Filariasis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Filariasis - Essay Example depending on what type of parasitic worm has caused the infection, but most of the time all infection start with symptoms like chills, headache, and fever between three months and one year after the insect bite. There may also be swelling, redness, and pain in the arms, legs, or scrotum at the early stages. As far as the diagnosis of filariasis is concerned Identification of microfilariae by microscopic examination is the most practical diagnostic procedure. Examination of blood samples will allow identification of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. It is important to time the blood collection with the known periodicity of the microfilariae. The blood sample can be a thick smear, stained with Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin. More recently a new type of diagnosis process has emerged, known to be as cytodiagnosis. A number of evidences have been put forwarded by a number of researchers showing its efficiency. However, time has not come to claim that it is the best methods although at present it seems to be very effective. Whether cytodiagnosis would be the most effective diagnosis process or not, people have be very conscious about the disease filariasis and should take proper medication if infected, and proper preventative measures to reduce the probability of being infected. Filariasis is known to be as a group of diseases, mainly found in and sub-tropical regions, caused by a variety of parasitic round worms (nematodes) and their larvae. The disease is transmitted to human body by the larvae through a mosquito bite. Filariasis is generally characterized by a number of symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and skin lesions in the early stages. If filariasis remains untreated, it results in gross enlargement of the limbs and genitalia, which is called elephantiasis. (Sasa, 1976) In Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and the islands of the Pacific, all of which are situated in tropical or sub-tropical region, approximately

The assignment it is a marketing subject and it a research Paper

The assignment it is a marketing subject and it a - Research Paper Example This research study holds importance since promotion is a common tool utilized by all real world companies. Promotion strategy is also a kind of competency which can be acquired by a firm. The importance of this study lies in analyzing wide arrays of theoretical frameworks related to promotion. Research objectives have been stated below- According to Easwaran, marketing can be defined as an approach that enables direct flow of services or products from manufacturers to end customers. It helps to satisfy customer requirements, involved in exchange process. There are wide set of activities included within the approach of marketing. Marketing mix comprises of four basic elements – product, price, place and promotion. Additional elements in marketing mix are physical evidence, process and people. Hence promotion is one of the significant elements of marketing mix. Any service or product always needs the support of effective promotion scheme. Planning is required before promoting brand through advertisement campaigns, leaflet distribution, etc. There are other decisions which are focused on along with planning promotional activities like determining objectives, selecting target group, outlining promotion budget, distribution, new product launch, etc. Promotion is a medium of spreading awareness about a brandâ€⠄¢s offerings. There are three major purpose of promotion – presenting information to target customers, differentiating a product and increasing market demand. Promotional plan is solely responsible for wide array of outcomes such as brand equity building, increase in sales, positioning, and acceptance of new product, corporate image development and competitive retaliations (Easwaran 112). As per Arens, promotion can be stated as a variable to communicate brand message to target audience and eventually change their behavior or attitude. Market share and sales percentage can only be increased when appropriate promotional strategy

Synthesis of Janus Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery System

Synthesis of Janus Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery System Over the past few decades, drug delivery systems have been well developed and studied to improve the curative effect of drugs.[1–4] Drug delivery systems can ameliorate the problems of conventional administration by prolonging duration time, enhancing drug solubility, retaining drug bioactivity, reducing side effect, and so on.[5, 6] A variety of carriers such as lipids,7, 8 polymer gels,[9,10] especially nanoparticles,11, 12 have been studied in drug delivery systems. At present, stimuli sensitive drug delivery systems have been an attractive theme for controlled release. The release behaviors of drugs can be easily controlled by surrounding properties, such as temperature,13, 14 pH,15,16 electric field,[17 ionic strength,[18 and so on. Recently, combined therapy with dual-drugs of different therapeutic effects shows excellent performance in treatment of diseases.19, 20 In order to optimize therapeutic effects, the doses and species of drugs should be optimized at different c linical manifestations and periods in the treatment. One of the main challenges of combined therapy is to control the release behavior of each drug independently. However, simple drug delivery systems cannot fulfill the needs of such therapy, because the most widely used carriers are normally possess single symmetrical geometry with single-surface. Even the dual-drugs are loaded on the single-surface carrier at same time, the delivery systems are designed only for the simultaneous release of two different drugs, and the release of each drug cannot be controlled. Furthermore, the multi-conjugates or loadings can interact with each other leading to undesired adverse effects. Therefore, developing independent multi-surface nanostructures for combination or loading of multiple drugs is critically desired. Janus nanoparticles possess multiple surface structures are anisotropic in composition, shape, and surface chemistry.[21] The structural asymmetry is ideally suited for dual-drug conju gations or loadings on different sections of a single Janus particle.[22] Furthermore, functionally distinct surfaces of the Janus particle can be used to selectively conjugate with specific chemical moieties for controlling the dual-drug loading or releasing, respectively.[23-25] During the past decades, considerable efforts have been made on the fabrication of Janus particles.[26-30] For instance, a monolayer of spherical particles such as those of polystyrene (PS) or silica colloidal nanospheres are spread on a solid substrate.[31-33] Thus, the functionalization could take place only on the top surfaces of the anchored particles. Because the low yield of the Janus particles result from the limited surface area of the bulk substrates, a modified method was later developed by using colloidal particles as the supporting substrates.[34-38] Another method for fabricating Janus particles was carried out at interfaces: a particle partially contacted with reactive medium and generated different surface functionalities from the opposite surface.36 With the development of microfluidic technique, Janus particles could also be fabricated by solidifying droplets composed of immiscible components.[39, 40] Other methods such as controlled surface nucleation, phase separat ion, and controllable polymer attachment,[41-54] have been also developed to synthesize the Janus particles. But the Janus particles reported previously were often close to micrometer in size and typically involved various types of polymers, which could induced poor biocompatibility, the fabrication of small Janus nanoparticles with inorganic materials is still a greater challenge.[48-54] On the other hand, the widely used silica is an useful material for building concentric [emailprotected] structures by using metallic or magnetic nanoparticles or quantum dots as cores,[55-57] but there have been few reports about silica based Janus nanoparticles. Due to the amorphous nature of silica, it is difficult to fine-tune the surface tension or lattice mismatch between silica and these core materials to form the Janus nanostructure. Feasibility for the synthesis of Janus nanocomposites As mentioned above, it is difficult to fine-tune the surface tension or lattice mismatch between silica and these core materials to form the Janus nanostructure due to the amorphous nature of silica. But for mesoporous silica materials, it has attracted a great deal of attention because of their versatility in surface tension and pore lattice parameters.[58, 59] In order to realize the formation of silica based Janus nanoparticles, the solution-grown synthesis route for the fabrication of inorganic nanocrystals based Janus (such as Au-Fe3O4,[60] Au-CdSe,[61] CdS-FePt,[62] Ag-Fe3O4,[63] CdSe-Fe3O4,[64] and so on) provides a possible clue to the creation of the silica based Janus nanoparticles by using the mesoporous silica as a structural subunit. The inorganic nanocrystals may have polymorphic atomic structures that are epitaxially attached at the interface from a core, leading to specific inorganic nanostructures with well-defined and characteristic shapes such as dimmers or trimers .[65, 66] For the growth of the ordered mesoporous structures, it is partly analogous to the growth of inorganic nanocrystals. Rather than epitaxy from atomic structures, the mesostructures can also be oriented by surfactants micelle and further induced the epitaxy growth of the mesoporous silica. So, compared with the formation of the inorganic nanocrystals Janus nanostructures, the silica based Janus nanocomposites would also be fabricated under the direction of the epitaxially growing properties of the mesoporous silica. Project proposal Focusing on the issues faced by the synthesis of the silica-based Janus nanocomposites and corresponding applications, this proposed project concerns the development of a novel anisotropic growth induced route for the synthesis of Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites [[emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO (NCs = Functional nanocrystals; mSiO2= mesoporous silica; PMO= periodic mesoporous organosilicas)] by using the mesoporous silica as a structural subunit, and the obtained Janus nanocomposites can be used for dual-control drug release (ibuprofen and doxorubicin). As shown in Scheme 1, inorganic functional nanocrystals, including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and quantum dots (QDs), are firstly synthesized by using solvothermal approaches at a high temperature. Then, the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles, including [emailprotected]2, Fe3O4@SiO2, [emailprotected]2, will be synthesized with the reverse micro-emulsion method. Duo to the hydrophobic surface property of the obtained NCs, this hydrophilic SiO2 layer is very necessary for the following syntheses and applications. Furthermore, SiO2 layer can also serve as protective cover for the physical properties of the inorganic functional NCs, such as the fluorescences of UCNPs and QDs. Subsequently, the radial mesoporous SiO2 will be synthesized to form [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 [emailprotected]@shell nanostructures with the Stà ¶ber method in the presence of structure-directing agent (CTAB). The radial mesoporous layer of the obtained [emailpro tected]2@mSiO2 can accommodate the guest drug molecules (doxorubicin), the channel can also be easily modified with light sensitive switch molecules (azobenzene) by using post-modification method to realize the controllable release of doxorubicin. Finally, the Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO can be fabricated through a surfactant-templating approach by using cationic surfactant CTAB as a structure-directing agent and organic silica precursor as a source. At the very beginning, mesostructured CTAC/PMO composites can be assembled and deposited on the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles surfaces. Then, through an anisotropic growth, the mesostructured shells finally develop into mesoscale single-crystals coated on the spherical [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 cores and form Janus nanocomposites. The mesoporous of PMO section of Janus nanocomposites can also accommodate the guest drug molecules (ibuprofen). By introducing the heat sensitive pha se-change material (1-tetradecanol) as switch molecules, it will realize the dual-control release of the guest species. As shown in Scheme 2, the dual-control (heat and NIR light) drug release (ibuprofen and doxorubicin) can be realized as following. Drug molecule (doxorubicin) loading in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains of the Janus nanocomposites: In this procedure, the inorganic functional nanocrystals are specified as NaGdF4:Yb, Tm UCNPs, which can emit photons in both UV (~ 350 nm) and Visible (~ 470 nm) region under NIR (980 nm) excitation. The mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles are modified with azobenzene molecules by using the post-modification method firstly. Both the loading and release of doxorubicin are regulated by the trans–cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules. Specifically, the trans isomer of the azobenzene molecules will transform into the cis isomer under UV light irradiation, and in contrast the cis isomer will form the trans isomer under irradiation of visible light. The installing â€Å"photomechanical† azobenzene groups in the m esopores of silica are act as â€Å"stirrer† in the mesoporous silica, which can be used to control the loading and release of the drug. So, not only the release but also the loading of doxorubicin should be processed under the UV and visible light at the same time, and the drug will be locked in the mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus structures after the UV and visible light are removed. The doxorubicin molecules absorb on the surface and mesopores of PMO domains in the Janus can be washed off with water. Drug molecule (ibuprofen) loading in the PMO section of the Janus nanocomposites and heat control release: After ibuprofen molecules are absorbed into the mesopores of PMO, the mesopores can be blocked with a phase-change material (1-tetradecanol), which has a melting point of 38 – 39 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Below 1-tetradecanol’s melting point, it will be in a solid state to completely block the passing of encapsulated ibuprofen. When the temperature is raised beyond its melting point, it will quickly melt to release the encapsulated ibuprofen (heat control release). NIR light control release of doxorubicin in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 section of the Janus nanocomposites: Upon absorption of NIR light (980 nm), the UCNPs can emit photons in the UV/Vis region, which are absorbed immediately by the photo responsive azobenzene molecules. The reversible photoisomerization by simultaneous UV and visible light emitted by the UCNPs creates a continuous rotation–inversion movement, and the doxorubicin molecules can be released from the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2. Novelty of the project proposal: The anisotropic growth induced route for the synthesis of silica based multi-functional Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites is proposed for the first time. Varieties of inorganic nanocrystals, including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4), quantum dots (QDs), can be introduced to further functionalize the Janus nanocomposites. Dual-control drug relase system based on mesoporous silica is proposed for the first time. The mesopore channels of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains and PMO domains in multi-functional Janus nanocomposites can accommodate two kinds of drug molecules independently at the same time. Two kinds of switch molecules are design to realize dual-control release of the drug molecules independently for the first time. Task 1: Synthesis of the inorganic functional nanocrystals (NCs), including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4), quantum dots (QDs), and so on. The synthesis of the inorganic nanocrystals will be carried out at organic solvent with high boiling point solvents such as 1-octadecylen via a solvothermal approach at a high temperature (~ 300 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for UCNPs, ~ 270 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for Fe3O4 NCs, ~ 240 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for QDs) in presence of the surfactants (oleic acid, oleylamine, etc.). Some simple inorganic salts such as rare earth chloride, iron acetylacetonate, iron oleate, cadmium oleate, zinc oleate, etc. will be used as the inorganic precursors. The necessary characterization (i.e. TEM, XRD, PL, UV-Vis, VSM) will be used in the experiments. Task 2: Fabrication of the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles, including [emailprotected]2, Fe3O4@SiO2, [emailprotected]2 and so on. Duo to the hydrophobic surface property of the obtained NCs, the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles will be synthesized with the reverse micro-emulsion method. The hydrophilic SiO2 layers in this objective are very necessary for the following syntheses and applications. Furthermore, SiO2 layers can also serve as a protective cover for the physical properties of the inorganic functional NCs, such as the fluorescences of UCNPs and QDs. Typically, the obtained inorganic NCs are dispersed in cyclohexane. Then polyoxyethylene (5) nonylphenyl ether (CO-520) and NH3.H2O are introduced to form reverse micro-emulsion. Finally, TEOS is introduced and hydrolysized at room temperature to form the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles. The necessary characterization (i.e. SEM and TEM) will be used in the experiments. Task 3: Fabrication of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 [emailprotected]@shell nanoparticles. In this step, the radial mesoporous SiO2 will be synthesized with the Stà ¶ber method in the presence of cationic surfactant such as CTAB. TEOS is used as a silica sources and hydrolysis in ethanol/water solution under alkaline condition (NH3.H2O) at room temperature. The necessary characterization (i.e. BET, SEM, and TEM) will be used in the experiments. Task 4: Fabrication of the Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites ([emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO). The orientation growth of the cubic mesostructure of mesoporous organosilica (PMO) materials is the key factor for the formation of the silica-based Janus nanocomposites. In this step, organic silica precursors, such as bis(trieth-oxysilyl)benzene (BTEB), 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTEE), bis(triethoxysilyl) ethylene (BTEEE), are used as the silica sources and hydrolysis in ethanol/water solution under alkaline condition (NH3.H2O) at room temperature in the presence of CTAB templates. By adjusting experimental parameters, the organic silica precursors can cooperative self-assembly with surfactant CTAB to form the ordered cubic mesostructured PMO crystals. Because the different mesostructures between [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 (radial) and PMOs (cubic), the PMOs will epitaxy growth to form the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO Janus structure instead of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2@PM O [emailprotected]@[emailprotected] structure. The necessary characterization (i.e. BET, XRD, SEM, FL, VSM and TEM) will be used in the experiment. Task 5: The design and evaluation of the dual-control drug release by using the obtained Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites. The dual-control drug release can be realized as following. Drug molecule (doxorubicin) loading in the [emailprotected]2@ mSiO2 section of the Janus nanocomposites: In this procedure, the inorganic functional nanocrystals are specified as NaGdF4:Yb, Tm, UCNPs, which can emit photons in both UV (~ 350 nm) and Visible (~ 470 nm) region under NIR (980 nm) excitation. The mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles are post-modified with azobenzene molecules by using N-(3-triethoxysilyl)propyl-4-phenylazobenzamide in ethanol at 80 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C firstly. Both the loading and release of doxorubicin are regulated by the trans–cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules. So, not only the release but also the loading of doxorubicin should be processed under the UV and visible light at the same time, and the drug will be locked in the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus after the UV and visible light are removed. The doxorubicin molecules absorb on the surface and mesopores of PMO domains in the Janus can be washed off with water. Drug molecule (ibuprofen) loading in the PMO domains in the Janus nanocomposites and heat control release: After the ibuprofen molecules are absorbed into the mesopores of PMO, the mesopores can be blocked with a phase-change material (1-tetradecanol), which has a melting point of 38 – 39 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Below 1-tetradecanol’s melting point, it will be in a solid state to completely block the passing of encapsulated ibuprofen. When the temperature is raised beyond its melting point, it will quickly melt to release the encapsulated ibuprofen (heat control release). NIR light control release of doxorubicin in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus nanocomposites: Upon absorption of NIR light (980 nm), the UCNPs emit photons in the UV/ Vis region, which can be absorbed immediately by the photo responsive azobenzene molecules. The reversible photoisomerization by simultaneous UV and visible light emitted by the UCNPs creates a continuous rotation–inversion movement, and the doxorubicin molecules can be released from the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2. The necessary characterization (i.e. UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, and TEM) will be used in the experiments.

Importance of Thinking in Troilus and Criseyde and Hamlet Essay

Importance of Thinking in Troilus and Criseyde and Hamlet Troilus and Hamlet have much in common. Both have represented the quintessential tragic heroes of two literary periods. Both lovers, Troilus and Hamlet lose what they love despite their earth-shaking groans. Both are surrounded by traitors and are traitorous in kind. Both are embattled and--this is no secret--both die. But somewhere on that mortal coil on which they are both strung, they confront a similar question, a question which divides them in no sense less than the waters divide England and Denmark--the question of action. This essay pretends to do little more than probe the circumstances of that question in relation to a speech that appears prominently in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and tangentially as a â€Å"Proem†to Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde. I will delve into the specific and larger textual contexts for both of these instances, seeking to show that the manner in which the speech is reworded shows in miniature the gulf that separates Troilus and Hamlet. Hamlet opens famously with sickness. Francisco, a simple soldier, who has thus far endured an uneventful watch, describes himself as â€Å"sick at heart†(1.1.9-10). We find our ubiquitous cliche soon afterwards inserted in a conversation on the prison-like nature of Denmark: â€Å"for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is a prison†(2.2.255-257). With this epistemology in mind, it is not difficult to see how a cloud ) may be weasel-like, and â€Å"very like a whale†in the next instant. Such is our power to determine truth: we name it so, and so it is. Hamlet’s remark is that of one who has suddenly been bathed in the reality of life. He is confronting directly, perhaps for the first time,... ...ism is finally indeterminate. If Krapp me Gant to draw a direct parallel between the two works, it was a matter of vanity: â€Å"I do not find you [Chaucer] full of mysteries./ The world is much the same from day to day?(30-31). Though a comparison between Hamlet and Troilus and Criseyde is possible, we must finally discover how different they are from one another. The chasm that separates the two is one of depth and attitude: it is the difference between recognition and non-recognition, the difference between a self-created future and the pandering of one’s will to a human leech. Works Cited Benson, Larry D., gen. ed. The Riverside Chaucer. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. Evans, G. Blakemore, ed. The Riverside Shakespeare. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974. Krapp, George Philip. Troilus and Criseyde: A Love Poem in Five Books. New York: Random House, 1932.

European colonization Essay

Religion was a key factor for the European colonization but these events were all started by the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation triggered the events leading to the persecution of many people in many European countries. The Protestant Reformation was caused by Martin Luther and he opposed the church and made his own Lutheran Church. People all over Europe were inspired to make their own churches and religious beliefs which made religious persecution occur in many of the countries because they tried to suppress the rebellion of the Protestants. Religion had a profound effect on colonization because the Protestant Reformation caused great turmoil which lead to the persecution and conversion of the New World. Certain groups of religions were persecuted for the way they believed such as the Puritans and Huguenots after the Protestant Reformation. The Puritans arose after King Henry split from the Catholic Church because he could not get a divorce from his wife so he made the Anglican Church which led to the creation of these Puritans. The Puritans wanted to purify the Anglican Church of all the Catholic beliefs which caused much of England furious with these people and lead to the persecution of these people. The Pilgrims were a group of Puritans who were known as Separatists who wanted to break away from the Anglican Church and found the colony of Plymouth. Another group of Puritans followed John Winthrop who was convinced there was no future in England for Puritans made a joint-stock company called the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded the colony of Massachusetts with several towns and a capital named Boston. This lead to even more colonization as conditions worsened in England which made thousands flock to the colonies which is known as the â€Å"Great Migration†. Even in these colonies which were found to stop persecution and have religious tolerance there was still persecution and this led to the creation of more colonies and so forth many people were banished from Massachusetts and made colonies of their own due to this religious persecution. The Huguenots were French Protestants which led to colonization of the New World by the French because in that time France was mainly a Catholic country and under King Louis XIV one million people settled South Carolina, while other found sanctuary in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia. The religious freedom of some of the colonies brought many other people from different countries which increased colonization as well such as the Scots-Irish, Germans, and etc. Religious persecution brought people from all the European empires to the New World. The Spanish and French wanted to convert these â€Å"Indians† in to Catholicism so they could be favored by God as a holy country and were inspired to spread. This was also one of the main reasons the Spanish Monarchs wanted to colonize the New World. There were missions built all over New Spain so they could convert these Natives which indirectly made the Spanish colonies spread throughout much of what is now Latin America and the South-west region of the U. S. There was also a road that linked these missions together is what is now modern day California known as El Camino Real or the Royal Highway which spread the Spanish Colonies. There were also Jesuit priests who went to some of the farthest reaches or most hostile parts of New Spain to convert these Natives which spread these colonies further as the Jesuits built more and more missions in various places that were not yet colonized. These Jesuits also worked with the French to convert these Native Americans to Christianity in the New France region. They were known as â€Å"black robes† by the Natives and the Jesuits tried to live with the Natives and convert them to the Catholic Faith. They also built missions in the New France region making New France larger as they converted more Natives. This increase in land allowed the people to spread and populate more land so more settler arrived. The Spanish and French kingdoms were driven to convert these Native Americans and this allowed them to spread in more and more land available so more people came and colonized New Spain and New France. This urge to colonize and convert was caused the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation made the events and steps which caused the church to be severed and caused conflict and persecution all over the European empires. People were inspired by Martin Luther bravery and made their own churches to defy the Catholic Church as it got weaker. This created the urge for most of the empires to convert the natives and spread. Religion had a profound effect on colonization because the Protestant Reformation caused great turmoil which lead to the persecution and conversion of the New World.

Life and Hills like White Elephants Essay

The life of Ernest Hemingway can be roughly described as turbulent as he previously led a tumultuous social life and has had a complicated marital relationship (Raeburn, p. 207). Although he has won for himself numerous awards in literature, the life of Hemingway remained blemished by his multiple relationships as well as the physical and mental difficulties he suffered from (Donaldson, p. 691). He was also treated in a mental hospital and received medical attention for severe depression. In the end, Hemingway committed suicide by tripping the trigger of his double barreled shotgun which immediately took away his life. The personal experiences of Ernest Hemingway have largely contributed to some of his major literary works. For example, For Whom the Bell Tolls echoes that of a not-so-distant memory of Hemingway, specifically the time when he had to part ways from his home in order to fulfill his job, boarding and leaving with the train while his father watched the train disappear in the distance (Reynolds, p. 600). In his A Farewell to Arms, Hemingway appears to relieve his previous experiences as an ambulance driver, a member of the personnel for the canteen duties which meant distributing food for the soldiers in the battlefield, and a short-lived affair with a woman named Agnes von Kurowsky during the First World War. All these things and a lot more indicate the presumption that the works of Hemingway are largely influenced by his experiences. And this most likely holds true to his short story â€Å"Hills like White Elephants†. As the story revolves around two characters—an unnamed American and a woman named Jig—Hemingway appears to employ the Iceberg Theory by writing just a little about the explicit messages and allowing the reader to divulge with what is indirectly written in the story. Thus, a thorough reading of â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† will lead the reader to the understanding that there is more than what meets the eyes. Apparently, the short story is about an American and Jig where the American appears to convince the woman to commit abortion. Perhaps the primary reason why the American is persuading the woman to abort the child is because the man is afraid to lose the liberty or freedom from an imminent parental responsibility. In a sense, the ‘child’ whom the man wants to be aborted is comparable to a ‘white elephant’, at least in the understanding of the American. White elephants are considered to be sacred and symbolize justice in Southeast Asian monarchies although on the other hand these elephants come with a costly price in terms of its upkeep (Martin). Hence, white elephants are considered to be either a blessing or a curse, or even both. The ‘child’, like white elephants, is seen by Jig as a blessing whereas the child is seen by the American as a burden or a ‘curse’. â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† can be interpreted in many ways as resembling the life, or a significant fraction thereof, of Hemingway’s life. In essence, the short story is reminiscent of the destructive situations faced by couples with marital bonds, specifically the conflicting decisions being pushed through by both sides. This, too, is reminiscent of the multiple relationships Hemingway had in the past wherein he was involved in such numerous affairs while being married. For instance, Hemingway’s marital relationship with Elizabeth Hadley Richardson came to an end wherein Elizabeth divorced Hemingway after discovering his affair with Pauline Pfeiffer. A short time after his divorce with Elizabeth, Hemingway married Pauline. Prior to the time when his short story â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† was first published in 1927, Hemingway already had two wives, with the first wife divorced. But prior to the divorce, as Elizabeth found out about Hemingway’s affair, she decided to tell him to stay away from Pauline for six months. Only after that time if he knew he was still in love with Pauline will Elizabeth give Hemingway a divorce. That very instance where Hemingway had to decide for himself the outcome of his marriage with Elizabeth and his affair with Pauline reminds us of the essence of â€Å"Hills like White Elephants†. For the most part, whether or not Hemingway will keep his marriage with Elizabeth must have depended on his comprehension of it as either a burden or a blessing. The same most likely holds true to his affair with Pauline. The delicate situation wherein Hemingway had to consider whether one of his relationships is a burden or a blessing is quite synonymous to the essence of the situation faced by the American and Jig in Hemingway’s short story. The analogy tells us that, far from being a mere mental construct, â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† is a short story that strongly reflects the perception of the author. Since Hemingway is keen to use the Iceberg Theory where what the reader is only able to immediately absorb are the explicit contents of the story (Halliday, p. 1), it must have been the case that â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† functions like a window where the reader can take a closer look at the life of Ernest Hemingway. Works Cited Donaldson, S. (1982). The Wooing of Ernest Hemingway. American Literature, 53(4), 691. Halliday, E. M. (1956). Hemingway’s Ambiguity: Symbolism and Irony. American Literature, 28(1), 1. Martin, G. (1996). A white elephant. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www. phrases. org. uk/meanings/410050. html Raeburn, J. (1989). Skirting the Hemingway Legend. American Literary History, 1(1), 207. Reynolds, M. S. (1985). Hemingway’s Home: Depression and Suicide. American Literature, 57(4), 600.