Metal Bottle Research Articles

Investigation into the Environmental Sustainability Actions Adapted by Small and Medium Enterprises of the Accommodation and Tour Operator Sectors of Sri Lanka

Tourism is a key driver of development for many countries, including Sri Lanka. In 2018, it generated USD 4.38 million in foreign exchange, contributed by 4.9 percent to the GDP, and generated over 380,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. The contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to this industry prevents economic leakages and increases the multiplier effect. The tourism industry also can destroy the very environment it depends on for sustenance, through heavy emissions from energy use and waste production. Research has highlighted the importance of the quality of the environment as a pull factor for destination profitability in the long run. The tourism transport-related emissions for Sri Lanka are high, the accommodation sector's GHG emissions at 3 percent is more than the global average of 1%, indicating major areas for improvement. With the accommodation sector's energy consumption predicted to surpass that of the industrial sector, the attention given to sustainable tourism practices by the SMEs that make up the industry must be investigated. In that context, this research aims to investigate the energy-saving and waste-reduction practices towards emission reduction, adopted by the Tour Operator (TO) and Accommodation Provider (AP) SMEs in the tourism industry of Sri Lanka. To do so, a qualitative methodology was adopted with a narrative inquiry over a virtual platform with 06 TOs and 17 APs identified through convenience sampling, and data analysis performed through thematic content analysis technique. Notable results for AP revealed that 12 APs consume electricity off the grid, with solar energy utilization still being limited to obtaining hot water for guest bathrooms for 5 APs, due to the high initial cost involved, and lack of adequate technical know-how in solar battery maintenance (3Aps in Tissamaharama). Poor government support towards renewable energy discouraged 17 APs from adopting the same. Energy use for TO is minimized through the use of hybrid along with conventional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles for tours. Single-use plastic items reintroduced during the COVID-19 pandemic for AP are gradually being replaced by reusable glass bottles, wooden/ metal cutlery, and paper/metal straws. All AP practice waste segregation, and the 3R concept (reduce, reuse, recycle). 4 TOs provide reusable metal bottles that are refilled during the tour using larger water cans and a handheld pump. As the sustainable practices of TO are currently optional, it is recommended to include sustainability criteria into registration process with the SLTDA. For AP it is recommended for the government to play a more active facilitating role in the renewable energy sector and to ensure the skills requirement for device maintenance is promptly met.
 
 Keywords: Small and medium enterprises, Sustainable tourism development, Energy saving practices, Waste reduction

Unusual esophageal foreign body: Metal bottle cap

Foreign body of esophagus is frequently an emergency encountered in gastroenter-oogy clinic practice. Endoscopic treatment is effective and safe. Metal bottle cap is rarely swallowed. Metal bottle cap extraction presents a challenge in the manage-ment also, endoscopic treatment should be done quickly since metal bottle cap is quite large and sharp object. Here, we presented a very rare cause foreign body -a metal bottle cap- in the upper esophagus which was extracted using alligator jaw grasping forceps.

Experimental Investigation on Concrete With M-Sand and Waste Bottle Cap

A large portion of the world's structure is made of concrete, and as technology has evolved, its various parts have undergone alterations. Cement, sand, coarse aggregate, and water are the main four components in concrete. Technology development improves human comforts while also degrading the environment. Environmental engineers struggle concerning the disposal of metal caps from soft drink bottles, which either involves recycling or repurposing. To further increase the strength, we will add metal caps fibre to the concrete there. This design displays the findings from a study on the effects of bottle caps on concrete behavior. concrete is mixed with metal bottle cap fibre at volumes of 0 %to 1.5% in coarse aggregate, and its compressive and flexural strengths are analysis. Here M20 is the concrete grade utilized in the project. 1:1.6:3 is the mix ratio. Key Words: metal cap, environmental engineers disposing, repurposing, cap fibre,

Sample size requirements for riverbank macrolitter characterization

Anthropogenic litter is omnipresent in terrestrial and freshwater systems, and can have major economic and ecological impacts. Monitoring and modeling of anthropogenic litter comes with large uncertainties due to the wide variety of litter characteristics, including size, mass, and item type. It is unclear as to what the effect of sample set size is on the reliability and representativeness of litter item statistics. Reliable item statistics are needed to (1) improve monitoring strategies, (2) parameterize litter in transport models, and (3) convert litter counts to mass for stock and flux calculations. In this paper, we quantify sample set size requirement for riverbank litter characterization, using a database of more than 14,000 macrolitter items (>0.5 cm), sampled for 1 year at eight riverbank locations along the Dutch Rhine, IJssel, and Meuse rivers. We use this database to perform a Monte Carlo based bootstrap analysis on the item statistics, to determine the relation between sample size and variability in the mean and median values. Based on this, we present sample set size requirements, corresponding to selected uncertainty and confidence levels. Optima between sampling effort and information gain is suggested (depending on the acceptable uncertainty level), which is a function of litter type heterogeneity. We found that the heterogeneity of the characteristics of litter items varies between different litter categories, and demonstrate that the minimum required sample set size depends on the heterogeneity of the litter category. This implies that more items of heterogeneous litter categories need to be sampled than of heterogeneous item categories to reach the same uncertainty level in item statistics. For example, to describe the mean mass the heterogeneous category soft fragments (>2.5 cm) with 90% confidence, 990 items were needed, while only 39 items were needed for the uniform category metal bottle caps. Finally, we use the heterogeneity within litter categories to assess the sample size requirements for each river system. All data collected for this study are freely available, and may form the basis of an open access global database which can be used by scientists, practitioners, and policymakers to improve future monitoring strategies and modeling efforts.

Disain Dan Implementasi Sistem Penyortir Botol Minuman Otomatis Menggunakan Sensor Berbasis Arduino Uno

Currently, the goods sorting process in industry still uses a manual method. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an automatic sorting method using control technology. In order to realize the above issue, an automated method is proposed to separate plastic materials and metallic materials in a prototype of goods sorting process. In our study, a plastic bottle and metal bottle detector was designed using a TCRT5000 infrared sensor and an Arduino Uno-based Proximity sensor. The TCRT5000 sensor functions to detect nonmetallic materials while the proximity sensor detects metallic and nonmetallic materials. The sensors will provide logic output to the microcontroller so that the types of materials that enter the sorting system can be distinguished. After the material passes through the sensor, the LCD will automatically display the object value, then the servo motor will sort the objects by moving the actuator to sort the material. Based on the design and implementation of the prototype and based on testing, the plastic bottle material and metal bottle material can be separated properly

A baseline study of macro, meso and micro litter in the Belize River basin, from catchment to coast

Abstract The mismanagement of waste and subsequent presence of litter in the environment is an increasingly significant problem. Globally, rivers have been shown to be a major pathway for mismanaged waste. We investigated the distribution of macro, meso and micro litter along the Belize river basin. The North-East Atlantic OSPAR beach litter monitoring protocol was adapted for Belize, taking into account local issues such as mangroves and Sargassum sp. accumulations. On average, 77.3% of litter items consisted of plastic, and the most common items categories were unidentifiable plastic pieces (0–2.5 and 2.5–50 cm), broken glass, and metal bottle caps. The study indicated that there is an increase in the litter load as you move from catchment to coast, with both Plastic Pieces (PP) and Fishing Related (FR) items also increasing in numbers down the system. Additionally, microplastics abundance was determined in riverine sediments and in the riverine fish Cichlasoma synspilum (n = 22). All sediment samples contained microplastics, with a concentration of 200–6500 particles per kg dry sediment. Microplastics were found to be present in 36% of the riverine fish. The data from this study will provide evidence for the formation of Belizean legislation to reduce marine litter.

Design and slip prevention control of a multi-sensory anthropomorphic prosthetic hand

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design a multi-sensory anthropomorphic prosthetic hand and a grasping controller that can detect the slip and automatically adjust the grasping force to prevent the slip.Design/methodology/approachTo improve the dexterity, sensing, controllability and practicability of a prosthetic hand, a modular and multi-sensory prosthetic hand was presented. In addition, a slip prevention control based on the tactile feedback was proposed to improve the grasp stability. The proposed controller identifies slippages through detecting the high-frequency vibration signal at the sliding surface in real time and the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) was used to extract the eigenvalues to identify slippages. Once the slip is detected, a direct-feedback method of adjusting the grasp force related with the sliding times was used to prevent it. Furthermore, the stiffness of different objects was estimated and used to improve the grasp force control. The performances of the stiffness estimation, slip detection and slip control are experimentally evaluated.FindingsIt was found from the experiment of stiffness estimation that the accuracy rate of identification of the hard metal bottle could reach to 90%, while the accuracy rate of identification of the plastic bottles could reach to 80%. There was a small misjudgment rate in the identification of hard and soft plastic bottles. The stiffness of soft plastic bottles, hard plastic bottles and metal bottles were 0.64 N/mm, 1.36 N/mm and 32.55 N/mm, respectively. The results of slip detection and control show that the proposed prosthetic hand with a slip prevention controller can fast and effectively detect and prevent the slip for different disturbances, which has a certain application prospect.Practical implicationsDue to the small size, low weight, high integration and modularity, the prosthetic hand is easily applied to upper-limb amputees. Meanwhile, the method of the slip prevention control can be used for upper-limb amputees to complete more tasks stably in daily lives.Originality/valueA multi-sensory anthropomorphic prosthetic hand is designed, and a method of stable grasps control based on slip detection by a tactile sensor on the fingertip is proposed. The method combines the stiffness estimation of the object and the real-time slip detection based on DWT with the design of the proportion differentiation robust controller based on a disturbance observer and the force controller to achieve slip prevention and stable grasps. It is verified effectively by the experiments and is easy to be applied to commercial prostheses.

The first casting mould for a ‘Syrian Bottle’ from Lipnik, Bulgaria

Abstract The following article presents the first mould ever discovered for casting a so-called “Syrian Bottle”, a distinctive vessel type that originated in Mesopotamia around the mid 3rd millennium BC and soon after spread to Anatolia, the Aegean and Southeast Europe, as imports and local derivatives. A few examples were made from precious metals and lead, the most notable one being a golden globular bottle, part of “Priam’s” Treasure A” from Early Bronze Age Troy. The mould from Lipnik seems to have been intended for the production of small metal bottles of ‘Syrian’ shape, and supportive agents like a green sand core applied for the production of such a complex item. The mould, however, was obviously never used. A review of associated manufacturing details like pegholes, riser and vent show that although these features were particularly prominent in the 2nd millennium BC, moulds from earlier (Anatolian) contexts do possess such characteristics as well. This currently unique, locally produced example is therefore dated to the latest 3rd or earliest second millennium BC, coinciding with ever-growing interaction between distant cultural entities stretching from Mesopotamia to Southeast Europe and beyond, and allowing for the exchange of ideas, fashions and technologies.

Research on Environmentally Friendly Chemical Technology for Green Reusable and Sustainable Water Metal Copper Ions

In traditional chemical processes, they are considered highly polluting and unfriendly to the environment. The air, water, soil, and land were severely damaged. Among the international environmental protection issues, especially the development of industry is a very worthwhile study. Therefore, this study will discuss metal ions in water. This study takes copper as the object of discussion. In the future, different metals, such as nickel, iron, zinc, and other metals, will be discussed, and industrial process problems will be solved. For copper, it is also a common metal in life. Copper metal bottles, handicrafts, circuit boards, heat dissipation components, metal soldering agents, sewage treatment agents and many other uses. However, in the copper process, electroplating, and waste after use are often treated as secondary pollution. From the perspective of technology and process, an environmentally friendly chemical process is proposed, which can also make the best use of reactants and waste water. After the process improvement, the copper ions are post-processed to extract new copper compound material technology. At the same time, the water body is controlled at pH 7, which can be reused more to achieve the goal of sustainable circulation. Thank partially support by the MOST 108-2221-E-343-001.

Anthropoquinas: First description of plastics and other man-made materials in recently formed coastal sedimentary rocks in the southern hemisphere

Plastic, as a “flagship species”, represents how deeply humans impact the environment. Although scarce, the presence of plastic and other anthropogenic materials in rocks has already been reported in the literature, however, so far, not in the Southern Hemisphere. Thus, the objective of the present study was to report and describe samples of sedimentary rocks containing anthropogenic items cemented with biogenic and siliciclastic material – anthropoquinas – and to discuss implications to the establishment of the Anthropocene and geodiversity conservation. Six samples of anthropoquinas were evaluated, presenting different technofossils (metal bottle caps, ship nail, plastic earring and plastic fragment) and composition (lithic and biogenic fragments). Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy was conducted on two samples, reflecting differences regarding their genesis. The description of these rocks is concerning and reflects how deeply human behavior influences various natural compartments. Therefore, studies on the effects of marine litter on geodiversity are strongly encouraged.

Experimental study on mechanical properties of concrete by adding bottle caps and pet bottles in concrete

Concrete is widely used as construction material around the world and it's properties have been undergoing changes through technological advancement. Generally, concrete having four constituents materials namely cement, sand, coarse aggregate and water. Advancement in technology enhance human comforts and at the same time it causes damages to environment. Waste plastic bottles are major cause of solid waste disposal and also disposal of metal caps of soft drinks bottles are headache to environmental engineers and involve either to recycle or reuse. Here we are going to add metal caps and PET bottles in concrete to increase the strength. This project represents the results to study the behavior of concrete by adding of bottles caps and PET with dosage of 0.5% of weight of cement as fiber to reduce the cement content to achieve IS10262:2009 and IS456:2000 requirements. PET bottles and metal bottle caps are added to the concrete at 0%,0.5%,1.0% and 1.5% by volume of total mixture and also analysis of the compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and them mechanical properties are compared with the conventional concrete. Grade of concrete used in the project is M20. Mix ratio is 1:1.5:3.

Sustainable development by reusing of recyclables in a textile industry including two collectors and three firms: A game-theoretic approach for pricing decisions

Nowadays, due to reducing the natural resource of cotton, textile industries attempt to find substitutable resources for it. In this point of view, some recyclables like the plastic and metal bottles have been recognized to be appropriate substitutable materials for cotton. These recyclables can be collected, cleaned, fragmented, and reused in such industries. In this study, a supply chain structure is established including two collectors and three firms. The collectors collect the plastic and metal bottles separately, whereas the firms clean and fragment them. Two of the firms process only one type of the bottles, while another one has been simultaneously equipped with these two technologies. In the market, some suppliers buy the non-processed materials from the collectors and then clean and fragment them themselves, while others prefer to purchase the cleaned and fragmented materials from the firms. In fact, the suppliers’ demands for the processed and non-processed materials are specified based on the prices set in the channels. In this setting, the game-theoretic approach including Nash, Stackelberg, Centralized, and Chain-to-chain models is applied to set the prices under the considered structure. The results indicate that Chain-to-chain game gives the lowest prices, while the highest prices are obtained from Centralized game when a threshold is met. The suppliers prefer to be established Chain-to-chain game among the members. Moreover, the lowest profits for the collectors and the firms are respectively obtained from Nash and Stackelberg games, whereas Centralized game leads to the highest profits for the members and the whole system.

Enhancing Sustainable Concrete Properties by Green Vegetable Substance

From several points of view, disposal of waste materials in an environment is respected to be a significant problem because of its very low biodegradability and existence in huge quantities. Waste of plastic and metal bottles caps, cans of juices and soft drink, and tires rubber being among the most pronounced. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of reusing these waste materials in concrete production and solve the segregation problem. As segregation increases in concrete involving these waste materials due to lighter weight of them relative to nature aggregate, therefore, attention was intensive on using natural product (Gum Arabic) that is an environmentally friendly chemical material for improving concrete properties. The conducted tests include; compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, density, water absorption, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results showed that replacing the volume of coarse aggregate by 25% compacted bottles caps and pull-tab of cans, 20% the plastic bottle caps, and 25% tires rubber shreds used decreased the mechanical properties of concrete to some extent less than reference mix and they were enhanced by employing Gum Arabic. In addition, the employment of Gum Arabic as liquid in concrete mixes developed the mechanical properties of concrete, reduced segregation, however raised the water absorption percent and declined the density of concrete.

Spatial analysis of the atmospheric helium isotopic composition: Geochemical and environmental implications

Spatial variations in the atmospheric helium isotopic composition (RA = 3He/4Heair = 1.39 × 10−6) might be induced by localized and/or regional inputs of 3He and/or 4He into the air. It has been suggested that inputs of 4He from hydrocarbon exploitation may generate latitudinal variations in atmospheric 3He/4He. In order to test the possibility of such global variations, we performed high precision analyses of the helium isotopic composition (3He/4He) of sixteen air samples collected in 500 cc metal bottles around the world (79°N–75°S) between 2013 and 2015. In most cases, the 3He/4He of these air samples are indistinguishable from that of air sampled around Nancy (France) within ≤2‰ (95% confidence interval). Only two air samples, collected at Dome C (Antarctica) and at Tokyo (Japan), exhibit statistically higher 3He/4He ratios interpreted as potential 3He excesses of (2.0 ± 1.4)‰ and (1.7 ± 1.5)‰ (95% confidence interval), respectively. Excesses such as these suggest that potential helium isotopic variations in air are likely lower than 4‰ and might be generated temporarily by regional and/or local phenomenon (e.g. auroral precipitation, stratospheric to tropospheric exchanges). Thus, this study supports the use of the atmospheric helium isotopic ratio as an inter-laboratory He standard.

Cobalt-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles decorated graphene sensitized imprinted electrochemical sensor for determination of octylphenol

A novel imprinted electrochemical sensor was prepared based on cobalt-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles by one-step electrodeposited on graphene modified carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of octylphenol. Graphene nanosheets were firstly deposited onto carbon electrode surface by electrochemistry reduction method. Then the cobalt-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the graphene modification electrode surface. The electrochemical behaviors of the imprinted sensor were evaluated with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. The results showed that the prepared imprinted sensor displayed high sensitivity toward octylphenol attributing to the synergetic effect derived from the cobalt-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles and graphene. Under the optimized condition, the response currents of the imprinted sensor exhibited a linear relationship toward the negative logarithm of concentrations (С[OP]) ranged from 1.0×10−10 to 1.0×10−7molL−1 (R=0.998) with the detection limit of 3.6×10−11molL−1 (S/N=3). The imprinted electrochemical sensor was applied for the determination of octylphenol in plastic bottles, metal bottles and food packaging bags successfully.

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oils in relation to cultivar, extraction system and storage conditions

This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of variety, extraction system and storage conditions such as packaging type and temperature variation on the quality of virgin olive oil. Several parameters were studied, namely, quality indices, polyphenols, tocopherols, volatile compounds and sensory properties. Thus, two olive varieties Chemlali (Tunisia) and Coratina (Italy) were selected. The olive oils were extracted by different industrial processes (super press, dual and triple phase decanter) then stored in the established conditions (ambient and refrigerator temperature) in the following packaging materials: clear and dark glass bottles and metal bottles. The oils were analyzed before and after being stored for 9months. Principal Component Analysis and Graphical Modeling were applied to fully explore the influence of the studied factors. Results revealed that among samples, oils from Coratina cultivar were the richest in γ-tocopherol while Chemlali oils contained the highest amount of Δ-tocopherol. Quality indices namely K232 and K270 values were mainly influenced by the storage date and packaging material. Meanwhile, free acidity and peroxide value were mainly influenced by the extraction system. Concerning tocopherols, α-tocopherol content was mainly influenced by the packaging material, β-tocopherol was mainly affected by the storage date, for γ-tocopherol content the main influencing factor was the cultivar whereas for Δ-tocopherol the main influencing factor was the extraction system. Regarding volatile compounds their amounts were influenced mainly by the storage date, that was influenced by the packaging material, where a considerable decrease was observed after storage which was reflected by the change of sensory characteristics of stored oils: loss of positive attributes fruitiness, bitterness and pungency and onset of defects which were mainly influenced by the storage date (fruity and bitter attributes), packaging material (pungent, rancid and fusty attributes) and extraction system (musty attribute).

A report on six cases of seagrass‐associated gastric impaction in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)

Marine debris such as plastic and other foreign objects (e.g., nylon fishing line, cigarette wrappers, metal bottle caps) are commonly found in odontocete stomachs (Walker and Coe 1990), but due to the often small amounts and diversity of the debris, the impact on animal health is unclear (Walker and Coe 1990, Laist 1997, Baird and Hooker 2000). Small quantities can however, have large effects if they are capable of intermittently or consistently blocking the pyloric outflow tract (e.g., Tarpley and Marwitz 1993, Stamper et al. 2006, Jacobsen et al. 2010) causing longterm malnutrition and death (Gomerˇci´c et al. 2006); either directly due to acute gastric rupture or complete pyloric obstruction, or indirectly as a result of chronic malnutrition due to partial/intermittent pyloric obstruction. Kastelein and Lavaleije (1992) documented the persistence of undigested algae in the forestomach of a harbor porpoise for at least 3 d. Several other odontocete species (e.g., bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, e.g., McBride 1940), northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphus borealis,Walker and Coe 1990), and spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris, Trianni and Kessler 2002)) have been found to ingest marine plants, such as kelp (Egregia sp., Macrocystic pyrifera), seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) or seagrass (Enhalus acroides, Haldule uninervis). However, death due to gastric impaction by marine plants (high densities of intertwined marine plant(s) preventing efficacious pyloric emptying and gastric evacuation (Santos et al. 2001)) is rarely reported (see McBride 1940, Trianni and Kessler 2002).

Portrait of a Vincy Artist: Caroline “booops” Sardine

Nothing of him but doth changeInto something rich and strange.-Shakespeare, The TempestCAROLINE BOOOPS SARDINE WAS, as she says, one uv the very few children uv European-Creole blud 'born and bred' in St Vincent and the Grenadines [population 100,000] - BLACK was di culah uv my x-istance.1 Thirty-two years later, booops still lives in her parents' house on the outskirts of Kingstown, a stone's throw from the nearby coffee plantation house, Grand View, now a small hotel run by her parents. The family home on its small hill overlooking the bay she describes as a tabernacle, with its connotations of enclosure, protection and consecration. Its sacred contents are things old, all things weathered, all things broken.2This description is the key to Caroline's transformation into booops, an artist with a remarkable vision; a lower-case persona whose thoughts in Sycorax video-style nation language are graffiti-ed across large canvases and inscribed on assemblages. The house she grew up in is itself an assemblage of old things, a family history told in piles of accumulated clutter, juxtaposed with natural incursions in the shape of birds' nests or creepers. The views framed by the windows - of exclusive Young Island and Dove Island with its giant white cross marking a rich man's grave - are a feature of her imagery. I first saw her work when, wandering into Grand View for a drink, I found myself in the bar confronted by a six-foot-high naked woman bleeding from the vagina. I hadn't met booops then, and could not imagine how these uncompromising canvases had come to rest in the tranquil surroundings of a boutique hotel. I was shocked and puzzled by the violence done to dismembered or wounded female bodies with graffiti-like slogans scrawled across them (Figures I, 2). The disturbingly personal iconography of the paintings gestured towards something autobiographical, some painful experience which had driven the artist to represent it over and over again. What, for example, could explain the preoccupation with blood in the paintings - red tears seeping from eyes as well as menstrual blood gushing from the vagina, red footprints, bloodied hands? (See Figure 3.) At the same time the paintings were large, bold of line and vibrantly colourful, not austere at all. I sensed conflicted experience and a complex vision, and was driven to find out more.Since then, I have seen booops's work in many contexts - in her small studio in a converted garage; in galleries in Barbados and Jamaica; in the little craft shop she ran for a while and on the walls of offices in Kingstown, as well as those of private collectors in Barbados where she first went to study art. It takes the form of paintings, embroidered hangings, collage and box-like assemblages of found objects and cheap, throwaway materials like hardboard, plastic and metal bottle caps. When you see a booops piece you know it's hers not only because of obsessively recurring themes of violence and abuse, with their attendant motifs of dismembered body parts (hearts, overgrown feet, watchful eyes, blood), but by its combination of naivety of line, bold colour and distinctive iconography which demands to be decoded. For example, the small house on a small island surrounded by sea, the sheltering roof under a sunburst sun, the cross on a hill seen from a window (Figures 6, 7), are icons of safety and refuge which can also take the form of a box, a reliquary or a shrine enclosing precious personal totems. But the childlike sun beaming on a place of innocence belies the rupture which is the subject of the work. The sheltering space is also a kumbla, an ambivalent image of protection perpetually under threat.What happened to booops to bring about such a disturbing vision of a small-island society? The first and most obvious rupture was leaving home to study fine art at Barbados Community College in 1996; then at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica where she gained a diploma in painting in 1998; and finally leaving for London to gain an MA in painting at the Royal Academy of Art in 2000. …

Trace and ultratrace metals in bottled waters: Survey of sources worldwide and comparison with refillable metal bottles

Bottled waters from diverse natural and industrial sources are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Several potentially harmful trace metals (Ag, Be, Li, Ge, Sb, Sc, Te, Th, U) are not monitored regularly in such waters. As a consequence, there is extremely limited data on the abundance and potential health impacts of many potentially toxic trace elements. Containers used for the storage of bottled waters might also increase trace metal levels above threshold limits established for human consumption by the EPA or WHO. Applying strict clean room techniques and sector field ICP–MS, 23 elements were determined in 132 brands of bottled water from 28 countries. In addition, leaching experiments with high purity water and various popular metal bottles investigated the release of trace metals from these containers. The threshold limits for elements such as Al, Be, Mn and U in drinking water were clearly exceeded in some waters. Several bottled waters had Li concentrations in the low mg/L range, a level which is comparable to blood plasma levels of patients treated against manic depression with Li-containing drugs. The rate of release of trace metals from metal bottles assessed after 13 days was generally low, with one exception: Substantial amounts of both Sb and Tl were released from a commercially available pewter pocket flask, exceeding international guidelines 5- and 11-fold, respectively. Trace metal levels of most bottled waters are below guideline levels currently considered harmful for human health. The few exceptions that exist, however, clearly reveal that health concerns are likely to manifest through prolonged use of such waters. The investigated coated aluminium and stainless steel bottles are harmless with respect to leaching of trace metals into drinking water. Pocket flasks, in turn, should be selected with great care to avoid contamination of beverages with harmful amounts of potentially toxic trace metals such as Sb and Tl.

Meniscus-Climbing Behavior and Its Minimum Free-Energy Mechanism

Some insects can climb up the top of the meniscus surface generated by a hydrophilic wall by fixing their posture without moving their appendages [Baudoin, R. Bull. Biol. Fr. Belg. 1955, 89, 16. Hu, D. L.; Bush, J. W. M. Nature 2005, 437, 733]. To better understand this interesting phenomenon, we did meniscus-climbing experiments of bent copper sheets. It was found that the sheets do not always climb up the top of the meniscus surface but may stop and stably stay at various positions on the meniscus surface, depending upon their curvatures and masses, and that bent copper sheets can self-assemble into an oriented array (or an anisotropic form) through self-rotating on the water surface. The minimum energy mechanism of meniscus-climbing and self-rotating was then numerically studied. It was further shown that the meniscus-climbing and the rotating behavior is not only a general phenomenon for floating objects with hydrophilic surfaces, even those with fairly large sizes and weights (e.g., a metal bottle cap), but is also conditionally realizable for floating objects with hydrophobic surfaces.