nevertheless, he may be forced to use external language that is understandable for both interlocutors in real communications. As a result, a problem arises in that external language is different from internal language. Consequently, the differences will produce the â€Å"negative transfer†. @The greater the preference is, the greater the difficulty is. [2] Totally speaking, I was tired of Englis h study in view of these difficulties during that time. 1. 2 Difficulties of inaccurate memory of English vocabulary.As we all know, vocabulary is vital for Chinese English learner, especially for the middle school students. Because only in this stage can we have a specific idea of the English. When I was in middle school, my English teacher would teach students many vocabularies every single day that we could not memory in one night. Gradually, I ran into many difficulties in English study. Recently, I read a paper with respect to the study of vocabulary learning in middle school. The author said,† The appearance of such difficulties is because the burden of English learning, the compulsory learning mode and the lacking of vocabulary learning strategies. [3]Len order to verify his assumptions, the author did experiment among the students in are divided into two classes. They are comparative class and experimental class. During the experiment, they used the old and direct voca bulary teaching mode in the former and the associative vocabulary teaching in the latter. Finally, the date shows hat after 12-week training in vocabulary learning strategy, the students of the experimental class improved their vocabulary learning ability, which is higher than that in the comparative class.The survey showed that if the students who are to meet the requirement of teacher and confine the vocabulary memory to the word lists, are proved to be less active. By comparing my English study in middle school, I thought those phenomena are also occurred on me. 2. The second acquaintance with English in high school?enthusiasm of English study Fortunately, these obstacles had not accompanied me into high school. I met excellent teachers, then grasped the method of English learning and finally set a goal for me. 2. 1 The improvement of English autonomous learning ability English teaching is not simply to teach students knowledge.The most important thing is to develop their autonom ous learning ability through teaching activities. My English teacher gave me a lot of help. Her guidance in the process of my English study aroused my great interest in English. My English teacher tried to progress from traditional teacher-centered teaching to the student-centered method. She liked to cultivate our independent learning ability. She inspired us to interact with her, proposed to audaciously ask questions and let us to do English presentations in open forms. Thanks to my dear English teacher, I regained the enthusiasm about English learning.Admittedly, it is essential for the students to have teacher's innovative guideline. The American psychologist Moscow believes that this is the best way to encourage students to express their opinion and foster their enthusiasm to learn the knowledge and build the formation of healthy personality by establishing the sincere mutual understanding teacher-student relationship. The reason for why I could become enthusiastic about Englis h study was not only owing to my teacher's help, but also the changing of my English learning method.The reason for why I could improve my English is as follows: Firstly, grasp teacher's lecture feature and the characteristics of the various disciplines. Secondly, review and prepare for new knowledge. Thirdly, interact with teacher in class. Gradually, I found that my English scored higher than the previous. Until now, I am deeply aware of the importance of independent learning. As a Chinese saying goes, â€Å"give man a sis, he will have a meal; teach him to fish, he will have the food all his life. † focuses on students' subjectivity and initiative in order to make students how to study and achieve life-long learning and development.And it is not the one side of my story. It has already been studied by others. The concept of â€Å"autonomous learning† (Holes) ($) originated in the asses. He expresses, â€Å"English as a conceptual tool which further developed its de finition. † [4] Benson and Evolve believe, â€Å"autonomous learning is not only the freedom of learning, but a good opportunity to form independent thinking ability as adult. [5] Little believes that the essence of the â€Å"autonomous learning† is a kind of ability such as â€Å"independent, critical reflection and decision-making. [6] Learners need to arouse their awareness of what to learn and how to learn. Also American futurist Alvin-Toffee once said,† The illiteracy in the future is not the one who don't know the word, but the one who do not know how to learn. † In addition to the previous factors, learning motivation is proved to be the essential factor. Motivation is the prime power of all activities. In the process of learning, many psychological factors can convert into the inner motivation, including interest, values and so on. As Www [email  protected] in his A Review of research on foreign language Learner's motivation. [email  protected] Arouse appropriate learning deeds, it can make students go into learning state and learn English initiative. † [7] I can not agree with his idea any more. When I was in high school, I still remembered that even a little achievement could take me great motivation. And this motivation accompanied me to go to university. 3. The third acquaintance with English at the university?passiveness of English After I come into university, I find that I become less positive towards English earning than ever before.And the reasons are as follows: A study of engineering students in Yemen by Taft AY-Tamil Candy Minor Squib cited previous research that found two classes of motivation for learning English: instrumental and integrative orientation. A person, who learns the language in hopes of gaining some tangible benefit, such as success in a Job or fulfilling an academic requirement, is instrumentally motivated. A person with integrative motivation learns English because he or she wishes to l earn more about the culture of the Western world or become more integrated into English-speaking society. ] And I belong to the former. I learn the English in order to regard it as a tool for my future occupation. 3. 1 Personal attitudes towards English study determined by his attitudes towards the other group in particular and by his orientation towards the learning task itself. And I totally agree with it. † [9] A positive attitude toward learning the English language is one of the leading predictors of success in gaining fluency. However, as mentioned above, I am not truly love English, but regard it as a tool of getting a Job. During this stage, my English study doe not make much progress.In the above paragraphs, I have made detailed explanation about my three stages of English study. From this paper, people can see that if one wants to get a good command of English, he must perfectly grasp these aspects: have a series of learning methods, take positive attitude toward Eng lish (namely the understanding of autonomous English learning) and pay particular attention to the pronunciation of English. Besides, the external factors are also of great importance such as the teacher's teaching methods, the environment that people are situated in and so on. As for me, my English study does not do a good Job.No matter what stage do you belong to, I believe that this paper can be beneficial to your English study. Serve to distinguish one utterance from another in a language or dialect. @Tonal language: A tonal language is a language in which pitch is used as a part of speech, changing the meaning of a word. An example of how tone can change the meaning of a word can be found in English: the word â€Å"present† can be used as a verb or a noun, with a stress on the first or second syllable changing the meaning. In tonal languages, the way in which you say a word is very important, as it radically hinges the meaning.Tonal languages are found primarily in Asia, Africa, and South America. @alienation: Intonation is a word used to refer to how a sentence sounds. How a sentence sounds if it's a question sounds different from how a sentence sounds if it's a statement @Negative transfer: Negative transfer is a situation where a person transfers old learning and knowledge to a new situation, and the old information interferes with new information acquisition and task performance. This can be inconvenient or dangerous, depending on the type of situation involved.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Analysis Of Marjane Satrapi s Book Persepolis - 1239 Words

Imagine sending your child off to an unforgiving battlefield where they lose their individual identity and assume the role of combatant. Imagine having an officer knock on your door, knowing that they bear news that will change your life forever. Imagine being enlisted from the moment you come of age, counting down the days until you are sent to war. In today’s society, ideas of violent loss and trading life for country seem like issues in an army’s world. During the Iranian revolution, loss and suffering were woven into the fabric of all Iranian lives. In Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir Persepolis, she argues that Marji’s developing views on death and martyrdom serve to personalize our perspective of war. From the beginning of her story, Marji is suspended in limbo between two clashing ideological worlds. Akin to many elementary aged children, she is highly impressionable by the people around her, â€Å"a child who repeats what she hears† (62). In harmonious spheres of influence regarding death and war leave her in a state of ideological confusion. She is educated in a government-controlled school rooted in nationalism and respect. Being a school age child in a government controlled school made her more susceptible to the pro-Reza Shah ideology. In her elementary years, she was taught to believe through textbook and tradition that the king was â€Å"chosen by God† and that â€Å"God himself† told her that he was the rightful ruler of Iran (19). The school system capitalized on theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Persepolis1136 Words   |  5 PagesToward the end of the novel, Marjane says about people’s fear of the Islamic Commission, â€Å"It’s only natural! When we’re afraid, we lose all sense of analysis and reflection. Our fear paralyzes us. Besides fear has always been the driving force behind all dictators’ repression.† How do Marjane and her compatriots deal with fear and th eir daily lives? To what extent do you see fear as a controlling factor in your own country’s public life? The new Islamic republic regime was beginning to spread inRead MoreMemories And The Formation Of Reality1666 Words   |  7 Pagesfilms based on memory, thus arguing that imagination does not distort memory in animation, but create a role as a form of embellishment for the film to help memory. Fredrick Bartlett is a British psychologist from Cambridge University, based on his book, Remembering (1932) that focused on how people comprehend what was being remembered. The concept of schema or schemata (plural) is to understand the key factors that affect the thinking process. (Wagoner) Other words, someone’s ability to solve problemsRead MoreMemories And The Formation Of Reality1688 Words   |  7 Pagestheme of memory, thus arguing that imagination does not distorted memory in animation, but create a role as a form of embellishment for the film to help memory. Fredrick Bartlett is a British psychologist from Cambridge University, based on his book Remembering (1932) that focused on how people made sense of what was being remembered. The concept of schema or schemata (plural) is to understand the key factors that affect the thinking process. (Wagoner) Other words, someone’s ability to solve problemsRead MoreLiterary Criticism : The Free Encyclopedia 7351 Words   |  30 Pagesnovel is sometimes used interchangeably with Bildungsroman, but its use is usually wider and less technical. The birth of the Bildungsroman is normally dated to the publication of Wilhelm Meister s Apprenticeship by Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1795–96,[8] or, sometimes, to Christoph Martin Wieland s Geschichte des Agathon of 1767.[9] Although the Bildungsroman arose in Germany, it has had extensive influence first in Europe and later throughout the world. Thomas Carlyle translated Goethe’s novel

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Growing up in a World where Chasing Money is what Matters

Growing up we never really find out what the future holds in store for us while we live in a world where chasing dreams is a luxury and money is all that matters in a one sided world. Growing up in a world where chasing money is all that matters by men whose pockets, turn to barrels filled riches and the men who chase happiness are fools. What’s the level of getting a hefty paying career if the ease of my life I reckon upon it in misery and discontentment. Doctor, Lawyer, working in a corporate position as a CEO maybe even a scientist. Directing is my love and the drive that will keep me going even though it wasnt always like that for years before my first taste of engineering, I was depressed, frightened, and lost I didnt know what I wanted to make out. I didnt know what to do, I feel unmotivated doing school work or work out, I arrived at a massive amount of weight before I received it I was failing high school while weighing 350 pounds. I started drama in my sophomore yea r of high school, I fell in love with theater it became a big part of my life I loved witnessing how a person can immerse themselves and become a different person, animal, or even a thing. I had found a new determination in life I wanted to become an actor I wanted to be the next new name in shining lights winning Oscars and academy awards, but as time went along I saw acting wasnt really my thing. I was an okay actor and I knew I wouldnt cook it in Hollywood as an actor. Depression sets in my lifeShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem The American Dream 1071 Words   |  5 Pagessuccessful by doing what you love. So my idea is supported by connecting to Sam Walton and Jay –Z profiles/interviews. The interview says no matter how hard you had it growing up, you can still conquer anything if you work hard enough and put your mind to it. This is the same as the visual image of the homeless person in the trunk this, tells the reader you can come from nothing and build and work towards your dreams and goals. My thesis is Jay –Z and Sam Walton has different views on what the AmericanRead MoreMy Dream Essay709 Words   |  3 Pages Growing up in Jersey City, life was harsh and difficult. Those difficulties transformed me into the person I am today. No one is more hardworking than my dad who worked an insane amount of hours almost everyday just so my brother and I can live a comfortable life. As a child I failed to understand the value of money and work ethic needed to become a billionaire. My dream was simple: make money, live on a beach, and not worry about a single thing. On April 26th, I missed school and visited my dad’sRead MoreChasing Halley s Comet : The Comet854 Words   |  4 PagesChasing Halley’s Comet Halley’s Comet crosses the Earth’s skies every 75 years. 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The three companiesRead MoreEssay on Media Impacts and College Life1485 Words   |  6 Pagesfemale growing up in a media-crazed age, I am deeply troubled and affected by the medias support of the thin ideology. I am a classic example of the medias impact on females and the downward spiral of self-satisfaction. Being present in the center of college life, I am in the midst of the hormonal sea of students. Whether its at class or watching the sorority and fraternity kids run around during rush week, there is always chasing for approval between the sexes. A day doesnt go by where I dont

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Availability of Medical Foods and Dietary †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Availability of Medical Foods and Dietary. Answer: Introduction: During early 1900s, Sir Archibald Garrod realised that the genetic disease in human results from certain enzymatic deficiency. The enzymatic deficiency results from the recessive traits which are inherited in a Mendelian manner. Such inherited human diseases are known as Inborn Error of Metabolism, the term coined by Sir Archibald Garrod. One of the first diseases that were studied under the banner of Inborn Errors of Metabolism is Alkaptonuria or Phenylketonuria (PKU) (Voet and Voet, 2012). Phenylketonuria is one of most studies disease under the domain of Inborn Errors of Metabolism. It is disease which occurs as a result of deficiency of an enzyme known as homogenetisate dioxygenase. Homogentisate dioxygenase is an important enzyme involved in the pathway of phenylalanine catabolism. Deficiency of the enzyme Homogentisate dioxygenase prevents the breakdown of homogenetic acid, an intermediate of the phenyl alanine catabolism pathway, to dissociate into Maleylacetoacetate. This un dissociated homogenetic acid or homogentisate gets excreted through urine. Urine with high concentration of homogenetic acid exhibit black colouration and hence the disease is also known as alkaptonuria (black) or phenylketonuria (since resulting out of faulty phenyl alanine catabolism) (Voet and Voet, 2012). Classic PKU results from the deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). PAH is the first enzyme involved in the phenylalanine break down and it converts Phenylalanine into Tyrosine. Victims suffering from classic PKU have lighter skin and hair colour in comparison to their siblings. This is due to the fact that tyrosine hydroxylation, the first reaction involved in the pathway of black pigment skin formation (melanine) is inhibited by the elevated levels of phenylalanine (Voet and Voet, 2012). Serial Number Name of the Enzymes 1 Phenylalanine hydroxylase 2 Aminotransferase 3 Para hydroxy phenylpyruvate dioxygenase 4 Homogentisate dioxygenase 5 Maleylacetoacetate isomerase 6 Fumaryl acetoacetate Table: List of Enzymes Involved in Phenylalanine Degradation Source: Created by author Clinical Findings on Phenylketonuria Source Key Findings Brief Explanation (Voet and Voet, 2012) Black coloration of urine along with arthiritis The persons who are suffering from Alkaptoniria are known as Alkaptonurics. They suffer no ill effects. However, they encounter severe arthritis during the later stages of their life. Moreover, their urine darkening increases at an alarming rate because of the rapid oxidation of homogenetic acid excreted in urine under the contact of atmospheric oxygen. (Voet and Voet, 2012) Mental Retardation and Excess of Phenylalanine in blood Severe mental retardation occurs during few months after birth if the disease is not detected and treated immediately. PKU is an inability to hydroxylate phenylalanine. The patients who are suffering from PKU have increased levelof blood phenylalanine or a condition known as hyperphenylalaninemia. The excess of phenylalanine is transaminated to phenylpyruvate. This high concentration of phenylalanine in blood leads to brain dysfunction Prick, Hop and Duvekot, 2012 Phenylketonuria in pregnant mothers Untreated hyperphenylalaninemia or phenylketonuria during pregnancy may result in the generation of nonphenylketonuric offspring. However, neonatal sequelae, suffers from microcephaly (protruding of the forehead), intellectual disability and congenital heart disease (CHD). Microcephaly or facial dysmorphism is evident during the first trimester of pregnancy of women with high blood concentration of phenylalanine. A proper dietary supplement to control phenylalanine concentrations can prevent this unwanted outcome among the new born. Starting treatment before conception is one of the most recommended way to fight back against this sequelae condition. Ghaziuddin and Al-Owain, 2013 Phenylketonuria results in mental dysfunction Phenylketonuria results in mental dysfunction like autism. Autism is a special spectrum of mental disorder that is characterized by high rate of social communicative deficits with restricted interests. It is rare disease occurring in about only 1% of the total population.Apart from phenylketonuria, glucose-6posphate deficiency has also been found responsible for this disease. Glucose 6-phosphate deficiency is another disease that falls under the category of inborn errors of metabolism. de Groot et al., 2013 Phenylketonuria causes cognitive brain impairment Elevated blood concentration of phenylalanine (Phe) in phenylketonuria (PKU), are thought to impair the entire transportation pathway of large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) from blood stream to the neurons of the brain. This impairment is thought to underlie the complex cognitive deficits which are common in PKU. PKU also causes reduced cerebral protein synthesis thus leading to further mental impairment. Therapy and Treatment of this Disorder Infant screening technique due to the detection of high levels phenyl alanine in blood have led to the elucidation of the deficiency of the enzyme 5,6,7,8tetrahydrobiopetrin (BH4) and PAH co-factor. In such cases, patient are externally supplied with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyalanine (L-DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan. These are the metabolic precursor of the neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin. Since tryptophan hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, the PAH homologs that produce these psychological amines require BH4 as an important cofactor. But adding BH4 alone is not enough as BH4 is largely unstable and fail to cross the blood vein barrier, restricting the chances of effective treatment (Voet and Voet, 2012; Leuretet al., 2012). In most of the cases, where the patients suffers from PKU due to the deficiency of PAH enzyme, all the tyrosine breakdown enzymes are found within the normal limits. In such cases, the treatment involves, low phenyl alanine diet along with period monitoring of phenyl alanine in blood while ensuring that it remains within the normal level during first 5 to 10 years of life. The adverse effect of hyper phenylalanineinemia tends to disappear after that age. Protein like meat, fish, eggs and dairy products are excluded from the diet plan of PKU patients. The standard diet of PKU patient is rich in low protein natural food like fruits, vegetables and cereals. This type of special dietary regime provides low polysaturated fatty acids and cholesterols. Vitamins like folates, A, C, D, E and B2, B6, B12 along with carnitine taurine, iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, are deficient in the paediatric population suffering from PKU due to the low protein content in their diet. Thus, patients with PKU require long-term dietary counselling and daily external supplement of micronutrients (Giovannini at al., 2012; Campet al., 2012). Mental retardation of facaial malformation of the offsprings arising out of the phenylketonuric mother can be effectively prevented via maintaining the blood concentration of phenylalanine. The estimate range of phenylalanine must stay in between 120 to 300 micro mole per litre. Such restricted phenyl alanine range can only be obtained via providing the mother with phenylalanine restricted diet (Teissier et al., 2012). Problems with Curing of the Disease Providing dietary supplements and giving external supply of enzyme is the only way out in the pathway of treating inborn errors of metabolism like PKU. Since the problem lies in the genetic level (recessive faulty gene) complete cure of the disease via a directed therapeutic approach is not possible. The genetic back of the metabolic pathway remains the same. The only way out is to reduce the high concentration of phenylalanine in blood in order to fight back against mental retardation and other associated problems producing debilitating outcomes during childhood. Moreover, at time PKU is not directly expressed in the offspring but they show certain kind of mental retardation which is common with the parents who have a recessive gene for PKU. In that case, if the proper treatment of the expecting mother with low phenylalanine diet is the only way out to restrict the possible chances of disease manifestation in an indirect way (Hennermann et al., 2012). Metabolic pathways can be defined as a series of enzymatic reactions occurs in a sequence based manner to produce specific end products. The intermediates or the reactants which are produced in the middle of the enzymatic reaction are known as metabolites. Since the body of any organism like humans is an interconnected array of several metabolites such that it is body of human or rather say mammals has been biochemically designed with several metabolic pathways. Metabolism can further be sub divided into two separate pathways namely Catabolism and anabolism (Voet and Voet, 2012). Catabolism: Catabolism is known as the degradation pathway. In this pathway, the nutrients are broken down into is smaller constituents via exergonic process (evolution of energy) in order to salvage the components and to generate free energy (mostly ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate) (Voet and Voet, 2012). Anabolism: Anabolism on the other hand is defined as bio synthesis pathway. In this pathway, the biomolecules unite to give rise to the final completed product (Voet and Voet, 2012). The free energy which is released via the process of catabolism is utilised in the anabolism. The energy is conserved via the synthesis of ATP from ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and Phoshate molecule. At times energy synthesis also occurs via the synthesis of the coenzyme NADP+ (Nucleoside Adenosine DiPhosphate) or NADPH. Thus ATP and NADPH are the two major energy source available to aid the anabolic pathways (Voet and Voet, 2012). Metabolic pathways are characterized to be exergonic in nature (reserviour of large negative free energy) and irreversible. The irreversibility of the process means, each pathway once started must proceed up to its completion since free negative energy is spontaneous. Moreover, it the two metabolites are interconvertible, the pathways from the first step tp the second step must differ from the pathway from the second step to the back (towards the first step). This is due to the fact that metabolite 1 when converted into metabolite 2, it undergoes via exergonic process. But the conversion into metabolite 2 back to metabolite 1 requires that very supply of the free energy in order to carry the reaction against the hill. Every metabolic pathway has a first committed step, if the pathway pass through that committed step then it is bound to reach up to its end product. This is due to the fact that, although most metabolic pathways are reversible, the majority of their component reactions functions close to equilibrium. All metabolic pathways are regulated and in eukaryotes, each metabolic pathway occurs in specific cellular location (Voet and Voet, 2012). Organelle Function Mitochondria Amino Acid breakdown, electron transport chain, fatty acid oxidation, citric acid cycle Cytosol Glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis Nucleus DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing Table: Cellular Location of Specific Metabolic Pathway Source: Created by author Metabolic Breakdown of Amino Acids The degradation of amino acids converts them into citric acid cycle intermediates or any other precursor products. While inside the citric acid cycle they are metabolised into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) or is used in the process of gluconeogeneisis. The oxidative break down of the amino acids via the catabolic pathway amounts to about 10 to 15 percentage of the total metabolic energy generated by the animals (Voet and Voet, 2012). Glucogeneic amino acids whose carbon skeletons are degraded into pyruvate, alpha ketoglutarate, succinyl coA or oxaloacetate are therefore salvaged into glucose precursors. Ketogenic amino acids on the other hand, whose carbon skeletons are broken down into acetyl CoA or acetoacetate are converted into ketone bodies or fatty acids. For example, alanine, the simplest form of amino acids is glucongenic in nature. It is transaminated into pyruvate and can be further be converted into glucose via the process of gluconeogenesis. Leucine is a ketogenic amino acid. The carbon skeleton of leucine is converted into acetyl coA and acetoacetate. Since animals do not have any specific metabolic pathway to convert acetyl coA or acetoacetate into gluconeogenic precursor, no synthesis of carbohydrate is feasible from the breakdown of these two amino acids (lysine and luceine) and hence the are known as true ketogenic amino acids. Isoleucine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptofan and tyrosine are both glucogenic and ketogenic. For example, isoleucine is simultaneously broken down via the process of catabolism into succinyl coA and acetyl coA and hence can be regarded as a precursor of both carbohydrate and ketone bodies (Voet and Voet, 2012). References Camp, K.M., Lloyd-Puryear, M.A. and Huntington, K.L., 2012. Nutritional treatment for inborn errors of metabolism: indications, regulations, and availability of medical foods and dietary supplements using phenylketonuria as an example.Molecular genetics and metabolism,107(1), pp.3-9. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096719212002612. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] de Groot, M.J., Hoeksma, M., Reijngoud, D.J., de Valk, H.W., Paans, A.M., Sauer, P.J. and van Spronsen, F.J., 2013. Phenylketonuria: reduced tyrosine brain influx relates to reduced cerebral protein synthesis.Orphanet journal of rare diseases,8(1), p.133. https://ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1750-1172-8-133[Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Ghaziuddin, M. and Al-Owain, M., 2013. Autism spectrum disorders and inborn errors of metabolism: an update.Pediatric neurology,49(4), pp.232-236. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887899413003433 [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Giovannini, M., Verduci, E., Salvatici, E., Paci, S. and Riva, E., 2012. Phenylketonuria: nutritional advances and challenges.Nutrition metabolism,9(1), p.7. Available at https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-7075-9-7. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Hennermann, J.B., Roloff, S., Gebauer, C., Vetter, B., von Arnim-Baas, A. and Mnch, E., 2012. Long-term treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin in phenylketonuria: treatment strategies and prediction of long-term responders.Molecular Genetics and Metabolism,107(3), pp.294-301. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096719212003629 [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Leuret, O., Barth, M., Kuster, A., Eyer, D., De Parscau, L., Odent, S., Gilbert-Dussardier, B., Feillet, F. and Labarthe, F., 2012. Efficacy and safety of BH4 before the age of 4 years in patients with mild phenylketonuria.Journal of inherited metabolic disease,35(6), pp.975-981. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10545-012-9464-3[Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Nelson, D.L., 2013. i Cox, MM" Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry"(2013). Prick, B.W., Hop, W.C. and Duvekot, J.J., 2012. Maternal phenylketonuria and hyperphenylalaninemia in pregnancy: pregnancy complications and neonatal sequelae in untreated and treated pregnancies.The American journal of clinical nutrition,95(2), pp.374-382. Available at https://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/95/2/374.short. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Teissier, R., Nowak, E., Assoun, M., Mention, K., Cano, A., Fouilhoux, A., Feillet, F., Ogier, H., Oger, E., De Parscau, L. and AFDPHE (Association Franaise pour le Dpistage et la Prvention des Handicaps de lEnfant, 2012. Maternal phenylketonuria: low phenylalaninemia might increase the risk of intra uterine growth retardation.Journal of inherited metabolic disease,35(6), pp.993-999. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887899413003433. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2017] Voet JG, Voet D. Donald E. Nicholson, 19162012. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2012 Jul 1;40(4)

Monday, December 2, 2019

On The First Day Of November In 1755, Which Is Regarded As All Saints

On the first day of November in 1755, which is regarded as All Saints Day, in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, a pernicious earthquake struck the city and killed nearly fifteen thousand people. The survivors of this catastrophe began searching for an explanation of this event. Since this catastrophe occurred at the very time when Western thinkers were beginning to question the traditional idea that everything was an act of God and attempted to discover logical reasons for every event that occurred, it seemed there would be no one better to answer the survivors questions than enlightened intellectuals such as Voltaire, Diderot, Hume, and DHolbach. These philosophes typically believed that the earthquake was not an act of God. Several other respected figures of the eighteenth century expressed their ideas about the disaster, including a Roman Catholic priest, Gabriel Malagrida, a Jesuit, and John Wesley, who was an influential English Protestant leader. The ideas expressed in Mala gridas pamphlet (Doc.1) and Wesleys sermon (Doc. 2) can be conceived as old-fashioned when compared to those expressed by the philosophes. Malagrida and Wesley attempt to explain the earthquake by claiming it was an act of God against the sinful people, and do not use any scientific logic or reasoning whatsoever. In Gabriel Malagridas pamphlet, entitled An Opinion on the True Cause of the Earthquake, he condemns the people of Lisbon and claims that it was their sins that caused the earthquake. the cause of death of so many peopleand of the flamesare your abominable sins, (Doc. 1). He also deems it scandalous (Doc.1) to believe that the event was of natural causes. These ideas are not taken with surprise, since Malagrida was a devout Catholic Jesuit. The Catholic church was the leading opposition towards the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century. They were against any scientific discoveries and believed that everything was and always would be an act of God, and that logic and reasoning were heretic. These views are shown in Malagridas pamphlet, where he not only claims that it was not a natural event, but that it would be foolish to think that it was. Another deeply religious individual, John Wesley, also attempted to explain the event according to his religious views, in his sermon Some Serious Thoughts Occasioned by the Late Earthquake at Lisbon. Wesley also condemns the people of Lisbon (like Malagrida), and begins by citing examples of great losses of life up until the event occurred, and claimed that the earthquake was just like the others. He believes that God has begun to take vengeance upon the people for their sins, and states that the people of Lisbon are barbaric, which makes Lisbon the perfect place for God to strike. If so, it is not surprising, he should begin there, where so much blood has been poured on the ground like water!as well as barbarous manner, (Doc. 2) Wesley speaks of the blood in reference to the Portuguese Inquisition, an attempt by the Catholics to rid Portugal of heretics. He also states that if the people believe in God, then they should believe that the earthquake was an act of God. It is not surpr ising that Wesley believes that God meant for the event to happen, since he is a devout Protestant preacher, and was against the Catholic church and its reforms, but it is somewhat surprising that he feels this way towards the event since the Protestants in the eighteenth century were typically pro-science. In many ways, it is not surprising that the ideas expressed in the documents by Gabriel Malagrida and John Wesley, who were both deeply religious, conformed to the views of their respected religions at the time. Malagrida, a Jesuit, was against all forms of scientific reason and logic and believed everything was determined by God, and Wesley, a Protestant, was opposed to the Catholics and their Inquisition that occurred in Lisbon, and stated that God was taking his vengeance upon them.