Cell Phones

Are cell phones dangerous? Cell phones are a wonderful thing. You can talk. Take pictures. Listen to music. Converse over email or text messaging, and browse the Internet among a handful of other things. I love to use my cell phone and actually use it more then any other phone at the office or at home. However, I use it with immense concern. I have concern about the use of the phone causing health issues, like cancer and brain tumors over time. Are these concerns warranted? I have studied technology and specifically wireless communications as a graduate student at Northwestern University. My professor had advanced scientific wireless knowledge and advised us all to get headsets for our cell phones. So why would someone who works in the field be this concerned to offer this advice? Given that cell phones operate with Radio Frequencies (RF) and thus use a form of electromagnetic energy located on the electromagnetic spectrum between FM radio waves and the waves used in microwave ovens, radars and satellites. How many times have you heard not to stand in front of the microwave since it could cause health issues? The FCC offers recommendations for the appropriate and safe amount of exposure to RF energy. I found these RF Safety FAQ’s to be somewhat helpful in identifying and answering some my exposure questions. According to the FCC, â€Å"the threshold level is a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for the whole body of 4 watts per kilogram (4 W/kg)†. So what does that mean to a normal human being? I will use myself as an example; I weigh 171 pounds which converts to approximately 78 kg. So that means I can absorb 312 watts in my whole body. Still what does that mean in the case of a cell phone? The FCC has also required all wireless phones in the U. S. eet a conservative radiation safety standard of 1. 6 SAR and most do with much to spare. When translated into wattage, wireless phones maximally emit power in the range of 0. 2 to 0. 6 watts. When you compare this to what a walkie-talkies which emit radiation in excess of 10 watts or an AM radio stations, which emit radiation at levels of 50,000 watts or more! However these numbers do not take into account outside factors that come into play when using a cell phone. The amount of RF you are exposed to with the use of a cell phone depends on a number of factors which include: 1. The age of your cell phone (an older analog model would create higher exposure levels than a newer phone). 2. ) The duration and frequency of using your cell phone (this one is scary! ) 3. ) The distance from the base station pushing out the signals. So let’s take a closer look at the three points above. Age of the cell phone is pretty self-explanatory; most people have upgraded from their â€Å"Saved by the Bell† Zach Morris phone to the newer digital style phones with all the bells and whistles so I would not be too concerned. However, if you have not, I would advise you to upgrade as soon as possible. There are a number of deals available that make new phones cost next to nothing. Secondly, the duration and frequency of using your cell phone scares me a little bit. So if my phone emits 0. 2 t0 0. 6 watts of energy, how much is that same amount amplified by placing it directly next to the soft tissue of the brain? Currently, I subscribe to a cellular service package with unlimited night and weekend minutes. I did some checking and I usually use around 900 minutes a month. So this means that my brain is getting zapped with 0. 2 to 0. 6 watts of RF energy on an average of 900 minutes a month. I do not imagine this can be good for the soft tissue of my brain, especially since the FCC does not examine the affects of RF produced by cell phones on the soft tissue of the brain. Third and finally, the distance from the base station you are connected to should be taken into account. This one may be very difficult to measure and quantify. In my specific network with SprintPCS, I rarely go with lack of service, which I assume means I am always fairly close to the next station to make up the web of cell pods that push out the signals. The cellular network is set up in a hexagonal pattern which maps over the entire area you live. As you move from one hexagonal cell to the next you are fairly close to the center of the cell at all times. Though I do not know what scientific evidence I can draw and quantify from this information in relation to health issues. So after examining those three factors, it seems that much like cigarette smoking was accepted and not linked to illness until the appropriate medical and scientific knowledge was gathered to prove otherwise, it is possible that cell phone usage and exposure to RF energy on soft tissue could cause serious health issues (i. . tumors). So in the meantime there are a few options: 1. ) Keep using my phone next to ear in hopes that this is just a scare. 2. ) Take action! Use a headset connected to the headset jack (not a Bluetooth device) to get the handset away from the soft tissue of the brain. Or get a cellphone with a speaker phone to get the handset further way from your skull. Since an inadequate length of time has passed to show evidence that there is no link between tumors and cell phones because right now the studies conducted on cell phones and health concerns have been performed with adequate duration to do otherwise. I am going to have to go with option number two and use a headset for as many of the 900 minutes a month that I currently spend with the handset pressed firmly to my skull while is send waves electromagnetic radiation through the soft tissue of my brain and I would advise you to do the same until more solid research has been concluded. Chatting away on your cell phone because you have great cell phone package with free nights and weekends and loads of minutes may just have gone out of style with the latest study in which links extended cell phone usage to brain tumors. Prior studies just last year found showed no evidence radiation from mobile phones were harmful. I was admittedly skeptical when I read them. The most recent study conducted by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life looked at the mobile phone use of 905 people between the age of 20 and 80 who had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and found a link. The study also shows that the rise in risk is noticeable for tumors on the side of the head where the phone was said to be used After reading the latest findings, I would recommend using a mobile hands free headset if you can. For related reading you might also want to check out a post I made in June 2005 titled, Are cell phones dangerous?

How Can Political Factors Affect Finance In Kuwait Research Paper

How Can Political Factors Affect Finance In Kuwait - Research Paper Example The wave of democracy in this country is based on the decision to control oil companies. This is because over 35 percent of the world’s energy consumption is based oil fuels. It is believed that the pivotal factor affecting democratization in Kuwait is the production of oil. This is because the entire economy of Kuwait revolves around oil and other hydrocarbons investments. In addition, the government provides security and employment of people because of acceptance in the recent political order. However, it is also clear that royal Al-Sabah family has ruled the country with an iron fist without detaching themselves from the society and its people due to their vast wealth. The factors of democratization engage in recreation, an essential responsibility in the society of Kuwait. This means that the stronger these institutional factors are entrenched into Kuwaiti’s society the more democracy is achieved. Due to these democratic elements, Kuwait is the chosen country of res earch on how political factors affect finance in Kuwait. The investigative factors in Kuwait go beyond state model. This is because oil factor in this country together with other extreme generous welfares gives the basic reasons why the current state of Kuwait is not developed into a democracy nation. In this research paper, I will investigate how the political system in Kuwait has affected its finance and economy. Democratization in Kuwait Over the years, Kuwait has achieved a transition from non-democratic to a democratic system. However, in order to achieve full democratization in this country, some degree of liberation must occur in the economy. In addition, political liberation must be achieved in order to have economic growth and development. This means the expansion of public space through recognizing and protecting civil and political liberties. In Kuwait, the line between democratization and liberalization is always vague to an extent of confusion (Thuroczy 2010). Although Kuwait has stable political system with citizens voting for their preferred candidate in free and fair elections, the country faces some limitations on how oil is managed. This is because the government collects no key taxes from other resources and thus relies on income achieved from oil and other foreign investments. The effect of oil in this country is therefore, considered the main cause of lack of economic and political reforms. Additionally, other aspects are overlooked and play a great role in the development of politics in Kuwait (Thuroczy 2010). According to UN’s development index, Kuwait is a highly developed country compared to other countries along the Persian Gulf. Although there is no doubt that oil in this country has increased education and income levels of people in this country, there are massive troubles in the welfare of the state (Thuroczy 2010). In addition, there is no maximum guarantee in the employment of the youths in this country. This indicates tha t oil in this country is the biggest hindrance to the progress of democracy and economic growth. Political Analysis It is worth noting that common stock refers to the stake that a person or a registered company owns in a given organization. Such stake gives such a person or organization the power to make important decisions such as voting in the organization. The difference between common stock and preferred stock is that every stakeholder in case of bankruptcy has to be paid first before the common stock holder receives anything. Politics play a critical role in the success of any given organization. This can be attributed to the fact that all actions of an organization have to adhere to the

Concrete mixing Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Concrete mixing - Lab Report Example e is influenced by the chemical composition of the cement, hydration as well as development of microstructure, admixtures, and characteristics of the aggregate. In addition, the quality is strongly influenced by placement, consolidation, as well as curing. The performance of the concrete throughout its service life is also largely influenced by the method employed in mixing, placing, curing and transporting the concrete. It is also necessary for the civil engineers to perform various quality control tests which should include slump tests, air content tests, as well as strength-gain-with-time tests. It is a well known fact that concretes which are considered as good and those considered as bad may have the same ingredients. The difference between good and bad concretes may come about due to the expertise of the engineer as well as the technicians who handle the concrete during construction. Concrete has been employed in many more applications in the past few decades due to the advances that have been made in concrete technology. It is necessary for civil and construction engineers to be aware of the available alternatives to the conventional concrete, roller-compacted concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete. The weight of air entraining agent should 0.05% of cement. Air is entrained in the concrete by the air-entraining admixtures which contain surface-active agents which are concentrated at the air-water interface. Bubbles are formed readily when the surface tension is lowered, and the bubbles stability remains after being formed. The mixing water foams with the air-entraining admixtures and the formed consequently locked into the paste during the hardening of concrete. The entrapped air voids are not the same as entrained air voids. This is because the air voids are formed by chance when air enters the fresh concrete during mixing whereas the entrained air voids are formed on purpose as described above. The size of the entrapped air voids can be as large as 3 mm