Drawing on your Mulvey and Neale readings, as well as Tasker's Essay - 2

Drawing on your Mulvey and Neale readings, as well as Tasker's discussion, analyse the representation of masculinity in one of - Essay Example As evident in the film, masculinity has both physical and mental power over femininity. According to Carroll, John McLane in the Die Hard series is a prime example of this: ‘studies in the film field pay specific attention to the Herculean physical performances and spectacular body appearances of starring characters’ (Carroll, 2003, p. 54). Although heroines play important roles in many successful films, most of these female characters are known only in relation to the male hero. This is in part due to male domination in our society. This paper will analyse the representation of masculinity in Die Hard 2. This analysis will incorporate a survey from the works of Mulvey (1975), Neale (1983) and Tasker (2004). Die Hard 2 focuses on the story of a New York police officer, John McLane. The opening scene is set on Christmas Eve, when McLane visits his distant wife, who lives in Los Angeles (Gates 2006, p. 35). McLane has what Rzepka and Horsley (2010, p. 89) term as ‘un resolved issues’. It is because of these issues that McLane is not on good terms with his wife. Upon McLane’s arrival, he finds his separated wife at an office Christmas party; however, supposed political terrorists invade the building. The film then portrays the heroic acts of John McLane so that he can save his wife from the terrorists. In Die Hard 2, as in many action movies, masculine characters are portrayed with virile physical prowess and social dominance. Another important aspect of masculine heroes is their excessive aggression. Prior studies concerning Hollywood’s presentation of male genres have characterised Die Hard 2 as a male-driven action movie, with the ‘presentation of the lead hero as a macho man’ (Milestone & Meyer 2012, p. 50). This is due to McLane’s spectacular ability to wrestle his enemies, which is a trait of the hero in male-driven films. In fact, Carroll (2003, p. 79) comments that the ‘physical masculinity o f an action hero gives a preferential tone for the action narrative’. It should be noted that the audience accepts heroism fron male characters in filmst whil, female heroism is less acceptable to movie audiences (Le Guin, 1993, p. 5). This is because of the notion that males are physically and mentally stronger than females. Rzepka and Horsley (2010, p. 61) define masculinity in film as ‘an opinion that a film-maker intends to deliver that involves physical prowess, sexual virility and aggression’. Gates (2006), Bould (2005) and Berg (2002) all support this idea in some form or another. Gates (2006, p. 58) argues that Die Hard 2 focuses on physicality; the way that McLane is displayed as a hero ‘forms a vital ingredient of a film’s visual effects’. On the other hand, Bould (2005, p. 59) states that literature on action heroes discusses the body above sexuality, race, class and nationality. In a different manner, Berg (2002, p. 80) believes that critics largely applauded the Die Hard series due to ‘John McLane’s ability to withstand physical assaults despite his age’. Thus, the physical appearance of the hero plays an important role in attracting audiences to action-oriented films such as Die Hard 2. To prove this point, imagine if Rowan Atkinson were to play the hero role in the film. While he is widely accepted among the public as a comedian, he has never been shown as a serious action or romantic hero. This is probably due to the weaker physique of Atkinson compared to that of typical action heroes. One thing that cannot be argued against is

Ecological Footprint of Clay Brick Essay Example for Free

Ecological Footprint of Clay Brick Essay An ecological footprint highlights human impact on the environment through specific, measurable terms usually relating to a type of material that can be diagramed from manufacturing to use. To understand the impact of a single material, such as clay brick, there must be a cataloguing of the process of excavation, manufacturing, and transportation. In the architectural realm, clay bricks are often used for convenience, but the actual process of creating and transporting clay bricks obviously consumes energy and produces waste affecting the health of the environment and the distribution of resources. Despite the fact forming clay bricks is less harmful than other building materials, such as glass and chemically formed plastics, clay bricks do take a toll on the environment. By examining the life cycle of a clay brick it is possible to make observations that can potentially alter the process of excavation, manufacturing, and transportation, which allows for a cleaner, more efficient means of production. The Life Cycle Analysis or LCA of clay brick categorizes the various environmental impacts, including climate range, stratospheric ozone depletion, human toxicity, eco-toxicity, photo-oxidant formation, acidification and nitrification. It is now a common practice to make the LCA of specific materials accessible on the job site as a reference to monitor how an ecologically-friendly process compares to the more traditional practices of the past. By providing a benchmark, it is easier to track the life cycle and easier implement small changes that will lead to a significant difference in the final ecological footprint of a clay brick. Energy and material use can be categorized in the life cycle of brick in two ways. There is the primary use of materials and energy, such as the clay and stone that physically make up the brick. Then there is secondary energy that is required in the machinery that is used to excavate or to form the brick. Energy for these processes has traditionally been provided through fossil fuels, as a non-renewable resource, some companies have replaced using fossil fuel with more environmentally friendly choices such as, biogas and liquefied rendering fat. From these two types of energy use and consumption comes material and energy waste and emission. To begin, clay and stone, the main material of brick, is excavated from a quarry. Here energy is consumed by the machinery used to retract the rock. Despite the plasticity of clay compared to many other types of excavation, bracing and support may still be needed for the extraction. With the bracing and support more energy and more resources are consumed. Also, with the clay and rock now gone, there is possible destruction of a habitat along with a new likelihood of erosion due to the large hole created by the excavation. This can lead to long term, if not permanent dangers to the habitat and its creatures. The future use of the site for any other building and excavation can also be determined by the extent of excavation. The process continues with delivery to the manufacturer. Energy is consumed through fuel consumption, emissions from the delivery vehicle, and heat radiation of its engine. The manufacturing process can now begin with clay processing, continuing on with the brick formation, brick drying and finally firing the brick. Initially, the clay is crushed, ground and screened to reduce it to a fine consistency. Then, depending on the type of clay being used, water is added or taken out. The stiff mud process, the process most common currently, places clay with 12 percent to 15 percent water into a vacuum to remove any pockets of air. The new bricks are then cut and placed in a kiln to dry for one or two days. During the cutting and drying processes, the cut away parts of the clay are lost, thrown away as waste, the material is no longer used in the clay making process. They then continue on to the firing process in which the bricks are places in an oven as hot as 2400 degrees for 40 to 150 hours. Throughout this part of the steps, co2 is emitted from the burning fuel . Also as a part of the firing there are fuel emissions and energy waste as a result of machinery use that leads to co2 being released into the air and other heat pollution that can affect the ozone. Those same wastes continue with the packaging of the product and the transportation of the bricks to construction sites. Eventually the bricks make it to their destination where they are used. Combined with mortar, the bricks are used to build walls, or in walkways, etc. , and the actually construction of such structures only adds to the extent of clays bricks ecological footprint. Technically, pure clay bricks are completely recyclable. Unfortunately due to the building process the bricks come into contact with common building materials that ultimately compromise the of clay bricks. However, in some cases the bricks are eventually taken down, either to be replaced by new bricks that have followed the same process or just to demolition the structure they inhabit. In this deconstruction step, there is cleaning and crushing that requires labor and that also releases atmospheric emissions. With the crushing process completed, the brick pieces can be reused by taking them back to the initial manufacturer to be reformed into brick. By doing this the bricks formed from the reused pieces are more efficiently produced and in turn the ecological footprint is lessened because the excavation process is skipped entirely. Clay Bricks are usually referred to as a sustainable product. The only real energy consuming aspect of them comes when the raw materials are quarried or the bricks are fired. When just making the bricks, the energy consumption ranges from 1840-2800 kj/kg. However, recently that number is much higher because it is becoming increasingly common for the bricks to be fired in a â€Å"tunnel kiln in which fire remains stationary and bricks are moved on kiln cars through a tunnel divided preheat, firing and cooling zones. † With this added energy use, 800-1250 kj/kg is added to the total energy consumption of bricks. As seen in the last step of a clay bricks LCA, there are ways to decrease the energy usage of clay brick production and use. Other than simply reusing materials, another way to make for more efficient production is to combine the areas of production to a unified space so less energy is consumed by transportation and travel. By housing the excavation area, the manufacturing area, and the packaging area into one facility could save transportation costs and energy consumption and waste Also, buyers and contractors can do more accurate calculation to ensure that they are ordering the correct amount, not more than needed as that would lead to more waste and energy loss. Another method to decrease bricks environmentally impact could lie in the ability to ensure the bricks integrity and recyclability. Many of these ideas are being adapted into construction processes as the LCA of materials make it easier for people to understand the waste that is the consequence of production and use of materials such as clay brick. This proves that awareness is a significant factor in changing human ecological footprints. Essentially clay, as a raw material, is pure. The environmental impact of clay bricks begins with emissions when clay has been fired, not when clay is in its raw state. It is possible to reduce the emissions caused by the various stages by compacting the out going sources into one factory and ultimately condensing the energy consumed and waste produced. Also, to help maintain the sustainability of clay bricks it is possible to recycle the product in its final state rather than generate new bricks for the same purpose. The clay brick itself is not a source of waste, rather, the energy required to create a new brick, therefore it is important to recycle clay bricks. By closely examining the ecological footprint it is possible to observe what steps in the process can be altered or improved to stop overusing materials and harming the earth. In essence, by condensing sources and recycling it is possible to continue maximum productivity while eliminating the ability to create a larger ecological footprint by using clay bricks. Bibliography http://www. scribd. com/doc/8746950/Clay-Brick-LCA http://www. staywithclay. com/downloads/SustainableBuildingConference-Italy. pdf http://linkinghub. elsevier. com/retrieve/pii/S0360132306000795 http://www. ibstock. com/pdfs/technical-support/TIS16Howbricksaremade. pdf Fundamentals of Building Construction, 4th Edition, Allen and Iano

Determination of Heavy Metals in Cow Milk

Determination of Heavy Metals in Cow Milk The cow milk feeding concept of infants, in the larger parts of Lake Victoria basin of Kenya, for about the first six months after birth, has immensely invigorated the interest in investigating the presence and levels of some heavy metals in cows milk. Toxicity of a heavy metal depends on its fractional bioavailability and concentration in the environment, therefore its speciation is of great importance. The knowledge of concentrations of toxic heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead and zinc in cows milk is hence very necessary. Fresh milk samples from lactating cows will be obtained by self milking into sterilized polyethene bottles and labeled according to time, date, location and replicate. Other parameters that will be collected from the three locations on the basis of 7-day interval and thereafter investigated include: grass feeds, sediments, water, soil, and lactating cows faecal drops and urine. This information therefore gives a suitable background for assessing and determining the concentrations of heavy metal contaminants on cows and their subsequent intake by human. Few drops of 0.1 M trichloroacetic acid will be added to the sample for coagulation and the aqueous layer heated at 500 °C for one hour. Digestion will be done with 0.5 M nitric acid as presence and concentration of heavy metals analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, AAS. Statistical analysis will be conducted using MSTATC two factor complete randomized block design, with the heavy metal concentration as the main factor with the locations as the sub treatment. The package will perform analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P †°Ã‚ ¤ 0.05 with two factor experiment and students T-test at P †°Ã‚ ¤ 0.05. The mean, standard deviation, range and linear correlation co-efficient on the measured parameters will be determined. The study is expected to give an indication of the exposure of mothers and infants in the region to the heavy metals and also ascertain the safety of absolute milk feeding of infants. This study will be conducted in Kisumu city, at the shore of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Key words: Heavy metals, infants, cows milk and contamination. 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background Human and animals have been exposed to heavy metal toxicity for an immeasurable time. The industries have dramatically increased the overall environmental load of the toxins to levels that they are present in every area of modern consumerism. Therefore, it is necessary to know the environmental fate of all xenobiotics so as to predict their persistence and possible effects on non-target organisms (Kengara F.O: 2004). Anthropogenic activities appear to play an important role in this study since, in the past, solid wastes have been dumped by residents in their respective localities. In an apparent attempt to keep the environment clean, in Kisumu city, the local authorities, in the past four years have collected and dumped the solid wastes at a new site, Nyalenda Kachok, Kisumu. Similarly lorry-loads from all over the citys supermarkets, industrial set-ups, petrol stations, residences and markets dump theirs solid wastes at the site. Cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead and zinc are among the most common heavy metals known as contaminants in the environment and therefore come affront as hazardous substances to both human and animal health (Roberts J.R, 1999). This is due to wide spread environmental pollution by materials containing them: like batteries, paints, pipes, soldering rods, pesticides, fungicides, gasoline, engine oils, chemical fertilizers or when they occur in high amounts in air, soil, water, plants and other compounded animal feeds. They therefore increase concentrations of heavy metals in air, water, soil and subsequently taken by plants and animals into their food chain (Ahmad, W.M.S, 2002). The presence of heavy metals in cows milk may be attributed to contamination of the original one, which may be due to exposure of lactating cow to environmental pollution or consumption of contaminated feeding stuffs and water (Carl M, 1991). This occurrence can lead to considerable concentrations in human body since they are not metabolized therefore poses a serious risk to human health when consumed even in small amounts (Selinger B, 1979). Most of them, like cadmium, lead and mercury persist in the body and exert their toxic effect by combining with one or more reactive groups essential for normal physiological functions of the cells thus causing cellular disturbances or clinical manifestation. The adverse toxic effects caused by lead, cadmium mercury are widely recognized (Friberg, L. and Elinder, C.G, 1988). The major clinical signs in animals and man for lead and copper poisoning include, among others, deviations of the hematological parameters due to their direct effects on hematopoiesis, reduced integrity of red blood cells membrane leading to intravascular haemolysis, anemia and dehydration (Radostits O. M. et al., 1994). Therefore hematological parameters have diagnostic value in animals suspected of heavy metal toxicity (Mlay P.S and Migumia Y.O, 2008). Man becomes at risk by eating food and drinking fluids contaminated with heavy metals,  through air, direct contact with the metals like in people working in car wash or body spraying industries or factories dealing with heavy metals and their derivatives (Farr G, 2001). Kisumu city is endowed with relatively many but small enterprises dealing with metal works, car maintenance and repair (Jua Kali Sheds), construction works that pose a risk of contamination to the environment with hazardous substances including heavy metals. Subsistence farming and husbandry are quite enhanced in its neighborhoods. The foregone information prompts the desire to investigate the presence of some heavy metals in cows milk. The data generated will assist the concerned city planners, institutions and bodies charged with environmental control and surveillance to formulate measures and policies that would firmly govern the dumping of solid wastes, re-locate the site and authoritatively bar animals from feeding on the wastes. 2.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The presence and concentration of heavy metals in water, sediments, soil and cows milk urine and faecal drops are unknown. This means that both man and animals likely assimilate the heavy metal contaminants unabated, thus endangering their lives. 2.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH The toxic heavy metals from the possible sources as stated above continue to get into the environment and the biota. This phenomenon is a real threat to the human life therefore it is an urgent issue that the study needs to address. It is important to note that with the known concept of milk feeding of infants for the first six months after birth, either through mothers breasts or other sources like cow milk, more so in the rural set-ups, presents a possible lethal exposure route of heavy metal poisoning. The clinical manifestations that un-permissible levels of the heavy metals cause to both man and animals are fatal and expensive to treat thus jeopardize the economic progress of the affected community. The dumping point at the present site has continued to pollute the air due to organics releasing poisonous gases when they decompose and burnt. The constant burning of the wastes has hindered visibility, caused breathing difficulty and eye-aches to the road users as the site is at the high way and the entrance to the city. It is therefore a rude welcome to the tourists visiting the city. Therefore, the study will give an indication of the exposure of mothers and infants in the region to the heavy metals and also ascertain the safety of absolute milk feeding of infants. 2.4 HYPOTHESIS (i) The solid wastes dumped at the dumping site at Kachok, Kisumu city, contain toxic heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) . (ii) The animals that feed on the wastes take-up the heavy metals into their body systems. 3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW Heavy metals are elements with specific density of 5gcm3, at least five times as the specific gravity of water (Florea T et al., 2006) and (Steven, D, 2003). They have been found in human breast milk and shown to affect health in infants. This may be due to mothers being susceptible to chemicals mostly in foods. Inhalation and dermal routes are possible though they are insignificant. Heavy metals, mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, bismuth, antimony most often disrupt immune function, neurological and endocrine functions. Some common effects of heavy metal toxicity include brain fogginess. Insomnia in children, memory loss, dementia tremors delay development (Molin J, 2000). Due to their toxic nature, the human body upon assimilation begins to get rid of them through the organs such as the skin, liver, kidney and through urine and sweat. However, this process is quite strenuous thus burdens and damages the organs (Bentum J.K, et al., 2010). Unfortunately human milk is one of the routes of elimination this burden, and therefore a source of exposure to infants (Oskarsson A, 1998). Some of these metals are stored in the mothers bones and are extracted from her to provide calcium for the development of the childs bones. As a result, they enter the maternal blood and breast milk during pregnancy and lactation, thus exposing the fetus and infants to risk (Sonawane R.B, 1994). However, at permissible levels, some of them are essential for normal physiological functions in animal tissues (Ahmed, E.E.K, et al., 1999). Dietary deficiencies of copper, zinc, calcium, iron, protein and excess fats cause an increase in the absorption and toxicity of lead (Goldfrank, L.R. et al., 1990). While copper is a trace element in various metabolic functions in the body, lead and other heavy metals have no function in the body and can be highly toxic due to interference directly in metabolic pathways or indirectly by causing deficiencies of other trace metals (Farr G, 2004). Excessively higher levels of the metals in milk and tissues of animals suggest an exposure either from the air, soil, water or feeds or all of these sources (Farr G, 2001) and (Dupler D, 2001). Animals can tolerate elevated levels of these metals though at certain levels clinical signs of toxicity manifest which can be acute or chronic when there is low exposure for a long time since these metals bio-accumulate in the body (IARC, 1997) and (Allcroft R, 1951). Heavy metals like cadmium, lead and mercury have been detected in breast milk in many parts of the world and have different means and ranges (Appendix 6.1). In many parts of the world, they exceed the recommended limits (Oskarson A et al., 1995) while in others lead has been found in breast milk between 5-20 ppb (Rabinowitz M et al., 1985). This may be attributed to the fact that sources of lead exposure are numerous ranging from ceramic and pottery glazed with lead, electronic works, welding and solders, jewelry making and repairing, certain hair dyes, automobile repairs (ATSDR, 1990). The presence of cadmium has been detected in breast milk as 0.28 ÃŽÂ ¼g/litre. It is found in many components of vehicles and in electrical and electronic equipment (Honda R et al., 2003). Cadmiums levels in breast milk have also been associated with cigarette smoking. Arsenic has not been thoroughly studied in breast milk but is however known to cause cancer in humans (Radisch B and Luck W, 1987). METHODOLOGY 4.1 Sampling and Sampling Design A Two factor completely randomized block design will be employed in sampling where one of the locations will be considered as a block. They will be spread out within 8 km apart. The samples will be taken within an interval of seven days. Table2 shows the experimental design detailing the number of samples per location and the sampling intervals of 7 days, 14 days and 21 days (Table 2): Key: D= Days; Re= Replicates; Lo= Locations: 4.2 Study Area The study area will be at the shore of Lake Victoria, Kisumu city and its environs within the area limits of 00 51 South and Longitude 0041 North and longitudes 330 20- 35020 East and an altitude of 528m above the sea level. The following locations will be picked for the study: Location 1: Nyalenda-Kachok: whose animals feed and graze at the dumping site- suspected to be polluted with the metals. Location 2: Mamboleo: 8 km north eastern outskirts of the city with relative high animal husbandry. Location 3: Chiga: 8 km- eastern outskirts of the city with subsistence and light animal husbandry. The choice of the sampling areas 2 and 3 is based on the fact that the cows graze freely in their areas but can not reach the dumping site where only those from location 1 access for herbage. All samples will be collected from 5 (hence five replicates) randomly selected points from each of the three locations; 1, 2 and 3 and immediately taken to the laboratory for preparation, digestion and analysis at Chemistry Laboratory, Maseno University, Kenya. 4.3 SAMPLES COLLECTION 4.3.1 Cow Milk Sample By self milking into sterilized polyethylene bottles, about 50ml fresh milk samples will be collected from five lactating cows from randomly selected homes in each location on a three day milking interval in the morning (i.e 50ml x 5cows x3 locations x 3 milking intervals = 2,250 ml will be collected in total. The samples will then be packed into ice-bags and labeling will be done with respect to time, date, location and replicate. 4.3.2 Urine Sample 50ml urine sample will be randomly collected from each lactating cow (whose milk is sampled) from its shed. The samples will then be wrapped and tied with sterilized polythene papers, packed into ice-bags and labeled according to time, date, location and replicate. 4.3.3 Faecal Drops Sample In each location, approximately 100g of faecal drops will be randomly collected from each of the five lactating cows (whose milk is sampled) from their sheds, wrapped and tied with sterilized polythene paper, packed into ice-bags and labeled according to time, date, location and replicate. 4.3.4 Water Sample About 50ml of water samples from five different points in each location will be placed in clean unused 100ml plastic bottles with screw caps: The points are across the swamp and dam for locations 1 and 3 while five equidistant spots along the stream that passes through the grazing area of location 2. All the samples will then be packed into ice-bags and labeling will be done with respect to time, date, location and replicate. 4.3.5 Grass Feeds and Soil Sample Grass feeds will be cut at approximately1 cm height from the ground in an area of 1x1m2, (within five randomly selected cattle grazing ground per location), bundled, labeled and packed in clean polythene bags. At the centre of the 1x1m2 area where grass feeds are taken, the topsoil will be dug to 12 cm depth at an area of 24x24cm2. The soil will then be put in clean polythene bags and labeled according time, date, location and replicate. 4.3.6 Sediment Sample Five sediment sub-samples will be randomly taken in each location. Approximately top 2 cm surface layer will be collected with a strainer and the samples packed and labeled with respect to time, date, location and replicate. 4.4 PREPARATION, DIGESTION, ANALYSIS AND QUANTITATION 4.4.1 Cow Milk Samples Five drops of 0.1 M trichloroacetic acid will be added to the cow- milk sample to precipitate the proteins, and the aqueous layer of the milk separated by centrifugation. 5 ml of the aqueous layer will be placed in porcelain crucible and heated in a furnace at a temperature of 500 0C for about 45 minutes. Thereafter, 3 ml of 0.5M nitric will be added and then filtered through Whatman filter paper (No 40) into a 10ml measuring cylinder. Further 0.5M nitric acid will be added to the 10 ml mark of the measuring cylinder. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn in blank and the milk samples will be analyzed with an AAS. 4.4.2 Urine and Water Samples 100ml of each sample will be boiled till complete dryness. 10ml of conc. nitric acid will be added to the sample and boiled close to dryness then diluted to 20 ml with de-ionized water. The solution will be filtered and the filtrate taken for AAS analysis for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn. 4.4.3 Quantitation of heavy metals in milk, urine and water samples: Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Se and Zn in examined samples will be calculated according to the following equation:- Mg/kg in examined samples = AxB/W A= mg/kg of metal in prepared samples (obtained by calibration). B= final volume of prepared sample in ml. W= weight of samples in grams. 4.4.4. Quantitation of Heavy Metals in Faecal Drops, Grass, Sediments Soil Samples The samples will be rinsed with de-ionized water several times and separately air-dried on open plastic bags for 24 hours, ground in a mortar to obtain small particles of uniform size, thus large surface area. Conventional aqua regia digestion will be performed in 250ml glass beakers covered with watch glasses. A well-mixed sample of 0.50 g each of the samples will be digested in 12ml of aqua regia on a hot plate for 3 h at 110 °C. After evaporation to near dryness, the sample will be diluted with 20 ml of 2% (v/v with H2O) nitric acid and transferred into a 100-ml volumetric flask after filtering through Whatman ® filter paper grade 40 and diluted to 100 ml with de-ionized distilled water thereafter analyzed for levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Se and Zn using AAS. 5.0 REFERENCES 1. Ahmad, W.M.S. (2002): Studies on heavy metal pollution in poultry farms in relation to production performance; Ph.D. Thesis-Faculty of Vet. Medicine. Zag. University. 2. Ahmed, E.E.K, Haleem, H.H. and Aly, A.A. (1999): Effect of copper and ascorbic acid in restriction of cadmium toxicity. J. Egypt. Vet. Med. Ass., 59 (5): 1549-1573. 3. Allcroft R. 1951: Lead poisoning in cattle and sheep. Veterinary Record 63:583-593. 4. ATSDR Case study in environmental medicine: Cadmium toxicity: U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta G.A, 1990. 5. Roberts J R, 1999: Metal toxicity in children. In Training Manual on Pediatric Environmental Health: Putting It into Practice 1999 Jun. Emeryville, CA: Childrens Environmental Health Network. 6. Bentum J.K, Sackitey O.J, Tuffuor J.K., Essumang D.K, Koranteng-Addo E. J, and Owusu-Ansah E., 2010: Cadmium and Arsenic in breast milk of lactating mothers in Odumanse-Atua community in Manya Krobo district of eastern region of Ghana. 7. Carl, M. (1991): Heavy metals and other trace elements. Monograph on residues and contaminants in milk and milk products. Special Issue 9101, pp. 112-119. International Dairy Federation IDF, Belgium. 8. Dupler D. 2001: Heavy metal poisoning Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. 9. Farr G 2001: The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. 10. Farr G 2004: Why Heavy Metals are a Hazard to Your Health. 11. Florea T, Sarolta O.B and Gheorghe C, 2006: Heavy metals in fresh cow-milk and cheese. 12. Friberg, L. and Elinder, C.G. 1988: Cadmium toxicity in humans. Essential and toxic trace elements in human health and disease, edited by A.S. Prasad (New York: A.R.Liss), pp. 559-587. 13. Goldfrank, L.R.; Osborn, H. and Hartnett, L, 1990: Lead. In: Goldfrank, L.R.; Flomentbaum, N.E.; Lewin, N.A.; Weisman, R.S. and Howland, M.A. (Eds.): Goldfranks Toxicological Emergencies. 4th edition. pp. 627-637. Prentice-Hall International Inc. New Jersey, USA. 14. Honda R; Tawara K; Nishyo M; Nakagawa H; Tanebe K; Saito S, Toxicology 2003;186(3) 255-259. 15. IARC (International Agency for Research on cancer) 1997: Monograph of carcinogenic risk to human. Lyon. Supplement. 7:230-231. 16. Kengara F.O, 2004: Analysis of organo-chlorine pesticides in Nyando catchments of Lake Victoria and fate studies of atrazine and glyphosate in soil using the radioisotope tracer technique: MSc Thesis-Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Maseno University, Kenya. 17. Mactaggart D.L and Farewell S.O: Analytical use of regression. Part 1: Regression procedures for calibration and quantitation, 1992, Journal of AOA International, 75 594-606. 18. Mlay P.S and Mgumia Y.O, 2008: Levels of lead and copper in plasma of dairy cows, pastures, soil and water from selected areas of Morogoro suburbs. (Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tanzania). 19. Molin J: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine; 2000; 42(11) 1070-1075. 20. Ongeri, D.M.K, 2008: Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal residue levels and their speciation studies in Lake Victoria basin; Ph.D. Thesis-Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry. Maseno University, Kenya. 21. Oskarson A., Palminger H.I, and Sundberg: J. Analyst: 1995; 120(3) 765-770. 22. Oskarsson, A, Analyst 1998 123(1); 19-23. 23. Osweiler D. G, 1996: Toxicology. Williams and Wilkins USA 491pp. 24. Rabinowitz, M., Leviton A., and Needleman H., Archives of environmental health 1985; 40 (5) 283-286. 25. Radisch B and Luck W: Nav H Toxicology letters 1987; 36 147-152. 26. Radostits O. M, Blood D. C and Gay C. C, 1994: Veterinary Medicine A Textbook of the Disease of Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Horses 8th Edition. Paston press ltd, London, Norfolk, UK 1469-1499p. 27. Roberts J R, 1999: Metal toxicity in Children. In Training Manual on Pediatric Environmental Health: Putting It into Practice 1999 Jun. Emeryville, CA: Childrens Environmental Health Network. 28. Selinger B, 1979: Chemistry in the market place. 29. Sonawane R.B: Envronmental Health Perspective, 1994; 196. 30. Tsoumbaris, P. and Papadopoulou, T.H. 1994: Heavy metals in common food stuffs: Quantitative analysis. Bulletin Environ. Contamination Toxicology, 53: 61-66. 31. Stevens, D. 2003. CSIRO Land and waters Methods Manual. Impact of Heavy Metals on Sustainability of Fertilization and Waste Recycling in Peri-Urban and Intensive Agriculture in South-East Asia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). 29. World Health Organization, (WHO, 1993). 6.0 APPENDICES 6.1: Table 1- WHO: Selected Concentration Mean Ranges of Heavy Metals, 1993. Heavy Metal Concentration, ppb Concentration Range, ppb Arsenic 0.3 0.10 -0.80 Cadmium 0.1 0.10 3.80 Lead 5.0 0.00 41.10 Mercury 2.7 0.64 257.10 Manganese 18.0 7.00 102.00 6.2: Table 2: Experimental Design and Sampling Record Table Key: D= Days; Re= Replicates; Lo= Locations and F/D- Faecal Drops Re. Lo Milk Urine F/Drops Water Soil Grass Sediments 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5 1 2 3 6.3: Table 3- TIME SCHEDULE ACTIVITY PERIOD DURATION Proposal Writing and Presentation Jan March 2011 12 weeks Research Site Survey and Preparation April 2011 4 weeks Acquisition of Chemical Reagents May 2011 4 weeks 1st Sample Collection and Extraction June 2011 1 week 1st Experimentations and Analysis AAS June 2011 3 weeks 2nd Sample Collection and Extraction July 2011 1 week 2nd Experimentations and Analysis AAS July 2011 3 weeks 3rd Sample Collection and Extraction August 2011 1 week 3rd Experimentations and Analysis AAS August 2011 3 weeks Discussion and Statistical Interpretation September, 2011 4 weeks Thesis Writing and Submission Oct-Nov, 2011 8 weeks Total 1 year 44 weeks 6.4: Table 4 BUDGET Item Quantity Unit Price (KSh) Total Cost (KSh) Chemicals Universal Indicator 1 litre 1,350.00 1,350.00 Distilled Water 40 litres 1,200.00 48,000.00 Aqua Regia 5 litres 3,500.00 17,500.00 Nitric Acid 2.5 litres 3,500.00 8,750.00 Sulphuric Acid 2.5 litres 3,500.00 8,750.00 Hydrochloric Acid 2.5 litres 3,500.00 8,750.00 Ammonium Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Ferrous Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Lead (II) Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Unhydrous Sodium Sulphate 500g 2,850.00 2,850.00 Copper (II) Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Zinc Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Trichloricacetic acid 2.5 litres 4,500.00 11,250.00 Chromium (II) sulphate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Cadmium Nitrate 500g 3,500.00 3,500.00 Sub Total 131,200.00 Apparatus, Equipment and Others AAS Analysis Lamps 12 7,500.00 90,000.00 Polythene Bags 6 1,000.00 6,000.00 Brown PVC Bottles 180 100.00 18,000.00 Whatman Filter Papers grade 40 6 1,000.00 6,000.00 Thesis Preparation and Binding 20,500.00 Goggles 2 1,000.00 2,000.00 Disposable Gloves 4 Boxes 3,500.00 14,000.00 Ice Box 1 9,000.00 9,000.00 Labels 1 Packet 750.00 750.00 Spade 1 1,200.00 1,200.00 Sickle 1 600.00 600.00 Sub Total 168,050.00 Travels and Subsistence Subsistence during Sampling 5 3,500.00 17,500.00 Analysis 20 Days 500.00 10,000.00 Site Visits and Sampling 10 Trips 3,000.00 30,000.00 Enumerators,3loc.x5Repsx3Intervals 3x3x5 1,000.00 45,000.00 Sub Total 102,500.00 Grand Total 401,750.00

Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction betwee

Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid Rates of Reaction: Investigation Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid. Chemical reactions between substances are caused by the collision of particles. More collisions mean a quicker rate of reaction. In the reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon, the chemical reaction takes place when the magnesium ribbon is dropped into the hydrochloric acid. The products are hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride. The equation for this reaction is as follows:- Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen Mg (s) + 2HCL (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) Factors that affect the rate of reaction:- * Temperature * Mass of magnesium ribbon * Concentration of hydrochloric acid * Surface area of magnesium ribbon I have chosen to use the concentration of hydrochloric acid as my independent variable. These different concentrations can be varied easily and made up accurately for the experiment. Each experiment will be done four times so that an average reading can be calculated - ensuring an accurate and reliable conclusion. The measured variable will be the time taken for the same quantity of magnesium ribbon in each experiment to be used up in reaction. The constant variable will be the length of the magnesium ribbon used in each experiment. Rate of reaction = Gradient of the line of a graph plotted with time taken to cease reacting against concentration. Concentration of a solution describes the number of active particles in a particular volume. The unit of concentration is: mol.dm-3 Prediction I predict that the higher the concentra... ...ing around faster. This would mean HCL and magnesium particles would collide more frequently, thereby increasing rate of reaction. I think that my results on graph 1 were suitable to draw an accurate best-fit line. The points are all joined by the line. I used 5 different concentrations which were in a suitably wide range. If I were to repeat the experiment I would use a slightly wider range of concentrations to expand my conclusion, such as 1.25M, 0.75M and 0.25M. If the resources were available, I would also extend the range to higher concentrations than the 2M I was restricted to in this investigation. Further investigation could also include using another factor as my independent variable. I could differ the surface area of magnesium in my experiments, and see how this affects rate of reaction; in what way and if there is a definite proportional relationship.

Critical Thinking Essay

The four keys to a sound decision making are recognizing that the person is actually facing a very important decision. Then it would be followed by consideration of the possible alternatives. After doing so, one will need to evaluate these alternatives and would finally need to act with discipline to be able to choose the best possible alternative. Such decision making process was present in my life during my fourth year in high school wherein I would have to finally pick a college course. My parents want me to become an ordinary businessman. I, on the other hand would want to enter the military school. I weigh between the two alternatives of which would be my best choice. I believe that doing something that I have no enthusiasm would not likely to benefit me. In the end, I chose to persuade my parents into letting me go to the military school instead of the other way around. Knowing what alternative it is that one really wants and believes to be the best. Having an alternative that is proven to work and that would yield more benefit than the other/s is the one alternative that shall be chosen. In my case, I chose what I really want over the alternative of following the advice or the wants of my parents. It serves me well and I am happy that I made such decision. 7. Briefly describe the early decision making years (2-11 years of age) and the adolescent decision making years (12-17 years of age). Now review in your mind your recollections about your life as an adolescent. Ask yourself the following questions .a. Can you identify some ways in which you were influenced by the media as an adolescent? Elaborate. In the adolescence years, most of my decisions were roughly based on how I want others to treat me and see me. Since the adolescence period is a time wherein individuals try to find themselves and create their own identity advertisements have been really influential. One of the things that I remember about being influenced by the media was through promotions of white and lean is handsome or beautiful. As far as I can remember there have been television advertisements that promote being good looking in the concept of having more muscles. Television shows mostly have leading actors who are muscularly built and dressed ruggedly. The view on how to measure success was also influenced by the media. I grew up reading articles about rugs to riches stories and what have inspired this people. I tried to imitate their actions, nevertheless, as far as my character is concerned, I am different person in a different neighborhood with a different capability and attitude in life; although, those stories had got stuck in mind up until today. b. Can you identify one bad habit you formed as a result of poor adolescent decision-making? Elaborate. One bad habit that have formed in me resulting from a poor adolescent decision making would be attempting to rebel from my parents. During those years I felt as if my whole world is being so much manipulated by my parents. I guess, that’s how people usually think when parents started being over protective during those years when everyone else is trying to have a good time. As a usual adolescent I tried to sleep over, drink alcohol, and skip classes, smoke cigarette and marijuana. Those kinds of things seem to be the natural things to do. Then here comes my parents shouting at me telling me to straighten my life or else I would not be receiving anything from them. I felt so sick about how they treat me. It seems like I am still a little baby who cannot decide on his own. Thus, I have decided to run away from home. After a week, I have seen what life is without my parents. I mean, at first it is an overwhelming sense of freedom and success. Afterwards you will find everything lousy. Your life would seem to have no direction and you will realize, â€Å"I should have listened†. c. To what extent did your decisions during adolescence reflect an attempt on your part to gain recognition and acceptance from other adolescents? My decisions during my adolescence reflected my attempts on gaining recognition and acceptance from my peers when I run away from home just to go with them on a road trip. My parents have been so against my friends, since they are the kind of people who indulged on so much smoke and liquor. Disobeying my parents and prioritizing my friends over my studies have been my best attempt for them to accept me. They lived their lives that way and I believed that time that in order for me to have friends, I must try to be like them. It did work, but I then understand that I should just be myself and real good friends would stick with me. 8. The text lists seven steps to sound problem solving. Identify a situation from your own experience where you have applied those steps. List how you applied each and how they impacted your ability to solve that particular problem. I have been able to apply the seven steps of problem solving in my life during my stay hear in Iraq. My goal in being here in Iraq is to serve my country. However, there have been several issues that seem to denote that I am doing something that is wrong. Since, there are so many people who believe that soldiers in Iraq are unnecessary or that soldiers in Iraq are being used by the American government to express its hegemonic capacities. It is not that I do not have faith or trust to the government of America but since I, as a soldier have experience seeing people cursing us on behalf of the American government, I decided to make some research regarding the views of people especially of those who are residing here in Iraq about the American government and how they see it as a threat and why. Depending on the various information and opinion that I have collected in the internet and through other people I have inferred that generally the people with a communist or Marxist background and those who have an affinity or sympathy with the actions and principles of the Jemai Islamia view the United States government as a modern colonizer. I decided that in short term I could talk people out of such idea by presenting them with logical explanation. However, I figured out it would be dangerous since peoples beliefs and philosophy is deeply embedded in their consciousness; a consciousness that was formed by experience and constant reinforcement of ideological beliefs. It would be hard to talk to them and convince them to believe other wise. A long term action I could do is to create blogs or article in the internet that would voice out the interest and opinion of the people who are actually involved in the rehabilitation of Iraq in order to explain better about what is the need for soldiers and America to continue supporting the Iraqi government. In order to do this I have talk about some of my friends and sort of interview them regarding the matter. They believe that it is a good idea to create articles that would voice out our side of the issue. This article would better be available to other people who would like to know a holistic view of the story. The strategy that I decided to apply is to send emails to my friends and relatives to view a discussion panel on the internet. This panel would be focused on the war in Iraq and would generate the views from different people. However, it would be hard to promote the site. So I am still thinking of other strategy. One of my fellow soldier decided that we should create a book that would reflect our experiences here in Iraq. I guess that will be a better alternative. But it would take a long time from now since we don’t have enough time and resources to do a book at the present moment. 9. Provide a personal example for each of the two forms of irrational problem solving. Discuss how these were irrational and what you might have done differently? Thinking irrationally follows from not being able to reason out, it is doing something out of sheer habit or false belief. Egocentric thinking or solving a problem based on selfish or self-centered view often results to negative effect. As when a person is thinking only of personal wants, such wants may not be the same wants that other people like. If so, one would be imposing his wants and others might hate him for that. Also, in problem solving when a person acts according to his emotions he would not think about other people and would only think about a solution that has personal bias. Such solution may not be good for a long term or for a group of individuals and thus, it is more likely to fail than to succeed. If a person is jealous, the person would not think about the reason why things happened, instead the person would view things in accordance to how the person feels things are going. There are certain decisions that might not have been done if jealousy was set aside. Another irrational problem solving is doing what you are told without critically examining the reasons for a certain action. For instance you are told that you should go to church and believe in Christ since you are a child. If you would just believe what others tell you and not think about them in a more critical manner. When you have a problem regarding your religion or someone offered you a counter argument, such things might ruin or shatter your faith, since you cannot reason it out. References Paul, R. and Elder, L. (2006). Critical Thinking. 2nd ed. Person Prentice Hall. Richardson, B. (2006). Theme of the Month: The Tyranny of the â€Å"Fifth Constraint†: Taking Your Thinking Off Autopilot . allPM. com. Retrieved on November 24, 2007. Retrieved from the World Wide Web: http://allpm. com/modules. php? op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1580&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0.

People like Us Social Class in America Web Assessment essayEssay Writing Service

People like Us Social Class in America Web Assessment essayEssay Writing Service People like Us: Social Class in America Web Assessment essay People like Us: Social Class in America Web Assessment essayHow does social class matter? This issue has been widely discussed in our society. For many years, it has been a common assumption of many experts, including sociologists, economists, historians and political scientists that social class really matters a great deal. Social class does exist in America today, because many Americans realize that income and job, family background, education, attitudes and behaviors, aspirations, and even individual appearance can mark any person as a member of a particular social class.  Actually, the most important indicators of social class are income, occupation and education. It is necessary to combine these indicators to identify some hidden process that may affect human interpretation of the role of social class. The PBS website provides many examples that point out to the fact that social class really matters in human life. The PBS website, People Like Us: Social Class in America, asses ses class differences in various styles of living and various living standards as a fundamental hallmark of today’s society. Although some sociologists suggest that social class no longer exists in our society and does not affect people’s lives, it would be wrong to accept the â€Å"death of social class.† We identify different classes in our society, including middle class, working class, upper class, etc. Undoubtedly, social class can be very hard to identify, much harder than racial differences, but in many cases, social class can be regarded as the major predictor of an individual’s financial and educational opportunities. In the final segments of   the documentary People Like Us: Social Class in America, the authors represent Anderson High School in Austin, Texas as an effective microcosmic example of the so-called social segmentation that has the potential to be extended throughout the macro level.Besides, many Americans would agree with the ideas of Peter Berger that can be found in his Invitation to Sociology first published in 1963, â€Å"different classes in our society not only live differently quantitatively, they live in different styles qualitatively†. As a matter of fact, people are treated differently because of different social classes. William Domhoff analyzes capitalist class as a social class and as a ruling class in today’s society.I cannot but agree with these ideas. I have experienced class differences in my life and know that social class plays an important role in the lives of all Americans. Those people who live in Park Avenue penthouses differ from the residents of Appalachian trailer parks and bayou houseboats, as well as from the residents of suburban gated communities. They have different lifestyle choices, different opportunities and different preferences in their lives. The documentary People Like Us: Social Class in America helps to better understand the impact of social class on huma n life and identify the existing differences between social classes. In fact, American citizens are aware of class distinctions, which cause inequalities of opportunity. I agree that Americans classify each other, paying due attention to the effects of our inherited social class, including individuals’ self-perceptions and expectations.Thus, race, ethnicity, education, income and other factors make the arrangement of social distinctions in our society more complicated. This fact means that social class does exist in American society today.   Moreover, most Americans realize the meaning of class, placing emphasis on the role of social and economic conditions, power, income, job, race, religion, self-image and attitudes, and many other factors.