Economic and Political Liberalism and Democracy

Introduction The following essay tries to answer the question that whether or not Economic and political liberalism can lead to democracy, but not the other way around. The essay also examines the importance of the concept of economic and political liberalism and the relationship between liberalism and democracy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Economic and Political Liberalism and Democracy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However it is important to define the terms liberalism, economic liberalism, political liberalism as well as democracy so as to have an understanding of what they entails. Liberalism encompasses the concept of equal rights as well as individual liberty. Liberalism was as a result of the classical liberalism as well as the social liberalism which existed in the eighteenth century and ninetieth century respectively. Economic liberalism refers to the economic philosophy which supports the concept of private ownership of property. Political liberalism on the other hand entails the freedom that the people are given to be involved with the decisions in society and so the individuals are thus allowed to exercise their constitutional rights. Democracy refers to a concept that is applied by the government and in which case power is indirectly held by citizens usually in a free and independent electoral system. Importance of democracy and liberalism Liberal International which is a world wide alliance of liberal institutions as well as political parties was formed in 1947 and its main aim is to establish the cross-cultural connections across the globe. The federation has with time managed to ensure liberty of the individuals. For instance, the federation’s establishment of a judiciary that is independent and free, freedom of speech and association among others are some of its achievements. Liberalism has changed the political environment in that it has translated it from di ctatorship to a constitutional one. The other achievement is boosting of free markets through promotion and geographical expansion. Liberalism is also associated with globalization and many scholars believe that globalization is a by product of liberalism that was introduced in 18th century. Democracy on the other hand is being viewed by scholars around the world to be the ideal form of political governance.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is due to the fact that the people’s rights are usually safeguards as a result of democracy. It ensures that there is peaceful coexistence among the individuals and this in turn enhances the economic development (Berman 139). Relationship between liberalism and democracy Charles Boix who was a scholar argued that economic liberalism is created with democracy and usually leads to productive processes, wealth generation and most i mportantly it enhances the propensity and well being of the society. He argues that most successful countries around the world practices democracy in their governance. These countries which practices democracy have their per capita income of over $7,000 which is in contrast with those who are governed by dictators (Boix 178). The position of liberals and democrats Liberalism is concerned with the assignment of freedom as well as maintenance of human dignity as much as possible in any social situation. Liberalism means freedom for all without any form of discrimination to individuals of any given race, color, religion group etc. Both liberty and equality complements one another and they do not conflict one another at all. One’s freedom limits the freedom of another and this implies that liberalism as a theory in political science is ideal for study. Abundance of life is only achievable where there is freedom and therefore life and freedom are reasonably inseparable. Therefore, liberalism discourages any act of violence as much as possible and it thus offers justice to the innocent. Liberals also recognizes that life and society in general are subject to changes from time to time and therefore they try to come up with new concepts regarding liberalism each and every time so as to keep in track with the changing dynamism. Though conflicts exist between liberalism on one hand and democracy on the other hand, the two are usually complementary. Democracy which is a type of government involves the majority rule. Democracy could be perceived as oppressive especially where the minority groups are oppressed by the majority where majority groups dominate.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Economic and Political Liberalism and Democracy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Contradictions between Economic liberalism and democracy The concept that ‘economic and political liberalism can lead to de mocracy, but not the other way around’ is not true. Many countries around the world started practicing democracy in their governance recently after observing the United States and European nations practice it. The concept of democracy has thus led to violence and instability particularly in Middle East and the main cause of instability and violence is the fact that when democracy arises before the preconditions for economic liberalism are met, then the rule of law will be violated and hence democracy will not be attained. The political institutions that enhance democracy are deemed to be necessary before democracy can occur. Such institutions include organized parties, professional news media and the rule of law. Farid and Robert emphasizes that the economic as well political liberalism are not the main factors that must be present for democracy to exist and so, there is need to consider other factors such as electing good leaders instead of dictators(Berman 141). Problems ar e bound to arise once a country practices democracy for the first time. There are those countries which do not have history as far as liberalism is concerned and therefore, experimenting democracy implies that those leaders who get into power illegally will tend to counter democracy at the expense of their power. The leaders can thus decide to cause political tensions in an effort to resist democracy as they view democracy as a tool to deprive them the powers they have been enjoying (Zakaria 95). Many developing nations around the world such as Philipines,Venezuela,Kazakhstan among others have indeed experienced problems as a result of experiencing democracy. The citizens are the ones who are greatly affected as the leaders’ battle with the inception of democracy (Kagan 118). Zakaria in his analysis of the modernization theory held the view that those governments who are ruled by dictators are much better as compared to the ones that are governed by democracies. He also viewe d that democracy has been as a result of the industrialization and economic growth as well and the two must exist if democracy is to be attained.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He argues that the period between 1950s and 1960s saw many governments faced with the problems of budgetary deficits, inflation and low economic growth when they encompassed democracy in their governance. This thus made many people to prefer for dictatorship instead of democracy following the adverse effects that were associated with democracy the progress to democracy therefore is marathon implying that the economic wealth must be present for the democracy to be attained effectively. Thus, no democracy can exist where there is no economic growth (Kagan 120). Political scientists among them Adam Prezeworski argued that economic development thrived well in those countries that have dictatorship system of government. According to him, democracy is a by-product of the economic development that is realized as a result of dictatorship. Most developing nations across the world have preferred dictatorship to democracy due to the economic success that is associated with dictatorship form of governance (Kagan 120). Zakaria used the anti-democratic views that were drawn by Huntington in late 1960’s.Huntington in his analysis held the view that order must indeed precede liberty as far as developing nations are concerned. Authoritarian countries sometimes push for the economic reforms in order to modernize their countries as Japan did in 19th century. In an attempt to modernize their countries, Huntington held the view that legitimate public order is the main concern rather than mere liberty. In this remarks, Huntington argued that developed nations such as the United States considered their governance system first before democracy and therefore the developing countries needs to follow suit if they are to be successful. A country should first pay attention to its citizens before it can decide on how it should operate. Order must therefore precede liberty and democracy (Kagan 121). Once a country adopts democracy when it is not ready for it, the democracy tends to b ecome destructive for the people. This is in contrary with the expectations because democracy is vested with the role of liberating citizens and not subjecting them to terrible situations. This problem of immature democracy has been deemed as the greatest challenge in the world and many people have opted tyranny instead (Kagan 121-122). In his narrative of the modernization paradigm, Zakaria argued that past dictatorships of some governments helped to liberalize people by improving their lives. The dictators actually came up with decisions that helped the economies to grow. The also liberalized the legal system of the economy as well as travel and worship rights. This was important because democracies would not have been possible if the dictatorships had not laid the groundwork. Dictatorship could be portrayed in the regime of some rulers in places like Taiwan and South Korea around 1950s among other places (Kagan 124). However, Zakaria view that dictatorship promotes development an d the development in turn leads to democracy were contested by Adam Prezeworski in his Harvard International Review. Adam Prezeworski argued that dictatorship and democracies do not affect the economic growth of a nation. This is due to the fact that a country may remain poor despite the type of regime it decides to adopt. He further argued that some countries like Japan and Ireland have managed to fight poverty through democracy and economic growth. Dictatorial leaders in Malaysia and Singapore have also managed to fight poverty through dictatorship in their ruling. This indicates that there may be no direct relationship between democracy and economic growth in most of the cases. Also, only a few people have ever claimed to have enjoyed liberty as a result of elections. Liberal governance therefore that is concerned with protecting the rights of individuals may not always linked with choosing leaders through democracy (Kagan 126-127). Conclusion To conclude the discussion entailing the correlation that exists between liberalism and democracy and the relationship between democracy and economic development, it is worth to note that the government responsiveness with regards to the needs of its citizens is paramount for the democracy to be attained. Citizens on the other hand must also take the initiative and formulate their preferences so that the government can have a clue on what they actually needs and thus come up with solutions (Dahl 85-86). Those countries that encompass dictatorship are deemed to do better economically as compared to those that practice democracy. According to Zakaria, liberal democracy in the world has not been achieved by many countries and he noted that nearly half of the nations are experiencing dictatorship. Autocracy on the other hand, conflicts with state building and the rule of law. Those nations that shift to practice democracy usually encounter many difficulties as far as the rule of law is concerned. Therefore, in order for c ountries top advance economically and in turn raise the living standards of their citizens, they must strengthen the rule of law. However, the progress towards strengthening rule of law is not easy or nor is it inevitable as far as democracy is concerned. Those countries that are democratizing usually struggles hard in developing the rule of law and the various aspects of democratization that exists usually contribute problems to the rule of law (Carothers 155-159). The efforts by the government of the United States should be directed towards promoting democracy in the entire world in order to ensure peaceful coexistence and economic and political stability. However, the democracy have been criticized in recent years with the negative effects of autocratic regimes that have been brought down and introduction of the electoral democratic system in Palestine, Iraq as well as Africa. The democracy has led to political tensions, massive killings. Also, democracy should thus not to be con sidered as good governance and should also be differentiated with liberalism. Works Cited Berman, Sheri. How Democracies Emerge: Lessons form Europe. Journal of  Democracy. London: Frank Cass, 2007 Boix, Carles. Democracy and redistribution. London: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Carothers, Thomas. How democracies Emerge. London: Taylor Francis, 2007 Dahl, Robert et.al.The democracy sourcebook. Massachusset: MIT Press, 2003. Kagan, Richard.Taiwans’ statesman: Lee Teng-Hui and democracy in Asia.  Pennslavania: Naval Institute Press, 2007. Zakaria, Fareed.The Rise of Illiberal Democracy. Indiana: Indiana University Press.1997 This essay on Economic and Political Liberalism and Democracy was written and submitted by user Reed N. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Piano and Drums Essays

Piano and Drums Essays Piano and Drums Paper Piano and Drums Paper Essay Topic: The Piano How is the relationship of the poet to the past explored in Digging and either Our History or Piano and Drums? The relationship of the poet to the past is explored in Digging and Piano and Drums through themes of the poets heritage and the change that has occurred between the past and the present. However, Piano and Drums and Digging differ in the way they describe their connection with the past. For example, in Piano and Drums, Okara draws a parallel between how his life in the African culture was disturbed by Western invasion and how drums reminds him of his African past whereas the piano only makes him feel pain. On the other hand, in Digging, Seamus Heaney uses fewer metaphors and instead uses specific diction, such as single syllable words, to convey his attachment to the past. Heaney portrays his fondness for his father and grandfather in Digging through using affectionate terms and describing how hard they work as well as the way he describes digging potatoes. For example, Heaney calls his father old man in stanza five, which conveys to the reader a sense of affection as well as respect; a theme that is carried through the whole poem. An example of this is when his grandfather was drinking the milk and Heaney said he then fell to right away. This suggests his grandfather was a hard working committed man causing the reader to respect Heaneys grandfather. It is also suggested that Heaney would boast that his grand father would cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toners bog in stanza six. This again suggests admiration and affection from Heaney to his grandfather. Heaney also portrays a strong attachment to digging for potatoes and turf. He did this by using words such as nestled and loving when describing digging and the potatoes. Both of these words suggest that the father is comfortable with digging and he is at home when his foot is on the lug. Also, through out the poem, Heaney uses one syllable words such as lug, gun and sods. This recreates the rhythm of digging which is monosyllabic in its self. It could also be in reference to the fact that digging is a very simple action so simple words can be used to describe it. Throughout Piano and Drums the relationship of the poet to the past is explored through how he feels about African and western music. For example, in stanza two, Okara describes how he feels when he hears the drums. He says, topples the years and at one Im in my mothers lap a suckling. This suggests that hearing African drums takes him back to his childhood. This is similar to Digging in that when Heaney hears the rasping of the spade sinking in to the ground, he remembers his childhood when his grandfather used to dig turf. However, unlike Digging, in the first stanza Okara thinks of the beginning, meaning the beginning of Africa. This suggests to the reader that Okara has a real sense of patriotism and belonging to Africa. Okara also explores the invasion of the Colonies as apart of his past. He uses the analogy that their interruption is like the piano (a western instrument) interrupting the drums. This gives a very modern impression on the reader of something that happened many years ago. Also, while Okara is describing the piano music he uses musical words; however, he uses them in such a way that it does not make sense. This suggests that he can make sense of them in his culture because drumbeats, to him, are simple yet more symbolic. In that same stanza Okara uses the word complex twice suggesting that the past is simpler, like a drumbeat. However, also in that stanza are very forceful words such as coaxing and daggerpoint. This suggests that the poet feels threatened by the invasion. In conclusion, Digging is more like a memory than Piano and Drums. For example the rhyme is very structured at the beginning of digging but becomes more relaxed as the memory takes over and the sounds of the words become more important. Therefore, digging is more like memory; you remember things in as unpredictable way so the structure is unpredictable. Also, Okara uses music to explore his past where as Heaney writes more literally.

Creative Problem Solving Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Creative Problem Solving - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the identification of new and existing opportunities is what enables a business establishment and sustainment. To identify these opportunities, it really calls for creativity. According to Frigard, creativity is a kind of imagination that fosters originality. For creativity to be achieved, ingenuity has to be incorporated. Ingenuity is the incorporation of bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical capacity and spatial capacity in the creative process. The ingenuity model for creative problem solving is what is used to incorporate ingenuity in the process of creativity. This technique is identified as the most appropriate problem-solving technique when there is a need to achieve new solutions to business problems. New opportunities identified in entrepreneurship enable a business to increase its productivity. They also enable the business to have a competitive advantage over other businesses in the industry. However, the identification and exploitation of th ese opportunities cannot happen without innovation. Therefore, entrepreneurship is directly related to innovation. Moreover, economic development results in the emergence of new opportunities that require both identification and exploitation. The identification and exploitation are done by entrepreneurship and thus entrepreneurship and economic development are related. Generation and implementation of new ideas and solutions require creative problem-solving. The ingenuity model for problem-solving enables an entrepreneur to achieve solutions and ideas that are different from those of others. This is what makes a particular firm different from the rest of the industry thus making it more competitive. Therefore, we can say that creative problem solving is a key aspect of entrepreneurship.  Ã‚  

Spotify TM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Spotify TM - Essay Example The report bases its arguments on research information from various sources. Moreover, the report provides various recommendations about the topic. These recommendations are relevant to any company that considers information systems significant in their operations. Introduction Spotify TM is a music service company that streams music to its customers through desktop and mobile phone. The company has a vast database with millions of songs that millions of subscribers can listen to from the internet. Currently, the company has more than 20 million users. Its services are mostly available to European countries (Li, Peters, Richardson & Weidenmier, 2012). It has been able to maintain its market in the competitive music business due to its competitive nature. The company also uses strategic measures that have been able to keep the company running. Its key technique has been the use of information systems that are strong enough to sustain the business plan of the corporation. This report f ormulates and evaluates the company’s strategy and frameworks in maintaining their business. It also discusses theoretical perspectives on how the company uses technology to build a competitive advantage for its sustainability. Moreover, the report also provides recommendations that the company can adopt to enhance its business. The company allows one to buy a spotify software program that users can use to stream music from a huge collection of music, and tracks (Lashley, & Clark 2013). Users stream this music using their computers, mobile phones, and tablets. The need exists for one to download the music he listens to, but only entails streaming the music. SPOTIFY TM All companies have business strategies of which state their goals. Business strategies state methods through which they will be able to attain the set goals. Spotify TM has been able to implement various models by Michael Porter in achieving its goals. Spotify TM uses information systems to its advantage in usin g the five forces model. For instance, the company’s uses an interactive website that provides easy navigation by a subscriber on the internet (Rice, 2010). The website arranges its content in a good way that makes the content well visible. The font that the website uses is attractive and makes it easy for a subscriber to view things clearly. Therefore, subscribers become loyal as the company provides better services to its customers. This aspect has been able to create a barrier to new companies from entering into the market (Jenkins, Leicht & Jaynes, 2008). In addition, users can browse music by record label, album, genre, playlist, artists, and through direct searches. With a better website that provides quick services to its customers, the company has been able to lower its charges to its subscribers. It also provides a free six-month trial period once one creates an account. This is due to the increase of subscribers to the company’s services. This creates a buyer power that helps the company to maintain its companies. There are also wide alternatives that customers can choose from in their subscription plans. Hence, the company has a wide range of customers that can subscribe to its services. The company allows one to listen to an unlimited number of music that supports radio-style advertising that the company removes once one subscribes fully.

Why I wish to become an osteopathic physician and why I think Ohio Essay

Why I wish to become an osteopathic physician and why I think Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a good choice f - Essay Example However, it is my conviction that an osteopathic physician is a bit different if not way apart from an allopathic physician in the sense that osteopathy is a more pragmatic, realistic and hands on approach towards physical maladies. Administering medicine or surgery does have their importance and relevance in the curing of disease, but more important and practical in any therapeutic approach is to exploit the body’s innate capacity to heal and cure itself. Human body inevitably has a quintessential and undeniable mechanical aspect associated with it and the body’s structures and functions are intimately related to each other. So, being an osteopathic physician offers to me the best of both worlds. To begin with, it allows me to approach a patient’s malady with a more noninvasive approach, using her and if required, aiding her intrinsic healing ability through osteopathic manipulation and approach. At the same time, it extends to me the confidence and reassurance that if the things get drastic and require a more imminent line of therapy, I can always resort to the allopathic and surgical aspects of my training to gain control. Osteopathy is an approach towards healing that is perfectly in consonance with my personal philosophy and beliefs about illness and healing.

Osmosis-Driven Protein Distribution Optimization

Osmosis-Driven Protein Distribution Optimization Osmosis-Driven Protein Distribution Optimization via a Single-Vessel Process Purpose Protein-loaded microspheres prepared via the water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion method are porous with poor protein distribution due to the inner water phase leaving the microspheres following polymer precipitation, resulting in the generation of cavities and large pores. Attempts to prevent this by osmosis-driven escape of the inner water phase were unsuccessful, as a polymer precipitation front formed instantly resulting in hollow microspheres. A method to tightly control the events during microsphere formation was developed. Polymer precipitation was controlled by saturating the outer water phase in the  organic solvent and isolating the secondary emulsification step from the environment to prevent organic solvent extraction prior to osmosis-driven water escape. Moreover, a single-vessel microsphere preparation method was developed to eliminate product loss and contamination resulting from multiple vessel transfers. Methods Microspheres were prepared in a single vessel, from polymer dissolution to final product storage (fig. 1). BSA-FITC, 25 kDa PLGA 50:50 and methylene chloride (DCM) were used. 0.1% w/v PVA in water was used as the outer water phase, with or without 1% w/v NaCl. The microspheres were characterized by SEM, confocal microscopy, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and burst release (24h) at 37oC. Results SEM and confocal microscopy revealed non-porous microspheres with homogenous distribution of protein throughout the polymer matrix when osmosis was applied, as opposed to microspheres where no osmosis was applied (Figure 2). Applying osmosis without isolating the system in a closed vial resulted in hollow microspheres. Moreover, while the application of osmosis in the preparation process did not alter significantly the drug loading or the encapsulation efficiency, the 24 h burst release decreased dramatically as shown in Figure 3. Conclusion Our results confirmed our hypothesis that isolating the system in a closed vial during the second emulsification step in combination with application of osmosis prevents early DCM extraction and polymer precipitation, resulting in non-porous microspheres with homogenous protein distribution. Protein-loaded microspheres prepared via this method showed low burst release, a significant property for controlled release microsphere systems. This work showcases the importance of excipients during microsphere preparation, as the careful choice of excipients significantly affects product quality and performance. Opalescence and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in a Protein Solution Purpose To study the effect of concentration, temperature, pH, ionic strength and buffer species on opalescence and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in a protein solution Methods Turbidity of a protein solution was measured as percent transmittance using UV-Vis spectrophotometer at different solution conditions. LLPS of the protein was confirmed by equilibrium studies and by visually observing LLPS under microscope. Structural changes in protein before and after phase separation were studied using Circular Dichroism. Temperature ramp studies were conducted to determine the phase separation temperature (Tcloud) at different solution conditions. Tcloud (temperature where transmittance is 70%) was correlated to protein-protein interactions measured in dilute solutions using DLS (kD). Opalescence measurements, Tcloud measurements and DLS studies were also performed in the presence of different salt ions at pH 6.5 and 15 mM ionic strength. Results For the protein molecule studied maximum opalescence is observed near the pI of the molecule and at low ionic strengths. From equilibrium studies, it was observed that protein concentration remains constant in two phases (protein-rich and protein-poor) irrespective of the initial protein concentrations. At low ionic strength and close to the pI of the molecule, Tcloud values were higher indicating a relatively less stable solution, which shifted to lower temperature values at pH away from pI. At relatively higher ionic strength, Tcloud decreased at a pH closer to pI of the molecule and increased away from pI. There was discrepancy in the magnitude of the change in attractive interactions measured by DLS and shift in Tcloud with change in solution conditions. Conclusion This study shows that phase separation is an equilibrium/thermodynamic process; protein does not undergo structural changes on phase separation. Strong attractive interactions are observed in systems exhibiting LLPS as indicated by shifts to higher Tcloud and large negative kD. Tcloud measurements can be utilized as a potential screening tool to study the effect of excipients on opalescence and phase separation in early stages of protein formulation development. A Detailed Mechanistic Study on Adjuvants and Optimizing Antigenicity of Particulate Cancer Vaccines Purpose Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a cancer/testis antigen which is expressed aberrantly in several cancers like prostate, ovarian cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and multiple myeloma. Its restricted expression in normal tissues and aberrant expression in cancers makes it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Enhancing delivery of Sp17 may significantly improve clinical outcome by eliciting a specific and sustained anti-tumor response. The main goals of this project were 1) to formulate Sp17 microparticles (MP) and investigate its efficacy in vitro. 2) Conduct a detailed mechanistic study on adjuvants that may augment anti-tumor efficacy of Sp17 MP. 3) To test combination of two adjuvants in conjunction with Sp17 MP for synergetic effect Methods Recombinant Sp17 was expressed in M15 cells, isolated and purified using the Ni-NTA fast start kit (Qiagen). Sp17 and adjuvants were encapsulated separately in MP using the Buchi B-290 spray drier. Particle size, zeta potential and SEM imaging was performed on microparticles. SDS-PAGE was performed to confirm the stability of Sp17 in MP. Release of Sp17 from MP was performed in gastric and intestinal pH conditions. Eight adjuvant MP were screened on DC 2.4 cells by studying several innate and adaptive immune markers like nitric oxide, CD40, CD80, CD86, CD54 and MHC-II. Results Sp17 MP had an average particle size of 3.59  ± 0.5ÃŽ ¼m and zeta potential of +9.36mV. Encapsulation efficiency of Sp17 was found to be 78%. SEM images confirmed particles were irregular in shaped with surface indentations. SDS-PAGE confirmed the presence of Sp17 encapsulated in its native form. Cumulative release of Sp17 was approximately 15% in simulated murine gastric and intestinal pH conditions. Nitric oxide release was significantly (p compared to Sp17 MP. Combination of R848 and Alum, R848 and MF59 and R848 and P4 showed enhanced expression of CD80. CD40 elevation was highest in MPL and R848 combination. Conclusion Sp17 MP in combination with R848, MPL and MF59 MP significantly improve innate and adaptive immune response to cancer antigens. In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on Transdermal Particulate HPV Vaccine Purpose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organization for cervical cancer control programs world-wide. However, the cost of these vaccines and requirements for administration are significant barriers for vaccination in developing countries. Microparticulate vaccines have the potential to alleviate these problems. The purpose of this study is to develop an HPV16 microparticulate vaccine for transdermal administration and evaluate its efficacy in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Methods HPV 16 virus-like particles (VLPs) were produced in human embryonic kidney cells 293TT. VLPs were incorporated into a cellulosic polymer matrix and formulated into microparticles using a Buchi B-290 spray dryer in a single step. VLP encapsulation was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot analysis. For in–vitro study, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were exposed to vaccine and characterized for cell-surface expression (CD40, CD80/86 and MHC II). For in-vivo study, AdminPatch ® transdermal administration of VLPs as microparticles was compared to VLPs in solution. Female BALB/c mice (n=6 for each group) received 4 doses. Blood samples were collected and antibodies were detected with a direct HPV16 VLP IgG ELISA. Spleen and lymph node pools were prepared at week 40 to analyze memory T and B cells using flow cytometry. Results The microparticle yield after spraying was 90% w/w, with average size 3.5+ 0.6 ÃŽ ¼m and average zeta potential -19.7 + 0.3 mV. VLP encapsulation efficiency was 85% based on Western blot detection of HPV16 L1 protein. APCs expressed significantly higher CD40, CD80/86 and MHCII in the particulate vaccine group compared to the solution group. HPV 16 antibodies were detected more frequently in the microparticle group (3 of 6 mice by week 7 and 6 of 6 mice by week 12) than in the solution group (1 of 6 mice by week 12). Spleen and lymph node CD4+, CD27, CD62L and CD45R cell populations were significantly higher (p Conclusion Transdermal administration of HPV VLP as microparticulate vaccine is more immunogenic than HPV VLP in solution. Phase Separation and Component Crystallization in Freezing Segment of Protein and Amino Acid Lyophilization Purpose Many freeze-dried protein formulations contain glass-forming stabilizing excipients (e.g., trehalose) that protect proteins from dehydration-induced irreversible conformation changes and chemical changes during storage. Some amino acid excipients also form glass-state solids upon lyophilization. The purpose of this study was to elucidate miscibility of proteins and amino acid excipients in frozen solutions and its effect on their crystallization. Methods Aliquots of frozen solutions containing a model protein (e.g., recombinant human albumin) and amino acids were applied for heating thermal analysis from -70 °C to obtain glass transition temperatures of maximally freeze-concentrated solutes Tgà ´Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬OEand solute crystallization peaks. Some frozen solutions were annealed at elevated temperatures (e.g., -10 °C) before their second scan from -70 °C. Results Some amino acid excipients (e.g., L-valine, glycine) showed high propensity to crystallize during the freezing process. Other excipients freeze-concentrated into narrow non-ice regions between ice crystals remained amorphous (e.g., sodium Lglutamate, L-arginine hydrochloride) or crystallized (e.g., L-histidine hydrochloride) upon the annealing. Frozen solutions containing the protein and amorphous excipients showed single or double Tgà ´Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬OE transitions that indicate their varied miscibility depending on the combinations and concentration ratios. Many protein-rich frozen solutions showed single Tgà ´Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬OE transitions in the first heating scans and after their annealing, indicating maintenance of the amorphous concentrated solute mixture. Frozen solutions containing rHA and higher mass ratio of L-Arg HCl showed double Tgà ´Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬OE transitions. The transition temperature profiles suggested separation of the non-crystalline solutes into the solute-mixture and excipient phases. Frozen solutions containing rHA and higher mass ratio of L-His HCl showed the amorphous/amorphous phase separation and following crystallization of the excipient. Conclusion The phase separation should allow nucleation of amino acid crystals in the excipient-dominant concentrated phase. Information on the solute mixing state should be valuable for appropriate use of the amino acid excipients either as a crystalline bulking agent or an amorphous stabilizer in freeze-dried formulations.

Graduation Speech: May You Have Joy and Sorrow :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I would like to begin my speech with these beautiful words of wisdom: "Not enjoyment and not sorrow is our destined end or way but to act that each tomorrow brings us farther than today." Did you hear that? "Not enjoyment and not sorrow is our destined end or way, but to act that each tomorrow brings us farther than today." What, do you all have hearts of stone? Where are the tears? Don't you see it even rhymes? Way-today, today-way, see that? I guess I sound a little too bitter about this don't I? I don't mean to. I am actually excited to be speaking here today, even to be speaking about the class motto. I don't agree with it, but that doesn't mean I can't spend three minutes talking about it. Those of you who know me reasonably well know that there's not much I couldn't spend three minutes talking about. I've been told that I talk a lot. But there I go already, back to the class motto. Not enjoyment and not sorrow, but to act. There are some things that I regret about the last four years of my life, but the enjoyment and the sorrow certainly aren't among them. Life is all about the happy and the sad, and it should be. I don't want every day of my life to be measured by what I accomplished over the day before. Certainly, there are areas in which we as a society could use progress and action, but that should never exclude enjoyment and sorrow from being a part of living. Today, especially of all days, we should be thinking of these things. I am not worried this 8th of June about what I can do to advance myself past where I was on the seventh. I am worried about the fact that it is entirely possible that I may never see some of you again in my life after tonight. Not my best friends certainly, but all of those people we enjoy saying "Hi" to between periods, someone from an old team or a class in ninth grade. That's sorrow. But then it's surely not all bad. It's summer, maybe not on the calendar, but in our mi nds. This is the summer of our senior year. These are the three months out of our lives that most of our parents can only dream of returning to.