Good Nutrition for the Highchair Set
(page 2 of 5)
Many parents who prepare their own baby foods at home do so out of concern that commercial products contain added salt, sugar, and other additives. A certain amount of sodium is necessary to an infant's health, but excessive intake can be harmful. Before 1970,
baby food in jars often contained added sodium in the form of salt and monosodium glutamate (MSG). However, the National Academy
of Sciences and the American Academy of Pediatrics found that the amount of sodium in baby foods was often far in excess of
what a baby's body needs and that additives (other than vitamins and minerals) were not necessary to a baby's good nutrition. In
response to these findings and to the growing concern that high sodium intake early in life might lead to high blood pressure
later on, manufacturers of baby food began to limit the amount of sodium they added to their products. By 1978, they had entirely stopped adding MSG and salt to products intended for babies under one year.
Concerns about sugar and other additives, such as preservatives, have motivated manufacturers to limit the amount of
these substances added to their products. Today, commercially prepared baby foods rarely contain preservatives and sterilization
during the manufacturing process contributes to their long shelf life. In most lines of baby food, refined sugar is added only to
custards and puddings.
The FDA regulates the labeling of all baby foods (with the exception of strained meats, which come under the jurisdiction of U.S. Department of Agriculture). The FDA requires labeling on "infant" food (for babies under one year) to be more complete than that of other foods so that parents can be well-informed about what they are feeding their child. While the labeling of other foods may list spices and additives in general and non-specific terms, the labels on infant food must list each ingredient by name, including each spice, flavoring and coloring. In addition, the labeling must specify the plant or animal source of an ingredient. For example, rather than vegetable oil, the label must say "coconut oil" or "palm oil." As with other foods, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance. Most manufacturers also include on the label the amounts (or percentages of U.S. RDAs) of calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, sodium, vitamins, and minerals.
Along with solid foods, many parents begin giving their baby fruit juices at about 6 to 7 months of age. Initially, fruit juices for babies were sold in cans. However, concern about lead from the cans seeping into the juice after the can was opened and left partly filled caused manufacturers to switch to small glass bottles. (Unopened cans do not pose this problem.) Juices marketed for babies are usually fortified with vitamin C (as are many strained fruits), and most brands do not contain added refined sugar.
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As this school year comes to a close, many bookstores have unfolded their tables and placed “Summer Reading” signs prominently throughout their shops. Students’ sighs, however, are often just as prominent. After all, reading is the last thing on many of their minds as they become excited for summer vacation.
But this does not need to be the case! With the right frame of mind and the below suggestions in hand, students of all ages can enjoy that required summer reading. So, why wait until July or August to get started on those lists? Students can begin now with these tips:
1. Understand the specific requirements you must meet
Summer reading is a common pastime in American schools. Students in grade levels as early as kindergarten and first grade may experience some form of it, but it is a much more common expectation for high school students. This summer reading curriculum varies, however, from district to district, school to school – perhaps even class to class. AP and honors English classes typically carry an increased workload, with multiple books and formal writing assignments.
Speak with your teachers about their summer reading requirements. Will you need to document your progress? Will you be presenting on the material come August or September? Ensure you understand what is expected of you now. You are far less likely to receive such assistance in July, and it would be painfully frustrating to realize you misread the assignment sheet the week before school begins.
2. Exercise your right to choose
Your education is most meaningful when you participate in it. The average summer reading program involves one required text and a list of books from which students may or must choose additional titles on their own. Often, selections revolve around a common theme like a geographical location (i.e. the city of Chicago in Divergent) or a high-level concept central to teenagers (i.e. the individual in 1984).
Full disclosure – you may have no choice but to read the one required book, but do investigate all the options on the suggestions list. While time-consuming, it increases your likelihood of enjoying the material. If you locate a novel or piece of nonfiction that fits the themes but does not appear on the list, ask to read it. The majority of teachers will appreciate your effort to investigate the subject matter and will allow you to select that book.
3. Form connections between the material and your life
Students who excel in school generally do so because they develop personal links to the content they encounter. It is thus easier to recall and more relevant. Though it may seem difficult at first, the same result can be reached with summer reading. (After all, most class material is the instructor’s choice, not yours.)
Begin this process by exercising choice (see above) whenever possible. If you feel drawn to a particular book, it is likely because it reflects some aspect of you, whether past, present, or future. As you encounter points within the text, research them. For example, you might choose to Google genetics while reading Divergent. These side interests liven the book, and you may find that they ultimately serve as the basis for writing assignments that you must later complete.


An allergic skin condition, chronic hives create red, itchy welts on the skin and sometimes swelling. They can occur daily and last longer than six weeks, even years.
Jill Poole, M.D., associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, was principal investigator of a study in the Feb. 7 edition of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The two-year study looked at the role of over-the-counter vitamin D3 as a supplemental treatment for chronic hives.
See the published study here.
Over 12 weeks, 38 study participants daily took a triple-drug combination of allergy medications (one prescription and two over-the-counter drugs) and one vitamin D3, an over-the-counter supplement. Half of the patient's took 600 IUs of vitamin D3 and the other half took 4000 IUs.
Researchers found after just one week, the severity of patients' symptoms decreased by 33 percent for both groups. But at the end of three months, the group taking 4000 IUs of vitamin D3 had a further 40 percent decrease in severity of their hives. The low vitamin D3 treatment group had no further improvement after the first week.
"We consider the results in patients a significant improvement," Dr. Poole said. "This higher dosing of readily available vitamin D3 shows promise without adverse effects. Vitamin D3 could be considered a safe and potentially beneficial therapy.
"It was not a cure, but it showed benefit when added to anti-allergy medications. Patients taking the higher dose had less severe hives -- they didn't have as many hives and had a decrease in the number of days a week they had hives."
In the study, patients had suffered from five to 20 years with severe hives. Some had been on therapy and others none.
The cause of hives is not generally known, but allergy and autoimmune reactions sometimes play a role. Treatment options for chronic hives are limited.
"Standard therapy is to control symptoms with antihistamines and other allergy medications," Dr. Poole said. "Some are costly and can pose substantial side effects."
She said the study didn't include patients with kidney disease or those with calcium disorders.
The study was funded through a $50,000 grant from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the UNMC Clinical Research Center.
Dr. Poole, I have been suffering with hives for my entire life, I am 28 years old now. This year (I live in Houston), our summer has just started & is extremely hot. My hives came with a vengeance, I wish we could post pictures for others to view and relate. I'm so happy I found this article. I am of West Indian descent, and have always had low levels of vitamin D. For some reason, I thought to google the correlation between hives and vitamin D and came across your study. I hope that you have had success with gaining more grants to pursue this issue as it is incredibly painful, disconcerting, and affects many people from all different races and walks of life. Thank you, I will start taking my vitamin D daily and Ramona, I will start taking cod liver oil. Thank you all for sharing!
Dr. Poole, you are a life saver! After a stressful episode of a rollover wreck, last year I developed idiopathic chronic hives. They would mostly come at night and sometimes even with angiodema/swollen face. Aloe Vera gel seemed to soothe it for a few hours. I tried everything from changing my diet, fasting afraid to eat, to emergency room asking if I had mites, to finally going to an immunologist where I was put on Zyrtec. To be honest, over the counter Benadryl worked better but the problem was none of those are effective for longer than 3 days with no more doses, they actually seemed to increase the severity of hives, and most importantly I was extremely sleepy and with Zyrtec began to have a weird swollen aching feeling in my feet. I was so worried about how I would function for the new school year as a teacher feeling like a zombie and sleepy. I prayed and was craving eggs! I looked up nutrients in eggs! I stumbled upon vitamin D3 and an article about your research! This was a MIRACLE, and I pray that you continue this research. I thought it was strange that after a long day swimming and I had started back taking my cod liver oil which contains A and D3, I had slightly began to feel better although my hives were still coming. My husband immediately went out to buy me D3, I started taking 6,000 IU, plus vitamin C and still took one Cod liver oil. I am shocked! I'm afraid to ever stop taking this! I also was found to be medium to low thyroid T4 (.8) but was offered no treatment and I begged my immunologist to test my vitamin D3 and it was a 36. This was after I was self medicating on D3 for about two weeks. I told him about this miracle and he didn't seem enthused, saying it was probably going to go away anyway. No way! Now, exactly a year later, I sometimes lower my dose of vitamin D3 to just 4,000 IUs a day instead of 6,000 for fear of toxicity. I'm also an African American female and can't believe we aren't told that darker skin people may be more deficient in vitamin D3! I tell everyone this story and wish I could be involved in a study with you. If anyone is reading this and has questions you can email me at firstname.lastname@example.org
Dear Dr Poole: After 3.5 months of hives on my hands (I'm allergic to nightshades and ate a green pepper dish) and unwilling to take steroids, I started 2000IU of D3 after finding your article. After one week, the hives are nearly gone. Thanks for publishing this intriguing study. Sharon S.
Recently, I had an episode of hives after 7 years. Blood work found that I am vitamin d deficient. I was just prescribed 50,000 per wk of vitamin d. We'll see what happens! I hope this will work. I am optimistic.
I had severe hives for 6 months. 3 rounds of prednisone did nothing but give very temporary relief for a few days. when i went for my annual exam lab results showed very low vitamin d. I was put on 50,000 u per week. Just 2 days after my first dose the hives were completely gone. That was nine months ago. I've had no hives since then.
Thank you Dr. Poole for a remarkable research. I will surely follow this Medication and i wish you receive more funds in order to do further research. Regards.
As a sufferer of chronic hives, I would like to know what the triple therapy consists of. I have suffered with these for more than 7 years. This past week I had a severe outbreak and have been racking my brain trying to figure out what brought this on again when I have not had an outbreak in years. Then I realized I had lapsed in my OTC antacid by about 3-4 days and also my daily regimen of Vitamin D3. Finding this article was profound as I felt some relief for many hours today after resuming D3. Will have to try upping the dose from 1,000 IU to the 4,000 if this is indeed safe.
After 9 years of no breakouts, the hives are starting again. Have had outbreaks since March 3. This study mentions two OTC drugs and one prescription. Any information on what these meds are? Currently taking Zyrtec, Zantac and a script. Thank you!!
My chronic hives began last April of 2013. Since finding Dr. Poole's study last August, 2013, I upped my dose that I began in July from 3000iu's a day to 5000iu's a day, I took 5000iu's steady until December 31st. I was able to get off prednisone which I was taking for a month in June, 2 Reactine, 2 Zantac, Benadryl here and there and doxepin which I was taking for 9 months steady every day. I previously had chronic hives in 2010 when my own physician remarked she had noticed many patients coming in with chronic hives. I think I had both of these occurrences of chronic hives due to my moving north and becoming more confined to the indoor lifestyle as I moved to a colder climate and I also believe I suffered a second occurrence because I was 3 years older than before and as you age you are less able to synthesize vitamin d. Because I became obsessed with googling everything I could about vitamin d throughout this 9 month period, I stumbled upon two very helpful books as I weaned myself off my allergy pills and increased my Vitamin d3 dose. One book was called The Miraculous Results of extremely High Doses Of Vitamin D3 by Jeff T. Bowles; I read this book at the end of December which encouraged me to take a higher dose than 5000iu's a day starting January 1st. The reason I decided to take a higher dose was I fell off my front steps onto my tailbone and could not sit without terrible pain for 3 days but on the 4th day of taking 20,000iu's of D3 the pain began to diminish greatly so I continued to take 20,000iu's until the end of January when I thought I was healed from my sore tailbone. My physician had remarked at the beginning of January that it would take a couple of months for the soreness to go away. I had no more pain in one month of taking 20,000iu's of vitamin d a day. Then I reduced the dose to 10,000iu's and have been taking that amount almost all of February which is not over yet. By mid January I also had no more hives to show. The other treatment I gave myself was from Book number two You're not sick, You're Thirsty! by Batmanghelidj. I found this book mid-December, the information about histamine and how it works in the body is invaluable. I have been to an allergy specialist during both chronic hive occurrences, I am not allergic to anything according to the allergist's tests. I think Vitamin d3 deficiency contributes to chronic hives and I also think chronic dehydration is a contributor as during my move I was busy and distracted and it wasn't until I read You're not sick, You're thirsty that I realized I had not been drinking 2 litres of water a day. My husband watched my hives diminish in front of his eyes as I started to drink 2 litres of water a day; it took me about 5 days to become properly hydrated, I have been drinking 2 litres of water a day since mid- December. Now the last influential book I found today to keep me on the path of being free of hives forever is The Power of Vitamin D written by Sarfraz Zaidi, MD. This book gave me the complete overview of my situation since 2010 because this doctor writes about a condition called Hyperparathyroid Disease which I ended up with in 2013 and had my 'inflamed to a grape size' hyperparathyroid gland removed in June 2013 which I now have a one inch scar on my neck. Dr. Zaidi states in his book how this gland fails to work properly when you are deficient in Vitamin D. My blood results in August 2012, March, May and July of 2013 were all deficient in Vitamin D. The reason I was blood tested for Vitamin d is I am a Type 1 Diabetic, so if you do not have a chronic autoimmune disease you could have low vitamin d and never be tested. For example my healthy husband who works outdoors and because I was reading all this information about Low vitamin d he decided to experiment without a blood test first. He took 4000iu's of Vitamin d for 4 months, when he had his blood tested he was low in vitamin d. He had to ask for the Vitamin d test. My husband also was on the verge in the Fall of 2013 with going through with a carpal tunnel syndrome operation on his wrist, that is why he decided to take some vitamin d. Although his vitamin d result was low his wrist improved on 4000iu's of Vitamin d so he does not feel he will be needing an operation. In January because we read that when you live near the equator you get about 20,000iu's of vitamin d, my husband also increased his dose to get his low d blood level up, he will have another blood test at the end of March. My husband also noticed previous aches and pains disappear and I noticed his hair that was turning gray turn brown. All of my blood results are now normal including my Vitamin d, it has taken at least 7 months of taking Vitamin D3 everyday to get those results in the proper place. I am sharing this with the readers because it is devastating when you visit your doctor 10 times in 4 months for more pills and leave the office feeling hopeless. Vitamin D3 should become a mandatory test for all human beings because we would save millions of dollars in health care costs and millions of lives from debilitation and depression. Take enough Vitamin D3 everyday for the rest of your lives, you are all deficient (get your 25 (OH) Vitamin d, 25 Hydroxyvitamin D) before your health is in trouble!!! It's easier to take Vitamin D3 sublingually, (under the tongue) than taking an insulin needle 6 times a day along with 6 blood tests!!!
That's great you find it works. I hope Dr. Poole can get funds to do a larger study so that ultimately perhaps more health providers will be able to spread the word.
I have been using Vitamin D3 for almost a year now to treat my red,itchy,swelling welts on my legs that I would get every fall and last until late May. I have had this condition for at least 6 years. Topical lotions did not work at all. I did some research on my own and tried the Vitamin D3. My legs have never looked and felt so good, not even any dry skin during the winter. I even told my 85 year father about this because he had the dry itchy rash around his ankles and was in terrible distress. He tried the D3 and the redness is clearing up. D3 is a miracle. I'm so glad I figured it out. Geri C


Today’s mission-critical applications
In many of today’s mission-critical applications, ever-increasing reliability requirements are the norm. A critical part of this reliability is the reliability of the electric power distribution system for a given facility.
Among the most demanding applications is that of a data center, where the enduse equipment cannot tolerate even a momentary power outage and, further, even relatively minor disturbances in the power system can cause computer systems to re-boot, causing operational down-time.
That no power system component can operate with 100% reliability is a well-known fact. Another fact is that the availability of utility power is less than 100% (typically 99-99.9%).
Therefore, the possibility of utility power and internal system component failure must be taken into account in the system design.
The choice of power system distribution topology is the first line of defense against critical-load outages.
- Secondary-Selective ‘Main-Tie-Main’ Arrangement
- Main-Tie-Main’ topology
- Ring Bus Arrangement
- Primary Loop Arrangement
- Composite Primary Loop/Secondary Selective Arrangement
In the context of automatic transfers, the most common arrangement is the secondary selective or “main-tie-main” arrangement. One implementation of this arrangement is as shown in Figure 1:
In this arrangement, there are two busses, each of which serves approximately 50% of the load, but is sized to carry the entire load. In Figure 1, this means that each transformer, secondary main circuit breaker, and secondary equipment bus is sized to carry the entire load.
There are many variations on previous arrangement. In critical-power applications the most common variation is to use two bus tie circuit breakers, and have the two secondary busses separated into two different pieces of equipment. Another variation is the main-main arrangement, which omits the bus tie circuit breaker and simply has the two secondary busses connected all the time.
In this arrangement, one power source normally carriesthe entire load, and the other is strictly a standby power source should the normal source fail. In this way the main-main arrangement is analogous to an automatic transfer switch (ATS).
Both of these variations are shown in Figure 2.
Other arrangements exist, however none are as popular in the critical-power distribution environment as the secondary-selective “main-tie-main” and its variants.
One other arrangement, however, has been used with great success is the ring bus, as illustrated in Figure 3:
The ring bus arrangement allows the flexibility of supplying multiple loads using multiple busses. It is most often used at the medium-voltage level, and usually in a “closed loop” arrangement with all of the bus tie circuit breakers closed.
A variation on the ring-bus is the primary loop arrangement shown in Figure 4:
A primary loop arrangement typically uses load-interrupter switches for switching on the loop, and is more economically justifiable than a full ring-bus system. Typically, the loop is operated in an “open-loop” arrangement, but still gives the ability to supply all loads from either side of the loop.
Extreme flexibility and increased reliability are obtained by combining topologies. An example of this is the composite primary loop/secondary-selective arrangement shown in Figure 5.
Here, multiple failure contingencies are addressed ina generally economically-feasible manner.
Reference: Critical-Power Automatic Transfer Systems – Design and Application / Bill Brown, P.E., Jay Guditis, Square D Critical Power Competency Center


Wednesday, 11 January 2006
The current Speaker
The Office of the Speaker in the Parliament of Zambia is established under Article 69(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, which states:
“There shall be a Speaker of the National Assembly who shall be elected by Members of the Assembly from among persons who are qualified to be elected as Members of the Assembly but are not Members of the Assembly” (The Constitution of Zambia, 1996).
The election of the Speaker is the first business that a new Assembly transacts at its first meeting. This is so because Article 69(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia states:
No business shall be transacted in the National Assembly (other than the election to the Office of Speaker) – at any time when the Office of the Speaker is vacant (The Constitution of Zambia, 1996).
The Functions of the Speaker The Speaker is the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly and his authority is recognised and respected by all Hon. Members of Parliament. He regulates debates and enforces strict observance of rules which govern orderly conduct in the House. He calls upon Members who wish to speak to do so. He preserves the order and dignity of proceedings in the Assembly. He is the spokesman and the representative in its powers, proceedings and dignity of the institution’s external relations with other authorities and persons outside Parliament.
The Speaker is the custodian of parliamentary procedure, bills and all parliamentary papers and publications. All Members of Parliament look to him for guidance in matters of procedure, and he decides on points of order. He may give his rulings immediately or defer his decision to a later date or time. His rulings constitute precedents by which the subsequent Speakers of the Assembly will be guided. The Speaker’s ruling or, indeed, that of the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees of the whole House, may not be criticised or questioned except by a substantive motion of which notice has been given. An affront to the Speaker or the Chair is an affront to the entire House.
The Speaker is the guardian of the dignity and privileges of the House; and it is only through him that Members of the National Assembly claim and enjoy their rights of access to the Head of State, the President.
The Speaker has wide powers in the House. He can call Members to order for the use of unparliamentary language; for any unbecoming behaviour; for irrelevance; and for tedious repetition. He can order Members to resume their seats or to withdraw a word or a phrase or order a Member to apologise in accordance with the Standing Orders; and he can order a Member to leave the Chamber. If a Member disregards the authority of the Chair or contravenes the rules of the Assembly by persistent and willful obstruction or otherwise, the Speaker or the Chairman of Committees has the authority to ‘name’ that Member, after which the Leader of Government Business in the House (the Vice-President) or any Cabinet Minister present would move a motion for the appropriate punishment to be meted out, which may include a suspension from the House. If the Member does not leave the House, the Speaker orders the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him by force.
In addition to presiding over the debates of the House, the Speaker is the Chairman of all Sessional and Select Committees, but physically chairs the Standing Orders Committee.
The Speaker is also the President of both the Zambia Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Zambia National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). In this capacity, he presides at their Annual General Meetings. Together with the Executive Committees of both organisations, he appoints Hon. Members of Parliament to attend Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Inter-Parliamentary Union seminars, regional and parliamentary conferences as delegates. He also appoints members of staff of the National Assembly to serve as Secretaries to such delegations.


Note: Earth-Pages will be closing as of early July, but will continue in another form at Earth-logs
Where did all our water come from? The Earth’s large complement of H2O, at the surface, in its crust and even in the mantle, is what sets it apart in many ways from the rest of the rocky Inner Planets. They are largely dry, tectonically torpid and devoid of signs of life. For a long while the standard answer has been that it was delivered by wave after wave of comet impacts during the Hadean, based on the fact that most volatiles were driven to the outermost Solar System, eventually to accrete as the giant planets and the icy worlds and comets of the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, once the Sun sparked its fusion reactions That left its immediate surroundings depleted in them and enriched in more refractory elements and compounds from which the Inner Planets accreted. But that begs another question: how come an early comet ‘storm’ failed to ‘irrigate’ Mercury, Venus and Mars? New geochemical data offer a different scenario, albeit with a link to the early comet-storms paradigm.
Three geochemists from the Institut für Planetologie, University of Münster, Germany, led by Gerrit Budde have been studying the isotopes of the element molybdenum (Mo) in terrestrial rocks and meteorite collections. Molybdenum is a strongly siderophile (‘iron loving’) metal that, along with other transition-group metals, easily dissolves in molten iron. Consequently, when the Earth’s core began to form very early in Earth’s history, available molybdenum was mostly incorporated into it. Yet Mo is not that uncommon in younger rocks that formed by partial melting of the mantle, which implies that there is still plenty of it mantle peridotites. That surprising abundance may be explained by its addition along with other interplanetary material after the core had formed. Using Mo isotopes to investigate pre- and post-core formation events is similar to the use of isotopes of other transition metals, such as tungsten (seePlanetary science, May 2016).
Budde and colleagues showed that the 95Mo and 94Mo abundances in water- and carbon-poor meteorites that come from the Asteroid Belt and formed in the inner Solar System differ consistently from those in volatile-rich carbonaceous chondrites that formed much further away from the Sun. The average abundances of the two molybdenum isotopes in the Earth’s silicate rocks, which ultimately had their origin in the mantle, fall between those of the two classes of meteorites (Budde, G. et al. 2019. Molybdenum isotopic evidence for the late accretion of outer Solar System material to Earth. Nature Astronomy, v. 3, online ; DOI: 10.1038/s41550-019-0779-y). They must reflect the materials that accreted after core formation. If the 95Mo and 94Mo abundances resembled those in non-carbonaceous, dry meteorites that would suggest late accretion with much the same composition as expected from Earth’s position in the Inner Solar System. Alternatively, some molybdenum from Earth’s original formative materials failed to unite with iron in the core. The Mo ‘signature’ of volatile-rich carbonaceous meteorites in the mantle’s make-up points to a large amount of accreting material from the Outer Solar System. In contrast, lunar rocks show no carbonaceous meteorite component of Mo isotopes, which helps to explain its overall dryness compared with the Earth. Yet, the Moon is strongly believed to have formed from material blasted away by an impact between the proto-Earth and an errant, Mars-sized body (Theia).
The authors suggest a high probability that Theia was a carbon- and volatile-rich body from the outer Solar System flung inwards by gravitational perturbation associated with the then unstable orbits of the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. In that case Theia could have delivered not only the anomalous molybdenum, but most of Earth’s water and other volatile compounds. If the theory is correct, then the cataclysmic event that formed the Moon laid the basis for Earth’s continual tectonic activity and its eventually sparking up life; without the Moon, there would be no life on Earth. That kind of chance event isn’t a factor considered in either the Drake Equation or the Goldilocks Zone. Life, natural selection and sentient beings that might spring from them may be a great deal more elusive than commonly believed by exobiologists.
See also: Formation of the moon brought water to Earth (Science Daily, 21 May 2019)


29 September 2012
Early warning signs can be detected through regular, once–a–year health check–up
Heart–related studies show that genetic factors have much to do with heart disease, but unhealthy lifestyles affect and cause death due to coronary heart disease in 80% to 90% people. Experts say these deaths can be prevented by controlling risk factors. Saturday is world heart day.
"The heart that quietly goes about its work is taken for granted or worse still ignored and abused. The consequences are obvious and apparent. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in India with more than 14 lakh deaths every year," said Amol Naikwadi who is into preventive health check–ups in Pune.
The world over, more than 72 lakh men and women die each year for CHD. According to estimates and current trends, almost 26 lakh Indians may die due to coronary heart disease by 2020.
"However, 80% to 90% of such cases can be prevented by controlling risk factors like tobacco consumption, alcohol abuse and following a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, control over high blood pressure,blood cholesterol and regular health checkups," said cardiologist Abhijit Vaidya.
Popular myths that heart diseases usually affect older people as a result of ageing, is fast losing ground. "In reality, the risks for cardiovascular diseases start in youth. It is estimated that around 1.8 crore children around the world under five years of age are overweight. Also, 14% of students aged 13 to 15 years around the world smoke cigarettes. The average age for the onset of such non–communicable diseases has also declined and younger people in the age bracket of 25–40 are increasingly becoming susceptible to heart–attacks and strokes," said Naikwadi.
According to a WHO report, "Of all coronary heart disease patients who die within 28 days of the onset of symptoms, about two–thirds die before reaching hospital. This highlights not only the need for early recognition of the warning signs of a heart attack, but also the need for prevention." Early warning signs can be detected through regular (at least once–a–year) health check–up. If any anomaly is detected, and depending on the stage of the damage done, remedial measures can be taken, said cardiac surgeon Chandrashekhar Kulkarni.
Cardiolo gist Jagdish Hiremath said that heart failure patients have symptoms of breathlessness on exertion and this breathlessness is likely to get worse as the heart failure worsens. "A breathless person even after rest indicates advanced form of heart failure.Heart failure also leads to swelling on the feet and swelling on the face and extreme weakness and lack of appetite," he added.
"Heart failure is correctly diagnosed with the help of an ECG, X–Ray of the chest and further investigative tools like echo colour doppler study, coronary angiography and PET scan of the heart. Hence, periodic health check–ups under guidance of an expert is a must," Hiremath said.
Radiologist Pooja Mehta of Poona Hospital and Research Centre who has specialised in cardiac CT said, the advent of multidetector CT scanners, has made it possible to evaluate the coronary vessels in a fast and non–invasive way.
"Cardiac CT is an excellent screening tool to rule out as well as to assess occult coronary artery disease. It can also grade disease into mild, moderate or severe blockages and helps to determine whether patients are to be treated conservatively or referred for invasive therapy," said Mehta.
Cardiovascular diseases,especially coronary heart disease and stroke may occur due to genetic predisposition or environmental influences. However, the rise of the incidence of CHD in India may be attributed mainly to unhealthy and altered lifestyles than to genetic factors.
Experts said mimicking foreign cultures and adopting lifestyles against healthy living is reflected in the India's physical and mental health.
Consumption of tobacco, alcohol and fast food, coupled with physical inactivity, obesity and low consumption of vegetables and fruits has led to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stress eventually leading to cardiovascular diseases.
"Approximately 75% of cardiovascular diseases can be attributed to high blood pressure,high levels of cholesterol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, obesity and unhealthy diets. If only we could help ourselves from indulging in our vices,so many untimely deaths could have been prevented," said Naikwadi.
CHD IS A KILLER
- Pipes called arteries make way for the blood to be pumped out of the heart, channeled throughout the body, and brought back. The arteries that lead it (blood) out of the heart to a finer group of pipes called capillaries decrease in size gradually while the ones that bring blood back keep increasing in size.
- This remarkable system becomes susceptible and vulnerable to assault, finally leading to a breakdown when the walls of the arteries supplying blood to the heart get clogged by waxy and oily substances commonly known as cholesterol and fatty deposits (or plaques).
- The decreasing levels of blood supply starve the heart of oxygen and vital nutrients required for it to work properly. This can cause chest pain, technically known as angina.
- However, if the blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle is cut off entirely or if the required energy of the heart becomes much greater than its actual blood supply, the most likely result is an injury to the heart muscle, commonly known as a heart attack.
- In most cases, the attack is usually not preceded by any visible symptom, thus leading the victim to a sudden death.
- Developed countries, where the death rates from coronary heart disease have decreased, implemented policies related to improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A significant change in lifestyle, in particular reduced smoking among adults and lower average levels of blood pressure and blood cholesterol, improved the mortality rate.
- City–based cardiologists have called for a national policy to curb cardiovascular diseases. The policy should deal with population–based preventive steps with participation of physicians and patients. The state and central governments and health insurance providers should reimburse the costs of preventive measures.
- Cardiologist Abhijit Vaidya said that the heart disease epidemic should be contained and slowed down. The need to minimise cardiovascular diseases toll is obvious and urgent. A national strategy must be developed and effectively implemented across the country, he added. Health being a state subject, the Maharashtra government should draft a policy and ensure implementation, Vaidya said.
- According to the preliminary findings of the Million Death Study (MDS), about 25 % of deaths between 25–69 years of age and 19 % of all deaths occur because of heart diseases. It included 33 per cent of deaths in urban areas and 23 per cent in the rural areas. The study is being conducted by the Centre for Global Health Research, Canada. It will track the lives and deaths of 1.1 million households throughout India until 2014, said Vaidya.
- The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Pune district branch jointly with cardiologist Umesh Akkalkotkar will organise a free heart disease detection camp at Red Cross 11, M G Road between 10 am and 1 pm on October 6.
- Needy patients would be investigated at subsidized rates. Those requiring angiography would also be provided concession for same at reputed institutes in Pune.
- Through this, IRCS's Heart Care Centre, located at 593/2 in Rasta Peth, aims to provide costly cardiac treatment at affordable rates. The centre will start lifestyle diseases prevention programme.
- For registering, call 7304922244


1. Albert Abbasi, VP of Operations at Ingleside International Bank (IIB), is evaluating the service level provided to walk-in customers. Accordingly, his staff prepared the following distribution of waiting time for walk-in customers.
Waiting Time Number of Customers
0-under 2 120
2-under 4 40
4-under 6 25
6-under 8 10
8-under 10 5
In a recent survey, 70% of the walk-in customers indicated that waiting four minutes (or more) was unacceptable. Presently, IIB has no direct competitors, but a competing bank is under construction across the street.
Discuss the managerial and business implications of this situation. What alternatives should Albert consider? What graphic depiction should he choose for his presentation to the bank's board of directors?
2. The number of phone calls arriving at a switchboard in a 10 minute time period would best be modeled with the _________.
3 A random sample of 64 items is selected from a population of 400 items. The sample mean is 200 and the sample standard deviation is 48. From this data, a 90% confidence interval to estimate the population mean can be computed as _______.
190.13 to 209.87
189.21 to 210.79
190.94 to 209.06
188.24 to 211.76
Answers questions on graphical depiction, probability distribution, confidence interval.


Welcome to the home of the Syon at 600 project.
Syon Abbey is the only English religious house that can trace its history in an unbroken line from the Middle Ages to the present day. Henry V laid the foundation stone on 22 February 1415, and the project is designed to mark the anniversary with an exploration of six hundred years of Syon history.
Syon was the last foundation of medieval England, and one of the richest. The abbey was not dissolved under Henry VIII. Instead the community went into exile, living at a succession of sites in the Low Countries and France (as well as a short-lived restoration under Queen Mary) before settling in Lisbon (Portugal) in 1594. There they remained until the nineteenth century, when increased religious toleration allowed them to return to England. They stayed at several locations in South-West England, before settling near South Brent in Devon. The Abbey finally closed in 2011, though the three surviving sisters continue its traditions in retirement.
The network is designed to bring together the scholars, and to raise awareness of the resources, that we will need to provide a definitive account of Syon’s unique history.


Silicone fluid is a kind of polyorganosiloxane with different degree of polymerization chain structure. It is obtained by hydrolyzing dimethyldichlorosilane with water to obtain an initial polycondensation ring body. The ring body is cracked and rectified to obtain a low ring body. A mixture of different degrees of polymerization, and then distillation under reduced pressure to remove low boilers to obtain silicone fluid.
The organic groups of the most commonly used silicone fluid are all methyl groups, which are called methyl silicone fluid. The organic group can also use other organic groups to replace part of the methyl group to improve certain properties of the silicone fluid and apply to various uses.
The silicone fluid is generally colorless (or pale yellow), odorless, non-toxic, and non-volatile liquid. The silicone fluid is insoluble in water, methanol, glycol and -ethoxyethanol, but miscible with benzene, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone, carbon tetrachloride or kerosene, slightly soluble in acetone, dioxane, ethanol and alcohol. The Silicone fluid has a small vapor pressure, high flash point and ignition point, and low freezing point.
As the number of segments n increases, the molecular weight increases and the viscosity increases, so the silicone fluid can have various viscosities, from 0.65 centistokes to millions of centistokes. If low-viscosity silicone oil is to be prepared, acid clay can be used as a catalyst for telomerization at a temperature of 180°C, or sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst for telomerization at low temperature to produce high-viscosity silicone fluid or viscous material with alkaline catalyst.
The silicone fluid has the characteristics of high temperature resistance and good stability, and the affinity between molecules is weak, so the surface tension is extremely low. Silicone fluid and other oils have good compatibility and are highly inert. When applied to the skin, the skin feels refreshing and light, and it is less irritating to the skin and hardly absorbed by the skin, so there is no need to worry about penetrating into the skin.
The Silicone fluid is relatively friendly to the environment. It can be decomposed when volatilized into the atmosphere, and no accumulation phenomenon has been found. Because the surface tension of silicone fluid is extremely low, it can be quickly spread on the skin, and the prepared cosmetic has a moist but not greasy skin feel.
Generally, emulsified silicone fluid is used, and the particle size are matched. The old formula also uses high-viscosity polydimethylsiloxane to emulsify and add it, and it needs to pay attention to the suspension.
2. Hair mask
Amino silicone fluid is generally used, which has a good hair repair effect.
3. Skin care emulsification products
Generally, low-viscosity polydimethylsiloxane and phenyl polydimethylsiloxanol are added to the cream emulsion, which has a refreshing skin feel. Use dimethiconol lubricating silicone oil to adjust the skin feel. It is used in eye products or wrinkle-removing products. Silicone elastomer regulates smooth skin feel and matte wrinkle relief.
4. Hair oil
Generally, polycyclic siloxane and polydimethylsiloxane are used to make all-oil system hair care essential oils.
5. Essential oil
Generally, polycyclic siloxane is used in combination with silicone elastomer and dimethiconol to achieve the purpose of thickening and skin feel reconciliation.
6. Aqueous products
Generally, water-soluble silicone grease and polyether-modified silicone fluid are used to adjust skin feel and moisturization.


Normally when you want to access a server on the Internet, you specify its name, like “www.google.com”. What actually happens behind the scenes is that your computer finds out the “IP address” of where you want to go. The IP address is like the “telephone number” of a server. The IP address for Google is 18.104.22.168 .
Read on to find out how to set IP address manually.
Explore related content: etc/hosts, hostname, hosts, IP address, Linux, OS/X, Windows
Someone complemented me the other day that I’m pretty organized. I’m going to be sharing what I use to keep organized in upcoming blogposts.
For one, I use something called Zim. It’s a desktop wiki program.
A wiki is a user-editable, interlinked set of information, like Wikipedia, or the Portland Pattern Repository, the first and original wiki.
While there are a bunch of free wiki packages, they mostly require a webserver. Zim, by contrast, runs on your computer like a normal program.
Read on for more.
Explore related content: Linux, Mac, software, wiki, Windows, Zim


Don't Drink the Water?
Special Blog Action Day Post: Serious threats to clean water are on the rise as "fracking" spreads to the rolling hills and communities above the Marcellus Shale deposit in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.
Do you consider clean drinking water a given? I know that on most days, I turn on the tap without worry.
But across the globe and throughout the U.S, millions are without access to clean drinking water or are having to fight to keep their ground water safe.
Right now, people who live in the rolling hills above the Marcellus Shale deposit that stretches across West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York are finding out that their groundwater, farmland, communities and wild places are at risk from hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”
Fracking is a destructive method of extracting natural gas from shale that uses incredible volumes of water, consumes extreme amounts of energy and can leave toxic messes -- including polluted groundwater. Already a problem out west, fracking is moving east and gaining attention, in part due to the new documentary, Gasland, by a PA resident who explores the impacts of fracking across the country after being offered a lease for a company to do hydraulic fracturing on his land.
The threats to wildlife, wild places and people from fracking -- a practice that has the potential to pollute huge quantities of water with toxic chemicals -- are numerous and serious. NWF’s comments to the EPA on a proposed new study of fracking (pdf) highlighted one of many examples of the impacts that toxic fracking chemicals has had on waterways and wildlife:
On September 16, 2009, 8,000 gallons of fracking fluid leaked into Stevens Creek near Dimrock, Pennsylvania, causing minnows, salamanders and tadpoles to swim erratically and die. Nationwide, reports of dead and tumored cattle, deer, chipmunks, and other wildlife near fracturing sites have surfaced in various locations.
Dimrock, PA, has become synonymous with the danger of fracking and not only because of the chemical leak that leaked into Stevens Creek. In this small town wells have exploded, drinking water has been contaminated, and radioactive water sits in holding ponds on farmers' land.
Water is far to precious to be riddled with toxic waste. Our drinking water and the health of people and wildlife depend on us protecting valuable groundwater from misuse. Share the video clips from Gasland with your friends to spread the word.
This post is part of Change.org’s Blog Action Day and is part of a larger conversation. Today, bloggers across the country are uniting to talk about one thing – water.


The new WPC materials are high technology products for the most demanding applications. The most common types of the new WPCs are produced by mixing wood flour and plastics to produce a material that can be processed just like a plastic but has the best features of wood and plastics. The wood can be from sawdust
Manufacturing Process. Page 2. Courtesy of WMEL, Washington State University, www.wmel.wsu.edu. 2. What are Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC)? . State University, www.wmel.wsu.edu. 8 www.wpcinfo.org. Maintained by Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory. (www.wmel.wsu.edu) at Washington State University
Jun 11, 2014 . material characterization. Wood and fiber analytics. Polymer analytics. Material characterization. Compound analytics. Material testing. Component testing . use of renewable instead of fossil-based materials .. Most important production process for WPC (deckings, sidings, railings)
Jun 4, 2015 . The processes for manufacturing WPCs include extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding. . Most WPC products in the USA are utilized in building materials with few exceptions for residential and commercial building applications, which means that building codes are the most important..
Sep 11, 2015 . Introduction wpc production of materials wpc available materials used in plastics and waste wood waste, forestry, st and other plant fiber as the base material does not contain any harmful ingredients plus, and recyclable, after processing factories, producing wood products made of special..
Sep 9, 2011 . WPC is a composite with a rapid growing usage consisting of a mixture of wood waste and polymeric material (Soury, et al. 2009). Many trials of obtaining a WPC product were basically built on the concept of a Cradle to Cradle approach where the material is recycled at the end of its life cycle to produce a..
Building materials produced, fabricated, traded and consumed regionally,. environmentally friendly and sustainably. Human living conditions for those with lowest income who need it most. Proper houses provide security and safety and stability in the community. Usage of recycled plastics in volumes cleans the environment..
The benefits of WPC lumber include resistance to marine borers and rot, reduced environmental impact due to the absence of preservative treatments, and members can be produced in hollow net sections. In addition, as manufacturing processes and material composition are refined, reduced production costs will enable..
Nevertheless, a WPC material design value which includes the effects of material aging is still useful for a façade planner's practical work in view of the mandatory codes and . The production volume of WPC decking in Europe was 174,000 tons in 2012, whereas only 16,000 tons of WPC cladding were produced
Sep 5, 2013 . a lot of areas where WPC could expand its share in the non- structural area, such as staircase pillars, balcony pillars, floor tiles, wall trim and customized technical profiles (Fig. 3). Materials and Prices. Worldwide it is predominately PE and PVC that are used in WPC production, but PP is also of importance,..
Wood plastic composite materials are used wherever wood has traditionally been employed. First and foremost,. WPC is employed as a flooring material. (decking) mainly outdoors, but also indoors. WPC is also used as railing, privacy fencing, exterior wall cladding, furniture and much more. Manufacture. WPC profiles..
For the year of 2005, a doubling of the production volume to 10,000 tons of. WPC is expected. Particularly for wood material manufacturers, WPC is a hot topic, everyone is observing the development, many are in the starting blocks. Meanwhile there are at least 17 companies in Germany manufacturing WPC granulates..
Oct 6, 2017 . Wood-plastic composites (WPC) as a result of their ability to be produced from a wide range of materials and mixtures of different materials, including recycled materials and materials hitherto sent to waste disposal, have become an area of increasing interest worldwide. Recent changes to environmental..


Temporal range: Upper Cretaceous – Recent
|Clockwise from the upper left: giraffe, fruit bat, lion, hedgehog|
Waddell et al., 1999
Laurasiatheria is a large group of placental mammals. The name comes from the area where advanced mammals evolved. This was on the northern supercontinent of Laurasia, roughly corresponding to Eurasia today plus North America. When Pangaea broke up, it split first into Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south.
- Eulipotyphla: hedgehogs, gymnures, moles, shrews, solenodons (cosmopolitan)
- Cetartiodactyla: cosmopolitan; includes former orders Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates, including pigs, hippopotamus, camels, giraffe, deer, antelope, cattle, sheep, goats)
- Pholidota: pangolins or scaly anteaters (Africa, South Asia)
- Chiroptera: bats (cosmopolitan)
- Carnivora: carnivores (cosmopolitan)
- Perissodactyla: odd-toed ungulates
References[change | change source]
- Zhou, Xuming et al 2011. Phylogenomic analysis resolves the interordinal relationships and rapid diversification of the laurasiatherian mammals. Systematic Biology 61 (1): 150–164.
- Nery M.F. et al 2012. Resolution of the laurasiatherian phylogeny: evidence from genomic data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 64 (3): 685–689.


I have been through the answer of this question but do not quite understand the difference between system calls and library functions. Conceptually, what is the difference between the two?
Conceptually, a library function is part of your process.
At run-time, your executable code and the code of any libraries (such as libc.so) it depends on, get linked into a single process. So, when you call a function in such a library, it executes as part of your process, with the same resources and privileges. It's conceptually the same as calling a function you wrote yourself (with possible exceptions like PLT and/or trampoline functions, which you can look up if you care).
Conceptually, a system call is a special interface used to make a call from your code (which is generally unprivileged) to the kernel (which has the right to escalate privileges as necessary).
For example, see the Linux man brk.
When a C program calls
If there is already enough space for the allocation inside the process, it can do any necessary heap management and return the memory to the caller.
If not, glibc needs to request more memory from the kernel: it (probably) calls the
Adding to Useless' answer:
Syscalls on the other hand, since they run in the kernel, have access to everything in the system, and so they need to control what the calling process can do when it's calling them (verify that it has the permissions to open a file, for example), in addition, since syscalls are in the kernel, calling them requires a context switch in the CPU, which is a very heavy process relative to just calling a library call.
Syscalls usually reflect as system CPU usage in monitoring programs.


Vacuum pumps are typically used to maintain insulating vacuum or purge hydrogen and associated purge gases from systems. Hydrogen is more difficult than heavier gases to pump because of its high thermal velocity (almost four times the average velocity of air molecules) and its small molecular size. Also, hydrogen will diffuse rapidly in an evacuated space. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the specifications for a vacuum pump intended for use in hydrogen service.
Several pump technologies are used, depending on the vacuum requirement, and these include positive displacement, momentum transfer, and entrapment pumps. Vacuum pump capacity should be based on the total calculated peak demand of the system, and the pump should meet this peak demand when continuously operating. Regardless of the technology, vacuum pumps used for pumping hydrogen should be rated for hydrogen service. Several aspects of vacuum technology pertaining to hydrogen best practices are noted below.
Positive Displacement Systems
Condensation on the interior walls of rotary piston and rotary vane vacuum pumps can occur when large quantities of water or other condensable vapors are being pumped. Gas (usually room air) is admitted through a ballast valve to avoid condensation problems. The valve is positioned to allow the gas (which could be as much as 10% of the pump displacement) to enter the chamber during the compression stage. This could result in the creation of a combustible mixture within the pump when a system containing hydrogen is being evacuated.
The exhaust from rotary mechanical pumps should be vented outside because of entrained oil vapors. The vent line should not run vertically from the exhaust connection because water or other vapors that condense on the vent line could drain into the pump and contaminate the fluid. Alternatively, a sump could be added at the exhaust connection to collect the vapors before they can flow into the pump.
Momentum Transfer Systems
Turbo-molecular pumps may require a special blade design to optimize performance for pumping hydrogen.
Cryogenic pumps use cold surfaces and adsorbents to condense and accumulate vapor deposits. The accumulations are subsequently isolated by valves for disposal. The cryogenic cooled material, if trapped and not allowed to freely exhaust, can create high pressures when warmed. In addition, care must be taken with the exhaust process because these materials may have the potential to react with one another, or with the atmosphere, when warmed.
Getters are materials that absorb gases in vacuum systems. In some instances, getters containing hydrogen, when exposed to high concentrations of oxygen as might occur with an air leak, can cause heating sufficient to act as an ignition source.
Elastomeric materials used in hoses (such as rubber and Tygon) will absorb and permeate hydrogen readily, so the length of such hoses should be minimized.
Any metals exposed to hydrogen, including those used in instrument diaphragms, should be evaluated for hydrogen embrittlement.


The words AI, machine learning, blockchain etc are used ad
nauseum nowadays. Ever wondered as to what exactly is blockchain and how is it
Well blockchain is a distributed, digital ledger of
transactions. It’s a network of computers that securely logs every transaction
done in the chain, prevents any meddling with the logs and enables
organizations to verify the transactions that take place. It is quite secure.
So, how does blockchain execute this? Every block is attached
together at a batch of the transaction which is timestamped. This is then
incorporated in the blockchain. Every block has been assigned a signature. And,
all these blocks are back-linked, i.e., they refer to the signature of a
previous block in the chain, and that chain can be tracked all way back to the
very first block. This way blockchain captures
record of all the transactions executed. This record is cannot be edited.
Let’s now cast a look on the main feature of blockchain: The blockchain is a distributed database
which means that the database is present in multiple copies across various
computers. These computers create a peer-to-peer network or a P2P network. It means
that there is no one centralized server and the blockchain database is put up
across a decentralized machine network wherein each computer works as a node on
Now, the data regarding all new transactions must be sent to
all the nodes on the networks. This helps to keep the blockchain in sync like one ‘worldwide ledger’ instead of
This means that to update
the blockchain, these multiple copies should be coordinated so that they all have
the same version. New blocks are developed by the process termed as “mining” that verifies the new
transactions and adds these into the chain.
So how is blockchain applicable to and beneficial for
E-learning primarily deals with teaching, learning and
verifying of new skills. These skills are presented by organization as digital
certificates or badges to the learners which are then accepted by third party
i.e employers and educational institutions. The entire ecosystem rests on
verifiability and trust. If a prospective employer does not believe the digital
certificates to be genuine it raises a question mark on the learner’s
Enters blockchain. Once a credential is recorded to the
blockchain, it can’t be altered or faked. If someone attempts to create a fake
credential that looks like an issued credential, it won’t verify against the
existing blockchain record.
This means no more fake credentials. Blockchain shall help verify
the credentials of learners in e-learning.
The blockchain technology can also be utilized both for
personal development and managing the educational cost. If the learning market
is decentralized, the blockchain may be utilized to make an autonomous
educational exchange method. For this to happen, smart contracts need to be developed for giving the backbone of the
Accordingly, if we begin thinking of learning and development
as an educational currency, we can start to make more proper modes of
communication with the learners. For instance, an instructor or trainer can
develop inspirational learning chunks and position these as blocks on the
blockchain through mining-like mechanism which would be discovered and expanded
by the learners.
Following are some of the other ways blockchain technology
is and will bring a change in learning and development:
achievements of the students on a public ledger – The learning history and
scholastic achievements of the students can be saved on a blockchain ledger by
using smart contracts. The history of the educational and personal development
of students can be available on the public ledger.
Reducing the learning
costs through P2P (Peer-to-peer) learning networks – The blockchain can be
used as a way of P2P data exchange
medium which rewards students who share information and contribute towards
their education and development institution.
This platform uses advanced EdTech to offer high-quality
video and audio, whiteboards, lesson scheduling and interactive learning tools.
Edtech shall grow hugely
in the coming years – Robotics, automation and AI are all having a great
effect on the job market. There’s no such thing as a safe career anymore. To
survive, people have to learn new skills and develop existing ones constantly.
tokens are a safe and strong investment – Bitcoin is rising steadily. As
people begin to trust cryptocurrency, its applications will grow. For example, NTOK.io
uses ‘Ninja Tokens’ as a cryptocurrency that can be exchanged for tutoring
EdTech will create
strong brands and reputations – EdTech powered by blockchain is a sector of
the online global economy that will expand limitlessly. Behind this growth,
there will be companies and brands that build a trustworthy reputation and
All of this means it’s a great time to invest in blockchain
technology if you can.
Schools, colleges and universities are increasingly looking
towards the tech industries for help in delivering training to fill these skill
In conclusion, applying the blockchain technology in online
learning and development and distance learning, educational process can be
improved with cost efficiency.


FRIDAY, March 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Gains in life expectancy don't extend to adults who were overweight or obese as teens, according to a new study.
The average lifespan in the United States has increased by more than a decade since 1950, to nearly 79 years for someone born in 2011, the researchers said. But rising obesity rates may stall that progress, they said.
"In studying the rate of death among adults younger than age 50, we found that there was no improvement among men who were overweight or obese as teenagers," said Dr. Amir Tirosh, of the division of endocrinology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
"The mortality rate among overweight and obese teenagers in the years 2000 to 2010 was as high as the rate observed in the 1960s and 1970s," he said.
The researchers analyzed long-term data from more than 2.1 million people in Israel who were born between 1950 and 1993 and evaluated for military service between ages 16 and 20.
Among those who were normal-weight teenagers, death rates were 41 percent lower for those born in the 1980s than those born 30 years earlier. But people who were overweight or obese as teens showed no significant improvement in their survival rate over four decades.
The researchers also found that overweight and obese teens were more likely to die before age 50 than normal-weight teens. Even teens who were near the upper end of the normal weight range had an increased risk of premature death, according to the study, which was published online March 6 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
The researchers said they did not know the causes of death among the study participants. They said, however, that obesity increases the risk of death from conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
"Public health officials have known all along that obesity contributes to chronic illness, but this study clearly illustrates that it can raise the risk of death in early adulthood," Tirosh said in a journal news release. "This has enormous implications for families, public health and society as a whole."
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases outlines the health risks of being overweight.
This article: Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


Have you ever wondered if there is a hidden connection between Portal Hypertension, Obesity, and Longevity? The answer may surprise you. As a medical expert, I have delved into the research and discovered fascinating insights into how these seemingly unrelated factors intertwine. In this article, we will explore the intricate relationship between Portal Hypertension, Obesity, and their potential impact on longevity.
Portal Hypertension, a condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the portal vein, is commonly associated with liver diseases such as cirrhosis. But did you know that this condition can also influence body weight? Yes, you heard it right. Portal Hypertension may have a role to play in obesity. In the following sections, we will delve into the details and shed light on the mechanisms that link these two conditions.
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Does Portal Hypertension Cause Obesity?
While Portal Hypertension itself may not directly cause obesity, there are underlying factors that contribute to weight gain. One of the main reasons is the alteration of gut hormones. The increased pressure in the portal vein affects the secretion of hormones that regulate appetite, such as ghrelin and leptin. Imbalances in these hormones can lead to increased hunger and decreased satiety, ultimately promoting overeating and weight gain.
Another mechanism that connects Portal Hypertension and obesity is insulin resistance. The liver plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism, and when it becomes compromised due to Portal Hypertension, insulin resistance may develop. Insulin resistance impairs the body’s ability to utilize glucose effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. This metabolic dysfunction not only increases the risk of diabetes but also contributes to weight gain and obesity.
How Portal Hypertension Can Affect Your Health and Longevity?
Portal Hypertension can have significant implications for one’s health and longevity. Let’s explore some of the key points:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: The elevated blood pressure in the portal vein can lead to the development of varices, which are enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach. These varices are at risk of rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding. Additionally, Portal Hypertension can also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Impaired liver function: Portal Hypertension often stems from liver diseases such as cirrhosis. The compromised liver function not only affects the metabolism of nutrients but also impairs the detoxification process. Over time, this can lead to further complications and affect overall health.
- Impact on digestive system: The increased pressure in the portal vein can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the digestive system, leading to complications such as ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation) and hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to liver disease).
Understanding the potential consequences of Portal Hypertension is crucial for managing the condition and promoting longevity. By addressing the underlying liver disease and adopting a healthy lifestyle, individuals can mitigate the adverse effects and improve their overall health and well-being.
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Discover how our cutting-edge medical practice enhances longevity. Detect dementia years in advance, assess your vascular age, and proactively monitor crucial indicators to prevent major issues.
The data presented on lifespan trends comes from Mortality.org, a highly reputable platform that provides comprehensive demographic data on mortality rates worldwide. It’s a collaborative project of respected research institutions such as the Department of Demography at the University of California, Berkeley; the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research; and INED – French Institute for Demographic Studies.
Mortality.org’s datasets are trusted globally by researchers and policy makers due to their rigorous research methods and commitment to privacy and ethical guidelines. As such, readers can be confident that our report offers precise insights into the lifespan trends backed by authoritative research.


2018 - 2019 MCPS High School Course Bulletin
5535/5536 Foundations of Horticulture A/B0.5 credit per semester
This course provides students with basic knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in the horticultural industry. Students are introduced to the concepts of plant growth and development, plant nomenclature, use of plants in landscape settings, invasive plant species, and principles and components of Integrated Pest Management in controlling insects, diseases, and weeds. In addition, students become aware of career opportunities within the green industry and the economic value of horticultural crops, products, and related services.
9 - 10 - 11 - 12
No repeats for credit
- Career Clusters and Career and Technology Education - Environmental, Agricultural & Natural Resources
Additional Course Information:
Foundations of Horticulture A/B


Expectant Scottish mothers have been issued with a warning: put down that second double cheeseburger! Apparently pregnant women north of the border are taking the concept of eating for two a little too far and are producing what are being to referred to as “Sumo babies.”
The Royal College of Midwives said a rise in the number of overweight pregnant women in Scotland is resulting in more babies with a birth weight of 10 pounds or more.
According to official statistics, 7.1 percent of babies born in Scotland in 2015 were considered to be “large for gestational age,” a small increase from 7 percent in 2014. Medical authorities in Scotland consider babies weighing 9 pounds 14 ounces or more to be “oversized” or “macrocosmic.”
The Scotsman said 852 babies weighing at least 10 pounds were born in the country in 2015. The largest topped the scales at a whopping 13 pounds 1 ounce — almost twice the size of an average newborn. (FYI, according to Guinness World Records, the biggest surviving baby ever born arrived in 1955 in Italy, weighing 22 pounds 8 ounces) Ouch.
Women who are overweight or obese may give birth to heavier babies because the foetus receives more insulin (produced by high sugar levels) via the placenta. Overweight mothers have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy, such as maternal diabetes, which affects around one in 20 pregnancies and can lead to a baby being born “oversized.”
Oversized babies are at increased risk of stillbirth, getting stuck during delivery and having a lifetime of health complications, including heart disease and diabetes. Larger than average babies are also more likely to be delivered by C-section or assisted delivery, such as forceps, which can also pose health risks to the unborn child.
Gillian Smith, director for the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland, said bigger babies put increased pressure on midwives, paediatricians, anaesthetists and obstetricians.
“The whole obesity thing is a big challenge, we need to get the message out there that if you are going to have a baby, you need to be a healthy weight before you start getting pregnant,” she said. “In Scotland there has generally been a rise in big babies and there is no doubt that the rate of caesarian sections is also increasing. Unfortunately having a C-section can set a precedent for future pregnancies. There is also a higher stillbirth rate in pregnancies that follow on from a caesarian.”
Frances McGuire, acting chief midwife for NHS Lothian, said: “We offer advice in the early stages of pregnancy about the importance of diet and of taking regular exercise. We also offer specialist services to mums with diabetes whose baby may be at risk.”


Improved thermoelectric converter units (TCUs) and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) that contain them have been undergoing development for use as small, lightweight sources of electricity at potentials up to 5 V and power at levels up to 40 mW. These RTGs are intended primarily for supplying power to operate electronic equipment in outer space or at remote or uninhabitable locations on Earth; terrestrial applications could include monitoring of nuclear-waste-storage facilities, meteorological monitoring at polar locations, deep sea exploration, and monitoring of geological activity inside volcanic craters and at underground locations.
In general, a thermoelectric generator includes a TCU plus a source of heat. In the case of an RTG, the source of heat is a radioisotope heater unit (RHU). The present RTG design is derived partly from the design of 75-mW radioisotope power systems that were built for the United States government in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The present design also incorporates some of the concepts reported in "Miniature Radioisotope Power Source" (NPO-19339), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 19, No. 9 (September 1995), page 60. The RHU in the present design generates thermal power of 1 W and is of a type that has been proven in use aboard spacecraft to warm instruments that are sensitive to cold.
Alternatively, the improved TCUs could be energized by nonradioactive heat sources, including sources of waste heat (e.g., household appliances, power tools, camping equipment), small burners (similar to cigarette lighters) that burn hydrocarbon fuels, or any of a variety of other sources that are inexpensive and readily available. Power supplies based on this concept could be used to charge batteries or to operate low-power electronic equipment under emergency or outdoor conditions, for example. These power supplies offer an important additional advantage in that they could function over wide temperature ranges, including temperatures both above and below the operational temperature ranges of chemical batteries. The improved TCUs could also be used as heat pumps or coolers, especially in electronic equipment; in comparison with conventional thermoelectric coolers, these TCUs would be more durable and could be made smaller.
A TCU is a thermopile made from state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials — in this case, p- and n-doped, vacuum-hot-pressed bismuth telluride. The present developmental TCU is fabricated as a module (see Figure 1) that contains an 18-by-18 square array of alternating p- and n-doped pieces of bismuth telluride separated by pieces of polyimide film. Each element of the array is a square 0.015 in. (0.38 mm) wide. The overall dimensions of the module are 0.291 by 0.291 by 0.9 in. (7.4 by 7.4 by 22.9 mm). The elements of the array are electrically connected in series by gold contact strips on the hot and cold sides. The design hot and cold junction temperatures are 250 and 25 °C, respectively.
Fabrication of the module involves a process of stacking, cutting, and restacking pieces of the p- and n-doped thermoelectric material and polyimide films, followed by placing the final stack in alignment tooling and vacuum hot pressing the final stack to bond the pieces together. Accurate alignment and proper bonding of the array elements in the stack are prerequisite for the next step, in which the gold contact strips are applied by a photo-masking/deposition process used commonly in the electronics industry.
Figure 2 is a simplified cross section of a proposed RTG that would incorporate the developmental TCU. The RHU capsule would be contained in an aluminum capsule holder, which would be mounted in contact with the TCU and pressed against the TCU by tension in four spring-loaded titanium tie wires. The RHU capsule would be spring-loaded to keep it stationary within the holder in the presence of shock and vibration and to minimize thermal resistance between the RHU and the TCU. A thermally conductive electric insulator (made of boron nitride) would be placed between the capsule holder and the hot side of the TCU to prevent electrical short-circuiting of the TCU. Thermal insulation for the hot parts of the RTG would comprise multiple layers of aluminized polyimide film interspersed with layers of ceramic paper. The interior of the RTG could be either evacuated or else filled with xenon.
This work was done by John C. Bass of Hi-Z Technology, Inc., and Alex Borshchevsky of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for Glenn Research Center.
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed to NASA Glenn Research Center, Commercial Technology Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail Stop 4 – 8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16556.


With the ever tightening rules and regulations imposed on solvent cleaning by federal, state, and other governing bodies, today’s cleaning systems must be safe, efficient, effective and environmentally compliant while providing the required throughput to meet the end user’s needs. As existing solvents are more heavily regulated or phased out and new materials emerge, it is important to understand the guidelines for using these approved solvents in conjunction with cleaning systems available on the market today.
To understand today’s use of solvent cleaning systems, one must first take a retrospective look at how our current environmental rules and regulations were developed, including the criteria that ushered in the current regulations for solvent systems. Common regulatory objectives include achieving lower limits of solvent usage to better our environment, preserving processes currently required for specific applications and providing a cost effective means and safe working environments.
For decades, solvent degreasing was the preferred cleaning method for most manufacturers. Compared with aqueous cleaning, most factories found degreasing to be a simple, one-step process, requiring less floor space, maintenance and cost, while providing better compatibility for numerous soils and substrates. Degreasing is especially effective for parts with complex geometries because of solvents’ ability to penetrate the smallest tolerances. If any solvent remained on the part, it evaporated into the atmosphere leaving minimal residue without affecting the substrate.
As scientists studied the earth’s ozone layer, the scientific community theorized that the use of these solvents or the associated family of compounds for degreasing, refrigerants, carrier fluids and other applications was harmful to the ozone layer around the earth. Public awareness increased, governments formed investigative committees, and environmental organizations analyzed these theories. The result was a worldwide pact to decrease or eliminate the use of certain ozone-depleting chemicals/solvents. This joint agreement became known as the Montreal Protocol, first going into effect in 1989.
Solvent degreasing processes were suddenly facing challenges both from applied chemicals and operational perspectives. Ozone-depleting solvents had phase-out dates. Companies faced new limits on air emissions and operator exposure. The National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) was created/regulated by Federal mandate. Degreasers nationwide were modified to meet these new rules or users switched to alternative processes based on corporate directives eliminating ozone depleting solvents.
For some users, the switch from solvent degreasing to aqueous cleaning occurred rapidly. Often, the transition went well, but sometimes not, resulting in less than ideal equipment, chemistry or process selections. Some users were able to successfully transition to aqueous cleaning, while others returned to limited degreasing for those challenging applications where the process truly excelled.
Fast Forward to 2015
Since the Montreal Protocol was first established, new solvent molecules and blends that react with certain lubricants to remove them quickly and effectively have been discovered. These materials are designed for environmental compliance regarding VOC content, lower air emissions, global warming, stability, non-flammability, and other chemical concerns. While these materials are more friendly for both the environment and operators, containment and minimized exposure is still required.
Modern degreasers meet and typically exceed all federal guidelines concerning design criteria, operator exposure and atmospheric emissions.
Just as today’s automobiles are more reliable with better fuel economy, degreaser manufacturers have also improved their new designs by incorporating new technology that capitalizes on advanced solvent properties. The full benefit of manufacturing higher quality products while having the lowest operator exposure and solvent emissions by pairing the right solvent technology and equipment for the application is here now.
Basic degreasers can be generally classified in four categories:
- Traditional open-tops
- Enclosed low-emission maximum efficiency
- Airless or vacuum
The current solvent landscape is a mixture of old and new. Chlorinated or brominated degreasing fluids that have been used for years are now facing higher scrutiny, but are still available, while others have been regulated out of existence. Some companies have also turned to other more benign fluids that are not generally thought of as degreasing fluids for that purpose; as such, they typically have a limited scope of effectiveness. Environmental impact and regulatory compliance remain the deciding factor for most solvents today.
For example, the ban on production of AK-225—effective January 1, 2015—impacts numerous users and their precision cleaning processes. While certain fluids are more effective on specific contaminants, any solvent in consideration should be evaluated for personnel safety, regulatory compliance, actual performance, ease of operation and overall cost.
A novel solvent is now available within the marketplace. From a performance perspective, this solvent has excellent solvency for a range of soils. The solvent has extremely low surface tension to penetrate and remove soils from blind holes and crevices, and it meets and exceeds regulatory and safety requirements. It is non-flammable and carries an OEL of 800 ppm. The solvent is a suitable replacement for nPB, AK 225, HFEs, HFCs, TCE, Trans and Stoddard solvents.
The biggest challenge for solvent cleaning is that a universal “green” solvent that removes a range of contaminants (lubricants and oils, flux residues, waxes, particulates and more) simply doesn’t exist. In general terms, the more user-safe and environmentally friendly the solvent is, the more narrow its efficacy on a range of soils. Therefore, users are often faced with the dilemma of selecting materials that can be effectively removed using solvents allowed by their corporate EH&S policies or regionally dictated mandates, rather than using lubricants or materials that they would prefer from a production standpoint. If it has to be clean, then it has to be cleanable using available technology.
Years of research and development have evolved into a two-solvent or DuoSolvent process. This method opens the process window for soils removed and compatibility with materials processed by first immersing the part in a primary cleaning solvent focused on contaminant removal, and second, processing through an environmentally preferred degreasing solvent for complete, water-free rinsing.
Figure 1 (on page 52) shows that bulk cleaning occurs in the first solvent, which is designed to provide maximum effectiveness to the specific soils being removed. This is a high boiling point, liquid immersion non-vapor cleaning process. After the initial cleaning is completed, the work is transferred to the first process tank in the rinse degreaser and immersed, where any residual cleaning solvent carry-over is solubilized and captured by the rinsing agent. Those familiar with aqueous cleaning processes often refer to this as a chemical-isolation rinse. Two stages of immersion in the rinse tanks and vapor zone of the degreaser then provide a high-purity rinse, producing a dry and completely residue-free part.
Pairing the solvents takes care to ensure the solvating agent is easily removed by the rinsing agent, yet can be efficiently separated to maintain purity of the rinse and provide long process life. Studies performed using gas chromatography analysis demonstrate that at normal carryover levels, the first rinse step can be effectively maintained at greater than 98 percent purity. Figure 2 summarizes the results of three controlled tests where specific volumes of solvating agent were added to the first rinse tank on an hourly basis for a full shift.
By shifting the main cleaning step out of a typical degreaser, the process eliminates the biggest challenges of co-solvent applications—the need to maintain specific solvent ratios and eventual rinse contamination because of partial pressures and contamination buildup in the degreaser.
Properly matched DuoSolvent pairings can fit a range of process needs, from drying to lubricant and coating removal to flux cleaning.
Equipment suppliers are experiencing a limited increase in solvent degreasers based on the need for modern environmentally compliant equipment. While this market may never reach the level it was 30-plus years ago, solvent cleaning is necessary in certain specific applications. From the sheer size and complexity of some products to be cleaned and the cleanliness criteria that today’s aerospace, military and medical industries demand, solvent degreasing offers a simple yet effective solution.
Environmental impact is driving equipment design toward enclosed systems when possible. Whether an atmospheric shielded tank or hermetically sealed chamber, it’s the preferred choice of many companies. The advantages of these systems are readily apparent: lower solvent usage costs and emissive losses, combined with a controlled process that yields repeatable results with minimum operator interface.
What is the future of solvent cleaning from today’s view? Equipment and solvent manufacturers readily admit that the market has shrunk over the last decade, but it is far from dead. The industry as a whole is seeing new machines being ordered. Small, precision cleaning operations are desiring totally enclosed systems featuring automation that will minimize operator interface while conserving as much solvent as possible.
The old adage that solvent cleans better, faster, and in more restrictive places than water can ever reach is still true. The fact that today’s cleanliness specifications for precision and critical cleaning cannot have any contaminant residue or rinse water residue on the end product still drives some users toward solvent.
The cost to clean will always be a part of this equation, as will cost for environmental compliance and end user confidence. Some applications can go either solvent or aqueous, and there will remain alternate choices for all.
Solvent and equipment manufacturers believe the existing process will remain viable for many years into the future. We know the equipment will evolve as well as the solvent that goes into it. The basic process will remain similar. The improvements will come in new solvent blends and processes, material handling concepts, solvent recovery systems, and even tighter environmental compliance.


An exciting option for A level students! The course combines internally and externally assessed units, and we have published two books to support the specification.
Book 1 – Certificate Units (Students study approaches and research methods)
- Worth up to 28 UCAS points and equivalent to half of an A Level.
- Students study two units, both mandatory, of which Unit 1 is externally assessed.
- Endorsed for BTEC.
- Each book provides knowledge and evaluation of theories and studies combined with many engaging activities which deliver the vocational element.
- Activities aim to prepare students for internal and external assessments.
- The brilliant visual style and tone will encourage students through every step of the course.
- Written by leading authors Cara Flanagan, Rob Liddle and Mark Walsh.
“I’m sure many of you are looking for a new Key Stage 5 qualification which is more accessible for lower achieving students. The new Pearson BTEC National in Applied Psychology could well fit the bill.
This book has been designed to cover Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate Applied Psychology, which is worth up to 28 UCAS points and equivalent to half of an A Level – like the old-style AS. Students study two units, both mandatory, of which Unit 1 is externally assessed and Unit 2 internally assessed.
Those of you who have used Illuminate’s famous pink and green haired girl books (AQA A Level) will find the style very familiar. Sub-topics tend to be a two-page spread and the brilliant visual style and tone will be very appealing and accessible to students. The book provides knowledge and evaluation of theories and studies combined with many engaging activities which deliver the vocational element. It also contains lots of practical activities to inspire teachers and thoroughly prepare students for both internal and external assessments. Particularly useful are the revision summaries and examination style questions.
Written by respected and trusted authors, I’m sure this will become the text of choice for teachers and students of BTEC National Applied Psychology. This book has now been endorsed for BTEC and Book 2 for the National Extended Certificate Applied Psychology will be coming soon.
If you are thinking of introducing BTEC National Applied Psychology I strongly advise you to have a look at this book.”
ATP Magazine Review 2019
“Incredible. Full of every topic I need to know for my classes”
5 star Amazon reviews


Computer Simulation Brings Maps to Life on Campus
For the National Science Foundation’s Science Nation,* science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on a computing concept called Geo-immersion, which relies on virtual computer simulation to reflect the world around us in real-time.
Cyrus Shahabi, director of the University of Southern California’s Integrated Media Systems Center, explains various Geo-Immersion applications developed at the center. One maps the trend of traffic over time to calculate the shortest driving routes. Another called iCampus maps energy usage on campus, the real-time location of students using Twitter and the distance of USC buses from campus bus stops.
For the record, the National Science Foundation is an underwriter of the NewsHour.


This section is from the book "Cyclopedia Of Architecture, Carpentry, And Building", by James C. et al. Also available from Amazon: Cyclopedia Of Architecture, Carpentry And Building.
When laying corrugated iron on wood sheathing use galvanized iron nails and lead washers. The advantage in using lead washers is that they make a tight joint and prevent leaking and rusting at the nail hole; the washer being soft it easily shapes itself to any curve. In Fig. 233 is shown how these washers are used; A shows the full size nail and washer. When laying, commence at the left hand corner of the eave and end of the building. Continue laying to the ridge by lapping the second sheet over the first 4 inches, the left-hand edge being finished by means of a gable band G, formed as shown in Fig. 234, into which the corrugated sheet B is well bedded in roofer's cement C. When it is not desired to use this gable band the sheet must be well secured at the edge to keep the wind from raising the sheets from the roof in a storm, as at A in Fig. 230.
Should the gable have a fire wall, then let the sheets A butt against the wall and flash with corrugated flashing as shown in Fig. 235, over which the regular cap or counter flashing is placed as explained in connection with Fig. 227. Should the ridge of the roof A butt against a wall, as shown at B in Fig. 230, then an end-wall flashing is used as is shown in Fig. 236 which must also be capped, by either using cap flashing or allowing the corrugated siding to overlap this end-wall flashing as would be the case at B in Fig. 230. Now commence the second course at the eaves, giving one and one half corrugations for side lap, being careful that the side corrugations center each other exactly and nail with washers as shown in Fig. 237. Nail at every other corrugation at end laps, and at about every 6 inches at side laps, nailing through top of corrugation as shown in Fig. 237. Continue laying in this manner until the roof is covered.
The same rule is to be observed in regard to laps and flashing if the corrugated iron were to be fastened to iron purlins, and the method of fastening to the iron frames would be accomplished as shown in Figs. 238 to 240 inclusive. Assuming that steel structures are to be covered, as shown in Figs. 230 and 231, then let A in Fig. 238 be the iron rafter, B the cross angles on which the sheets D are laid, then by means of the clip or clamp C, which is made from hoop iron and bent around the angle B, the sheets are riveted in position. In Fig. 239 is shown another form of clamp, which is bent over the bottom of the angle iron.
Fig. 240 shows still another method, where the clamp F is riveted to the sheet B at E, then turned around the angle A at D. To avoid having the storm drive in between the corrugated opening at the eaves, corrugated wood filler is used as shown in Fig. 241. This keeps out the snow and sleet. On iron framing this is made of pressed metal.
If there are hips on the roof, the corrugated iron should be carefully cut and the hip covered with sheet lead. This is best done by having a wooden cove or filler placed on the hip, against which the roofing butts.
Sheet lead is then formed over this wooden core and into the corrugations, and fastened by means of wood screws through the lead cap into the wooden core.
The lead being soft, it can be worked into any desired shape.
When a valley occurs in a hipped roof, form from plain sheet iron a valley as shown in Fig. 243, being sure to give it two coats of paint before laying, and make it from 24-inch wide sheets, bending up 12 inches on each side. Fit it in the valley, and cut the corrugated iron to fit the required angle. Then lap the corrugated iron over the valley from 6 to 8 inches.
When a chimney is to be flashed, as shown in Fig. 244, use plain iron, bending up and flashing into the chimney joints, and allowing the flashing to turn up under the corrugated iron at the top about 12 inches and over the corrugated iron at the bottom about the same distance. At the side the flashing should have the shape of the corrugated iron and receive a lap of about 8 inches, the entire flashing being well bedded in roofer's cement. When a water-tight joint is required around a smoke stack, as shown in Fig. 245, the corrugated iron is first cut out as shown, then a flashing built around one half the upper part of the stack to keep the water from entering inside. This is best done by using heavy sheet lead and riveting it to the sheets, using strips of similar corrugated iron as a washer to avoid damaging the lead. Before riveting, the flashing must be well bedded in roofer's cement and then make a beveled angle of cement to make a good joint. After this upright flashing is in position a collar is set over the same and fastened to the stack by means of an iron ring bolted and made tight as shown. Cement is used to make a watertight joint around the stack. This construction gives room for the stack to sway and allows the heat to escape.
Sometimes the end-wall flashing shown in Fig. 236 can be used to good advantage in building the upright flashing in Fig. 245. Where the corrugated iron meets at the ridge, as at D and D in Figs. 230 and 231, a wooden core is placed in position as explained in connection with the hip ridge, and an angle ridge, pressed by dealers who furnish the corrugated iron, is placed over the ridge as shown in Fig. 246. When a ridge roll is required, the shape shown in Fig. 247 is employed.
FRONT AND REAR VIEWS OF RESIDENCE OF MRS. H. M. COBB, MAGNOLIA DRIVE, CLEVELAND, OHIO.
Watterson & Schneider, Architects, Cleveland, Ohio.
FRONT AND REAR VIEW OF RESIDENCE OF MR. H. T. LOOMIS, MAGNOLIA DRIVE CLEVELAND, OHIO.
Watterson & Schneider, Architects, Cleveland, Ohio.
These ridges are fastened direct to the roof sheets by means of riveting or bolting.