Phytoremediation Essays - Soil Contamination, Ecological Restoration

Phytoremediation Essays - Soil Contamination, Ecological Restoration Phytoremediation Introduction: In recent years it has become clear that some environmental chemicals can cause risks to the developing embryo and fetus. Evaluating the developmental toxicity of environmental chemicals is now a prominent public health concern. The suspected association between TCE and congenital cardiac malformations warrants special attention because TCE is a common drinking water contaminant that is detected in water supplies throughout the U.S. and the world. There is a lot of concern about the clean up of toxic pollutants from the environment. Traditional methods for cleaning up contaminated sites such as dig and haul, pump and treat, soil venting, air sparging and others are generally harmful to habitats. Some methods strip the soil of vital nutrients and microorganisms, so nothing can grow on the site, even if it has been decontaminated. Typically these mechanical methods are also very expensive. Most of the remediation technologies that are currently in use are very expensive, relatively inefficient and generate a lot of waste, to be disposed of. Cleaning up contamination: Phytoremediation is a novel, efficient, environmentally friendly, low-cost technology, which uses plants and trees to clean up soil and water contaminated with heavy metals and/or organic contaminants such as solvents, crude oil, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and other toxic compounds from contaminated environments. This technology is useful for soil and water remediation. Mechanisms: Phytoremediation uses one basic concept: the plant takes the pollutant through the roots. The pollutant can be stored in the plant (phytoextraction), volatized by the plant (phytovolatization), metabolized by the plant (phytodegradation), or any combination of the above. Phytoextraction is the uptake and storage of pollutants in the plants stem or leaves. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators, draw pollutants through the roots. After the pollutants accumulate in the stem and leaves the plants are harvested. Then plants can be either burned or sold. Even if the plants cannot be used, incineration and disposal of the plants is still cheaper than traditional remediation methods. As a comparison, it is estimated a site containing 5000 tons of contaminated soil will produce only 20-30 tons of ash (Black, 1995). This method is particularly useful when remediating metals. Some metals are also being recycled from the ash. Phytovolatization is the uptake and vaporization of pollutants by a plant. This mechanism takes a solid or liquid contaminant and transforms it to an airborne vapor. The vapor can either be the pure pollutant, or the plant can metabolize the pollutant before it is vaporized, as in the case of mercury, lead and selenium (Boyajian and Carriera, 1997; Black, 1995; Wantanbe, 1997). Phytodegradation is plants metabolizing pollutants. After the contaminant has been drawn into the plant, it assimilates into plant tissue, where the plant then degrades the pollutant. This metabolization by plant-derived enzymes such as nitrosedictase, laccase, dehalogenase, and nitrilase assimilates into plant tissue, where the plant then degrades the pollutant. This metabolization by plant-derived enzymes such as nitroredictase, laccase, dehalogenase, and nitrilase, has yet to be fully documented, but has been demonstrated in field studies (Boyajian and Carriera, 1997). The daughter compounds can be either volatized or stored in the plant. If the daughter compounds are relatively benign, the plants can still be used in traditional applications. The most effective current phytoremediation sites in practice combine these three mechanisms to clean up a site. For example, poplar trees can accumulate, degrade and volatize the pollutants in the remediation of organics. Techniques: Phytoremediation is more than just planting and letting the foliage grow; the site must be engineered to prevent erosion and flooding and maximize pollutant uptake. There are 3 main planting techniques for phytoremediation. 1.Growing plants on the land, like crops. This technique is most useful when the contaminant is within the plant root zone, typically 3 - 6 feet (Ecological Engineering, 1997), or the tree root zone, typically 10-15 feet. 2.Growing plants in water (aquaculture). Water from deeper aquifers can be pumped out of the ground and circulated through a reactor of plants and then used in an application where it is returned to the earth (e.g. irrigation) 3.Growing trees on the land and constructing wells through which tree roots can grow. This method can remediate deeper aquifers in-situ. The wells provide an artery for tree roots to grow toward the water and form

How to Make and Use Homemade Ant Bait Traps

How to Make and Use Homemade Ant Bait Traps To get rid of ants for good, you need to use a treatment that kills the entire colony, including the queen back in the nest. Dont waste your time squishing the ants on your counters because as long as the colony is actively nesting nearby, more ants will appear. Ant baits, whether homemade or commercial, are the treatment of choice for eliminating kitchen infestations. Ant-killing bait combines a desirable ant food with a pesticide. Worker ants carry the food back to the nest, where the pesticide works on the entire colony. You can make an effective ant killer using boric acid, a low toxicity pesticide available in hardware stores and pharmacies. Identify the Ants Before you make and use homemade ant bait, youll need to confirm which type of ants you have. Ants that youd find in your kitchen usually fall into one of two groups: sugar ants or grease ants.   From an entomological perspective, theres really no such thing as sugar ants. People use the term sugar ants to describe any number of ants that happen to like sweets. Depending on where you live, your sugar ants may actually be Argentine ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, or some other kind of ants. Grease ants, also referred to as protein-loving ants, prefer proteins or fats over sugars. This doesnt mean they wont eat sweets, but theyre more interested in food with some protein content in it. Grease ants include little black ants, big-headed ants, and pavement ants, among others. To determine which kind of ants you have, do a taste test. Put a teaspoon of jelly and a teaspoon of peanut butter  in the area where you see the most ant traffic. Tape down a piece of waxed paper, or use a paper plate, and apply the bait on the paper or plate to avoid smearing jelly or peanut butter onto your counters or floor. Next, determine which type of baits the ants prefer. If they went for jelly, make a sugar ant bait. Ants that prefer peanut butter will respond to a protein-based bait. Now youre ready to make your homemade ant bait. Ingredients: Break Out the Borax Whether you have sugar or grease ants, boric acid is an effective, minimally toxic pesticide that you can use to create effective ant-killing bate. Both boric acid and sodium borate salts are derived from the element boron, which occurs naturally in soil, water, and rocks. Boric acid is a low-toxicity pesticide, but that does not mean its nontoxic. Virtually any substance can be harmful or fatal if used improperly. Read the label carefully, and follow any directions or cautionary information on the boric acid package. You can purchase boric acid at your local pharmacy or hardware store. Its commonly used as an antiseptic or mixed with water for use as an eyewash. To create a homemade ant killer, youll need to purchase borax in a powder or granule form. How to Make Homemade Ant Killer Use either of the following methods, depending on what kind of ants you have: Sugar ant bait recipe:  Mix 2 tablespoons of mint jelly with about  ¼ teaspoon of boric acid powder. Research suggests that mint jelly is the best sugar ant lure, but you can also try another jelly flavor if you dont have mint jelly in your fridge. Grease ant bait recipe:  Mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of honey, and about  ½ teaspoon of boric acid powder. Protein-loving ants respond best to a bait made of both protein and sugar. Use and Application Place your ant bait in an area where you see ants the most. You want the bait to be somewhere along their regular travel path. Use masking tape to secure a square of waxed paper or cardboard, and place the ant-killing mixture on it. If you chose a good location and prepared the right kind of bait, youll probably find ants swarming around the bait within a few hours. If you dont, try moving the bait to a different location. How It Works Boric acid works primarily as a stomach toxin on ants. The worker ants will carry the bait food, loaded with boric acid, back to the nest. There, the ants in the colony will ingest it and die. The boric acid seems to interfere with the ants metabolism, although scientists arent exactly sure how it does so. Sodium borate salts affect an insects exoskeleton, causing the insect to desiccate. Tips and Warnings Keep children and pets away from the ant bait mixture. Although boric acid has low toxicity, you dont want your dog or cat licking up the bait, nor should you allow children to come in contact with it. Store the boric acid and any extra bait mixture where children and pets cannot access it. You will need to replace the bait regularly with a fresh batch, as the ants wont be interested in jelly or peanut butter once it dries up. Continue putting out bait until you no longer see ants. Sources Ant Baits: A Least Toxic Control, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, accessed May 1, 2012Boric Acid (Technical Fact Sheet), National Pesticide Information CenterMaking Your Own Ant Bait, Michigan State University Extension (General Fact Sheet)Boric Acid, National Pesticide Information Center (PDF)Sugar Ants, Washington State University Extension

The movie, Secretary and masochism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

The movie, Secretary and masochism - Essay Example The main heroine of the movie is Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is a weirdo woman. The plot shows us that Lee Holloway is a rather smart woman, who returns back to her hometown in Florida after a brief stay in a special mental hospital where she was treated from suicidal inclinations. In search of everything that surrounds Lee, we see that she takes a job as a secretary at a little local law firm. Some spectators can suppose that Lee is not only a masochist, but also a perverted woman, but it is not true because Lee Holloway is so closed and oppressed person that she just cannot throw out her inner pain otherwise than through the physical pain. She cannot accept any scandal or hysterics, but she begins torturing herself, when she has some problems. Being the secretary Lee falls in love with her boss, Mr. Grey (James Spader), and pain already appears as a manifestation of his love for her, but at the same time, the pain loses its value for Lee, she needs Edward Gray to inflict her pain. Analyzing the movie Secretary from the position of human sexuality and masochism we can understand that masochism, like sadism, goes beyond human sexuality, and being associated with a person shows a very complex and diverse sources of its development. Thus, this form of deviation very rarely becomes a subject of litigation. Sexual needs are usually met within a partner’s union for a psychological standpoint to implement manifested expectations. Various psychological observations show that unions between persons endowed with sadistic and masochistic traits are very strong and complementary. They usually do not seek help and advice, but they feel good together, mutually satisfying their needs. This film demonstrates us that both Lee’s and Edward’s sadistic and masochistic traits occur simultaneously. In this case, main characters have more complex combinations of individual features and

Two research methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Two research methods - Assignment Example The greatest advantage of qualitative approach is that it is relatively simple to carry out, as there is no strict research design. Secondly, this approach engages the nature more naturally. This approach is also advantageous in that it allows for collection of more detailed data making it more comprehensive. The main disadvantage of qualitative approach lies on the fact that the researcher is heavily involved in the research and therefore, outcome basically depends on researchers ability to carry out the research. Quantitative approach, on the other hand, uses concrete data as well as rigorous statistical and data analysis techniques. Data analysis softwares such as SPSS are often used. A researcher begins with a hypothesis they seek to prove and then goes on to collect and analyze data in the process. Considering that findings come from the data, deductive reasoning is commonly associated with quantitative approach. However, objectivity is overwhelmingly important in this form of approach and variables well known. Greatest advantage of quantitative approach is that researcher gets the opportunity to analyze data in more detailed fashion making the approach more objective. However, quantitative approach is disadvantageous in that things are not done in their natural setting. Additionally, approach is more complicated and time consuming. More notably, large populations must be studied for the research to gain

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chromium Complexes

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chromium Complexes Chromium is one of the transition metal in periodic table that is known for its ability in improving one’s health condition by preventing diseases and gives treatment. However in human body, only very small amounts of chromium are required and they are often regarded as the essential trace element in human body. Back in 1950s, the uses of chromium as nutritional and medical enhancement to glucose metabolism was started when brewer’s yeast was suggested to contain a glucose tolerance factor (GTF) that prevented diabetes in experimental animals. (Schwarz k, Mertz W, 1959). It was only then this factor finally taken into consideration to be a biologically active form of trivalent chromium that could substantially lower the plasma glucose levels in diabetic mice based on studied done by Tuman RW and Doisy RJ in 1977. According to Fernando Guerrero and Martha Rodriguez-Moran, 2005, trivalent chromium (Cr3+) is an essential trace element required for the maintenance of normal glucose and fat metabolism. Because chromium potentiates the action of insulin, it was named from its recognition in the late 1950s as the glucose tolerance factor term that emphasizes its importance in glucose metabolism. Chromium is present in many foods, especially in liver, Brewer’s yeast, American cheese, w heat germ, vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, broccoli, and spinach, and is also present in alfalfa, brown sugar, molasses, dried beans, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and animal fats. An organically dynamic type of chromium takes part in glucose digestion system by improving the impacts of insulin. Insulin is produced by particular cells in the pancreas in light of increasing blood glucose levels, for example, after eating. Insulin binds to insulin receptors on the surface of cells, which actuates the receptors and invigorates glucose uptake by cells. Blood glucose levels are prevented from being elevated when insullin interact with insulin receptors whereby insulin will provides cells with glucose. Apart from affecting carbohydrate (glucose) metabolism, metabolism of fat and protein is also influnced by insulin. Impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes which is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may occur as the consequences of decrease response to insulin or decreased insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. The precise structure of the biologically active form of chromium is not known. Recent research suggests that a low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) may enhance the response of the insulin receptor to insulin. The following is a proposed model for the effect of chromium on insulin action. First, the inactive form of the insulin receptor is converted to the active form by binding insulin. The binding of insulin by the insulin receptor stimulates the movement of chromium into the cell and results in binding of chromium to apoLMWCr, a form of the LMWCr that lacks chromium. Once it binds chromium, the LMWCr binds to the insulin receptor and enhances its tyrosine kinase activity. The ability of the LMWCr to activate the insulin receptor is dependent on its chromium content. The LMWCr may be released from the cell in order to terminate its effects when insulin levels drop due to normalization of blood glucose levels. More recent studies have indicated that chromium enhances insulin action by increasing the insulin-stimulated translocation of glucose transporters to the cell membrane (Chen G, Liu P, Pattar GR, et al, 2006). Apart from type 2 diabetes, effects of chromium supplementation on gestational diabetes had also been examined. Gestational diabetes occurs in about 2% of pregnant women and usually appears in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Adverse effects on the developing fetus must be prevent by tightly control the blood glucose levels in the body. Glucose tolerance usually turns back to normal after delivery. However, according to study, 30% to 40% of women who have had gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. An observational study in pregnant women did not find serum chromium levels to be associated with measures of glucose tolerance or insulin resistance in late pregnancy, although serum chromium levels may not reflect tissue chromium levels. Women with gestational diabetes whose diets were supplemented with 4 mcg of chromium per kilogram of body weight daily as chromium picolinate for eight weeks had decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels com pared with those who took a placebo. However, insulin therapy rather than chromium picolinate was required to normalize severely elevated blood glucose levels. Trivalent compounds (Cr III) do not cause any serious damage to body tissue, in fact, it is an important component of a balanced human and animal diet and its deficiency is detrimental to the glucose and lipid metabolism in mammals. The limitation of chromium in its application in human health is that it may cause different side effect to different person. The controversy surrounding chromium supplementation is due to the variability of the results gain from the evaluation of the effect of chromium in patients with diabetes and without diabetes. Some of them experienced positive improvement but some are only indicate little or no benefit at all. Most of the concerns regarding the long-term safety of chromium supplementation arise from several studies in cell culture, suggesting chromium (III), especially in the form of chromium picolinate, may increase DNA damage. Several studies have demonstrated the safety of daily doses of up to 1,000 mcg of chromium for several months. However, t here have been a few isolated reports of serious adverse reactions to chromium picolinate. Kidney failure was reported five months after a six-week course of 600 mcg of chromium/day in the form of chromium picolinate, while kidney failure and impaired liver function were reported after the use of 1,200-2,400 mcg/day of chromium in the form of chromium picolinate over a period of four to five months. Individuals with pre-existing kidney or liver disease may be at increased risk of adverse effects and should limit supplemental chromium intake. In addition, the use of the supplements of chromium over a prolonged period of time may result in a risk of chromium poisoning. This is due to chromium’s nuclear affinity, tending to result in its accumulation within cells. High doses of chromium which is about 600-2400 ÃŽ ¼g will makes rare side effects may occur such as damage to the liver, kidney, and bone marrow as well as rhabdomyolysis and psychiatric disturbances in some cases. The y have also been related to chromosomal damage and increased incidence of cervical arch defects as they are capable of cleaving DNA. Similar complex coumpound with Chromium Chromium vs vandium and zinc Apart of chromium, other transition metal that is found to have ability to be used as anti diabetic agent is vanadium and zinc. More than 2 8% of world’s population is suffering from diabetes (Wild et al., 2004). It is a condition in which body do not produce a hormone called insulin which is necessary for the absorption of glucose in cells (Rother, 2007). Scientists are looking for alternative approaches for the treatment of diabetes (Nahas et al., 2009). The glucose level in the blood plasma is controlled by uses of vanadium and zinc in form of inorganic salts. Research shows that undesireable side effets often associated with the elements that are poorly absorbed in their organic forms and required high doses. Research has been conducted to prove that vanadium complexes with organic ligands to be less toxic with improved solubility and lipophilicity. Thera are a few number of vanadium complex which posses the insulin-mimetic properties that have been produced. The molecular mechanism responsible for the insulin-like effects of vanadium compounds have been shown to involve the activation of several key components of insulin-signaling pathways. It is interesting that the vanadium effect on these signaling systems is independent of insulin receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity, but it is associated with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate. Chromium supplementation significantly improved glycemia among patients with diabetes but do not show any significant effect on glucose metabolism in healthy individuals. Higher zinc intake has also been associated with a slightly lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Besides chromium and vanadium, there is also a strong connection between zinc and insulin. In fact, people with diabetes frequently have lower levels of zinc than those without diabetes. One reason for this is that diabetics tend to have increased excretion of zinc. Additionally, high blood sugar levels create significant oxidative stress. The use of antioxidants has been shown to help improve oxidation, while also enhancing the body’s response to insulin. Unfortunately, the risk of cardiovascular disease among diabetics is more difficult to address. Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes. This, of course, is due in large part to obesity, but also to risk factors such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol levels, and an imbalanced ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol. Like chromium and vanadium, the body also can’t make zinc, so it must be taken from food sources. Zinc is stored in the muscles, blood cells, retina of the eye , skin, bone, kidney, liver, pancreas, and in men, prostate. Interestingly, zinc has long been an ingredient used in â€Å"older† insulins, such as Regular, NPH, and Lente. Zinc is also necessary for the formation of insulin in the pancreas’s beta cells. For these reasons, researchers have looked at the role of zinc supplementation in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Research shows that zinc, an essential trace element responsible for over 300 enzyme functions, can aid in normalizing the negative effects of diabetes mellitus. According to the study, zinc has been shown to mitigate the harmful effects of diabetes by improving glycemic control in type I and type II diabetes. Many of the enzyme systems in which zinc is a necessity for are involved with the metabolism of blood sugar, and therefore make zinc a natural catalyst for insulin secretion. The pancreas is an endocrine gland responsible for producing hormones like glucagon, somatostatin, and insulin. The beta cells that secrete insulin in the pancreas are also highly stored with zinc. The beta cells will suffer without the high concentrations of zinc. Fortunately, beta cells are equipped with their own special transporter called zinc transporter 8, which makes it easy for the beta cells to store the zinc. However, it is known that any metamorphosis of the genes in the zinc transporter 8 causes type 2 diabetes. It is also now known that antibodies against the zinc transporter are present in type 1 diabetic patients, which means that these antibodies are associated with type 1 diabetes. It is no wonder why zinc is as popular as it is for supplementation. In addition to mending the difficulties brought on by diabetes, zinc also serves to maintain a healthy immune system, controls hair loss, halts impotence, improves brain function, prevents loss of taste or smell, and much more. References Guerrero-Romero, F.; Rodrà ­guez-Morà ¡n, M. (2005). Complementary Therapies for Diabetes: The Case for Chromium, Magnesium, and Antioxidants. Archives of Medical Research 36 (3): 250–257 Massey, P. (2013). Diabetes and the Role of Dietary Supplements. Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Diabetes. pp. 17–94. Schwarz K, Mertz W: Chromium (III) and the glucose tolerance factor. Arch Biochem Biophys 85: 292–295, 1959 Tuman RW, Doisy RJ: Metabolic effects of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) in normal and genetically diabetic mice. Diabetes 26:820–826, 1977 Vincent JB. Elucidating a biological role for chromium at a molecular level. Acc Chem Res. 2000;33(7):503-510. Chen G, Liu P, Pattar GR, et al. Chromium activates glucose transporter 4 trafficking and enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via a cholesterol-dependent mechanism. Mol Endocrinol. 2006;20(4):857-870. Pattar GR, Tackett L, Liu P, Elmendorf JS. Chromium picolinate positively influences the glucose transporter system via affecting cholesterol homeostasis in adipocytes cultured under hyperglycemic diabetic conditions. Mutat Res. 2006;610(1-2):93-100 Wang H, Kruszewski A, Brautigan DL. Cellular chromium enhances activation of insulin receptor kinase. Biochemistry. 2005;44(22):8167-8175.

Ya kun

Ya Kun is an established and has renown reputation for its coffee and kaya toast. It has been around us since 1944 when it registered itself as Ya Kun Coffee Stall. It differentiated its food by manufacturing its very own kaya that is used at all of the Ya kun outlets. Yakun now has expanded to a total of 11 countries in Asia and Middle Eastern region. As mentioned above in the Porter five forces, Ya kun faces both direct and indirect competitors in the industry. The direct competitors are Toastbox and Killiney kopitiam. The indirect competitors are Starbucks and Macdonalds.Although the indirect competitors are not in the traditional coffee and toast industry, they still possess threats that affect Ya Kun Identify Product offering Scale of operation Local Regional Global Limited Wide Product offering Scale of operation Local Regional Global Limited Wide Toastbox Toastbox was established in 2005 and it aims to recreate the warm atmosphere of local Nanyang coffee shops from the 1960s. It has successfully expanded both locally and internationally to countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong and China. Killiney KopitiamKilliney Kopitiam has a rich history, from being established in the 1950s as â€Å"Qiong Xin He† and later renamed as â€Å"Killiney Koptiam† in 1993. They have now expanded their operations to countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and Hong Kong. The vision of the company is to share the â€Å"Kopitiam† tradition through generations by educating the young.? Evaluate (str & weakenesses) Brand| Strength| Weakness| Ya Kun| * Uses social media (eg. Facebook, website) * Maintain the traditional menu * Expanded regionally * Outlets can be easily found in more places * ?Nostalgic appeal keeps older generation feel attached * Infused traditions with vibrancy and style * Attempt to attract the younger crowd who fancy dining in a traditional setting | * Limited variety (Product list) * Slightly overprice| Toas t Box| * Uses social media (Facebook, website, twitter) * Wide variety of choice in menu * Locates its cafes in the heartlands as well as the central business district to cater to a wide array of its target market * Expanded regionally| * Menu not on website.Only signature dishes * Toast and menu not as traditional | Killiney Kopitiam| * Uses social media (Facebook, website) * Wide variety of choice in menu * Offers quality products and services at affordable prices * Preserve the coffee shop tradition * Expanded regionally| * Menu is not attractive enough * Lack of updates in Facebook| Is YA KUN always stronger- which areas is it stronger and which weaker (the vulnerable areas)?

Las atracciones más visitadas de Estados Unidos en 2019