Thursday, November 28, 2019

A View From The Bridge Essays - A View From The Bridge,

A View from the Bridge After reading Arthur Miller's play "A view from the bridge," I am convinced that the most striking character is Marco. He is an Italian immigrant that moved illegally to the United States with his brother Rodolpho to work as longshoremen, since at the time (the play was written in 1955) his country of origin, Italy, was going through a major economic depression because of the outcome of World War II. In the play, we are told that Marco's plan is to make enough money to survive and be able to send some of that money to his wife and his three kids back in Italy, who are starving. Marco physically resembles the Sicilian stereotype, with dark skin and dark hair. He is also very strong and he could easily "load the whole ship by himself."(pg.541) In this play, the author uses plot, dialog, actions and symbolism to emphasize Marco's honor which, in my opinion, is his prominent characteristic. Throughout the play, we can clearly see that the plot helps us develop Marco's character in our imagination. For example, he is an illegal alien, and this might give the reader a less honorable view of him, and it might justify Eddie's action. But the fact that Marco left his family to give them support and to save his oldest son who is "sick in the chest," (pg. 535) makes the reader forget about his illegal stay and makes his status rise to the one of a hero. In this play, Marco's actions lead us to the discovery of a violent side which he uses to defend his honor in a number of occasions. For example, when he challenges Eddie to lift the chair at the end of the first act, we understand that he did it to save his brother's face and his family's honor. In addition, the killing of Eddie by Marco's own hands at the end of the play, is the final display of his character. Marco's character is definitely expressed more by his actions than by his words. He is very strong, and he is obviously aware of that, but doesn't like to show it in words, or brag about it. In fact, when Eddie was making fun of his brother Rodolpho, instead of replying to him in words, he chose to use his strenght to get his point across by lifting the chair. In addition, Marco doesn't talk about his family much; instead, he works as hard as he can, and that is enough to show everybody how much he cares about them. As a final insult to Eddie, Marco chooses to spit in his face in front of everybody. This is because in the Italian culture, that act is considered as an extreme expression of anger toward a person, and it is rarely left without punishment. In addition, the action of going to the church before facing Eddie shows us that he is very religious and cares about his soul. Marco is a very honorable man and believes in his tradition, and the author shows us that through a number of symbols. For example, spitting on Eddie's face once he realizes that Eddie turned him and his brother to the police is a symbol of disgust and revolt for Eddie's actions. In addition, at the end of the play, we are told that Marco went to church before going to talk to Eddie. This action tells us that Marco is ready to give up his life and commit a mortal sin to defend his honor, because what Eddie has done, the breaking of the "omerta'", the breaking of trust, is something that in his culture must never be left unpunished. Throughout the first act of the play, Marco is only referred as a flat character and the only time we are really aware his persona and his strength is at the end of the first act, when he lifts a chair over his head and makes it seem like a challenge to Eddie, as a response for mocking Rodolpho. But only in the second act his character is fully exposed and we see his image transform into a round character. In this play, Marco is portrayed as

Monday, November 25, 2019

Punk Profile Essays - Australian Culture, Punk Subculture

Punk Profile Essays - Australian Culture, Punk Subculture Punk Profile As a kid around the age of 15, I was lost and confused. I knew that I didn't have it all together, and everywhere I looked people acted as if they did. My thoughts and ideas would change day to day as I talked to one person and then the next. I needed a concrete feeling. I tried going to church and finding a release through God, but I was unable to believe. I tried looking at all my friends, but they were all naive, so I turned to music. Music has become my religion, it clearly defines the questions I have no answers to. I found that everything that irritated me also irritated the people in the bands I started listening to. People label this type of music as "punk." "Punk" is defined in Webster's New World Dictionary as "a loud, fast, and deliberately offensive style of rock music," and it defines "a punk" as "a) a young hoodlum b) a young person regarded as inexperienced, insignificant, etc. 1[slang] poor; inferior." That is the worst misinterpretation I have ever come across. The members of many punk bands have gone to college and are quite intellectual. Intellect is the basis of a punk attitude. Punk is about change, and as defined by the band, Propagandhi, "The basis of change: educate!/Derived from discussion, not hate, not myth, not muscle, not etiquette./ Intellect, not 're-elect!' Status symbols yield to respect between sex, species, environment...yup!" (Propagandhi, "Hate, Myth, Muscle, Etiquette"). Punk songs aren't about going out and doing drugs, breaking things, and harassing people, they are about life, life as a kid. And since I'm "not really understanding what it takes to be a man, I think I'll stay a kid while I can" (Assorted Jelly Beans, "Plain Life"). It gives people permission to act 18 when they are 50. Punk lifestyles are full of a positive energy that many people lose when they "grow up." Existing as a punk takes the concepts of being an adult and combines them with being a kid. The result is a much simpler and entertaining life. The first issue that punk music covered for me was religion. I felt like everyone had some higher power to look to when things didn't work out, everyone but me. I couldn't conform myself to the ideas of a higher power because the interpretations of reality that brings seem so dillusional to me. There appears to be so many unheard truths in lyrics like, "They say I shouldn't commit no crime/cos Jesus Christ is watching all the time,/ so what, so what./ So what if he's always over my shoulder./ I realize the truth as I get older/. I get to see what a con it is, because it's my life,/ mine, not his" (Crass, "So What"). I always felt that if there was an almighty and pure God that He/She would not make rules like "obey no God other than me." Where does that leave everyone raised under any other religion? A child in India will most likely be raised as a Buddhist or some religion other than Christianity. It is not their fault that they don't follow the Christian God, especially if they haven't heard of the Christian God. I don't see the sense in a all powerful God who shows less sensitivity to people who don't ultimately have the choice of who they follow. Furthermore, any God that is supposedly for the good of mankind should be more concerned with the moral actions of mankind than their preferences of faith . And how could a Savior expect to be worshipped by everyone under the circumstances of today's world. Life isn't fair, so how does that play into an equal religion for all? Hearing the song "No" by the Subhumans brings this thought to an all new reality. The lead singer claims, "No, I don't believe in Jesus Christ./ My mother died of cancer when I was five./ No, I don't believe in religion./ I was forced to go to church and I wasn't told why." At one time I felt alone with these ideas, all my family and friends followed the God in which I was detached. I felt like I was doing something terribly wrong, like I had to conform. But when I started hearing these same thoughts in punk music for the first time I felt secure in my own disbeliefs. "Beliefs are dangerous./

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Application of Bowan's Strategy Clock Used To Assist Organization Essay

The Application of Bowan's Strategy Clock Used To Assist Organization in Making Strategic Choices - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that achieving a competitive advantage over rivals is perhaps the most important business strategy that business houses wish to achieve. In almost every industry including the retail sector, competition among rivals is very high. According to the views of Michael Porter, there are primarily three different strategies that are employed by organizations, namely product differentiation, cost leadership and market segmentation. Michael Porter’s generic strategies have been widely debated over exact meanings of the terms proposed by him. It was for this reason that the strategic clock model developed by Bowman and Faulkner has been widely employed to describe ways in which a firm can have the competitive advantage over its rivals. Tesco is the third largest retail store chain globally and the largest in Britain. The origin of the business can be traced back to 1929 when the first store was opened in Britain. In less than thirty years from commencing its operation, Tesco had become one of the most prominent food retailers in entire U.K. Since the 1990s, the company had begun venturing out of U.K. as well as diversifying the products offered. Presently, the company operates in 12 countries across three continents, namely North America, Europe and Asia. During its initial days of operation, Tesco had focused on aspects of grocery retailing. However, with time, the business had expanded from food retailing to include a wide range of products and services. Some of the products and services offered by Tesco include retailing of electronics, books, clothing, petrol, and furniture. The services offered include renting out of DVDs, financial and telecom services and internet services. Tesco had showcased innovation not only in types of product offerings but also by developing the new concept of stores. Some of the diversified store structures that have been introduced by the organization over time include Tesco Metro stores specifically to meet requirements of local shoppers based in metropolitan areas; and Tesco Express, which is a petrol station based store for the convenience of customers.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

All these museum pieces of the once-proud native Americans Essay

All these museum pieces of the once-proud native Americans - Essay Example All these museum pieces of the once-proud native Americans It is the equivalent of celebrating something that belonged to a bygone era when these tribes ruled vast areas of America, from the beginning of time to eternity but it was destined to be that way. The museums seem to be an effort by white men to expiate themselves of their sins in dispossessing these people of their ancient lands that had belonged to their ancestors. Once mighty and proud warriors have been reduced to living in reservations as if they have to be segregated on their own land and sometimes eking out a living on marginal land. A case in point would be the native American Indians in California. They had 300,000 people of different tribes when the first Spanish settlers, soldiers and priests first arrived in the area around 1769. In fact, California had the densest pre-Columbian population anywhere that is north of Mexico yet this almost disappeared by the turn of the twentieth century, less than 20,000 were left, an almost unspeakable tragedy caused by disease, wars and exploitation. The rapid population decrease led to the disappearance of around 500 distinct tribes (Margolin, 1993) and along with them their way of life, their songs and dances, customs about courtship, marriage, adolescence and growing old. Also lost were their prescribed burning practices that honors their environment, preventing degradation through siltation, floods and landslides.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Media empire and cultural entrepeneurs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Media empire and cultural entrepeneurs - Essay Example The point is that U.S. media has increasingly transformed into an institution, which undermines the fundamental principles of democracy, functioning in the interests of a narrow group, not the general public. To express this fast-changing picture, they should act through the established basic institutions; moreover, these institutions must be different. The most important institutions, which impact on the formation of our understanding of the real social world is very strong, are â€Å"newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books and movies† (Bagdikian, 1983). In view of the system, that our perception of the world is formed under the persistent influence of the likes and dislikes, it seems that it very important to write about them. The content of the information activities of the newspapers and television stations depends on considerations of purely commercial nature, which determine its constant focus on the interests of large business, advertisers, and how far it is fro m the satisfaction of genuine interests of the U.S. population, wishing to obtain objective and comprehensive information (Bagdikian, 1983). Currently, â€Å"there is the age of the convergence of music production, creation, distribution, exhibition and presentation† (Sen, 2010). The unknown musicians have a great power to become famous thanks to their fans and self-promotion. The modern Media Empire has transcended the traditional borders and now, being pushed by digital technologies; it brings in new musicians, creates new artists and unites a great army of fans with a high speed. Online Media Empire has become more democratic and there is a chance for everybody to become a full participant of it: â€Å"Music has been the force which could cut across cultures and transcend borders. With a huge push from the digital technology, music is zipping around the world at the speed of light bringing musicians, fans and cultures together† (Sen, 2010). In accordance with the wr iter in Wired magazine: â€Å"Dragged down by its own bulk and ripped apart by therebellious energy of the file-sharing revolution, the recording industry hit rock bottom. That was three years ago. Today signs of renewal are everywhere: amazing technologies, smart business models, even ringtones as hit singles. The best part? An explosion of creativity from artists and fans alike. Rock on† (Sen, 2010). An explosion of creativity from artists can be compared to cultural entrepreneurship. The musical industry brings in great profits and there is a need to eliminate stereotypes of the necessity of almighty parents and all other staff as integrative components of being famous. The newly created bands and artists have opposed to illegal file sharing downloads on the Internet. Nevertheless, a flow of illegal downloads has increased a popularity of unknown artists and it would be wrong to prevent young artists from self-promotion-free-of-charge. Music is a spirit of a modern life. I t is fast and over existent. It sounds from our IPhones and is an integrative part of the life of a modern citizen. The social networks and sites of free music â€Å"transcend some of the traditional barriers that the entrenched music industry implemented, consequently musicians and artists now feel free and unencumbered by institutional constraints. Artists and bands are now in a position to regain control† (Devitt, 2010). Therefore, it is at the artist’

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Synthesis of Isatin Based Caspase Inhibitors

Synthesis of Isatin Based Caspase Inhibitors DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF ISATIN BASED CASPASE INHIBITORS FOR RUTHENIUM CAGING APPLICATIONS KASUN CHINTHAKA RATNAYAKE ABSTRACT Apoptosis is the energy dependent programmed cell death. Improper function of apoptosis could lead to diseases such as cancers, strokes, alziemer’s disease. Caspases are the enzymes involved in the later stage of this process. Peptidyl and non-peptidyl caspase inhibitors have been synthesized recently. One of these non-peptidyl compound classes which consist of pyrrolidinyl-5-sulfo isatins have showed a greater potency against executioner caspases, caspase-3 and -7. According to literature and for further caging studies, two compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated their inhibition against caspase-3 in this study. The analog in which its N-1 position alkylated with a 4-methyl pyridine moiety (7) showed a higher inhibition than the analog in which its N-1 alkylated with cyanoethyl group (8). Thus, the compound  7  was selected for further caging studies with ruthenium. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Apoptosis and Caspases Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death. This is a significant cellular process which is directly co-related with embryogenesis, immune system, ageing and various diseases including cancers, stroke, myocardial infarction and neurodegenerative disorders.1 Caspases (cysteinyl dependent aspartate directed specific proteases) are the enzymes involved in the later stage of apoptosis. Caspases are divided to different classes according to their role played in the signaling cascade of apoptosis. Caspases 6, 8, 9 and 10 are involved as initiators and caspases 2, 3 and 7 are identified as executioner caspases in the signaling cascade.2The caspases 1, 4 and 5 are found to be non-active in the cell death process. 1.2 Caspase inhibition and modified isatin sulfonamides as caspase inhibitors Caspases play a significant role in both inflammation and apoptosis. Extensive researches have been conducted on caspases and their functions because they act as potential targets in drug discovery. Various inhibitors of Caspase have been made. These inhibitors could be categorized as non-peptidyl and peptidyl based compounds. A greater selectivity could be achieved when non-peptidyl inhibitors are used for different types of caspases. Isatin sulfonamides have showed inhibition on executioner caspases (caspase-3 and -7) in recent studies. In 2000, Lee and researchers reported the x-ray structure of caspase-3 with an isatin analog, 1-methyl-5-(2-phenoxymethyl-pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-1h-indole-2,3-dione (a) bound to the active site of the enzyme (Figure 1).3 Modifying isatin sulfonamide analogues with pyrrolidine groups have shown significant effect on caspase inhibition.4 For example, various pyrrolidinyl-5-sulfo isatins have been shown inhibition to caspases, 3 and 7 (Figure 2). These isatin sulfonamide analogs are modified using structure activity relationships and performed these biological assays. The following isatin sulfonamides have shown to be inhibit caspase-3. The stereochemistry of substituted pyrrolidine moiety, cyclic vs acyclic ring structures and ring sizes have been examined for these inhibition studies (figure 3).5 1.3 Ruthenium complexes for caging applications Ruthenium compounds have been reported as significant candidates for caging applications. Light activation of these metal complexes has been extensively studied. Recently, neuroactive biomolecules as well as small molecular enzyme inhibitors have been reported to be caged with these ruthenium complexes. Spatial and temporal release of these caged molecules upon light activation gives insight to develop new tools that could be used to treat various diseases in biological systems. In this study Ruthenium polypyridyl compounds are used in future studies since they have been considered as excellent candidates for caging application of small molecules. Chapter 2: Results and Data 2.1 General considerations All reagents were purchased from commercial suppliers and used as received. Varian FT-NMR Mercury-400 Spectrometer was used to record all NMR spectra. IR spectra were recorded on High resolution mass spectra were recorded on.Melting points were recorded on .Enzyme inhibition assays were done on 2.2 Designing of Caspase inhibitors Recent studies show that various 5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl isatins act as caspase-3 inhibitors. Several factors were considered in the designing process of these analogs. First, higher caspase inhibition was considered. Use of specific stereochemistry in the pyrrolidine moiety is important since S-alkoxypyrrolidine is more potent than its R-stereoisomer which shows almost no potency against caspase-3. It is reported that methoxymethyl pyrrolidinyl analogs show higher cell toxicity than phenoxymethyl pyrrolidines, thus methoxymethyl pyrrolidine analogs were chosen for further studies. When considering the Ruthenium caging studies, the chosen analogs should contain a group which has a higher binding affinitiy towards Ruthenium. Therefore, pyridyl and cyano groups were selected to incorporate in these isatin sulfonamide analogs. These groups are chosen to be attached to N-1 position of isatin sulfonamide analog. It has been reported that higher alkyl chain on N-1 position could increase th e inhibition. Therefore 4-methylpyridine and cyanoethyl groups were selected to attach on N-1 position of these analogs and compounds 7 and 8 are designed (Figure 3). 2.3 Synthesis of designed isatin sulfonamide analogs The designed analogs were synthesized using literature and modified procedures5, 6, 7 (Scheme 1). The compound 5 was synthesized as the precursor for the final analogs 7 and 8. The compounds 7 and 8 were synthesized using modified and optimized procedures (Scheme 2 and Scheme 3). 2.4 Enzyme Inhibition Assay Caspase-3 inhibition assay was performed for compounds 6 and 7 according to the literature procedure.2 Compound 6 was found to be more potent (IC50 = .. ) of than compound 7 (IC50 = ..). Thus, compound 6 was selected for further caging studies with Ruthenium bipyridine complexes. 2.5 Experimental 2.5.1 Sodium 2,3-dioxoindoline-5-sulfonate (1) Isatin (10 g, 0.068 mol) was added carefully to a stirred solution of 20% SO3/H2SO4 (20 mL) at -15 °C. The reaction mixture was gently warmed up to 70  °C with stirring. Reaction mixture was stirred at 70  °C for another 15-20 min. The reaction mixture was carefully poured on to crushed ice and let ice to melt and then 20% NaOH was added to the reaction mixture (pH=7). The flask containing reaction mixture was kept in an ice bath to induce precipitation of the desired product. The solid was filtered, washed with ice-cold water and dried to give red-orange crystalline solid. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 14.48 g (0.051 mol. 75%) 2.5.2 2,3-dioxoindoline-5-sulfonyl chloride (2) Sodium 2,3-dioxoindoline-5-sulfonate dihydrate (2 g, 70 mmol) was dissolved in tetramethylene sulfone (10 mL) under Argon environment at 60-70  °C and phosphorus oxychloride (3.36 mL, ) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and kept in an ice bath. Then ice-cold water was added to the reaction mixture carefully. A precipitate was formed, filtered, washed with ice-cold water and dried used without further purification. The desired compound is yielded as a bright yellow solid. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 1.58 g (64 mmol, 92%). 2.5.3 Tert-butyl (S)-2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (3) To a solution of N-Boc-L-prolinol (5.0 g, 25 mmol) in THF (25 mL) at -78  °C, Sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil) (960 mg, 40.0 mmol) was added and stirred for 10 min. Then methyl iodide (2.65 mL, 42.5 mmol) was added dropwise and reaction was stirred for 4h at -78  °C and additional 16 h at RT. Then NH4Cl was added until all H2 evolved and EtOAc was added. The organic layer was washed with water and sat. NaCl, dried over anhyd. Na2SO4 and concentrated to give a pale yellow oil and purified with petroleum ether: ether (9:1) to give a colorless oil. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 4.986 g (23.16 mmol, 92%) 2.5.4 (S)-2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine (4) To a solution of tert-butyl (S)-2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (4.98 g, 23.07 mmol) in DCM (40 mL), TFA (25 mL) was added dropwise over 30 min at 0  °C. The reaction was warmed to RT and stirred for additional 1.5 h. The reaction mixture was added to 150 mL of 10% NaOH solution and extracted with DCM (50 mL x 3), dried over anhyd. Na2SO4 and concentrated to obtain a pale yellow oil. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 2.657 g (23.07 mmol, 100%) 2.5.5 (S)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)indoline-2,3-dione (5) The compound (1) was synthesized according to procedure reported by Harvan et al.1 To a stirred solution of 2,3-dioxoindoline-5-sulfonyl chloride (2 g, 8.153 mmol) in 1:1 THF/CHCl3 (80 mL), a solution of (S)-2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine (1.033 g, 8.968 mmol) and DIPEA (2.84 mL, 16.310 mmol) in CHCl3 was added dropwise under Argon environment and stirred for 1 h at 0  °C. The reaction stirred for additional 1 h at RT. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified using 1:1 EtOAc:Petroleum ether and isolated as bright yellow crystals. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 1.185 g (36.53 mmol, 45%) 2.5.6 4-(bromomethyl)pyridine hydrobromide salt (6) Pyridin-4-ylmethanol (5.0 g) was dissolved in 48% HBr (50 mL) and refluxed for 24 h. (Reaction was monitored for completion using TLC). The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo until a thick gum appeared and treated with absolute Ethanol at 5  °C. The white crystalline solid obtained was filtered and washed thoroughly with cold absolute Ethanol. The 1H-NMR data was compared and matched with literature data. Yield: 4.74 g (18.7 mmol, 41%) 2.5.7 (S)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl) pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)-1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)indoline-2,3-dione (7) To a stirred solution of (S)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)indoline-2,3-dione (1) (168 mg, 0.518 mmol) in DMF, 60% NaH in mineral oil (51.8 mg, 1.295 mmol) was added at 0  °C under Argon atmosphere. The reaction was stirred for 30 min. Then a solution of 4-Bromomethyl pyridine (130.6 mg, 0.518 mmol) in DMF was added dropwise and stirred for 4 h at 0  °C. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated NaCl (20 mLÃâ€"3). The organic layer was dried over anhyd. Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was crystallized using EtOAc:Hexanes and isolated as a yellow solid. Yield: 85.8 mg (0.207 mmol, 40%) mp = 172-174  °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): ÃŽ ´ 8.64 (d, 2H, J = 6 Hz), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.03 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.27 (d, 2H, J = 3.6 Hz), 6.83 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz), 4.99 (s, 2H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.55 (dd, 1H, J = 9.6 Hz, 4 Hz), 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): ÃŽ ´ 8.51 (d, 2H, J = ..Hz), 8.01 (d, 1H, J = Hz), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.46 (d, 2H, J = Hz), 7.07 (d, 1H, J = Hz), 4.99 (s, 2H), 3.67 (m, 1H), 3.41 (dd, 1H), 3.24 (s, 3H), 3.06 (m, 1H), 1.73 (m, 2H), 1.48 (m, 2H) 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): ÃŽ ´ 183.2, 160.8, 152.5, 150.5, 137.5, 134.9, 124.9, 122.1, 117.5, 110.8, 74.8, 59.2, 59.1, 49.3, 43.3, 28.8, 24.1 IR (ÃŽ ½max) (KBr): 3443, 2929, 2361, 2342, 1747, 1616, 1478, 1450, 1417, 1365, 1344, 1330, 1199, 1181, 1154, 1130, 1115, 1070, 1041, 994 MS (HRMS): 432 (M+Na+MeOH)+, 400 (M+Na)+ 2.5.8 (S)-3-(5-((2-(methoxymethyl) pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)propanenitrile (8) To a stirred solution of (S)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)indoline-2,3-dione (1) (200 mg, 0.620 mmol) in DMF (10 mL), KOH (4 mg, 0.062 mmol) was added and stirred for 10 min at RT. Then acrylonitrile (45  µL, 0.680 mmol) was added dropwise and stirred for 2 days under Argon environment at RT. The reaction mixture was added to H2O (30 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (20 mLÃâ€"3). The combined organic layer was washed with 10% NaCl (20 mLÃâ€"3). The organic layer was dried over anhyd. Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified with CH2Cl2: MeOH (99:1) to afford yellowish-orange solid. Yield: 63.6 mg (0.169 mmol, 27%) mp = 134-138  °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): ÃŽ ´ 8.15 (d,1H,J=Hz), 8.11(d,1H, J=.Hz), 7.18(d,1H,J=.Hz), 4.10 (t,2H,J=), 3.77(m,2H), 3.57(dd, 2H, J= Hz), 3.43(m,H), 3.40 (s,..H), 3.38(d, H, J=Hz), 3.36 (s,3H,), 3.14(m,H), 2.98,2.96,2.94, 2.86(t,2H, J=Hz), 2.04(s,..H), 1.92(m,H), 1.69 (m,.H), 1.55(s,H) 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): ÃŽ ´ 180.8, 157.8, 152.3, 137.6, 134.7, 124.9, 117.5, 116.8, 110.4, 74.8, 59.3, 59.1, 49.4, 36.8, 28.8, 24.1, 16.7 IR (ÃŽ ½max) (KBr): 3422, 2921, 2852, 2361, 2251, 1742, 1717, 1647, 1612, 1558, 1542, 1508, 1475, 1456, 1418, 1373, 1364, 1340, 1314, 1268, 1234, 1195, 1175, 1153, 1133, 1063, 1046, 991, 970, 905, 877 MS (HRMS): 470 (M+Na+MeOH)+ Chapter 3: Conclusion and Future directions The compounds 7 and 8 were both potent for caspase-3 but compound 7 show more inhibition than that of compound 8. Thus compound 7 was selected for further ruthenium caging studies. The caged ruthenium complexes could be subjected for light activation experiments where IC50 of this complex under light and dark conditions could be determined and the dark to light inhibition ratio could be explored. Then cell toxicity studies could be done in order to explore the ability of these ruthenium complexes for prevention of apoptosis in biological systems. These combined experiments and results could lead to the final goal of this research study which is the development of novel tools to prevent apoptosis in biological systems.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

J.B.Priestley’s play, An Inspector Calls :: English Literature

AN INSPECTOR CALLS COMPARE THE LIVES OF EVA SIMTH AND SHEILA BIRLING â€Å"Property is that old fashioned way of thinking of a country as a thing and a collection of things on that thing.† This quote is taken directly from J.B.Priestleys late night post scripts on BBC radio in 1940, which were banned for being to critical of the governments actions, and can be used to sum up the capitalist view perfectly. I think this quote is made from the point of view of a capitalist who believes that the old-fashioned belief is to think of property as belonging the country and its people however the new belief, his belief, is that property can belong to individual people and not to the state or its people at all, and when a person owns his own property he can run it any way he sees fit. This is a belief which Priestly continually criticizes throughout his play. An Inspector Calls was written in 1945, the year the Second World War ended, but was set in 1911. The social climate of both years was of great unrest as was many areas of industry in Britain and many strikes took place all over the country much like the strike which took place in Mr. Birling’s factory. Priestley set the play in 1911 because of the onset of the First World War and he would be able to write the play with the advantage of hindsight, he could also make Mr. Birling look bad with his portentous beliefs and his promises of no war. He may have also set the play in 1911 because at this time he was 18 years old, working as a junior clerk in a wool firm and was about to gain his first insight into the differences between the social classes. The people he met at this age encouraged him to take part in their political arguments and discussions which were soon to influence his opinions and frame the values he was to later write about. These also led to him eventually attending university already politically aware at the age of 25. By writing the play 35 years after it was set, Priestley gave his audiences the advantage of hindsight. He wanted to do something about the injustices of society, and because only the middle and upper classes could afford to go to the theatre, his audiences were exactly the kind of people he was attacking. They were witnessing their own lives on stage and for them it may not have been a very pleasant thing to see. I believe that at the time only the middle and upper classes