Republic of Kazakhstan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Republic of Kazakhstan - Essay Example The background of Kazakhstan is a unique one considering the fact that the natives were nomadic before the formation of the state(King 23). Certainly, the Kazakhs are a blend of the Mongol and Turkic ethnic groups that settled in the area around the 13th century period. Although the two tribes were nomadic in nature, they failed to unite to make one nation for many centuries up to the formation of the Soviet Union(Abdelal 56). Around the 18th century, Russians conquered and colonized the region called Kazakhstan before it finally joined the Soviet Union. Soon in the mid-20th century, agriculture became the major economic activity through which the Kazakhs derived their livelihoods(King 23). They cultivated the northern pastures that were the ‘Virgin Lands’ before the area experienced an influx of immigrants mainly from Russia. Currently, the focus of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan is to unite all tribes and ensure a stable economic and political environment through various strategies.As far as the politics of Kazakhstan is concerned, it is critical to mention that the presidential system of government accords the president executive powers. In this respect, the president is able to make sovereign decisions on behalf of Kazakhstan and its citizens, particularly on domestic and international matters. In essence, the president is the â€Å"symbol of national unity† and he or she represents the all the cultures and communities within the jurisdiction of Kazakhstan State.

Explanation of the Multistep Synthesis of Benzilic Acid Essay Example for Free

Explanation of the Multistep Synthesis of Benzilic Acid Essay The synthesis of several complex organic compounds follows a multistep synthesis. Multistep synthesis refers to the procedure in which the product of one reaction serves as the starting material in the subsequent reaction. The multistep synthesis of benzilic acid begins with a conversion benzaldehyde to benzoin through a condensation reaction. The benzoin then oxidizes into benzil, which undergoes rearrangement to give benzilic acid. Benzoin Synthesis * When two benzaldehyde molecules condense in the presence of thiamine, it leads to the formation of a molecule of benzoin. The thiamine behaves as a coenzyme catalyst. This step of the reaction involves the addition of ethanol and sodium hydroxide into an aqueous solution of thiamine hydrochloride and creating a reaction with pure benzaldehyde. When you heat this mixture to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius for about 90 minutes and then cool it in an ice bath, the benzoin crystallizes out. Recrystallization of these crystals from hot ethanol yields pure benzoin as a colorless powder. Benzil Synthesis * Benzoin undergoes oxidation in the presence of a mild oxidizing agent such as nitric acid to produce the alpha diketone known as benzil. When you heat benzoin with concentrated nitric acid using a reflux condenser, evolution of reddish brown nitrogen dioxide occurs and then stops. When you add cold water to the cooled reaction mixture, benzil precipitates out as a yellow solid. You can then recrystallize this substance from hot ethanol. 1. Benzilic Acid Synthesis * When you reflux a solution of benzil in ethyl alcohol with potassium hydroxide for 15 minutes and then cool it, it forms the carboxylate salt potassium benzilate. When you dissolve this salt in hot water in an Erlenmeyer flask and add hydrochloric acid to bring the pH down to 2, the salt becomes acidified to yield benzilic acid. Precautions * During the conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoin, you must maintain temperatures below 65 degrees Celsius to obtain benzoin. Take care when refluxing benzoin with nitric acid; the nitrogen dioxide fumes are extremely toxic and can cause lung damage. During the conversion of benzoin to benzil, some benzoin may remain unoxidized. Prevent this scenario by creating a reaction of an ethanolic solution of the benzil with 10 percent sodium hydroxide solution; if benzoin is present, a purple color develops.

Hemochromatosis Iron Deficiency in Blood Content

Hemochromatosis Iron Deficiency in Blood Content Hemochromatosis (HCC) is disease caused by increased Iron content in the body. People suffering from HCC absorb increased levels of iron from diet. Body has particular difficulty in removing extra iron. Therefore, over period of time iron build up in organs such as heart, liver, pancreas, joints and pituitary gland. Extra iron in organs causes different diseases, and untreated hemochromatosis can be fatal. Iron is nutrient found in many foods. Its primary function is to carry oxygen through hemoglobin to all parts of the body. Normal human body absorbs 10% of the iron for the food in daily diet. However, people with HCC can absorb four times the amount. Since the body cannot excrete the iron, the metal can reach toxic levels in tissues of major organs. Therefore, undiagnosed and untreated HCC dramatically increases the risk for diseases and conditions such as: diabetes mellitus, irregular heartbeat, arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, depression, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and cancers. Untreated levels on iron also causes neurodegenerative diseases: epilepsy, Huntingtons disease and multiple sclerosis. The condition can be divided by type influenced by age of onset and by genetic factors. Type -1occurs frequently along with type 4 also referred as ferroportin disease. Men with type 1or type 4 HCC typically develop symptoms between the ages of 40 and 60, whereas the women develop symptoms after menopause. Type 2 is juvenile-onset disorder. Iron builds up in early development but symptoms usually appear in childhood. By the age 20, decreased secretion of sex hormone is prevalent. Females start menstruation in a normal manner, but cycles stop after a few years. Males experience delayed puberty or sex hormone deficiency symptoms such as impotence. If the disorder is untreated, heart disease is evident by the age of 30. Type 3 hemochromatosis is usually intermediate between types 1 and 2. Symptoms usually begin before age 30. Sometimes iron overload begins before birth and theses cases are called neonatal hemochromatosis. This type is characterized by liver damage that is apparent at bi rth or in the first day of life.Symptoms Although, symptoms may occur early in life, first signs of the hereditary hemochromatosis usually appear in midlife between ages of 30 and 50. Hereditary HCC may cause a variety of symptoms such as: fatigue, abdominal pain and impotence, but the most common complaint is joint pain. On the other hand, some people never experience symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms after menopause, when they no longer lose iron with menstruation and pregnancy. Early-stage signs and symptoms- of hereditary hemochromatosis typically resemble those of many other common conditions: arthritis in hands, chronic fatigue, loss of sex drive or impotence, abdominal pain, high blood sugar levels, low thyroid function, abnormal liver function tests. Advanced- stage signs and symptoms- of hereditary hemochromatsis develop serious conditions: cirrhosis- marked by irreversible scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, discolored skin thats bronze or gray in appearance. People at highest risk are people of 25 years of age and the ones that have an immediate family who has hemochrmatosis . Genes related to Hemochoromatsis Mutations in HAMP, HFE, HFE2, SLC40A1 and TFR2 genes causes hemochromatosis. These genes play an important role in regulating the absorption, transport, and storage of iron. Mutation in these genes impair the control of iron absorption during digestion and alter the distribution of iron to other parts of the body. As a result, iron accumulates in tissues and organ. Each type of HCC is caused by mutations in specific genes. Type 1 is caused by mutations in the HFE gene, and type 2 is caused by HFE2 or HAMP gene. Type 3 is caused by TFR2, whereas type 4 is caused by SLC40A1 gene. The cause of neonatal hemochromatosis is unknown. All three types of hemochromatosis are inherited autosomal recessive diseases, which means double copies of the gene have mutations. Parents of an individual usually carries one copy of mutated gene, but do not show any signs or symptoms of the condition. However, type 4 hemochromtosis has gene in cell that is able to cause the disorder. Usually, person that is affected has parent with same condition. Risk factors People at most risk are the one that carry two copies of HFE gene. This is the greatest risk factor for hereditary hemochromatosis. Second, is the family history. If the person have any family member with HCC it is more likely to get it. Third, ethnicity plays important role as well. People of Northern European decent British, Dutch, German, and French have increased probability of hereditary HCC then other ethnic backgrounds. Fourth, being a man increases chances of developing HCC especially at earlier age. Complications Cirrhosis Liver is prone to injury by long term iron overload. It is defined as permanent scarring of the liver that can lead to serious bleeding from dilated veins in esophagus and stomach and severe fluid retention in abdomen. Also toxins that accumulate in the blood can affect mental functioning, leading to confusion and coma. Cirrhosis can be caused from alcohol abuse and hepatitis. Liver cancer a person with cirrhosis and hereditary HCC is at high risk for liver cancer. Diabetes is disease that affects the way body uses glucose. It is considered to be a leading cause of adult blindness that also plays major role in serious health problems like kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Congestive heart failure is a life threatening condition that occurs when excess iron in heart interferes with its ability to circulate enough blood to meet bodys needs. Untreated congestive heart failure can be fatal, but the condition can be corrected when HCC is treated and excess iron stores are reduced. Abnormal heart rhythms can cause chest pain and lightheadedness. In some instances it can be fatal, and like congestive heart failure it can be reversed with treatment. Pigment changes deposits of iron on the skin cells can turn skin bronze or gray color. Diagnosis Genetic hemochromatosis can be difficult to detect. Early symptoms such as stiff joints and fatigue can result from a number of conditions that are more common than HCC. Iron overload can be detected with two blood tests: Serum transferring saturation test that measures the amount of iron bound to a protein that carries iron in the blood. Transferrin saturation values greater than 45% are considered too high. Serum ferritin test measures the iron in the body. Doctors usually go for serum ferritin test after serum transferring saturation test came high. Many infections and inflammatory conditions other then hereditary HCC can cause elevated feritin, both of these tests are needed to diagnose the disorder. These tests are not part of medical testing. Public Health officials recommend these test if the person is experiencing joint disease, severe fatigue, heart disease, elevated liver enzymes, impotance, and diabetes. Genetic testing discovery of the HCC gene made genetic testing possible. Some doctors advocate universal screening for HFE gene mutation. They believe that HCC is condition that can cause serious complications when its not treated. Liver biopsy In the procedure , a sample of tissue from your liver, using a needle, is removed. The sample is send to the laboratory where the presence of iron as well as liver damage, cirrhosis is observed. Risks of biopsy include bruising, and bleeding. Treatment Blood removal- hemochromatosis is safely and effectively treated by removing blood on a regular basis. The main goal is to reduce iron. The amount of blood drawn depends on age, and overall health.

Malcolm X Essay -- rights of African Americans

A black militant, Malcolm X championed the rights of African Americans and urged them to develop racial unity. He was known for his association first with the Nation of Islam, sometimes known as the Black Muslims, and later with the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which he founded after breaking with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Neb., on May 19, 1925, the seventh of eleven children. The family soon moved to Lansing, Mich. There they were harassed by whites who resented the black nationalist views of the father, Earl Little, an organizer for Marcus Garvey's "back-to-Africa" movement. When Malcolm was 6 his father was murdered. His mother later suffered a nervous breakdown, and the family was separated by welfare agencies. Later in his life Malcolm came to believe that white people had destroyed his family. Placed in a series of schools and boardinghouses, Malcolm became a fine student and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. A teacher, however, told him that because he was black he should learn carpentry instead. Discouraged, he left school after the eighth grade to live with a relative in Boston, Mass.Malcolm shined shoes and worked at a soda fountain, in a restaurant, and on a railroad kitchen crew. In 1942 he moved to the black Harlem section of New York City. He lived as a hustler, cheating to make money. He was wary of the police. A pusher, he sold drugs and became an addict himself. Pursued by a riva...

Acquiring characteristics of communication competence Essay

Communication competence results in keeping the channels of communication open and providing opportunities for others to communicate. The agreement among researchers on the general characteristics of competent communicators, whether the context of communication is interactions between friends or between teachers and students (Anderson & Martin, 1992; Chesebro & McCroskey, 2001; Hazelton & Cupach, 1986); Stemler, Elliott, Grigorenko, & Sternberg, 2006), provides guidelines for improving one’s own competence, the purpose of the proposed project. (It should be noted, however, that competence is not the same as communication success. For example, a teacher can have the characteristics that are necessary for competence, but if he or she isn’t also a master of the field being taught, students are unlikely to gain the meaningful understanding that generates retention and continued interest when the course ends. ) The most important characteristic is having knowledge of the rules that determine how and when to use different communication strategies (â€Å"ontological knowledge† in Hazleton & Cupach, 1986; â€Å"tacit knowledge† in Stemler, Elliott, Grigorenko, & Sternberg, 2006). For example, another characteristic necessary for competence is the ability to use different forms of nonverbal communication (Chesebro & McCroskey, 2001; Neuliep & Grohskopf, 2000), but the forms used depend upon the nature of the interaction. For example, men’s sports provide what’s probably the only stereotypically acceptable occasion for male-to-male friendly physical contact, as when â€Å"macho man† hits a home run and is rewarded by pats in the butt from his teammates. It’s hard to think of any other contexts where this form of nonverbal communication is acceptable, let alone effective. For a teacher, effective forms of nonverbal communication would be smiling, making eye contact, moving in order to provide equal attention to students sitting in different sections of the room, moving towards the student who is speaking, etc. The latter form was brilliantly demonstrated by Bill Clinton’s seemingly spontaneous movements off the podium and towards the audience in his first televised debate with George Bush. The third characteristic is actually a combination of two characteristics people tend to think of as opposites, being both responsive and assertive (Anderson & Martin, 1995; Neuliep & Grohskopf, 2000). However, it’s desirable to show interest, openness, and receptivity to what others are saying (being responsive) and also to be able to articulate one’s own views (being assertive). My goals are to increase my knowledge of the contexts in which different communication strategies are appropriate, my use of effective nonverbal communication, and my responsiveness towards and assertiveness with others. There’s a reliable and valid test measuring communication competence (Rubin & Martin, 1994) to use as an evaluation of my current competence. To minimize the problems in pre-post designs, retests will be conducted every three months for a period of a year. At some point in retesting, my score should improve and subsequent scores should either be higher or remain the same. References Anderson, C. M. , & Martin, M. M. (1995). Communication motives of assertive and and responsive communicators. Communication Research Reports, 12, 186-191. Chesebro, J. L. , & McCroskey, J. C. (2001). The relationship of teacher clarity and immediacy with student state receiver apprehension, affect, and cognitive learning. Communication Education, 50, 59-68. Hazleton, V. , & Cupach, W. R. (1986). An exploration of ontological knowledge: Communication competence as a function of the ability to describe, predict, and explain. The Western Journal of Speech Communication, 50, 119-132. Neuliep, J. W. , & Grohskopf, E. L. (2000). Uncertainty reduction and communication satisfaction during initial interaction: An initial test and replication of a new axiom. Communication Reports, 13, 67-77. Rubin, R. B. , & Martin, M. M. (1994). Development of a measure of interpersonal communication competence. Communication Research Reports, 11, 33-44. Stemler, S. E. , Elliott, J. G. , Grigorenko, E. L. , & Sternberg, R. J. (2006). There’s more to teaching than instruction: Seven strategies for dealing with the practical side of teaching. Educational Studies, 32, 101-118.

Wellness Industry in India

INTRODUCTION In India, a country where traditional medicinal and health practices like Ayurveda and yoga have promoted the idea of mental and physical wellbeing since ancient times, a new concept of wellness is emerging. No longer limited to health, nutrition and relaxation, the new multi-dimensional definition of wellness encompasses the individual’s desire for social acceptance, exclusivity and collective welfare. WELLNESS INDUSTRY The 2009 FICCI-Ernst & Young (EY) Wellness – Exploring the Untapped Potential report classifies the Indian wellness industry into two segments: wellness services and wellness products.Expected to grow dramatically in the next years, both the segments offer great opportunities to wellness providers. At the end of 2008, the overall industry was estimated at around INR 27. 000 crore (EUR 4. 05 billion1), of which INR 11. 000 crore (EUR 1. 65 billion) represented by the services segment and the rest by the products segment. WELLNESS INDUSTRY SI ZE AND SEGMENTATION (EUR billion) 1,65 41% Wellness Products Wellness Services 2,4 59% Source: Ernst & Young and FICCIAccording to the study, the wellness industry has the potential to sustain a compound annual growth rate of more than 14% till 2012, with the wellness services market expected to witness an annual growth of approximately 3035% till 2014. 1 The conversion rate utilized in this report is 1 INR = 0. 015 EUR. WELLNESS INDUSTRY PROJECTIONS (EUR billion) 7,00 6,00 6,00 5,00 4,05 4,00 3,00 2,19 2,00 1,00 2009 2010E 2011E 2012E Source: Ernst & Young and FICCI 5,26 4,62 3,84 2,90 1,65 Wellness Industry Wellness Services Geographically, South India is much ahead in terms of wellness, with an average of 34. wellness centers per 100. 000 households, compared with 13. 6 for the North, 12 for the West and 10. 1 in the East. AVERAGE NUMBER OF WELLNESS CENTERS IN INDIA 0 South North West East 13,6 12 10,1 Source: Ernst & Young and FICCI 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 34,4 40 The report depicts the overall wellness industry as highly unorganized, with the organized sector limited to less than 50 percent of the industry. The industry’s disorganization and fragmentation open further opportunities for international wellness players to capture a large share of the market.Wellness services From massages to cardio sessions, from steam baths to ago puncture, from slimming programs to beauty treatments, the wellness services segment includes all the facilities, centers and in general domestic and international players which offer Indian customers wellness solutions. Recent trends in the wellness services sector Spas: As per the FICCI-EY study, rejuvenation services – including spas, alternative therapies, Ayurveda treatments and beauty services – is expected to witness a 30 percent growth till 2014.In its 2009 report, SpaFinder Inc. counted over 2. 300 spas operating in India, with over 700 to open by 2012 and generating revenues for approximately EUR 264 mil lion annually. NUMBER OF SPAS IN INDIA (PROJECTION) 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2009 Source: SpaFinder Inc. + 700 spas 3000 2300 2012 A distinct trend visible in the Indian wellness market is the opening of spas in the mid-price category. No longer exclusivity of 5-stars hotel guests, standalone spas with a more affordable price-value equation are filling a gap that was missing in the market2.Gyms: Assessed at around INR 500 crore (EUR 75 million) in 2009, the gym market in India is quickly developing. As per the FICCI-EY study, fitness services – comprising gyms and slimming centers – will grow by more than 25 percent till 2014. According to the consultancy firm Deloitte and the US-based International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, the number of people using health clubs in India currently stands at 0. 23 million. Of this, experts say 40 percent are women3. HEALTH CLUB USERS PENETRATION RATE 2 3Wellness industry unaffected by recession, liveMint, Th e Wall Street Journal, Jun 14, 2009. Gym becoming social networking hub, The Economic Times, Aug 14, 2009. 0,0% US Australia New Zealand Singapore Hong Kong India 0,4% 5,0% 10,0% 15,0% 20,0% 17,0% 12,4% 10,8% 6,5% 3,9% Source: Deloitte & International Health, Racquet & Sportclub Association The still low penetration rate, combined with the success of the fitness reality show Biggest Loser Jeetega, which featured gym equipment of the Italian manufacturer Technogym SpA,suggests there is still plenty of room for new centers to open in India.Hotels and restaurant: A further trend, emerging as a consequence of the significant number of lifestyle diseases which affects the country — India accounts for 60% of global cardiac illnesses and has over 50 million diabetics — is the emergence of hotels as health destinations, offering special menus and fitness programs4. Many restaurants are also starting to propose their health-conscious customers special menus. Main international and national players of the wellness services sectorOverall, more than 15 international players in the wellness product and service space have entered India in the recent past and are aggressively expanding in the country. Just to name one, the US-based largest international gym chain in the world, Gold’s Gym has opened 48 gyms since its arrival in India in 2002. This increasing competition from multinationals has compelled national players – including Reliance, Dabur, Manipal Group of Companies, Dr. Batra’s, Kaya Health Clinic – to strengthen and speed up their market expansion strategies.To support the growth, after Talwalkars– one of the leading gym chains in India, with over 100 branches across 50 cities in the country, and over 100. 000 members – and Birla Pacific Spa, also the healthcare and beauty treatment provider Goodwill Hospitals, the drug retail chain Apollo Pharmacy, the diagnostics chain Super Religare Laboratories and the eye care firm VasanEyecare are planning to go public in the next 12 months5. 4 Wellness on the menu, liveMint, The Wall Street Journal, Jul 29, 2011. 5After Birla Pacific Spa and Talwalkars niche beauty and wellness companies planning for IPO, The Economic Times, Aug 25, 2011.While substandard facilities and a lack of qualified staff still characterize the domestic wellness scene, this unsatisfying picture opens further opportunities to international players, which will bring to India their sets of standards of procedures and training programs. Wellness products Including various types of â€Å"modified† foods (e. g. , fat free, low calories, energetic, reinforcing), oils, supplements, integrators, and personal care products, wellness products are gaining more and more space in Indians’ purchase basket.No longer limited to preventive or supportive nutrition, the wellness product portfolio reflects a mix of indulgence, invigoration and narcissism6. Health and wellness food s market Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) has estimated theIndian health and wellness foods market being worth INR 10. 150 crore(EUR1. 52 billion) in 2009, with the potential of rising at a compounded annual growth rate of 32. 5 percent to INR 55. 000crore (EUR 8. 24 billion) by 2015. 6 Impulse and Lifestyle Products Define the FMCG Future in India, Roosevelt D’souza, Executive Director, The Nielsen Company, March 4, 2011.HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOODS PROJECTION (EUR billion) 9,00 8,00 7,00 6,00 5,00 4,00 3,00 2,00 1,00 2009 2010E 2011E 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E Source: TSMG 8,24 + 32. 5% 4,69 3,54 2,67 1,52 2,01 6,21 To capture the growing demand, food brands are in a race to launch new products. Himalaya International’s natural fruit yoghurt, Parle Products’s baked chips, Amul’s range of functional products (including energy drinks, probiotic ice-creams, probiotic lassi and curd, high calcium milk and reduced salt butter), Frito Lay’s trans-fat a nd MSG free products, ITC Food’s low cholesterol products, gut beneficial foods are just few examples7.Sugar-free products With diabetes increasing at an alarming rate –the number of people with diabetes was over 45 million in 2010 and is expected to rise to 69. 9 million by 2015 –, obesity, hypertension and other lifestyle-related disorders, sugar-free product variants are gaining more space on the retail shelves. While Indians have begun to show a liking to sugar-free products, sugar substitutes (often referred to as â€Å"sweeteners†) do not receive the same welcome.In fact, sweeteners are not yet considered a low-calorie sugar substitute, but a product for people suffering of lifestyle diseases8. Nutraceuticals market Within the wellness products segment, the nutraceuticals market – merger of the words â€Å"nutrition† and â€Å"pharmaceutical† indicating functional foods, beverages and dietary supplements which provide health and medical benefits – is expected to grow exponentially. The 2009 FICCI-EY Nutraceuticals – Critical supplement for building a healthy India estimated the market to be around INR 44 billion (representing one 7 8Insights on Indian market, NutriConnect, 2009. Sweet equilibrium, Progressive Grocer, December 2010. percent of the global INR 5. 148 billion nutraceutical market), growing by an annual 18 percent since 2006, much faster than the global 7 percentaverage. INDIA’S NUTRACEUTICAL GLOBAL MARKET SHARE AND SEGMENTATION Rest of EU; 6% Switzerland ; 3% Italy; 3% UK; 2% France; 6% Germany; 5% Japan; 22% 14% Others; 9% US; 36% Functional foods Rest of Asia; 7% Functional beverages India; 1% Dietary supplements Source: Ernst & Young and FICCI 2% 54% Source: Frost & Sullivan, Cygnus Growth drivers are: ? ? the increasing affluence of working population with changing lifestyles; the reduced affordability of sickness related expenditures (with the Out-ofpocket expenditure constituting 64 percent of healthcare expenditures in India – against the global average of 18 percent – and the average cost of in-patient treatment doubled in the decade 1995-20059); the increasing awareness and media penetration; Andthe increased accessibility to such roducts, due to the emergence of new distribution channels. ? ? Moreover, due to their high prices compared to conventional foods, the lack of credibility of their benefits among costumers, and the not-yet-implemented regulatory framework, the latent market for nutraceutical products is estimated to be two to four times the existing market size. CONCLUSIONSIn India, a new multi-dimensional definition of wellness is emerging, encompassing the individual’s desire for social acceptance, exclusivity and collective welfare. Be it in the services or product sector, the wellness industry in India is showing bright opportunities to wellness providers, especially international players. 9 WHO statistical information system, 2008.